“This is my land.”

The count spoke up.

“No one can harm anyone without my permission.”

His emerald eyes glared over the Judges.

“Even if you were people sent from the Zenith Church.”

Deep silence reigned.

Everyone was overwhelmed with the pressure emitted by the Lord of Haiss.

Even Lars, who was quite capable, wanted to immediately call for the Holy Executioner.

Otherwise, it seemed like he would be crushed by this immense pressure.

The pressure of the superhuman. Even this wasn’t the full release of his power.

In the form of Holy Executioner, Lars thought that he could take on a Sword Master.

However, he realized that it was just his arrogance.

“Your Zenith has crossed the line.”

“C-Count. Let me tal…”

The one kneeling in front of the Count struggled to speak.

If the man was able to open his mouth after being exposed to that pressure, it meant that he was certainly a strong one.

However, he was still insignificant in front of a Sword Master.

“Listen? You have brought your internal problems into my estate. You even beheaded a person without my permission. Be grateful. Because it is your neck.”

The Judge felt a deep bitterness in those words.

It was a warning that if someone offended him again, he would resort to killing.

But the judge couldn’t just back down.

This was Haiss, and the Count had the highest power. However, he was carrying the name of the great Zenith on him, which was gaining fame in the continent.

“We, it isn’t nice to act like this with us.”

“Kuaaak!”

The sword that was pulled out cut off the judge’s left arm.

“The right one will be next.”

The judge’s face contorted in pain, he never thought that his arm would be cut off without a warning.

“I think it will be better to think before you speak from now on.”

Did it mean that Count Welton didn’t mind going against the Zenith church?

The judge was flustered.

No matter how much influence this man had on the Seldam Kingdom, he was nothing compared to Zenith Church.

The power of the Count and his men was certainly heavy, but they were still nothing but a part of a Kingdom.

Right now, the hand of the Count was closer to him.

And his life was precious.

A paladin belonging to the Seven Knights who directly cut off Lincoln’s neck.

She said to take the lead and everything would be solved as the Count would just watch.

She said that even Count Welton wouldn’t be able to go against Zenith.

It was a mistake.

The Count was approached because making chimera would be easy in the estate.

As he was someone who focused on the estate’s growth. They thought that they would spread their roots and then pressure the Count.

They thought that if it was Zenith, everything could be solved.

And the cost they were paying for not taking into account the Count’s boldness wasn’t small.

Now, they had to bow down.

Despite being proud of themselves, there was no other option.

“W-we apologize.”

“There is no need for a mere apology.”

“… the church will officially compensate you. So, I ask you to kindly let this pass just this once.”

The judge apologized by holding his left hand.

The count looked down on him with a cold gaze.

“I want you to leave this place.”

“T-that…”

Leaving Haiss wasn’t an option.

They had to hold onto Haiss.

As the city responsible for the state of the eastern part of the Seldam Kingdom, it was a very good stepping stone to expand their power to the other eastern estates.

Besides, it was an estate with no religion. If they lost this place, it was safe to say that they should just give up on Seldam Kingdom.

“Please.”

“This decision will not be overturned. You don’t deserve to remain in Haiss.”

“B-but…”

“Didn’t you say that there was a heretic involved? Who knows when it will happen again?”

“We will work harder…!”

“You lost my trust. Zenith won’t have a chance here.”

blood gushed from the mouth of the judge.

He couldn’t respond.

There was nothing wrong with the Count’s words.

The pressure had disappeared, and the other judges too got up and turned away.

“Withdraw.”

With that, the judges disappeared.

In a few days, it will be completely cleaned.

The Count tapped Lars on the shoulder, who was looking blankly and went back to his mansion.

Lars, who looked at it, smiled.

This was the Count’s way.

“Not bad.”

It was difficult to expose their secrets as the man was taken down, but the Count’s response made it difficult for the Zenith church to further expand their power in Seldam Kingdom.

And since the secrets didn’t spread around, it was like there was a shackle around their necks.

The only reason why Zenith Church made Chimera Paladins was because their God Zenith wanted them.

So why did Zenith need Chimera Paladin?

It didn’t make sense, but as the talk went with Pyro, something made sense.

The relationship with Zenith and Pyro was broken.

But Jamie thought that, that wasn’t all.

