In the Name of Empress

Chapter 708 397: Light Belongs to Everyone

The Sea Emperor is dead.

The proud genius, once a domineering hero overlooking the land from the crest of the waves, is dead.

Died like a joke.

An ethereal aura of spiritual energy shrouded the magnificent palace.

On the gigantic throne, the goddess's body appeared exceptionally petite.

Tiya silently gazed into the void ahead, still reminiscing about last night's battle on Divine Punishment Island.

She had calculated everything, except for the Sea Emperor's madness.

The descendants of the Divine Punishment Legion did not know that in the eyes of the goddess, both the failures and successes of divine punishment missions were seen as nuisances.

They had fulfilled their mission, and their continued existence would only provide opportunities for blasphemers to touch the goddess's power.

Just like this war on Divine Punishment Island.

They didn't understand that they were merely disposable. Once the mission was over, regardless of success or failure, they should just die.

Last night, the only thing that truly made Tiya's heart flutter was Poseidon.

He won the resurrection match and then decisively overturned the table.

"Do you hate me that much?"

Tiya chuckled self-mockingly, her golden hair flowing through her fingers like the wind over the sea, the clouds drifting past the moon, exceptionally smooth.

Ascending to the Divine Domain brought countless benefits; this was just an added bonus.

The Goddess of Light inexplicably recalled sharing with her childhood friends how soap wort washed hair without causing hair loss or leaving an unpleasant smell.

Truly naive and foolish memories.

She frowned in disgust because there was someone in her youth a hundred times more annoying than Poseidon.

The youngest and also the smartest, Frosty Winter.

Right, that person has now changed their name to Sofia.

Recalling all that Sofia had done, Tiya couldn't help but laugh.

Abandoning the proved power of Frosty Winter that was sufficient for Ascension to Divinity, starting from scratch again, indeed showed great courage.

Not only courage, but she even achieved it.

If given a million years, Tiya couldn't guarantee she would have the courage to return home for the harvest.

"You're out of time, Frosty Winter."

"If you are smart enough, you should learn from Poseidon to end yourself. I'm not a forgiving person, after all."

Tiya smiled with a hint of delight, a point of her finger, and all memories vanished with the fluctuations of space.

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, no hint of mortal emotion remained.

In any case, Poseidon really did die.

He used his death to prevent her form from consolidating, rendering less than one percent of her power usable in the mortal realm.

Perhaps it was foolish, but it indeed changed the course of the battle.

The army assault that was supposed to be wiped out achieved victory, while the Divine Punishment Legion she sheltered was completely defeated.

An exquisite performance, but at what cost?

Farewell, Poseidon.

Tiya's slender hand traced a perfect arc in the air, causing the space to ripple like the surface of the sea, and a delicate notebook appeared in front of her.

Biting her index finger until it bled, the Goddess of Light drew a slightly menacing cross over Poseidon's name with a drop of blood.

"Poseidon, you're the first, but you will not be alone."

...

"His Majesty has passed!"

This time it was real.

In the Undersea World, countless intelligent marine beings gathered in the Sea Emperor Hall, tears wet their cheeks, soon merging with the seawater—the salty taste indistinguishable between sea or tears.

Catherine endured her grief, fainting thrice during the funeral.

The Sea Emperor Hall's upper echelons, who previously plotted to divide the Sea Emperor's inheritance, were sentenced to death, using their blood to pay tribute to the Sea Emperor.

The Minstrel composed the most magnificent verses for the Sea Emperor, and the Sea Demon maiden offered ethereal dirges. Billions of fish-folk bid farewell, making the Sea Emperor's departure exceedingly grandiose.

But no matter how bustling, his fate couldn't be changed.

He died completely.

...

"Poseidon is dead."

In the Holy City, within the Great Cathedral's Prayer Room.

Roland sat straightforwardly opposite Christine, introducing the Battle of Divine Punishment Island to her.

Some matters couldn't be concealed.

Pretending nothing happened in such a significant event was unrealistic.

Since it couldn't be concealed, they might as well be open about it.

Roland directly sought out Christine to test her reaction.

Although Christine had a fervent belief in the goddess, it didn't mean she had a favorable view of the Divine Punishment Legion.

In fact, they were even in a competitive relationship.

Everyone working for the goddess, who is more noble than whom?

The descending gigantic hand of Light at the parting moment, seemingly purifying evildoers, was actually providing a buff.

Before telling the story, Roland expressed his gratitude straightforwardly, but Christine dismissively waved her hand.

"No need to thank me. If you truly fall into the dark, I won't hand you over to others; I'll deal with it personally."

Seeing Christine's serious expression, Roland rolled his eyes at her with displeasure.

"Should I thank you for your sincere purification grace?"

Christine did not answer, just smiled slightly.

Roland often prayed by her side; she knew best how much darkness lingered within him.

A slightly blackened conscience, a somewhat loosened bottom line, but his nature remained Light.

That's Roland.

Such people, Christine had seen many in the Divine Court of Light, hardly worth making a fuss over.

As long as the goal could be achieved, the means were not important.

Even the Great Goddess frequently plotted against others in the night before ascending to the Divine Domain, so what about that?

Christine didn't mind Roland exterminating the Divine Punishment Legion; she was even glad.

But after all, they all believed in the Light, so she couldn't say they deserved it, only sighing as she skipped the topic.

Roland opened his mouth, almost asking a question they always avoided.

"If the goddess issued a Divine Oracle, 'Christine, eliminate Roland,' how should they interact?"

Some words couldn't be spoken; once voiced, there was no going back.

Roland feared facing this question, and so did Christine.