Chapter 579: Covering the Truth

The Supreme Council entrusts the Naiser Floating City; this is a very fair proposal.

Of course, TimKainanMaster still harbors a few selfish motives; he lets the Empire Consul supervise the Naiser Elders Council, actually leaving a loophole for himself to intervene in Naiser in the future.

The current Consul, Gneus*Chikro, is a person promoted by the Balance faction.

A Consul's term is ten years, and one may not serve more than four consecutive terms; Gneus*Chikro is already in his third term.

Among the candidates that year, Gneus*Chikro was not the most popular, not even making the top three; at first he was merely a runner‑up. He rose to power because the Naiser faction and the Mo Du faction fought fiercely over the Consul throne, each refusing to compromise on the other's candidate, leading to a stalemate.

Tim*Kenan exploited this point to push forward Gneus*Chikro, forcing the two factions to reluctantly accept him.

Gneus*Chikro vaulted straight to the top, becoming the 44th Empire Consul.

The Empire initially thought Gneus*Chikro was only a transitional figure, expecting a replacement after one term. Yet after taking office, he displayed outstanding wisdom and skill, securing the Consul seat within months; although he achieved no spectacular feats thereafter, he governed the Empire steadily, with all aspects improving.

After several years of governance, Gneus*Chikro earned a good reputation among both nobles and commoners, gaining the people's support.

Even the Holy Soul Wizards of the Naiser faction and the Mo Du faction recognized this Consul.

Gneus*Chikro therefore secured two re‑elections; barring any surprise, he will become one of the few Consuls in Empire history to serve a full four terms.

Although Gneus*Chikro was promoted by the Balance faction, he has never been overtly subservient to the Balance faction or TimKainanMaster; for years he has remained fair and strict, earning deep trust.

Even though Tim*Kenan harbors a few selfish motives, it does not affect the fairness of this proposal.

With Gneus*Chikro supervising the Naiser Elders Council, everyone finds it trustworthy.

Thus, this proposal was immediately approved.

"I approve."

"I approve..."

The other two Holy Soul Wizards of the Balance faction, Ouroin Master and Howai Master, also raised their hands in agreement. They had previously voted for the Hong Shi Duke out of necessity, not intending to betray Tim*Kenan, and still consider themselves members of the Balance faction.

Including TimKainanMaster himself, that makes three votes.

"I approve."

Anxiwodasi also raised a hand, followed closely by Storm Queen, Prophet Medif, and Sabbath Dean, all voting in favor of the proposal.

Silver Star Duke remained immersed in disappointment over losing the Floating City; facing the Mo Du faction's expectations, she said in a deep voice, "I abstain."

She uses abstention to express her displeasure.

Anxiwodasi frowned; although Silver Star Duke's abstention does not affect the outcome, it is a dangerous signal. If Silver Star Duke cannot be appeased and her anger toward Lei En resolved, the Mo Du faction may forever lose her vote.

If Silver Star Duke were to side with the Naiser faction, shifting the tally from five‑to‑four to four‑to‑five, it would become problematic.

He looked at Hong Shi Duke; indeed, this psychically attuned empath wore a thoughtful expression.

Hong Shi Duke averted his gaze, exchanging a word with his three allies.

"I oppose."

"I oppose..."

All four Holy Soul Wizards of the Naiser faction cast opposing votes.

Seven votes for, four against, one abstention. Tim*Kenan immediately shouted that his proposal had passed, becoming an official resolution.

He felt great satisfaction, seeing it as revenge for the earlier vote.

However, Hong Shi Duke's expression was unexpectedly calm, as if he had already accepted the failure of his decades‑long scheming. He concealed all his thoughts, as if merely missing an inconsequential matter.

This made Tim*Kenan feel like a punch to cotton, leaving him somewhat uncomfortable.

Lei En watched with a cold eye.

What surprised him was that Hong Shi Duke's emotions had indeed steadied, showing little difference on the surface, as if unshaken.

This clearly reflects the effect of 'Willpower of Truth'; even emotional swings do not last long and recover quickly.

It also shows Hong Shi Duke's tenacity: unyielding, never discouraged regardless of loss, refusing to sink, instead growing stronger in battle, never speaking of surrender.

