[Congratulations, Reward Credited]
[Aura of Death]
{Allows the user to exude the aura of the Goddess of Death}
What? Johan's eyes widened. He had done nothing at all.
As if responding to his thoughts, new white text appeared.
[Hidden Quest: Father and Daughter – Improve Your Image in Front of Selene]
[Status: Completed]
Fireworks exploded on the blue screen, looking surprisingly realistic for something just displayed as text.
What the hell? No one ever mentioned hidden quests. Johan frowned, half-shocked, half-satisfied.
[They wouldn't be hidden if the host knew about them.]
...But Aura of Death? He flinched, then hastily asked, Meaning, I can disintegrate all life and consume them in 500 kilometers? System, explain it like you're explaining to a five-year-old autistic kid!
[No, it just gives user similar presence to that of the Goddess of Death when used.]
Johan exhaled through his nose. I see. If it was the other, then what divine generals? I could've just used Aura of Death, indiscriminately killing everyone, extending my lifespan too…
Then Johan's eyes brightened, thinking of a certain red-haired individual. It still could be really useful. Maybe even more useful than the real Aura of Death. A mischievous smile appeared on his expressionless face.
Johan sighed and turned his attention back to Selene, who was still staring at him in shock.
The twelve knights had dismounted their brown-armored horses, tying the reins before standing in disciplined silence beside the carriage.
A short distance away, Sebastian was deep in conversation with a man dressed in an eye-catching red coat and matching pants—a stark contrast against the black silk shirt beneath.
Gold and gem-studded jewelry adorned him—three diamond chains draped across his chest, and green diamond rings glittering on every one of his fingers.
"Were they hiding in the south… Sir Radhaan?" Johan walked up to the flamboyant man, his smile greeting the handsome face of Radhaan, directly initiating a conversation.
I guess this psychopath would definitely be here. He's the commander of the seven divine generals, supreme commander of all military, and a main villain of this game… thought Johan, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
Selene bowed gracefully to the man, her eyes respectful, but her ears attentive.
Johan approached him, his polite smile greeting the handsome face of Radhaan Von Augustus.
"Did they hide in the south, Sir Radhaan?"
Radhaan's sharp green eyes narrowed slightly, his smile cold yet practiced.
"Johan," he said smoothly, "it's always a delight to see you."
Johan barely held back a scoff. Delight, my ass. In the game, this bastard had Johan executed in court under the pretense of protecting the innocent Leor.
Radhaan's voice was righteous, almost rehearsed.
"We discovered traces of Midgardian spies near the southern border. Naturally, our colleagues ensured that area was… cleared."
Johan kept his expression neutral, though internally, he was shaking his head. Spies? More like anyone with a different accent or skin tone. Wiping out a village for that is peak idiocy.
He rubbed his sharp jawline thoughtfully, choosing his words with care.
"I see. Well, they got what they deserved." His lips curled slightly. "Are you planning to groom Leor for the position of Divine General?"
Selene's eyes brightened.
Radhaan's smile didn't waver, but his fingers ran slowly through his long red hair, his thoughts turning icy. He's scheming already. I need to move forward with my plan before he makes his move.
Radhaan let out a soft chuckle.
"No, no, how could you even think that? I know you dislike the boy." His voice dipped into something more intimate, more insidious. "Personally, I'd love to support you when we vote for his execution."
Hehe, these great royals are always so stupid, protecting their fragile egos. Even as the patriarch of one of the three great royal families, killing him would be like swatting a fly. What a disgrace of a human, Radhaan thought mockingly.
Selene stiffened beside Johan, her gaze flickering between the two men. Before she could react, Sebastian shot her a subtle look—one that said, stay put.
Johan forced an idiotic grin onto his face.
"Really? That would be amazing! I can finally go after that monkey without worrying. Thank you so much!"
Idiot! they both thought at the same time.
Selene clenched her hands tightly, her other hand gripping Olivia's, biting her lips to avoid yelling right there.
They were standing in front of a two-hundred-foot tall door, leading to a huge coliseum-shaped grayish, sandy-colored building.
Inside, the air smelled of warm wax and scented candles. The dark hallway, lined entirely with redwood, was bathed in a golden glow.
Towering statues of previous monarchs stood in sequence, each arranged by their achievements.
At the very front stood a silver statue of a young man, his expression sharp, his lips curled in a knowing smile—Leonard Von Fitzgerald, the current King.
Johan's eyes flicked toward the servants obsessively dusting the statue, ensuring not even a speck of dirt marred its surface.
