RNP Page 143
Page 143
As expected of the Saint of Weapons, as expected of the Iron-Blooded Pope! So he had planned all along to fight the demons to a standstill before his death?!
The ministers who worshipped the goddess had tears in their eyes. Pope Brad's return to the capital was actually to see his birthplace one last time. He had long been prepared to die!
How far will he go in sacrificing himself for humanity?!
If it were a normal person, they would probably be deeply moved by Brad's heartfelt words and wiping away tears of shame.
But Duke Moss is not a normal person; when necessary, he is not even a person.
"The future of the kingdom is none of your concern, Pope Brad," Duke Moss suddenly scoffed.
"Our human seeds are as numerous as carp crossing a river. In just ten short years, we have produced the Hero of Light and the Saintess of Ice, and now there is even an Evil Hero who is about to be blessed... Perhaps after you kick the bucket, a new Holy Body of the Vessel will immediately jump out to take your place. Pope Brad, at your age, how can you still be so anxious!"
"The human kingdom is no longer on the verge of extinction like it was ten years ago, nor is it a matter of life and death. Instead of letting you, the Pope who has made great contributions to the kingdom, enjoy your retirement, we are rushing you to the front lines to burn your life. How despicable is that?!"
It was extremely rare for Duke Moss's dog to utter such human-like words.
The ministers, who were about to glare angrily at Duke Moss, were all taken aback, and then calmed down, feeling that what Duke Moss said... was indeed true despite its vulgarity!
If the people of the kingdom were to choose, would they really be willing to trade Pope Brad's peaceful old age for a victory in a border war?
Although everyone knows that the Duke of Moss wants to keep his nomination, his reasoning undoubtedly prevails now.
"Pope Brad should return to the embrace of the goddess, surrounded by the people!"
Suddenly, a certain voice emerged from the crowd.
This old six!!!
Brad cursed inwardly, his anxiety growing... After Hope's casual reminder that day, he initially thought the other party had done a good thing for the first time: Moss's participation in the election of the greatest nobleman of the year—wasn't that the hottest event causing a sensation in the capital?!
With just a little intervention at the kingdom level, it wouldn't take much effort to trigger enough emotional fluctuations to activate all the sacred artifacts, forming the ultimate weapon to devour it!
Just when it seemed like the fish was about to leap over the dragon gate, Duke Moss, that scoundrel, unexpectedly jumped out and blocked the way. Brad realized that he had underestimated the initiative of a man who had been thoroughly infamous.
In Moss's eyes, he saw an unyielding fighting spirit:
—I'm betting the name of the greatest noble of the year, I cannot lose!!!
Chapter 197 Astrid Scholar, what do you think?
The atmosphere was tense, with an old man and a young man staring at each other, their eyes wide open, as if another round of verbal sparring was about to break out.
The atmosphere around the round table was also stirred up, and the group clearly divided into two factions, preparing to take turns as the second and third debaters.
"enough!"
At the round table, Prince Ota finally slammed his hand on the table in exasperation, stopping everyone from arguing: "Stop arguing! This kind of thing should be decided by the wisest person in the kingdom!"
All eyes turned to the wise and mighty Prince Ota.
“I’m seeing things!”
Their gazes shifted again, and following Prince Ota's line of sight, they suddenly noticed the small head sitting at the end of the round table. Only this wise tree, poised to succeed the kingdom's guiding star, could possibly make the right choice.
Otta asked in a voice that was both authoritative and benevolent:
"Astraliss scholar, what do you think?"
"Huh?!"
Her shoulders trembled violently. Astrid looked up helplessly at the round table. Who was she? Where was she? What was she involved in?!
"Let, let, let... I choose?" Astrid stared wide-eyed in horror.
Is this some new test?!
“Of course.” Ota nodded with considerable trust: “Whether it’s activating the Heroine Shana or the Holy Church’s ultimate weapon, it could potentially deal a devastating blow to the Demon Race’s first line of defense!”
"However, those at the round table are still too easily swayed by personal emotions... Astrid scholar, now, we need you to make a rational choice for the kingdom! Speak your mind freely!!!"
Approving gazes also converged upon them, and the kingdom's high-ranking officials nodded in agreement. Behind the scholars of Astrid lay the kingdom's library, the wisdom accumulated by the human race over thousands of years, and the pure and radiant soul of humanity!
Let Astrid, who is least influenced by her stance, draw the conclusion; either side will be able to accept it.
Astrid felt like a lamb that had wandered into a pack of wolves, melting under countless burning gazes. She mustered her courage, her throat trembling, and instinctively swallowed.
"Can...can we choose none of them?"
Hearing that both sides have super-kingdom-level anti-demon special operations! No matter which side I choose... I feel like I'll be dead if Kletina and the others find out! I really will die!!!
“A scholar from Astrid.” Otta suddenly chuckled and shook his head.
"You're still too soft-hearted. I know you have a kind heart, but you need to understand that demons are our greatest enemy. Don't treat them as your own kind!"
"We will surely crush our enemy!"
Large beads of sweat streamed down her forehead, and Astrid sat on the round table, on the verge of tears.
Now that things have come to this point, if she continues to refuse, even Duke Tomes will be able to tell that there's something wrong with her!
It’s a lot of pressure!
Astrid's heart pounded violently. No... since things have come to this, she might as well choose one that's less troublesome, so that Swell and the others can have some less pressure!
Which side should we choose? The Holy Church's ultimate weapon? But no matter what, it's just something that relies on some holy artifacts to exert its power. It's being activated by that very old Pope Brad, so it doesn't seem like it can be that powerful.
