6. Proof of Existence (61)
The momentum of the mountaintop court, which had been roaring like wildfire, subsided at once.
A look of bewilderment and astonishment was pouring down on the man. The hooded young man had an impressive appearance. Also, even the ability to break down a cliff with a hatchet.
A knight with black hair who wields a hatchet.
Rumors about this spread all over the continent for a long time, so there were few people who could not guess the identity of the man. Only the sound of swallowing dry saliva echoed through the stillness.
Ian Perkus was the most impressive newcomer recently.
The successive appearances of the Dark Church made the continent tremble in fear. Thousands of years ago, mythical monsters appeared in various places, and terrifying beings, including those of evil spirits, began to gain notoriety.
And it was Ian Percus who preceded those terrible demons.
Trials always produce heroes. This was the eternal truth.
It was because the more precarious the reality, the more people wanted the existence of a hero. A savior in peril, the key to breaking through this precarious situation.
No matter what anyone said, there was only one person who was chosen this century.
Although his skills may not reach those of the continent’s most powerful players, the achievements he has accumulated were genuine. Whether it was skill, mental strength, or luck, it didn’t matter.
Ian Perkus has never let humanity down.
So he became a giant. Any power or political influence they possessed was meaningless, at least not here.
Because tens of thousands of people were watching.
It was in the middle of establishing the authority of the Holy See against the Dark Church. Even the Seongguk did not have the chin to want to take a chance with a young knight who could be said to be the vanguard.
The reason why the pope’s momentum, which seemed to kill the man at any moment, had calmed down was not irrelevant to him.
A faint moan leaked from the old priest’s mouth, which had calmed his excitement. He stroked his white beard and admonished the young man in a solemn tone.
“Ian Percus! I have heard of your reputation. If you are a fellow criminal and have personally beheaded a traitor to the kingdom, then you are entitled to objection.”
At first glance, it sounded like he was acknowledging Ian. However, the original meaning of admonition is always the law that comes last, and the Pope was no exception.
“However, that atrocity insulted the authority of the sacred court!”
With a thump, the old priest rolled on the ground, and the mountain screamed again.
Several terrified crowds fell on their seats, shivering. The sight of the entire mountain shaking was just as daunting.
A mere human only stomped his foot once.
However, the mountain, which is far from looking up at the top, trembles and groans.
It cannot be explained unless it is a miracle of God. It was a phenomenon that was no different from the root that supported the authority of the Court on the Mount.
However, the man ahead of this incomprehensible transfer was still confident.
His golden eyes stared at the pope, who stood tall and silent.
“How dare you commit the unforgivable sin, young knight! The authority of this court has been upheld by age-old pacts and sacrifices. The privilege of liberating sinners cannot be granted because of stubbornness or coercion!”
“I am not trying to disregard the law.”
The expression of the Pope, who was angry at Ian’s remarks, became puzzled again.
A country with a history of more than a thousand years was Seongguk. The laws and doctrines built up over a long period of time were complex, and their authority was recognized as much.
If someone came out of nowhere and asked for preferential treatment, there was no way they would listen.
It was an act that shook the trust of more than a thousand years from the root.
However, just as the saintess’ guilt was confirmed in advance, there was room for her to be stubborn if she had an assortment and justification.
Humans are not perfect like gods, and therefore the system created by humans was bound to have loopholes.
There was a vague interest in the eyes of the aged priest.
If you lay the jeongpan, there is nothing that can’t go along with it.
He was a politician, but he was also a priest. He did not want to take the lives of two young people who would become his future companions.
“Then discuss, young knight! What more do you want to say now?”
Then, the eyes of Ian and the saint collided in the air.
The saintess had a blank expression on her face. I met the man I love at the edge of a cliff. It was a very romantic story, but unlike the saintess’ beating heart, reason sent a cold warning.
It shouldn’t be like this.
It was as if the inner feelings hidden behind those silent golden eyes were clearly visible.
