The Saint Emperor has passed away.
If that news became known, the cardinals would have had to vote to elect a new Saint Emperor.
However, there is only one seat to ascend to, and there are three candidates.
The numbers were ambiguous for fighting each other, and it was clear that fighting would only leave scratches on each other's reputations.
Due to the scratches from that process, all three might not be able to attain the papacy.
They weren't speaking to each other, so they remained silent without knowing each other's intentions, but eventually realized their minds were one.
That was precisely when Gregorio collapsed.
Because they tasted power as the Pope's acting representative, they fell into it because they tasted it, and couldn't escape because they fell in.
That's why they're trying to sustain the country by not announcing the Pope's passing and confining the Golden Dragon.
"Because they value the Golden Dragon's symbolism and abilities, they must be keeping her bound."
I understand.
But the problem was that it had degenerated into personal greed rather than thinking of the Holy Nation's people.
"If only we could somehow rescue that Golden Dragon..."
Thinking that, a certain group came to mind in Ferda's head.
"I know of one organization that can punish the corrupt vested interests..."
"Yes, there is one."
She knows what Ferda is talking about.
Is that why? A sigh burst out before any sense of reliability.
She didn't even want to mention the name.
"With Jed's skills, he can break through that strict security, right?"
"His sharp instincts have dulled compared to before, but there's nothing for you to worry about."
To speak coldly, she only said his sharp instincts dulled; his skills are still overwhelming.
"Besides, a new talent is with him."
Garnet recalled that figure.
What burst out was a hollow laugh.
"An incredible prospect."
Her expression and words differ, but she wouldn't lie.
Ferda also decided to stop worrying which only ate up time.
"Then no need to run my mouth. Deploy them."
Who is the dragon possessing a size like Mount Tai?
If asked that, one would answer: the Golden Dragon.
Odograsado is the largest among all dragons.
To have a conversation matching her desired eye level, one had to put one's body deep underground.
From the Holy Nation's early days until now, she considered the Palace of Light, this underground, a cozy home.
But now it has become a prison.
13 golden chains dangled from Odograsado's neck.
If she polymorphs, she can move relatively freely, but cannot leave that space.
After attempting escape several times, now she just kept her place and sat quietly.
"How is your body?"
A cardinal approached and asked.
Odograsado answered dejectedly.
"It's very stifling."
"Well, why did you say such useless things and drive yourself to this state?"
She shrank her shoulders at the cardinal's pressing tone.
On the surface a sorry face, but the twitching corners of the mouth were soaked in a sense of conquest.
"Don't worry, Mother of the Holy Nation. I've brought lots of things you like. You just stay quiet until the storm passes."
He prepared sweet cakes and candies she normally could only eat one of, and shoved them full before her.
Odograsado, who couldn't resist sweets, didn't even make a move to reach for the desserts.
"Please... can't you stop?"
Instead, she begged him.
"Winning and losing is the natural order we must face as long as we're on this Serdes Continent. I've been an immortal who escaped that order until now, but the moment has come to follow it. If I don't follow that order, who would have faith?"
"Well said, Mother. You asked who would have faith?"
The cardinal snapped harshly.
"You are the Immortal Light, the Gold, and the Incarnation of Faith. Do you know what happens if you disappear before our Holy Nation's people? If Odograsado is a mere destiny to vanish, who would follow the Holy Nation's doctrine?"
"We must unite in mutual faith, rely on each other, and move forward."
"Unite in mutual faith? You don't know worldly affairs. Humans aren't that smart, Mother. When perfectly good eyes and ears go blind and deaf, they fear, and falling onto the wrong path is natural. You tried to make your followers like that!"
Odograsado closed her mouth.
The cardinal's words had some merit.
"So stay quiet. The Holy Nation will use any means to protect you. Even... if it means war."
The cardinal withdrew like that.
A terrible silence flowed as he disappeared.
She couldn't blame that cardinal.
The chains on her neck weren't made by anyone else.
'I made them.'
She made chains that could bind herself by blinding her own two eyes.
She wanted to prove she could lead them with faith, not oppression.
'But that faith became a tool binding human greed.'
When excessive power arises, one is bound to harbor other intentions.
She shouldn't have shown that.
But who would have known?
