The Age Of Arrogance

“Could that snake-like bastard have done it? He’s a human who can wiggle his three-inch tongue and get away with it, even with evidence.”

 

As Giles sighed and shook his head, Asha opened her mouth with a firm face.

 

“I heard that there is an old bell tower in the first temple of Zyro.”

 

Giles frowned as Asha suddenly interrupted, but he didn’t show his displeasure as openly as before.

 

That’s because the night Asha left, Carlyle turned over everything in Giles’ tent with his eyes turned upside down.

 

At that time, it was only objects that were broken, but he didn’t know what would happen next. So he had no choice but to watch Carlyle’s reaction.

 

“That’s true, but why are you suddenly bringing up the bell tower?”

 

“It was used for a special purpose in the past, wasn’t it?”

 

“Well… yes, that’s right. The first floor of the bell tower was used for the choir to sing hymns, and the noble believers sat on the upper floor to listen to the hymns.”

 

In the days when the Elahe was just another religion, the temple used to hold religious activities for nobles only in order to secure powerful believers.

 

One of them was the event called ‘The Night of the Hymn’.

 

On a clear summer night, the choir would sing hymns on the first floor of the spacious bell tower, and the nobles would sit on the upper floor and enjoy the beautiful voices echoing through the air.

 

It was a place for conservative old men who thought opera and theater were vulgar.

 

“Why are you asking that?”

 

“I’m thinking of holding another ‘Night of the Hymn’ event.”

 

“What?”

 

Everyone, not just Giles, had a puzzled look on their face. Except for Carlyle.

 

He seemed a little worried, but he only announced what had been agreed upon with Asha in advance.

 

“The one who will sing the song of confession on the first floor of the bell tower will be High Priest Gabriel, and those who will listen to it will be the middle class and our high nobles. The invitation must be made in secret.”

 

“So is that possible? It’s not easy to bring the high nobles in secret, but if you gather them and nothing happens… that’s when it will be a disaster!”

 

Giles’ face turned pale as he couldn’t figure out what Carlyle and Asha were trying to do. With the information they had, there was no way to get Gabriel there and get him to confess.

 

However, Carlyle and Asha were already in the process of doing things.

 

“I’ve made an appointment to meet with High Priest Gabriel.”

 

“I’ll somehow get him to confess. So please just gather the nobles.”

 

The only mistake Gabriel made was that he thought Asha was unconscious and spoke his mind out loud.

 

Asha, who learned that he was trying to win her over, discussed with Carlyle and decided to use Gabriel.

 

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we can’t afford to miss.”

 

Carlyle roughly explained the situation where Gabriel tried to woo Asha and made a plan for the ‘Night of the Hymn’ as well as a plan for the march towards Zyro.

 

* * *

 

…Then, I will see you on November 30th, at 8 pm, on the 1st floor of the unused bell tower of the 1st Temple. Once again, thank you for your mercy and kindness, Your Eminence.

 

Gabriel smiled faintly while touching the last letter brought by the messenger.

 

The unused bell tower felt creepy because it hadn’t been used for a long time, but it was still the perfect place to secretly meet Asha, who is still not a believer of Carlyle.

 

“This is a mess. I should do something about this bell tower too.”

 

Frowning, Gabriel entered the bell tower and saw weeds growing wildly everywhere and heard the noisy sound of insects.

 

However, his mood soon improved when he saw something sparkling on the other side.

 

“May the blessing of Libato descend upon the lowest place in the world.”

 

As he recited a part of the pre-arranged prayer, someone in the darkness walked towards the center of the moonlit area and replied.

 

“Lost one, I pray for God’s mercy and blessing.”

 

The owner of the voice took off the hood they were wearing.

 

Hair like darkness fading away, a face pale like the moon, a straight posture, and a steady voice.

 

It was truly Asha Pervez.

 

“Countess Pervaz!”

 

“It’s been a long time, Your Eminence.”

 

Gabriel felt a strange sense of satisfaction that he was meeting her in his own temple, not Pervaz.

 

“It must have been difficult to come here. Weren’t you followed?”

 

“Probably. It’s already been ten days since I disappeared from Pervaz.”

 

“I’m glad you arrived safely.”

 

The two greeted each other and sat side-by-side on the stone steps.

 

“It must have been hard on you.”

 

Gabriel initiated the conversation.

 

Then Asha spoke in a voice that seemed to be holding back anger.

