
The sun had reached its peak, all of the Heavenly Emperor candidates had gathered in one place. Not only that, the twelve human heroes also formally gathered. Many people come from abroad to watch meetings that do not often occur every day. They also wanted to find out what the candidates of Heavenly Emperors and heroes were like.
Especially a newcomer, a new government, a Region. Many people are interested to know what the King of the country looks like, and more importantly, what the hero Creator looks like, who has killed Hydra alone.
Everyone gathered inside the royal hall. There were about two thousand people in the room. This place looks very grand and luxurious. Some of the paintings, vases and supporting pillars look neat and perfect. There is also a slightly higher podium so people can see who will be standing there. Behind him, there is a carpet with a large cross on display on the wall.
The one who stood up and witnessed firsthand in that place were only knights, nobles, high-level Arc Wizards and also some other important figures. The Merial was placed among the Knights. They are the ones who will choose which candidate they want to support, of course without any coercion. Despite that, there must be some of them who have already negotiated to support the Heavenly Emperor. For now, let's get rid of it.
An old man who appeared to be a priest came and stood on the podium. He was wearing white clothes with a large cross on his clothes. As an opening, it looks like it will start with a do'a. Then for the record, Rigel had placed a small camera in the hair pigtail of Merial and broadcast it in the Region with a hologram.
"Today, before the gods... The four Heavenly Emperor candidates would take their vows to give up everything they had for the great war, Ragnarok... To welcome this happy day, let us fold our hands and pray to the God who has given us the opportunity to gather today..." Said the old priest.
Everyone without exception folded their hands and closed their eyes to pray. After that brief silence, the priest standing on the podium gave a sign of completion and immediately jumped into the main event.
"Now, the moment everyone is waiting for. Heavenly Emperor, along with the hero who followed him, I invite you to come..." The pastor said softly.
One by one the candidates emerging from the other side of the podium along with his hero and chivalric head Ruberios, would be the ones to name the Heavenly Emperor candidates.
"Honor, to the candidate of the Heavenly Emperor, His Majesty Alexei Greysunder Vi Ruberios, from the kingdom of Ruberios, take the stage!" Shouted the knight's head.
Everyone simultaneously paid their respects, to the knights, they stomped their swords and feet to the floor as a form of reverence. For nobles and other people, they did their usual honors that is, put their right hand on his chest while the other hand on his back.
The arrival of the Heavenly Emperor candidate and his hero was accompanied by a very magnificent music.
The first candidate was the King of the Ruberios Kingdom, he looked like a man of four heads with a thin body and a gentle face. It fits his title as the highest priest. Following him, three heroes from Ruberios stood behind his candidate. They are Shields, Knives, and Whips.
"Honor, to the candidate of the Heavenly Emperor, His Majesty Rudeus Mathers, of the Eastern Empire, take the stage!"
Other candidates enter. To the King of the Eastern Empire, he looked no different from Alexei, other than his fierce-looking face and thirst for treasure. The clothes used also look very luxurious and radiate their own charismatic. The heroes who followed him were still complete, namely, Sickle, Fan, Claw, and Hammer.
"Honor, to the candidate of the Heavenly Emperor, His Highness Altucray pendragon Vi Britannia, From the British Empire, take the stage!"
The king of the Kingdom of trash who dumped Rigel, Altucray. He was wearing a slightly different outfit than usual. Well, no need to explain anymore. Although his body looks big, but it is not because of fat, but his large body muscles. The heroes that followed him were Sword, Spear, and Bow.
Rigel did not expect this, he initially thought that the candidates for the Heavenly Emperor were just people who looked like greedy pigs. But unexpectedly these people were beyond expectations. They actually look like strong people from their generation, especially Alexei. Rigel could sense the great energy within him, it seemed like he was a holy magic user. Then to Rudeus, despite his haughty looks, his strength was worth his arrogance. For Altucray himself Rigel did not believe that he had the ability, but from what Walther said, Altucray had the title of King of swords.
"Honor, to the candidate of the Heavenly Emperor, His Eminence Asoka Van Yurazania, from the Kingdom of the Region, take the stage!"
The moments that everyone was waiting for have arrived. They were very curious about the likeness of the hero as well as the final Heavenly Emperor candidate. Asoka walked onto the podium, the heroes who followed him were only Creator and Stick. Alexei and the hero Ruberios did not expect that Ozaru had been on his side, and moreover, his appearance changed drastically. But not only were they shocked, but everyone who was there was shocked. They had never seen the clothes that the Asoka faction wore. Although it looks unique, but it is high-end clothing. Rigel smiled sneering.
