Children of the Holy Emperor Chapter 160

§ 160. Storm (1)

The rain suddenly started pouring and became more and more intense.

Due to the unexpectedly strong wind blowing, when I arrived, the banquet hall actually felt as cozy as home.

Numerous lights were still scattering brilliant light, but the excitement of the first banquet had subsided and the atmosphere in the banquet hall was calmer than the previous day.

‘Did you say the main banquet would be a little more political in nature? … .’

This is a place where a small diplomatic battle can be fought, exploring or keeping each other in check.

However, since it was not a place for negotiations where interests were exchanged, there were many cases where the purpose itself was to exchange and gain favor.

Thanks to this, the atmosphere in the banquet hall was flowing smoothly, without any reference to politics.

After finishing his light first dance with Amelia, Seongjin took some time to relax and looked around. I feel like I’ve done all of her homework.

I heard that out of courtesy, you should dance at least once with the person you are talking about.

However, little Chloe will not be able to participate as it is before her debutante, and Isabella will not be able to participate due to an injury to the top of her head. Plus, Julia Meyer can’t even see her nose.

So that means you are free until the banquet ends.

“It’s been a while, Prince Mores.”

Taking advantage of the somewhat quiet atmosphere, a small boy spoke to him.

Red cheeks with sword-like short hair. This is Charles of the Marquis de L’Aviguri.

‘This child is old enough to attend the banquet!’

Since children in thriving families are growing tall and long like grass soaked in water, the fact that this boy, who is shorter than Sisley, is over 13 years old is surprising in many ways.

However, Charles, who was looking at Seongjin with a happy expression, soon looked very disappointed.

“I apologize, sir. “You didn’t like my gift?”

Oh, now that I think about it, this kid gave me some savings and gold jewelry.

“It was a bit disappointing because we set the dress code and accessories early.”

The banquet dress was completed just before the birthday party, but there is no need to mention that.

Fortunately, the boy’s face brightened as if the explanation worked.

“okay. By the way, please speak a little lower. “I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“No, you can’t do that. “Isn’t Confucius a precious guest who came from a foreign country to celebrate the birthday party?”

Then a look of puzzlement passed over Charles’ face.

“But why to the Prince of Rohan…” … ?”

ah. I think I heard him speak informally to that guy earlier.

are you okay. Because that swallow child is not a guest by my standards.

Charles, who was observing Seongjin’s slightly grim face, nodded as if he understood something.

He followed Seongjin’s gaze and looked towards where Amelia was standing. At that moment, she was standing face to face with the swallow of Rohan and chatting.

“It would be best to keep some distance from that prince. “The rumors I hear are not good in many ways.”

Charles whispered with a slightly worried expression.

“They say that rumors are essentially like wind without substance, but even so, there is no way for grass to grow in the wasteland without seeds flying in.”

“Hmm, well… … .”

Certainly, Lohan’s Leonard was not a very pleasant guy.

The eyes of this guy who must have been raised as royalty somehow smell like blood. It reminds me of those scum who were more eager to gain power by slaughtering fellow hunters than monsters when they were on Earth.

So when the guy first tried to approach Amelia, Seongjin tried to stop him as much as possible. The older sister standing in front of him looked somewhat frightened.

But at some point, after she regained her mental stability, things changed.

Basically, he maintains a smile that appeals to everyone, but Seongjin was able to notice it right away.

The way she looks at him now is like a well-fed cat looking at a chubby rat.

‘ah. ‘There’s something interesting planned about that guy.’

So, regardless of not liking the guy, Seongjin decided to observe the situation for a while. This is because she knows that contrary to Amelia’s innocent appearance, she is secretly a shrewd person.

‘Even if that guy gets into trouble, it’s all his own gain. If he made our angel sister angry, doesn’t that mean he’s worse than the devil?’

Of course, that doesn’t mean we’ll keep our eyes on him!

While he was glaring at Leonard with a sullen expression on his face, Charles cautiously opened his mouth.

“Contrary to that prince, the first prince of Rohan is also overly shrouded in mystery. When I heard it, he said he had never attended a birthday party. They say he is too sickly to travel long distances.”

okay. I think I heard something like that from an etiquette teacher.

