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Chapter 508: Enemy Of The Theocracy
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As pointed out, everyone’s gaze landed on the High Priestess of the Elven Race and they knew that what the Werewolf King said was right.
If Siva was indeed working for the Demons, even if Gaia was under a spell and was just acting like a puppet, the Vow would still kill her the moment she had betrayed the Terran Alliance.
The [Unbreakable Vow Spell] is named as such because it was ‘unbreakable’ as long as the one who took the oath was still alive and breathing.
It was because the Vow’s promise ‘locks’ the soul with the conditions of the vow. Once the soul, willingly or unwillingly, breaks the conditions, the Vow that was made will instantly crush their soul and so thereby killing them on the spot. Silently.
There was no time for regret.
And even in the case that Gaia is being controlled like a puppet (like being coerced or something in that line of thinking) —since Necromancy is out of the question for having obvious signs of Dark Mana radiating out of the body of an undead— it will still fall under the conditions of breaking the vow because Gaia still retained her ego.
In case of her being hypnotized or something, it’s also an impossibility because; firstly, even though the act of hypnotism is a skill, trying to hypnotize a High Elf who had lived for thousands of years and had a personal power to smash just about anyone in Terroa, is impossible. Lastly, even if in the far-off chance that she has indeed been hypnotized, the vow would still take effect and kill her.
So Gaia, talking to them right now with nothing being wrong with her, aside from choosing Siva’s side unconditionally in this meeting and in the last one in Jeremiah, all meant that she had chosen so according to her own volition.
As such, when this point was stressed out by the Werewolf King, the council began to think about it and became confused.
—does this mean that The Oracle had truly allied herself with Siva, this repugnantly irritating brazen prick who doesn’t recognize authority even when facing face to face against it?
——and does that mean that Siva is not a traitor?
Many had the same thoughts in their minds right at that instant and their glares couldn’t be hotter and more acidic as they focused them on Siva.
Romano fell silent and he shut his mouth as he sat back down his seat, as was the owners of the accusing fingers pointing directly at Siva.
Taken at their perspective, this Alliance Council of High Seats wasn’t evil nor was any of them evil.
It was just that the years of demon infestation and the on-going war with the Dragons had put their nerves at the brink and so they seemed to always be at the edge. It reflected into their words, their actions, and then ultimately into their perspectives in life that they became suspicious and stupid with just about anybody.
Taken into the perspective of a modern man and a real world person like Siva, these NPCs were all just victims, pitiful souls trapped as a plaything for mankind’s unknown ambitions.
This was of the reasons why Siva couldn’t find the reason to flip the tables on them and be patient.
It was even a miracle he was acting so.
“I will also join the effort.” Gaia, of course, voiced out her allegiance and although it was already an obvious fact, many still found this unbelievable, as many felt more male jealousy than a professional standard etiquette when thinking that Siva would be spending more time with the voluptuous Gaia in their effort to eradicate the threats of traitors.
“I as well.”
“Me too.”
“I didn’t say anything earlier. I will join as well.”
“Count me in.”
“My army is at the Werewolf King’s beck and call.”
Many hidden voices stated their willingness to join the effort. The faces of the Romano-faction and his allies in denouncing Siva earlier began to twist in an ugly frown and some even had shadows on their faces as if they’ve eaten a rotting rat.
Prince Duren glanced over Gaia and met her eyes urging him to speak his part.
He hesitated then looked at Siva, then, just as he was about to speak part, Romano spoke, “You all are out of your mind! How can you trust this man when we didn’t even know anything about him and his so called Asgard?”
Gaia stood up at this moment, “I hereby, in the name of our Goddess, Elvira, evoke the Right of Merit… and with the power of my vow, solemnly swear, that Siva is not a traitor to the Terran Civilization nor was he an agent of the Demons or the Seven Dragon Clans.”
“Lady Oracle!”
“You’re mad!”
“How can you evoke your…!!”
“First the Humans, now The Oracle!”
“Siva, what did you to our Lady Oracle?!!”
Many reacted violently with Gaia’s vow and with a single statement, Romano’s claim to condemn and criticize Siva fell into the gutter wit bloody marks and pus still dripping.
Gaia had nailed the final pin into the coffin of his denigration of Siva’s identity. Although it did not answer the question of his real identity, it was still made sure that he wasn’t an enemy to the Terran Civilization. Gaia, being able to evoke the Right of Merit, means that she was of the right mind and is sane and normal. Meaning, Siva’s identity is more important than her identity as a High Seat of their Terran Alliance.
Romano threw an acidic look at Gaia, and then he glared at Siva, pointing a trembling finger, “Y-You, who are you? What did you do to our council?”
“I didn’t do anything.” Siva answered casually, “I already told you earlier, I am the King of Asgard, but I am not part of your Terran Alliance. My goal is simple, to preserve the state of this civilization, protect the people, and ultimately, protect Terroa who is now at the brink of an unprecedented civil war because of these still roaming traitors.”
