Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 206 - : ALTERING THE NARRATIVE
The Oracle was pale—it was obvious that although he had survived for now, his end was near.
"At least the worst scenario was avoided... Was the broadcast viewed by everyone?" he asked, worried about the stained reputation of the Celestial Temple.
"It was viewed by a large population. Only the Grey Empire was exempted, but their citizens will most likely learn of it soon through those who watched the broadcast," Bishop Kelly replied, walking into the Oracle's ward and answering before the attending priest could.
He paid his respects to the Oracle, then took a seat after being instructed to. The priest in charge of caring for the Oracle also paid his respects and left, giving the two high-ranking leaders the privacy needed for their delicate discussion.
"It's all my fault. If only I had known beforehand, or warned the divine being... or not been foolish enough to allow it to be broadcast. Now the Celestial Temple will be looked down on by all. I have failed the celestials," the Oracle said dejectedly, his frail voice and weakened body making the admission even more pitiful.
"You did nothing wrong, Oracle. While the situation didn't unfold in the best way we could have hoped, your intentions were just. None of the failure was your fault," Bishop Kelly said, consoling the broken man.
"Thank you. But now is not the time for consolation. What truly matters is how we can regain the image and reputation we've lost," the Oracle replied.
"I might have a solution," Bishop Kelly answered humbly.
"What is it?" the Oracle asked, eager to hear what the Bishop had in mind.
"The divine being was killed by a foreigner in the end, Your Grace. And according to my sources, that foreigner has been in the demon world for some time now. What if this was all a setup? A ploy by the Demon God to weaken the people's faith in the celestials? If the people lose faith, they may turn their backs on us—leaving us without divine protection, and ripe for conquest and destruction," Bishop Kelly proposed.
"Are you sure about this?" the Oracle asked, a frown creasing his pale features.
"I'm certain about his presence in the demon world, but not the rest. Still, Your Grace, sometimes bending the truth serves a greater purpose. This is the perfect way to shift the blame for the downfall of the divine and supposedly untouchable being. If we tie it to the sworn enemy of the Celestial King, it provides a valid reason why such a powerful being was defeated by a foreigner—effectively killing two birds with one stone," Bishop Kelly explained, a cunning smile curling on his lips.
The Oracle thought deeply about it. He hated to admit it, but the Bishop's plan made sense. Still, his expression soon darkened.
"You said he defeated the divine being on his own. Would it be wise to make an enemy of someone like that?" he asked—the only question that continued to trouble him.
"Your Grace, what is there to worry about?" Bishop Kelly asked, catching the Oracle off guard. "We're fixing our reputation, not measuring our might. So what if he killed the divine being? Even in the Celestial Realm, that being was only a messenger. He won't dare to antagonize us, not unless he's unafraid of angering the celestials themselves," he said, his smile widening.
For the first time since losing his legs, the Oracle felt a flicker of joy. "You're right," he said, some color returning to his face. "See to it that your solution is carried out. I leave it in your hands."
"Thank you, Your Grace, for entrusting such a delicate task to me," Bishop Kelly said respectfully before leaving the ward.
He walked away with a pleased smile. The plan had been passed to him by the Crown Prince of the Grey Empire—the king's second son. It was the perfect strategy to pressure Greg.
To invoke everyone's hatred and direct it at one person was, more often than not, a burden too heavy for any mortal to carry. The plan had two outcomes: Either Greg responded arrogantly and antagonized the Celestial Temple—sealing his own fate—or he remained silent and endured the falsehood. Either way, Bishop Kelly would sentence him to trial for his supposed transgressions and send him to the Repentance Prison for sinners, where he would be trained to obey the emperor's will.
A flawless plan with no cracks—if only the target wasn't an anomaly like Greg.
---
Meanwhile...
"My lord, the Ice Princess was forcefully teleported away. We couldn't stop it—it seems to have been the work of divine will," Commander Harold reported, anxiety heavy in his voice. He feared the emperor's wrath for this failure.
"Is that so?" Emperor Augustus said calmly, his voice as clear and composed as ever—yet carrying the same unwavering authority.
"Yes, my lord," Commander Harold repeated, bowing even deeper, his knees pressed against the cold floor, sweat dripping from the back of his neck.
"I see," Augustus said simply, his jaw resting against his hand as he lounged comfortably on the throne, looking as detached and carefree as always. "You may leave."
"Thank you for your mercy, my lord," Commander Harold said gratefully, bowing until his forehead touched the floor before retreating, relieved to have survived what could have been a fatal moment.
"Everyone, leave me," Emperor Augustus commanded. His ministers and knights promptly exited the grand courtroom, leaving him in solitude.
"Elizabeth… You will return one day, seeking to learn about your mother. But for now, you are not ready. You are still too weak," he said, his voice distant as his gaze wandered into the invisible horizon—his thoughts unreadable.
He remembered that night clearly. The night his wife had been taken by a celestial—simply because the divine being fancied her. His own ancestors had not even intervened to stop it.
He remembered the humiliation.
The blatant disrespect.
And the insult of being offered a mere 'compensation' for losing his beloved consort...
