Chapter 144
Chapter: 144
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 144
>Chapter Title: The Holy Emperor's Crown (6)
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>Though he'd brushed it off to the Holy Emperor as just stopping by on a whim, there was actually another reason Seongjin had stubbornly poked his head into the main palace.
Around the time Cardmos, who had newly taken over Seo Iseo's body, was charging toward the main palace with unstoppable momentum, shrugging off all the priests.
Seongjin, Masain, and Bruno the captain, who were heading to the training grounds for morning practice, all sensed an ominous presence heading toward the imperial palace at nearly the same time.
It was a ferocious aura like a storm, not hiding its presence in the slightest.
"Come to think of it, an emergency mobilization order went out to the entire Imperial Guard from this morning."
Masain said, staring toward the main palace for a moment.
"The Imperial Guard is to halt main palace security and block all roads leading to it, entering full alert status. It doesn't apply to the Pearl Palace resident knights, so I didn't pay much attention, but it seems something's happened at the main palace."
"……?"
His expression was so utterly calm as he said it that Seongjin was momentarily dumbfounded.
Hey, Sir Masain? If something's happening at the main palace, isn't the Imperial Guard supposed to prioritize its defense to the end? Even if such an order came down, why aren't you the least bit concerned?
"Whoever it is, it's an incredible powerhouse. Not even comparable to Lord Balthazar. It's the first time I've seen such an overwhelming presence since His Holiness took the throne. Who could that be?"
"……?!"
Even Captain Bruno said it with a relaxed face.
No, Captain? A powerhouse you haven't seen since the Holy Emperor? And that guy's just barreling straight for the main palace—why is everyone so nonchalant?
"Because His Holiness is at the main palace?"
"There must be a reason His Holiness ordered the guards pulled back."
Ah, this is hopeless. They're all hopeless.
'Am I the only one here worried about that guy right now?'
Seongjin's head throbbed.
This is weird? I'm clearly the normal one, so why do I feel like I'm overreacting alone?
"We should probably reconfirm the Pearl Palace's security in case of any contingencies. Your Highness, please postpone training for now and return to your quarters."
Masain, oddly fixated on the Pearl Palace's status, left to find Maria, today's guard leader.
"This is a message from Arenza. The Saint Terbakia Knight Order is heading this way. I'll join them, so as Sir Masain said, Your Highness, it's best if you stay out of the palace grounds for the time being."
Captain Bruno scowled, channeled his energy, and vanished toward the main gate.
"……."
Left all alone, Seongjin turned to see Sir Haven, today's escort, grinning like an idiot.
"You're going inside, right, Your Highness? Everyone else is busy with alert status, and I'm stuck on indoor duty—total sweet deal."
...You idiot. Is that something to say right now?
In any case, Seongjin obediently returned to his room, then the moment the door closed, he activated aura concealment and headed to the terrace.
Of course, Sir Haven outside the door noticed nothing. Seongjin's concealment skills had improved by leaps and bounds lately, so unless it was a knight of exceptional caliber, detecting his presence would be difficult.
Having slipped out the Pearl Palace's back gate without issue, Seongjin immediately dashed toward the main palace.
[Why the rush? Whatever's happening, your father will handle it just fine.]
The Demon King asked, puzzled.
Of course, Seongjin couldn't easily imagine that man in danger either.
'This isn't about whether it's okay or not.'
Think about it, Demon King.
Something's happening right in front of your eyes—does it make sense to just leave someone to deal with it alone? No matter how fine you think it'll be.
My parents always used to say this back then.
They knew I'd overcome life's hardships on my own, but they wouldn't leave me alone forever.
[...Your parents? They said that?]
Yeah, you enemy of my parents.
You should count yourself lucky that getting beat for three days was all it took.
[…….]
And the closer he got to the main palace, the more Seongjin realized the situation in the imperial palace was graver than he'd thought.
[Eek? A massive holy barrier over there?]
According to the Demon King, a huge barrier was unfolding around the Silver Rose Palace.