He is a person capable of great deeds, yet also the most dangerous enemy.

Lei En felt extremely vigilant.

He saw the other three members of the Naiser faction—KangJieladeGreatSage, Black Robe Duke, and PurpleFlameDuke—each nodding slightly, praising Hong Shi Duke's swift composure and acknowledging him as the Naiser faction's new leader.

"Now let us discuss the second matter," Hong Shi Duke said calmly, "Everyone, shall we reveal to the Empire's citizens the truth of Augulevi Master's fall?"

His expression was natural, as if he were already the Naiser faction's spokesperson.

The right to speak is a symbol of status.

Hong Shi Duke holds the Naiser faction's speaking rights; the other three offered no opposition, and Anxiwodasi and Tim*Kenan raised no objections, implicitly acknowledging Hong Shi Duke's new heavyweight status.

If Hong Shi Duke successfully takes control of the Naiser Floating City, he could rightfully become the leader of the Naiser faction's ideology; with the support of the Holy Soul Wizards of the Naiser faction in the Supreme Council, he would easily surpass the other two heavyweights, leaping to become the Empire's de facto supreme ruler.

This shows the importance of the Naiser Floating City; the gap between possessing it and not is as vast as heaven and earth.

Fortunately, he failed!

Anxiwodasi, Tim*Kenan, and many Holy Soul Wizards breathed a quiet sigh of relief; otherwise, the Empire would have become Hong Shi Duke's Empire.

Everyone is unwilling to have a stronger person looming over them.

One Augulevi Master is enough; no one wants to see a second.

The Holy Soul Wizards' thoughts had drifted a bit; for a moment no one responded to Hong Shi Duke's words, creating an awkward silence that embarrassed him, and he also guessed what the crowd was thinking, which pricked his heart, a surge of anger rose, almost uncontrollable.

A mechanical‑like voice rang out, breaking the silence: "Kirston, and everyone, I have a few words to say."

The speaker was KangJieladeGreatSage.

"GrandSage, you may speak," Hong Shi Duke replied respectfully.

People's attention was drawn there as well.

KangJieladeGreatSage said slowly, "Augulevi's fall was something no one anticipated; even after over two thousand years of friendship with him, I failed to notice his abnormality, so I bear some responsibility."

His chiseled face showed no expression, but his eyes were full of self‑reproach.

"GrandSage, this does not concern you."

Anxiwodasi comforted, "No one wants to see Augulevi Master reach this point, but it is his own choice. Having chosen, one must bear the consequences." Weizelan, the greatest victim of Augulevi Master's fall, thus holds the greatest speaking rights.

"Anxiwodasi, I apologize to you on behalf of Augulevi," KangJieladeGreatSage said earnestly, "If he had not fallen, he would never have acted against Weizelan. He is a witness to the Empire's birth and its guardian; how could he strike the Empire's own people?"

Anxiwodasi gave no answer and did not respond immediately.

KangJieladeGreatSage continued, "You should also know the process of the Lich transformation ritual; the first step is suicide, offering one's soul to the Lord of the Dead."

"From this step onward, his soul is already corrupted, becoming a Fallen."

"And a Fallen is no longer human."

"According to the Fallen Judgment Law, everything a Fallen does is unrelated to the person before the fall; the relationship between the two is severed, correct?"

The Holy Soul Wizards nodded slightly; the Empire's law indeed stipulates that.

Humans are born bearing the Blood Soul Curse; every minute, someone succumbs to the curse and becomes a Fallen, losing all reason and causing immense harm to family, friends, and neighbors. Some Fallen commit atrocities so severe they are outrageous.

If such horrific crimes were committed by ordinary people, even the death penalty would be insufficient, and their families would be implicated and despised.

Especially among the Transcendants, the more powerful the Transcendant that falls, the greater the destruction and killing power, and they usually held high positions in life.

Many historically renowned great figures, once careless, became Fallen and committed monstrous crimes. Heroes once revered by thousands in life are despised by countless after death, which is lamentable.

Until the Fallen Judgment Law appeared.

This law is universally applied across the human realms; it stipulates that a Fallen's crimes are not retroactive, using the moment of falling as the dividing line.

