Chapter 1015: 16.61 First Red Star - Desperation
Chapter 1015: 16.61 First Red Star - Desperation
In the Territory of the Templar Temple...
It's been a week since the Werewolves attacked their territory, and Luciel Dawn has been freed since then. After the sacrifice made by the lower-ranking priest to heal their wounds as quickly as possible, the two cardinals are now able to get out of their beds. After all, the Templar Temple cannot be left without a leader for too long.
After being half-healed by their followers, Cardinal Darius and Cardinal Lemuel had to push themselves. They did everything possible to fill the gaps in the Territory in order to prevent another invasion from outside parties, but the destruction within the Territory would take a long time to rebuild, and there are many injuries from the previous battle. They also lost the majority of their senior priests. They lack bishops and even archbishops to support their temple, and the Pope is still sleeping.
Following the werewolf race's invasion, news of what happened that day spread throughout the world. The Templar Temple's enemies are not only other races but also multiple members of the same race. So, as the rumors about the Templar Temple spread, many of them made a move, attempting to bring the Templar Temple to its knees. After all, they knew they had the best chance of bringing this faction down right now.
"Your Eminences! Human heretics are attacking our gates once again. The Sanctuary isn't working on them!"
"What should we do? Most of our Holy Knights are still wounded. There is no one to defend the gates!" The messengers from the gates said.
They appear to be insane because there are constant attacks from the outside. Those who left the Templar Temple at their lowest point appear to have spread the word that not only was the Pope out of commission but so were the two cardinals. Those who were wronged by the Templar Temple due to Kenan Light's greed are now fighting back, with rumors of the Holy Son still at Genus Academy and Archbishop Mayonaka's betrayal. Nobody knows where the proof of the Pope's continued slumber has spread.
Mayonaka Yoru, unbeknownst to them, was the one who disseminated that information. Even if this man chose not to direct his vengeance and instead concentrated on his Luna, it did not mean that he would not indirectly harm the faction that had driven his tribe extinct. Many people outside noticed Sanctuary after it was activated. When they heard that the Great Temple was weakening, the Templar Temple's enemies descended in droves. The Holy Temple had no choice but to defend itself with everything it had left. As a result, the low priests performed a sacrifice and healed their two cardinals. Even if it was insufficient, they now have commanders to lead them.
Cardinal Lemuel commanded, "Activate the Holy Shield Array!"
"But Your Eminence can only be used during disasters and calamities!"
"We are only on the brink of death, you are still worrying about resources! Will need to buy some time to wake up the Pope!" Cardinal Darius said. "Almost put the Sanctuary at the highest output at the Healing Zone. Cure and treat as many people as we need. We need to prepare for all-out war once the array is broken."
"There is no other way! Luciel Dawn had destroyed our core with his attack just now. Our light aura will slowly diminish. Those who wanted to escape and live should leave. We will defend the place for the remaining time of our lives." Cardinal Lemuel said.
The disciples and apprentices of the two Cardinals couldn't stop crying after hearing such an announcement. The two cardinals can see wailing and suppressed cries from the faces of the priest's surroundings.
Cardinals Darius and Lemuel smiled at the children under their supervision. The desire to protect their younglings remained in the hearts of these two cardinals even at the end of their lives.
"You children need to leave. Go to Genus Academy and seek the Holy Son. Lem and I will create a Teleportation Array outside the Domain. Run as fast as you can when you get out." Darius Rueden said.
Even though he and Lemuel were forced to serve the current Pope, the children under their tutelage were their sole means of staying alive. They no longer need to be afraid of the Gu in their bodies now that the Templar Temple is about to be destroyed.
Cardinal Lemuel was looking at his only friend, his only family, and the person with whom he shared his life. He was also the person he should not have dragged into the hell he now finds himself in. He didn't want to let him go, but if it was right now, his selfishness had been replaced by something else he had chosen to ignore all this time.
Darius Rueden had no idea what was going through his friend's head. He was so preoccupied with their disciples that he didn't notice the strange gaze that fell on him or the hidden determination that flashed within Lemuel Elon's eyes.
Cardinal Lemuel said, "Start the Holy Shield Array and control the Sanctuary as ordered. Rius and I will create the Teleportation Array while you guys are away. Go!"
"Yes, Your Eminences!"
After the disciples and apprentices had departed. The two cardinals set about constructing the Teleportation Array. While working on the formation, the two were having their usual private conversation.
"Rius, do you not want to leave with the children? I can..."
"Nonsense! There is no way I'm going to leave you here! I never did before, not now and not in the future! Stop taking useless things!" Exclaimed Cardinal Darius Rueden. He couldn't bear to continue listening to his friend's words of nonsense.
Lemuel Elon shut up for a bit but he obviously has countless unsaid words. Hesitation was evident in his eyes and obviously Darius Rueden noticed it.
"We are old now. We have no family and only have each other. There is no need to continue living if we cannot but at the very least we can ensure the children's safety in exchange for ours, is that enough? Since I chose to stand by your side from the very beginning I will be with you until the end, Lemuel Elon." Darius Rueden declared which just made the desperation within Lemuel's heart become stronger.
