CHAPTER 79……………………..
The Holy Nation of Graham, with its history spanning over 500 years.
It was founded on the very land where the Seraphim descended, and the records of those beings matched exactly with the accounts of successive Holy Sovereigns.
Beings of the divine realm, who had fallen, lost their wings, and descended into the human world.
Thus, they were greater than humans yet unable to return to the heavens. Naturally, it was only fitting that they were elevated as Holy Sovereigns while wielding divine powers.
Four Holy Sovereigns. Five Seraphim.
“So it means each Seraphim in turn became a Holy Sovereign.”
“It appears so.”
If every Holy Sovereign, from the first to the current fourth, had been one of the Seraphim…
Then surely, the last one was also somewhere out there, exercising powers of their own.
Could that be the Great Sage?
Or perhaps someone entirely unknown, not yet revealed?
As Asterios was deep in thought, Nox continued.
“I had always believed they lost their wings in battle during the war and thus became Seraphim. But when I read the records in Graham, I repeatedly saw the phrase ‘fallen and remained by mankind’s side.’ That made me dig deeper.”
Fallen. It meant an angel, God’s messenger, had defied His will.
“The records of the Grand Cathedral emphasized three great sins of corruption to guard against.”
First, denying God’s existence and refusing repentance.
Second, coveting that which God has not permitted.
Third, abusing the divine power bestowed by God.
“I could not discern which of these was the cause of their fall.”
To this, Asterios offered his own speculation.
“Perhaps the second. The angels were using the prayers of humans to increase their strength.”
Back then, the angels, obsessed only with human prayers amidst the brutal wars, were seen by Tenebres as no different from demons or demon kings.
“I don’t know what they intended to achieve by growing stronger, but perhaps that’s what drew the wrath of the Celestial God.”
“I’ll investigate further why the angels sought power even in defiance of God’s will. But Master, I also found something strange regarding the deaths of the previous Holy Sovereigns.”
The deaths of the Holy Sovereigns carried significant implications.
Since Seraphim were not ordinary humans, their demise should not have come easily. Perhaps only under special conditions could they even die.
“Something strange?”
“Yes. The first three Holy Sovereigns all had short reigns, while only the current, the Fourth—Gregorian—has ruled long. None of the others lasted beyond twenty years.”
That was peculiar. If every Holy Sovereign had been a Seraphim, their lifespans should have far exceeded that of mere humans, just like Gregorian’s. Yet, despite five centuries of history, they were only on the fourth sovereign.
“Were they killed, then?”
“That seems the most plausible conclusion.”
But who could kill a Seraphim, a Holy Sovereign? It was impossible for an ordinary human.
“Nox, who do you think could have been powerful enough to slay a Holy Sovereign, a Seraphim?”
“Only a Demon King, perhaps. But in that era, there was no such being. Even you, Master, were still weakened, trapped in the form of a child.”
Five centuries ago, as Tenebres, he had destroyed Beelzebub alongside the witches, but not without suffering immense injuries. For a time, he could not even awaken, and afterward, he had to split and hide his power within a child’s body until he recovered.
“You’re right. I personally destroyed Beelzebub, so that’s impossible. Edwin and Mephisto weren’t yet at their current strength, nor did they have any reason to meddle with Graham’s affairs.”
“Exactly—that’s what makes it strange.”
“Then the enemy was within Graham itself.”
“I think so too. Could it be that each Seraphim killed the previous Holy Sovereign—their comrade—to take their place?”
If the Seraphim had competed among themselves for some reason, such a theory might hold.
But there was something off.
“No. They were slain one after another, as if by design.”
If it had been mere competition, they would have eliminated all rivals at once.
“Then it must mean…”
“The deaths of the other Seraphim were part of a larger plan.”
“……”
Nox’s expression hardened at Asterios’s words.
They had reached the same conclusion.
“So it was all for Gabriel from the beginning. Gregorian deliberately killed the others, absorbing their strength in turn. To grow stronger.”
Asterios furrowed his brow in grim thought.
At the same time, Rosiana, having been summoned, arrived at the Emperor’s office, where the Crown Prince, Second Prince, and Raiden—the one overseeing the investigation—were reporting.
