Chapter 297: Cultist Detector
Chapter 297: Cultist Detector
Contrary to its grim exterior, the interior of the Imperial Palace was quite magnificent and extravagant.
Well, it makes sense. Building the inside to look like a battlefield wouldn't exactly improve its defensive performance, so one might as well live in comfort.
By the way, the only time I ever had a reason to visit the palace in H&A was during the final phase of the Fiona Subjugation Raid. This was the first time I’d seen it in such a pristine state.
So, those rain-soaked ruins originally looked like this.
To briefly explain the Fiona Subjugation Quest: depending on the route, it’s a story about defeating Fiona alongside either the Emperor, whom you barely managed to save, or a Sword Master.
During the fight, there’s a pattern where Fiona feels disadvantaged and flees. Ironically, you only catch up to her at the ruins of the Imperial Palace—the very place where everything began—to start the final phase.
The cutscene where the Emperor or the Sword Master finally beheads his own wife or the last member of the imperial family with his own hands, letting out a harrowing scream, was a truly iconic scene…
Of course, that’s only when I was enjoying it as a game. If it were to happen in reality, there could be no greater tragedy.
While I was lost in sentiment for a moment, we continued to traverse the palace interior.
Maids working busily, soldiers on guard or patrol, knights strolling down the corridors engaging in light small talk, and bureaucrats with dark circles under their eyes.
We encountered many people along the way, but the moment they saw Havel’s face, everyone stepped aside in an orderly fashion to make a path.
Is this… power?
Come to think of it, even though I knew this was a world with a rigid class system, this was the first time I had felt it so directly.
Since the palace was so vast, we had to walk for quite a while, but thanks to the sights, it wasn't boring.
Eventually, we arrived at the Audience Hall.
Havel stopped in front of a door that looked identical to the main gate we had seen below, only different in scale, and turned toward us.
“Yandel, you said you were a commoner. I don’t think I need to worry about the others… but how much do you know about palace etiquette?”
“I know absolutely nothing.”
“The Saintess Helena will be handling most of the conversation anyway, and His Majesty isn't particularly fastidious about etiquette, so don't worry too much. Just follow these three rules.”
Don't look directly at the Emperor's face as soon as you enter; only raise your head after permission is granted.
He will eventually ask if you have anything to say later, so don't speak up first.
Be careful, as drawing up mana beyond a certain level without permission could result in you being subdued.
If I were to summarize Havel’s explanation, it was something like that.
It was all either stuff I’d seen somewhere before or just common sense, so it would be fine as long as I paid a little attention.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“No need to be too tense. As I said, His Majesty is generous regarding etiquette. However… wouldn't it be better to leave your slaves here for a moment before entering?”
“No. I intend to bring them in with me.”
“There will be a lot of talk if someone who became a slave on charges of heresy stands before His Majesty again. Above all, for her to enter as a slave into a place she used to frequent as a lady…”
As Havel trailed off, Carla replied in a nonchalant tone.
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. …Besides, I have a reason why I must go in.”
Was she imagining Fiona inside? At the sight of Carla, who had suddenly turned cold and somber, Havel swallowed a groan and looked my way.
“Mmm…”
“Carla is right. Considering why we came here, she must come in with us.”
“If you insist. Very well. I will open the doors now, so be ready.”
As I was briefly tidying my clothes, Helena, who had been quiet, sidled up and whispered.
“The Righteous Light said she would help us properly, so she told you to use her name as much as you like.”
“Tell her I appreciate the support.”
“…….”
For some reason, Helena made a slightly pouting expression, but there wasn't enough time to soothe her.
Creeeeeak—
Because Havel had begun to open the doors to the Audience Hall.
*
The audience with the Emperor of the Levantine Empire, Rodrigo de Levantine, proceeded smoothly.
As soon as the doors opened, knights and bureaucrats lined both sides, along with a few mages.
At the end of the hall stood the Emperor, and seated right next to him was the Empress, welcoming the first Saintess in three hundred years.
They exchanged some flowery compliments, shared the hot-off-the-press news about the victory at Solaris, and discussed how the cultists were becoming a serious threat, necessitating a closer alliance…
Oh, for the record, the etiquette rules I had to follow didn't apply to Helena.
Who would dare demand that the eldest daughter of the Righteous Light bow her head?
In any case, having received various training at Solaris, Helena truly looked the part of a Saintess.
Judging by how the medallion on her chest flashed occasionally, it seemed she was also receiving advice from Clara.
Just as Havel had warned, some unpleasant gazes were directed at Carla… but fortunately, they seemed to consider Helena more important, and the whispering quickly died down.
While Helena was creating a relatively amicable atmosphere, I stealthily observed the Emperor and Empress.
