Zeroy killed some pests and left others for the people to handle.
Among the pests, she kept a portion of the corpses for building a wonder.
This time, the wonder did not need to pursue extremes of gore and grotesquery, so decay was not a concern.
The site chosen was just outside the Imperial Capital.
First, she constructed the monolith's shape—using magic and Kaina's power to build four towering walls of transparent crystal, fitted together into the shell, or rather the mold, of a monolith.
Then corpses, mixed with solidifiers and preservatives, were poured in all at once. Once filled, she cast several spells and sealed the monolith at the top.
Thus, the monolith rose—333 meters tall.
Of course, its base was sealed deep underground as well.
People could only touch the crystal shell, so in terms of gore it seemed lighter, and there was no concern about rot poisoning the land.
However, it was not harmless.
Up close, people could see through the crystal into blood-soaked heaps of human corpses, crammed, pressed, and deformed together.
Even Patchouli winced when she saw it.
"How can you even make such a thing...?"
"Hm? Is there something wrong with this monolith?"
"Rather than a monolith, it's a monument of flesh..."
When Patchouli had suggested the monolith, she had imagined something else—mixing bones into concrete or stone, creating a monument. The remains would take on a stony color and texture, like carvings. Or simply carving stone to the same appearance.
"That sort of thing... I thought of it."
Zeroy nodded, then shook her head.
"But that wouldn't deter anyone. As time passed, the next generation might question its reality, forget their elders' warnings, even rebel against them."
The young, who hadn't lived through it, might think such a monument was just carved stone.
It would lose all force.
Zeroy's blood pressure spiked just thinking about it. She had seen too many stories in her past life where brats stirred up trouble like that.
"..."
Patchouli did not deny her reasoning. Such a situation was indeed likely. Zeroy was not wrong.
Still… it was bizarre. She always made choices that assaulted common sense.
Aside from the fact that the corpses could not be touched or smelled, in terms of gore and grotesquery this monolith was no less than towers or trees of flesh.
From a distance it looked ordinary. However, up close, one could see the gruesome scenes pressed against the crystal walls, even see one's own reflection in the pupils of the dead.
"As expected of you."
Zeroy pressed her hand down proudly. "Basic skill, nothing fancy."
She wore a smug look of pride.
"I wasn't complimenting you."
...
In the grand hall of the Imperial Palace, the sunset shone through tall windows onto the throne. There, Zeroy's figure appeared all the more divine and remote in the mingling light.
The great purge was done, the monolith of flesh rose outside the Capital, though the new order had yet to be built.
Zeroy sat on the throne, golden hair flowing down, emerald eyes glowing with unquestionable authority.
She summoned the leader of the Way of Tranquility—a man known for compassion and insight, guiding one of the few good forces on this land.
He entered the hall and looked up at the girl on the throne. His usual serene smile froze, eyes widening in shock: "God... is a girl?"
He had imagined the god of judgment and salvation countless times—perhaps the terrifying mechanical colossus with scarlet gaze, perhaps some ineffable being beyond human comprehension.
Never this—a girl so beautiful she seemed unearthly.
"What's wrong? Surprised to see me?"
The leader quickly bowed his head, voice heavy with guilt and awe. "Forgive me, Your Eminence... not only for my rudeness, but for Berlick, my assistant..."
His voice sank, thick with remorse. "I trusted him, but he was a spy sent by the ministers. Though he had just become my aide, he nearly used that role to commit unforgivable crimes. If not for your judgment..."
Zeroy arched a brow, her green eyes narrowing. "You are said to see into men's hearts. How were you deceived?"
She had heard that the leader was kind, a soft-hearted man with healing powers, foresight, and insight into hearts, able to remember every follower's name and number.
The leader gave a bitter smile, shaking his head humbly. "It is not true mind-reading. I am only more skilled than most at observing and discerning emotions and intent."
"As for Berlick... he hid too well. I failed to notice."
"I see." Zeroy nodded lightly, her eyes flashing. "Misusing men is a grave fault. It caused no disaster this time; that said, there must not be a next."
Such errors could be dire.
Even so, it was manageable—with her and the power of faith, things would be steadied.
"This land needs a new order. I will not remain long. The Revolutionary Army are but new vermin, unfit. The Way of Tranquility, though imperfect, is the most suitable choice."
"So from this day, you will govern this land in my stead. My power will aid you. Do you accept?"
...
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