“The deceased is Sir Sword Ron Babylon, eldest son of Baron Babylon. He served as an imperial administrator, and it’s said he joined the tournament at his father’s urging. The Baron was very proud of his son’s participation and supported him wholeheartedly.”
“I see…”
After hearing Crown Prince Alex’s explanation of the casualty from the first contest, Emperor Leodian let out a heavy sigh.
“A truly tragic loss.”
He ordered that the Baron be given words of comfort, that a memorial tablet of the highest quality be crafted for his son, along with appropriate compensation. Though no amount could ease a parent’s grief, it was the least he could offer.
“What are the chances this was black magic?”
Leodian’s face darkened as he recalled the time the palace had been attacked during Rosiana’s childhood. The contestants’ powers had been restricted, yet divine power and black magic could never be completely sealed.
If anyone were found guilty of such an act, they would not only be disqualified but also severely punished. However, the physicians and investigators’ conclusion was otherwise.
“They determined it was not black magic.”
“If black magic had been involved, the corpse would have turned black. But the injuries were abrasions, lacerations, and internal rupture.”
After the Crown Prince’s words, Raiden, captain of the Tempest Knights, added details. Rosiana, listening, quietly nodded. She too had seen victims of black magic: their bodies burned black or dissolved into black smoke.
“The physicians were puzzled, but the most plausible explanation was that the deceased’s body rolled down from an extreme height, sustaining repeated injuries. The time gaps between wounds and the torn flesh supported this theory.”
“A dreadful fate for the poor man.”
“Indeed.”
Leodian’s mouth tasted bitter with sorrow. He ordered the Crown Prince to ensure the family was treated with the utmost respect in the burial rites.
“If the cause of death is clear, inform the other contestants. Stress the importance of safety, and reassure them the Imperial House will take every precaution. Also, ensure that all eliminated contestants are given travel expenses for their return.”
His secretary, Cedric, wrote down the orders.
“And for the qualifiers, I shall personally speak words of commendation at tomorrow’s banquet. After that, allow everyone ample rest before the next round.”
“Yes, it shall be done.”
Everyone needed time to recover both body and spirit. Thus, the second contest was scheduled for three days later.
Gabriel, leader of the Seraphim.
What was it that he truly sought?
If it was true he had abandoned God’s will, slain his fellow angels, and absorbed their power, then for what purpose was Gregorian pursuing such a merciless, cruel path?
Nox felt the blood run cold at the thought of one who carried out such atrocities without hesitation.
“So he was still alive after all…”
“As you said, angels do not die easily.”
Asterios smiled lightly, as if unconcerned, though he understood Nox’s sharp reaction.
Gabriel, leader of the Seraphim, had been notorious in the heavens as a ruthless and merciless warrior.
Once hailed as God’s most perfect creation. A radiant being of breathtaking beauty, with a voice warm as sunlight, and a passion blazing like the sun itself.
But he punished disobedience without mercy—calling down lightning, bursting bodies apart. His beautiful face remained cold and expressionless as he split demons and humans alike, tearing limbs and severing heads.
Where Gabriel passed judgment, the ground became more horrific than the abyss of hell. Those who knew his deeds feared him even more than any Demon King.
And that very leader of angels had fallen.
He had hidden in Graham, seated his subordinates one by one as Holy Sovereigns, and now—becoming the current Sovereign himself—he had come all the way to Dreat to claim the Saintess.
What desire burned in the heart of the Seraphim’s leader?
For what purpose had he chosen the path of corruption? Surely, he had known the cost.
“First, we must discover what it is he wants. And the true purpose behind his coming to Dreat.”
Now that his identity was known, it was all the clearer that his goal was not simply to marry Rosiana and take the Saintess to the Holy Nation.
“He has been preparing this for a very long time. His grudge against me, his reason for falling, and now his participation in the contest in Dreat—all of it must be connected.”
Suddenly, Asterios remembered his conversation long ago with the Great Sage Daniel, who had come demanding the newborn Rosiana.
“Did it really have to come to this?”
He had asked with a grim face, and Daniel had answered firmly:
“What do you mean, ‘to this’? You know better than anyone how long I’ve waited.”
Even two hundred years ago, Daniel had already known of the Saintess—and had been waiting for her.