Its cold eyes… as if watching everything.
Yeah… he's probably watching. The Eyes of Wisdom allow him to extend his perception through mediums. Johan exhaled slowly.
It's fine. The real Johan was one of his most loyal faction members. Just act natural.
Still, unease crawled up his spine. Loyalty probably meant nothing to that ruthless dictator. The moment Johan had died, the King had replaced him without hesitation—because he had found an even better, more naïve tool.
The hallway stretched on like an endless corridor, but it wasn't boring. Opulent paintings lined the walls—some of beautiful landscapes, others of mature naked women in… suggestive poses.
The most expensive pieces depicted Aurelian Empire's greatest wonders—its emerald forests, mountain peaks, and golden cities.
Maids stood in neat rows along the hallway, balancing trays of wines, beers, and exotic juices.
Selene barely concealed her fascination as she sipped sweet apple juice, taking in the scene with wide, careful eyes.
But then, the hallway ended.
They stepped into the massive courtroom, a vast, arena-like space filled with hundreds of people engaged in loud discussions, laughter, and gossip.
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
Both Radhaan and Johan locked eyes once, then quietly commanded their groups with a look to follow them.
Selene, Sebastian, and Olivia trailed after Johan without hesitation. Behind them, the knights moved toward the Knight Legion's designated seating area, just below the grand stairway.
The courtroom's structure was layered like an enormous university auditorium or a cinema—
From all four sides, rows of luxurious redwood benches lined the ascending stair-like platforms, creating a towering amphitheater that enclosed the heart of the room.
At the center podium, which was surrounded by the stair-like seats, sat seven throne-like chairs, surrounding a grand redwood table laden with fine drinks.
And at the top edge's center of the podium, seven broad steps led up to a raised floor, about 70 meters, yet holding the most valuable part of the entire court—
The Monarch's Throne.
It was a grotesquely large chair, its top reaching fifteen feet high, sculpted from blackwood and engraved with golden emblems of conquest.
Two extremely beautiful women stood, one on each side of the throne, wearing just the bare minimum, revealing their long, fluffy legs, whole waists, and shoulders, fanning the human-sized fans toward the red-haired man sitting on that throne with a smile.
Every person sitting on the ascending stairway-like chairs quieted down as Johan and Radhaan walked to one of the central seats, whispering hushly.
The second Johan and Radhaan stepped forward, the previously rowdy crowd fell into hushed whispers, everyone watching them as if they were the main characters.
Sebastian wordlessly pulled out Johan's chair, and he sank into it with effortless elegance, offering the King a sharp, calculating smile.
Selene bowed deeply beside him, earning a nod of approval.
Radhaan mirrored the same greeting, settling into the chair directly opposite Johan.
A moment later, a handsome blond man in his early thirties entered the courtroom, his expression unreadable. Two butlers followed closely behind.
He bowed respectfully to the King before turning toward Johan and Selene, offering a warm, diplomatic smile before taking one of the seven central seats.
Johan returned the gesture, eyes scanning the man's distinct red irises.
Fredrich Von Aurelius. The Prime Minister. A fellow great royal.
A neutral character, believes in Leonard's dream to create peace by unifying the world, thought Johan, intrigued.
The seating was designated on one basis: the higher the authority of the person, the closer they shall sit to the King.
The center podium was reserved for the highest authorities of the Aurelian Empire—the three patriarchs of the Great Royal Families: House Matilda, House Fitzgerald, and House Aurelius.
Only those with the blood of these houses could rise to Monarch, depending on their merit and allies.
The supreme commander of the military, Radhaan Von Augustus, also deserved a central seat in the court.
The chairman of St. Christina's Academy, Dr. Victor Blane; the pope of the Church of Ymir, Astraeus Von Bourbon; and finally, Paul D. Nora, the Minister of Intelligence.
Johan felt some respect toward Astraeus and Paul, since they were the lowest-ranking nobles, yet had risen to such a level all by themselves.
A dignified man wearing a formal black coat stood at the top edge of the center podium, just below the stairway to the Throne, and shattered the whispers, declaring loudly—
"Leor Milford, the main party involved in the death of Osman Von Vasuki,
Son of Divine General Erwin Von Vasuki,
The man who awakened his Aether core without any royal blood in his body,
A Stage 1 sorcerer, with high mastery of the light magic,
Disciple of Dr. Victor Blane,
Shall be brought before the court!"
The trial was about to begin.