 

“As you know, Your Eminence, I did my best to help His Highness Carlyle. I didn’t care about my body being cursed, or being insulted or looked down upon. It was because I believed I would be rewarded for my suffering.”

 

While Asha exhaled a shaky breath, Gabriel nodded as if he understood.

 

“But I was the fool who believed. Do you know the word ‘meat shield’?”

 

“Yes? It doesn’t sound like a very good word at first glance.”

 

“It’s a vulgar way of saying using people as shields. And I was supposed to be used as a meat shield.”

 

Gabriel’s expression was one of shock.

 

“What do you mean!”

 

“His Highness Carlyle intends to put me at the forefront of the Zyro Advance forces. He means for me to stand at the front and kill as many Imperial Knights as possible before I die.”

 

“Oh, Libato. Save this world where demons run rampant.”

 

He clasped the pendant of the Tree of Wisdom and recited a short prayer.

 

Asha spoke with a hardened face.

 

“I can no longer trust anyone. I came here only because the High Priest was the one who offered to help, but I cannot trust even the High Priest.”

 

“I understand. I understand completely.”

 

“Then please tell me honestly about the High Priest’s plan. What kind of future are you envisioning with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager or His Majesty the New Emperor?”

 

Gabriel’s heart swelled at the question that centered on him.

 

It meant that Asha, unlike everyone else who saw him as Beatrice’s lover or lackey, had seen through to his true identity as the real mastermind behind everything.

 

He smiled brightly at Asha.

 

“We will make this country a Holy Empire. A most ideal country where the will of God takes precedence over everything.”

 

“I am too foolish to understand what that means.”

 

“Hoho. It won’t be difficult. The Imperial Law will be gradually revised in accordance with the Elahe Law, and I will be by the Emperor’s side to ensure that his decisions do not go against the will of God.”

 

Asha tilted her head and asked again.

 

“Then…… what will happen to the nobles?”

 

“They will become the people of God and live more righteous lives. The greedy will learn to be honest, the arrogant will learn to be humble, and all will come to realize that all power comes from God.”

 

“But the nobles live a life far from the word of God. They will oppose the founding of the Holy Empire.”

 

“I see you think the same way I do.”

 

Gabriel felt like he had found a comrade to share his lonely fight with.

 

And so he let his guard down.

 

“The most corrupt in this country are the nobles. This country cannot stand upright unless we correct them.”

 

He didn’t realize in time that Asha’s eyes were glinting coldly.

 

“The Imperial Law will change little by little, starting with the parts that are difficult to notice. And in the meantime, we will gradually increase the size of the Imperial Guard, the Imperial Knights, and the Order of the Holy Knights.”

 

“Are you saying that you will suppress the resisting nobles by force?”

 

“The god of law and order, Elderis, holds a law book in one hand and a sword in the other. If everyone follows the word of God, there will be no need for Elderis to use his sword.”

 

Judging by his cheerful expression, Gabriel was clearly of the opinion that there was nothing wrong with what he said. After all, it was the same as saying that he would eventually carry out a politics of fear based on the military.…….

 

And it was not Asha who was shocked by Gabriel’s story, but the high-ranking nobles who were hiding and sitting on the upper floor of the bell tower.

 

Thanks to the unique structure of the bell tower, which was designed to amplify the sound from the first floor to the upper floors, they were able to hear Gabriel’s words clearly, without missing a single word, even from a distance.

 

At that point, Carlyle, who had been hiding, stepped forward.

 

“Those who are obsessed with religion sure come up with bizarre thoughts,”

 

Carlyle’s voice suddenly interjected, causing Gabriel to startle.

 

“What’s this about…?”

 

“The Empress Dowager and that Matthias bastard agreed to the founding of the Holy Empire, knowing full well about these things? Matthias was a spineless coward, but it seems the Empress Dowager was even more eager than expected.”

 

Gabriel sensed a threat from Carlyle as he slowly approached, so he summoned his dark magic.

 

“They are faithful unlike Your Highness. Please refrain from speaking lightly.”

 

“Well, today’s audience seems to share my thoughts more closely, don’t you think?”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, murmurs began to emerge from the upper floors of the tower.

 

Soon, spectral figures began to appear on the third and fourth-floor balconies, sending shivers down Gabriel’s spine.

 

“Let me introduce you. Judging by the standards of the High Priest, they may all seem greedy and arrogant.”

 

Although those overlooking from the upper floors were all wearing masks, it was easy to deduce that they were nobles wielding considerable power.