The High Priest looked down at the seal below him on the highest level of the grand temple and prophesied:

  “Now, the heretics will bring the sacrifice and sacred object before us willingly.”


  The great priests listened to his words like innocent pupils.

  “We trust everything will happen as God has planned.”


  “Everyone will witness God’s plans.”


  Pedrian raised his staff towards the sky.

  “Come! Powers! I order you as God’s vessel!”


  He opened his eyes.

  The eight grand temples constructed throughout Rupellion shot into flames once more. A black energy boiled, erupting into the sky. Eight pillars connected the sky to the ground.

  “I order, under God’s name, hell. Open those gates!”


  The power gathering from the pillars joined into one above the High Priest. It intensified and melded into the figure of a large door. Evil creatures wriggled around the door’s frame.

  “One who oversees pain, I order you under God’s name.” The door opened slowly.

  “Rise from the ground! Rise with spreading poison!” Dark purple smoke spurted from the gates.

  “Azidahaka, one who spreads pain across the world!”


  Suddenly, the door was flung open to reveal a gigantic pair of snakes with wings. The blackish-purple snakes quivered and intertwined with each other. Their bodies spanned several hundred meters. The four great priests began to choke on the air.

  To be able to wield such magic……

  As expected of His Excellency……

  “I order your mission under God’s name. Punish the humans in the faraway land of heretics. But do not kill them immediately, so that they would wish for repentance.”


  The High Priest pointed with his staff towards Sungjin’s land. The snakes flew in the direction until they were out of sight.

  ***

  The next day, Sungjin, devoted to his defensive training, felt a strange shiver run down his neck.

  What’s that about?

  There was nothing tangible happening; it was only instinct he felt.

  Others felt something was amiss as well.

  “Sungjin, just now……” Ereka’s face had a grim expression.

  The sky outside their window turned dark. The large shadow of a snake appeared covering the entire sky. Sunlight disappeared. It was midday, and a darkness like this was a sinister omen. The maidservants moved quickly trying to light the lamps, but the darkness only deepened.

  “Ahhh!!” Rachel suddenly collapsed onto the floor with a scream of pain.

  “Miss Rachel?”


  “Rachel?” The two hurried to support her.

  What happened? There should be no attacks now.

  Rachel, who still carried the curse, had consistent bouts of pain, but she should have had no more today.

  “Uwack!!”


  It was not only her. The shouts erupted from everywhere.

  “Ahhhhh!!” Everyone within the capital screamed in pain, and it did not end there.

  Every human within range of the capital began screaming in pain. Only heroes had appeared to be resistant. The extras all screamed without exception. The pain ripped their bodies apart and gnawed at their senses.

  Where was this coming from?

  They fell to the ground and rolled in tears.

  After receiving the report, Sungjin’s face hardened.

  “This……is the High Priest’s next move.”


  He had predicted the High Priest would come after Rachel and the fruit, so he focused on defensive maneuvers. He was even considering ignoring minor instigations.

  But……

  Creating a curse against the entire population of a region would be comparable to a bioterrorism attack, something the strongest countries had forbidden.

  Bastard, are you intending to include all citizens in a fight between us.

  “Is there no cure?” Ereka asked in a hurry, but all the healers shook their heads.

  “This is not an illness; it’s a curse.”


  “The curse is too strong for us to handle.”


  “Looking at the origin of the direction it came from, it seems as if it is from Rupellion……”


  “Unless the source of the curse is broken, we’re powerless against it.”


  Every question met a negative response.

  Suddenly, a voice echoed from the skies:

  You pitiful people, you owe this pain to the cursed one within your lands.

  It was the voice of the High Priest Pedrian.

  Only we can stop the spread of the curse.

  Sungjin doubted the truth of his statements. But those in pain began to listen; they needed someone to blame for what had befallen them.

  With God’s love, I will cease your pain temporarily.

  At the end of those words, a shower of light descended from the darkness. The light was so bright and warm people forgot all about Rupellion’s evil deeds. The pure light shone on the earth, and everyone’s pain momentarily subsided.

  Did you feel that, humans? This is God’s love.

  Sungjin tightened the grasp on his arms.

  “This bastard is toying with us.”


  Sungjin knew the High Priest was behind all of this. He was the one who placed the curse just so he could pretend to stop it.

  Everything about Rachel was a lie; he could see that, but the citizens didn’t know the whole story about her. Their common sense would be blocked further by the unbearable pain they were now in. Obviously, their faith would be swayed towards the person offering to end their torture.

  If you refuse God’s love, it is obvious that his love will not be able to reach you. There will never be true salvation with a cursed presence by your side.

  The light became weaker.

  The name of such existence is Rachel. She is a girl your king did not recognize as evil and chose to protect. Petition for this girl to be turned away. It is only then you will be freed from the curse. If not, every day at this time the pain from the curse will overtake you.

  The High Priest stopped talking.

  The High Priest, completing his curse on Sungjin’s capital and surrounding regions, slowly sat down. He once again closed his eyes halfway.

  “Now that I have given them a chance at redemption, let us wait and see what happens.”


  “It is truly benevolent, Your Excellency.”


  The four great priests shouted their praises at his omnipotence.

  “What have I done? God has used this body is all.”


  “But it is Your Excellency’s omnipotence that God has used with care.”


  “I should rest now. I will watch the heretics’ punishment.”


  “We will take our leave.” The four great priest expressed their deepest regards and left.

  The High Priest, now alone, scooped up some water with a wooden bowl and flicked it with his finger. At that, Sungjin’s capital was reflected.

  “Now, show me your ugly truth.”