Youngest on Top - Chapter 128

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 128

Crack—crack—crack!
Fissures began spreading across the statue, radiating outward from the point of impact.
Following the cracks, the statue crumbled into pieces.

Boom!
The colossal statue collapsed with a deafening roar.

“Insane… absolutely insane…!”
“How could she destroy an ancient relic…!”

The crowd gasped in shock at the sudden turn of events.
Ilay clutched his head in dismay.

‘If this was going to happen, why did you stop me when I offered to smash it myself!’

He stared at Sae with an exasperated expression, but she appeared utterly confident.

‘See? I didn’t just tell you to look—I proved it properly! Wasn’t that brilliant?’

That’s exactly what her expression screamed.
She was wrong about one thing, though.
Ilay spoke to Randel.

“I never expected Sae would actually destroy the statue.”
“Yeah, I was shocked too.”

The two men opened their mouths simultaneously.

“We need to contain this situation immediately—”
“Our Sae really does handle situations well—”

Both men paused mid-sentence.

“Pardon?”
“Hmm?”
“…You’re saying Sae resolved the situation well?”
“Yes. Could you have done it any easier or faster?”
“…”

Randel’s face was filled with sincerity.
That gentle countenance seemed capable of easing away all the world’s worries and concerns—.

‘…This man is also wrong.’

Ilay’s face grew even heavier with concern and doubt.
There wasn’t a single person I could trust.

Piercing through the frozen atmosphere, Zabelina cried out sharply.

“Sacred Maiden Saelika! How dare you shatter a relic of the Haruanus Temple like this! Even if you are the Sacred Maiden, this is an issue that cannot be overlooked!”
“…”
“No matter how much you hate to lose, you can’t just break a statue!”
“…”
“But what’s this? It’s now obvious that it’s genuine! The core inside the statue will prove it.”
“Core?”
“Yes, the core! When you break the statue, the blessed core loses its divine power! How can you not know this as the Sacred Maiden?!”
“You mean this core?”

Saelika pulled out a small jewel from among the statue’s remains.
It was the core that had been inside the statue.

Zabelina’s face broke into a confident smile.

“Yes, that’s right. A genuine statue has a core, and from that core emanates divine power— huh?”

Zabelina’s eyes widened in shock.
Saelika let out a soft laugh.

“Zabelina is right. When an angel directly bestows a blessing upon a statue, a core of blessing forms within it.”
“….”
“And when that statue is destroyed, the core loses its sacred power. The angel blessed the statue itself, after all.”
“….”
“But.”

Sae lifted the core in her palm high into the air.

“This blessing core is still leaking sacred power everywhere, isn’t it?”
“….”
“Just like a counterfeit core?”
“…!”

The crowd began to murmur.

“Isn’t that a famous scam method?”
“You mean the incident where they created statues with fake cores and sold them off as relics?”
“Everyone believed and purchased them because they could sense sacred power from the statues.”

When the statue is broken, the sacred power disappears.
So no one ever thought to actually break it and verify, falling victim to the deception.
Eventually, multiple fraud rings using the same method were caught when their trail was exposed.

“It really was fake?!”
“And a fake using that same dirty scam method!”
“What exactly did the Haruanus Temple certify?”
“Could it be—did the Haruanus Temple actually create the fake statue?”

Zabelina’s face drained of all color under the crowd’s gaze.

“I absolutely did not attempt fraud! Look here—it has been verified by multiple institutions.”

Zabelina waved the authentication documents toward the crowd.

“If I had created a fake statue, why would I have undergone such verification? This is unjust!”
“But the statue is fake, isn’t it?”
“That is—.”
“Even if you didn’t know it was fake, it’s ridiculous. The temple was completely deceived by swindlers.”
“The Princess’s reputation has become a laughingstock. She displayed it so proudly at the salon.”

No matter how much I protested my innocence, no one would listen.

‘After all the effort I’ve invested in winning their favor, how could they turn their backs on me so easily!’

Zabelina bit down hard on her lip.

‘It’s all because of that lowborn wretch…!’

If it weren’t for Sae, there would have been no problem whatsoever.
She glared at Sae with blazing eyes.

* * *

“Then the victor of this wager is Sacred Maiden Sae. My congratulations.”

A man dressed in an elegant frock coat spoke to me.

‘That’s Count Bruaten, one of the Emperor’s closest advisors.’

