Conflux System: I Can Merge Anything-Chapter 26: A Prayer Before the Blade

Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.

Zane was under the sun.

They called it being watched by the God and Zane called it too much heat.

His right leg felt as if it was shoved in the furnace. Especially his thigh.

His hand instinctively slithered there and he felt something under his palm.

His hand tightened around the object inside his thigh pocket. It burned like a piece of the sun itself.

Fortunately, he recalled what it was and since Jaryun, the shopkeeper, asked for authority... he found it.

The sword was falling down, the Priest was watching, the crowd was waiting, Xavier was struggling and Zane...

Zane shoved his hand inside his pocket and took it out.

He wasted not even a single second and raised it in front of Jaryun with his trembling hand.

"You shall not kill me!" He declared.

Silence ensued in the crossroad of Vaelreyn city as the Gutterborn held out something glowing, matching the brightness of the sun.

Jaryun’s sword stopped and Zane heaved a sigh of relief.

I can’t believe it worked.

Everyone stared at Zane and at the object on his hand and amidst the silence...

"Pfft... Hahahaha!"

Laughter broke out.

Zane’s throat tightened.

Because it was none other than Jaryun who laughed.

Zane gawked at the shopkeeper making sure the object was visible well enough to the man but...

"You seriously think a shining object that I can’t even see properly will save you from your sin?"

Zane gulped.

Following Jaryun, the crowd also erupted in laughter and the wardens snickered under their steel helmets as well.

Xavier’s muffled voice rang as usual but no one was able to make out his words.

His oversized fist also reverted back to normal and little by little, his struggles became weaker and weaker.

Zane gritted his teeth as his best option didn’t work.

I almost thought it worked.

"Nothing can save you, vermin. Your sin is too heavy for forgiveness. Death is your only redemption." Jaryun spoke out loud.

The crowd cheered for the man, agreeing with him.

Zane looked at the parapet of the church again and clicked his tongue.

The Priest was gone.

So my death is certain. He didn’t even wait for the execution.

Zane clenched his fist. His palm turned black with the heat of the object.

Then he did one last try.

He bowed his head.

"I am heartily sorry for dropping our God. Give me a punishment lesser than death, my lord. The First Flame is kind. Show his kindness for me too. Don’t kill me."

Zane let go of his pride. If begging would save his life, he would do that too.

Death wasn’t his problem. Dying without leaving something behind was.

The crowd turned a little silent after that heartfelt confession and Jaryun surveyed his eyes.

His brows twitched and before the crowd could start demanding something other than Execution, he spoke:

"This is not his guilt speaking, everyone. Do not be fooled by such deceivers, followers of the Flame."

The crowd looked at Jaryun.

Jaryun’s eyes flashed a glint.

"This sinner, he was in front of me in the offerings line. Why? Because Priest Horum was kind enough to grant him the chance of taking anything he wanted no matter the amount.

He was granted this offer because in today’s prayer a Veil heretic tried to kill him inside the church to disrupt the harmony of our belief. First Flame was kind enough to save his life inside the church and a man of his background, he should have been glad to be chosen as someone worthy to live by the First Flame. But what did he do?"

Jaryun looked at Zane with utter disgust.

"While standing in the line, standing in front of me, while I was placing the idol of our God on his spread-out tunic, he deliberately let go of it. Deliberately. I saw it with my own eyes. As a result of that, our benevolent, omnipotent God touched the ground of us filthy mortals."

The people gasped.

"Now, tell me, how can someone drop the essence of a being who saved their life? How can they refuse to take the idol of the being that protected them? How can they let go of their savior instead of embracing him and singing his prayers? Do you all have any answers?"

The people stayed silent.

Little kids tried to think but their parents forced them to listen to Jaryun.

"I have the answer. I know why this uncouth sinner did what he did."

Jaryun raised his sword.

"The only reason this little worm didn’t accept his savior, our God, is because he doesn’t care about him. He doesn’t believe in him. He doesn’t think that it could be our benevolent Flame that saved his life.

And more than that, he let go of the idol in front of a crowd, in front of people of his own kind. And I have lived long enough to know he did that because he wanted to start a rebellion.

He wanted his kind and normal people to go against our First Flame. After all, his ancestors did that. The thief stole the gift of our God and this man dropped our God. I wasn’t there at that time. But now I am. And while I am alive, I cannot let my God go extinct.

Call me a rigid believer but I will not abandon my God who keeps us safe from the Rifts by sacrificing his own power. Can you all do that? Can you all endure the disrespect of your God? If yes, by all means, I swear on my life and my beliefs..."

Jaryun dropped his sword.

"I will let this kid go without any punishment."

Jaryun emptied his hands and watched the populace utter their decision.

And it was clear to Jaryun and Zane, what would they say:

"Kill him!"

"Execute him!"

"Sever his head!"

"Death!"

"Death!"

"Death!"

Jaryun slightly smiled but Zane could hear him laughing inside him.

He picked up his sword again and looked down at Zane.

"Your apology is rejected, vermin."

Zane glared at the man hovering over him and the same man, smirked.

"Let me sing you a prayer before death."

Jaryun joined his palms, then separated it and then leaned closer to the Zane’s ear and whispered:

"I don’t give a damn about our God. I simply hate your kind."

Zane’s body tightened, his hairs stood up. Coldness washed over him as if he stepped inside a glacier.

He had seen hatred for him many times before, but it was the first time that he felt the intent of it.

Coming from Jaryun was pure, unfiltered, murderously raw hatred.

Zane gripped the object tighter as he needed the warmth.

Jaryun leaned back and raised his sword above his head once more.

And by all means, this was the last time.

He would die not because of his "sin."

But because of his status while sinning.

He inhaled a deep breath and looked up at Jaryun.

Jaryun had the support of everyone so he wasted no time and brought down his sword on Zane.

Sorry, Milo. I am dead.

The sword came to his head and Zane closed his eyes.

SHRILL!

THUD!

Sounds rang and something went over from Zane’s head.

He felt the gust of wind.

He shot open his eyes and turned his head around.

He had felt something had gone behind him.

He looked and as he did, his brows shot up.

It was an intact wooden staff, lying next to a silver curved sword broken in two parts.

And just as Zane registered the happenings, a voice rang:

"This execution has been nullified! The guilty have been pardoned!"