Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Chapter 355

Puk! Puuuuk!

The gruesome sound of flesh being torn apart reverberated chillingly through the air. It was as if that sound alone pierced directly into the eardrums.

The Second Apostle could only watch.

“A day will come when you understand?”

Now that he thought about it, he had never once considered understanding the First Apostle’s position.

After all, the Apostles rarely interacted. Each was too consumed by their own devotion and study of the doctrine to concern themselves with one another’s perspectives.

The First Apostle’s words and actions struck the Second Apostle like a fresh jolt of clarity.

And yet—

“What could possibly make the First Apostle behave like this...?”

The First Apostle’s prayer was nothing short of reverent.

Every movement of his hands seemed to embody the depth of his faith, the arduous pilgrimage he had undertaken.

The Second Apostle, caught off guard by the emotions stirring within him, watched, forgetting even to blink.

The First Apostle reached into his chest with his right hand, turning his wrist as if carefully cradling something.

It was as though he were lifting a delicate treasure.

Each motion caused blood to splatter, painting crimson blossoms on the ground.

The act continued until the surrounding area became a vivid red field, and from the First Apostle’s chest emerged a darkness deeper than shadow.

It seeped out gradually, then burst forth like a breached dam, filling the air with an ominous presence.

The Second Apostle’s heart raced, his entire body trembling like a leaf. His legs gave out beneath him.

“Could it be...?”

The Second Apostle’s pupils dilated, tears streaming down his face.

The overwhelming energy, viscous and oppressive, seemed capable of devouring all in its path.

It was an aura he recognized instantly.

How long had he scoured the world, desperate to find even a trace of it?

And now, what he had long sought was in the First Apostle’s hand.

A small, obsidian gem emitted a faint, starlit glow from within.

“Take it. This is a reward for your devotion. The Lord has acknowledged your faith and chosen to keep you by His side.”

Boom!

The Second Apostle’s knees slammed against the ground with a resounding crack, his forehead following suit as he prostrated himself.

“How could I… what have I done…! Aaaah!”

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Second Apostle repeatedly slammed his head into the ground with violent fervor.

He did not expect such an act of contrition to atone for his sins; he was merely overcome with despair and remorse.

The pain from the impact clouded his mind, but the distrust that had plagued him was completely washed away, replaced by a profound, euphoric faith.

His body felt as though it were being purified.

Eyes filled with madness, the Second Apostle slowly lifted his hands.

The First Apostle carefully placed the obsidian gem into them.

“Aah...!”

A gasp of awe escaped the Second Apostle’s lips.

As if holding the most precious treasure, he cradled the gem reverently, savoring its majesty.

Thump. Thump.

The gem pulsed, and the dense mana flowing from it felt alive, as if a tiny, sentient being rested in his palms.

The Second Apostle did not dare to speak its name aloud.

The gem was a fragment of the Nameless Sovereign, the Lord they served.

“Oh, holy God! Such magnificence! Such dignity! Thank you!”

The Second Apostle raised the gem high, offering his praise.

“Now, accept it into your body,” the First Apostle commanded.

Without hesitation, the Second Apostle opened his chest.

Puk!

Following the First Apostle’s example, he reverently embedded the gem into his heart.

“Ku... Kuuh... Khaha! Khahaha!”

Overwhelmed by ecstasy, the Second Apostle erupted into manic laughter.

The black smoke emanating from the gem quickly healed his torn chest, restoring his body in the blink of an eye.

The blood that had pooled around him disappeared, as if erased, leaving no trace.

The Second Apostle clutched the gem to his chest as if shielding it.

Bubble, bubble.

His body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Boils formed on his skin, swelling as if about to burst, and steam rose from his overheated body.

Despite the pain, his expression remained unchanging—a crazed smile as he relished the agony.

Flash!

A surge of dark energy erupted from the Second Apostle, engulfing everything around him.

The brief blackout was quickly drawn back into his body, leaving a palpable, overwhelming power behind.

Enraptured by the sensation, the Second Apostle grinned blissfully.

“You have awakened.”

“First Apostle...”

The Second Apostle’s eyes were now pitch black, indistinguishable from the gem embedded in his chest.

His pupils, irises, and sclera were entirely consumed by the darkness, resembling obsidian jewels.

“Our God seeks to convert even the faithless through miracles. Be grateful for His divine grace until your final breath. And the task you must fulfill...”

The First Apostle trailed off with a soft chuckle.

He didn’t need to finish.

He saw it in the Second Apostle’s eyes.

The instructions were already ingrained in him, delivered by the Nameless Sovereign’s will the moment he absorbed the fragment.

The Second Apostle, still writhing in pleasure, erupted into hysterical laughter before prostrating himself.

“I shall obey.”

