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Chapter 415: Star, the Prezias (7)

“Castor has also joined the battle between Chiron and Sadalmelik. The news is also affecting the Zodiacs now, not just their armies and factions.”

“Why are you so concerned? Children experience growth when they fight.”

“... I believe it would be wise not to take this matter so lightly. Some are even saying that the entire existence of <Horoscope> is under threat,” his subordinate bitterly reported.

“Hehe! They’re finally feeling some sense of urgency, huh?” Bel-Marduk’s smile deepened. “Well, the <Anti-Star> Alliance is coming at us from above, Twilight is striking us from below, and we have an internal conflict in our hands. No wonder they feel like we’re in a crisis.”

Bel-Marduk didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. The news of ‘Divine Twilight’ holding up his flag in Helath and terrorizing the Imperial Family had already caused an uproar in <Horoscope>.

Several Star Signs wanted to take this matter into their own hands and attack ‘Divine Twilight’ themselves. However, before they could, the <Anti-Star> Alliance finally made a move, disrupting the standstill they had with <Horoscope>. The dimension teleportation they performed to get to Worldline #802 from Worldline #801 was so grand in scale that it heavily affected the Causality of <Deus Ex Machina>.

<Horoscope> was in a state of emergency. ‘Divine Twilight’ had conquered Arcadia, which they used to travel from the Imaginary Plane to the Great Universe, and the <Anti-Star> Alliance kept them under pressure. To make matters worse, Sadalmelik and Castor had teamed up against Chiron. It was as if they weren’t even in the same <Society> anymore.

For the first time since its foundation, <Horoscope> had a serious crisis at hand.

“Let’s get one thing straight. We’ve been so busy with the growth of our <Society> that we didn’t get the chance to discipline our people. It would be best to think of this moment as a chance to reorganize our <Horoscope>,” Bel-Marduk said with a shrug.

“... I understand now, sir. I’ll tell the others and those from the <Syndicate> not to act rashly and wait for further instructions.”

“Good thinking.” Bel-Marduk chuckled as he patted the subordinate’s shoulder. He then looked down and watched the <Saha World> footage displayed below his feet. It showed Chang-Sun and the Prezia Family walking toward the Imperial Palace’s wide-open gates.

Bel-Marduk’s eyes gleamed. “Isn’t it about time for you to learn about the truth, Twilight?”

* * *

The Imperial Family permitted Treville Prezia to enter the Imperial Palace, but only essential personnel could accompany him. Hence, only Sietle Prezia and some of the vassals came with him.

Treville gulped out of sheer anxiety. The Arcadian Imperial Army, the crowd that was formed during the parade... too many eyes were on him right now. However, his meeting with the Heavenly Dragon Emperor made him nervous the most.

The Heavenly Dragon Emperor made the Prezia Family fall as soon as he ascended the throne. Fortunately, he had allegedly lost all interest in politics and indulged himself in his harem.

Treville had never met the Heavenly Dragon Emperor in person. He thought about expressing his disdain for ruining his family, but he was so nervous that he couldn’t even come up with what to say. From what he heard, the emperor was no longer interested in secular affairs and couldn’t even remember them that well. If the emperor failed to remember Jan Prezia, he wouldn’t know what to do.

As his thoughts jumbled up, Jin Prezia tapped his shoulder from behind to reassure him. It was as if he could tell what he was going through.

「Don’t worry. Don’t forget who’s with you.」

Treville’s eyes widened as he looked back and forth between Jin and Chang-Sun, who nodded at Treville to further reassure him.

[The Celestial ‘Divine Twilight’ has blessed the Player ‘Treville Prezia’!]

Treville felt the fog in his head clear up. He couldn’t ask for a better backup. Although the emperor had the title of Heavenly Dragon Emperor, he was still only a human—someone who was still closer to being a mortal than a god.

The emperor was rumored to have completed <Exuviation> and <Transcendence> and obtained the seat of a Star Sign after a long cultivation. However, since the world was given no evidence of it, it was more likely that the Inspection Bureau was making those rumors up. After all, they employed the same tactic when they framed the Prezia Family.

