Chapter 34: Conversation with the Goddess a.k.a I Nearly Died
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"What is justice?"
The instant Marcius heard the question, he knew the hidden reason why the goddess had asked him this particular question.
He also knew the 'correct' answer, the answer which would satisfy the goddess and let him pass the last test.
But… Marcius couldn't bring himself to answer it.
He was all for cheating if that meant he would achieve his goals, but this was more than that.
This was… about a broken legacy and the fool who kept clinging to it.
As Marcius kept his quiet, the insignia continued circling him.
As Marcius had his internal battle, the goddess continued observing him.
After a while, it was the goddess who first broke the silent.
"Why are you hesitating? I have a feeling you know the answer. Why don't you just answer it and pass the test?" The goddess questioned.
Marcius let out a sigh, his lips turning downwards.
"Because, the answer you want is not the right choice for me."
The sun-like insignia kept circling him, but Marcius could almost feel the goddess's frown from behind the shining golden symbol.
"What do you mean, Marcius Aemilia?"
"You are asking this specific question, because you want to see a glimpse of someone else in me. You want to know whether I am like him." Marcius answered with a solemn expression.
"You want to know if I will walk the path of the High King Alexios Avitus."
"You really do know everything, interesting little human."
The trace of amusement in the goddess's voice vanished as she got serious.
"I can't give you the answer. Because we both know this is not about just 'justice.'" Marcius continued.
"And as much as it will hurt you emotionally to acknowledge this, Alexios Avitus failed."
The entire room was suddenly failed with an ominous feeling, like a storm was waiting to erupt.
"Choose your next words carefully, little human." The goddess warned.
"I know you are very fond of him, look up to him even. Alexios was a great general, and a strong warrior. He was the greatest cultivator the realm has never seen before and probably never will again."
Marcius knew he was walking on thin ice.
"But he was never a great king. His sense of justice, his perspective on kingship, and his ability to rule have failed the realm. He failed Rubrum."
The aura of the goddess returned tenfold. Even with the Soul Devouring King physique, Marcius was barely withstanding the brunt of the goddess's wrath.
"How dare you! How dare you smear filth at the efforts of my dear friend?! He gave his everything for Rubrum! It was you, his foolish successors, who let the realm burn! It was you, greedy humans, who destroyed his empire! He wasted his entire life to build up a unified empire and it was shattered in a flash by your envy, wrath, greed and lust!"
The insignia was pulsing with so much golden light that, it looked like a miniature solar flare.
"So, do not try to stand there and criticize the efforts of my friend! Don't try to gain the moral high ground!"
Marcius gritted his teeth. He had come this far, he wouldn't be backing off.
Maybe he could talk reason into the goddess.
If he couldn't, well, he would be dead.
"He managed to hold the empire together due of his personal strength alone. People were afraid of rebelling against him, not his empire. By this logic, of course the empire would fall apart as soon as he died. He sired four children, but he loved them all too much that he couldn't bear to name one clear successor. He created the succession crisis. What about the territories under him? They were already unsatisfied about the high king's policies. The succession crisis was the only catalyst they needed to rebel."
As Marcius carried on with his words, the aura of the goddess was still pressing down on him.
"You know this to be true. Alexios Avitus also knew this. That was why he asked you to create this trial in the first place. He wants you to find someone better than him. I can't be better than him, but at the very least I will not make the same mistakes. So, don't insult your friend's legacy by asking these useless questions." Marcius finished.
The aura persisted for quite a while after Marcius finished talking, but it did disappear slowly.
"You, little human, are right and wrong. You are right in saying that Alexios didn't want others to follow in his footsteps. He knew he was incompetent as a ruler. But you are wrong to say that the empire fell apart because of him. He did choose a successor; he just trusted the wrong people with that information. His trusted advisors didn't follow through with his wishes. That, was why his empire fell apart."
'What? This is different from what I have read in the novel.' Marcius thought.
"But, in a sense, you are correct. I shouldn't insult my dear friend's legacy with stupid questions. So, let me get to the point. Why should I aid you in your road to cultivation? You come here not just for the rewards. You knew coming here would mean the start of your journey to become a High King like Alexios. So, tell me why should I help you?" The goddess behind the insignia asked.
'This, definitely reminds me of a job interview. Well, at least I got a straightforward question.'
"To be honest, you should not choose me as your champion in this realm, not at all. I'm manipulative, cruel, selfish, my bottom line of morality is pretty low. If needed, I would kill and lie my way to the top. Hell, I am a guy without cultivation. I'm hardworking but that will never get me very far. But I'm still going to ask for your help. Because I have to protect my family, my clan and my city from the coming storm. I need strength. And if you help me, I will at least be able protect this realm from the incoming threat, even if I am unfit to rule it."
Marcius talked as the insignia listened quietly.
"That is who I am. Just a fool without cultivation, who is trying to climb to the top of this world. And I will keep trying until I die. So, will you grant me your favor?"
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Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone