Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

"I hope Qin Shi Huang is strong enough to stand against the United States," Illya said, equally hopeful.

Let's not forget, she had been targeted twice by the Pantheon of the United States before.

The first time, they sent the Hundred-Faced Hassan to try and take her to the United States as a lab rat.

The second time, they outright sent the God of War.

Daring to send the God of War here clearly showed they didn't give a damn about China's Qin Shi Huang!

Just then.

Roya suddenly gasped and exclaimed, "Quick, check the news!"

"What's wrong?"

Souma watched as she handed him her phone, pointing to the breaking news headline.

The title read—

[The Seven Deadly Sins of China's Qin Shi Huang!]

The publisher of the article was none other than—

[The Pantheon of the United States]

Roya said in shock, "Damn, the United States is really trying to tear off all pretenses now!"

Before this, both sides had been going back and forth, fiercely opposing and targeting each other.

But it had all stayed at the lowest level, never touching the true core.

Now, the United States had the audacity to publish the "Seven Deadly Sins" of Qin Shi Huang—clearly declaring all-out war.

Qin Shi Huang—the absolute core of China, the eternal emperor worshipped by millions.

Even if he had merits and flaws, only his own people had the right to speak of them.

What gives the United States the right to say this so publicly?

Souma was also stunned.

He had just been wondering why the United States had remained silent after he killed the God of War. Turns out, they were waiting for this.

Just as Athena had said, the Pantheon of the United States was fully prepared for war.

A bunch of lunatics!

No—after completing their mechanical ascension and becoming powerful machine gods, they had truly stopped being human!

So, what exactly were these so-called "Seven Deadly Sins"?

[First Sin: Greed. Emperor Ying Zheng of Qin plundered the wealth of the world, arrogantly seeking to monopolize all riches.]

???

Souma was instantly dumbfounded.

Are you sure you're talking about Qin Shi Huang and not Gilgamesh?

"In Ode to the Epang Palace, it's recorded that after Qin Shi Huang conquered the six states, he gathered all the wealth of the world into the Epang Palace. Is this what they're referring to?" Roya paused, looking baffled. "This happened over two thousand years ago. Is the United States really using an ancient sword to strike at the present-day Qin Shi Huang?"

"Well, seems about right for the United States," Illya said, unsurprised.

Given the United States's domineering nature, if they wanted to cause trouble, they'd accuse you of possessing weapons of mass destruction just for carrying a bag of laundry detergent.

As for why they didn't target China?

Because China actually has them!

Even in the 21st century, truth still lies within the range of artillery fire!

[Second Sin: Gluttony. For every piece of meat Qin Shi Huang eats, a puff of smoke rises from the forests of the United States! Squandering food wantonly, worsening the world's environment!]

"..."

Souma suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

This is what they're using as evidence?

Without hesitation, he flipped the bird toward the east.

You guys waste more food than anyone else in the world, yet you dare accuse Qin Shi Huang—who barely even eats—of gluttony?

After all, Qin Shi Huang possessed a holy body and normally had no need to eat at all.

The only times he required meals were during state banquets held to entertain heroic spirits from various nations.

Additionally, when guests visited him, they would be drawn to the lavish dishes prepared by Souma, prompting him to eat heartily.

This made Souma feel particularly sorry for him.

Despite possessing everything, he had lost the simple pleasures of ordinary people.

[Third Sin: Envy! Qin Shi Huang envies the cutting-edge black technology of the United States, envies its effortless moon landings, and envies the overwhelming power of its gods, leading him to obsessively target the Lighthouse!]

"Ah, this..."

Souma found himself even more at a loss for words.

Would the mighty King of the Lostbelt really need to envy their meager technology?

This kind of claim gave him the impression of a dung beetle clutching its prized ball of waste, terrified someone might steal it.

Roya sighed. "It must be admitted, the United States has been decades ahead of the world in technology."

Those people obtained twelve Machine Gods and, within a century, rose from a minor regional power to become the world's dominant force.

Their black technology emerged endlessly.

They were also the first to land on the moon.

Rumors persisted that the United States had acquired even more terrifying black technology from the moon, cementing its absolute supremacy and allowing it to recklessly print money to exploit the entire world.

"True, China's technological prowess still can't match the United States's, but to say it's envy is a stretch."

Illya clenched her fists. "So what if they reached the moon? According to our plans, we'll achieve the same in just a few years. What's there to boast about?"