Before she even shouted, “I can’t become a saint.”
“… … Honor trial.”
Silence strikes the clearing again.
Some of the crowds were speechless. As the astonishment spread like a ripple, the expressions of the pope and other priests hardened.
honor trial.
It was a name I hadn’t heard in a long time. At least in this court, no one has been able to pull out those four letters for a while.
Because it was synonymous with ‘suicide’.
“I will ask for an honor trial.”
“… … Think again.”
It was a suggestion that was uttered in a gasp.
Suddenly, a drop of sweat stood on the Pope’s forehead. The old man’s distorted skin represented his feelings.
“Isn’t your future still bright?”
“I request an honor trial!”
However, despite the pope’s dissuade, the man raised his voice.
Glowing golden eyes turned to one of the priests on the second stair. The priest of knowledge, who was wearing a sun-shaped mask, trembled at the intense gaze.
“Isn’t this also a right guaranteed by the law? I heard that the doctrinal trial is the lowest priority trial. If there is a request, we should proceed with the trial again according to the form!”
“Well, yes, but… … .”
While answering hesitantly, the priest of knowledge had to cast a glance behind his back.
The distant summit was not even within sight. It’s just that the presence of the giant there is holding everyone down like a mountain.
That piece alone made the priest run out of breath.
impossible.
As long as the author exists, there can be no ‘honor trial’. Because it was a pointless attempt from the beginning.
The result has already been decided.
How could you have made such a foolish decision?
Although he came here alone, Ian Percus was not alone. Numerous powers entangled with him would have been keeping an eye on the kingdom.
A young divinity of the Empire is murdered during the trial of the Holy Kingdom?
There was room for unnecessary diplomatic conflict. Didn’t I even hear that the man was the imperial emperor’s henchman?
At that time, the person who reached out to help was an unexpected person.
“… … I refuse.”
It was a soft declaration.
Again, the attention of the crowd shifted. In the center was a silver-haired woman.
Her voice, which had even been squeezed out of sobs, was ragged like a dry rag. Nevertheless, the tone was clear and pure, so who would doubt the love of the heavenly god for this woman.
Light pink eyes regained their light and burned.
“I refuse! Today, I am the only guilty party brought before the Inquisition! If I refuse to appoint a representative, there will be no honor trial.”
“… … Holy Maiden.”
“No!”
Like an outburst, the saintess cried out like that.
The tone seemed more like a plea.
“Everything, even you… You can’t lose either. I’d rather just die… … !”
“You are not the only criminal on trial today.”
A moment of doubt appeared on the saintess’ face, but Ian took a step without even explaining.
The gazes of those who stood high up were pierced like heavy rain.
“Haven’t I also been referred to the Inquisition!”
“Your trial has been suspended. As long as it doesn’t cause trouble again… this.”
The Pope shook his head with a solemn expression, but his expression collapsed.
At the end of his gaze, a hatchet dangled. It was a weapon that destroyed part of the historic Court on the Mount.
An additional criminal act, isn’t it just committed?
However, the saintess also did not seem to have any intention of resigning.
“No! Even if it is referred to the Inquisition, it is a trial based on a case separate from mine! You cannot change the trial process without my permission!”
“Are there any other regulations for that?”
Crying, the saintess, who had fallen face down, raised herself up again with the power of anger.
She was a woman torn apart by resentment and despair. Even so, the figure of raising the body and raising the voice was desperate.
“Even if there is no separate regulation, it is a comprehensively applicable legal interpretation! There aren’t many spaces in the law code to write down the obvious!”
“I know that the interpretation of the law must be in favor of the sinner, in the absence of a proper by-law.”
“They say they hate me!”
Unable to overcome the frustration, the hand of the saintess pounded my chest roughly. Tears, which I thought had dried up, welled up again.
Whoops, whoops. The saintess, who knelt down, managed to suppress her tears and let out a sobbing sound.
It was a bitter appeal.