“... Yes, Granduncle!” Treville’s head cleared up as he took a big step forward.

* * *

“His Majesty, Their Highnesses, and civil and military officials have imperial courts in this sacred place. Please keep in mind that any use of physical force is forbidden here,” the eunuch told Treville and the others as he guided them.

Contrary to how Chang-Sun reassured Treville, Chang-Sun grew vigilant for the first time since he arrived at Arcadia.

‘It’s like we’re walking on a minefield,’ Chang-Sun thought. He hadn’t put his guard down ever since he walked through the gates. The Imperial Palace itself was enormous and magnificent, fitting for people ruling an entire galaxy.

‘All the barriers and magic spells installed in this palace are impressive.’

Chang-Sun had his [Gnostic Eye] open, ensuring that he wouldn’t miss the countless magic circles spread all over the sky. Storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions... every one of the spells had surpassed the level of Authorities. They were more like natural disasters.

‘As far as I know, <Horoscope> chose this place as their divine ground. taking at least one Star Sign out shouldn’t be that difficult.’

Entering the Imperial Palace of Arcadia was a gamble for Chang-Sun as well. Despite how arrogant <Horoscope> was, they wouldn’t skip fortifying their headquarters.

[The Celestial ‘Pavo’ is standing by, ready to descend!]

[The Celestial ‘Reticulum’ is standing by, ready to descend!]

...

Hundreds of Star Signs glared at Chang-Sun and the others. He provocatively scoffed in response.

Oooooong!

With a flick of his fingers, he created a bright, radiant sphere with black energy whirling around it. It floated up in the Imperial Palace’s sky and spun.

[The Celestial ‘Corona Australis’ is surprised to see the Signature ‘Duskfall’!]

[The Celestial ‘Delphinus’ turns pale and quickly cancels the descent sequence!]

[The Celestial ‘Grus’ covers her face with her wings!]

...

[The Celestial ‘Cancer’ yells at you to get that ominous thing out of here!]

Even the Zodiacs felt shivers run down their spines when Chang-Sun used Duskfall, the explosions of which not even the Imperial Palace’s powerful magic circles could stop. Considering the Star Signs likely knew it could kill them, their reactions weren’t anything out of the ordinary.

“I-it’s forbidden to use force in the Imperial Palace! Bring that down now!” the eunuch yelled, shocked by the heat coming from Chang-Sun’s Duskfall sphere.

“Deactivate all those magic circles first.”

“Th-those exist to protect the Imperial Palace from invasions—!”

Chang-Sun tilted his head. “Consider the sphere my protection, then.”

The eunuch stared at him in disbelief.

“What are you doing? Get going already.” Chang-Sun gestured forward with his chin, refusing to listen to the eunuch any further.

The eunuch trembled, his face reddening. Unable to say anything, he just led the group to the Central Palace, which was where the emperor stayed.

‘It seems those magic circles are to keep the Star Signs in check,’ Chang-Sun thought. After some time, his eyes narrowed. ‘I can’t find any trace of Xerxes or Crom. Should I head to the underground floor?’

“Announcing the arrival of Treville Prezia, head of the Prezia Family!” the eunuch shouted when they arrived.

Officials stood on the left side of the vast hall, watching Chang-Sun and the others with discontentment, and priests in uniforms lined up on the right, each one exuding the holy power of <Horoscope>. In the middle of the hall was a red carpet that led to dozens of stairs, at the top of which was a huge throne. The emperor was sitting on it, his face covered with his large myeonryugwan’s long threads of beads.

‘The Heavenly Dragon Emperor.’ Chang-Sun’s gaze sharpened.

Treville and Sietle told him earlier that the emperor was the tyrant of the century, but at that moment, Chang-Sun realized that they couldn’t be more wrong.

‘He has at least completed <Transcendence> and become an immortal with a complete Divine Class.’

The Heavenly Dragon Emperor likely showed no interest in secular affairs and cooped up in the Imperial Palace to focus on his training.

