Children of the Holy Emperor Chapter 166

§ 166. Induction Ceremony (1)

After the successful appearance, the main banquet of the birthday party came to a smooth conclusion.

I don’t know what kind of wind was blowing, but the rumor was that the gentleman gave the blessing in a much more relaxed manner than last year.

By the time the place was over, the storm had completely subsided, so the distinguished guests left feeling very satisfied and without feeling anything unusual.

Seongjin, who returned to Jinju Palace a little later than scheduled to check on Logan, gave instructions to Dasha, who came to report on the investigation.

“This is the extent of our investigation at the top.”

Milo Merchant Marine is not that large in scale, so basic accounting data and personal information of key people in charge had already been investigated.

As expected, there are no major issues with basic research. Even if he had ties to the Dark Church, he wouldn’t have done something stupid like leaving this as data.

In that case, it would be better to go on a field investigation to Sigismund’s estate.

If you catch anything decisive there, you can return to the imperial capital and report it to the heresy court and start a search and seizure. If you mess around like that, won’t something come out in the end?

“So are you going north now, sir?”

“huh. “I decided to accompany the Archduke on his way back.”

“I will do it secretly.”

Yes, it would be a big help. Seongjin thought so for a moment but then shook his head.

I heard that Sigismund’s estate is a cold and remote place. Isn’t the environment too harsh for the informant to wander around alone?

Moreover, the group includes experienced Auror users such as Sir Martha and Leader Bruno. If you try to contact them without their knowledge, you may or may not know it, but you will experience your nerves burning in real time.

“Dasha is a bit of a high-class person to overwork her like that.”

How long do you think I’ll be there, working undercover day and night? The workload is too intense and the efficiency is too low.

When I said that, Dasha showed a complex expression that seemed both happy and embarrassed.

“That’s what informants do.”

“Rather than that, Dasha, there are some things we need to investigate further in the ecliptic.”

Seongjin planned to ask her from now on to focus on the investigation of republican groups operating in secret in the Imperial Capital.

When I thought about Logan, who was drooping until the end, I felt like I had to do something quickly.

If you pick a good organization and start donating it yourself, wouldn’t that feeling of unfounded debt begin to fade little by little?

Then, if you can at least instill in the people of Ortona the perception that you are a supporter or helper rather than the prince of an enemy country, it will be the icing on the cake.

If possible, it would be better to go to the [Blue Republican Revolutionary Front], which Mores has been supporting for a long time. Since I have a history of sponsorship, I don’t think there will be any major problems even if I casually bring another prince along.

[What if they don’t accept it?]

Seongjin answered the devil’s question as if it were obvious.

‘That’s right, we should completely cut off their funds.’

It’s not just about cutting off my donations. I will investigate all the funds you have, seize them, and threaten you! Even if that were the case, would they just not listen to me and betray me? Ugh.

The demon king was fed up with Seongjin’s evil laughter.

[Are you planning on helping the 2nd prince rebuild the country? What are you going to do if you destroy the hopes of those who are trying to somehow rebuild the country like that?]

What are you talking about, you useless overindulgent demon lord?

There’s no way an organization that ignores or is hostile to Logan would have such a pure purpose, right?

[…] This guy’s bulging arms are a real illness, illness.]

Why is this guy fighting again?

Anyway, there were quite a few other organizations that were considered. I recently learned that there were more activities by subversive groups within the empire than I thought.

There’s no way this gentleman wouldn’t know, but I don’t know why he’s keeping this quiet.

“The policy is not to crack down too harshly on groups that move quietly underground.”

“Uh, really?”

It was truly amazing that the empire was running so stably despite such a subversive organization running amok behind the scenes.

Another thing I learned was that, surprisingly, the organizations previously sponsored by Mr. Mores were quite substantial organizations compared to others.

For example, the same goes for the [Blue Republican Revolutionary Front]. Not only refugees from Ortona, but also a large number of young thinkers and writers were participating and continuing their active activities.

In particular, the performance of literary figures was truly unparalleled.

The young people of Ortona, who briefly experienced the vitality of the republican government, generously sublimated their passion and ideals into literature.

And the literary works created through their diligent writing activities have recently come to be talked about even in mainstream social gatherings.

As a result, among the young people of the capital, Ortona had become an image of something like a land of fantasy or ideals.

