Volume Five: Return from the Other Shore - Chapter 437: The Choice (Part Two)

"Waaah... gurgle..."

The spirit writhes and struggles desperately, her slender little hands trying to pry open Selace's fingers, but those iron-like hands remain unmoved.

"It's painful, isn't it? I'm in pain too. I never expected that the incomparably noble Goddess— "

With a powerful arm exerting force,

"--They actually came to spy on top secrets!!!"

The sacrificial spirit was thrown out violently, crashing heavily against the wall before sliding to the ground, where it curled up in agony.

"Seriously, this place is still the same as always. I really miss it."

Selace sneered as he looked around the small space, picked up the scattered documents on the floor, and gently flipped through them.

"You've seen all this, haven't you? Were you shocked? Confused?"

He strolled over to the spirit priest as if taking a leisurely walk, then kicked her again, sending her small body flying through the air. The spirit priest landed limply in the corner, a large amount of blood flowing from her mouth.

"When I first became the director, I was the same... The god I had always believed in turned out to be a huge deception. It was all a scheme set up by those bastards from the first Pope, just to use hundreds of millions of people like dogs, to make them willingly enslave and become the power of the Papacy, ha!"

He put down the documents, grabbed the spirit's long hair with one hand and lifted her up, chuckling as he brushed aside her blood-stained bangs.

"In the entire Divine Law Cult, only I, as the head of the Inquisition, the Pope, and the Cardinal Archbishop knew the truth. Because we were the ones who actually carried it out, we couldn't afford to be ignorant. That's why these confidential documents have only been kept and not destroyed all this time... But, but now, a fourth person knows."

"Waaah..."

"What should we do? This is really a headache."

"I don't..."

"Huh? Speak louder?"

"I... I won't tell... so... please..."

"So you're begging me to let you go? Bah! Do you think that's why all the past Prayer and heavenly laws have to undergo brainwashing education? That's why all the past sacrificial spirits have only chosen useless good-for-nothings? It's all to keep you 'system cores' who can't be bound by order from causing trouble! And now look what's happened!!!"

Selace spat heavily, picked up the sacrificial spirit, and threw it outside.

She rolled right down to someone else's feet.

The spirit trembled, and through its bloodshot eyes, it saw the person's face.

"Pope... Your Majesty..."

The Pope looked down at her.

There was no kindness.

There is no benevolence.

It lacks that gentle aura.

All that remained was cold anger and a look of utter contempt, as if they were looking at trash.

"Offering sacrifices to the spirits..."

"My... sir... please..."

"Since you've seen it all, you should know by now—the three Goddess, with Prayer being the core of the core connected to the Truth Incantation, and Heavenly Law being the incomparably powerful guardian; each has their own irreplaceable role..."

But--

"However, the Sacrificial Goddess, apart from participating in the formation of the core, has no specific role; she merely complements and perfects the first two. 'Any talented young woman can take on this role,' wasn't that what MacArthur wrote in his last letter?"

"..."

"So... if the truth were revealed by Prayer or divine law, I would be troubled, but if it's you, the least important person... things will be much easier."

A terrifying chill ran up the spirit's spine.

Fear and pain had rendered her unable to speak.

Then, with his wrinkled lips, the old man wove his judgment upon her.

"From this moment forward, announce to the high-ranking figures in the Cathedral of the True God that the Sacrifice Spirit has been condemned as the most wicked 'Fallen One' and is to be executed immediately! Do not let this news reach the ears of the lower ranks, or it will inevitably cause chaos! Then, Selace, choose one from the Sacrifice Spirit's reserves, execute her, and immediately proceed with the human sacrifice!"

"Yes, Your Pope!"

Selace grinned wickedly, grabbed the stunned spirit's long hair, and dragged her outside. The Pope took one last look at the dilapidated space, gathered his documents, and sighed deeply.

"Really... the closer we get to the critical moment, the more trouble you cause me!"

"Hmph~ Hmph~~ Hmph~♪~"

As always, Yang Yujie lay in the corner of the cell, humming a tune against a pile of moldy straw, and surprisingly, he hummed it quite well.

If you think about it, he's been here for a month and a half since he came back from Sadington. He hasn't moved around much in that time, and his joints are a bit stiff.

But he wasn't in a hurry or anxious; he figured he was just dozing off anyway, so what difference did it make where he was?

