Under the verbal abuse of everyone in the Eternal Sanctum, the sinners were pushed onto the central platform, where they kneeled and faced the world with their heads held high.

Even in a situation like this, they didn't seem to fear anything or feel shame for what they had done. Their expressions were resolute and full of contempt toward their fellow humans around them.

Amon stood before them and said, his voice level and lacking his usual lazy tone, "Normally, we're supposed to let you speak your last words, but sinners of humanity have no rights. The moment you decided to betray us, you sealed your fate."

He raised his head, refusing to even look at them, and said, "Our enemies knew a direct assault would fail. Aside from His Majesty, there are many Guardians of humanity present here, not to mention the Elves and even House Valeria. A direct assault would only push them into an unfavorable position."

His monocle glistened as he continued, the Eternal Sanctum and the whole Empire listening with full attention.

"So they chose a different method. They used humanity's greed against us and planted these people here. I don't think I need to tell you how they managed to get past our security."

All eyes fell on Duke Constantine, a major pillar of the Empire. They were still shocked at how the Demons had once again managed to get a high-ranking noble on their side, but it only increased their hatred further, especially among those who already despised him.

It wasn't hard to guess who had managed to open security for the other people. Being a Duke, Constantine had that privilege.

"Seems like you've guessed it," Amon smiled slightly and said. "But you're wrong. Even a Duke can't get past our security so easily. The reason they managed to get through was because of the way our enemies chose them."

Seeing their confused faces, Amon turned around and explained.

"As you can observe, they are weak. So weak that they can't do anything here, and they're also normal humans with minimal changes in their physiques. That's because they weren't supposed to attack us, but kill themselves."

He snapped his fingers, and one of the kneeling figures' upper robes burst open, revealing a skinny, thin chest. At first, nobody noticed anything, but soon his chest began to glow in complex patterns.

A Rune Formation.

"Yes, the Demons carved Rune Formations into their bodies, turning them into suicide explosives. Their Race Essence would fuel the Rune Formations and then explode. At most, it would have killed a few, but this was just a message, nothing else. That was their goal."

Hearing Amon's words, the nobles felt their blood run cold. The Demons were simply too vicious. While Amon called them weak, the sinners were anything but that.

Many of them were Rank 5 and Rank 6, which meant their Essence was potent enough to cause a massive explosion capable of taking down several of the same or even higher ranks.

And there were many of them.

If they had succeeded, countless nobles would have died before the entire Empire. The message wasn't for the nobles or even the Emperor, but for all of humanity.

They wanted to create terror, and who benefited more from humanity's negative emotions than the Creatures of Darkness, the fellow kin of Demons?

Just the thought was chilling enough.

"We anticipated such tricks, but raw power is limited in other areas, like the domain of RuneMasters. They can create Rune Formations capable of remaining hidden even from someone like me and His Majesty."

Amon patted Kai's shoulder as he spoke.

"So we left this task to our most knowledgeable RuneMaster. He created several counter Rune Formations over the last few months, specifically so that humanity could remain safe from our enemies. One of those counters managed to find these sinners before they could commit their terrible acts. So please give a round of applause for this man. He deserves that respect."

Everyone stood up from their seats, giving Kai the respect he deserved for preventing such a tragedy. They were also deeply grateful to him.

"Now then, we move on to the greater sin," Amon said, turning toward Duke Constantine. "I'll show you his true colors."

Taking out a blue flask from his pocket, Amon poured its contents over the short man's head. The liquid instantly vaporized the Duke's hair as a set of three horns began growing from his scalp afterward.

"You actually sold your soul to such a lowly demon race?" Amon scoffed. "Even demons would look down on you."

"Not like you all didn't already," Constantine spat and snorted. "Just kill me already, you hypocrites. You humans didn't let me live with pride, but I'll die with my head held high."

"You failed. You had one task, but you couldn't even do that. There's nothing to take pride in there." Amon turned around after saying that. "And your death won't be peaceful. As a former human, you should know what sinners get, but this time, your punishment will be greater."

He snapped his fingers as Constantine collapsed and convulsed, vomiting his tongue out.

"You don't need that any longer." Amon's cold voice resounded in his head as his insides began to rebel against him, his consciousness suffering from terrible torture born of endless reflections.

Amon adjusted his monocle once again and shifted his gaze toward Samuel, his smile returning. "As the Ruler of the Human Domain, please bring down judgment on these sinners, Your Majesty."

Samuel's gaze had turned cold long before all of this even began. In response, he spoke, his voice echoing everywhere as the world itself seemed to shudder around them.

"They turned into sinners because House Valeria initiated this peace treaty. Hence, they are also House Valeria's sinners. So I will let House Valeria decide their punishment."

Amon nodded in understanding before turning his gaze toward Rovan, standing right below Samuel's throne. "So, what will it be?"

"I am but an Elder of House Valeria, Sir Amon," Rovan said. "I can't make such decisions in my Young Master's presence."

"Well then, the new Supreme will decide their punishment," Amon smiled and turned toward Aegon. "So, what will it be? Remember, show no mercy."

"I hold no kindness for Demons or anyone related to them," Aegon replied instantly. "As for their punishment, we will do this the Valerian way. Let Dragon Fire consume them."

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