Romano was caught in the tongue. He couldn’t refute nor claim another remark as what Siva, with Gaia’s pledge’s protection just now, said held true at the goal and purpose of their Terran Alliance.
Theirs and Siva’s aim aligned and at this point, if he says another remark about him, he would only be digging his own grave.
What else can he do?
Gaia had already risked her position and her life, as held by her pledge through their vow that the Teacher back then presided over, making sure that Siva would be protected to the extent of her worth in this council. No other word could shake the fact that she had already staked her own life and status in making sure that Siva will be heard.
He looked at the King Hugo who was sitting on his seat and calmly observing the situation. As a High Seat, in fact, his calm attitude and stance at this situation was another kind of blow to him. He can only growl there at his seat.
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Siva, looking at the change of tides, was also a bit surprised by Hugo’s decision.
He wasn’t the same person as last time but he still recalled that it was someone from the Cynthiana Republic that challenged him during the attack in Jeremiah. He was sure the report about his name and identity, disposition, and attitude, had already reached the ears of the higher ups of this council meeting’s representatives.
After all, through Gaia and Mohindra, he made it so that his name, Siva, was included during the request for this meeting event.
—is he someone with records of the past as well?
Siva couldn’t help doubting about this possibility.
A few beats of seconds later, the crowd of eager beavers who wanted to join the “effort” began to quiet down until eventually, the meeting venue is divided into two factions —those who expressed their willingness to join Siva’s offensive and those who were too stubborn, afraid, or doubtful about Siva… including the ones who wanted to curry favor with Pontifex Romano and continued to act with hostility towards Siva.
Gaia looked over the Dwarf Prince who bit his lips and clenched his fist.
His hesitation was obvious. He didn’t want to be on the Pontiff’s crosshairs but he also wanted to trust Gaia’s words and throw his lot with Siva.
Seeing this, Gaia made a sigh and then spoke up in a sonorous voice, “is there anyone else who’s willing to join the effort to fight off the traitors?”
Gaia secretly gave the prince a deep glance as she surveyed the crowd. None spoke up. Prince Duren’s fists trembled and as he raised his head to speak despite his fear of the Theocracy, there was the voice of Pontifex Romano who spoke.
“Those of you who want to join Siva… I hereby promise you this; I’ll make sure that you will never get any support from the Theocracy ever again.”
“Romano!” Gaia burst out in anger. “You are not in the position to speak for all the people of your country! Do not let your personal—”
“—I am fully authorized and in position to speak in behalf of the citizens of the Theocracy.” He said in a cool and placid voice, staring at Gaia who was fuming in rage at him.
Romano stood slowly, but with it, his presence rose that majority of those that declared in joining Siva’s offensive began to feel the sweat on their foreheads and back.
This was the Theocracy. 30% of the firepower of the entire Terran Alliance solely belonged to their Crusaders and Paladins and so the words of the Pontiff do indeed weight its own gold in the full picture of the entire Terran Council.
He continued and stared at Gaia sharply “I am the Supreme Pontiff of the Divine Crown Theocracy. I represent the words of the Gods. I am the voice of the people, the backbone of the country. I am the blood of our people, the lantern in their night, and the guide to salvation! I AM DECLARING AT THIS MOMENT THAT SIVA IS THE ENEMY OF THE THEOCRACY!!! NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO SIT AND DEFILE THE DIGNITY OF THE GODS OF TERROA!!!”
Up to the last words he spoke, his voice began to rise and he shouted. His veins threatened to pop out of his skin as his anger took over his mind. He focused all that anger at Siva, not Gaia, because Pontifex Romano knew that if he targeted her, it was sure that these people who voiced out their support at Siva’s offensive will only see him as a man who was overcome by anger and was insane.
But if he targeted Siva, he can justify this that he saw Siva as not worthy of the trust of the people, even if Gaia had put herself as a guarantee —no, in fact, it was because she had put herself as the guarantee that Romano took this chance to put a lid on The Oracle’s popularity.
Romano’s goal was simple yet effective: if their Alliance cannot trust Gaia, then they will see that the Theocracy was the only “Magic Provider” their entire civilization could put their faith in the planet.
Declaring absolute alignment at this moment was a chance for the Theocracy to expand its influence to the entirety of the Terran Alliance.
Gaia knew this and that’s why she was enraged.
Siva, however, was clueless about the hidden act within the Pontiff’s words but he recognized the look of utter surety in the face of the Pontiff.
—he’s fucking serious.
Pontifex Romano spoke in a calm and dignified voice, “I am in every position to speak for all the people in the Theocracy. My will is their will. If I say you are not to be trusted, then you cannot be trusted no matter what.”
Siva met his gaze back and the two of them spent a few moments glaring at each other. Then, with a sudden switch, Siva laughed and declared, “When the time comes that you are in need of the Intel I have brought to this meeting, please remember the very words you said to me just then.”
Declaring as such, Siva stood up from his seat and faced the crowd of Terrans, staring straight at Werewolf King… before drifting his gaze at the seat of Prince Duren for just a mere moment.
