Chapter 355 - Hard Retaliation
Although Jade doesn't release his aura when talking, all the Temple of Death side feels an invisible pressure from Jade. They feel like Jade will indeed hunt them down if they don't give a better answer. This is the true power of a seventh-grade combatant.
After reaching this legendary realm, the combatant's word and sentence are akin to prediction with great possibility to happen. If the person said the whole country would be destroyed, it means the country will be destroyed, be it because of them or another party.
There are even some people who believe the seventh-grade combatant is like a real-life God. Still, this is not entirely wrong since, with their unimaginable power, they are close to god walking on Firuman.
In Firuman, there are many seventh-grade combatants. Some of them are completely out of their mind and mad. However, In serious situations, they are undeniably a very powerful force that could realize everything they resolve to do.
Hearing Jade's reply, "D-Do the Heart Kingdom really want an unnecessary bloodshed?" asked the sixth-grade combatant Eli while steeling himself.
"Bloodshed? You make us sound like the villain here." replied Jacob.
"Isn't that what you are intent on doing here?" asked the sixth-grade combatant Hocus.
"Oii… Did you think the Heart Kingdom is a fool? Did you think we don't know your attempt to entice Millie with your so-called teaching and molding her slowly?" said Jacob coldly.
"Did you think we don't know why you assigned five fourth-grade combatants to her? Heck, even I don't have any luxury to spare that many bodyguards at that level for my son."
"I suspect you even try to prevent her from having too much interaction with her friend and the Heart Kingdom in the name of guarding her. She didn't even have a lot of contact with her childhood best friend Mia and her beloved family after she started training with you guys."
"I know Millie personally since he is Angus's friend and his father is also a friend of mine. I know her personality and behavior. But, you dare to slowly brainwash her and fill her brain with your so-called teaching." said Jacob coldly.
"Among all the kids that return from that dimension, Millie is the only one with the caring and naive personality. Although she is maturing a little bit after coming back from that dimension, she is still pure and more innocent compared to others." explained Jacob.
Yet, you dare to taint her mind and make her even doubt herself. Currently, while we are talking, she is having a deep self-reflection about what she is doing. An innocent seventeen years old girl needs to experience all of this because of you! " added Jacob.
"We know she will sooner or later experience this as she holds the legendary soul power and needs to become more mature.
"But, not in this way. Did you know because of stupid machination, her relationship with my son and her friend is now stranded. They will never be able to have the same relationship as they used to be."
"Say, Priest Saya, is this really what they are teaching you about goodness in your belief?" asked Jacob in a louder tone.
Hearing Jacob's question, Priest Saya couldn't say anything as she also felt the same thing as Millie when she decided to serve in the Temple of Death.
"Now, you tell us that we want unnecessary bloodshed? Who do you think we are? We are the Heart Kingdom, the number one human race kingdom in Firuman!!" yelled Jacob.
"If we can't even protect our people from being robbed, we should be ashamed for being called number one. If you dare to mess with our people, you should prepare to fight us to death. Because we are not so weak that we can't even protect our own." said Jacob resolutely.
Hearing Jacob's sentence, the Temple of Death feels like all their plot is exposed in front of them.
'Damn… We are underestimating the Heart Kingdom too much.' thought High Priest Cretin.
"T-That's not true. We never do that. Did you even have proof?" asked Eli at Jacob's accusation.
"Proof?? Well, how about you are the one that shows us the proof of your innocence? If you claim you didn't do everything I said before, why not give us your healing art? Didn't your so-called mission be about healing the poor and sickness?"
"You shouldn't have a problem sharing your healing art with us. Or did you truly have other motives like Angus said and did everything I said before? Now, choose… Will you give us your healing art as compensation or bloodshed?" asked Jacob.
Before the Temple of Death could reply, "Oii.. you bunch of ass-kissers. Let me tell you one thing, don't think that we are bluffing and afraid to go to war with you. We are currently looking for a target to test and show the world our might." said Jade
"The only reason we are not at war yet is because of those so-called World Alliance policies to destroy a nation. But, it is another story if it is a religious organization like the Temple of Death."
"We will not be afraid to deploy and use all our resources to not only destroy your organization in our land but also all over Firuman." added Jade coldly.
Hearing this, Priest Saya couldn't help but look at the High Priest Cretin as she didn't know what to do anymore. This is already not negotiation but a one-sided absolute demand from the Heart Kingdom.
After a moment of silence, "Fine, the Temple of Death will give the Heart Kingdom our healing art and knowledge as compensation to prove our sincerity and apology." said High Priest Cretin while gripping his hand firmly as he was very reluctant to express his sentence.
"High Priest, you can't!!" said Hocus.
However, Hocus himself was relieved at the Cretin decision inwardly. No matter how much his loyalty to the Temple of Death, he prefers not to fight against the monster in front of him that could burn him in a second.
"Enough, this is the final decision. Alright, if there is anything else, we will excuse ourselves first. We will finalize the contract at a later date." said High Priest Cretin as he wanted to get out of this room as soon as possible.
"Hold on, High Priest Cretin. Since the matter about the assassination attempt is already resolved, let's move toward the next matter." said Jacob as he sat down again.
"Excuse me, Duke Jacob. Is there any more problem?" asked Priest Saya.
"Yes, your subordinate does not only dare to attempt an assassination of our fourth princess. He also dared to ignore our king's decree and slander his name." said Jacob.
"T-That's…" said High Priest Cretin.
Before High Priest Cretin finished his sentence, "Bertha, why don't you explain properly about their situation?" said Jacob while smiling.
"Certainly, Duke Jacob. *Huff*… According to the contract agreement between the Heart Kingdom and Temple of Death in 1198, The Temple of Death agreed to…" said Bertha as she immediately returned to her professional attitude after all the tension before.
Hearing Bertha's explanation, The Temple of Death knows that their negotiation still does not end but just begins. In the end, they could only negotiate hard with the Heart Kingdom to reduce the damage as small as possible.
At this moment, the Temple of Death knows they are not just hit shit but step on the big land mine. At first, they thought they could take advantage of the Heart Kingdom situation like other nations, which is in the middle of war or conflict.
However, they forget one crucial thing about the Heart Kingdom. Unlike the other countries they usually take advantage of, the Heart Kingdom has two seventh-grade combatants.
In Firuman, the only kingdom and nation with more than one seventh-grade combatants could be counted by one hand. Almost all of them are a big kingdom from a mighty race like the elves, demons, or something similar.
Since ancient times, all these powerful kingdoms have already had their own culture and beliefs. Some even have their own God. Hence, it is difficult for religious organizations to penetrate deep into their system.
This is the major reason Temple of Death dares to take advantage of Heart Kingdom as they already penetrated deep into their system. However, they didn't expect brutal retaliation from the Heart Kingdom.
Right now, they frantically need to save themself carefully, or they might become the stepping stone of the new rising star called the Heart Kingdom. Although if the Heart Kingdom pushes them too far, they will also retaliate with all their might.
Still, the Temple of Death feels like all their escape routes are already blocked. The Heart kingdom even openly uses their mission and teaching to corner them.
Suppose Cretin was stubborn and didn't agree to the Heart Kingdom demand. Their credibility as the religious organization that helps people would fall down to the mud. They will no longer be deemed the most charitable religious organization and will be branded the same as the others.
Currently, in Firuman, there are various kinds of big religious organizations. Almost all of them preach about the same thing, but only the Temple of Death is true to their word and mission.
As soon as everyone heard Temple of Death didn't comply with the Heart Kingdom demand, everyone with a little bit of brain will immediately brand them as the other religious organization.