Blade of the Goddess
Chapter 65 - This is what I think of your Royal decree

Chapter 65: Chapter 65 - This is what I think of your Royal decree

"Just letting you know, Flint also said that there are seven secret labs in the kingdom that are used for demonic experiments. Two of them have been found. The dungeon lab and this one right here." Zion pointed to the giant hole in the ground.

"Seven?! That’s insane! How were they able to keep this a secret for so long?" Julius asked

"We can make the assumption that high-ranking members of each faction have defected to the demon’s side, making it easier to plot in the shadows, especially if they have authority, like Blair over here." Zaleena assumed based on the evidence provided.

"If even the church can be infiltrated without sensing a demonic presence, then finding those who sided with demons will be easier said than done. How can holy power, which is made to detect and destroy demonic energy, not even work?" Ignis, just like the rest of the Brightburns, was blunt and hot-headed. She said what everyone was thinking, but no one would dare to say that with the Pope around, yet, here they were.

"How dare you say that!" The Pope yelled, getting in Ignis’s face. "The church is are noble follower of our god Arion and we have not lost his goodwill. It’s the demons who managed to trick his holy power!"

"Pfft, so you’re basically saying that you’re all-powerful God is not all-powerful? Yup, sounds about right." Zion laughed, sparking others to snicker a bit, albeit under their breaths.

"You!"

"What is up with everyone and that word today? Like, yes, I’m me!"

"Do you think you can say those words and get away with it? Lord Arion always watches, and he punishes the ignorant!"

Zion stuck his middle finger into the air, pointing it at the sky. "Fuck you Arion! If you’re a man, you’ll strike me down right now! Do it pussy! You won’t! Yeah, that’s what I thought, bitch!"

Silence. Everyone stared at Zion in silence. Sure, not everyone believed or worshiped the Gods, but no one would dare provoke them so openly like that. Zion was a different breed.

Zaleena, Raven, Reina, and Hanna all busted out laughing. Ignis joined them as well, and even Julius couldn’t help but chuckle.

"I like him. So blunt and carefree, smart as well, it would be refreshing to have someone like him on my side." Amber said with a seductive smile, staring at Zion. "And handsome."

The rest of the princes and princesses didn’t say anything, and Crystal smiled internally, knowing that Zion was supporting her, or I guess she was working for him.

"The Royal Army will take the lead on this." The King announced. "The church has been compromised and needs to take action to ensure its survival. Magic Tower Master, Knight’s Order Master, please return to your institutions, as there is a lot of work to be done. As for the rest of you, please prepare for the worst. Demons could be everywhere, even your own neighbor, friend, or child. Be alert and be careful."

No one disagreed with the King since he was taking responsibility for this occurrence. Even Zion didn’t disagree with the King’s demands.

"Our main priority should be locating the remaining five laboratories and destroying them completely, erasing all evidence of their existence. This is what’s best for the kingdom and the people." The king then turned to Zion. "Zion, please hand over any information you’ve collected regarding demons and demonic humans."

"What do you mean, completely erase all evidence?" He asked, ignoring the king’s demands.

The King didn’t like that Zion ignored him twice already, but he let it slide since there were more pressing matters. "I mean what I said. We’ll be destroying this lab in its entirety, leaving no traces behind."

"And the missing people?" Zion asked

"Some actions require sacrifices. The kidnapped people have been experimented on, therefore, they have been contaminated with demonic energy or turned into monsters." He motioned to the church to show that he knew what happened in the lab they uncovered.

"If we let them out, they’ll not only be a danger to themselves but also to the entire kingdom."

"I can understand letting the commoners die since it would be less of a hassle for you to deal with, but there are noble students there, high-ranking nobles, the future of this kingdom. Are you really saying that we should let them die?" Zion asked, his anger now seeping through his voice.

"The hardest choices require the strongest will. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten, and they will be honored in the best way possible."

"Bullshit!" Zion yelled, shocking everyone present

"Zion, hand over your intel." The King demanded, now using his authority as the ruler of the kingdom.

"Go suck a dick." Zion started walking over to the hole, preparing to jump down.

"By Royal Decree, I, King Zicron Von Astir, order you to hand over any information you have on the demons and demonic humans. Refusal will result in imprisonment, and you’ll be deemed a traitor!" He shouted, expanding his mana to show his dominance.

[Activating EMP around the Host’s body to negate the effects of the mana trying to harm the Host]

"Heh, this is what I think about your royal decree." Zion’s arm stretched out, his palm facing the King as a magic circle materialized, its color all over the place, yet the energy it was giving off was not something to overlook.

But just as quickly as Zion held out his palm, eight swords were pointed at his throat. When he threatened the king, the king’s guards moved from the shadows, ready to strike Zion down in an instant.

"Do it," Zion smirked.

"If you do not put your swords down right now, I swear on my name I’ll cut every last one of you down!" There was no way Zaleena was going to let her son be killed, regardless of his actions.

Just the sheer pressure she gave off as she drew her sword was enough to make the others think twice. While everyone here was around 7 to 8 stars/circles, Zaleena was a Transcendent, putting her in the 9-star/circle range of power.

Raven also joined her sister’s side, also showing off her Transcendent power. Reina, Hanna, and Ignis too sided with Zion, pulling out their weapons and spells, ready to fight the king on Zion’s behalf.

Julius and the Pope defended the king, but they knew they wouldn’t be able to do anything if a fight broke out.

"Are you really choosing their side, Ignis?" The king asked

"Normally, I would be on the side of justice and the side that would better the kingdom, but you’re asking me to let my niece die, and that’s not something I can afford to do. You haven’t seen the look on my brother’s face once he learned his little girl was missing, and the things he’s doing to find her whereabouts. I haven’t seen him that angry in decades. Besides, Zion is my nephew-in-law, and I always look out for my family."

"Very well, I’ll allow you to take the lead on this; however, the search for the other laboratories falls under the jurisdiction of the Royal Army, no questions asked." The King turned round and waved his hand, vanishing alongside everyone who was with him.

"Well, that went well." Zion smiled. "Now, let’s find Lidia." He jumped into the hole, followed by his mother, aunt, sisters, and aunt-in-law.