Children of the Holy Emperor Chapter 179

§ 179. List of contracts (5)

The commotion soon calmed down. This is because it was revealed that the murdered Director Collins was a devil contractor.

The doctors and priests who were quickly called in silently made the sign of the cross when they saw his black, rotting body in an instant.

This was an erosion phenomenon that occurred when the souls of humans who failed to properly fulfill their contracts were dragged into the demon world. There can be nothing more certain than this as evidence of a contract with the devil.

And as the erosion progressed, a relatively white, prominent pattern appeared on Collins’ forehead.

A long sword raised downward and two hooks crossing diagonally. It is the stigma of Saint Terbachia, deeply pressed down by divine power.

In other words, this midday murder was actually a summary execution at the hands of an exorcist.

“I can’t believe it. Director Collins is a devil contractor… . He was known to be a fairly devout believer in the Lord God. “A few days ago, at the birthday party, I even made a bold statement to Cardinal Benitus that I would increase my regular donations.”

Upon hearing the results of the investigation, Masain sighed with a mixture of embarrassment and relief.

It is truly deplorable that a member of the Merchant Alliance was in cahoots with the devil. However, this also served as evidence that the deaths of Masain and Director Collins had nothing to do with each other.

This is an incident that happened right after I broke up with him in a difficult situation.

Schmidt’s secretary may have served as an alibi, but if he had been unlucky, the charge of Collins’ murder could have been covered up entirely.

“Anyway, it is truly incomprehensible how such a wrongdoer was able to infiltrate the important position of director of a logistics relay station.”

In response to Masain’s lament, Seongjin and Branch Manager Schmidt made eye contact for a moment.

In fact, isn’t it the opposite? What is even more mysterious is how the exorcist broke through the security and carried out the execution alone in a devil’s den teeming with devil contractors.

‘Shall we keep quiet?’

‘I keep quiet.’

He’s already become more sensitive to things related to the devil.

It was obvious how Masain would react if he found out that most of the people in this building were devil contractors.

“There is another problem. “The question is who is the exorcist who executed Director Collins?”

After hearing various whispers from his secretary, Schmidt opened his mouth to Seongjin and his group.

“We have just finished tracking down the whereabouts of all exorcists staying in Regina. There are five people who were temporarily staying at a church on the outskirts, and two of them boarded a ship heading to the Union of Cyprus today. “It is confirmed that the three still remain in the church.”

And he continued speaking while glancing at Seongjin.

“Besides him, there is one exorcist who is staying unofficially. However, it is said that after unpacking at the accommodation, he never came out.”

Ah, Sir Sharon, who stayed at the lodge.

As expected, pretending to be a resident employee is of no use. Everyone already knows that Seongjin is accompanied by the Holy Knights of the Monster Task Force.

“Whoever it is, it’s surprising that they managed to hide in the logistics relay station.”

Sir Massain, who was listening, said:

“The Exorcist must have come in right after I left Director Collins’ room. “If that’s the case, it means he’s been around here for a while, but I haven’t noticed anything suspicious of him as a knight anywhere except the security guard in the hallway.”

If he was able to avoid Masain’s eyes, it would mean that he was already a Dekaron Knight in Auror operation, or that he was a Paladin who had learned advanced assassination skills.

“Lord Masaine, are there any other Dekaron Knights among the Exorcists?”

“no. “The only Dekaron Knight of the Knights of St. Terbachia is the leader, Sir Leandros.”

“If you do that, maybe Sir Leandros himself?”

“It won’t be like that. “He recently left for the south by order of His Majesty.”

“I feel like I’m possessed by something… … .”

Seongjin, who was listening to their serious conversation, scratched his cheek.

Hmm, wouldn’t that actually narrow the scope?

First of all, the only exorcist nearby was Sir Sharon in the dorm, right? Then again, it means that my father secretly visited Sir Sharon under the guise of her.

‘But why did this guy suddenly appear in Regina?’

At the same time, Schmidt’s complexion, who was deep in thought, turns pale. Although he doesn’t know the exact story, he seems to have reached the same conclusion as Seongjin about who was involved in this matter.

“… Sir Masain. “Did something happen in Director Collins’ room?”

In response to Schmidt’s question, Masain slightly frowned.

“I don’t know exactly. “I assumed he was trying to do something, so I just gave him a quick scolding and kicked out the door.”

And in the explanation that followed, Schmidt declared:

“That’s it!”

“yes?”

Masain was confused, but Seongjin understood what the devil branch manager was trying to say.

The third guideline for the devil. No matter what happens, never, ever, mess with the children of Seonghwang.