“Rohan’s ministers must also be very worried. We in Brittany are fortunate to not have such concerns. “Prince Philip is a very strong, hardworking, and flawless man.”

Seongjin lowered his gaze and looked straight at Charles.

her? Look at this guy?

“That’s a pretty straightforward expression, isn’t it?”

Even before, I thought he was a guy who used a twisted, aristocratic way of speaking.

Then Charles smiled secretly.

“Who are you going to talk about? I won’t say anything else, sir. “In the future, Brittany will definitely be the most suitable companion for the empire’s journey.”

“… … .”

Seongjin turned his gaze towards Amelia and Leonard without answering.

I see I thought you were still young, but is your age already that much older? Well, that guy, Mores, already has three partners with whom he is talking about getting married.

Besides, isn’t Amelia the eldest daughter of the Seonghwang family? Considering the impact her marriage will have on the future political situation of the continent, it is no wonder that people are already paying a lot of attention.

‘But at sixteen, it’s still time to grow up… … .’

For some reason, my appetite was a little bitter.

Meanwhile, Charles was staring at Seongjin burdenedly with very sparkling eyes.

‘Anyway, why does this guy come to me and do this?’

What on earth do you expect from me? I would rather go to Logan, who is likely to be the next successful candidate.

or not… … .

Seongjin glanced at the head of the table.

Hmm, is my father still there?

At that moment, Empress Lizabeth, who was sitting near the head table, made eye contact with Seongjin and was startled.

Then, he immediately turns his head away with a stiff expression. What is the problem with the Empress these days?

I was starting to feel uncomfortable and was thinking about leaving the place, when suddenly the face of someone I knew caught my eye on one side of the banquet hall.

‘… Sir Julia Meyer? ‘You attended a banquet today.’

The reason I was able to recognize the unfamiliar face right away was because, surprisingly, she didn’t look any different from usual.

Standing alone among the other gorgeously decorated young ladies, dressed resolutely in knightly uniform, she was holding a drink with a somewhat business-like expression.

Ah, there was another stubborn guy like Logan out there.

‘Anyway, I have to do my homework.’

I had heard my sister repeatedly urge me to ask my marriage partner to dance.

After asking for Charles’ understanding, Seongjin slowly approached Julia.

Now that I think about it, I remember Julia Maier’s first impression was good. She got quite a bit of help the other day when she raided the capital guard. Even though she was making a mess, she pretended not to notice.

In fact, Julia was enjoying watching the captain of the capital guard, with whom she had a difficult relationship, be embarrassed, but Seongjin did not know the deep details of the situation.

“Lord Julia. “If it’s okay, may I ask for the next song?”

Julia’s eyes were wide as she turned her head at those words.

She gaped, as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard, and barely managed to reply.

“… I’m being presumptuous. “I am currently wearing the knight’s uniform.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Are your dance moves about to get a little trickier?

It seems like there was definitely a movement of holding the hem of the dress and fluttering it.

“therefore… … !”

Aren’t they deliberately turning down dance requests to avoid accepting them? Julia wanted to say that, but there was no doubt on the prince’s face. You honestly don’t know anything.

“Oh, are you at work right now? If so, I’m sorry. “Are you currently guarding the banquet hall?”

“… No, lower. “I’m off duty today.”

So what’s the problem?

Looking at the boy’s bright face, Julia sighed and held his hand.

Well, there’s no law saying you can’t dance in uniform.

‘When I go home, my parents will nag me again… … .’

A woman who is a knight to her core. A woman who insists on conquest and puts an iron wall against all her suitors.

Contrary to what the public says, Julia Maier had no particular aversion to dressing up her appearance.

No matter what you do on days when you’re not working, it doesn’t mean you’re not a knight.

It’s just that I didn’t want to focus my energy on useless things because I was so busy with my studies during the academy and with work after I joined the Knights.

That’s why, despite their parents’ nagging, they show up in uniform at every birthday party. It was quite a hassle to turn down every dance request that came my way.

Julia thought as she felt the Confucius, who had been watching from afar, look at her with surprised rabbit eyes.

