Chapter 168
Ilay suddenly remembered this time from his previous life.
Back then, he had nothing but a fragile body.
Around this same period, he had gone on a pilgrimage and received a stigmata.
A powerless boy with no backing or ability could not even dream of becoming a priest, so he risked his life by entering forbidden territory and became a holy knight.
“I was planning to do the same this time too.”
When he first realized he had regressed three years ago, Ilay had decided to erase even his most precious memories as if they had never existed.
He would slowly take control of everything and gain power.
Even if it took time, he would lie low and wait for an opportunity, using the advantage of future knowledge.
“That was the plan.”
But the difference this time was that he was no longer a powerless, abandoned prince.
The Ersione family supported him, and divine light had led him here.
So he had no intention of wasting time slowly taking over the church.
“Tessilon.”
The moment the boy who had once been suppressed spoke a name,
Clang!
A sharp metallic sound rang out, and the red-hot iron about to brand him was knocked away and fell to the ground.
Sizzle… roll…
The burning iron rolled across the white sacred platform and went out.
A sudden intruder had disrupted the sacred ritual.
A grey-haired holy knight lowered his sword.
Beside him, a silver-haired boy calmly stood up and brushed off his clothes.
“Are you alright, Lord Ilay?”
“Yes.”
Ilay answered casually, then noticed Tessilon glaring at the knight and smirked slightly.
“Oh, my shoulder might hurt a little.”
At that, Tessilon’s calm expression twisted instantly. He grabbed the knight and knocked him out in one blow.
Thud.
The corrupt knight collapsed, and silence fell over the hall.
It was an unprecedented intrusion in the history of the church’s main hall.
Those who had been stunned finally realized who had appeared and reacted in shock.
“T-That…!”
“Tessilon Versil!”
“He’s a criminal! Arrest him immediately!”
The cardinals panicked.
He was the very cause of the church’s downfall and loss of power.
Half of the holy knights hesitated, unsure whether to attack Tessilon.
But the other half did not move at all.
Not because they were afraid, but because they had no intention of acting.
Even the “Stars” of the church.
“Wow, what a dramatic return, Tessilon hyung.”
“Please be quiet, sir. This is an important place.”
Some watched and laughed, while others calmly scolded them.
The cardinals became confused when even the Stars refused to obey.
One of them shouted,
“Sir Helcy! Are you not the head of the Inquisition? As the Guardian of Doctrine, stop that heretic immediately!”
“Who do you think you’re ordering around?”
A cold voice answered.
The man flinched.
“Only one person can give me orders.”
Sshing.
The sword of the Inquisition leader was placed under the man’s chin.
“This… what…?”
“Silence. Do not act recklessly in front of that person.”
“This is treason! How can a Star do this—”
“You misunderstand something.”
She looked down at the hall.
The once sacred space had turned into chaos, split into two fighting factions.
Those already aligned with Ilay were subduing corrupt officials, exposing crimes like extortion and abuse.
Even five of the Stars were among them.
“Let’s see… child abuse? Seriously, what kind of trash is this? Next one. I’ll take care of you.”
“Aaaagh!”
“You are deeply sinful. You need true confession.”
“I confess! I confess everything! Please spare me!”
“Yes. May you repent before God.”
“Wait—ugh!”
One Star crushed criminals while another used a 1,582-page holy scripture like a weapon to send sinners “to God.”
None of them were normal.
Helcy rubbed her forehead, watching the chaos.
‘At a time when we should be showing dignity… what is this mess.’
She gave up trying to make them look like proper holy knights.
Instead, she looked at Ilay stepping onto the sacred platform and smiled faintly.
“Do you think cardinals stand above us?”
“…!”
“We are merely weapons used by that person. If the hands and feet act on their own… we cut them off.”
Her smile was not directed at the cardinals.
She looked at them coldly.
The pressure made them collapse.
And finally—
Step.
Ilay reached the sacred platform.
The noise stopped.
The five Stars returned to their positions, appearing solemn.
The cardinals, trembling, spoke quickly.
“This is a mistake!”
“If you release me, I will grant you a high priest position!”
“You think God will forgive this? A powerless boy who cannot even use divine power—do you not fear divine punishment?”
Their mouths ran freely in front of Ilay.
He tilted his head slightly, as if amused.
“Tessilon, I need your sword.”
At that moment, Helcy, who had been ready to cut them down herself, turned sharply.
Her eyes burned.
Tessilon immediately handed over his sword with devotion.
“It is an honor. And please speak more formally from now on.”
“I’m not used to it yet.”
“You were doing fine earlier.”
“…”
“I’ll… try.”
“Good.”
Tessilon stepped back satisfied.
He returned to the Stars.
A second Star whispered,
“Wow, Tessilon hyung, didn’t expect you to be so strategic.”
“Please be quiet.”
And was immediately silenced by a holy scripture to the head.
Ilay ignored the noise and looked at the cardinals.
“Alkan Belmont, Rodlaxi Pardo, Orgon Zeman.”
The cardinals glared at him.
This was the trial of sinners who had committed all seven deadly sins.
“Have you purified your body and mind as servants of God?”
“…”
“Have you acted as God’s instrument, showing mercy to the weak?”
“…”
“Then you—”
Ilay’s blue eyes turned golden.
Divine light gathered above him, proving that God had not abandoned this world.
“Trash.”
“…!”
“You have never once repented.”
An overwhelming divine pressure filled the hall.
“By church law, the sinners shall be executed.”
The church had become corrupt, far from its original purpose.
If the future was to be changed, it had to start here.
Ilay raised the divine-imbued sword.
Slash!
At that moment—
Mortal one.
Everyone saw it.
Darkness will return. Prepare for the final trial.
Behind the boy wielding divine light stood a transcendent being.
Dawn will be with you.
Morning Star, Celesvia.
The supreme god had spoken.