The United States' technology was indeed unparalleled.

This was an undeniable fact acknowledged by everyone.

Those people, after all, had obtained extraterrestrial Machine Gods, granting them black technology capable of overwhelming all other nations.

The worries of the two little girls only made Souma's expression grow even more peculiar.

Alright, it seems everyone's understanding is still only skin-deep.

Hopefully, after the next video is released, your jaws won't drop in shock.

[Fourth Sin: Sloth! Qin Shi Huang became the ruler of China, yet he delegated all his work to others, showing no intention of leading the people toward a happy future!]

Roya glanced at this comment and quipped, "Why does this feel like a dig at Zhuge Liang?"

"Uh, now that you mention it, it kinda does?"

Illya was equally stunned.

If there was anyone in China known for working themselves to the bone, it was definitely Prime Minister Zhuge!

That prime minister had devoted himself entirely to the Han dynasty, laboring until his last breath.

And after manifesting as a Heroic Spirit, he immediately threw himself into working overtime for China.

News like "Prime Minister Zhuge worked nonstop for seven days and nights" frequently made the rounds.

When the Absolute Demonic Front video was released and everyone saw the wise king who had died from overwork, the first person they thought of was Prime Minister Zhuge.

Meanwhile.

At the Epang Palace.

The assembled Heroic Spirits of China all turned their gazes toward the prime minister in the distance.

Chen Gong shook his head lightly. "Liang, I told you to take a break. See? Now people are accusing His Majesty of being lazy!"

"There's a traitor among us! Admit it, was this your idea to give the West ammunition?"

Everyone stared at him.

Zhuge Liang was utterly shocked. "I'm innocent! Your Majesty, this old servant loves overtime! Overtime is what makes me happy!"

This accusation was clearly aimed at him.

To an outsider, it might look like he was using this to protest against Qin Shi Huang.

But the problem was—he genuinely loved governance.

Watching a nation rise from poverty to prosperity under his hands gave him an indescribable thrill.

"Prime Minister Zhuge..."

Qin Shi Huang stared at him expressionlessly and, under the man's panicked gaze, declared: "You may take a vacation."

"No, no, Your Majesty! This servant only wishes to work overtime!" Zhuge Liang swore without hesitation.

The other Heroic Spirits all glared at him.

Zhuge Liang blinked in surprise. "Huh? What's wrong? Don't you all want to work overtime too?"

"..."

Chen Gong and every other Heroic Spirit present suddenly felt the urge to strangle him.

You workaholic demon, must you drag everyone else into your grind?

You're an immortal Heroic Spirit—why are you still pulling all-nighters like your life depends on it?!

Grind! Grind until you drop dead!

[Fifth Sin: Lust! Qin Shi Huang indulges his desires without restraint, ruling as an absolute dictator who tolerates no dissent—utterly undemocratic and unfree!]

[Sixth Sin: Wrath! Under Qin Shi Huang's tyranny, he arrogantly declared that anyone who dared criticize him would have their entire clan executed—a true tyrant!]

Chen Gong turned to the prime minister beside him. "Liang, this is your fault!"

If this guy hadn't been so obsessed with arranging a political marriage between the [Imperial Tutor] Nameless and King Arthur to secure Britain's wealth, would His Majesty have ever issued an order to exterminate nine generations of a family?!

"I'm innocent!" Zhuge Liang was on the verge of tears.

They say the imperial family is the most ruthless.

The emperor's wrath could leave a million corpses in its wake.

But who could've guessed that Nameless was so important in Qin Shi Huang's eyes that he was practically considered a co-ruler of the empire?!

This was insane.

If Nameless had been a woman, Qin Shi Huang would've undoubtedly made him empress!

Oh, right—His Majesty had no gender to begin with, so Nameless didn't even need to change.

If he really wanted to, he could've just turned the [Imperial Tutor] into the [Imperial Consort]!

Terrifying!

Why do I have such strange thoughts?

Zhuge Liang was startled and glanced at the expressionless Emperor.

He had to admit, His Majesty truly possessed a transcendent charm that surpassed gender.

[Seven Deadly Sins: Pride! Qin Shi Huang is so arrogant he scorns all living beings. Moreover, he doesn't even believe in God, making him a blasphemous heretic!]

This line drew smiles from many of China's assembled heroic spirits.

Xiang Yu grinned and asked, "How many divisions does God command?"

What a joke—why should anyone believe in God?

China and the West are filled with stark contrasts.