On the contrary, it was that hero… Astrid’s body suddenly trembled. More than a month ago, her battle with Mino, the strongest human hero, left her with considerable psychological trauma.
A human hero actually managed to withstand the attack of nine great demons! That Mino... he's terrifying...
Even now, when Astrid recalls that resolute and unyielding face, she feels a little apprehensive, as if the other person could not be defeated by any hardship!
Astrid believed that neither she nor her companions wanted to face a second enemy like that.
What's more, this hero now even has the title of "evil"! And she's Mino's sister!!!
Even before receiving the goddess's blessing and becoming a fully-fledged hero, the opponent could unleash such terrifying power... If humans were to activate it now, it would be truly terrifying!
Without a doubt! The power of that evil hero is not even in the same league as the Holy Church's ultimate weapon!
Astrid gritted her teeth inwardly, determined not to let humanity invest such terrifying power into the first line of defense.
Thinking this, Astrid's eyes gradually hardened. She raised her head to look at the crowd with her usual haughty gaze, then said in a gradually timid tone:
"Uh, well... I think... using the ultimate weapon might be... more appropriate..." Astrid muttered cautiously, shrinking her neck.
Snapped!
A loud slapping sound on the edge of the round table startled Astrid.
Brad, who had previously appeared weak and exhausted, suddenly had a gleam in his eyes, and his gaze towards Astrid was incredibly gentle:
"Scholar Astrid, I knew I hadn't misjudged you. You are a truly wise and insightful human being!"
Brad's eyes brightened. He found the woman he once hated with a passion now pleasing to the eye. He even forgot about the poison that had damaged his mechanical body... He forgave her!
"Do not!!!"
Duke Moss lay on the ground, his face ashen, as if a dead Tonks had died, utterly devastated: "My reputation, it's over, completely ruined!!!"
Only he could understand the feeling of falling from heaven to hell at this moment.
The nobles all turned their heads in disapproval: You have no reputation whatsoever!
For a moment, everyone was gloating. Recalling the arrogant face that Moss had shown off to them not long ago, they felt a sense of satisfaction and sincerely began to think that Astrid's choice was absolutely correct!
"Alright, then let's do as Scholar Astrid says! We'll officially launch the plan tomorrow!"
Ota finally felt relieved. No matter what, they were finally going to deliver a heavy blow to the demons and that traitor!
Although the nomination of the Duke of Meuse, which was originally planned to be rigged behind closed doors, is now being brought into the open again with Pope Brad's proposal.
But since it's just a nomination anyway, and given their plans, Duke Moss will be exposed as nothing after the nomination is announced, thanks to the "false accusations" from a group of nobles!
Wait, false accusation...? This term sounds a bit awkward.
Prince Ota shook his head, no longer dwelling on it, and solemnly looked at everyone: "This operation must not have any leaks. We must ensure that the emotional fluctuations are completely enough to activate all the holy artifacts beneath the Holy Church!"
"The heavy responsibility of stirring up emotions throughout the capital rests with you all. This is the first time we have united as one to launch a counterattack against the traitor within our ranks!"
"Oh!!!" The crowd was excited, exchanging glances with a hint of eagerness, unsure whether they were anticipating the unveiling of the ultimate weapon or simply excited about the chance to rightfully challenge Duke Moss.
Regardless of their motives, all the high-ranking officials wore righteous expressions, as if they were shouldering a mission for humanity.
"very good!"
After surveying the crowd, Otta declared firmly, thus beginning the operation:
"I've named this plan: Let Duke Moss be scorned again!"
Chapter 198 Astrid needs to protect herself while she's out alone.
"Speak up for me!!!" Duke Moss protested from the corner, his eyes filled with tears.
"Please accept my condolences, Duke Moss."
The roundtable meeting concluded, and the participants rose and left in an orderly fashion. With a beaming smile, Duke Clyde, his old adversary, approached Moss and offered words of comfort:
"You need to understand, no matter how virtuous you are in the nominations, it's all fake—but no matter how filthy the insults we hurl at you, they're real... Haha, hahahahaha!"
A burst of cheerful laughter immediately filled the meeting room, and Moss's obese body trembled with anger: "You, you, you've gone too far!"
His eyes were bloodshot, hot breath was billowing from his nostrils, and his chest was heaving violently... He had originally wanted to live a peaceful life as a good-for-nothing, but these despicable nobles dared to look down on him so much! This was intolerable!
If you want to ruin the noble nomination you earned through your own merit, then try it! Damn it, I'm not pretending anymore!
In the next selection, he must do something earth-shattering to shut these people up!
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river! You... just you wait!" With that harsh remark, Moss stormed off.
Watching that ball-shaped figure disappear from sight, everyone looked at each other and shrugged indifferently.
If these words came from the mouth of a vibrant young man, they would make some sense, but coming from Moss... well, just take it as a joke. Even in a novel, you wouldn't write about Duke Moss's comeback like that.
"It seems Duke Moss was quite provoked..."
Watching Duke Moss leave, Tus at the door had a slightly strange look in his eyes.
Judging from the results, Duke Moss does seem to have undergone a spiritual baptism because of the noble selection... but whether this baptism is good or bad is another matter.
"Never mind, let him be." Shaking his head, Tus felt a little complicated but not particularly worried.
After all, no matter how much Duke Moss turns to the dark side, he's still Duke Moss. He can't possibly come to his senses overnight.