Chapter 195

It is commonly believed that the Three Gods reside in a place called the Sun Palace. Here, “sun” does not refer to any architectural structure or symbol but rather our very own sun.

Although the Three Gods have never explicitly mentioned their dwelling place, this belief has become almost universally accepted due to one simple reason:

Range.

The power of the Three Gods extends from the sun as its center point. In terms of distance, it roughly spans about 1 billion kilometers—enough to include Jupiter but falling just short of reaching Saturn.

What this means is that committing a crime on terraformed Mars or near Wood would result in being marked, while doing so near Soil would leave you unmarked. Despite the immense power of the Three Gods, even they cannot enforce their laws across the entire universe.

On the other hand… it’s difficult to escape within that physical range.

Whether on Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, or any inhabited station between them, lying would elongate one’s nose, and committing sins would leave an indelible mark. The situation remained the same even when entering sealed spaces or subspace. It was challenging to be free from the Three Gods’ gaze, even with ultimate magic used for protection.

In other words:

Strictly speaking, Ardenia should also fall within that range since I’m here on Earth.

However, reality differed.

There were no laws of the Three Gods anywhere in Ardenia. By modern sensibilities, this medieval realm was truly hellish. If the power of the Three Gods had been present, such discriminatory practices—akin to a lunatic killing people out of boredom or because they annoyed him—and witch hunts could not have persisted.

Well, it makes sense. Even divine powers can’t influence someone else’s inner world. No matter how different this place is from an ordinary inner realm…

The Three Gods couldn’t perceive Ardenia or exert their power there. This remained true even after I became a priestess of the Honor God. The effect of my powers didn’t diminish either. My honor rank was merely gold on Earth with its population of over ten billion, but here in Ardenia, it elevated to platinum.

This clearly indicated that the honor I received on Earth and the honor supplied by Ardenia were distinctly separate entities.

In other words, this means that Ardenia exists within the domain of the Honor God’s power.

Despite being subject to such divine authority, I felt no influence from its source. Not only did the Honor God not interfere with events here, but it seemed entirely unaware that its power was being wielded in another world altogether.

I could tell just by looking at the text before me:

The Honored God isn’t paying attention to me. No, it’s beyond that… My honor rank on Earth has fallen.

My honor rank had dropped from gold to silver. Unlike in Ardenia, where I could manifest even high-grade elixirs, on Earth I was limited to creating ordinary equipment or foodstuffs. It was a stark reminder of how far my reputation had plummeted.

“Phew.”

I took stock of my thoughts and reviewed my plan.

Yes. If I use this situation… It might be possible.

Those Celestial Society fools were laboring under a grave misconception. They assumed the Three Gods managed Earth-34 like emotionless systems, but they failed to consider that these beings were not truly heartless automatons.

Even though justice is being distorted and has become a pressing social issue, it’s not that the God of Justice can’t intervene—it’s simply observing the situation for the right moment.

It’s akin to how during the mock rebellion in Ardenia, I didn’t act immediately upon receiving intelligence but waited until they had fully gathered and actually risen against me.

In other words, the God of Justice is watching everything, and if my broadcast could create the ‘right moment’ he’s waiting for…

I’ll become the priest of the God of Justice. If I’m lucky, even an apostle.

If the God of Justice cannot perceive Ardenia, then naturally, having his power would be beneficial. While there are no fools who dare oppose the Emperor of the Human Empire, the stagnant system is gradually beginning to rot.

Dealing with those who openly defy me is simple enough; I can always break their heads. However, controlling those who bow before my face while scheming behind my back is impossible. Introducing the power of the God of Justice in Ardenia would be immensely useful for various reasons.

“Yes. Let them see clearly.”

“Jaeyeon?”

A voice suddenly interrupts my thoughts, causing me to open my eyes.

“You alright?”

A girl dressed in a cute dress approaches as I’m getting my makeup done. This charming woman, known as both the eternal magical girl and the nation’s MC, is Kang Boram - host of the talk show I’ve decided to appear on, Truth Room.

I quickly organize my thoughts about the God of Justice before responding.

“I’m fine. It’s just… this is my first time doing such a broadcast. Do you have any advice?”

My question seemed to plunge Boram into momentary contemplation. Despite her adorable young appearance, she was a seasoned broadcaster who had attended high school with the Game Master—an elder stateswoman whose name had resonated throughout South Korea and, indeed, all of Earth-34 for many years.

After a beat, she spoke: “Show them your true self.”

“My true self?” I echoed, seeking clarification.

Boram nodded affirmatively. “Yes. At its core, variety shows are about revealing oneself to others. While acting or adopting a persona isn’t inherently bad, if you want to truly connect with people, you must lay bare your authentic self. If you present yourself as you genuinely are, that in itself will be captivating enough.”

“Be myself…” I repeated, mulling over her words.

“That’s right,” Boram continued. “Even beyond your appearance, you possess an aura—a unique presence—that sets you apart.”

I frowned at his unnecessary comment.

“What do you mean by ‘separately’?”

“Shut up. You’re just too damn tall… Even when sitting down, I have to crane my neck.”

I watched Bora grumbling as she moved ahead before thinking:

Is this how it feels?

There was no nervousness. Most people—no, even actors or celebrities unaccustomed to appearing on TV shows—would be anxious about being in front of others. But for me, standing before an audience wasn’t anything special.

After all, I am the Emperor—a being above humanity, revered by every citizen of the Empire.

“Then let’s begin. Third Transcendent! Second-generation immigrant, Apostle of the Game Master, Han Jaeyeon!”