‘And the plague club in Adelheit was said to be a relatively good place among the plague clubs… … .’

If so, I am looking forward to seeing what the other Golden Truth Society will be like as well.

While Seongjin was lost in thought, Dasha looked at him and carefully opened her mouth.

“Sir, I’m talking about investigating republican organizations. If you don’t mind, how about leaving it to my fellow informant?”

“colleague?”

“yes.”

Seongjin blinked. If this person is good enough, there is no way he would say he would leave his work to someone else.

“He is a trustworthy and talented colleague. Moreover, I believe he has been researching these organizations for quite some time. “The results of this investigation also benefited from his help.”

“okay? who?”

“Because he is an exclusive informant for another royal family, his identity cannot be revealed… … .”

I feel something.

“So you’re Logan’s informant?”

“… “Yes, that’s right.”

Dasha widened her eyes, then nodded.

okay. Logan must have been investigating them separately as well. Why wouldn’t you do that?

‘It would certainly be more efficient to leave it to them.’

Seongjin was convinced.

However, if it was the Dasha he knew, she would have called for more information, but there was no way she would have asked to leave it to her at all.

“… Dasha, is there something else you want to do?”

“Yes, sir.”

And she looked straight at Seongjin and said.

“Please allow me to carry out the demotion to Sigismund.”

“I heard Dasha is going to have a hard time.”

“I am offended, but that is the job of an exclusive informant. “There are Monkey Watchtower agents in Sigismund Territory, so they may be able to help you.”

“… … .”

“please. Please allow me to do my duty.”

Seongjin looked at the back of Dasha’s head, who bowed her head politely.

All you need to do is roughly compromise.

-At that time, I should not have placed all the burden on my friends and colleagues and closed my eyes so comfortably.

Well, there are people who have a temper that can’t stand anything that doesn’t meet their strict standards.

“okay. If so, I’m fine. “If Dasha helps, things will be easier, right?”

Seongjin nodded.

Dasha smiled as if relieved at those words.

Little did I know that the prince was planning to rob the count’s family rather than investigate the Sigismund estate.

* * *

The plan of greed and sowing failed miserably.

It was a reversal attack aimed at Tansinyeon’s weakness, but unexpectedly, Seonghwang showed a relaxed response against the two high-ranking demon kings even though he had insufficient causality.

On top of that, variables came out of nowhere, and the flame incarnation of the two people, who were hit by hundreds or thousands of flame bombs, was literally torn apart without a trace.

The two demon lords barely escaped the gap and returned to the body of the contractor. However, Planting was still paying a heavy price for belittling this incident.

“Aaaah!”

Black smoke rises from the young man’s arm. This is because the persistent flame that clung to Pajong in the gap followed him here and burned his contractor.

“Tsk. What can’t be done about such a flame attack? “What a pathetic little bastard.”

When Greed criticized, Pa-jong’s expression crumpled and he complained of injustice.

“No, this is really weird! “It won’t go out!”

As he said, Pa Jong tried to control the flame with his power all night long.

However, for some reason, the red flames that could not be extinguished quickly engulfed the contractor’s right arm, and were now slowly spreading beyond his shoulder.

The pain of slowly burning is painful, but what is this flame that even the power of a high-ranking devil cannot suppress?

‘I’m sure it won’t be reverse summoned like this, right?’

Planting was sweating.

It was obvious that if another contractor was not found immediately, Pajong would be helplessly reverse-summoned by Delcross. Then, it is clear that you will not be able to return to this world until the church performs a new ceremony.

It was right then.

“What are you doing at the meeting place at this hour? Lord of greed. Who is that person again? … .”

Someone approaches them and asks: It was Romaine, a man wearing a half mask.

Both Demon Lords were oozing ominous black magic energy from their entire bodies, but he paid them no mind and came closer and asked.

“What is wrong with this person?”

Pa Jong glared at him fiercely.

Behind Romaine, an old man dressed in priestly clothing was following him, and the aura he felt was clearly that of the brother of Pasong, who had received his baptism.

“What have you done to a member of my cult? “You useless doll.”

The old man’s eyes had already lost their sense and had become blurry. Romain glanced back at him and shrugged his shoulders.

