Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Holy Empire (1)
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“The Gretus branch chief was assassinated?”
“That’s right. The southern branch is in complete chaos right now.”
Erwin Aleyas was deeply shaken upon hearing the news in the city they had stopped at midway.
“And there are rumors he was colluding with Dialogue Church affiliates. They say inquisitor knights are coming down from headquarters.”
“Inquisitor knights...”
“A bloodbath’s coming to the southern branch.”
As the provincial knight sighed, Erwin wiped sweat from his forehead.
“W-What do we do...”
“Erwin Ironclad Knight, don’t worry about it.”
I spoke to the agitated Erwin.
“You said you weren’t close to Gretus Aleyas anyway.”
“T-That’s true, but...”
“The flames won’t spread that far. Only his direct lineage and close aides will face repercussions.”
“Even so...”
“Just focus on the mission. Who knows? They might recognize your contributions here and scout you to headquarters later.”
“...!”
Erwin’s eyes widened at my words.
“That’s right, Erwin Ironclad Knight.”
“We’ll speak highly of you when we report to the higher-ups.”
“G-Got it. I’ll focus solely on completing my mission! I’ll escort you all safely to Romangia!”
Cain and Robel also offered Erwin encouraging words, and in the end, he regained his composure.
Watching him, I fell into thought.
‘This settles the Gretus issue for now.’
Dietrich assassinated Gretus and staged it to look like Collas did it.
He also left evidence suggesting Gretus and Collas were collaborators.
It was possible because Dietrich was the one who subdued and tortured Collas.
‘The southern branch will try to catch Collas and uncover the truth, but it’s pointless.’
Collas was already dead by Dietrich’s hand.
So the southern branch would face headquarters’ inspection without catching the culprit.
The Inquisition seems to be sending inquisitor knights... A major purge is likely.
‘This narrows the next Knight Order Leader candidates to Ianus’s four siblings.’
Serxes, Helena, Est, Kurt.
No one left to threaten these four.
Who will be the next Knight Order Leader, I wonder.
* * *
After several more days of travel, we arrived at Romangia, the capital of the Holy Empire.
Romangia lived up to the rumors as the empire’s largest metropolis.
The streets teemed with people, and cathedrals of the Holy Spirit Church stood countless in number.
“This is my first time in a city this bustling.”
“Same here, Sena sis.”
“Impressive. Is it because His Majesty the Emperor resides here?”
Sena, Cain, and Robel gawked around like country bumpkins.
Erwin smirked faintly at the sight.
“Erwin Ironclad Knight, I’m eager to enter the imperial palace.”
“Ah, understood. This way, please.”
We walked the central boulevard toward the imperial palace.
The imperial palace rivaled the Papal Palace in scale but exuded far greater authority in its architecture.
[That building alone makes the Holy Empire feel like a mighty nation ruling the world.]
‘In reality, it’s not so much.’
Despite its grandiose name, the Holy Empire lacks substance.
It controls the continent north of the Winter Mountains, but true governance is limited to areas around Romangia in the south.
Other regions are dominated by local powers, for whom the Holy Empire’s emperor is a distant symbolic figure.
Several reasons explain this weak imperial authority. First, during founding, too much power was granted to the feudal lords.
Even a crown prince designated by the emperor must be elected by the Elector Princes to ascend, hindering strong rule.
The Holy Spirit Church’s influence, older than the empire, plays a role too.
Currently, relations between the imperial government and Papal Palace are good thanks to Cardinal Epit Raus, but historically, emperors have clashed with popes, faced excommunication, and been dethroned.
Various issues have left the Holy Empire a ‘neither holy nor imperial’ nation in name only.
‘Still, its authority around Romangia is not to be dismissed. We must show due respect.’
[Hmm, handle it yourself.]
The imperial palace was divided into sections, and we could only access the outermost one.
After Erwin bowed to several people and guided us to a waiting area, a mustachioed man entered.
“Pleased to meet you, Sir Sion Aleyas.”
Around early sixties, perhaps.
Tall frame, impeccable posture.
Clearly a veteran martial artist.
“I am Agatram, commander of the Imperial Guard Knights.”
Agatram.
The 8-star knight commanding the Imperial Guard Knights protecting the palace and imperial family.
Appointed five years ago, deeply trusted by the emperor.
“Thank you for coming. Truth be told, I didn’t expect the Holy Knight Order headquarters to send anyone.”
He seemed amicable toward us.
“And for the Knight Order Leader’s grandsons to come in person... Truly grateful.”
Agatram bowed deeply before us.
Sena and the others were taken aback by his courtesy.
“Knight Commander, I’ve heard a brief overview. But I’d like the details.”
“Understood, Sir Sion.”
Even to me, much younger, Agatram was polite.
“As you know, Her Highness Princess Freira, the emperor’s third daughter, turns ten this time. We’ve always held celebrations inside the palace, but at Her Highness’s request, it’s elsewhere this year.”
“She absolutely refuses to hold it in the palace?”
“Indeed.”
He gave a wry smile openly.
Though not stated outright, he seemed exasperated by a ten-year-old’s stubbornness.
“The issue is the location she wants is hard to secure. Filling numbers is easy enough, but preparing for real threats requires dispatching many from the Imperial Guard.”
“At least several 6-star knights or higher.”
