Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1309: Making Aether guilty: Part-2

’Are we certain this is all an act?’ Kaelen wondered.

The elders sensed the shift and exchanged quick glances with the High Priests and followers—a silent agreement passed between them, a temporary alliance forged in necessity.

A temporary truce!

To bring Aether here, they would have to stand together.

One elder leaned toward Kaelen and whispered urgently. Kaelen nodded, then raised his voice, ”If you truly speak the truth, then bring forth Aether. Let us see him with our own eyes.”

Sandra’s gaze snapped to Kaelen. He flinched involuntarily, but the elders’ hands were firm on his shoulders, steadying him.

They too felt the weight of her presence, but none could afford to retreat now. This, they realised, was exactly the kind of ordeal an emperor must endure—confrontation, pressure, and the will to stand unbroken.

The High Priests leaned in, whispering into the Saintess’s ear, their words urgent and pleading. The Saintess hesitated, her uncertainty plain, before raising her voice so all could hear,

”Our Archpriest still holds his title, and so... he has an obligation to meet with us and clarify the situation.”

Sandra’s eyes flickered to her, but before she could respond, Kaelen added,

”Yes, I agree. Even if we were to accept your explanation, the truth remains—he owes it to them, and to all of us, to speak for himself. He must decide whether to hold that title or lay it down.”

The High Priests broke into quiet, relieved smiles, grateful for the support.

Sandra’s lips twitched in irritation before she snorted,”Very well... If that is your wish...” She raised a hand in a single gesture toward the maids stationed around the chamber, each one having watched the proceedings in silence.

Why so many maids close at hand? That was unusual. Sandra had never allowed attendants to linger so near the throne before.

Because Aether had asked for it.

Even now, Sandra was unsure of his reasons. He could have stepped in himself, but for reasons known only to him, he’d chosen to stay hidden for now. She still could not understand why.

The maids, understanding their Empress’s silent command, slipped quickly from the throne room.

Sandra’s expression turned solemn, ”Let me warn you all... whatever else you might think, that man belongs here. He grew beneath our sky. We fed him, protected him. Our land shaped him—”

”With slave status?” one of the Followers blurted, rage making his voice tremble. But he lowered his head in fear, unable to meet Sandra’s gaze.

Sandra stared him down without flinching. ”Yes. And what of it? Even if he began as a slave, it was this land that gave him a future. Unlike you, who abandoned him when he needed you most.”

The High Priests and Followers clenched their fists, teeth grinding with guilt and frustration.

There was nothing they could say, no defence against the truth.

A few of the Elders, unable to help themselves, chuckled softly at the exchange. Sandra turned on them instantly, her eyes narrowing. The sudden attention made the Elders flinch in their seats. Sandra allowed herself a cold smirk,

”You find it funny? Even as your own people exploited every opportunity, clawing their way up, hurting and destroying whatever stood in their path?”

Now the Elders fell silent, lowering their head.

Sandra shook her head... In truth, she had been surprised by the uproar—she’d expected her own empire to rebel after the choices she’d made, but now.... No matter what rulers did, the people always found a reason to be displeased.

Perhaps that was the true curse of being a ruler?

Then,

Thud!

The great doors parted, a bright light spilling into the chamber. A figure stepped forth—black-haired, his silhouette wreathed in a halo of radiance.

The Beloved... Hero had returned at last, after so many days.

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”MY GOD!!”

”ARCHPRIEST!!”

The High Priests and Followers rose so abruptly from their chairs that their legs nearly gave way, stumbling in their haste and falling to their knees before Aether.

Their eyes lifted, but in the radiance spilling from the doorway, Aether’s face was lost in brilliance, a silhouette surrounded by pure light.

”My goodness...”

”You shine so brightly!”

”You are our light!”

”Our hope—”

”Just close the door. The light is blinding!” Sandra interrupted, her tone flat and unamused, making the Followers and High Priests falter, their lips twitching in embarrassed agreement.

As the maids quickly closed the great doors, the glare faded. At last, everyone could see—Aether stood before them.

The followers immediately bowed their heads to the floor before him, voices trembling,

”P-Please forgive us, Archpriest.”

”I—I will do anything for you... please, do not abandon us.”

”We are so sorry, Archpriest.”

”So sorry... may our sins be forgiven... Please... Archpriest...”

Tears spilled onto the marble... Their voices cracked with desperation and shame.

The High Priests pressed their palms together, heads lowered in prayer, ”Our people need you, Archpriest.”

”We have learned our lesson... please, grant us one more chance... Please, God!”

The sight of so much pleading brought a heavy silence.

The Elders glanced toward the Archpriestess and Saintess, who remained composed and still, unmoved from their places. The Elders exchanged silent looks and nodded in unspoken agreement.

One of them leaned toward Kaelen and said quietly, ”You stay here, Your Majesty.”

Meanwhile, Aether gazed down at the kneeling assembly, his expression gentle but weary. His voice was soft, carrying a mix of humility and sorrow.

”Please, stand up... I am not worthy for you to kneel before me. Please, rise.”

A wave of emotion broke through the crowd.

”Oh, God! No! You are more worthy than anyone could ever be...”

”Yes, please do not be humble... You are the only one we follow!”

”Please, Archpriest, come to us... our people are broken without you!”