The only thing I'm a little worried about is--

"Oh dear... Spirit Sacrifice-chan hasn't come to see me much lately, I'm a little lonely."

To be honest, ever since he was locked in the confessional and separated from the sacrificial spirits, he had felt a strange unease somewhere in his heart, like a stone mixed into a handful of sand.

He knew this feeling well.

This was a sign that he subconsciously felt "something was about to happen."

"... I hope everything is alright."

As if in response to him--

"Are you awake, Chief?"

A voice, both weathered and deep, rang out, echoing in the dark cell, carrying an imposing and authoritative aura. All the prisoners turned to look in the direction from which the voice came.

He was a tall, middle-aged man.

She wore a long robe with simple yet elegant patterns, and a heavy cross hung on her chest, swaying slightly with her steps.

He stopped in front of Yu Jie's cell, looking him in the eye through the iron bars.

"Oh my... Big Figure has arrived! What brings you to this godforsaken place, Cardinal Archbishop Latran?"

Despite facing the second most powerful figure in the Divine Law Cult, Yu Jie maintained a nonchalant attitude.

"I know the answer already, so I'm obviously looking for you."

"Looking for me? Ha, it seems the Revolutionary Army has finally reached the city walls. It's finally my turn to fight—"

No, it's something else.

Latran's gaze was complex.

The usual seriousness, sharpness, and profundity in his eyes had all vanished, replaced by sympathy and apology.

"...?"

As if sensing something, Yu Jie slowly stood up, his carefree smile vanishing.

"What exactly happened?"

"... come over."

Latran brought his face close to the iron bars, Yu Jie immediately went over and pressed his ear against them.

Yu Jie, I know this is very cruel.

However, the Pope has already announced to his inner circle that "the sacrificial spirits have violated the taboo and become Fallen One."

You know, "Fallen One" is the most heinous crime a person in the Vatican can bear.

Even Goddess had no choice but to be executed.

According to religious rules,

Once Saintess, Archbishop, or even Goddess above them violates the taboo,

Then the person who carries out the execution will be --

"The former Guardian Knight will take over? I know, after all, I remember the rules of the order very clearly."

"I'm so sorry... I've tried my best to persuade the Pope to at most erase her memories, but he won't listen to anyone right now..."

"After all, he's that old stubborn man. But is there really no room for negotiation? Having the former Guardian Knight carry out the execution is just too perverse, isn't it?"

"..."

Latran didn't speak again, but just looked at him with a dim gaze.

"... Ah, I understand."

Yu Jie's expression remained unchanged.

Very calm.

"I understand. Since it's the rule, there's nothing we can do about it."

"I just got back, and this has already happened?!"

"Yes, Lord Tianlu, we were also shocked when we first found out—" the personal maid hurriedly replied.

"No need for further words!"

Tianlu took a few deep breaths before he could barely calm the shock in his heart.

She had been campaigning extensively, searching for and destroying the strongholds of the remnants of the Rebel Army. Initially, she had a great harvest, but after news spread that the Rebel Army leader had been rescued, the Rebel Army became much more tenacious, as if they had been injected with stimulants, making her efficiency much lower than before.

She was so angry at the time that she almost vomited blood, and now, having just returned to the Cathedral of the True God, she has heard the news that the sacrificial spirits have violated taboos and will be executed!

"... Hey, has word of this gotten out yet?"

"Not yet! His Holiness the Pope has only announced this to a select few at the highest levels; no one else knows about it yet."

"That's good... If the Holy See's Goddess were to fall into Fallen One, the announcement would inevitably cause great chaos and damage the Holy See's prestige!"

"Yes, sir, but..."

"But?"

"Lord Priest... after all, she is a goddess you have known for a long time—the former Goddess. Would you... like to plead for her?"

"Plead!?"

Tianlu's gaze suddenly sharpened, startling the maid.

"No matter who it is, once the taboo is broken, death is the only outcome! This applies to commoners, and it applies to Goddess as well! According to the rules, she will be executed by her original Guardian Knight! If that unreliable Chief doesn't make a move, I will personally send her to hell!"

"What? This is real!?"

"His Holiness the Pope just announced this to insiders, and it is absolutely true..."

The Brother Simon reported this to Prayer.

Their expressions were extremely distressed. They had always had a good impression of the spirit, and they just couldn't understand how that somewhat impulsive and kind girl could have become Fallen One!

"Really... This... is really terrible."

Prayer his head, his face filled with sorrow.