Kuuuung!
At the main palace, it seemed the two sides hadn't fully clashed yet, but the ferocity of their colliding auras was already shaking the building. It was enough to worry the main palace might collapse any second.
Above all, the auras.
The auras swirling around the main palace, growing ever fiercer, felt strangely agitated.
'Is that guy in a bad mood right now?'
The flow was so different from the orderly aura that usually orbited the Holy Emperor that Seongjin thought it unconsciously.
Moreover.
[What's this? Seongjin, there's some strange power coming from inside. It's got a tainted feel that's not quite holy power, but too sacred to call demonic energy. It's a type I've never felt in this dimension—confusing.]
With even the Demon King saying that, Seongjin's unease grew.
Crack.
Watching garden trees ripped out by the roots and flying off in the fierce wind, Seongjin steeled himself.
'Whatever it is, I have to go stop it.'
[What? Are you insane? You're going in there?]
Stop! You'll die! You'll really die!
The Demon King wailed in his head, but Seongjin ignored it and checked his internal aura. He had a strong premonition that letting them collide unchecked would be disastrous.
The countless turbulences from the clashing forces were like invisible blades spinning wildly.
Even for reckless Seongjin, jumping into that made cold sweat trickle.
'...I'll deflect what I can.'
Having resolved himself, he hadn't even reached the stairs to the second floor when bile rose in his throat, the taste of blood filling his mouth.
The rampaging forces tore through his body chaotically, silent thunder roaring in his ears, veins feeling like they were shredding apart.
If his aorta burst or he had a brain hemorrhage, it'd be over!
Seongjin hastily concentrated his aura on his head and heart, gritted his teeth, and advanced step by step.
Drip, drip.
Blood was already trickling from his nose, leaving spots on the floor.
After struggling to reach the office, the figure Seongjin found was utterly unexpected.
'...Seo Iseo?'
Dressed in ornate priestly robes, black hair disheveled—it was definitely that suspicious saintess.
But Seongjin knew immediately it wasn't her. The aura she exuded was completely different from before.
Scales flickered briefly on her twisted, murderous face, and her golden eyes brimmed with vicious killing intent.
[Eeeeek! There are two of those monsters?!]
The Demon King shrieked and shrank in his mind.
-Whoever it is, it's an incredible powerhouse. Not even comparable to Lord Balthazar.
Captain Bruno had assessed it that way. Indeed, even by peak-condition Seongjin's standards, it was a freakish powerhouse with no visible openings.
But more than its strength, what really caught Seongjin's attention was something else.
'...That's not like him.'
The Holy Emperor facing off against Seo Iseo appeared coldly composed on the surface.
But Seongjin could tell. That guy was seriously pissed right now.
"Alright, that's enough now."
Seized by the strong premonition that he couldn't let this continue, Seongjin squeezed out his last strength and wedged himself between them.
"You should've called the Imperial Guard or at least stayed back and waited for it to blow over!"
As he scolded, pouring holy power over Seongjin's head, the Holy Emperor had already cooled off, regaining his usual calm.
Relieved at those serene eyes, Seongjin couldn't help but grin.
"Haha, as you know, Father, I can't stand not knowing."
Well, thanks to that, he got a solid bump on the forehead and tumbled to the floor.
But let's call it a noble sacrifice for Delcross's peace.
[...Are you two daring to ignore me right in front of me?]
As whatever had possessed Seo Iseo approached them growling, the Holy Emperor explained to Seongjin with a faintly annoyed look.
"The laws of the material world are quite unique, leading to events that defy mere power logic at times. The most important among them is the [Condition]."
Condition?
"For example, doors that absolutely won't open without specific conditions."
Ah, Seongjin understood quickly.
Come to think of it, the material world was like a game dimension. The laws governing such a world felt like coded programs.
"That's why a material world's soul endures with such potent divinity nearby, and its body can fully contain it."
With that, the Holy Emperor snapped his fingers lightly.
Tap.
[……!?]
Shock flashed in the saintess's eyes.
