Children of the Holy Emperor Chapter 158

§ 158. Apostle (2)

“Did you hear that story? Well, my baby saint was actually an apostle of the Lord.”

“what? oh my god! So what happens? “What exactly is that apostle?”

“So, she is a saint given by the Lord Himself.”

“But isn’t the saint’s original grace bestowed by the Lord?”

“Well, it’s a little different. “Now they say she is a saint belonging to the Holy Knights.”

“I don’t know what it is, but that’s amazing!”

Rumors spread very quickly.

Sisley’s declaration caused such a big stir that it was only natural that last night’s incident quickly spread throughout the imperial capital.

However, the fact that the citizens of the Imperial Capital already knew about the [Apostle] immediately after the temporary crusade was over was largely due to the advance effort of the Intelligence Department. The plan is to capture public sentiment before even the slightest criticism arises.

Thanks to this, the rumor reached the ears of Romain, who was passing by on Bertrand Street.

‘Apostle?’

He thought as he headed to the meeting place.

It seems like something happened at the imperial palace yesterday, and Leo will probably tell you the details.

However, when he arrived at the warehouse and confronted him, Romain realized something.

‘… ‘That’s wrong.’

I don’t know where my mind was going, because Leonard was staring into space with a flushed face. And Romain’s hunch was not wrong.

“Apostle? what is that?”

“… … .”

What on earth are you doing in the imperial palace that you don’t know about the stories that all the imperial subjects are talking about?

Romain shook his head. If the prince is so entranced, it’s probably about a woman.

It seems the princess liked him more than he thought. Also, it looks like the atmosphere is becoming quite good.

“Oh, by the way, I have good news, Romain. Prince Mores said he would meet you.”

“Did you? “I thought you would calm down a little, but I was surprised.”

“okay? It looks like you have no intention of hiding the fact that you are a member of the Dark Church? “He willingly agreed to make an appointment.”

Or perhaps my impression was quite reliable.

Romain rubbed his chin that was exposed under his half-mask, letting the prince’s nonsense flow out of one ear.

Why? Is it because of my mood that something feels uncomfortable?

“Anyway, it’s really interesting. Why does a perfectly fine prince of the Holy Empire claim to be a member of the Dark Church? Romain, how did you come to know the prince’s secret?”

Romain stared at Leonard for a moment and then nodded. Well, he’s a key member of the plan, so it’s okay to tell him this much.

“Leo. “He is probably not the real Prince Mores.”

“… what?”

“The real prince must have died for some reason. In any case, what is currently occupying his body is an evil spirit imbued by the Dark Church.”

Leonard, who had opened his mouth dumbly, asked back as if it were absurd.

“What kind of nonsense is that? “You’re kidding, right?”

However, there was no smile in the eyes behind the half-mask.

“Didn’t I tell you earlier that I had the opportunity to channel an imperfect seed and see its soul? “It was confirmed at that time.”

What Romain saw that day was a soul without a proper form and with an extremely faint connection to the body.

Unless one had received the baptism of rest, a person alive and well could never show such an appearance.

“To borrow a Graniusian explanation, perhaps the part corresponding to Bion is weak. Bayon is created gradually through the interaction between the soul and the body. That is proof that the soul suddenly came in from outside. “This is a technique commonly used by the Church of Rest.”

However, despite his detailed explanation, Leonard did not seem to understand very well.

“Baion?”

“… No way, Leo. “Don’t you know the theory of the three elements of the soul?”

“iced coffee. “Is that about theology?”

Leonard scratched his head sheepishly.

“okay. “Are you a theology teacher? I feel like I’m missing something.”

Since he was nagging so much, I stabbed him with a single blow. He is now buried in the back garden of the palace.

“… … .”

“Anyway, it’s surprising. Holy shit, that scary guy is letting evil spirits into the imperial palace.”

“I guess that means he’s a pretty useful horse.”

In fact, didn’t the fake Prince Mores successfully block Romain’s sowing plan instead of Seonghwang? Even thinking about it now, I couldn’t help but feel outraged.

“But he’s still your son?”

“In other words, wouldn’t it mean that he was pushed into such a corner that he even had to use the evil spirit that had taken over his son’s body?”

When you answer like that, your lower lips draw a confident line.

