Damien provoked many powerful enemies in his time, but he usually wasn't moving in a way where their influence could truly impede his path.
This time, it was different.
This time, there was no way to absolve himself of blame.
Currently, the starry sky had become the location of a second Grand Assembly.
Hundreds of Demigods gathered in this place and formed what felt like a panel of judges, facing Damien and putting massive pressure on him.
The live feed broadcasted across the universe did not cut off. The only projections that halted were those nearby anywhere the Nox could be.
The jury for this trial was the common people of the entire universe!
And the main judge seat was taken by Immortal Blood Asura. Even Luciel and Lucifer, who came later, were unable to shake his position.
"Damien Void, explain the reasoning behind your treason," he said, giving Damien no chance to claim innocence.
However, Damien didn't allow himself to be fazed. He had to make it through this if he wanted to keep his life!
"I did not commit treason," he responded resolutely.
"You showed mercy to a terror who plagued our universe for several decades! If not treason, then what is it?"
"My decision."
Damien looked the enemy in the eye and spoke with confidence.
It was important to prove his innocence, but first, he had to match Immortal Blood Asura's momentum, lest he be driven into a corner.
"Damien Void, do you refuse to comply?" Immortal Blood Asura uttered coldly.
"I do not. If you present me with a proper question, I will answer it without fail."
"Then, why did you do it? None of us are able to understand this so-called 'decision' you've made."
The one who spoke this time was Luciel, who added a semblance of civility to the conversation.
Damien nodded and responded in kind.
"I cannot state the exact reason, because I am uncertain if everyone watching truly feels the loyalty to our universe that they proclaim…" he started, directing a sidelong glance at Immortal Blood Asura.
"…however, I can swear a Mana Oath right here in front of our proud people that I have never and will never act against Grand Heavens Boundary."
Luciel nodded.
"Then do so. If what you say is true, then we can discuss your reasoning in a more private setting at a later date."
Mana Oaths we're not an end all be all, but in a situation where the truth absolutely needed to be confirmed, it was the best solution.
Because of the swearing party swore an Oath written by others with surety that loopholes weren't present, a Mana Oath could become absolute.
Such a case was this. With a panel of Demigods present, it didn't take long to flesh out Damien's oath.
After it was supported by a majority of the panel, it was presented to Damien, who swore it on the spot.
The iridescent blue mana of the universe swirled around him. An ethereal presence descended, like a massive eye judging his every facet.
And within a few seconds, this feeling disappeared.
Damien was indeed telling the truth.
"Regardless of your intent, you must be punished for making such an immature decision when the universe's fate sits on your shoulders," Immortal Blood Asura spoke, not allowing Damien's actions to affect the atmosphere.
"I suggest sending Damien Void to No Return Pass under Mana Oath to guard it without fail for 10 years!"
"10 years?!"
Murmurs rose from crowds in all parts of the world.
Damien might've made a terrible choice, but did it justify 10 years' worth of any punishment?
Besides, it wasn't just any punishment, but 10 years guarding No Return Pass.
The dangers of this place could be inferred from its name alone.
"Immortal Blood Asura, please leave personal feelings out of your judgement," Luciel said with a frown.
"Personal feelings? This is not personal in the slightest," Immortal Blood Asura responded, not losing his confidence.
"I have received reports from a reputable source that this man, Damien Void, has been seen making acquaintance with the enemy!"
"Do you have evidence?" Luciel asked.
"I do."
Immortal Blood Asura understood Damien's status. He understood that he couldn't give Damien a cruel punishment with just this event alone.
Naturally, he'd prepared something else.
Multiple projections lit up the starry sky.
The scenes in these projections showed Damien's interactions with a single person.
Zara.
Zara, whose presence he hid to avoid this exact situation, was now being used against him.
Damien frowned. Projections made by a Demigod were especially terrifying because one could perceive the scenes within.
For these Demigods, sensing the Nox bloodline in Zara's body wasn't difficult at all.
"Damien Void, what excuse will you use this time?" Immortal Blood Asura said, almost mockingly.
Damien's eyes were icy.
"None. That person is not an enemy, but one of our greatest allies. She was born to a Nox father, however, she has never had contact with him. She was born and raised as a citizen of our grand universe, and her allegiance lies here as well."
Damien was angry. Not just because Immortal Blood Asura was antagonizing Zara, but also because of how he gained the ability to do so.
Damien, his wives, Alea, and the Sanctuary's core personnel were the only ones who knew of Zara's true origin.
No, there were more.
The Saint Emperor and his subordinate Sebastian, who discovered her identity on Calypto.
There was only one place his information could have come from.
That man was a traitor.
And currently, he was trying to frame Damien as the same kind!
'Unbelievable…' he muttered inwardly in disdain.
The panel was currently discussing among themselves.
Along with his words, Damien provided his own memories of Zara, which depicted the many instances where she fought the Nox as if they were her worst enemy.
Because they were!
It was hard to say Zara was Nox-affiliated, because as more and more of these Demigods used their influence to find traces of her across the universe, as more information came in with every passing minute, it became clear that Zara only had a single allegiance.
Absolute loyalty to Damien.
And if Damien was already recognized by the universe as a guaranteed ally, wasn't it easy to prove her innocence?
Unfortunately, the world of politics didn't work so innocently.
More than her intent, the fact that Zara had Nox blood in her body took hold of people's hearts.
Perhaps she would be able to avoid punishment, but if she was found, she wouldn't be able to avoid strict monitoring.
And Damien was absolutely going to be punished.
One had to think from the perspective of a neutral party among the board of Demigods.
Immortal Blood Asura had long prepared for this moment, and a majority of Demigods were on his side.
Those who cared for their own self-interest more than the greater good chose to side with the man who had more influence.
Left neutral, with their aid unable to help the side supporting Damien, wasn't it better for them to support the majority?
It went to a vote.
There was no anonymity allowed in such a setting.
And in the end, over half of the panel supported Immortal Blood Asura.
10 years in No Return Pass.
Was this to be Damien's fate?
He frowned to himself.
Punishment was unavoidable, and if he acted unsightly here, he'd lose the hearts of the people.
He couldn't deny accountability.
If he wanted to accomplish his goals, if he wanted to repeat the miracles he performed in the Human Domain to build the Sanctuary, he couldn't lose the support of those people.
"I will accept my punishment," he said, his gaze not losing its light.
"However, I'd like to make a proposition."
Luciel's gaze contained a great deal of worry. He couldn't make the situation better right now, but he didn't want Damien to make it any worse!
But now that he'd said it, there was no way to avoid it.
"What is it you wish to say?" He asked, taking control before Immortal Blood Asura could direct the narrative.
"5 years," Damien responded.
"Hm?"
"I will guard No Return Pass for 5 years."
"Are you trying to talk your way out of discipline now? How cowardly," Immortal Blood Asura snorted.
However, Damien shook his head.
"You misunderstood. I want you to shorten my sentence to 5 years, but not for free. In return…"
The fire burning in his eyes flickered.
"…I will create a miracle."
