Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Prince's Dangerous Words
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A few days had passed since humans and demons embarked on an unprecedented path of cooperation.
People were adapting to the new era's order at an astonishingly rapid pace, without any hint of chaos.
This was undoubtedly influenced to some extent by the empress's and the church's full support, along with the aid programs for the migrants—
But the primary reasons were that demonic energy wasn't as horrifying as imagined, and for some reason, demons' emotions were surprisingly easy to read.
Already, whispers were emerging from the shadows, suggesting more active collaboration with demons beyond district boundaries.
Humans could provide knowledge and tools to demons who wished to farm, while demons could offer their innate physical strength, superior to humans'.
In a win-win situation like this, it was only natural for people to desire broader exchanges—
Just as the first step is the hardest and the second comes easier, the imperial family was already preparing another new edict.
Those who benefited the most from this process were the residents around the dungeons.
Dungeons had always been highly undesirable places to live, so they were mostly occupied by the powerless or those pushed to the margins.
It was like a cow backing up and accidentally catching a mouse—a miracle of "peaceful wealth redistribution where no one loses."
Peace achieved through communication rather than mutual slaughter.
Naturally, public support for Saintess Erin, who led the talks between the Demon King and the empress, and for the Igugwoden Church soared to the heavens.
"This is all thanks to Lord Igugwoden's plain facts."
"Guo-men."
"May God's plain facts be with you......"
"I've vowed to dedicate this body to the Lord this time. I'll send my child to the monastery."
This was the perfect opportunity for the Igugwoden Church, which adhered to the doctrine of "never forcing religion on anyone."
What could be better than people voluntarily converting without priests having to plead, "Please believe in the Igugwoden Church"?
And so—
"Isn't now the perfect chance to restore the Papal States? The empress believes in the Igugwoden Church too, so she probably won't object."
"Let's formally propose it to Saintess Erin and His Holiness the Pope."
—The clergy naturally reached for their lifelong dream of restoring the Papal States.
The Papal States.
In the old days, when the pope's authority was so high it could topple emperors, they had effectively controlled the Ainsberg region, excluding Igugwoden Citadel, as the Papal States.
They were dissolved due to corruption and scandals like the sale of indulgences, leaving only Igugwoden Cathedral behind—
But with such favorable public sentiment and the empress on the church's side, most high priestesses believed declaring the Papal States again was only a matter of time.
However—
"We refuse. Our duty is solely to follow God's will. Unless an oracle descends, we cannot afford to antagonize the imperial family, who are blessed by God, over something trivial."
Due to opposition from Saintess Erin, the core of the church's power, it remained merely at the discussion stage for now.
However, since the saintess had said "if an oracle descends," if the Sole God Igugwoden desired a Papal States to serve Him, things could proceed at lightning speed—
'......'
—Linea, a member of the Dish of Holy Knights, watching all this, was most worried about precisely that.
Even if the saintess had no ambition for power, one could never rule out the high priestesses or the pope harboring different intentions.
At least before her mother Eirene converted, there was no need to worry about such discussions arising—
'But Mother now...... would permit it without a second thought.'
Linea was certain.
For God's will, her mother would do anything. Since welcoming Eirene as her new mother, Linea had never seen her display such pure devotion.
The vassals who had similarly met with the saintess in private would undoubtedly agree swiftly to establishing the Papal States.
Of course, even with the Papal States, relations with the empire would remain highly amicable for the foreseeable future. The church and imperial family had never colluded this closely.
But that was only true for now.
What happens when time passes, Mother steps down from the throne, Erin retires, and new popes and high priestesses take their places?
'I need to block it while I still can.'
She knew that, but how could she possibly stop it?
Though selected as a holy knight, the main reason the church chose holy knights was to combat demons that surged with the saintess's emergence.
Yet Saintess Erin had successfully resolved the conflict with demons in a way never attempted before.
Naturally, the influence of holy knights—already divided into three groups—would wane compared to the saintess. Even her own duties as a holy knight were mostly menial tasks.
She had no intention of scorning the work itself. Serving everyone suited her temperament well. It simply didn't grant her a voice.
If.
If the church had selected three holy knights taking all this into account?
'......I can't underestimate them.'
If they harbored ambitions, she had to be vigilant as a member of the imperial family. Even without ambition, their talent for unconsciously securing power paths demanded caution.
Wondering if there was some way, while diligently transferring the remaining grilled chicken from the relief container—
"Princess!"
A man's voice called from behind. Turning, she saw a guard in armor emblazoned with the imperial crest bowing deeply.
He seemed to be a soldier from the imperial palace, not the church.