“I just put his mind at ease a little bit because he was so scared. Now that I look at it, I think it was a good thing. “Isn’t it cruel to ask him to come to his senses, considering what will happen soon?”

“what?”

“Don’t you need him too? “I don’t think there’s any other way.”

Romain added, looking at Pajong’s shoulder, which was burning and oozing black smoke.

“I will gladly give up my [doll] for the great monarch.”

Pa Jong widened his eyes. How dare you say that you will give up the humans who belong to you!

As if reflecting his discomfort, the demonic energy rising from his body also becomes more sinister. However, Romain did not blink even when faced with that oppressive gaze.

Pa-jong stared at him like that for a moment, then sighed and grumbled.

“Eight. I like a fresh, young body… . Originally, planting was done with young trees!”

Anyway, as Romain said, he had no other choice now.

Grumble!

As soon as the seeding shifted to the system of labor and management, the body of the former contractor was engulfed in dark red flames. This was because the power that had suppressed the flames had completely disappeared.

A moment later, Sobong’s former contractor fell to the floor, turning into a handful of ashes.

Greed, who had been silently watching the scene, soon raised his expressionless gaze to face Romaine.

“It was just the right time, Romain. “You must want something from us in return, right?”

Then, the lips under the mask draw a long arc.

“yes. I have come to hear about [The Prepared One], Lord of Greed. Directly to you, great monarchs who have prepared him.”

* * *

The morning of the last birthday party.

Seongjin was at the dance hall of the Knights of St. Marsyas with Logan. This is because Sisley received a call from the knight commander.

As soon as the birthday party ended, Sisley’s induction ceremony was scheduled. It was all in the name of rehearsal, but what on earth were they practicing in the gym with a child who didn’t know anything?

‘It’s obvious, whatever.’

Knights lined up with an intimidating force, or squires screaming and swinging their flails in exaggerated movements.

From the looks of it, everyone’s intention to kill the saintess’s spirit in advance was as clear as fire. This is because a 12-year-old child is becoming their superior.

Of course, Sisley, who did not notice such an exclusive atmosphere, looked excited as he accepted the flail handed to him by one of the knights.

Seongjin, who was watching Inquisitor Hana smugly explain to Sisley how to wield a flail, opened his mouth.

“hey.”

“huh?”

“You were supposed to help with the monster task force while you were in the imperial capital, right?”

“It did.”

As if yesterday’s agitation was a lie, Logan looked as straight as always. Seongjin suggested, looking at him from the corner of his eye.

“Then, would you like to join me on my way to investigate Sigismund’s territory? “Get some fresh air, and do it at the same time.”

If this guy is left alone, I don’t know how far he will go. Oil will come out.

However, upon hearing the suggestion, Logan looked at Seongjin blankly and suddenly burst into laughter, hahaha.

“That’s impossible, Seongjin Lee. When the punitive force visited near Sigismund’s territory, the Margrave was uncomfortable with my brief stay within the territory. “Maybe if I intervene, the monster task force will be kicked out of the territory right away?”

If they were so wary of Logan, who was famous for his strong divine power, it would mean that there were really a lot of dirty things going on in the territory.

When Seongjin closed his mouth, Logan turned his eyes to Sisley and continued speaking.

“I feel like I made you worry, so I feel shameful. “Yesterday I showed my bad side as an older person.”

“Who’s older, man?”

“I am ten years older than you. “I heard you were in your 70s.”

Seongjin opened his mouth wide.

No one knows when General Gael died, and yet this bastard is still insisting on that?

Logan continued, pretending not to notice Seongjin’s puzzled gaze.

“And as you can see, I think Sisley needs some more professional help. I’ll have to stay here and teach him. “I think I’ll catch someone sooner or later.”

“uh!”

It was just as Logan said.

Ujikkeun! Wow!

Beyond the flat, dented plate armor, the white-faced figures of the members of the Knights of St. Marsyas were visible.

The little saint held up a flail with ugly spikes and smiled transparently at them.

“I somehow feel at ease because I am aiming at a scarecrow wearing armor rather than a person. “If you hit me like this, you won’t die?”

No, die! Never die!

Seongjin felt like he could hear the Inquisitors’ desperate internal screams, so he filed a complaint.

Good rehearsal.

Let’s take a closer look at the martial arts genius who never gets tired no matter where or what he does.

fantasy,