……..a moment that meant a lot of things for the Dwarf Prince.
Siva addressed the crowd, “You have heard those words from the Pontiff of the Theocracy. Those that think he is an imbecile blinded by his personal ego and pride, I will reward you with information I carried with me… and for those who think that my, Lady Mohindra, and Lady Oracle’s words are all but a sham, then feel free to turn your backs on me right at this moment. But unlike the selfish and conceited claim of the Theocracy who thinks they are the biggest chunk of flesh in this alliance, I’ll still give you a chance to reconsider. For now, I’m going to take my exit and have a rest from this big circle of politics. Those who don’t want to hear what I have to say because I cannot be trusted: I give you all the chance to go.”
At his beckon, Siva turned his back to the alliance council and left them to talk things through.
He was followed by the Vajras, who gave the Terrans one last glance before exiting.
The meeting began in an unexpected way and it also proceeded, ended, and will still continue on in an awkwardly unprecedented manner.
When Siva exited, there was a loud hubbub of noises, questioning and interrogating, and even a few who demanded an explanation as to why the Werewolf King supported Siva.
But no answer was given.
Many, from those who expressed their support to Siva earlier, backed out from their earlier claim as the threat of the Theocracy felt more legit of an entire issue than pursuing show-off strength just to be in the good graces of the Lady Oracle and the Werewolf King. Almost 50% of them backed out silently, staying in their seat, while King Hugo, Gaia, and those who truly wanted to trust her on her vow and the Werewolf King’s judgement, all stood up from their seats calmly, giving Romano a last look before shaking their heads.
“This is really an eye-opener.” Romano said with a sneer. “I never knew you were such a stupid man, Hugo, of all the years we’ve known each other, a man as stoic and as firmly stubborn on his beliefs would actually believe such lies.”
“I have my reasons.” Hugo said and didn’t say any more words as his image vanished.
Romano turned to Gaia, “The Terran Alliance was supposed to be strong when united but because of you, it now has to fragment apart.”
Gaia coolly replied, “It wasn’t any of our fault; it’s you who proposed this divide. The Alliance stands but it was only you who wanted to take it apart and insert it all into your pocket as a battery to power your Theocracy.”
“It was the people’s country! The Gods dictate us to be united under all threats… it was you who’d brought the threat into our own seats! I am only showing you all the consequences of your stupid actions!”
Romano pointed his finger at her face, “it was you who wanted to trust an unknown individual whose origins are questionable and aims are untrue. The Gods will punish the wicked!”
Gaia remained shut.
It’s not that she found Romano’s intents evil or is it even wicked. Romano’s intents were pure and his beliefs were also pure.
It’s just that his personality was too stubborn to a fault, too intolerant, too extreme. Gaia was the oldest of the Terrans alive. She had seen and had heard many things. She saw how the Theocracy rose from zero to its current superpower-state. It was a country built upon the mortal need of a wall to lean on to when everything is gone.
The power of “religion” was immense and scary. It was both a weapon and a shield.
Gaia had seen how it can be used and knew of its uses —because she, of all people in Terroa, was the one qualified to speak just how powerful the Gods and Devil Gods of that old era were.
Faith is a powerful weapon. High levels of Faiths create unimaginable miracles and it was exactly this ‘weapon’ itself that the Gods and Devils half-relied on its power to maintain the divinities that gave them the power to create worlds.
When this power is abused, it creates catastrophe but when it was controlled to a certain level, just like how it was done in Divine Crown Theocracy, it can create this kind of miracle —a country where multiple Gods are the idols; where the synergy of [Faith] and [Blessings] create a harmony; where a representative, the Pope or the Pontiff, stands as the intermediary between mortal and God.
At the hands of the wrong person, such a power is dangerous but to a devotee and someone who is accepted by the divinities of the old Gods, this was a massive threat to the Demons, the enemies.
Gaia knew it well that’s why no matter how much she was deemed as a threat to the influence and authority of the Theocracy, she did not pay it too much attention and treated it as passing wind. She only focused on Lord Janus’ orders and kept the Memory Crystal, waiting for the day when it will be put into the right hands.
She stared at Romano and made a sigh, “In the end, I am still an enemy to you. But… looking at the big picture, you did something really wrong here, Romano… you made an enemy of someone you cannot mess with. This is my warning to you: you can speak ill and foul with me, I won’t care, but Siva is different. Those who truly know of his real identity are limited but all of them knew how frightening it was. Once you become aware of his real identity, you will realize that everything you’ve done today had brought upon the ruin of your beloved Theocracy.”
Romano frowned and faced her directly. “Are you threatening me, Oracle of the Elves?”
“Didn’t you hear me?” Gaia said coolly. “This is a warning. You’ve offended him enough so don’t add more fuel to the fire.”
Romano frowned and just as he was about to yell back his reply, Gaia turned her back to him, laying the untold words trapped on his throat.
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The weird Terran politics draws its claws…
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Next Chapter: Lord Siva?