Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Holy Kingdom's Opening (5)
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The Holy Kingdom had abolished its long-standing policy of isolation.
In an instant, the now-open Holy Kingdom became the epicenter of chaos.
Countless nations turned their gaze toward it, and merchants rushed there in droves.
Of course, some still hesitated to enter due to the turbulent situation within.
"What? Nearly half the archbishops have been dismissed?"
"That's right. With the Saintess leading the charge, even the Pope danced on the edge of a blade."
"Whew. It must be in the Goddess's name, but it's still terrifying."
The two men recoiled in horror at the Holy Kingdom's actions.
It was as if they'd seen something they shouldn't have, but their expressions soon shifted.
The fear vanished, replaced by anticipation.
"Still, thanks to that, it's become a land of opportunity, hasn't it?"
"Can't argue with that."
The news spread like wildfire: the archbishops who had returned to the Holy Kingdom had been mass-dismissed.
It poured fuel on the flames, making the Holy Kingdom the hottest topic on everyone's lips.
And the first to act amid all the scrutiny was the Empire.
"Heard about it?"
"About what?"
The man who'd spoken thumped his chest in frustration and shouted.
"That! The Empire's sending a delegation to the Holy Kingdom!"
"Oh, that? So what?"
The other man looked at his shouting companion with puzzlement.
The Holy Kingdom was indeed a hot potato, but what was the problem with the delegation?
His expression changed in an instant.
"They say Author Prometheus is part of that delegation!"
"What?!"
The Holy Kingdom's revolution and opening were already incendiary enough, but this was like tossing in extra kindling.
The fact that Prometheus—Edn, in other words—was included in the delegation stirred even greater waves.
Of course, the common folk still didn't know the author's face.
Even among the nobility, most had only heard tales, save for those who'd met him personally.
Still, everyone welcomed the news that he was joining as a cultural advisor.
Edn himself, however, felt otherwise.
"Wow, the world just won't leave me alone."
Finally back home, I lay sprawled on my bed, staring at the ceiling and cursing the world before glancing out the window.
Even in winter, its central location on the continent kept the weather milder than expected.
Sure, it got colder up north or down south, but I had no business there anyway.
Anyway, the reason I was lying here like a limp rag was the Holy Kingdom.
Its sudden upheaval had set international affairs spinning wildly.
Everyone was scrambling to establish ties first, and the Empire had beaten them to the punch.
The problem? They'd added me to the delegation roster.
Why me, of all people?
Resentment bubbled up naturally.
What was I supposed to do there?
I wasn't a civil servant, nor some high-ranking noble.
I'd never done anything like it, not even close.
Of course, as a noble, I knew I couldn't just dodge it entirely.
Nobles had to mingle in society, build connections with others—but I hadn't bothered.
If I'd been born into another house, my parents would've shoved me out the door.
No matter how successful I was.
"You're a noble—time to act like one!"
That's what they'd say.
And with Rlangbur aligned to the imperial faction, refusing was even riskier.
It might not be treason, but falling out of the Emperor's favor was bad news.
"Sigh. Guess I have to go."
Should I just ignore it?
Honestly, I wasn't just any noble—I was a popular author and could claim to be a magitech engineer.
Laziness kept whispering these temptations.
Just as my resolve tipped one way, the door opened and someone entered.
"Edn. There you are."
"Ah, Katiranya."
It felt like ages since I'd seen her—no, it really had been ages.
I'd been off in the capital dealing with black mages, while she'd lounged leisurely in Rlangbur.
Thinking about it, that was unfair.
But I had no complaints.
She was a vampire; exposing herself would've caused all sorts of trouble.
I sat up on the bed, getting a clear view of her face.
She looked like she had something to say.
"What's up?"
"I heard. You're going to that damned Holy Kingdom?"
"Ah, yeah."
Come to think of it, Katiranya had always recoiled at the mention of the Holy Kingdom.
She clearly didn't like the idea of me going there.
Look, her brow was furrowing on its own.
She must like me and hate sending me to a place she despised.
Seeing that made me want to go even less.
Maybe she'd talk me out of it?
I harbored that hope, but reality dashed it.
"Can't be helped. You know your position in the Empire right now, Edn. Ignoring the Emperor's command won't be easy."
"Pardon...?"
"Hm? What's with that dumb look? Anyway, out of respect for you, I won't stand in your way. But you'll have to figure out how to cleanse that filthy divine power when you get back."
Filthy divine power.
Only a vampire like her would describe a god's grace that way.
No, that wasn't the point right now.
Katiranya wasn't stopping me!
