Chapter 307: Duke Levi – A Worthy Father-in-Law
As is widely known, the Kalensia Empire forbids any religious organizations within its borders.
In this nation where imperial authority reigns supreme, no potential forces of resistance are permitted to take root in the shadows.
Every emperor throughout history has strictly enforced this policy.
However, there have always been fanatical religious sects attempting to infiltrate and control the empire through various means, brainwashing innocent civilians.
They gather in streets and dark corners, seeking opportunities to recruit the poor and desperate, converting them into loyal followers.
Such propagation allows these religions to spread like plagues.
One becomes ten, ten becomes a hundred, multiplying at a terrifying rate.
When Aubrey had just ascended to the throne,
Various religious sects suddenly rose up, raising their banners at the empire's borders.
They gathered followers, took up arms, and shouted slogans about overthrowing the empire.
Among them, the followers of the Goddess of Justice were the most vocal.
Because Aubrey had participated in countless battles and taken many lives,
The fanatical followers of the Goddess believed him to be a tyrant who knew only violence.
They claimed that if he became emperor, the entire nation would know no peace.
The world would be thrown into endless war because of him.
Thus, the Church of the Goddess of Justice's voices of resistance rang particularly loud, with a clear purpose - to oppose the newly crowned Aubrey.
Unfortunately, they gravely underestimated Aubrey's capabilities.
Whenever an old emperor dies and a new one ascends, there is always a period of chaos.
The civil and military officials scrutinize the new emperor, while regional warlords grow restless.
But unfortunately for them, this time the ascending emperor was Aubrey Sol.
At seventeen, he had single-handedly slain a dragon, creating an immortal legend for the entire empire.
As the strongest emperor in Kalensia's history, he alone was equivalent to an army.
His supernatural powers alone were enough to command genuine respect and loyalty.
Within a few years, no chaos emerged anywhere in the empire. Instead, under overwhelming military might, the empire grew even stronger.
During Aubrey's reign, the empire never engaged in a single war.
All neighboring countries remained docile, as if none dared provoke this young lion.
Finally, once Aubrey's position was secure,
He responded to the earlier religious sects.
Whichever sect had shouted the loudest found themselves first in line for retribution.
In just a few months, Aubrey thoroughly purged all religious followers proselytizing within the empire.
However, even facing severe crackdown, these followers maintained their convictions to the death, determined to cause trouble for Aubrey.
The church gathered 300,000 followers and fomented rebellion at the borders, which indeed caused pressure for Aubrey.
This time, it truly gave him a headache.
Because at that time, he was establishing diplomatic relations with foreign countries.
To leave a good impression on neighboring countries, he naturally couldn't engage in large-scale killing anymore.
As he had just become emperor, he couldn't continue arbitrarily massacring followers, as corpses littering the ground would create an extremely negative impact.
While he was troubled by this, Duke Levi had already led a mage corps to where the church followers were hiding.
With one war spell, the followers' ashes were ground together with the ruins where they had hidden.
All 300,000 followers were eliminated by Levi alone.
This is why, even now, Levi and Aubrey remain steadfast brothers.
Because Levi was willing to sacrifice his own reputation to ensure Aubrey's stable rule.
Over the years, the empire's suppression of the Goddess's church has been largely forgotten by people.
And Levi has maintained a low profile, protected by his status as an imperial duke.
Although he now has a daughter, throughout these long years he has not suffered any retributive punishment.
However, that incident from back then still had a profound impact on Duke Levi, making him even more cautious after Erica's birth.
Everyone understands the principle that when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.
The empire was never the only place where the Goddess's followers developed.
The church that claimed millions or even hundreds of millions of members was no idle boast.
This also made Aubrey feel somewhat indebted to his brother.
If not for that incident back then, he could have been more relaxed and at ease in his conduct.
His daughter also wouldn't need to live under his constant strict protection.
Fortunately now, everything was developing in a positive direction.
When he heard what the two council members said now, those distant memories suddenly surfaced in Aubrey's mind, and with a nostalgic feeling, he became very interested in this matter:
"You mean the followers of the Goddess of Justice?"
This drew the attention of Aurelianne who was listening nearby.
She focused on their discussion, even forgetting to blink, with an attitude of complete concentration that was striking.
The Goddess of Justice?
She had once accidentally entered a room in the council's magic library.
There, she saw the golden scales of the Goddess of Justice.
At that time, Aurelianne felt there must be some connection between the Mage Council and the Goddess of Justice.
And now, this mystery was finally about to be revealed.
Heim Horn smiled, looking at Aubrey:
"Actually, they should be called cultists who fanatically execute our goddess's doctrines."
"You likely know no less than we do about the council's current situation."
At this point, Heim Horn seemed somewhat helpless.
The council had twelve members, two of whom were mages from the empire.
Rachel needed no explanation.
[Natural Sparrow] allowed him to monitor most places in this world.
The news of the Goddess of Justice descending in Endymion could spread quickly throughout the world.
