Part 2, Chapter 30
Part 2, Chapter 30
Translation: godsn
A few days later, the day of the St. Augustine Continental Festival dawned.
People from across the continent gathered at the Elamuz Strait to witness the festival, regardless of nationality.
At the center of the street stood a statue of Saint Augustine adorned with flowers.
Holding hands in a circle around the statue, people danced to the music that filled the air.
Petals fluttered through the air, and sweet fragrances abounded.
Laughter burst forth from the crowd. The lively melodies coming from somewhere never ceased.
For now, neither nationality nor status mattered. Everyone mingled together, reveling in the festival.
"Emily! Come join us! Let's dance!"
"No, thanks."
The girl shook her head despite her excited friend's urging. Her friend's eyes widened in surprise.
"Have you forgotten? Tonight is the Night of Saint Augustine! The night when dancing couples meet their lifelong partners!"
"What's that? I've never heard of it."
Though chiding her for not knowing such a famous tale, the girl gladly explained the story from beginning to end.
"Long ago, there were two lovers who couldn't be together because they were from enemy nations. Eventually, they ran away together but ended up being hunted by both countries."
"Oh my!"
"But Saint Augustine took pity on them and bestowed his blessing. And so, they lived their lives cherishing each other forever!"
"That sounds like a fairy tale."
"It's a true story! Do you know why so many people have gathered here today? It's to seek Saint Augustine's blessing to meet the love of their lives!"
As her friend said, this place was a festival ground where neither nationality nor status mattered.
Bright, ringing laughter burst forth continuously like celebratory fireworks in the sky.
Parthenon Temple.
Meanwhile, the priests of the Holy Kingdom and distinguished guests from various nations who had come to the strait were enjoying the festival atmosphere at the Parthenon Temple.
The Parthenon Temple was located on a highland slightly removed from the Detached Palace.
In front lay plains, while behind stretched the vast sea, boasting a breathtaking natural landscape.
It offered a panoramic view of the streets below.
Moreover, for the Continental Festival, all the windows on both sides had been opened, creating a refreshing sense of openness.
This was the Valdina Imperial Family's intention—to celebrate the festival with the people, without barriers of status.
Thus, if the people on the streets looked up, they could faintly glimpse the temple's interior.
As the hosts of the Continental Festival, Medeia and her brother were the first to present the opening dance.
The young Emperor of Valdina drew everyone's attention with a more noble and devout appearance than usual.
Dressed in antiquated white ceremonial robes, he looked almost like the leader of the Holy Kingdom's delegation, causing even young priests to occasionally glance his way.
Though the man himself was too focused on his sister before him to notice.
"Dea. I can't believe how much you've grown. It feels like just yesterday I was holding your hands to help you take your first wobbly steps."
Even now, Pelleus could still trace the remnants of the toddling child in Medeia's face.
"Why are you bringing up the past?"
Medeia murmured, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.
Unlike the women adorned in lovely pastel hues, she still wore a solemn navy-blue dress.
Yet, her youthful features made her seem like a fresh-faced girl.
Even with her expressionless face and the unapproachable, icy aura she exuded, there was an undeniable loveliness about her.
Gently brushing his sister's cheek, flushed red from the outdoor heat, Pelleus glanced across the floor at the men waiting in line to ask Medeia for a dance.
His handsome brows furrowed briefly at their blatantly impure gazes before he suddenly realized—
His little sister had already reached the age where marriage proposals would come and go.
"Dea."
"Yes?"
"One day, you'll have to leave my side. But I hope that day won't come too soon."
He swallowed a sigh and murmured quietly, his low voice almost pleading.
The years he had missed watching over her were far too long.
He hadn't even been there to see her grow up like this, and now, before he knew it, he'd have to send her off to one of those half-witted fools.
"......"
"I'm sorry for making such a selfish request when I left you alone for so long, dear sister."
Medeia let out a quiet chuckle at her brother's voice, laced with both worry and exasperation.