They remained kneeling at his feet, desperation and hope mingling in every word. Aether rubbed his forehead, a troubled shadow in his eyes as he glanced at the Archpriestess. ”Can you do something about this?” he asked quietly.

The Archpriestess let out a weary sigh, ”You are making this difficult. Enough—stand up, all of you.”

”But... but this... our Archpriest... is finally here, among us again,” one follower managed, tears sparkling on their cheeks.

The Archpriestess’s stern expression softened, a gentle smile breaking through. ”I understand your devotion and faith, truly. But we must remain focused on what matters now. If we allow ourselves to lose sight, we might lose him forever.”

Her words struck with the clarity of bells in fog. The group flinched as realisation dawned, nodding desperately, hope and fear mingling in their eyes. Yes—they had to claim their Archpriest, bring him to their side, before fate or rulers or gods made the choice for them.

Slowly, they rose to their feet, faces streaked with tears, yet struggling to find brave smiles.

”P-Please forgive us...” they said, almost in unison, shame and hope entwined in every word.

They reached out with trembling hands, taking Aether’s hand with reverence,

”Please come and sit with us. Let us feel, even for a moment, that you are one of us again.” Gently, almost reverently, they tried to guide him to their seats.

But before Aether could move—

”Lord Aether...”

Aether paused... Five Elders had stepped forward, their faces marked with kindness and old sorrow, each wearing a gentle, welcoming smile.

”You may not know us well,” said the first elder, voice soft as velvet. ”But we have known you for years, through stories and the memories of others. Our Princess Aria—she speaks of you often, and of the bond that formed between you. She tells us of the love you inspired in her heart.”

Everyone was shocked... even Aria flinched in shock, ’When did I ever tell them that? These assholes...’ she mused, half-amused, half-annoyed.

Another elder stepped closer, voice trembling with conviction. ”We are honoured to finally stand before you. When you risked your life to save us from the dragon’s wrath, despite having every reason to turn away from us... you showed a mercy we did not deserve.” The elder’s hand clenched, knuckles white with shame. ”We were wrong... Yet you still chose to save us.”

A third elder interrupted softly, ”Yet you stood by us regardless. You protected us not only from enemies without, but from the darkness within ourselves. For that, we are grateful—for the rest of our lives.” The group bowed, a gesture laden with both regret and respect.

Aether gently pulled his hands free from the High Priests and followers, turning to face the elders.

His face was kind, yet the lines of exhaustion and quiet humility were clear. ”I only did what was right,” he said, voice quiet but steady. ”There is no need for bowing. Please, lift your heads. I am only a man.”

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Moved by his words, the elders’ smiles widened with relief and gratitude.

”Oh, what goodness you hold in your soul,” one elder whispered, voice cracking. ”If only more men in this world were like you, what peace we might have found.”

”Of course he would be!” scoffed one of the High Priests, ”He is the Archpriest. There has never been another like him.”

However, they ignored him and said,

”We are truly grateful to have you on our side, Lord Aether...”

One elder’s voice trembled with genuine feeling. Another leaned forward, his hand gesturing gently toward Aria. ”Princess Aria has been so lonely all this time without you... Look at her, see the loneliness on her face.”

All eyes turned to Aria. For a heartbeat, she froze—memories flickering behind her gaze. Just hours ago, she had kissed him, sucked him... Her heart hammered with annoyance and amusement in equal measure. ’Bastards, if only you knew what really happened today,’ she thought.

Aether’s features softened, sadness clouding his eyes. ”I... I... didn’t know,” he admitted, voice barely above a whisper.

”It’s fine, it’s fine... You’ve been busy protecting the empires. We understand, Lord Aether,” the elders replied, their tone gentle and calm, as if soothing a child after a storm.

As they spoke, they motioned with open hands to the empty space beside Aria. ”Please, sit beside Princess Aria. Give her the reassurance she seeks—the comfort of your presence, the warmth of your love. She has endured enough loneliness.”

Another elder’s eyes twinkled with mischief. ”Yes, if you wish, you may even take her aside for a while... have a deep conversation, just the two of you. There is much the heart can say away from prying eyes.” He winked.

Aether looked genuinely taken aback, mild surprise flickering across his features. ”W-Well... I’m not sure that would be appropriate...” His words faltered as he glanced at Sandra.

”Enough with the chitchat...” She waved her hand, signalling everyone to return to order.

Still, the followers and elders hesitated, longing and expectation written across their faces.

Sandra’s gaze swept over the rulers—each of whom snapped to attention and spoke in unison, ”Get back...”

The elders, the High Priests and followers obeyed, returning to their seats.

Sandra motioned for Aether to sit at the opposite end of the grand table, at the very front and centre. He nodded as he sat, he looked around, meeting every gaze with calm but faintly guilty eyes.

Sandra leaned back, lips curled into a knowing smirk, ”Tell them the truth, Aether. Do you wish to return with them, or will you remain here... with us, forever?”

Every face turned serious, breath held, the moment heavy with expectation.

Aether inhaled deeply, steadying himself. He nodded once, preparing to answer, ”Yes, I want to s—”

Before he could finish...

”Before that... let us talk first.”

Maelona sat with her hands folded, a calculating look in her eyes.