A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 239: Fake Oracle
Chapter 239: Fake Oracle

The first request left everyone stunned, but the second sparked excitement throughout the Moon Goddess Temple. Almost everyone in the Empire, especially those within these sacred walls, dreamed of becoming the Pontifex.

”I’ve served the Moon Goddess Temple for ten years. What do you think of me?” Ignathor confidently stepped forward, sure that the role of Pontifex was already his.

Arix didn’t show any reaction. She simply smiled, keeping her thoughts to herself. This silence spurred the other eleven priests to start recommending themselves, each eager to take the position.

One priest, however, hesitated and then spoke up, ”But wasn’t it already decided that Scion would be the next Pontifex?”

This was exactly what Arix had been waiting for. She quickly feigned surprise and asked, ”Who is Scion?”

At the mention of the name, a hush fell over the group.

The priests exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to say.

Finally, Ignathor, eager to gain Arix’s favor, broke the silence. ”Scion is the priest you personally chose as the next Pontifex. We received your divine decree at his birth.”

”Hmph, I issued no such decree, nor do I know which wandering spirit dared to impersonate me,” Arix retorted, faking outrage. ”This imposter, Scion, must be expelled from the Moon Goddess Temple immediately.”

To make her anger more convincing, Arix let her psychic power flare up, making it seem as though she was genuinely furious. The intense pressure made everyone around her feel like helpless prey, frozen in fear. No one even thought to resist.

”Please forgive us, Your Holiness. We will drive Scion out at once,” Ignathor stammered, terrified yet eager to prove his loyalty.

Arix nodded approvingly, even offering Ignathor a small smile. This gesture from the temple’s deity sent Ignathor’s pride soaring. Feeling smug, he threw a triumphant look at the others before turning to leave with his head held high.

”Wait.”

Arix’s voice stopped Ignathor in his tracks just as he reached the door. Confused, he turned back and bowed, ”Your Holiness, is there anything else you require?”

With a mysterious smile, Arix replied, ”Just to be safe, let’s go together.”

”Of course... as you wish,” Ignathor agreed, though he was clearly puzzled. He didn’t dare question her. The other priests and followers exchanged looks, sensing something was about to unfold, and then slowly followed along.

When the group reached the courtyard where Scion resided, they were immediately struck by the sight of a young man who looked almost otherworldly.

Clad in a pure white robe, Scion seemed to radiate an ethereal purity.

His face, untouched by any blemish, was as striking as that of a divine being, leaving those who saw him momentarily entranced.

Ignathor, however, snapped out of it quickly, his ambition blinding him to Scion’s attactiveness. ”You, let me make this clear. The Moon Goddess Temple has uncovered your deceit. You are not the next Pontifex. Now, be wise and leave the temple immediately.”

The others, who had been spellbound by Scion’s appearance, were jolted back to reality by Ignathor’s harsh words.

They quickly shot disapproving looks at Ignathor. He had a knack for ruining perfectly serene moments with his harsh words, and today was no different.

But Arix, surprisingly, found herself somewhat impressed by Ignathor’s actions. Everything he did today seemed to align perfectly with her own wishes. If it weren’t for the fact that he was her grandfather’s sworn enemy, she might have even liked having such a subordinate.

A small sigh of regret escaped her as she shook her head and turned her gaze back to Scion, curious about his response.

All eyes were now on Scion, yet he remained calm, seated on a stone chair as if completely indifferent to the crowd around him. It wasn’t until Ignathor’s cutting words reached his ears that he finally reacted, though only slightly.

”Are you sure?” Scion asked, his voice carrying a trace of confusion.

”Absolutely! Do yourself a favor and leave now. This way you can at least save yourself some dignity,” Ignathor sneered, full of disdain.

”Fine,” Scion replied with a quiet acceptance. He had been coerced into coming to the Moon Goddess Temple in the first place and had no real desire to stay. Rising from his seat, he gracefully avoided the crowd and began making his way toward the temple’s gate.

His departure was like a work of art, filled with an ethereal grace that seemed almost otherworldly. But to Ignathor, it looked like the pathetic retreat of a defeated man, which only fueled his sense of pride.

And why wouldn’t he feel proud? With most of the significant members of the Tiger clan leaving the Moon Goddess Temple today, the meaning was clear.

Soon, this temple would be Ignathor’s domain.

The thought filled him with ambition, his eyes gleaming with the possibilities. The only step left was securing the position of Pontifex. Once that was done, he would be the second most powerful figure in the Moon Goddess Temple, just beneath the Moon Goddess herself.

Ignathor was lost in a blissful dream about his future when a voice from ”the Moon Goddess” shattered it.

”Cardinal Ignathor, I’m sorry, but you’re not fit to serve here anymore. You need to leave,” Arix stated, her tone icy.

The joy in Ignathor’s heart vanished, replaced by a cold dread that felt like it was freezing him from the inside out.

”This has to be a mistake, right? I’ve been nothing but loyal. How could the temple not want me?” Ignathor stammered, unable to grasp the reality of what was happening.

He was on the brink of becoming Pontifex. ’How can this be real?’

”Priest Ignathor, you heard me correctly. While your loyalty is undeniable, have you forgotten the wrongs you’ve committed?” Arix’s gaze was as cold as her words, cutting through his feeble defenses.

Before confronting Ignathor, Arix had made sure to dig into his past with the help of Cassian. The report she received confirmed her suspicions—there was more than enough evidence.

Around them, the other priests exchanged glances, their eyebrows raised in surprise. Then they quietly returned to their tasks.

Those who held grudges against Ignathor leaned in, eager to witness his downfall.

Ignathor’s eyes widened in fear. He realized that the Moon Goddess Temple knew everything. Of course, how could he have thought the goddess herself wouldn’t be aware?

Accepting his fate, Ignathor fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. He begged, ”Moon Goddess, I’ve sinned! Please, don’t cast me out. I know I was wrong. Just give me one more chance—just one more.”

He bowed low, his desperation evident.

Some of the priests who had been close to Ignathor began to feel pity for him. They were about to speak up when Arix’s voice cut through the tension.

”Ignathor, when you were bullying your peers, snuffing out the talents within the temple, and covering up your family’s sins, did you ever consider justice would come? Do you think someone like you—who should guide others and serve the gods—deserves to be a Cardinal?” Arix’s words were sharp, leaving no room for mercy.

Among the crowd were those who had suffered under Ignathor’s rule, their talents crushed by his cruelty. Hearing Arix’s words, their eyes welled up with tears, but not of sadness—of relief.

These were people who had endured in silence, knowing that fighting back could mean expulsion or worse, disappearing entirely. They had clung to life, hoping that one day Ignathor would face justice.

And now, here he was, at the mercy of the very goddess he had served.