Chapter 10: The People Power

Nerville transformed into a human form, as did Maria. Nerville conjured his magic staff. "So, here's my plan. We'll attack the citizens and the Knights' Order from within. Then, we'll open the gates."

"Majagada is requesting to be crowned as the new holy kingdom. What do you think?" Maria asked Nerville.

"They're your citizens and worshippers. You should be the one to decide, my sister," Nerville replied.

"I can't," Maria said. "You have experience in creating a theocracy."

"Alright. Here's what we'll do: agree to it with the condition that the holy king can only be appointed by the divine envoy and rule alongside the divine envoy and the people's council. The council can include both nobles and commoners, with each group making up one-fourth of the total. Then, half the votes come from the divine envoy and half from the king," Nerville explained.

"My head hurts hearing this," Maria said.

"Also, I want my followers and believers to be free to live and roam within Majagada's kingdom," Nerville added.

"Enough," Maria said, handing Nerville and me robes. The three of us put them on and went downstairs.

"You three wait here. We're going to do something to hasten Majagada's victory," Maria commanded. "If the citizens break through, block and destroy the bridge."

Kuti, Romanova, and Atmaja nodded. The three of us masked our faces and exited through the cathedral's main door. We were greeted with cheers by the citizens and the Knights' Order soldiers at each end of the gate.

"I'll go with Thomas to the east side, then move to the north gate. Sister, you handle the west side alone. Since you don't use magic, you don't need a knight to protect you," Nerville said.

"Let's race to see who reaches the north gate first and wins a night with Thomas," Nerville suggested. "Now, Thomas, let's go!"

"Fine," Maria responded, splitting from us. With her scythe, she began slashing through the citizens and Knights' Order soldiers.

I struck the gate with my mace, sending the gathered citizens and soldiers flying. The Knights' Order soldiers were confused. "Why are you attacking us? Who are you?"

"We are the punishment sent by 999," Nerville replied.

"Alright, fall back, or you will be killed!" I shouted.

Maria rampaged, using her scythe to behead her enemies. The god of death was personally executing her followers. This left her torn between the devout followers like those of Majagada and the rebellious ones like those of Ludanes.

I personally didn't want to kill them, but seeing the gods before me slaughter their worshippers made me question them. The citizens scattered like shepherded sheep fleeing from wolves.

The Knights' Order soldiers were bewildered. I chose to spare those who surrendered and fled, but Maria and Nerville did not! They ferociously massacred anyone who got in their way, surrendering or not.

Finally, the three of us reached the gate. We killed the gatekeepers and broke the seal. Seeing the gate open, Majagada's forces surged forward, entering the city. The Knights' Order soldiers were panicked and confused. The three of us flew up to the cathedral rooftop to observe the situation.

Majagada's forces began a brutal battle with the Knights' Order. Citizens ran, trying to escape the onslaught of Majagada's troops. It was a mass slaughter within the city.

"Now, Thomas, prepare inside the temple," Maria ordered. "I will give the King of Majagada a vision to meet you there."

I followed my goddess's command and entered the temple. Kuti was already there, dressed in religious garb. She handed me a change of clothes and helped me dress.

The temple doors were forcibly opened. Grandmaster Indarto and his remaining troops entered, placing their wounded inside to be treated by their medics.

"Are you two not going to pray to help us or heal our wounded?" Indarto asked us.

"No. This is your punishment from God 999," Kuti replied. "The God's will has decreed this. Your rebellion has gone too far. Don't expect the God to hear your prayers."

Sounds of commotion came from outside the temple, followed by explosions and rumbling. Indarto smiled. "Now we're safe inside the temple. The bridge outside has been destroyed. Use the temple's materials to build rafts! We'll escape via the river."

"That won't work. Destroying this temple will only anger your god further," I said.

But they didn't listen. I saw Maria chuckle in front of us. Only we could see her in her divine form. The temple statue moved and came to life as a stone giant.

The Knights' Order soldiers, busy dismantling the temple's furniture, were shocked. They had no choice but to fight the stone giant. Their swords and arrows couldn't harm it. Their magic was useless. I saw the stone giant had immunity to all attacks and was under Maria's divine protection.

The stone giant drove the Knights' Order soldiers out of the temple. Maria commanded me to follow the giant. I walked behind it, and outside, Majagada's soldiers bowed upon seeing me emerge with the giant.

King Majagada was instructing his troops to build a temporary bridge. Grandmaster Indarto and his remaining soldiers were confused. They considered jumping into the river, but the current was too strong.

"Kill or capture?" Maria whispered to me.

"You're the god. You decide," I replied.

"Kill him. Behind the giant is a holy sword. Give it to King Majagada after you kill the rebels," Maria ordered before disappearing. The stone giant reverted to a statue. I took the sword from behind it.

I walked slowly towards Indarto and his terrified comrades. Using the holy sword, I stabbed them one by one. Indarto was the last one standing. I gave him a chance to speak one last time.

"Wait, divine envoy! Don't kill him!" King Majagada shouted from across the river. "Let me execute him before his people!"

I nodded and lowered my sword. Indarto stood and tried to attack me, but before he could, I tripped him. He fell, and I pinned him down.

"Never defy the god's will," I said.