A sturdy build and a resolute impression. His red hair was half-white with age, making him look somewhat elderly at a glance, but the occasional flash in his eyes was incredibly intense.
It felt like facing a predator that was old but still dangerous.
As expected… his roots are the same as the Church of the Righteous Light.
However, even Rodrigo wasn't immune to the saying that it's darkest under the lamp.
Fiona de Levantine. I calmly looked at the enemy I had to face today.
Long, flowing brown hair and a gentle appearance. Though she couldn't entirely hide the traces of time, her beauty was still striking enough to draw all eyes.
She had a kind impression that looked like it came straight out of a painting.
But if you asked if she felt frail, that wasn't it either.
While she softly embraced her surroundings, her eyes held both benevolence and intelligence, and her every gesture exuded dignity and virtue.
She was the very image of an ideal Empress.
…Of course, it was all a disguise.
Sensing that the time was right, I lightly poked Helena in the side from behind.
Poke.
“Hya?!”
A cuter scream than I expected. The surrounding gazes instantly focused on Helena.
With her face turning bright red, Helena glared at me.
“Uh, well. I didn't mean for that to happen. Sorry.”
“Phew… fine. In the future, if you must poke me, please poke somewhere else.”
Helena let out a deep sigh and straightened her posture. Then, she spoke in a serious voice, completely different from before.
“Your Majesty. Actually, there is another reason why we have traveled all the way here to Baldr.”
“I suspected as much. However, I truly cannot guess what it might be. What could have happened to make the Saintess rush here, leaving the situation at Solaris behind?”
“As you know, our Church of the Righteous Light is the one that subjugates cultists and monsters most frequently and fiercely.”
“Indeed. I have always been grateful for that. The generous donations I send every year are the measure of my gratitude. Hahaha!”
He seemed to be trying to make a joke, but Helena didn't even flinch and continued calmly.
“It is only natural that the one standing at the very front is the first to be hit by a stone. What happened at Solaris this time can be considered part of that. It was a heavy trial, but glory and salvation follow in equal measure. We will gladly face our enemies again next time. However…”
Having said that, Helena scattered a faint halo of light and scanned the surroundings.
Helena’s stature had grown after accepting the Righteous Light. Everyone in the room probably felt as if she were seeing right through them.
Indeed, some people flinched and avoided her gaze, while others offered short prayers with moved expressions.
After looking around as if searching for something, Helena calmly brought up the main point of the day.
“However, before that, shouldn't we weed out the rats that have crawled inside to prey upon humanity?”
“…Rats, you say.”
Rodrigo nodded, stroking his beard.
“True. I agree that no matter what one does, it is important to clear out the rats beforehand. Was there not a commotion just a few months ago because of those very rats?”
After I had revealed the existence of the Silent Sect and the danger of their blessing, everyone had been terrified by the spies that kept popping up one by one and had begun cleaning house.
Thanks to that, cultists who had infiltrated were being discovered everywhere, even if they hadn't been stabbed by my dagger.
“But if we search once more now, how many rats do you think will turn up?”
“Most of the common ones would have been caught. Therefore, if any rats remain, they must be the leaders of that loathsome pack.”
“Ho? To come all the way before me to catch a lead rat means…”
“That is correct. The leader of the Silent Sect is hiding right here.”
“…Not just a mere Cardinal, but the one who has practically usurped the position of the Cult Leader. Do you have certain proof?”
“The Righteous Light whispered it to me through the light.”
“Hmm? What did you just…”
“I said the Righteous Light whispered it to me through the light.”
“…….”
Rodrigo just blinked, looking dumbfounded. But what could he do when the Saintess said so?
Deciding that she had no reason to joke while invoking a god, Rodrigo’s gaze became even more intense.
It was a gaze so fiery that a weak-hearted person might have a seizure just from being looked at.
He asked Helena.
“That statement. Can you take responsibility for it, Saintess?”
“I swear it by my Lord.”
Helena made the sign of the cross as if she had been waiting. For a Saintess… no, for any clergy, there is no oath heavier than this.
And Rodrigo was not a man so foolish as to disbelieve a Saintess when she invoked the name of a god and swore by it.
“Very well. Then I shall cooperate as well. But how do you intend to find them?”
“It’s simple.”
Helena took my hand, pulled me to her side, and continued.
“Brother Yandel, who is to be my partner, can distinguish cultists through an Authority granted to him by the Righteous Light.”
“…Partner?”
Rodrigo’s gaze settled on me. Then, after looking at Carla, Elisha, Iris, Iona, and Helena one by one, he asked back.
“Partner…?”
Wait, is that what you’re surprised about?
Please, be curious about the cultist detection method!