‘Maybe this year is the end of the peaceful birthday.’

Well, I don’t think anyone would be shy enough to ask me in uniform to dance.

“Oh my, look over there.”

“It’s a lot better than I thought… … .”

The audience at the banquet hall looks at this unique couple with curious eyes.

Julia Maier was a young lady with a figure as straight as a willow branch. Thanks to her, she was much taller than Seongjin, who was growing up, so she thought that if the two of them danced, it would create a slightly awkward picture.

But basically, a handsome boy and a slender beauty can create a picture just by standing next to each other.

The couple, walking lightly and whispering to the music, seemed to get along quite well.

Of course, if I had listened to the conversation between the two, that thought would have occurred to me. Seong-jin, who wanted to give her a good opportunity, was now asking her for advice about her work in the midst of her life.

“You mean the 7th Knights’ departure?”

When Julia asked, Seongjin nodded. Recently, he had been thinking about which department should be involved in the large-scale search and seizure of Milo Merchant Marine.

“okay. Isn’t the official name of the 7th Knights also the [Ecliptic Guard]? “I understand that they do similar work to the capital guards.”

“That’s true.”

Then Julia made a complicated expression.

“As you know, mobilizing troops requires a clear justification. “Unless there is a direct order from a high-ranking official at the level of head or higher, we usually first submit a formal request and documents specifying the underlying legal provisions to the administration and then wait for an enforcement decree to be issued.”

“So you’re saying the Knights can’t be dispatched with a simple request for assistance?”

“In principle, yes. Otherwise, a cooperative relationship must be established in advance through prior consultation between departments. Of course, there are cases where dispatch is made at the discretion of the leader or deputy if it is deemed to be an emergency situation.”

“hmm.”

Seongjin asked, tilting his head.

“So, what Kyung is saying is that we should discuss business with the monster task force in advance, right? So what should we do? Can I officially write a cooperation letter and send it to the 7th Knights?”

Then Julia Maier’s expression suddenly soured.

“Ah, but please send me a cooperation letter… … .”

Julia Maier, whose face instantly changed into that of an office worker exhausted from working overtime, sighed.

“Okay, sir. Although various administrative procedures for mobilizing troops are absolutely necessary, we also acknowledge that they are overly cumbersome. Moreover, if you are requesting support, it is clear that this is not an easy problem that requires urgency. “If that’s the case, I think I can do anything at my discretion.”

These are recent incidents in which the prince has been involved, such as the monster incident at Diggory Manor and the Heresy Tribunal Gate incident.

There were rumors going around in some quarters that if the prince moved, it was no longer normal.

Of course, Seongjin, who didn’t know what was going on, just tilted his head.

“Let’s do it this way, sir. “If you provide a proper after-action report and take full responsibility for it, there is nothing that cannot prevent me from dispatching you immediately at your request within my discretion.”

“Are you really okay with that?”

As Seongjin smiled, Julia Maier spoke with a somewhat liberated look on her face.

“yes. Then wouldn’t the paperwork be reduced by less than half?”

For everything, the application and approval process is extremely difficult and slow, but once it is committed, it is resolved relatively quickly.

Still, it’s a good thing that the imperial guard’s adjutant is flexible!

“Thank you so much, Sir Julia! Should we have a get-together between departments to ensure smooth cooperation in the future? “I will get on guard soon and send an official letter to the 7th Knights!”

Since it is still a new department, we are relatively free from budgetary issues. Seongjin added proudly.

Then Julia made a dumbfounded face and then answered in a hushed voice.

“… No, that means it has become an official document.”

For some reason, the document itself seemed to be boring.

As soon as the dance song ended, Seongjin broke up with Julia.

It’s my first time talking to her like this, but I think she’s someone I can communicate with quite well. It was a satisfying meeting.

‘by the way… … .’

Seongjin felt a little anxious and unconsciously glanced at the head of the table again.

And after checking again that it was empty.

‘uh… … .’

Only then did I realize what had bothered me so much.

Don’t you think this gentleman is being too late?

Rumble, boom!

Suddenly, Seongjin’s sensitive senses caught the faint sound of thunder echoing from afar.

fantasy,