Yes, that's really terrible.

My best friend of all time has suddenly fallen into this predicament.

But why?

"Hoo... Haha?"

Why do I feel... a little happy?

If she dies,

So,

Mr. Yu Jie, wouldn't you be a little more careful about yourself?

The Cathedral of the True God, a hall inside --

The Pope, Selace, the two Goddess of Heavenly Law and Prayer, the Templar Knight led by the Brother Simon and Saladin, and several other high-ranking figures gathered here.

A petite figure knelt on the ground in front of them.

Her long, black hair became disheveled.

His face was covered in blood.

His trembling shoulders looked like they might collapse at any moment.

People looked at her with indifference, pity, or disbelief.

No one pleaded for her.

The door opened.

Two people walked in.

The Cardinal Archbishop.

And the people behind them—

"--!!"

When the spirit saw that person, its eyes widened instantly, but then slowly closed again.

She knew that he was no longer her Guardian Knight.

Rather, he is the executioner who condemns himself.

I brought him with me.

Latran sighed softly, stepped aside, and Selace went to meet him.

"Very well, Latran - Selace, give him the thing," the Pope said coldly.

"Okay."

Selace looked very pleased.

He'd been wanting to see this show for a long time.

He handed something wrapped in brocade cloth to Yu Jie.

Yu Jie slowly unfolded the cloth, revealing a beautiful, bright silver longsword inside.

Saint Artifact, the Sword of Judgment.

A blade of judgment with a history of thousands of years, used specifically to execute the most heinous criminals.

"Now begins the ritual of judging the Fallen One, which has been held for six months!"

The Pope spoke, his tone extremely solemn.

"Livia Osho, a Goddess, knowingly breaks the law and dares to pry into forbidden territory!"

Showing absolutely no mercy.

"This is the work of evil spirits, an unforgivable crime, and the most heinous betrayal of the Supreme God!"

There is no room for explanation.

"And now, we will carry out the will of the Most High God and deliver judgment upon sinners!!!"

As the final sound faded, the narrow hall fell silent.

The Pope's imposing gaze fell upon Yu Jie, who held the Sword of Judgment.

Inspired by this, the executioner drew closer and closer to the sinner.

Finally, I stood still in front of her.

"..." "..."

A fleeting glance.

The spirit raised its head for the last time, only to see Yu Jie's expressionless face and the gleaming blade.

The Sword of Judgment was raised high above his head.

The spirits no longer held any hope.

I don't know when it started, but I can no longer even feel fear.

My heart turned into a murky, lifeless ashes.

Memories of the past are like lights in the fog, sometimes visible, sometimes hidden.

Once upon a time, she was just a young lady from an ordinary noble family.

Once upon a time, I entered the Cathedral of the True God as a novice nun.

Sometime in the past, I suddenly became Goddess's sacrificial spirit.

Once upon a time, I had Guardian Knight, and I fell in love with him.

Why did things turn out this way?

Because of his foolish act of spying on the truth of the Vatican?

Is it an inevitability born from countless coincidences?

Let's think positively.

At least, in the very end.

The person who sent me on my way was the one I loved.

Clang!!!

I heard the sound of a sword blade slicing through the air.

You can feel the gusts of wind that are being whipped up.

The spirit's consciousness was plunged into darkness.

"... Huh?"

Snap! A flash of silver light.

Blood splattered everywhere.

The severed head flew through the air before falling to the ground with a thud.

His head full of tattoos was stained crimson, and his sinister smile froze in place.

Then,

Under the stunned gaze of the crowd,

Selace's headless body fell to the ground with a thud, blood gushing from the severed neck.

The attack was too sudden and too swift, leaving him no time to react.

The space was filled with the deathly stillness before the storm.

The Pope, the divine law, the Prayer, the knights—everyone was dumbfounded by this extraordinary development.

They need time to understand what happened in that brief moment.

"To be honest, I've always disliked you and have wanted to kill you for a long time..."

In that brief moment, Yu Jie scooped up the wounded spirit and kicked Selace's head away.

"But don't get me wrong, I'm not targeting any specific person, I just wanted to say--"

Looking around at the dumbfounded expressions of everyone present, he flashed the brightest smile he had ever shown.

"--Everyone here is rotten to the core!"

Then, darkness, like liquid, erupted in the narrow space.

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A true man's comeback! Uncle Yu Jie is incredibly handsome on the big pool!