When floods came, Yu the Great led people to control them.

In Western mythology, they built Noah's Ark to flee, with even the ship's blueprints provided by the gods.

When disease spread, Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs, testing and curing illnesses himself.

The West, however, saw disease as divine punishment, trembling in fear and begging for the gods' forgiveness.

If someone prefers consulting spirits over the people, let them.

Between the heavens and earth split by an axe, there are countless who refuse to kneel!

This is China's inviolable faith!

Zhuge Liang murmured, "Since they dare mock us like this, it seems the United States has prepared for war. We must mobilize as well!"

"I'll lead the charge!" Xiang Yu declared without hesitation.

"No, I'll be the first to charge into battle!"

Lü Bu's tone was even more domineering.

A group of generals who had fought countless battles in life now volunteered one after another.

Even if they faced true gods, not a single one would waver.

Instead, each brimmed with unyielding battle spirit!

If you want war, then war it shall be!

After the United States issued its condemnation, [The Seven Deadly Sins of China's Qin Shi Huang], the entire world erupted in chaos.

Countless people realized a war that could engulf the globe was about to begin.

-[What right do a band of thieves—who even slaughtered the locals who helped them—have to judge others?]

-[The United States, neither democratic, free, nor holy, should have been extinguished long ago!]

-[These bastards will only drag the world into the quagmire of war. Who can stop them?]

-[Faith is everyone's freedom. How dare you try to force Qin Shi Huang to believe in God? That itself is unfree!]

…

Fuyuki City Grand Hotel.

The Dark Saint and the King of Heroes, chatting idly, both saw the United States's list of sins.

Jeanne d'Arc chuckled at the so-called sin of pride. "Those false gods of the United States are desperate! They're terrified the real deal might come for them!"

Faith is purely a matter of freedom.

Even as a believer in God, she would never force others to share her faith.

Most importantly, she had once doubted God's existence so fiercely that her shaken faith turned her into the Dark Saint.

Only after hearing divine revelation again did Jeanne's faith solidify once more.

Clearly, the Lord had always watched over her.

Otherwise, why would He guide her to seek Nameless?

The only regret was that the guidance was too vague, leaving her unable to find him.

Lord, could You deliver Nameless to me?

Gilgamesh nodded. "Indeed, they are nothing but false gods."

A pack of thieves.

From the [Olympian Gods] video, it was clear the Greek pantheon favored Nameless.

Goddesses like Artemis, Persephone, and Gorgon.

Even male gods like Zeus and Apollo were desperate to claim him.

Gathering the blessings of all gods to slay the terrifying monster Kronos—how could Nameless possibly be opposed by the deities?

Yet.

Those false gods of the United States only sought to capture Nameless as a lab rat!

Clearly, they had guilty consciences!

Jeanne d'Arc watched the King of Heroes with amusement. "So, that so-called 'greed' really wasn't referring to you?"

"Hmph, what if it was? All treasures in this world originate from this king's [Gate of Babylon]. This king has no need for greed!"

Gilgamesh snorted.

Collecting all the treasures of humanity wasn't just an empty boast.

For within the [Gate of Babylon] lay the prototypes of most Noble Phantasms wielded by Heroic Spirits.

As well as the blueprints and treasures of all human inventions throughout history.

One could say it was the very [Original Text of Human Wisdom] itself!

"Those pitiful false gods truly believe themselves to be the divine rulers of this world?"

Gilgamesh's crimson eyes turned icy. "If war breaks out, this king may very well participate."

"Oh? Then I'll have to consider it as well." Jeanne remarked in surprise.

It seemed even this arrogant king understood the principle of mutual dependence.

Once the United States truly defeated China, they would dominate the world completely.

"Hah! How could this king not be interested in god-slaying?"

Gilgamesh laughed heartily as he stood to leave.

Naturally, he wouldn't mention that his main reason for god-slaying was to join his bastard of a best friend in punishing those false deities.

Poor Dark Saint—she'd actually met Nameless before yet failed to recognize him.

No one understands Nameless better than this king!

Changing into casual clothes, Gilgamesh continued playing the role of a concerned Fuyuki citizen as he cheerfully headed to Nameless's residence.

Ding-dong~

The doorbell rang.

Heavy footsteps slowly approached.

When the door opened, Gilgamesh found himself staring dumbfounded at the towering figure before him.

It was none other than Heracles—the very same hero he'd mercilessly mocked earlier!

***

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