Crimes committed before the fall must be settled, with a fair trial, and nailed to the pillar of historical shame; after the fall, regardless of severity, the evils are simply eradicated, since they will die anyway, and there is no need to calculate them precisely, to avoid harming their families.

However, law is law, and fact is fact.

Even if the law separates a Fallen's crimes from their life, if the evils are too severe, they still affect the person's former achievements, and even the best reputation will be stained.

When the Fallen Judgment Law was mentioned, Lei En understood the GrandSage's thinking.

He wanted to preserve Augulevi Master's reputation.

The Holy Soul Wizards all looked at Anxiwodasi; they were not very concerned about the matter, only Anxiwodasi had truly been harmed, and Weizelan suffered heavy casualties.

Therefore, he and Weizelan are the key.

Anxiwodasi naturally understood as well; his expression wavered as he recalled the many Wizards who died in Weizelan, the tens of thousands of innocent people, and his own two-year severe injuries, and he said in a deep voice, "He voluntarily became a Lich, and the Fallen Judgment Law does not apply."

"I understand..."

KangJieladeGreatSage nodded and pleaded, "Anxiwodasi, Augulevi's contributions to the Empire were great in life; one could even say that without him, the Empire would not have its present splendor. The Supreme Council's earliest ideas were also his, and you and the others, to reach today's standing, at least partly benefited from his grace."

"In his whole life, aside from pursuing magical truth, the Empire's importance was second."

"Augulevi willingly fell to become a Lich, not to become an evil scoundrel, but because he truly had no way out and wanted to live longer."

"He wanted to continue living also to keep protecting the Empire."

"He simply failed, ultimately could not resist the Willpower of the Evil God; this situation is far from his original intention."

"I can swear on my own person as guarantee; Augulevi is not a selfish person. I've known him for over two thousand years; no one knows Augulevi better than I do. He truly is not the Empire's enemy, just briefly went astray."

"Anxiwodasi, I ask you to reconsider."

KangJieladeGreatSage spoke faster and faster, extremely urgent and sincere; by the end he even bowed deeply toward Anxiwodasi, maintaining a saluting posture, unwilling to rise.

The Holy Soul Wizards couldn't help but be moved.

"GrandSage need not do so."

Anxiwodasi was startled; the GrandSage's status is so high—now the most respected elder of the Supreme Council—yet he lowered his attitude to almost a pleading request toward him.

He hurried forward and helped the GrandSage up, "I agree."

The GrandSage even put his own personhood on the line; if he refused again, not only would the GrandSage's face be embarrassed, but the Holy Soul Wizards would think he was deliberately making things difficult, lacking empathy.

"Thank you," KangJieladeGreatSage said with gratitude in his eyes, "I thank you on behalf of Augulevi."

Anxiwodasi could not feel joy, shook his head and let out a sigh.

Lei En shook his head inwardly.

This GrandSage, well‑versed in moral blackmail, may have good intentions, truly to preserve an old friend's lifelong honor, but for the teacher, Weizelan, and those innocent lives that died, it is far too unfair.

But he said nothing to stop it, allowing the GrandSage to force the teacher into agreement.

Lei En had a premonition that this matter would certainly not end.

Even whether Augulevi Master is truly dead remains an unknown.

As long as Augulevi Master is still alive, in whatever form, the truth will eventually be revealed to the world.

After thanking everyone, KangJieladeGreatSage warned, "Everyone, I hope you can keep this secret, not disclose it to anyone, not even the Consul has the right to know the truth. As for Augulevi Master's whereabouts, after some time we will publicly claim he has disappeared."

Disappeared...

Lei En silently shook his head; given Augulevi Master's stature, even a disappearance would cause an earthquake in the Empire.

Anxiwodasi asked, "GrandSage, over at the Catastrophe Legion and the Deadlock Sigil, there should be someone who knows the fall better than us; if they spread the news..."

"A bunch of dead spirit gossip—who would believe it?" KangJieladeGreatSage smiled indifferently, "We only need to deny the information, let the Consul publicly condemn them as fake news, and that will suffice."

Fake news!

Why does Lei En find this so familiar? He recalled a saying: only things denied by the authorities are trustworthy.

It almost made him suspect the GrandSage of being a time‑traveler.

Returned late, almost missed it...

(End of chapter)