At Bora’s call, I stepped onto the set. Despite being a variety show, there were no grandiose music or thunderous applause—the mood nowadays was subdued.

An audience of roughly 300 to 400 people stared at me.

Boram spoke up.

“You’ve all heard the story before, but I’m sure this is the first time most of you will see him in person. Would you mind introducing yourself?”

I nodded at her words.

“I am Han Jaeyeon. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The filming began. Boram skillfully guided the conversation. We covered my current situation, questions about the Five Dragons, discussions on Star Dragon, the psychic abilities I used, the difficulties during training, idle chatter about Game Masters, and even episodes from Survival Island.

Boram sometimes laughed, sometimes marveled as she led the talk.

A pro is truly a pro.

Just by answering her questions, the shoot progressed smoothly. Without needing to try and make things more interesting, our dialogue created scenes that would captivate the entire audience.

And then…

“Hmm. This is a delicate question, but… are you alright with the stigma issue?”

The final topic had arrived.

“I’ve been accused a few times, but it’s not an immediate problem. It’s not something that would warrant police intervention or legal proceedings.”

On Earth-34, laws naturally exist. Even if I bear the mark of sin… since my father’s death has already been ruled as suicide, there’s insufficient grounds for the police to detain me.

In the early stages of the “Justice Crisis,” they might have locked me up along with other disciples of the God of Justice, but now, even the police are at a loss due to this unprecedented situation.

“Well, considering it’s the great sin of killing one’s own kin, the stigma is rather small and faint.”

Whether a stigma is inscribed or not is determined by a vote within the realm of consciousness, but the magnitude of evil contained in a crime is merely an illusion.

Both the crime of murdering a person and the crime of humiliating someone on the internet could receive more than half the votes and be inscribed with a stigma, but their size, color, and vitality would be completely different.

“Father…”

I think quietly.

It was too long ago for me. Thirty-five years in Ardenia. If you add the time on Earth, it was nearly fifty years ago. Yet it comes vividly to mind.

“My father was a member of the Imperial Family. And my mother was a maid who had served him since childhood. When they emigrated to Earth-34, such burdens no longer existed… But they couldn’t accept that.”

I slowly began to unfold my story. I was surprised at how easily the words flowed from me. Before going to Ardenia, there were certain things I would never have spoken of aloud—things I wouldn’t even share with my closest friends or beloved partners.

My father’s suicide had been such a traumatic experience for me.

But now…

Instead of confiding in close friends or lovers, I found myself sharing these intimate details on national television—or perhaps even globally broadcasted programs—and yet, surprisingly, my heart remained remarkably calm amidst it all.

Have I truly become stronger?

Strength isn’t defined by being razor-sharp like a blade, devoid of any vulnerabilities. In the past, when I picked fights with others over trivial matters or reacted explosively whenever someone touched upon my pride, it wasn’t because I possessed a strong character—it was precisely because I lacked one.

Only the truly strong can reveal their weaknesses without hesitation.

I… found myself looking at someone who could face past wounds with ease.

“The tragedy of an immigrant unable to let go of the past…”

“How irresponsible. To… commit suicide there?”

“My God…”

The sound of people’s lamentations gradually faded away. In the darkness, I saw a boy with an unnaturally sturdy body for his age.

His mother was crying. She was screaming and cursing.

On the other hand, the child with no mana fought against his father, an expert. His cheeks were bruised, teeth missing, one eye barely open, one arm and ribs broken—but he wasn’t crying.

His heart was merely burning with a wild, purposeless anger.

I looked at him. He had a large frame for his age, but he was malnourished and small. I got down on one knee to meet his eyes.

“Don’t waver.”

The boy looked at me. I also looked at the boy.

“Be like a massive pillar. Become strong enough to carry everything like an ancient giant.”

”…”

The boy didn’t answer, but his distorted expression changed into that of a steadfast man.

”…What… is this…?”

“This is during the broadcast…?”

“Keep the camera steady…! A spiritual wave is coming!”

My inner force began to fluctuate even though I wasn’t circulating it intentionally. The great instrument nurtured in Ardenia for ten years started rotating by itself, as if awakening. It would soon become a huge flow that would engulf the entire world.

Whoosh… whoosh… whoosh!

“Aargh! My mana!”

“What is this? Some kind of absorption technique? No, it seems like my mana is still intact.”

“No, just… just the flow sweeping up everything around me?”

In an instant, the quality of all the mana in the atmosphere drastically changed. The vessel that had been half-empty suddenly filled completely.

At last, the Late Bloomer was complete.

The flowing river gathered into a sea.

And within that sea, ‘special things’ began to stir.

Rumble!

But the changes didn’t stop there. The elements, once bound together organically, now responded to enlightenment.

Click!

I had opened the Earth Gate through ten years of training, but that was only the beginning. The Heaven Gate, which I had thought would take eons to reach, opened without any pain or transformation, as if it had simply been waiting for its time.

“Oh no… This can’t be happening…”

“Is this even possible? I’m not even thirty yet…”

“A multiple Transcendent… Good Lord. Isn’t he among the top-tier Transcendents on Earth-34?”

Finally, when I opened my eyes…

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of hundreds of cameras suddenly swarming around me.

Ah, the plan…

My intention had been to explain my story, hoping it would dispel any negative feelings towards me. Then, I planned to discuss immigration and justice with everyone.

However, in that moment, as I became an absolute master while simultaneously opening the Heavenly Gate, achieving the true state of a Chakra Grand Master—the realm of Atman—

And with all these moments unfolding right before the live audience—

This isn’t part of the plan…

The atmosphere at the filming site was no longer conducive to discussing justice.