Perhaps because of the magic spells attached to the throne, Chang-Sun couldn’t assess the emperor’s exact level. He would have to get closer to be more certain.

“Kneel before the ruler of Arcadia and master of Helath!” the servant standing next to the throne shouted, his voice reverberating throughout the hall. As a demigod who finished <Exuviation>, his voice was coated with power that the people couldn’t defy.

“Stop,” Chang-Sun coldly commanded as Treville and his vassals instinctively began to go down on one knee. “What are you doing? You are all my followers. You do not bow to anyone else without my permission.”

[The Celestial ‘Divine Twilight’ has released his Divine Class!]

Wooooosh!

Chang-Sun’s Divine Class stormed out and erased the energy that the officials and high-ranking priests released. Those who tried to intimidate Treville and the others turned pale at how strong his Divine Class was.

“Y-yes, sir!” Treville muttered under his breath.

He and his vassals straightened back up, fighting through the pressure. The officials and priests fervently reacted against it.

“Sh-shame on you!”

“How dare you do that in the presence of His Majesty!”

“The Great Family of Prezia has become vulgar after being involved with the lowly—!”

Woooosh!

A flash filled the room, followed by six heads flying in the air.

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

“What? I can’t hear you.” Chang-Sun coldly glared at the officials and priests.

As if someone poured a bucket of ice water on them, they immediately quieted down, surprised that Chang-Sun resorted to force this quickly and blatantly. Some even hiccupped.

The heads soon fell and rolled on the floor. They all belonged to demigods who had accomplished <Exuviation>—people who had confidence in their skills. Prime Minister Seamilop, who used to be called the best warrior of Arcadia, was one of them.

“Keep talking. I’ll kill as many as it takes to silence this hall.”

Nobody dared defy him now.

“I only have one demand.” Chang-Sun turned to the throne. “Hey, emperor.”

The Heavenly Dragon Emperor showed no reaction even as his subordinates were killed—no, he didn’t move at all. It was as if he had turned into a doll.

“Antares asked you to keep something in this Imperial Palace, didn’t he? Hand it over, and I’ll spare you and everyone here.”

The Heavenly Dragon Emperor remained silent, making Chang-Sun smile.

“All right, fine. If that’s how you want to do this...” He slowly held up one hand. Noticing that something was up, the military officials and priests quickly ran toward him. They couldn’t care less about themselves.

“... then deal with the consequences.” Chang-Sun extended his hand toward the Heavenly Dragon Emperor.

[The Celestial ‘Divine Twilight’ has released his full Divine Class!]

“Stop him!”

“Protect His Majesty!”

Paah! Paah, paah!

The priests activated their Star Signs’ Authorities as they pounced on Chang-Sun. While unleashing their Classes, the military officials and Arcadian Imperial Army soldiers surrounded the throne to protect the Heavenly Dragon Emperor.

Much to their surprise, however, the gale at Chang-Sun’s fingertips pulled their ruler toward him. The emperor drew out an immense amount of energy and fiercely fought back, but Chang-Sun had spent so much time dealing with <Darkness> and supreme sacred light that his control over his power had increased. The emperor was far too weak to defy him.

[Using ‘Telekinesis’!]

Chang-Sun grabbed the Heavenly Dragon Emperor by the neck and kept him hanging in the air.

“Y-Your Majesty!!!!”

“Everyone, stop! His Majesty is in danger!”

Taken aback, the priests and military officials anxiously stopped in their tracks. The Heavenly Dragon Emperor was still unperturbed.

“Let’s take a look at the famous emperor’s face, shall we?”

Chang-Sun brushed the bead threads of the emperor’s myeonryugwan[1] aside. When he finally saw the face hidden underneath, his expression darkened.

The Heavenly Dragon Emperor looked like Chang-Sun’s real appearance.

1. It is like a crown used in Asia, but myeonryugwan is only used during ceremonies. The name differs in each country, and this is the Korean version. It’s a mianguan in China, and it’s called a benkan in Japan. ?