Chapter 141
Chapter: 141
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 141
>Chapter Title: The Holy Emperor's Casket (3)
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>“I see. So His Majesty said as much...”
Bruno, the captain, wore a troubled expression as he stroked his mustache.
“I had simply thought that His Majesty had gathered the psychics to form a useful secret organization. I never imagined that was the reason for establishing Arenza and keeping it close.”
The next day, Seongjin roughly recounted his conversation with the Holy Emperor from the day before to Captain Bruno.
After all, since the man was one of his closest aides, Seongjin figured it was right for him to know more accurately about the organization he was involved in.
Of course, he omitted more sensitive topics like the Oracle or the late Empress Consort’s relic.
“His Majesty never clearly states his true intentions. So that’s what he was thinking.”
Masain was also present.
Lately, he had felt left out of conversations with Captain Bruno, so Seongjin decided to lay it all out openly. But rather than looking pleased, Masain seemed a bit uneasy.
“Even when I was captain of the Royal Guard, I didn’t know much about this organization called Arenza. I only vaguely suspected something existed. But is it really all right to reveal such critical secrets to me?”
This was a far more cautious attitude than before.
“What are you talking about? It’s just that the right opportunity hadn’t come up until now. If anything, I feel bad for not telling you sooner.”
When they had first met, Masain had seemed to view Seongjin as little more than a child he needed to look after with utmost care. After nearly dying at the Degory estate, he had been desperate to control Seongjin’s every move.
But after recent events, it felt like he was trying to find an appropriate distance.
‘I’m not just some kid anymore, and he’s starting to trust me to some extent, right?’
At that, the Demon King snorted.
[Or maybe he’s given up entirely? You should’ve messed with his head a bit more.]
‘...Shut up!’
It stung because it hit too close to home. Wasn’t it like getting struck to the bone?
Seongjin kept his expression in check and added to Masain,
“It’s only natural to consult you first on something this important. You’re the security chief of the Pearl Palace and my swordsmanship instructor, aren’t you? So please keep looking after me like you have been.”
Masain grimaced, made a strange face, and slyly turned his head away. His eyes were a little red, as if he were deeply moved.
‘This guy’s surprisingly sensitive...’
It wasn’t just Arenza. Seongjin was thinking he should soon introduce Dasha to Masain and Captain Bruno properly and tell them about her.
The reason she was always on edge whenever she came and went from the Pearl Palace was former Decaron Knight Captain Bruno and senior knight Sir Masain.
The captain already knew someone was sneaking in and out of Seongjin’s room, and lately, Sir Masain was starting to catch on too.
In that case, wouldn’t it be better to have them all get along openly instead of wasting time suspiciously probing each other? Somehow, Seongjin had a feeling these three would stick together for the long haul.
“So what should we do now, Your Highness?”
Captain Bruno asked with a serious face.
“Now that we know we can’t fully trust Arenza, wouldn’t it be best for me to withdraw from it immediately?”
“Hm? No, Captain.”
Seongjin shook his head.
“Not trusting Arenza completely doesn’t mean they’re useless. And the position I offered you is still a sweet deal.”
No one was unaware that a sword was a lethal weapon.
Whether you cut your own hand on that lethal tool or wield it properly as a weapon was entirely up to the user.
“...Then?”
“If you have no desire to return to the knights’ order, I’d be grateful if you’d continue lounging around as Arenza’s payroll thief and stay by my side. There’s plenty of chance we might need to collaborate with Arenza someday, and above all, I really like the tea you brew.”
Yes. At some point, Seongjin had come to properly enjoy the aroma of tea. Compared to his days surviving on preserved rations just for calories, it was tremendous progress.
This was all thanks to Head Attendant Louis and Captain Bruno.
They brewed it so deliciously that even the Holy Emperor, who rarely touched food, would sit staring into his teacup every time.
Captain Bruno looked immensely proud at those words.
“That is truly an honor, Your Highness.”
No, don’t get so thrilled over your tea-brewing skills when you used to be a knights’ order captain.
The warm, congenial atmosphere continued for a moment until Masain’s face suddenly darkened, as if struck by a thought.
“What is it? Something bothering you, Sir Masain?”
“...Yes, Your Highness.”
After hesitating, Masain cautiously spoke up.
“This is something from when I visited my uncle as a child—that is, before His Majesty ascended the throne...”
What came from his mouth next were some rather heavy stories.
“To be honest about it now, the young His Majesty didn’t have a strong position in the imperial palace back then. He was constantly under threat of assassination, and the previous emperor neglected his son entirely.”
Poison in every meal was standard, and he had even been openly attacked by his own guard knights several times. The more Seongjin heard about how a child survived alone in such an environment, the more amazed he became.
The young Holy Emperor’s precarious position at the time was partly because his grown siblings had already solidified their own factions.
But fundamentally, it stemmed from his mother the Empress Consort’s origins. He had inherited the blood of the Cornsheim clan, which was shunned as ominous.
And the irreverent palace folk had openly called the young Holy Emperor things like “creepy Cornsheim” or “jinxed Cornsheim” right to his face.
“...So you mean?”
“Yes, His Majesty said all Cornsheims are liars. But come to think of it, doesn’t His Majesty himself hold back extremely on personal talk outside of official duties?”
Ah, Seongjin thought he knew what was bothering Masain.
“What if His Majesty thinks of himself as one of those Cornsheims?”
“......”
“That’s what’s been nagging at me.”