He regarded me with considerable interest before turning to address the Emperor.

“Then, Your Majesty, shall we bestow upon the victor the reward you promised?”
“Indeed. I did pledge to grant a wish.”

The Emperor spoke those words, yet his expression bore no warmth of congratulation or recognition of merit.

‘The Emperor had expected Zabelina to win.’

He had intended to strengthen the Haruanus Temple’s position.
That’s why he had offered to grant the victor’s wish in the first place.

‘Well, at least this works out favorably for me.’

“Sacred Maiden Sae of Artemisia. What is your wish?”

I answered without hesitation.

“My wish is to establish a branch of Artemisia Temple within the Imperial Capital, Your Majesty.”
“A branch temple?”
“Yes!”

A few days ago, inside a carriage entering the Imperial Palace.
Randel spoke with a pitying tone as he watched me gazing out at the scenery with wonder.

“Originally, Artemisia Temple had a branch within the Imperial Capital.”
“It doesn’t anymore?”
“That’s right. If it had remained, you would have visited the Imperial Capital long ago. I’m sorry for being inadequate and failing to show you such a vast world.”

Why was that Randel’s fault?
It was because we lacked a Sacred Maiden for two generations, losing out in the competition.

There was no region with a population density comparable to the Imperial Capital.
For temples, the Imperial Capital was a land of gold.
Yet no temple had taken root there.

‘The first Emperor was wary that the temples’ influence would surpass the imperial family’s authority.’

Instead, only a select few temples were permitted to establish branches within the Imperial Capital.

‘Don’t worry, Father. I’ll reclaim our branch for us!’

I could never bear to see Randel distressed.

‘Besides, to expand our influence, we need a branch within the Imperial Capital.’

I felt it keenly during my days at the Imperial Palace.
The other Sacred Maidens were already cultivating deep connections with the central nobility.
It was thanks to having branches.

“Haha! How bold for such a young Sacred Maiden. Isn’t that wish too grand for a mere wager over the authenticity of a statue? However—.”
“….”
“It’s not a bad one.”
“…!”

I felt people’s astonished gazes upon me.

“Yes, it’s not bad at all.”

The Emperor smiled and stroked his chin thoughtfully.

‘I knew it would be like this.’

There had to be a reason the Emperor invited me here specifically.

“However, this isn’t a decision I can make alone. It concerns the relationship between your temples as well.”
“Yes, but Your Majesty does have voting rights.”
“So you want my vote?”
“If Your Majesty judges that Artemisia Temple can provide solace to the people of the empire.”

The Emperor’s smile shifted to one of deep satisfaction.

“You grasped a truth that even the Sacred Maidens of other temples failed to see.”
“….”
“A temple with such a Sacred Maiden will naturally be able to guide the people righteously.”
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”

As I bowed my head, a wave of commotion rippled through the gathered nobles.

“A branch temple! Is His Majesty favoring Artemisia?”
“But this is our first meeting today? How can he decide so quickly?”

The nobles exchanged meaningful glances.
Until now, they had only paid attention to the other four Sacred Maidens.
Not a single noble had sought out Saelika or gathered information about her.

“…How long did you say the Sacred Maiden of Artemisia will stay in the Imperial Palace?”
“Did she say she would accept an invitation?”

The nobles began asking questions eagerly, gathering information.

* * *

In the secluded room connected to the Toramiren Hall, the banquet venue.
Count Bruaten, the Emperor’s closest aide, spoke up.

“What a clever child.”

Though the subject wasn’t explicitly stated, it was abundantly clear whom he meant.
The Emperor was thinking of the same child.

A child with golden hair that shimmered as if gathering sunlight, and blue eyes that held the sky itself.
A child who never flinched, no matter what gaze was fixed upon her or what words were exchanged, keeping her eyes wide open and steady.

“Courage too. Did you see how she spoke her mind clearly, articulating every word? Even to me.”
“Ha, Your Majesty, is this the first time you’ve encountered such a child?”
“She showed good initiative as well. Who else would have the audacity to destroy that statue right then and there?”
“If you had suggested destroying the statue to examine the core, you would have certainly faced opposition. You likely would have been mocked instead.”
“And on top of that, she had the nerve to ask me for a branch temple. Without warning, so suddenly.”
“Yes, as you said, it was an excessive request.”
“But that child already knew I wouldn’t grow angry and call her presumptuous.”