Didn't her hatred for the Holy Kingdom pierce the heavens?
Then why?!
I clutched my head in despair, and she asked in a puzzled tone.
I asked why she wasn't stopping me from going.
Of course, I hid my own reluctance.
Her response caught me off guard; she looked flustered.
She blinked blankly, then chuckled softly.
"Unlike vampires, human lives are finite. And short, at that. You're constantly soaring higher—should I clip your wings?"
"...Is that really the only reason? More like I'm being half-pushed into this."
I got what she meant, but...
She sat beside me, gazing softly into my face with a lingering smile.
"Of course, you might bring back some great material from there and write an even better novel."
"You really hate the Holy Kingdom, right?"
"I do. So go see all its dark underbelly. Won't that inspire a good story?"
So that was her angle after all.
I hadn't considered such an obvious motive.
Deflated by the predictable answer, I flopped back onto the bed.
Katiranya remained seated beside me.
"You're proving your own worth, and blocking that would be foolish. No one sells a gem mid-polish."
"...You don't see me as just another collectible, do you?"
"Hehe, who knows."
What was that?
She seemed sly all of a sudden—or was she?
As I recalled our first meeting, she stood up.
"I'll be off, then. Bring back material for a good novel when you return."
"You're joking, right?"
"Halfway."
With that, she vanished in a swirl.
No door creak—just her ability, probably.
Where was she off to, using her powers like that?
Curiosity stirred, but it was quickly overtaken by other thoughts.
"Sigh. Even Katiranya's not against it, so I guess I have to go."
I began packing while pondering what to do during the trip.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ On the journey, I planned to brainstorm my next novel and outline long-delayed projects.
That was the plan, anyway. How did it end up like this?
"Make yourself comfortable."
"Thank you, sir."
Several carriages bearing the delegation to the Holy Kingdom rolled forward.
I was riding with the Duke himself.
He'd even personally offered me a seat.
Why?
Edn was deeply curious but couldn't bring himself to ask the Duke outright.
So he sat as casually as possible.
The Duke, meanwhile, watched him thoughtfully.
More precisely, he was mulling over words the Emperor had shared before the delegation was formed.
'A warning.'
Looking at Edn, the act was obvious.
He was trying his best, but to the Duke's eyes, it still looked amateurish.
Most nobles might be fooled, but he clearly felt uneasy sharing the carriage.
Still, the Duke had no intention of switching vehicles.
Having heard it directly from the Emperor, he had to at least play along.
Besides, changing now would be unthinkable for House Apontuna—it'd look bad.
A warning for such an inexperienced Edn, of all people.
The Duke figured pretending was better than nothing.
Finishing his thoughts, the Duke smiled warmly.
"First off, thank you for accepting."
"Not at all. It's my duty as a noble."
The Duke started with light chit-chat about personal matters.
Gradually, it shifted to how to conduct himself in the delegation and points of caution.
For Edn's first time, he explained everything in detail.
The Duke wouldn't go this far for anyone else.
Not without reason, of course.
His daughter Pretina had shown interest, and Edn's own value was immense.
The practical founder of magitech and a bestselling author, to boot.
He hadn't released a book lately, but everyone knew he was busy, so it wasn't a big deal.
Hardly anyone published as quickly as Edn anyway.
What concerned him more was Edn's boredom.
"Bored?"
"Pardon? No, not at all."
"Haha, I'm not scolding you—relax."
The Duke laughed, but Edn remained tense.
Anyone would, facing a duke.
It took real guts not to.
Anyway, the Duke shared his concerns with a gentle smile.
"I'm doing this because I'm worried about you. The Emperor has his eye on you."
"...His Majesty?"
"Yes. And to clarify, it's neither good nor bad."
Listening, Edn had a sudden hunch.
It hit reflexively, so he couldn't be sure.
But it wasn't good.
Maybe the Emperor disliked my novels?
Sherlock Holmes, Jekyll and Hyde, Don Quixote.
All three had elements that could irk an emperor, great or small.
Edn realized he understood the Duke's words.
"So, I should keep a low profile."
"Not exactly, but if that's how you see it."
Edn felt certain now.
Better to stay quiet.
But the world rarely goes as planned.
If it did, words like despair, frustration, and disappointment wouldn't exist.
"Welcome. We've been expecting you."
The first person I saw upon arriving in the Holy Kingdom was the Saintess—and she was all too familiar.
Hepiriya, what are you doing here?
I'd thought she was just an ordinary priestess.
Yet here she was, the Saintess herself, staring at me with intense interest.
In this unbelievable situation, I pressed my forehead.
So much for keeping a low profile.