[What is this? What did you do to me?!]
Kraaaah?
Startled by something, the saintess rampaged around the office for a while.
Shaking her head wildly, swiping at the air, hopping here and there. It was dizzying just to watch.
Meanwhile, the Holy Emperor briefly explained the situation to Seongjin.
So, the one masquerading as the fake saintess was actually Cardmos, the first Holy Emperor of the Holy Imperial family.
A demigod who'd survived 700 years as a soul? Apparently, he'd possessed the saintess via the Holy Emperor's Crown ritual and barged in throwing a tantrum.
'Whoa, even for an esteemed ancestor, that's a harsh assessment.'
As he thought that, the Holy Emperor turned to Seongjin with a stern expression.
"By the way, Mores. Didn't I repeatedly warn you not to cause trouble? You must never do such dangerous things again. Understood?"
Seongjin protested with genuine grievance.
"Hm? But Father, I didn't cause trouble today—I came to stop it."
"……."
"Really."
The Holy Emperor stared silently at Seongjin for a moment. That peculiar silver gleam passed through his eyes.
Seongjin had always wondered whenever he did that.
What exactly does he see with those eyes? Are they the oracle's special eyes?
"...I see."
Finally, with that curt reply, the Holy Emperor sighed softly, as if dissatisfied.
Then, thud. His hand rose and patted Seongjin's head lightly.
"I see. You did well. Good job."
Pat, pat.
"Uh......"
Seongjin felt a strange mix of emotions.
Pride? Embarrassment? It tickled in a weird way.
Just then, Cardmos seemed to have calmed and approached them with a fierce glare.
[How did you trap me in this body? What trick did you use?]
A faint sneer crossed the Holy Emperor's face.
"After 700 years trapped in that tiny crown, you're still so ignorant of the material world's laws. Well, if you'd known, you wouldn't have entered that body so easily."
[What?]
Grit. Cardmos ground his teeth menacingly.
[This artificial body? I'll shatter it in one go! Think I can't?]
"You'd be wise to reconsider that decision. Without that saintess's body, do you think you could ever crawl out of the church basement again?"
[…….]
"Who else in this material world but its people could contain your soul intact? You didn't seriously think I'd provide another body, knowing full well your soul would shatter?"
Cardmos glared piercingly at the Holy Emperor for a while before asking.
[Then what's the point of dragging me out like this? I can't even use my full power in this body.]
"Of course, I have no intention of releasing you."
[Then why?!]
"But the original owner of that body might well be able to free you."
[……!]
"So you'll have to persuade that finicky soul properly."
Cardmos stood blankly for a moment, then laughed hollowly.
[Then I'll have no choice but to protect this woman from the Puppeteer. And she'll want to stick by your daughter's side.]
"……."
[...What a cunning bastard.]
The Holy Emperor offered no retort to his sharp accusation. Instead, the oddly offended Seongjin raised his hand toward him.
"Um, excuse me, Ancestor?"
[Don't you dare call me ancestor, you heretic!]
"Ahem, then Mr. Cardmos?"
[...What?]
His glare grew fiercer, but Seongjin didn't flinch.
Sweeping his gaze dramatically around the wrecked office, Seongjin said.
"You nearly trashed the main palace—shouldn't you at least clean up your own mess?"
[…….]
"Come on! Show us the responsibility of a great ancestor, why don't you?"
Cardmos fell silent.
Soon, the brilliant golden light faded from his eyes, and deep brown irises flickered like awakening from sleep.
Huh? Did he run away?
"...Huh?"
Seo Iseo blinked in confusion, then spotted Seongjin and the Holy Emperor, her eyes widening.
She then freaked out, shrieking and flailing.
"No way! What is this?! Why are the final boss and sub-boss together in one place!"
...Somehow, she seems less sane when she's in her right mind?
That afternoon, Seo Iseo had her first official duty as saintess.
Urging the main palace servants, she spent the whole day cleaning with them.
"Why the hell am I doing thiiiis!"