Pelleus was worrying over nothing.
"Who knows? Will such a day ever come?"
In this life, she had no intention of marrying at all. One mistake—losing everything—had been more than enough.
Some might say I lack responsibility as a princess...
But if her reputation soured to the point she could no longer stay in Valdina, she could simply pass her inheritance to Pelleus' children and leave.
She had endured the harsh life of the Expeditionary Force—was there anywhere on the continent where she couldn't survive on her own?
Just then, the music ended.
"Your Majesty!"
Pelleus flinched slightly as High Priest Paolo approached with long strides, his expression twisting in displeasure.
The priest's booming voice echoed across the dance floor.
His swiftness betrayed his determination—he had clearly waited only for Medeia and Pelleus to finish their dance, refusing to let anyone else take precedence.
"May the next dance be with our Saintess! The Goddess herself would rejoice at this sacred bond between the Holy Kingdom and Valdina!"
Behind him stood Rachel, demure and composed, though a faint blush tinged her cheeks.
Medeia inwardly admired her nerve.
Great nations really do share similarities.
The Holy Kingdom's shamelessness—acting as if all past conflicts were forgotten for the sake of their goal—was no different from Kazen's.
But High Priest Paolo still didn't seem to realize.
The young Emperor of Valdina was not the type to yield easily to such forceful pressure, no matter how many people were watching.
Nor was he the kind to hesitate even a moment before slapping the Holy Kingdom across the face—regardless of witnesses.
"Come, everyone is waiting. Truly, the first dance should have been the Saintess's, but she graciously yielded for the sake of Your Majesties' sibling bond. Now, let us restore the proper order—"
"Regrettably, I must decline. Preparations for later require my attention."
The calm refusal rang out, swift and devoid of even the slightest consideration.
"But the music is short—it won't take much time! Your Majesty, this is an opportunity to showcase the unity between the Holy Kingdom and Valdina."
"If that's all, then it need not be me. Dianzel, escort the Saintess in my stead."
Paolo's face flushed red, then paled.
That... that insolent—!
Did this greenhorn not realize whose favor had even allowed the Continental Festival to be held here?
Had they not turned a blind eye to the Holy Kingdom desecrating their sacred temple with this vulgar dance spectacle?
Paolo felt a deep humiliation—as if he, not Rachel, had been the one rejected.
"If His Holiness learns how the Emperor of Valdina has slighted the Goddess's Proxy, he will not be pleased. A momentary whim could cost Valdina far more than it can afford to bleed."
Pelleus stopped mid-step. Then, slowly, he turned.
"A whim...?"
The look he leveled at the High Priest stripped away any pretense of the courtesy he had maintained until now.
"You seem to mistake the land beneath your feet for the Holy Kingdom, High Priest."
The icy tone skewered Paolo's audacity.
A killing intent fiercer than what the Holy Knights had faced against Magic Beasts radiated from the young Emperor.
"......"
A frost-like pressure descended. The lively festival atmosphere froze over in an instant.
"I—I merely..."
Paolo stumbled back, flinching.
Though the Emperor held nothing in his hands, for a fleeting moment, Paolo could have sworn he saw a greatsword gripped in them.
Only now did he truly grasp the weight of Pelleus' infamous title—the Slaughterer.
The rumors were true—that the blood of the plains warriors who had vanished beneath those hands over a decade could have formed rivers.
"I—I was only concerned for public perception! For the reputations of both nations—especially Valdina's! His Holiness himself urged me to—"
"Ah, so it's the Pope's will, then?"
Pelleus scoffed mockingly.
"How strange. If His Holiness truly thought so, why send the Saintess back here at all?"
His cold blue eyes, indifferent yet sharp, turned toward Rachel.
"He must know what she did the last time she was in Valdina."
There was no mistaking it—he was referring to the incident the Saintess had caused.
"Th-that was—"
"Wait, what? What did the Saintess do?"