“Great catastrophes originally start from such small cracks, Leo.”

* * *

A liturgical ceremony hosted by the Holy Emperor.

A large crowd of people had already gathered in front of the imperial palace. Because it is a rare day when ordinary citizens can meet the Holy Emperor face to face.

People carrying small bouquets of flowers can be seen here and there. The biggest festival in Delcross, in name and reality, begins, with colorful flower petals fluttering in the air.

“Because the birthday party is the only day when you can receive His Majesty’s blessing in person.”

Lord Masaine explained while looking at Seongjin’s front sight.

The day of the birthday party is a day when God’s representative blesses everyone. It is a day to appear before the subjects of Delcross during the day and bless them, and at the evening banquet, to bless distinguished guests from all over the continent.

‘Are you saying that the birthday party isn’t being celebrated?’

That guy is a bit pitiful too.

If I had known this would happen, I would have prepared at least a simple birthday present.

[If you make a little less trouble, wouldn’t your father be happy enough?]

‘… shut up!’

Although he scolded the demon lord like that, Seongjin honestly had nothing to say.

If you look at this little incident, isn’t it you who lit the wick in the first place?

That was why I attended an unscheduled liturgical event. Because I was a little worried about how the little boy who was at the center of the controversy since last night was coping.

“Originally, it is an event for the citizens. “You are under no obligation to attend.”

As Sir Masain said, there were no separate VIP seats. So Seongjin is currently dressed in ordinary clothes and blending in with the crowd.

Instead, only the security was secure, and Sir Masain and Maria stood on the left and right of Seongjin, and Sir Kurt stood behind him, tightly surrounding him. The strongest force among the resident knights was mobilized.

If you look closely, you can occasionally see VIPs surrounded by security guards among the crowd. It seems that there were more people like Seongjin who secretly came to see it than expected.

“Here we go, sir.”

Along with Sir Kurt’s soft voice, the magnificent sound of wind instruments soon echoes through the square.

One after another, the five Holy Knights began to line up one after another. It was a great spectacle to see them with different characteristics dressed up in formal uniforms and showing off their military rites in perfect order.

What particularly stands out are the Knights of Saint Aurelion and Saint Bastian on the front.

The knights’ uniform, with red and blue symbols on a white background, hung on the left and right of the main gate, creating quite a nice contrast.

“oh! “There’s Logan!”

Seongjin found one person who stood out and smiled.

Hey, bastard. The sword hilt turns nicely.

After the military ceremony of the Holy Knights, which had been a spectacle for a while, the high-ranking priests and choir came forward and a simple mass was held.

“It’s Sisley!”

In front, I saw a little boy wearing a priest’s uniform and standing with a very dignified attitude.

However, the joy was short-lived, and Seongjin had a straight face. What caught her eye was the hook-nosed old man staring at her little boy with a sulky expression right next to her.

That old man! Can’t you open your eyes clearly?

“Cardinal Benitus is not a very gentle person, but he is not fundamentally an evil person.”

Masain noticed Seongjin’s gaze and spoke soothingly.

“There may be some friction at first with the princess who suddenly received her position, but since she is faithful to her principles, won’t she soon come to terms with it and sort it out on her own?”

“Hmm, really?”

Seongjin looked up at Masain and thought.

Now that I think about it, when I first went to the main palace for an audience with the Emperor, wasn’t there a strange atmosphere flowing between the Cardinal and Lord Masain?

“Sir Martha seems to know him quite well.”

Then Masain sighed softly.

“Why not? Cardinal Benitus used to be my guardian. Maybe that’s why, even though he’s just become an adult, he still can’t let go of his old habits and tries to nag me whenever he gets the chance.”

Now that I think about it, Lord Massaine, you were captured by high-ranking priests, including Cardinal Benitus, at the banquet yesterday.

– Masaine. What on earth are you thinking! He resigned from his normal position as the commander of the royal guard and became the commander of the annex palace guard! Masain is the eldest son of the Seonghwang family! Never forget this!

Masain had a gloomy look on his face, remembering the nagging he had said last night, but Seongjin smiled and said to him.

“It’s worth knowing. Seonghwa is telling you to get married?”

“… yes?”

