The night prior.
"Rani, you must cut me down."
Those were the words spoken by Vitura as soon as Jin had returned with the survivors.
While Jin was away, Vitura had thought about how to drive away the invaders and traitors from the Holy Kingdom of Vankella as soon and as thoroughly as possible.
No, he hadn't only thought about it. He'd come to a decision.
"Lord Vitura, what are you saying so suddenly?"
"Young Master has brought the witnesses who will serve as evidence. And not only that, because of the Advent Festival, there are more eyes watching this land than usual. This is an opportunity that will never come again. If we want to put an end to those bastards, we need a villain to die with them."
"You're joking… Right?"
Rani asked, her voice trembling, and Vitura shook his head.
"No, I have already made my decision."
"Why on earth must we do that? There are witnesses that no one can deny, and there's evidence recorded by the priestess of the Dawn Chariot Association while she risked and ultimately sacrificed her life. Even without your involvement, it's enough…"
"That's but an ideal dream, Rani Salome. Do you really believe that's enough to take back our country? Against that massive family controlling the world?"
"Why wouldn't that be enough?! Whether it's the Zipfels or Kinzelo, no matter how great they are… How will they be able to deny anything with the state the survivors are in?! Moreover, as Young Master Jin said, the Zipfel Clan, even if it's only for the sake of Kal Zipfel, will…"
"Of course, with Young Master Jin's help, it'll be possible to put them in distress. But, what comes after that? The bastards will make do with their losses and appoint a few people to take the blame. They'll then return to eat away at this land again."
"Even so, we cannot denounce you as a traitor! That's nonsense!"
In this moment of silence, Rani's anxious breathing stood out.
"Rani Salome. What do you think the holy kingdom needs right now?"
Rani was unable to answer.
"It's a leader. We need a symbol of hope to make us believe that the holy kingdom is not doomed. We're in a time where a leader must appear. One that can punish the traitors in front of everyone and shout that the only true owners of the Holy Kingdom of Vankella are the children of Ayula."
"Are you… telling me to play that role?"
"That's right."
"Sigh, I understand. In that case, it would be better for you to kill me as the traitor and become the leader."
"Rani."
"To put it bluntly, compared to you, I've done nothing for the kingdom, right? I was only loved by the subjects because I'm the daughter of the holy king. What qualifications do I have to be the people's leader? I'm not someone with that ability."
"…My friend, McLan, he originally brought you here to raise you to become the next holy king."
"My father never said anything of the sort."
"I can swear on Ayula's name. McLan received a revelation from Ayula that you would become the holy king."
"What are you talking about all of a sudden…"
"Look at this."
Vitura took out a notebook from his pocket.
It was McLan's diary.
The diary contained nothing about state affairs, only containing the personal daily life and religious studies of the king. And in the middle of that diary, the king wrote about the revelation of Rani he had received from Ayula.
Sigh.
There was no way Rani didn't recognize McLan's handwriting.
"So, if you can't understand it, then accept it as Ayula's will. Weren't you the child who followed Ayula's words better than anyone else?"
"Even if God chose me…This isn't it. This really isn't it."
"I'm known to the people as someone who supports the Zipfel Clan and I've been pretending to be their subordinate for a long time. Punish me and let it be known that Ayula's volcano is as strong as ever."
"There must be some other way, Lord Vitura."
It was even more difficult for Rani to accept because she had secretly hated Vitura for a long time, even before the king was kidnapped.
To her, Vitura was not loyal to the holy kingdom, but rather the first person to become Zipfel's underling. Her father's greatest enemy, and an obstacle in the holy kingdom.
However, in reality, Vitura shared a deeper friendship with McLan than anyone else, and was the most loyal of them all. Someone who always pretended to be a villain and watched over enemies both internally and externally.
Even if she apologized and repaid the favor for the rest of her life, she wouldn't be able to make up for it.
It was impossible for her to let him play the villain, carrying such a heavy burden alone.
"I'm not confident, Lord Vitura…"
"No, you can do this. Think about it. You yourself know there's no better method, don't you? Even Young Master Jin, someone with no relation to us, fought great battles for the sake of the holy kingdom. Compared to what he went through, cutting me down is an easy task."
"But no one will recognize your sacrifice except us! In fact, they'll point fingers at you and insult you. Your name will remain in history as a terrible traitor…!"
"Did Ayula ever want us to hope for a reward when doing good deeds? Did Ayula ask us to hope for recognition when keeping to our beliefs? Did Ayula ask us to weigh the advantages and disadvantages when deciding to make a sacrifice? Ayula and the great priests never left such teachings behind."
"Even still—"
"Rani Salome! Don't act like a child. Don't disappoint me anymore. Just like me, you, too, must endure. Are you going to dishonor my resolve because of your own selfish feelings?"
In the end, Rani sat down and cried.
She clutched at her heart, feeling as if she was going insane. She banged her head on the floor and screamed.
At that time, Jin and Murakan saw Rani's body shining brightly.
The light only lasted a brief moment, so brief that it felt like an optical illusion.
Vitura patted her back for a moment and then turned his gaze to Jin.
Jin and Murakan had been quietly listening to the two talk since earlier.
They were in thought. Was there really no better solution than what Vitura suggested?
Had they thought of anything, they would've said it.
But alas, Vitura's sacrifice was undoubtedly the most powerful means to stabilize the holy kingdom.
Even as someone not from the holy kingdom, naturally, Jin felt that Vitura's sacrifice was unfair.
Thinking back on his life, it would've been much more comfortable to expose the corruption within the holy kingdom and then to seek asylum within the Huphester Alliance or to confront the Zipfel Clan outright.
However, it was a great disrespect to comment on this man of steel's decision.
"Young Master Jin."
"Yes, Lord Vitura."