"Finally we are finished. I'm so tired. Working this hard at this age really is a pain in the back."
After they completed the Teleportation Array, Darius Rueden felt his entire body become numb for an unknown reason, and when he turned around, he saw his dear friend, Lemuel Elon, casting the spell of paralysis on him. It was shocking, and he couldn't believe it.
Stunned and paralyzed, Darius Rueden said, "W-What... Are you doing...? Lem!"
Darius Rueden couldn't help but widen his eyes at Lemuel Elon who suddenly did such a thing, a smile appeared on his friend's wrinkled face then suddenly felt a hand stab he didn't feel his body the pain due to the numbness of his body from seeing and smelling his own blood. He felt betrayed at first, but then a strong energy of light entered his body and he realized what Lemuel Elon was up to.
Lemuel Elon smiled and caressed a face that was similar to his old one, "In my next life, I will never put you in danger again. I swear with my soul in line."
"Live, Rius." Whispered Lemuel Elon before he saw his friend fall unconscious. During his healing, Darius's injuries instantly healed and disappeared.
The Gu inside Darius Rueden's body was extracted and transferred to Lemuel Elon's body in front of his eyes. Having two Gus in one's body is lethal because the vessel would be in excruciating pain and would soon die. Their disciples and apprentices witnessed the murder of one of their teachers by their other teacher. Those who did not know the truth believed that Lemuel Elon had murdered their master; only their direct disciples were aware of the truth.
They stop the other younger disciples and apprentices from approaching, and tears stream down their cheeks. Only Darius' first disciple approached them, and Lemuel Elon passed his unconscious sleeping friend to the child's arm.
Lemuel Elon said, "My only fear is that when I am gone he would choose to end his life as well. Child, look after your master well. Tell him I will take our revenge to the fullest."
"Yes, Master Lemuel!"
The disciples and apprentices enter the circle as Lemuel Elon orders. His disciples couldn't accept that their teacher had to stay behind alone. But after getting scolded fiercely by their Master they could only meekly lower their heads and cry silently.
Lemuel Elon said, "Go to Genus Academy. Find the Holy Son. If he is not willing to accept you, find the founder. He lives in the abandoned church at Genus Academy. He will definitely... Cough!"
"MASTER!"
Lemuel's mouth spews blood and flesh. The two Gus inside him began eating away at his body from within, as he had expected, but he didn't stop charging the Teleportation Array with his energy, putting in as much as he could so that this group would be teleported to a location closer to Genus Academy. Even if he expended all of his light energy, he is willing as long as they are placed somewhere safe.
Lemuel's disciples were about to run forward to help their teacher when the array was fully activated and they were instantly transferred somewhere else. The last thing they remember is their teacher's gentle smile as he stares at Teacher Darius, who is sleeping and leaving with them.
Lemuel Elon finally stopped holding back his screams from the pain of his body being eaten from the inside the moment his only family vanished from his line of sight. He squirmed and scratched the ground until the tips of his fingers were bleeding and some of his nails were broken. But no matter how loud Lemuel Elon screamed, the pain coursing through his body made him want to die rather than leave. It took him another hour to finally tire of yelling, and the pain faded to numbness.
With his whole body trembling, Lemuel Elon stood up with shaky legs and fell on the ground multiple times. He ignored the mild pain and slowly walked towards the area where the Pope's loyalists were still present. The other priests and knights who saw Cardinal Lemuel's condition all tried to help him, but a single glare was enough to make them back down.
"There is no other choice. Darius Rueden had taken his disciples and left the domain. Only I was left and heavily injured like this. The Array will be broken soon and we... can only wait for death!"
In such an unprecedented situation, Lemuel Elon declared that the rest of those who remained loyal to the temple until the end could only lower their heads. This time, their wills were broken, and they began to think only of surviving on their own. Some gave up and appeared dazed, waiting for death, while others began crying aloud and brainstorming until their heads literally exploded. Lemuel Elon manipulated this situation to achieve his goal. He smiled quietly as he watched the chaos unfold in front of him.
When he finally saw them at the end of their lives, he finally threw an option they could never refuse in such a life-or-death situation. His amiable voice reverberates throughout the area, his voice is soft and gentle as if soothing the hearts of those who hear, but his words were full of cruelty they would not expect to hear from a Cardinal like him.
Lemuel Elon said, "There is only one way to survive. Give up the land and sacrifice the Pope who failed to protect us. That way we can live!"
Everyone was stunned at first, and silence descended as everyone stared in disbelief at the Cardinal in front of their faces. They attempted to analyze the Cardinal's expression but were unable to find a flaw in his emotions. It was as if he had transformed into an emotionless demon willing to do anything to survive. They couldn't help but think in the same direction, and no one openly rejected the idea; instead, many of them agreed, while the rest quietly accepted the Majority's decision.
Seeing such an ending, Cardinal Lemuel couldn't help but smirk and mumbled, "The selfish nature of humans would never change."