Masain’s face became subtle, but Seongjin patted him on the back with an understanding face.

“I know very well. “Isn’t that all the nagging you do during this period?”

I understand that Lord Martha is already approaching 30.

The repertoire of this period is obvious. Aren’t you looking for a job? Do you have a lover? When are you getting married? When are you going to have a child?

Lord Martha is a well-to-do knight of the Royal Guard, so he’s probably either a lover or a married man.

“iced coffee!”

“Over there, His Majesty!”

At that time, exclamations began to echo everywhere among the people. Finally, the Holy Emperor appeared on the podium.

Although it is an event that only happens once a year, the success was not much different from usual. Just because I had a seat, I had to fasten my robes properly today.

“… … .”

It was truly a strange thing.

Even though he just appeared on the podium, it felt as if all the attention of the world was focused on him.

People in the square are holding their breath and concentrating on his every move. Sunlight shining straight on his head.

Even the weak breeze was circling around him.

Seonghwang, who stood on the podium, did not say anything else. He just stood there and radiated his divine power in all directions.

But the results of that simple act were unrivaled. A wave of divine power so strong that even Seongjin, who had no divine power at all, felt that something had passed by swept through the square.

It’s a disaster.

The buds of the flower bouquets people were holding bloomed all at once. Even the flower petals that had been trampled on the floor came back to life vividly.

“Ahhh… … .”

All the subjects in the square are awestruck and have tears in their eyes. If this is true for ordinary people, what would it be like for priests who are sensitive to divine power?

Hehehehe!

I heard crying here and there, so I turned around and saw people wearing quite exotic priestly uniforms sitting on the floor here and there. It appears that the priests came from abroad to celebrate the birthday party.

They are clearly not in their right mind as they are completely losing control and struggling.

Did the demon lord say that this could also be a kind of [enchantment]?

-In a way, it may be more dangerous because it does not think of resisting like the Magi.

Immediately after that, the Holy Emperor disappeared beyond the imperial palace, but the excitement that swept the square did not subside for a while. Seongjin thought as he stared at the people crying with emotion.

‘Is it because I don’t have divine power? I can’t shake the feeling that they are like cult fanatics… … .’

“Isn’t it a truly strange sight?”

As if Seongjin wasn’t the only one who felt that way, the man standing next to him said so.

“After living abroad for a long time due to work, sometimes this sight of Delcross feels very unfamiliar.”

For a moment, Seongjin thought Ricardo was standing there. The man’s tall height and relaxed attitude were similar to his.

But I soon realized that he seemed a little older than Ricardo.

Fortunately, before Masain could say anything, the man politely bowed. It’s not very polite, but it’s a strange attitude that’s not particularly flawed.

“Meeting with His Majesty Mores.”

“What about you?”

“The rumor that you had no memory was true. My name is Dominic Scarzapino. “I often said hello to you at gatherings.”

Beyond the hello, strangely cold-looking eyes shine.

“Thank you for your concern about my sister’s health. “To give you that greeting, I have come to meet you at the risk of being rude.”

As he said, Seongjin had followed Amelia’s advice and sent a letter asking about Isabella’s well-being.

However, since it was the Queen’s illness that dominated the social world, there must have been more than one such letter, so you read all of them and responded?

Seongjin narrowed his eyes and looked at him.

“It’s natural to be worried. Isabella is my fiancee. By the way, how is she doing? “Is there any relief?”

It feels a bit awkward to ask this since I was there taking pictures of the top of her head. Isn’t it better than personally knocking on the door and asking how Ricardo the fan is doing?

Then Dominic quietly looked at Seongjin as if examining him.

Did this guy notice something?

“Thanks to your consideration, I will get well soon.”

It was difficult to see any change in emotion on the face of the man who answered like that. Rather than managing his facial expressions like a seasoned businessman, he is dry, as if his original emotions are dry.

‘Somehow, he is a formidable human… … .’

Seongjin felt an inexplicable discomfort. And that uncomfortable feeling was doubled when he introduced the woman next to her as his fiancé.

“This is my fiancee, Olivier.”

A pretty woman with a cheerful look slightly lifts the hem of her dress.

At that moment, Seongjin felt relieved.

‘This woman is an assassin! ‘What on earth is this guy doing?’

fantasy,