"I owe you a large debt that will be difficult to repay. I will not forget your hard work for the holy kingdom even after I die."
"…Unlike you, I only underwent this ordeal because of the agreement to receive compensation in the future."
"Even still, things weren't easy for you."
"Lord Vitura."
"Please speak."
"We will take responsibility and take action so that your family can live quietly in the Huphester Alliance afterward."
If Vitura's plan was successful, Rani would be unable to take care of his family.
It was impossible for the Holy King to take care of the family of a traitor.
And Vitura's family would never be able to survive without someone's help.
It wasn't like the Zipfel Clan, having suffered great losses, would take care of them.
The people of the Holy Kingdom may fulfill Ayula's benevolence and not sling stones at them. However, they would not step forward to protect the family of a traitor.
"…You brought it up after I had given my gratitude. I'm in your debt once again."
"As a warrior born in the Garden of Swords, please consider this as an expression of respect for you, a senior warrior."
* * *
"What are these ugly heretics talking about? Protectors of the Doctrine! Get rid of them!"
Vitura shouted in a voice filled with malice.
At his violent reaction, the square became frighteningly quiet.
Everyone felt that something was wrong.
Ten subjects with clear traces of biological experimentation, the paladin commander who hurriedly denounced them as heretics, and the fake holy king's expression of shock.
All of that was causing a sharp sense of disconnect in people.
Thud, thud, thud!
The Protectors of the Doctrine, who had been next to Vitura, got into formation instantly.
The crowd naturally surrounded Vitura and the paladins from the Protectors of the Doctrine.
The paladins harshly pushed the crowd out of the way as they advanced.
"Your Majesty! They are all heretics. Get away from them! Those of you of the Golden Shield, what are you doing? Get those heretics away from His Majesty!"
The Golden Shield did not move despite Vitura's orders and instead surrounded the carriage.
While the fake holy king could not hide his embarrassment, Rani glared at Vitura and shouted.
"How can you call these people heretics? And before His Majesty even gave the order, you drew your sword. Step back!"
Among the people standing in the square, there was not a single one who was unaware of the political conflict between the holy king and Vitura.
Naturally, to them, Vitura looked like he was Zipfel's dog, trying his best to cover up an incident.
"I am the commander-in-chief of the paladins.I have full authority to judge heresy. If you have eyes, then use them, Rani Salome. Do those hideous faces look like they belong to normal human beings? They are likely to be conspiring with demons!"
"That is a matter for His Majesty to decide! Your Majesty, please order Lord Vitura to step back."
The fake king was nothing but someone transformed to look like the holy king with the help of Bouvard. They had no idea how to deal with the situation. That was because he was under Zipfel's orders, not Kinzelo's.
"Your Majesty, I have told you several times that these are heretics. Before the dignity of the holy kingdom falls further, you must subdue them and proceed with the consecration ceremony."
"If you speak again, you will also be considered a heretic, Rani Salome. Everyone, get out of the way! Make way!"
As Vitura and the Protectors of the Doctrine got closer to reaching the subjects, the Paladins of the Golden Shield drew their own swords and blocked the path.
"Do not come any closer, Lord Vitura."
"You dare…! You are under my direct command, yet you dare block my way?"
Direct command.
Thirty paladins of the Golden Shield Order, who, unlike those beheaded by Vitura upon meeting Jin, did not lose their loyalty until the end.
They held their swords pointed at Vitura, with the intention of cutting off his tongue.
"Just the act of drawing your weapon without His Majesty's order is tantamount to treason. Commander, please sheath your sword immediately."
Clang!
Vitura fiercely swung his sword at the Paladins of the Golden Shield.
At the same time, the Protectors of the Doctrine began their attack, fresh blood splattering everywhere.
Vitura rushed toward the survivors as if he was possessed.
As if today's incident would be resolved if only he could kill them.
Vitura and fifty paladins from the Protectors of the Doctrine against Rani and thirty members of the Golden Shield.
It was a complete melee, and Vitura was displaying strength worthy of being called the commander-in-chief.
They forced back the Paladins of the Golden Shield and closed the distance, approaching the survivors.
"I'll cut off your heads, you heretics!"
As Vitura got closer, the ten survivors clung closer to the fake Holy King.
Of course, this was something that had been discussed in advance.
Within a few seconds, all the survivors were screaming and surrounding the fake Holy King, and Rani blocked the path to them.
Naturally, the one who appeared before Rani first was Vitura.
The Golden Shield were fighting desperately to prevent the Protectors of the Doctrine from getting close to Rani.
Rani and Vitura's eyes met.
They were both glaring at each other on the outside, but on the inside, they were feeling indescribably sorry for one another.
"Rani, you're a heretic as well! Expect severe punishment later! Your Majesty, Your Majesty! I, Vitura, am here to save you from the heretics!"
Clang!
The swords of Rani and Vitura clashed against one another.
The duel that the two had practiced and choreographed the whole night had begun.
Rani only had to dodge and block the attacks, while Vitura had to push her away and aim for the fake king while pretending his aim was to kill the survivors.
Clang, clang—!
As Vitura swung his sword at her, Rani felt as if Vitura was comforting her with each blow.
Like he was saying it would be okay. Everything would be okay.
Phwoosh—!
Rani was thrown to the floor by Vitura's stab.
By then, there was only a distance of two steps between Vitura and the holy king.
Vitura swung his sword once more at Rani, his eyes filled with madness.
And what happened next appeared as if Vitura had genuinely made a mistake.
"Ke… Ugh…!"
Vitura's sword pierced the fake holy king's neck.
He paused, as if he couldn't believe his mistake, and just as he was about to swing at the survivors…
Rani, having just gotten back up, had her sword rushing for the back of Vitura's neck.