Even when she was founding the nation, she didn't think she'd die.
Everyone is like that.
Only seeing the sun tilt west does one realize night comes.
'Everything was woven from my greed.'
She just wanted to prove it.
She just wanted to create a paradise with humans united by faith.
She just wanted to give even a little comfort to painful lives.
'My current ideal is not here.'
And the place where that ideal rises is far away.
'Hestia.'
A place avoided as dangerous land closest to the Demon Land.
But now people were gathering in that dangerous land.
Each coming with their own purpose, but in crisis they eventually become one and overcome hardships.
'That was the faith I wanted.'
The ideal Odograsado wanted to lead was there.
She smiled bitterly at this irony.
'It's my fault.'
Odograsado loved people.
That's why she lent her power and gave scales containing divine authority.
But as the number of scales decreased, divine authority fell to a tool of power.
She vaguely noticed, but Odograsado turning a blind eye saying it couldn't be helped is what caused this mess.
Should have loved but not trusted.
'The nation can go to hell. But what about the people suffering under it?'
Who becomes the shepherd to lead the poor sheep?
Her heart ached.
If only someone would resolve this stifling feeling...
That was when.
A presence felt beyond the door.
That presence was quite different from the people who'd been lingering here until now.
-Who was supposed to come?
-Shift change is far off, and there's no reason for anyone to come...
Guards' voices were heard.
The uninvited guest's footsteps draw closer.
-Halt, today's countersign!
-Yupi!
An extremely lively voice.
A voice never heard before, but since the countersign matched, they proceed to the next step.
-What's your business?
-I received orders to deliver snacks to the Grrrreat Odograsado-nim!
-Snacks?
-Yep!
Odograsado felt around with her hands.
Her surroundings were already full of sweet smells.
-Leave it here. I'll have it brought later.
-But they said to deliver it directly?
-What?
-Oppa said to feed her directly and listen to her impressions.
-Oppa?
-Ah, not oppa, was it patissier?
-Are you really a believer here?!
-I'm not?
-What?
-Ah, misspoke!
Spoken words can't be taken back.
The woman shouted lively as if she had no intention of fixing it.
-Eit! Can't be helped!
-Intruder!
-Sound the alaaaarm!!
Udangtangtang!
Kungtang!
Dull sounds, short screams, and sounds of people collapsing one after another.
The sounds didn't stop and gradually drew closer.
Finally, that lively uninvited guest knocked down all 12 guards and opened the door.
"Wow, it's huge."
Black hair with eyes like they contain stars.
A woman who just became an adult, but her eyes seemed not to have left girlhood yet.
The woman looked around restlessly, approached Odograsado slyly, and asked.
"Hey kid, do you know where Odograsado-nim is?"
Odograsado answered with slight embarrassment.
"I am that Odograsado, though?"
"Huh? Don't lie. Odograsado-nim is super huge!"
"Don't you see horns on my head?"
"Anyone can wear horns! I can too! Look!"
She put something on her head, then realized belatedly and hid it behind her.
"Ah, these are rabbit ears, my."
"Hahang, child. I'm blind so I can't see things like that."
"Ah, really? How pitiful..."
A girl pure to the point of being flustering.
But considering her movements and the fallen people, she was nothing short of a monster.
"So who are you?"
"If you ask who I am, answering is common sense! The righteous thieves who don't forgive injustice, Barnie Swallows!"
She shouted boldly with a pose full of style.
"I'm Cutie Bunny!"
"That's your alias, what's your real name?"
"Emilia!"
"You idiot sister, how many times did I say not to say your name?"
"Oops! Please forget it!"
The voice that barged in midway was a somewhat recognizable voice.
"You're Ferda's attendant."
"Yes."
"The reason you came for me... did you come on orders knowing I was caught?"
"Yes. On the Regent-nim's orders, we came to escort you to the Grand Duke's kingdom."
He tilted his hat and continued.
"Of course the pretext is we came to find the glorious light the dirty vested interests hid, Lady."
"Hahang, what a stylish gentleman! A yearning heart that never woke in a lifetime springs forth!"
"Ah! No! Our orabeoni already has so many women, he can't go around adding more!"
"Please ignore our stupid sister's words. We raised her too indulgently since childhood."