He was certain of Pyro’s reaction.

Maybe they even got to the point where they aimed weapons at each other.

So Zenith wants more power. If not, he couldn’t understand.

Not all 12 Gods have divided.

They were just divided into several pieces.

Pyro, who couldn’t form a group, was isolated.

Gods that maintained a close relationship with Zenith, went along with him.

Among them, there was a God who treated Zenith like a limb.

A being who stood at the top of the 12 Gods.

“Sun God Ra.”

Jamie didn’t know if he was the strongest of 12, but he had power.

“Phew… Too little information.”

Pyro asked him to come to Apton.

“Apton.”

Apton, an estate ruled by the Bell family.

Hasn’t been there yet.

“It has been long… should I go see him?”

Jamie’s face darkened.

Sears’ face, who was happy, was in front of his.

Lars entered the Zenith church and walked all the way to the orphanage.

He went up to the second floor, there was a room with its light on.

“Ricky. It is brother Lars.”

“Come in.”

Upon entering, Ricky and his sister Anna, who had already come, greeted Lars.

“Here? Greet him, Anna. He is the one who saved your brother.”

“Ah, Hello. Thank you.”

Anna got up from the bed, put her hand on her stomach and bowed.

She was stunned by the sudden return of her brother who left.

Lars looked at Anna and nodded.

His guess was also correct.

Before coming here

When Lars found Ricky, he couldn’t help but be puzzled as he felt Pyro’s holy power.

To Lars, Ricky said.

Apostle of Goddess Pyro.

When he heard that, he doubted his ears.

Not that he was unaware of apostles, but apostles were saviors who appear when the church is in crisis.

But when Ricky, who didn’t have holy power till then, said so, he panicked.

However, he had no doubts that the Goddess had spoken directly. Because Lars felt her presence.

He didn’t know it for sure.

But it was now in her eyes.

When the qualities would awaken, she will be able to see.

Lars approached them and then knelt on one knee.

“I am not in a hurry, so I will greet you properly. I am Lars Armetic, the Holy Executioner of Pyro Church.”

“B-brother! What are you doing!”

Ricky jumped up at Lars’ sudden action.

But Lars didn’t move.

“Sir Ricky is Goddess’s apostle. You will rise to a position similar to the Pope and you will now be the symbol of the Pyro church.”

“Brother.”

“Miss Anna hasn’t awakened yet, but one day she will turn into a saint. That way, the invisible eyes will open.”

“Eh…”

“Wait, wait. Wait a minute brother. I can’t understand what you are saying, get up first. Get up!”

“Let’s go to Apton, I will do my best to serve you two.”

Ricky was confused.

He couldn’t understand why Lars, who was fine till a moment ago, was acting like this.

And what all he said?

Awaken, be a saint, and be able to see.

“Come on, get up!”

When Ricky shouted, Lars stood up.

“… can my sister really see in the future?”

Ricky raised his head and asked Lars.

He didn’t know why Lars was acting as such, but he heard something.

Ricky held Anna’s hand.

“Brother…”

“Really, really my sister…”

“Yes. The reason Miss Anna is blind was because of the strong holy power in her eyes. If she awakens as a saint, it will be resolved naturally.”

“Saint?”

Anna tilted her head.

She didn’t understand what a saint meant.

“it is a term used to refer to someone chosen by God.”

“M-me?”

“Huh? That is right.”

“Brother.”

“Huh.”

Ricky squeezed Anna’s hand tighter.

He couldn’t hide the smile on his face.

His sister could see. He thought that she wouldn’t be able to get out of the life in darkness.

So he vowed to protect her with his life.

“Anna…”

He hugged his sister and cried.

Anna bursted into tears too.

“Euuuu. Euuuhhh!”

“Anna. My sister… kuak… this is good… really! Really good…”

“Euuhh!”

Lars smiled looking at the siblings who were crying while hugging each other.

But the smile didn’t last long.

The birth of an apostle meant that the Pyro church was in a crisis.

And Ricky, who was now an apostle, cannot have a normal life. Anna, who will be a saint too.

Would they be able to have a happy future?

Lars clenched his fists.

He would be the shield for the two siblings.

That night, the crying of the children continued until late morning.

It was the tears of the little kids who held back for too long