“I guess they made a fuss to warn those around them. “Perhaps in these matters, it would be better to set a clear example.”

Seongjin also agreed with what Schmidt said.

At least the devil contractors within the logistics relay station would now be more clearly aware of the scope of application of the third guideline.

“By the way, sir.”

“huh?”

“I may be presumptuous, but the scope of those ‘children’ is so… … .”

At the devil branch leader’s soft sigh, Seongjin silently nodded.

Only Masain, who did not know what was happening, looked at the two people in turn with a puzzled expression.

* * *

“The owner of the top is more of a miser than I thought.”

“okay.”

“Do we really need to leave the workers at the relay station behind and make them do the work for us? “If you don’t camp, you have nothing to do, so you don’t want to be teased even for a moment, right?”

Dasha nodded half-heartedly at the words of the woman murmuring next to her.

They were hired by the Milo Merchant Marine Company, and were currently riding a wagon into the logistics relay station.

They said it was an order from the top to have the labor force carry the luggage instead, as they did not want to pay an additional fee for damage to the relay station.

‘By the way, all temporarily hired personnel are included here. ‘Could this be a coincidence?’

As a seasoned informant, Daasa’s senses sound an ominous alarm.

The reason she was able to be hired at Milo Sangang was because there was a sudden vacancy. Several people were suddenly caught up in a fight in downtown Hwangdo and suffered serious injuries.

The owner of the top hurriedly searched for additional staff, and at that time, Dasha was hired as a kitchen assistant. All I had to do was hide until I reached Sigismund Range.

However, Giacomo Milo, the owner of the merchant, was a more suspicious man than he seemed.

Even though we conducted a thorough background check, we always left open the possibility that this sudden personnel change was someone’s conspiracy.

It was only when the cart arrived in front of a warehouse inside the logistics relay station that Dasha was able to clearly realize that fact.

‘I’m thinking of weeding it out at least once!’

The place they arrived was no ordinary building.

You can feel sharp eyes focusing on the carriage from all over the place. Assassins are hiding throughout the warehouse.

In a situation like this, it’s only a matter of time before you get caught. Although he is currently partially cloaked as an Auror, skilled assassins would soon begin to doubt him.

And the dry eyes of the merchant who got off the carriage and looked back at his employees.

Dasha had a hunch.

‘It’s over! ‘I have to get out of here first!’

As Dasha traced the location of the dagger she had secretly hidden in her bosom, she began to draw in her mind the optimal course to escape without being interrupted by the assassins.

At that moment, Milo’s secretary suddenly came running towards Giacomo in a huff.

“… Collins moving?”

“Yes, rumors are already spreading within the relay station that he was a devil contractor!”

It was a soft whisper, but Dasha, who had enhanced her hearing as an Auror, could hear their conversation clearly.

“What is the branch manager’s reaction?”

“The policy is to be self-respecting and not to do anything that stands out. Perhaps it is impossible to differentiate personnel today… … .”

“You don’t seem to be paying any particular attention to our top?”

“yes. “There was no further comment.”

“hmm… … .”

Giacomo rested his chin and thought for a moment, then entered the building without saying a word. She seemed so absorbed in some new problem that she had completely forgotten about her employees.

“I’ll be using the relay station workers today, so everyone go back to their dorms.”

The secretary urgently reaches out to the people and then disappears, following Sang Sang-ju.

Dasha then sighed in relief and adjusted the hem of her skirt.

‘How am I going to get over this just this once? … .’

And that night.

Dasha, who found Seongjin’s lodgings after gathering all the information she had worked so hard to gather, was very embarrassed. This is because she held out a stack of her documents to her as if she had been waiting for her.

“… This?”

“Customs clearance records from the top of the mill and actual sales records examined by the Merchants’ Association itself. “If you compare it to the reported sales, there will be quite a big difference.”

Dasha couldn’t hide her surprise as she quickly scanned the documents. With this much data, wouldn’t we be able to search and seize the top right now?

Where on earth do you get this quality information?

“huh. “We now have a trustworthy helper within the Merchant Union.”

And when Dasha heard the identity of the helper, he became the flagship.

“Director Wilhelm Schmidt? “Are you the best worker in the Merchant Union, reputed to be a devil without blood or tears?”

Oh, that’s right. It must be like the devil.

That guy is a real devil who took over the body of the contractor.

“Anyway, those materials will be submitted to the court later.”

“It’s definitely good material. However, even if it is an excuse to detain the merchant, it may be difficult to completely tie the merchant. “I will cut off my tail and be released on bail alone.”