He deliberately did this to affirm that the Region was a developed country. With these clothes alone, it was enough to attract the interest of voracious merchants and nobles who wanted to earn a lot of pocket money by establishing good relations and trading in the Region.
As Rigel looked around, he saw Merial standing among the knights, Merial smiling as he realized Rigel was staring at him. Then, not far from where Merial was, Rigel found a blond girl who was familiar with him. He is Tirith pendragon. What the hell is he doing here? Tirith appeared to be wearing a set of graceful battle armor. Rigel had heard from Merial even though Tirith was involved like a fragile princess, yet she was actually very strong. Even the Merial itself was not comparable to him.
Tirith also witnessed Rigel standing there, a figure he had not met for a long time and a figure he had betrayed. Tirith said in her heart with sadness. "Rinel..." But it quickly removed the sadness from his heart.
"In this way, the four candidates and the heroes who followed him have appeared before our eyes. In the presence of the gods, the Heavenly Emperor Candidate would give a speech and vow—" The old priest's words were cut off by an unexpected figure.
"Wait a minute, old man, I don't think that nonsense about vows against the gods is necessary."
That person was the King of the Eastern Empire, Rudeus. His face truly reflected his nature, arrogant.
"You asked us to make a speech and swear to the gods? I'm sorry, but I wouldn't do something stupid like that. After all, the person who will become a Heavenly Emperor is clear, which is me." Rudeus said proudly.
"I agree with you not to swear to Gods or anything like that, yet I disagree with you as a Heavenly Emperor. Besides, I wonder why you worship the Gods? aren't they the fucking bastards who created Ragnarok's war?" Rigel.
Rigel did not expect that the religions of this world worship the Gods that even h makes human existence threatened. Do they really have no logic?Well, it's only natural. Even the existence of magic itself includes occultism that is beyond logic.
Everyone present looked very surprised and thought that what Rigel said was true. Even Takumi and the other heroes besides Ozaru seem very surprised that Rigel dared to say it in person. It seems they have noticed it too.
"You! even if you're a hero, you won't be forgiven for insulting God!" snarled the old priest.
"Cong, oi... Who should I apologize to? What I said was a reality. Don't you know the beginning of Ragnarok?" Ask Rigel.
Of course everyone present knew. They began to ponder seriously and discovered that what Rigel said was the truth.
"Oi, Rigel! you will destroy the religion of this world if you continue!" Takumi gave a warning.
Rigel listens to Takumi's warning and takes his right to be quiet. After all, he didn't want to get the title of Religion Destroyer. Then for the record, Ashoka, Merial, Ray, Misa and Nisa along with the inhabitants of the Region do not adhere to any beliefs, or that can be known as Atheism. I don't know what, Ozaru asked Rigel.
"Hey white monkey. What do the monkeys mean by religion?" Ask Ozaru.
"Well, it is a community that refers to a higher figure than us and they worship. How're you? does the person in your world adore nothing?" Ask Rigel.
"Ahh, of course they adore me, Hahahahah." Ozaru laughed happily.
"Tch... I'm wrong to ask a moron." Mumbles Rigel.
While listening to Rigel's conversation with Ozaru, Alexei cleared his throat and started talking.
"Y-well, I'll pretend I didn't hear about it... Let's miss this, pastor. If the other candidates don't want to take the oath then that's fine. I myself do not really blame who will become the Heavenly Emperor. At the very least, how about we give a word that is our motivation to become a Heavenly Emperor?" Ask candidate Alexei.
"It doesn't matter, because it saves time." Altucray. "I will bring victory to mankind with as few casualties as possible." Further.
"Huh, for me... I'm going to finish off those angels and demons until they're left to the rest of humanity." Candidate Rudeus.
Candidate Alexei who was originally smiling kindly now put on a stern expression. "I will give everything for the victory of mankind." His word.
Now, left Asoka, the last candidate who had yet to say the thing that made her a Celestial Emperor Candidate. Asoka took a breath and said...
"I will devote my entire life to maintaining the existence of mankind, not only of man, but of the entire population of Earthland!"
Rigel and Merial who were in the distance smiled. So do the people in the Region who witnessed through the Hologram. Rigel understood Lucifer's words and told Asoka. From the beginning of this war was not for humans... Humans simply had to survive and avoid the effects of that great war.
Well, even so. Rigel believes that in the future they will inevitably have to join the war later. The other candidates have one thing in common, which is to fight to win. Only Asoka said different things and the reaction of the candidates from the Eastern Empire as well as Britannia was...
"Maha...."
They laugh. Rigel did not know what was funny about it but clearly, they intended to demean Asoka and Region.