"Hahahang! Truly cute, cute."
Odograsado laughed her belly button off.
She thought it fortunate she wasn't broken enough to not even laugh.
"So rabbits. How do you plan to take this girl?"
"We plan to break out with the most primitive method, but..."
"Then part of my power will go to the cardinals. War will be unavoidable, and innocent victims will arise."
"But there's no other way. Emperor Hudret agreed to this too."
"Hudret..."
You look after me to the end.
Setting aside that joy for a moment, she gathered her reason.
"Still, I can't let the blood of the people who believed and followed me be shed in vain. War breaking out is unacceptable."
"Then you plan to stay here?"
"I have one clever plan. Sorry to you who serve another lord, but may I ask one favor?"
Emilia and Jed looked at each other and nodded.
"War breaking out is something our Regent and Valdrova-nim also don't wish. So if we can escape this predicament by borrowing the Golden Dragon's wisdom, we'll gladly borrow it."
"Please tell us!"
Odograsado smiled.
Her first order was this.
"Make the board bigger. Enough to make a huge ruckus."
Shortly after,
The Palace of Light went on emergency alert.
Kangkangkang!
"Intruder detected! Intruder detected!"
"Someone invaded the Holy Nation's chambers!"
The alarm bell rang, and all believers and guards moved busily.
The elite among them followed the cardinals underground.
"Everyone stay alert! Never let this impious one who invaded the sanctuary leave alive!"
"Yes!"
Paladins armed with divinity and cardinals entered following the underground passage.
They passed the unconscious guards and went inside.
There, the giant form of Odograsado was there.
Greeting that divine body shining in golden light wasn't easy even for those long in religion.
"Ooh, Great Divinity..."
"What are you doing!? No time to pray now!"
At the cardinals' shout, the knights trying to pay respects came to their senses and scanned surroundings.
"West sector clear!"
"East sector clear!"
"All sectors clear!"
But no matter how they searched, no trace of intruders was visible.
"Seems like they tried to steal but failed, no?"
"Even if they came this far, cutting those chains is impossible..."
"Still, should strengthen security more. Even a little opening is a problem..."
The whispering cardinals concluded and looked up at Odograsado.
"Great Golden Dragon, sorry for the inconvenience. I'll withdraw now."
-.....
"Holy Nation?"
No answer.
Not even a twitch.
Something's weird.
One cardinal reluctantly approached him.
Wondering if seeing an illusion, reached out a hand.
"If by chance there's any discomfort..."
The moment the finger touched a scale, something dropped with a thud.
Lowering his gaze, Odograsado's golden scale had fallen to the floor.
Like autumn leaves with no resistance, it came out.
Daeng......
A clear sound spread and rang in all directions from the golden scale.
Resonating with that vibration, Odograsado's divine body began trembling anxiously.
Kurururu—.
"An earthquake...?"
One more falls, then two more fall.
Continuing to fall like that, finally the form collapsed.
It became a mountain of piled golden scales.
Then where is Odograsado?
That question too for a moment,
"Aah...!"
Paladins were seized by ecstasy.
The Golden Dragon's scales caused miracles, and only a few could enjoy them.
If only they could have it, they'd done anything.
"Can do anything..."
Those words condensed, degenerated, and spread in murky colors.
And finally burns by the name of greed.
"It's the Holy Nation's grace!"
The knight in frenzy dropped his sword and rushed there.
The wave of madness grew uncontrollably and infected surroundings.
"Everyone back off!"
"I said back off!"
Cardinals tried to stop them, but they were already sweeping up scales on the golden mountain.
Cardinals watching that greedy scene pulled daggers from their bosoms.
"Those are mine!! You savages!"
His eyes bloodshot red, he jumped in and stabbed the backs of those seized by greed.
Even though they couldn't take it all even hugging armfuls, they absolutely wouldn't yield, and the golden mountain increasingly stained with blood.
Even in that wave of greed, two knights didn't move.
They quietly stepped back and watched.
Shortly after, a girl emerged from amidst the madness.
The once lush blonde hair was cut short and neat.
She walked confidently between knights and cardinals, but they didn't even glance at her.
The girl couldn't hide her pity and said this.
"In the end, you had no faith in me."
The girl embraced into Emilia's arms.