Rachel deserved at least some credit for that.
The other one was even more significant.
Viktor Kravina.
This goddess incident stirred up in the council was, frankly speaking, because of Viktor.
Plus Viktor's relationship with the princess,
It would have been impossible for Aubrey not to know about this matter.
However, even though both sides understood this clearly, neither would explicitly mention it.
Aubrey smiled lightly and waved his hand, as servants brought two golden chairs.
Red gems could even be seen inlaid in the armrests.
"Please, be seated."
Heim Horn and Ryan Kent nodded to each other and sat down in succession.
Aubrey also sat back down beside Aurelianne, crossing his legs with a somewhat serious expression.
"On behalf of the empire, I recognize the council's orthodox status."
Heim Horn smiled and nodded to Aubrey:
"With Your Majesty's word, our council can rest assured."
The Kalensia Empire's importance in international standing was undoubtedly not to be underestimated.
Especially Aubrey.
His mighty strength had left an indelible impression on countless people.
His existence alone was enough to represent the entire Kalensia Empire.
No one would want to anger this aging crimson lion.
And once this empire that had always opposed religious sects spoke up,
Other countries would naturally also recognize the council and Goddess of Justice's orthodox status.
The Mage Council itself possessed sufficient influence.
As a gathering place for mages, Endymion was no weaker than any country.
At this point, Heim Horn spoke up.
"Your Majesty, during our stay in the empire, we will help thoroughly remove the hidden parasites within."
After all, this was also part of the cooperative deal.
Helping the empire while also helping the council itself.
When all the fanatical and deranged followers of the Goddess of Justice disappear from the world,
Then, even without recognition from so many countries, the Mage Council would still become the only orthodox authority of the Goddess of Justice.
Having said this, he stood up and bowed respectfully to Aubrey.
"Well then, we shall take our leave."
As soon as he finished speaking, Heim gave Ryan a meaningful look.
Ryan understood and struggled to his feet, fumbling with the pockets of his overalls before pulling out an exquisite gift box.
"A small gift."
The princess looked down, her gaze falling on the gift box.
Aurelianne wasn't at all surprised that the two council members knew about her upcoming birthday.
After all, the whole kingdom was already celebrating grandly.
She was about to reach out and accept the gift, preparing to curtsey and thank them politely.
But Heim Horn suddenly said:
"This is a small gift that Council Member Kravina requested Ryan Kent to make, saying it would be very suitable for you."
The old mages really knew how to please people.
It was simple - they knew exactly what was needed.
"Happy birthday, little princess."
Hearing this, Aurelianne's hand that was holding the gift box became somewhat unsteady.
She gripped the frame of the box tightly, slightly stunned.
At the same time, she felt her heart begin to beat a bit faster.
Council Member Kravina - that could only be Teacher Viktor.
At this moment, Aurelianne became somewhat nervous.
She even forgot how to curtsey politely, her mood already replaced by indescribable joy.
"Th-thank you..."
Before she could finish, a teleportation magic circle formed beneath Heim Horn and Ryan Kent's feet, and their images began to shimmer throughout the hall.
Purple magical power leaked from the formation array, quickly enveloping the two in layer upon layer of phantom images until their figures could no longer be seen.
As two pale purple wings burst forth, the phantom images scattered.
And with them, the two figures disappeared.
Seeing this, Aurelianne blinked.
Why did it feel so familiar?
It seemed every council member liked to leave using different teleportation magic.
Aubrey understood clearly what Viktor was trying to do.
'Forcefully twisting a deity's will.'
He was amazed by Viktor's extremely bold behavior.
A smile appeared on his aged and weathered face - whether from pride or joy.
From the beginning, he had greatly admired Viktor.
And now, Viktor had exceeded his expectations.
Even daring to twist the divine will of the Goddess of Justice.
He also knew that Viktor did this not for others, certainly not for the empire.
But only for Gwen alone.
Aubrey greatly admired Viktor's deep and singular devotion.
But on the other hand, he felt somewhat disappointed by Viktor's excessive single-mindedness.
Aubrey looked at Aurelianne beside him, who was immersed in joy, his eyes full of expectation.
But fortunately, he still had two years.
At this point, he stood up and slowly walked in front of Aurelianne.
Seeing the gift box in Aurelianne's hands, he couldn't help but ask:
"Why not open it and take a look?"
"I want to wait until my birthday to open it."
Aurelianne shook her head and put away the gift box.
Then, she looked up and said with a somewhat determined tone:
"Father, I've decided."
"For this birthday, I will go visit grandfather."
Whether to visit her mother or to show her pride and strength to the neighboring kingdom,
Aurelianne had already decided everything.
As she said this, an image floated up in her mind.
It was of a cold yet gentle man wearing a black coat with a one-eyed crow on his shoulder.
"And..."
Aurelianne's lips curved slightly upward, as if already seeing victory arrive:
"I want to let everyone know."
"Viktor Kravina is my teacher."
"Irreplaceable."
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