The tension between them grew sharper by the second.
Though Emperor Denken and Archbishop Daniel stood separated by the mana projection—each in their own location—the air between their words was charged with hostility, as if they might burst into physical combat at any moment.
After a brief silence, Daniel gave an unexpected answer.
"What if I said… I did it for justice? Would you believe me?"
"…Heh. Heh-heh… Hahahahaha!"
Denken burst into wild, almost maniacal laughter, as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world.
Then suddenly, he thrust a finger toward Daniel's figure on the projection, his voice full of scorn.
"Justice? What a gloriously decorated word!"
"You people of the Church have never changed—not since the old days. How many loyal followers have you tricked into dying in the name of your so-called justice? A hundred? A thousand? Ten thousand?"
Daniel didn't flinch. He met the Emperor's accusation with calm detachment.