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

“Whether it was destroying the statue or suddenly asking to establish a branch temple… she’s a child with conviction, and the ability to push through with it.”
“Your Majesty means—”
“Yes, she’s exactly the child I need right now.”

The Emperor interlaced his fingers and rested his hands on the table.

“She seems to have made quite an impression on you, Your Majesty. To make such a judgment from such a brief encounter.”
“Do you remember what that child answered when I asked if her wish was my concern?”
“Yes.”
“She said if I deemed it good, then I should grant it.”
“….”
“She wasn’t making an excessive demand out of ignorance. She understands her own situation well.”
“Randel was much the same.”

At those words, the Emperor recalled Randel.

“Despite his appearance, he was no pushover. An interesting fellow.”
“Yes, I never expected him to pressure the other temple priests who were accustomed to the Imperial Palace like that.”

The Emperor did not meet with Randel privately, but instead saw him together with the other priests.
A clear display of the difference in treatment.
Artemisia was not yet in a position to be welcomed at the Imperial Palace.

But then.

“Artemisia… the rumors about bringing upheaval to the eastern regions don’t seem to be baseless.”
“Then—.”

At that moment, an attendant carefully reported.

“Your Majesty, the Haruanus Priest requests an audience.”
“Hmm, it seems his patience has grown thin?”
“Shall I show him in?”
“No.”

The Emperor shook his head firmly.
This was the first time he had rejected the Haruanus Priest’s request for a private audience at this gathering.

“Instead, tell the Artemisia Priest—tell Priest Randel that I wish to meet with him.”

Surprise flickered across the attendant’s eyes.
The Emperor had never met privately with Priest Randel before.
Yet the Emperor himself was now requesting the private audience.

“Very well, Your Majesty.”

The attendant bowed deeply.

* * *

“So the wings were a demon. I truly never expected this. Since the wings were described as a sentient being, I naturally assumed they were an angel—.”

Count Daymon had been clinging to Saelika since earlier, rattling off words like machine-gun fire.

“So the branches were actually an angel? Water is blood… then interpreting the branches of water means the angel of blood, doesn’t it?”
“That interpretation is correct, but—.”

Saelika nodded reluctantly.

‘Angel of Blood? What document would write such a thing?’

It must have been written by the dark sorcerers who followed the Demons.
They slandered the angels every time they opened their mouths.

“Ah, if you mean the Branch of Water, you’re referring to that angel, correct?”
“Yes, that angel you speak of.”

It seemed like a story others knew as well.
Saelika asked.

“What kind of angel is she?”
“She’s not a widely known angel, but I thought you would know, given who you are?”
“Yes, because she serves Artemisia.”

‘An angel who follows Artemisia?’

Is there an Angel of Blood among them?
No matter how much I think about it, there isn’t one.

“You really don’t know?”
“No.”
“That’s surprising. I thought your name, Saelika, was derived from the Angel of Blood…”

Even if my name were derived from someone, why would it be from such an ominous angel called the Angel of Blood?

‘Besides, my name is my real name— wait.’

At the thought that suddenly occurred to her, Saelika’s eyes wavered.
Could it be…?

“Because you and the Angel of Blood share the same name!”
“…!”

‘So that Angel of Blood is me?!’

“It says here—Sae, the branch of water.”
“The angel of blood, Sae!”
“An angel shrouded in mystery. She has never descended or performed miracles, but…”
“Strangely, the higher angels mention her quite often.”
“Like Enrik or Kailros…”
“…”

Sae fell silent.
The dark sorcerer hadn’t falsely accused her out of malice.
Rather, these words had come from my brothers’ own mouths.

‘What on earth have they been saying about me since descending?!’

* * *

Zabelina bit her lip.
At the end of her gaze stood Sae, surrounded by people.

‘I summoned Count Daymon to take my side!’

To thoroughly humiliate Sae if she insisted the statue was fake.

Count Daymon was a renowned theologian and archaeologist with tremendous authority.
Naturally, many people followed him.
Yet all of them refused to leave Sae’s side.

It wasn’t just them.
Throughout the Banquet Hall, nobles kept glancing toward Sae.
Searching for an opportunity to approach her.

‘Damn it, if this continues, my position in the system will…’

“Zabelina.”

She turned at the cold voice calling her name.
The Princess was glaring at her.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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