Chapter 218
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 218
It was the predatory gaze characteristic of the head of a Great House.
If it had been the old me, I would have been startled and bowed my head the moment Grandfather reacted like that.
But not anymore. I truly trusted him.
"What is the reason you want to change Hyacinthia’s name?"
"It’s because of you, Grandfather."
"Because of me?"
"Yes. Grandfather, aren't you sad every time you call her Hyacinthia?"
"……What do you mean by that?"
In the meantime, we had reached the front of the drawing room. The attendants, sensing the mood, opened the doors, allowing us to enter the room without interruption.
The drawing room, decorated in a cozy and refined atmosphere, had the power to slightly soften the sharp mood of anyone who entered.
That was why I had led Grandfather here before bringing up such a sensitive topic.
I really did well making Ramus Jeremiah my subordinate. How did he manage to design the interior with such meticulous consideration for human psychology, even in these small details?
"Grandfather."
Sitting across from him, I blinked and continued.
"The reason people pack away a deceased person's belongings is that they are reminded of them every time they see their things. I think of Mom every time I see her belongings, and a thought suddenly occurred to me."
"……."
"I wondered if Grandfather also thinks of my late aunt and grandmother every time you call Hyacinthia by her name."
Grandfather didn't answer for a moment. Letting out a low groan, he slowly opened his mouth.
"You're such a young thing……. Are you actually worrying about this old man?"
"Of course. I’m your favorite granddaughter, aren't I?"
"You little……."
Grandfather burst into a hearty laugh. He gazed at the distant sky through the window for a moment, then spoke as if he had made a decision.
"Fine. As you said, it would be better to change her name. Hyacinthia would be sad too if she kept hearing her mother's name."
As I nodded, Grandfather asked, "However, I’m not sure what name would suit the child."
"Grandfather."
I leaned in and whispered the name I had already thought of into his ear.
* * *
While rumors of the late Grand Princess's daughter returning alive became the new talk of high society, the Grand Temple took the unusual step of opening the First Assembly Hall. Thanks to this, the nobles of the Brillant Empire flocked to the temple.
"The First Assembly Hall is a place that never opens except for coronations. What could be happening?"
"Exactly. The invitation didn't even specify the reason."
"Could it be……. I heard a certain rumor."
Abdication.
That the Emperor was planning to abdicate…….
However, the Emperor was far too healthy for that to be the case.
The nobles entered the Grand Temple one after another, engaging in quiet conversations filled with doubt.
Even if they didn't know the reason the hall was opened, the Grand Temple delighted their eyes with its uniquely artistic architecture and vibrantly decorated gardens.
However, some ladies and young lords came out looking disappointed.
"It's too much that we can't even go inside there."
"The priests are so scary."
"I heard that no one but high-ranking priests can enter the rear garden inside. They say it's a place where even His Majesty the Emperor cannot enter, so what right do nobles like us have to say anything?"
"But…… there is one member of the Imperial Family who can enter as he pleases."
One lady whispered.
"His Highness the Crown Prince. I heard he can go anywhere in the Grand Temple as he wishes."
"Well, he is……."
"The kind of person for whom even the High Priests would run out barefoot to greet."
The Crown Prince, who was already rarely seen in social circles, had been even more reclusive lately.
However, his picture-perfect appearance and grand status remained a hot topic in society.
As the ladies talked about the Crown Prince with fluttering voices, a solemn voice filled the garden.
"Will all the nobles of the Empire please gather in the hall."
It was the voice of a high-ranking priest.
* * *
I didn't see this place often even in <The Milk Bread>, so seeing it in person is so fascinating.
Like the other nobles, I busily looked around the interior, which was as large as a stadium with a high, vaulted ceiling.
This wasn't the Imperial Palace, but everyone invited today was a person of high rank from various nations.
Accordingly, seats were arranged by status, and the seats allocated to the Frezier family were, of course, the most prestigious.
Like the nobles of Brillant, the royalty of other nations were also busy speculating why they had been invited to the First Assembly Hall.
"Why on earth did they open this place?"
The Frezier family was no different. Of course, everyone else was quiet, and only Leon Frezier was muttering to himself in deep thought.
Even Grandfather was likely speculating internally why this mysterious place had been opened.
But I remained calm, both inside and out.
Because.
I already know!
Why this First Assembly Hall was opened!
Why so many distinguished guests were invited!