"You're here, Princess Linea. I'm relieved to see you're well."
"What brings you here?"
"His Highness the Prince said he should be able to meet you this evening."
"......!"
Her younger brother, who had secluded himself despite her requests to meet, finally seemed in the mood.
With older sister Yuria and mother Eirene as fervent Igugwoden believers...... he was the last imperial bloodline who could speak freely.
"Understood. I'll come as soon as I finish my duties."
"Yes, ma'am!"
* * *
That evening.
On her way back, she ran into Ophelia, who had a rabbit perched on her head.
"Hello, Lady Ophelia. Greetings to you too, Rabbit Lord."
"Dal-mat-go-don."
"You've worked hard. If you're not busy, how about some training together starting now, Linea? Rabbit Lord says he'll help too."
"I have somewhere to be today. Sorry."
"No, it's fine. My apologies for the intrusion. Then, see you at dinner. May thick potcha—"
"Igo-go-don."
"—No, may plain facts be with you."
Leaving Ophelia, who wished her plain facts, and the rabbit with its odd cry behind, Linea hurried toward Igugwoden Royal Palace.
In the right spire of the palace building, the highest chamber belonged to the third son, Ares.
Upon arrival, a maid was already waiting.
"You've arrived, Princess. This way, please."
The door opened upon being led there, revealing—
Sunlight barely filtering through the curtains by the window, miscellaneous books scattered everywhere.
What stood out was the abundance of board games, including chess and playing cards.
This was the clearest proof that the room's owner had quiet hobbies.
Various decorations were placed haphazardly without any unifying theme—more like displays than decor.
What tied the entire space together was sound.
Scritch, scritch.
Turning toward the sound of a quill pen scratching on paper—
There was Ares von Ainsberg, the third prince and youngest of the three siblings.
His sparkling golden hair and deep blue eyes were the strongest evidence of his imperial lineage.
He had always shown exceptional intelligence, earning high expectations from their late mother......
But the big-headed Ares had veered off path, becoming an eccentric buried in the library, pursuing obscure studies and occasionally dropping bombshells.
For example, things like republics—political systems from ancient times that no emperor needed to learn.
Thanks to that, the succession had neatly settled on Yuria. Was that a blessing?
"Ares."
"You've come, big sis Linea."
"You seem busy? You've avoided all public appearances."
"I was writing a new book."
"A book?"
"A novel. In a form that's easy for people to read. I thought many might enjoy it...... but everyone's busy reading scriptures these days, huh?"
Ares's books took the form of stories, but they consistently advocated philosophies.
Their former Eirene had disapproved strongly of his writing, but now, aligned with the Igugwoden doctrine of "never forcing religion or ideology," she seemed hands-off.
That's why he could boldly say he was "writing a book" in the palace.
"How have you been, sis? First time seeing you since you joined the Dish of Holy Knights. Is it manageable?"
At Ares's somewhat sharp words, Linea turned her head slightly.
"It's tolerable."
"Really? Spreading God's will suits you?"
"Yeah. And beyond that, I'm a chosen member of the Dish of Holy Knights. To avoid shaming the imperial name, I must spread more plain facts—or I'd be the one shaming it."
Ares blinked at Linea, then—
"You've always been terrible at lying, sis."
"......What?"
"You have a tell. Like blinking fast when you lie."
Unlike the flustered Linea, Ares maintained a calm tone.
"And if you were truly devoted to spreading 'plain facts,' you wouldn't need to come see me, right?"
Linea started to speak, then just bowed her head.
No point in lying anyway.
After observing him briefly, she cautiously broached the main topic—
Thud. The quill pen was set down on the table.
"Sis. You said you wanted to consult? But the opportunity will come naturally."
"You know what I was going to say?"
"You want to check the church to balance power, right?"
Linea affirmed with silence.
Ares had always seemed unusually perceptive, even from childhood. Just like now.
"Of course, God doesn't exist...... and Saintess Erin is just human, so her power can't last forever. Dissatisfaction will erupt eventually, and you can check them then naturally. No need to poke the beloved Igugwoden Church now—it'd just cause trouble, and suppressing public will by force will only lead to explosion."
And he.
The overwhelming authority as the sole legitimate male of the Ainsberg imperial family spoke, in a tone as casual as reciting the evening menu—
"Even if the opportunity comes...... it doesn't have to be ours, the Ainsbergs', right?"
"......!"
"God said it Himself, didn't He? Old is bad, new is good...... and all the logic upholding the empire is old."
"Ares, you......!"
—He uttered words no imperial family member should ever speak, as if it were nothing.