The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 602: LUAN AND CAESAR

The Pope, Luan Escanor, took in the grim scene with a measured gaze. His expression remained calm, almost serene. He turned away from the impending chaos and walked back toward the grand church building that stood behind the front lines. As he entered the hallowed halls, the sacred quiet of the church contrasted sharply with the turmoil outside, offering a brief moment of peace before the storm.

”Is it done?” Luan asked in his gentle voice.

A man wearing all black suddenly appeared behind him, kneeling down. ”Everything is ready, Your Holiness.”

”Good. Start everything the moment the tyrant emperor move.” When the man in black didnʼt respond, Luan looked back at him. ”Is something the matter?”

The man in black hesitated at first, but still ended up asking, ”Is this really the only way, Your Holiness?”

”You know that we canʼt win this war. Itʼs hard for me to admit this, but weʼre solely lacking in terms of strength and manpower. Our holy warriors are simply not fit for war. So, yes, this is the only way.” Luan smiled gently at the mad in black. ”Thank you for everything youʼve done so far.”

The man in black seemed to want to say something more, but he just lowered his head.

Outside, the battlefield erupted into chaos. The clash of swords and the thunder of hooves grew louder, a cacophony of war cries and shouts of pain. Dust and smoke began to obscure the sun, casting a shadow over the combatants as they fought with increasing ferocity.

Soldiers fell, and the ground became slick with blood. Amidst this, Caesarʼs figure remained visible, a beacon of relentless ambition driving his men forward. The intensity of the battle grew with each passing moment, signaling that the conflict had only just begun.

Caesar slashed the body of an incoming soldier from Evitria. The otherʼs blood splashed on him, but the expression on his face showed just how much he didnʼt care. As if he had been used to it.

As he kept cutting down enemies, Caesar finally noticed that the Pope was not anywhere on the battlefield. The realization struck him like a bolt, and his eyes narrowed. He turned to his second-in-command, the only general who supported his decision to conquer Evitria.

”General, take charge of the army,” Caesar commanded, his voice cutting through the din of battle. ”Hold the line and press forward. I have another matter to attend to.”

The general nodded sharply, understanding the gravity in Caesarʼs tone. ”As you command, Your Majesty!” he replied, immediately moving to rally the troops and continue the assault.

Without another word, Caesar spurred his horse toward the direction of the grand church building. The only place the Pope could finally go to in this chaos. His path cut through the battlefield, each stride of his warhorse carrying him closer to his goal. The sounds of clashing steel and cries of the wounded faded into the background as he continued forward.

Once he approached the church, the imposing structure loomed larger, its towering spires reaching toward the sky. Caesar dismounted and strode purposefully toward the entrance, his eyes burning with different unnamed emotions. He pushed open the heavy wooden doors.

Inside, the dim light filtered through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the stone floor. And his gaze quickly landed on the man standing at the middle.

The Pope, with his pristine white robe, looked very serene. As if no war was happening outside this church right now. Caesar found that hilarious and hypocritical at the same time.

”Are you finally regretting your choice, Luan?” he asked. Though his voice remained emotionless, his eyes betrayed the storm of emotions he was struggling to contain. ”If you kneel in front of me right now and promise to become part of my Empire, I will stop this war.” Continue the journey on m|vl-em,py-r

Luan Escanor didnʼt bother to look at him, but instead said, ”Evitria is a land of freedom, a sanctuary for the believers of Jaya. And it shall remain so.”

”Freedom? Thatʼs only the illusion of the weak clinging to their delusions,” Caesar scoffed. ”Your so-called sanctuary is nothing but a refuge for those too afraid to face reality. It will all crumble under the weight of true power.”

His voice was dripping with contempt as he approached the altar where Luan stood.

Luan turned to face Caesar, his expression calm and unwavering. ”Caesar,” he began, his voice soft yet resolute, ”this war, this bloodshed, it will lead only to ruin. But perhaps that is the path you have chosen. A path full of nothing but destruction. How pitiful that the kind child I knew had turned into what you are now.”

Caesarʼs grip tightened on his sword. ”Save your sanctimonious words. Your holy land is now nothing but an obstacle to my empire.”

Luan stepped closer, unflinching. ”Then do what you came here to do, Emperor of ash and carnage. End this charade.”

For a moment, Caesar hesitated, taken aback by the Popeʼs unyielding gaze. But his anger quickly overpowered any doubt. With a fierce roar, he plunged his sword into Luanʼs chest.

As the blade pierced him, Luan gasped, his eyes widening briefly before settling into a tranquil acceptance. At the same instant, Caesar felt a sharp, burning pain in his stomach. He looked down to see a small dagger lodged in his abdomen, just in the gap below his breastplate. The hilt of the dagger clutched in the Popeʼs hand.

Shock and confusion filled Caesarʼs eyes. ”You--?”

And at that very moment, the church began to tremble; the walls cracking and debris falling from the ceiling. Explosions erupted around them, consuming the sacred space in fire and destruction. Slowly turning this sanctuary into a hellish inferno.

Through the rising flames and crumbling stone, Luan managed a faint, almost peaceful smile. ”You may have killed me, Caesar,” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the noise of the explosion. ”But in the end, I have won.”

As his eyes closed, a single teardrop fell from the corner of his right eye.

In his mind that was slowly fading, images of two boys emerged amidst the rustic charm of a small village. Their laughter echoed joyously through the tranquil surroundings as they played in the meadows, their innocent smiles illuminated by the warm sunlight.

Together, they chased each other through fields of wildflowers, their carefree spirits dancing in harmony with the gentle breeze. Little did they know that their futures would be marred by betrayal and bloodshed, their innocent laughter replaced by the echoes of conflict and war.

The screen began to fade to black. The last image that was seen was that of Luanʼs serene face amidst the destruction, a stark contrast to Caesarʼs expression of shock and pain.