The Corruption Dragon God: Lust System Chapter 430 He cannot be a chosen hero!

With a population of fifty million, the capital of the Rose Empire was a truly massive metropolis.

The city was guarded by walls extending for hundreds of kilometers, reaching heights of over one hundred meters. These fortifications were constructed from white concrete and decorated with magnificent golden towers that shimmered in the light.

Even with the immense height of the perimeter, three structures were so tall they could be seen from beyond the walls.

The first was the Pavilion of the Five Colours. Though its foreign architecture seemed peculiar to the locals, it was held in high regard. The establishment provided excellent wages, and the unique dishes served in its ground-floor restaurant were quite popular.

The second landmark was the capital's grand cathedral. A massive monument of gold and marble, its spires seemed to pierce the heavens, protected by formidable mana formations that pulsed around the perimeter.

On the entire continent, this served as the second most vital seat of power for the Church of Auranys.

Only the cathedral within the Divine Kingdom of Auranys—the residence of the Divine Queen and the faith's spiritual leader—surpassed it in terms of magnificence and influence.

Finally, there was the Imperial Palace.

Standing for more than five hundred thousand years, this fortress had witnessed the rise of illustrious emperors and the downfall of cruel tyrants. Despite the passage of countless generations, it remained unshakable.

Additionally, numerous magical towers circled the capital, though they were located on floating islands high above the city rather than within the walls themselves.

Currently, an atmosphere of unrest filled the great cathedral of Auranys.

Deep within the sanctuary, the presiding bishop knelt before a golden effigy of a woman wearing a kind expression.

While he possessed the youthful appearance of a man in his late twenties, he had actually lived for nearly sixty thousand years.

Having attained the Eleventh Ring—a level of power equal to the Ancestral Emperor's Kingdom—the bishop was a mere step away from the Twelfth Ring. He had lived through countless historical upheavals.

He remembered when the draconic elves, seeking vengeance for an invasion attempt, released the immortal-slayer Khaedryss. That butcher of empires had slaughtered five emperors and over half a billion people. He had also observed the recent emergence of demonic threats.

However, in all his long years, his goddess had never been silent. Until this moment.

With his eyes shut tight, the bishop remained on his knees, calling out to his deity repeatedly.

No answer came.

Strangely, the silence began right after Lucien—a candidate for the five heroes—arrived on the eastern continent and solidified his status through a duel. Though the bishop doubted there was a direct link, the timing was deeply unsettling.

Hearing the sound of hurried footsteps echoing from the distance, the bishop stood up with a heavy sigh.

A figure stepped through the massive golden entrance, his blonde hair illuminated by the light pouring through the decorative lancet windows.

This was Lucien. While he wasn't the most powerful hero yet, his presence held great weight and significance for the citizens of the capital.

"Your Holiness, I was told Aeryn is returning. Is the news accurate?"

Lucien inquired, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

His joy was genuine.

Since the incident involving Margareth, he hadn't felt much interest in women. That changed the moment he laid eyes on the three heroines who were destined to join his quest to eradicate evil.

His heart raced at the thought, and all his previous concerns regarding sin vanished instantly.

Margareth may have been taken from him, but that felt insignificant now. While Margareth was undoubtedly beautiful, comparing her to Aeryn was simply impossible; the difference was too vast.

Adding to Lucien's anticipation, the Divine Queen was becoming impatient with the delay in locating the final hero. It seemed she might soon command them to begin their holy mission immediately.

The prospect of being alone with three stunning heroines...

The mere thought made Lucien's mouth water.

"It is true," the bishop replied with a nod, though he felt a pang of disappointment as he observed the young man's expression.

Whatever Lucien was imagining, the bishop found it distasteful. He remembered a time when Lucien was too innocent to even contemplate such things.

Now, that restraint seemed to stem more from cowardice than actual purity of heart.

Ultimately, the bishop could only sigh in frustration.

As a man dedicated to the Goddess, Lucien would eventually need to learn that he should transcend worldly lusts and maintain his virtue without the need for a physical restraint like a chastity belt.

'Not that those women would ever want him anyway...' the bishop mused, recalling the time Lucien had attempted to embrace Aeryn. It had been a disaster; the cathedral's healers had spent a significant amount of time reconstructing Lucien's shattered teeth.

"Let us go. Aeryn should be arriving shortly," the bishop stated.

He moved through the opulent hallways, passing high-ranking paladins who bowed in respect, until they reached the courtyard. This area offered a view of the main thoroughfare, the black iron gates, and the surrounding gardens.

A commotion began as they looked toward the entrance. The gates swung open, and a woman appeared.

She possessed a beauty that surpassed anything the men present had ever witnessed.

Her graceful blonde hair swayed in the soft wind, and a single bead of sweat rolled down her elegant chin, falling onto her polished steel breastplate.

Lucien’s eyes widened as he took an eager step forward.

'Aeryn-sama!' he screamed internally, nearly shouting it aloud.

However, his excitement vanished in an instant.

Following behind her was a second individual, a man Lucien recognized instantly.

He was a young man from a different continent, possessing a face of unmatched beauty, usually seen in white robes with a calm smile.

Even though he was now dressed in black robes and his eyes had turned purple, Lucien knew him at a glance.

That man was Long Qingyi.

Lucien turned his gaze toward the bishop and unsheathed his sword, his eyes locking onto the pendant hanging from Qingyi’s neck.

"Your Holiness! This has to be a mistake! There is no way he is a chosen hero! He is a sinner! I have heard the voice of Auranys—the Goddess herself commanded me to strike him down!"

Lucien bellowed, his features twisted with pure fury.