“Hm...”
And so, all three, Seongjin included, fell silent with grave expressions.
The drawing room’s air grew so heavy that even Edith, who happened to enter humming a tune, flinched and glanced around warily.
“Why is everyone... Did something happen, Your Highness?”
Edith asked worriedly, holding a bright bouquet of yellow flowers.
“No, nothing. But what’s with the flowers?”
Unlike the usual ones from Chloe, the wrapping looked a bit crude, so he asked. Edith grinned widely in response.
“The priests are handing these out all over the palace. Golden crocuses. It’s been a while since the event honoring the first Holy Emperor.”
After recently losing her tea-brewing duties to Captain Bruno,
This carefree girl had no intention of reflecting and improving; instead, she was excitedly wandering around with her newfound free time.
“There was an event like that?”
“Eh? You really didn’t know, Your Highness?”
Edith shrugged as she arranged the flowers in a vase.
“The city outside is in full festival mode right now. Today’s the day the new Saintess is granted audience with the Holy Emperor’s casket.”
* * *
Delcross’s first Holy Emperor, Cadmos Klein.
He was the Proxy of the Lord God who founded the millennium Holy Kingdom on this land, a demigod who lived over 300 years and transcended humanity.
Fitting his title of demigod, Cadmos maintained his youth throughout his life.
And even after his soul finally departed his body, his flesh showed no signs of decay, as if merely asleep.
That sacred miracle’s proof was enshrined in a magnificent casket, carefully placed in the basement of St. Bastian Church.
“Today is truly a glorious day, Lady Seyser. The casket audience rite for the Holy Emperor is being held for the first time in nearly 20 years!”
Sister Electra chattered excitedly as she adjusted Seyser’s attire.
“What does that mean? It means you’re an incredible Saintess, doesn’t it? Even Lady Sisley hasn’t been granted permission for the Holy Emperor’s casket audience!”
At those words, Seyser’s already prickly eyes sharpened instantly.
“What? Are you saying Lady Sisley is inferior to me right now?”
“...Pardon?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected reaction, Sister Electra stammered.
“No, not at all. Saintess, I merely...”
“Such irreverence is unforgivable! Watch yourself from now on!”
With a huff, Seyser snorted and strode off coldly, leaving the frozen sister behind.
She had already been in a foul mood from being dragged around since morning for special masses and event preparations.
‘Because I can’t go meet Lady Sisley!’
Even as she was swept along in the grand procession led by Archbishop Wesker and high priests, her frustration only grew.
‘Because I can’t go meet Lady Sisley!’
Muttering inwardly like that, she suddenly came to and found herself standing alone in a vast corridor. Before her loomed a massive, ornate casket.
Seyser blinked.
She vaguely remembered the author explaining what the Holy Emperor’s casket was. But now that she was alone facing it, her heart suddenly sank.
She had to be in the same room as the corpse inside?
“W-Wait a second...”
As Seyser freaked out, the door creaked shut with a thud from outside—mercilessly.
“They said the first Holy Emperor’s soul would bestow blessings, but what if it’s actually haunted?”
She had only heard it was a treasure of the Holy Imperial Family and hadn’t thought deeply about what the Holy Emperor’s casket really was. Now, goosebumps rose all over her body.
And soon, a voice that shook her soul resounded powerfully in her mind.
[Insolent. That child is truly insolent.]
“...?”
[As impudent as ever. That one has always been this way. I clearly showed the mark of whom I desired, yet they’ve ignored my will twice already.]
And then.
A man appeared in midair, flashing with light, and lightly landed atop the casket.
“...!?”
For a moment, Seyser thought she was beholding a god.
Everything about the translucent man radiated a dazzling golden brilliance.
Hair like sifted gold, eyes glowing like the sun. A halo of golden light enveloped his body.
Even the robes he wore were covered in ornate golden patterns.
That violently overwhelming presence. An undeniable fragment of divinity.
It was an impact as intense as when she first saw the Holy Emperor.
Staring up blankly, frozen stiff, the man tilted his head and muttered.
[And to think they sent such a deeply flawed vessel. How am I to accept this?]
“W-What?”
Treating her like an object wasn’t enough—he was calling her defective?
Fear was fear, and anger was anger!
Seyser bristled without thinking.
“Hey! What did you just say? Flawed? Hey! Think you can get away with anything just because you’re a demigod?”
[Hah. How can she be this foolish...]
The man let out a hollow laugh, as if dumbfounded.
[Well, at least she hasn’t become a puppet yet. Still, what a soul riddled with defects everywhere.]
“...What does that mean?”
[Exactly as I said. Tell me, woman—were you always this wild and indiscriminate, like a brainless beast?]
“What...”
[Do you even properly remember when you came to this world?]
The man smirked faintly at the speechless Seyser.
[Whatever. It matters not, false Saintess. Even cracked, it’s still a vessel that can hold something. I shall gladly accept you as the new Saintess.]
The man’s golden pupils slit vertically and contracted—like a predator spotting prey.
Seyser felt an instinctive sense of crisis and backed away.
“W-What are you going to do to me?”
[What else? That child won’t come here to meet me, so I must leave myself.]
A hand wreathed in golden radiance slowly approached her face.
[Fear not, woman. I shall use you well. For now, hurry to the palace and give that insolent fool who disrespects his ancestor a piece of my mind. That should satisfy me.]
And in an instant, darkness swallowed her vision.