I had already figured it out!
"It's the High Priests!"
"The High Priests are here!"
"Why are all seven High Priests here together……? No, one of them didn't come out."
"You mean High Priest Letur? He doesn't engage in public activities because he's in poor health."
"I heard he's on the verge of returning to the arms of the gods."
"High Priest Letur is the youngest one, what a shame……."
Regardless, seeing six High Priests appearing in one place was a sight one might not see in a lifetime.
Just as the thousands of nobles, royalty, and imperial family members present were stirred, the oldest High Priest stood solemnly before the podium with a wrinkled face.
"Today, I wish to announce that a Saintess has appeared in this place."
In an instant, countless people stood up instinctively. The quiet hall became noisier than a marketplace in a heartbeat.
"A Saintess?! Do you mean the Saint mentioned only in the scriptures?"
"Has a Saintess descended?! Is it a revelation?!"
"Who on earth is it? Is it one of the priests?"
"Where is she?!"
The High Priest waited for the people's turbulent reactions to subside, and once the room was somewhat settled, he shifted his gaze with a smile.
It was precisely toward the section where the people of the Frezier family were sitting.
Right. You should look this way.
In The Milk Bread, among the many endings, the illustration of this First Assembly Hall could be seen in only one.
And that was.
"Please come forward. Lady Hyacinthia Frezier. No, Saintess."
Corico's Saintess Ending.
"……!"
"……!"
"……!"
Even Grandfather and Dad’s eyes shook violently, a rare sight.
High-ranking priests who had already come to meet her supported an awkward Corico and led her toward the High Priests.
The nobles buzzed explosively, fallen into a state of shock.
"Was there such a lady in Frezier?"
"Who is she? A lady from a branch family……?"
"No. You know, that story about Grand Princess Hyacinthia's daughter being alive……."
"That girl? My goodness! And she's even a Saintess!"
Grandfather, the head of Frezier, was the first to stand up and speak.
"My granddaughter is a Saintess? What does that mean?"
The High Priest answered calmly.
"A while ago, the Frezier family entrusted us with this young lady's sample. That was when we found out. The enormous divine power this young lady—no, the Saintess—possesses."
"……!"
The High Priests all bowed deeply toward Corico. People looked back and forth between Corico and the High Priests in immense shock.
Then.
"Does that girl really possess such great divine power? Enough to be called a Saintess?"
In an instant, the First Assembly Hall became as quiet as if doused with cold water.
A question that directly contradicted the High Priests' intent. Who was the bold bastard doing something even the Emperor of the Empire couldn't easily do……!
"……Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The strength momentarily left the High Priest's voice, which had been tinged with anger.
"Why do you harbor such a doubt?"
"Is it not natural?"
"Your Highness……."
The Crown Prince, Ferdinand, who sat with his arms crossed in the seat next to the Emperor, was the most cherished treasure of the Temple.
Even when he was treated as a defective product or a flawed item by the nobles because of his excessive divine power, the Temple never treated him that way.
It was the same now that Ferdinand had suddenly escaped his Divine Power Hyperaffliction and become a full-grown young man.
"Are you doubting us?"
Unlike the High Priest's voice, which held a hint of sadness, Ferdinand still wore his characteristic expressionless face.
"A Saintess holds a position equivalent to a Duke in the Brillant Empire. Her treatment becomes identical to that of the Imperial Family. As the Crown Prince of Brillant, I was simply curious about the objective evidence."
"I see……."
The High Priest looked at Corico once and said, "The Saintess possesses an immense amount of divine power. It is an amount that fully satisfies the qualifications of a Saint as recorded in the scriptures."
"Are you saying her divine power is even greater than that of the late Empress?"
In an instant, Emperor Alexander froze.
Empress Olivia was his eternal sore spot. To save Ferdinand, who was in her womb, she had scraped together an enormous amount of divine power and injected it into her body.
Even Empress Olivia hadn't been appointed as a Saintess back then…….
"I am curious as well. Are you saying that girl's divine power rivals the standard of a Saintess?"
"Understood. Since both of you desire evidence so much, we shall show you ourselves."
At the High Priest's signal, the complexions of a few other High Priests changed slightly, but they soon complied.
A moment later.
A large box was brought in with great effort by two high-ranking priests. The beautiful box, embossed with gold on every corner, was presented before Corico.
"Saintess, you only need to place your hand upon this."