“Embarrassing to admit, but we lack such manpower. Protecting His Majesty and Her Majesty comes first... Splitting the Guard for the princess would neglect palace security—putting the cart before the horse.”
If it were ordinary nobility, such thoroughness wouldn’t be needed.
But this is the nation’s symbolic figure.
No mishaps can be tolerated.
“If Dialogue Church infiltrators exploit the gap and attack, what then?”
“We must prevent that.”
“Exactly. That’s why we requested the Holy Knight Order’s aid. You have... countless 6-star experts and above.”
Agatram looked at me earnestly.
“Sir Sion, I’ve heard you’re a genius handling 8-star mana at seventeen. If you guard Her Highness, our Guard can perform without worry.”
“No need for concern, Knight Commander.”
I met Agatram’s gaze.
“The best outcome is everything passes uneventfully. But even if something happens, worry not. We will protect Her Highness without fail.”
“I trust you, Sir Sion.”
Agatram grasped and shook my hand.
[He really trusts you. Seems he’s heard much of your exploits in various battles.]
As Igzard noted, Agatram fully trusted me.
“Of course, we won’t leave it solely to you. Numerous imperial soldiers will be deployed, and we’ll send thirty 3-star knights from the Guard, including an 8-star.”
“An 8-star? Who might that be?”
“Our Guard’s top prospect, second-in-command. He’ll be our security chief.”
“I’d like to meet him.”
“I was about to introduce...”
Then the door opened, and a servant rushed in.
“Knight Commander, Her Majesty the Empress summons you.”
“The Empress?”
Agatram looked troubled.
“Sorry, Sir Sion.”
“Must you go?”
“Her Majesty’s summons... Please excuse me. I’ll return once finished.”
“It’s fine. May we greet the Guard officers in the meantime?”
“Good idea. I’ll have someone guide you.”
Agatram summoned a person to entrust us, and we were led to the Imperial Guard building.
* * *
The Imperial Guard building was in a remote corner of the palace.
But it wasn’t shabby.
“Unnecessarily grandiose.”
“Cain, watch your mouth.”
“S-Sorry, Sena sis.”
As Cain said, the building was excessively opulent.
No need for such splendor when it’s not for show.
‘And the guys working here give off the same vibe.’
Dozens of Imperial Guard knights already waited out front.
Likely off-duty knights on break.
They wore ornate armor, especially eye-catching mantles with elaborate embroidery.
‘Most Imperial Guards are nobles, right?’
Observing their impractical attire, rare in the Holy Knight Order, I began doubting if these were proper knights.
“From the Holy Knight Order: Sion Aleyas Steel Knight, Sena Aleyas Ironclad Knight, Liz Aleyas Ironclad Knight, Cain Aleyas Grade 1 Knight, Robel Aleyas Grade 1 Knight. Greet them.”
The guiding servant introduced us, but the Guards’ response was cold.
Far from Agatram’s courtesy, they whispered upon seeing us.
“That young man’s Sion Aleyas?”
“More boy than youth, isn’t he? And he’s 8-star?”
“Just empty rumors from the Aleyas family? Spreading lies to boost their status, no doubt.”
“The others look too young too...”
“Rely on these kids?”
Unlike Agatram, the Guards didn’t trust us.
Cain and Robel whispered behind me at the sight.
“What’s this? The level’s so low.”
“Now I get why they asked for our help, bro.”
I had to agree with Cain and Robel.
Rating helpers lined up before them? Unthinkable rudeness in the Holy Knight Order.
[The Holy Empire’s future worries me.]
‘Yeah, a total mess.’
As I sighed, one stepped forward as representative.
“Pleased to meet you, Sir Sion.”
“...”
“No idea what the commander told you, but we don’t welcome you. We think we can handle Her Highness’s protection alone.”
Delusional self-assessment.
Had Agatram not explained to his men?
“Which is why...”
He rambled without hearing my reply.
“We’d like to check the Holy Knight Order knights’ skills.”
“W-Wait a moment.”
Sena urgently interjected beside me.
“Isn’t this too rude? We’re officially...”
“We can’t entrust Her Highness without knowing your skill.”
“But...”
“Scared? Afraid to lose?”
“That’s not...!”
I raised a hand to stop Sena.
“It’s fine, sis.”
“Sion...!”
“So what? Let’s spar to loosen up.”
As I stepped forward, the Guard knight nodded with a smile.
“Thanks for accepting, Sir Sion.”
He raised his hand, and someone tossed two wooden swords.
He took one and handed the other to me.
[What’s this guy so cocky about? Seems only 6-star.]
‘Probably doesn’t believe I’m 8-star. Thinks no mana in sparring.’
With wooden swords, sword aura’s impossible anyway.
Pure swordsmanship, he thinks he’ll win.
“An honor to spar with famed Sion Aleyas. I am the Guard’s rank 8...”
“Not interested in your name.”
I cut him off.
“I yield first strike. Come.”
“...!”
He looked offended.
But he soon kicked off, charging me.
[Decent momentum, at least.]
‘Aiming to overwhelm and seize initiative. Short battle, huh.’
Pointless.
Thwack!
My wooden sword deflected his and struck his jaw.
He spun once and collapsed.
His ornate mantle crumpled and dirtied.
“...”
Silent Guards.
Before them, I said curtly.
“Someone higher than rank 8. Come.”