Then Seongjin shook his head.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. Dealing with the merchants will be a heresy court. “You’ll never get out?”

“yes?

And at Seongjin’s next words, Dasha’s mouth opened wide.

“Giacomo Milo is a devil contractor. “That is also information obtained directly from the branch leader.”

As the story progressed endlessly, Dasha felt dizzy.

“… A devil contractor? Do you have any proof?”

“There is circumstantial evidence. I just need to find solid physical evidence from now on. “It would be great if, while investigating what was happening in the Sigismund Territory, we could also discover its connection to the Dark Church.”

“yes… … .”

The information the prince obtained in just one day was extraordinary.

If this continues, won’t he end up finishing the entire investigation on his own? What is the significance of her being attached as an informant?

While Dasha was in a state of self-destruction, Seongjin suddenly raised his head as if he remembered something.

“Oh! But Dasha. There are some things I need to deliver to the imperial palace right now… … .”

* * *

It’s a day’s drive from Regina to the ecliptic.

The items, which were sent overnight through an informant, had already arrived at the imperial capital by noon the next day.

“Are you little Saint Aurelion? “You sent it as a souvenir of your trip. This is a rare gift.”

Chief Chamberlain Louis stroked his chin as he looked at the small bald wooden statue on the desk in his office.

Little Saint Aurelion.

Usually, it refers to a small wooden statue of a saint that is given as a talisman by a person waiting to wish for the safe return of a person going on a trip.

It is said that Saint Aurelion was an outstanding administrator and diplomat who traveled throughout the continent throughout his life. What the saint gave as a gift in the hope that it would protect his or her loved one’s journey has now become a kind of custom.

Regina is a base city where all merchant ships heading to the north of the empire pass through at least once. Thanks to this, there were many places where these little statues were put up and sold to symbolize the safe return of the trip.

Perhaps the prince saw the small statues placed here and there in the shopping district and misunderstood them as Regina’s specialty products.

Seonghwang stared at the small wooden statue with a numb face and then opened his mouth.

“It’s funny when you think about it, Louis. I wasn’t this anxious even when Sisley first went on the visit. Sisley was only ten years old at the time.”

That’s right, isn’t Mr. Mores’ range of thinking and hitting quite extraordinary?

Lewis barely swallowed the words that were rising to his throat.

“But now I have to admit it. “Mores is a child who not only knows what to do well, but also sometimes shows achievements that go beyond imagination.”

As he says that, something like a faint smile flashes across his face.

The chamberlain, who had served him for a long time, realized that the King was very pleased with the gift, which was rare, and quickly spoke.

“How about decorating the front of the paperweight so that the little saint can be easily seen?”

“okay. “That would be nice.”

So Little Saint Aurelion was placed in the center of the desk in the office, next to the white rabbit eyepatch.

A gorgeous mansion near Bestrang Street.

Herna and Kadesh frowned secretly as they looked at the two bald old statues that looked identical.

“Is Mores an idiot? “What if someone going on a trip sends something like this?”

“Mores is Mores. “I always felt like a fool, but then again, what did you expect?”

hmm. The twins, who had been fiddling with the wooden table for a while, soon placed old men instead of pieces on either end of the chessboard and stared at it for a moment.

“… Should we go see what Mores is doing?”

“… Shall we do that? “It just takes a moment.”

“I’m just curious about what Red is doing.”

“huh. “I’m making sure Red is doing well.”

The twins, holding their hands together like that, quietly closed their eyes as they felt the channel opening.

And the ownerless Jinju Palace.

In front of the plentiful lunch table as always, Amelia asked while gently stroking the wooden statue.

“What is this? “What is this item used for?”

“It’s something that’s commonly sold on the streets of Regina, sister. “They say it’s like a talisman to pray for a safe return from travel.”

Logan, who often passed by Regina while leading the punitive force, told this. Then Sisley tilts his head.

“By the way, Brother Mores is also very strange. “Are you the one who went on the trip?”

The girl rolled the bald adult onto the tablecloth.

And the three people looked at their wooden table in silence, forgetting about eating.

“… Anyway, little old man, you’re kind of cute.”

“That’s right.”

“It’s so delicate and cute.”

Soon, a warm atmosphere arises between the brothers and sisters.

[Ugh. The food tastes bad, so please eat in moderation… … .]

Cadmus, who couldn’t do better, eventually sighs and retreats.

“Ba, Bab!”

Thanks to this, it was natural for Seo Yi-seo to shed tears of emotion upon receiving her body back during meal time for three days in a row.

fantasy,