Novels2Search

Ep. 1245 Betrayer Part 4

They also get to see just how easily I kill the angel, but I don't mind that too much. They are my allies, so them seeing a part of how strong I am isn't a bad thing. I let the memory play out until I kill the clergyman in charge and then I end it.

However, right as I dismiss the screen, I feel a presence appear behind me. Turning my head a little, all I see is four big white, fluffy wings, so I turn my head a little more. That allows me to see a stunningly beautiful woman and then another four wings.

From the absolute silence of the room, I am guessing that I am not the only one who sees her. I admit that I am a little nervous, an eight-winged archangel is not what I was expecting to see. Also, if Lin or Myria were to hear my thoughts as I look at her, I would be a dead man.

??? says "I am the prime angel of Lady Artlysa. At her command, I am here to verify your memory."

"How are you going to do that?"

??? says "I will need to access your mind and view the memory directly to make sure that it hasn't been altered."

"You are only going to view that memory? I don't want you viewing any other memories of mine."

??? says "That is correct. I am only interested in that memory."

"Well, alright then. Go ahead."

??? says "You will feel some pressure on your mind. Please don't resist."

Before I can say anything, I feel her will trying to invade my mind, but it isn't painful. It also turns out that I have to let her in, she can't force her way into my mind. That is fairly reassuring, so I let her in just enough to view that one memory.

As soon as I grant her access to the memory, I put up mental walls all around it. I want to make sure that she doesn't go peeking into any of my other memories. I especially protect all the memories dealing with Seronia and Krenocia.

I am just going to have to hope that this archangel is not strong enough to see that I am their champion. Although, I am guessing that if she was she would have already said something. If nothing else, she would probably be being more polite when addressing me.

??? says "I have verified the memory. It is true! In Lady Artlysa's name, I declare that Holos has betrayed the pantheon! As such, all clergymen of Holos and any follower who refuses to rebuke him are all declared as heretics!"

Emperor Amn says "So, the church of Holos is to be destroyed?"

??? says "Yes. Absolutely and completely! My Lady will deal with Holos, it will be left to you and the other churches to deal with his followers."

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

Emperor Amn says "Very well, I will see to it."

Empress Atesh says "If we make it public that Holos has made a deal with the demons, that should be enough to turn most of his followers against him. Then we will only have to kill the most rabid of his believers."

"Will Artlysa be killing Holos directly, or waiting until he is weakened?"

??? says "Killing a god is not a simple matter. First, My Lady will capture and imprison him. She will not kill him for the time being. Not until he is forgotten and weakened."

"That's fine. As long as he is no longer capable of messing with the peninsula, that is all I care about. By the way, what of his angels?"

??? says "I will be hunting them down and killing any who refuse to forswear him."

"Alright, good enough."

Emperor Amn says "I can lend you some special troops if you need help on your end of things, Ash."

"No need. I have already sent people to kill the clergymen and start spreading rumors about Holos. It shouldn't be an issue. Besides, most of the demons are dead by now."

Emperor Amn says "That's good. Let us know if you need any assistance."

"I will. Oh right, how did the thing with the northern empire go?"

Emperor Amn says "They took the bait. They rushed in and were ambushed by a massive army of demonic beasts, just like you predicted."

"I take it that they didn't fare well? Did you manage to take advantage? What kind of numbers did the demonic beasts have?"

Emperor Amn says "Their expedition was almost completely wiped out. It will take them a while to recover from those losses. We didn't take much territory, just like you suggested we only took what we can hold. My scouts didn't get too close, but we estimate their numbers at over a hundred thousand."

"That is a lot of demonic beasts, a lot more than I was expecting. What happened to the beasts after the fighting was over?"

Emperor Amn says "They retreated further into the demon lands."

"They didn't chase after the troops who escaped the trap?"

Empress Atesh says "No, they didn't. I also found that to be weird."

"It means that a demon was controlling them. Beasts would not retreat on their own. They would either chase the enemies, or stop to eat the dead."

Emperor Amn says "That's true, but why would the demons have them retreat?"

"Probably because they were aware of your scouts and wanted to set up an ambush for your troops as well. Or maybe they just wanted to preserve their number of beasts. All I know is that the demons have a plan, probably multiple plans."

Shiro says "That's assuming that you haven't already ruined whatever plan they had. They might just be trying to stall for time."

Emperor Amn says "That is possible. Unfortunately, we don't really have any way of knowing what the demons are planning."

"We might. That high priest over there might have some information. You might want to ask him before you kill him. At least, I am assuming that you have someone capable of getting him to talk."

Empress Atesh says "Of course we do! But do you really think he knows something?"

"Well, Holos strikes me as the type to want someone to complain to. As the high priest in the capital I would assume that Holos at least knows who he is. He might have vented to him. It is worth a shot in my opinion."

Emperor Amn says "Well, we won't really lose anything if he doesn't. Guards, take him to the dungeon!"

The high priest of Holos is dragged out kicking and screaming by the guards. The rest of the high priests also leave to set their church members to destroying Holos' church. That just leaves me, the imperial family, and the archangel in the room.

??? says "Emperor Amn, I will leave his church to you. Do well and I am sure that my Lady will reward you. King Ash, should you need help dealing with any of Holos' forces, you may call upon me."