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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Chapter 26: Epic Religious Fail

P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c

Also Pxtreon: P a treon . com (slash) socialistbukharin

Ariel wanted to claim she was just a normal girl, but considering her status as a princess and the court's unpleasant traditions she knew even at her young age that would be a lie.

That was something that she had long accepted as part of 'her' normality but, at the same time, rebuked as she knew there was always a chance to do better than just that. Two were the sources of her precocious rebellious self: First, the tutors couldn't exactly lie to her about history and remark how, in the past, the debauchery that was known to be 'tradition', was in fact something that became common through the manipulation of some 'respectable nobles'. So, the stench of sex, the cries of pain, the noises of lewd- it was all caused by someone that wasn't truly tied to royalty.

That wasn't nice, she could tell this much and things were going to change once she was truly in charge of this unhappy kingdom.

Yet, her second source provided her something she didn't know she needed. Moderation. It was not a word Ariel preferred to listen to at times, but the many tales offered to her by the kind knight Ser John Bukharin always had her hooked and thinking. What if she went too far? Sure, she had the good reason to approve changes- but when does change become something too unpleasant to accept?

The princess was quick to understand that, if she wanted to be loved by those that would support her changes, she needed to both please herself and please them in a general fashion. Like, doing something for the very peasants her family looked down upon. People that, by all means, amounted to nothing in the individual, but mattered immensely as a whole within the kingdom.

After all, what sort of ruler can be considered as such without subjects?

Yes, the Ruler and the People mattered. Not the Nobles and never the fools daring to acquire ties through her into the royal family.

Fools, fools, fools.

But where patience would be a key factor in her education - in her etiquette - it was also true that inaction was not part of who Princess Ariel Anemoi Asura was. And so, one day, her patience cracked under a degree of slander that truly brought the worst out of her. Even as a child, she always got noticed as a vindictive individual. There was nothing wrong in returning fire to fire, and outrage was met with outrage.

A group of 'apostles' worshiping the 'God of Humanity' had begged and, by pressuring some nobles, obtained the means to seek audience before the king. Ever since her previous 'powerplay' as her papa called it, Ariel had been around to listen more on how to handle a kingdom. At times she liked how her father ruled, but she was also sure her papa was also making an effort to not be too harsh while she was around since she was... well, his little girl.

This case drew her attention for a very specific reason.

"Your highness, we request you follow the people's demand and condemn the man known as John Bukharin as the Devil and for his followers deemed enemy of the state by law and faith," The leading figure of the caped fools spoke, their solemnity just drawing immense frustration by everyone around.

"What?" Ariel squeaked in surprise, eyes wide open and her boiling rage just masterfully hidden to the point of the chief idiot failing to realizing why she had this tiny outburst.

"Oh Fair Princess, our Lord spoke with gravity in his voice. He was wounded- injured by someone that didn't seek the betterment of humanity, but its damnation- a new Laplace He called him."

That was outright upsetting! To call that nice man the 'new Laplace' was perhaps the most horrendous insult she could have expected from someone. Yet there was no sign of joking- this fool truly believed what foulness he was sprouting.

The king hummed. "And you have proof of such claim? Ser John Bukharin enjoys my trust, something that I would never bestow until certain of someone's trustworthiness."

There was iron in the ruler's voice, the king having long gained a greater awareness of how many nobles would be keen to use anything to usurp power from him. Paranoia was best suited in this most confusing meeting, and Ariel was glad that her father had the right amount of consciousness to not let any of that manipulate him.

"A deceitful creature, my liege, and one that was professed by the God of Humanity as an enemy of Mankind."

Ariel felt her irritation finally boiling out. "My dear father asked for proof, not words."

The old apostle looked shocked by this response. "Young lady, this is not a manner of-"

"You come here, seeking audience before my father, slander someone that my King father and I consider a good person and yet you ask us to just 'believe it'?" Her sharp tongue was well sharpened for this opportunity. "Tell me, do you know of the laws created to handle hideous liars such as yourself can't be held back by religious slander?"

"I am aware, young lady, but no lies was spewed as of yet."

"By your opinion, then," She snapped half-heartedly. "You decided to call the Ruler's own trust into question, deem it a mistaken view too and then pretend that all these claims can be absolved by religious reasons and not claims that can be verified."

Rather than reply to this, the old man took for a quick prayer. Or what looked to be a prayer as Ariel felt something churn in her stomach- dread urging her to tense up as something didn't feel right and, before she knew it... a silvery barrier formed around her, and manifested just in time to protect her from a previously-invisible and now-visible coat of darkness that failed to bypass the shield. Likewise, this happened with her father too, with another barrier forming and stopping that attack.

It didn't take long for guards to rush in and seize the apostles. Their leader looked absolutely floored of what had just happened, same for Ariel as she didn't expect for this to happen, the attack and the barrier. Looking on herself, she noticed the cross-like necklace that her father had ordered to many to wore around, small glowing engravings in the middle of it. It was the source of the protective spell.

"H-How? This prayer never failed before?" The old fool exclaimed and the king grinned.

"Until now. You would be surprised by what Millis has found on your 'god'. The attack on Ser John Bukharin's wedding was the final proof for me to cement my suspicion- I will not house any malicious worshiper, nor I shall bow my head to a fake deity's demands. From now on, the Cult of Hitogami shall be branded as heretical and worthy of condemnation for an attempted assault on the royal family and an attempted effort to enforce the will of a fake deity upon the rule of law of the Asura Kingdom. For I so decree this."

There was some screaming and attempts to break from the group of guards, but all followers were removed from the throne room and Ariel gave her father a quizzical look. One that was met wiht a smile.

"Ever since what happened with Ser Bukharin, I have given more thoughts on questions of religious theme. I found this book gifted to me by pious men of Millis enlightening. I am sure you may like it too- it's imperfect and incomplete, of course, but many of the lessons taught there were viewed by that very man, Ser Bukharin."

The small tome was soon resting on her lap. "The... New Bible?"

Something told her that the content, like its content, was going to have some interesting elements for her to learn from. Alas, what really pleased Ariel was when her father asked her if she wanted to go out and check the local market with him. The book had urged him to 'lessen' his sinning for the sake of nurturing his heir after all. The indirect proclamation was not missed to Ariel, and the girl bore him a smile as she nodded at the offer.

Fixing this mess was not something within the next few years, but it was going to be now more possible than ever. In due time.

AN

Hitogami gets pushed back because who could have been his best ally has been browsing the little book born from the exchange of words between John and the Millis Priests. A new book is born, but it's not the OG Bible. Imagine a few positive lessons, add a little bit of Millis in there too, and then conclude with mentions of this being more of a 'moral book' than a religious one.

Still, a bit of a short chapter to expand on what will be discussed in next chapter regarding the brewing unrest all over Asura. Many will accept the new book, those followers of Hitogami that are either dumb or magically-influenced will try to fight back this prohibition. Things are about to get shaky and... Ghislaine get a job offer from a familiar figure in respect to their 'fierce daughter'.

Also, I recently posted a new story concept in the Pxtreon. Balor Over Hell is a DxD Fanfic with a SI!Gasper. It unfolds before the DxD plot and around Gasper's childhood. The MC goes Dio expy, but as a vampiric trap wanting a harem and having fun in the process.