***

Carrier pigeons and messenger hawks flew across the skies of the capital, delivering messages to nobles throughout the land regarding the coronation.

The message stated that with the death of the late Emperor, Cassandra Edda, as the legitimate successor, would ascend the throne as the new queen.

However—

“Just as expected,” Felix remarked bitterly, shaking his head as he sat in the conference room.

The nobles gathered around the table, mostly those who had refrained from joining Count Gujung’s faction, muttered softly under their breath.

Cassandra sat at the head of the table, with Theo to her right.

Ten other nobles, who had avoided aligning with the Count’s forces and instead remained passive bystanders, had gathered to discuss state affairs.

But knowing full well their inaction made them complicit, none dared to voice their opinions openly. Instead, they shifted nervously in their seats, occasionally coughing to fill the uncomfortable silence.

“Sir Felix, what do you propose we do next?”

Theo directed the question at Felix to move the meeting forward. Felix responded with a faint smile and raised two fingers.

“Thank you for asking, Grand Duke. There are two options. The first is to embark on a campaign to pacify the provinces before the coronation. The second is to proceed with the coronation first and then address the unrest.”

“Is military action unavoidable?”

Cassandra asked cautiously. Felix bowed slightly before answering.

“The nobles who have yet to respond, even after being informed of Count Gujung’s execution, are unlikely to yield. Marching with their severed heads as a warning would still not sway them easily. At such times, it is necessary to demonstrate the imperial family’s might and restore its authority.

"However, we may not need to engage in widespread armed conflict. The nobles here will surely assist in persuading their peers.”

Felix glanced at the assembled nobles, prompting immediate reactions.

“Of course, Your Majesty! I have longstanding ties with certain provinces and will do my best to sway them!”

“I-I will also do everything in my power to help!”

Watching the nobles scramble to pledge their support, Theo chuckled faintly.

‘Politicians… always opportunistic.’

Gone was their noble dignity, replaced by behavior indistinguishable from merchants vying for favor.

‘That’s exactly what I planned for.’

Theo had deliberately refrained from presiding over the meeting to create this dynamic. By allowing the nobles to assert themselves, they would feel invested in Cassandra’s rule and display greater loyalty.

“Thank you, everyone,” Cassandra said with a warm smile, acknowledging their enthusiastic participation.

Relieved, the nobles visibly relaxed.

“Which approach do you believe is best, Sir Felix?”

Cassandra’s question reflected her understanding that each option had its advantages and disadvantages.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Let me explain. The first option aims to foster unity between the central and provincial nobility. By uniting their voices and opinions before your coronation, your magnanimity and consideration would be widely praised. However…”

“However?”

“The concern is that it may weaken the establishment of absolute royal authority.”

Felix’s worry stemmed from the potential rise of another faction like Count Gujung’s.

With Cassandra still young, ambitious nobles could exploit her inexperience. It was almost inevitable that some would seize the opportunity to challenge her rule.

Felix’s plan was to use this opportunity to thoroughly purge any remaining dissenters within the Empire.

“As for the second option,” Felix continued, “it clearly delineates the hierarchy between the central and provincial nobility.”

The nobles’ eyes widened in shock.

‘What is he saying now?’

‘Is he telling us to persuade them, or not?’

The abrupt shift in tone, from persuasion to confrontation, left them bewildered.

Felix, however, now exuded a palpable air of menace, as if blood already stained his intentions.

“It would effectively be a demand for them to relinquish their power. Naturally, resistance would be fierce. However, I assure you that the Golden Lion Knights will decisively suppress any opposition.

"And with that, the authority of the crown will be solidly established.”

Felix’s cold gaze swept across the room, causing several nobles to avert their eyes.

Theo, observing the subtle interplay, understood Felix’s intentions immediately.

‘He’s using this to separate the loyal from the corrupt.’

Even though Count Gujung’s faction had been eradicated, its influence likely lingered in the Empire.

Felix’s approach was a calculated move to expose any remaining collaborators or corrupt officials, ensuring a thorough purge.

‘There will still be those among the provinces who will yield without conflict.’

By actively participating in the campaign, Felix intended to evaluate the situation personally and ensure the Empire was cleansed before presenting it to Cassandra.

‘How many among these nobles will escape punishment?’

The capital was already rife with corruption. It was questionable how many of those present could truly claim innocence.

Several nobles already wore grim expressions, as if anticipating their fates.

“Do not despair, Your Majesty. Historically, this approach has always proven the most effective.”

Noticing Cassandra’s troubled expression, Felix bowed his head respectfully, seeking her approval.

“And at the end of it all, Your Majesty may strengthen your reign by having my head removed. That would solidify the crown’s authority even further.”

Felix’s words, spoken with unwavering resolve, filled the room with a heavy silence.