Chapter 261: A Broken Judge

"You met the wrong man." A voice whispered into her ears. For the first time ever, Miquella shivered. Her left eye went to the corner and found Godfrey holding the backrest of her throne, leaning towards her.

His black sclera and golden pupils pierced her soul.

Miquella left her throne, somersaulting twice through the air and landing with one knee on the ground. Her eyes followed Godfrey who sat on her throne and entwined his fingers.

’Why isn’t my judgment working on him? Could it be...?! No it can’t be, he’s a newborn paragon!’

Her self-control was slowly slipping and it was evident from the doubtful expression on her face.

"You would have been dead if I wished to take your life but I really do not want to eliminate Earth’s powerhouses or that would make this world more vulnerable."

"So you care about the world now?" Miquella scoffed while rising to her feet, her back straight.

Godfrey looked at her. Silence settled between them and the air felt so tense it was hot.

There was no response for her. This world was a cage but also his safest ground. Cain would rather allow anyone to die than him.

That manipulation naturally made Godfrey colder but he still appreciated Earth, after all, it existed even before Cain was born, it existed before the apocalypse and besides, what would he gain from the death of millions, a good number of which might be real people.

Yes he didn’t want anyone close to him, he could barely bring himself to trust that this woman before him wasn’t a clone.

"Go back. Tell the seven to keep their eyes off me."

"You are guilty of threatening the judge and the punishment of that is death." Miquella’s eyes gleamed defiantly. At her judgment, the seven statues lifted their swords, making their way toward Godfrey.

"No. You’re guilty for threatening a Crown Prince of an entire race with death. The punishment of that..." As he spoke, Miquella’s eyes trembled.

What in the world was this feeling? Goosebumps flared up all over her body as her heartbeat roared in her ears. The reason?

Her statues, executors of her judgment, all turned to her while Godfrey spoke. This had never happened before.

At least someone stronger could just break away from her law but no one could usurp her authority in a court where she was the judge!

She held the final say.

That was how it was supposed to be.

"... You’d lose your limbs."

Miquella’s eyes widened to the limit, fear visible within them as the statues loomed over her. One of them swung its greatsword, slicing off one of her arms. A piercing scream filled with agony bounced against the walls of the hall as she collapsed on her knees, sweat pooling on her forehead.

Her eyes reddened, heart pounding like it wanted to escape. The shadows of her statues that once gave her power now terrified her to the depths of her soul.

"W... Wait—!" Miquella pleaded as the statues lifted their weapons. She had seen what they had done to others after judgment was passed. "Please!!"

Her scream pierced the air as she shut her eyes.

The moment her eyes opened again, Miquella found herself in the forest path facing Godfrey. Blood leaked down her mouth and though both arms were still intact, she couldn’t control the one that was sliced off in the judgment hall.

Her ability stood on the foundation of authority and law. That naturally gave her the advantage even to judge people stronger than her. Defeat had only been the end of whoever she faced due to how special her ability was.

Miquella didn’t know defeat, her pride could be found in the way she carried herself and her unshakable expression but for the first time ever, for a reason she couldn’t comprehend, someone bested her in authority.

The unknown king’s heir couldn’t be judged, according to Pathan law that meant death. He wasn’t a president who could be bound, all authority resided within his words.

He owned the final say.

As Miquella swayed, her vision blurred occasionally. Godfrey drew close, forcing her to take shaky steps backwards, her pride in shatters, her confidence gone with the wind.

"Don’t fret... I’m just going for a walk." Godfrey whispered as he walked past her like nothing happened between them.

Miquella collapsed to her knees and fell on her side, eyes wide open but all that could be seen was confusion and fear.

***

At a left turn, Godfrey saw Arthur standing there in a long comfy coat and pajamas beneath. He leaned against a tree, eyeing him.

"I thought you would kill her." He said.

Godfrey’s Black-Out eyes shone as he raised an eyebrow.

"You know your visage hasn’t changed, your aura is still unchanged but something in your heart has softened. I’m not saying that’s the reason you spared Miquella..."

"It’s not." Godfrey interrupted. His eyes flashed to the path he came from. "There’s quite the delicate balance at the Paragon Tier. We don’t just die, we become a resource for the growth of the killer. I don’t just think I’ll come back if I kill and absorb her core." Godfrey replied calmly, his hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie.

"The top has proven to be even worse than the bottom. Somehow it gets more cruel up here." Arthur chuckled bitterly.

Godfrey nodded softly. "When I first saw what the guild master of Pagoda Guild did to that demon, I didn’t understand. But now it’s all clear, we can breach worlds, we have immense power but are also great resources. We can’t die normal deaths as our cores will be ravaged for."

"And?" Arthur lifted an eyebrow.

"I’ll be different. No... I am already different."

Godfrey’s reply made Arthur smile. "You’re growing quite well in this unpleasant world. That’s good."

Arthur turned and was about to walk away when Godfrey asked a question.

"How did you sense a paragon that hid her aura? That shouldn’t be possible for the best Origin Tier summoner in the world."

Arthur tilted his head, revealing the left side of his face. "All summons are unique, Godfrey. I’m sure you must have heard that before. Each of my dragon heads has the power of a peak level Origin Tier and I have fourteen of them. Do I seem like an Origin Tier summoner to you now?"

Arthur’s words made Godfrey’s eyes narrow.

...

A/N: Can give me one doc which includes novel’s premise, short summary, selling points and the most impressive scenes (in other words, the scenes you think worthy to make them to be shorts to advertising)

I will provide it to the management and help them understand the work more.

I’m not good here, and I think getting some of this from those who have experienced this ride as a reader might be better. So please help me out with your ideas!

Send a doc to my discord if you can. If not, just type in the comment section. Thank You!