Children of the Holy Emperor Chapter 271

271. Penitential offering (3)

An inquisitor with a somewhat different and reluctant attitude than usual.

A fanatic of the Dark Church with venom and brilliance streaming from his eyes.

Nevertheless, there was something else that got on Seongjin’s nerves from earlier. Right behind him was Masain, visibly stiffening.

He did not try to crack down on Seongjin in advance like he did before. He just tightly gripped the handle of his sword with a stiff expression on his face.

However, the blood in his knuckles that had been exerted was drained, and his face also showed signs of tension.

‘I can’t stay long… … .’

Seongjin checked his condition for a moment and then looked back at Belinda. I have to quickly ask a few things I’m really curious about.

“I ask, believing that I am proud before the Lord. Why are you distributing medicinal tea in the North? “Do you really know what its ingredients are?”

That was the most important thing to Seongjin right now.

To find out in advance what the Margrave Sigismund was planning and what he is still planning. By doing so, he ultimately prevents something his father thinks.

Then Belinda raised her eyes in confusion and then burst into laughter.

“Medicine tea? Ah, that guy Giacomo is talking about a different name for ‘Awakening Tea.’”

“Awakening tea?”

“Yes. Another spiritual blessing bestowed by the Lord Himself! “The awakening tea is a precious treasure given only to penitent brothers!”

Tea that creates salt crystals and stimulates salt crystals.

If you call it ‘awakening’, it would be a fairly intuitive name.

“okay. Shouldn’t that precious treasure be shared among brothers underground? “Why are you creating a problem by distributing it to the top?”

“Hehe. You foolish apostates. “The Lord is not that narrow-minded.”

As Belinda let out a chuckle, the blood droplets that were filling her mouth started to jump out.

“Awakening tea is ultimately given to save all humans! “The reason we are willing to share it with you apostates, even if it means taking on disadvantages, is because it is the will of the Lord who wants humans on all continents to awaken spiritually!”

He has no doubt that he is shouting with such force that he is truly doing it for the world.

In her firm eyes, I could feel the kind of incision that one would only see in a martyr.

[That guy, is he serious?]

‘Ah, this is why fanatics… … .’

Seongjin clicked his tongue slightly and continued asking questions.

“There’s still something left to answer. “I would have asked if you knew what its ingredients were.”

“Yes, it is a treasure of penitence that the Archbishop himself distributes to the brothers!”

“So what are the ingredients of that treasure?”

“It is a divine grace from the Lord!”

… You have no idea.

‘Anyway, it is the Archbishop of Penitence who delivers Loferum’s eggs to them. If you want to know for sure how to procure monster eggs, you have to find him and kill him.’

Having concluded that, Seongjin moved on to the next question.

It is about the Penitent tree, the tree of the devil’s world that devours everything around it the moment it germinates.

“I heard this report the other day. “You testified that you brought it about by order of the archbishop to destroy Giacomo Milo, who dishonored the note.”

“… “Yeah, yeah.”

However, Belinda’s voice as she answers becomes less confident for the first time.

Is it because I was confident that I would be honest with the main lord, or is it because I am inherently bad at lying?

[You’re lying?]

Oh, I guess so.

Seongjin crossed his arms and repeated the previous question.

“Did you try to destroy Giacomo Milo with the magic tree?”

Then Belinda raised her head stiffly and shouted.

“Yes! That wicked apostate dared to betray the penitent brothers! “I can never tolerate that!”

“So the archbishop ordered you to do that?”

“Yes, yes.”

Look at this.

“The reason you brought the Demon Tree was purely on your own initiative.”

“… It is the duty of our brothers to understand His deep will in advance and assist Him as thoroughly as possible. … .”

That’s enough of an excuse, you fanatic.

Why are you causing such a big accident based on pointless guesses?

After taking a quick glance at Masain, Seongjin asked the last question.

“Do you know Gael Bertrand?”

Belinda’s sullen face distorted.

“Are you kidding me? “You’re not asking this because you don’t think you know that famous person, right?”

“okay. “It’s Gael Bertrand.”

Then Sir Valerie, who had been listening to me until then, looked interested.

Perhaps he relaxed when Seongjin asked him a question that was completely unexpected.

Instead, the instinct of an inquisitor who is drawn to miscellaneous stories and gossip is slowly activated.

“Was it your Penitent Church that killed him?”

Then, everyone in the warehouse suddenly looked blank.

“… hey. If you’re going to be unreasonable, give a plausible reason. Now they will hold us responsible for even the lives of those who died in the civil war… … .”

Belinda muttered with an absurd expression on her face, and Seongjin glared at her and asked softly.

“I won’t ask again. “Did you kill him?”

“… … .”

Belinda pursed her lips and lowered her head.

Huhuhuhuhu.

Soon, a sinister laugh shakes the bloody warehouse.

“okay. I wondered why he was asking that. Now that I think about it, you are the Prince Mores… … .”

“… … .”

“As expected, you know something! “If you do this, everyone will know anyway, so I’ll be happy to answer!”

Flashing.

Belinda raised her head and made eye contact with Seongjin. It was as if she was a completely different person than before, and her face was now showing a strange joy.

As if sparks were coming from a broken wiring, eyes glowing with an eerie light glare at Seongjin.

“ha ha ha! okay! He was the ‘sacrifice’! “Maybe it’s not that unfamiliar to you either!”

Wiggle.

Sensing that Masaine and Valerie were tense at the same time, Seongjin gave a cold command.

“… “Explain in detail.”

“Of course. He is a ‘penitential offering’ carefully selected by the Archbishop of Penitence to be offered only to the Lord! He was chosen as the sacrificial lamb, and his country was also chosen as the land of the glorious god!”

“I chose it as the land of the Lord God. “Then what was all that long civil war about?”

“haha! “To our great Archbishop, the Apostle of Penitence, how big a deal would it be to destroy a country like that?”

Is this the penitent archbishop again?

At that moment, something came to Seongjin’s mind. It was Hayes’ soul who cried out desperately, shedding black tears.

-Lord of the soul! Noble archbishop! Apostle of rest!

Naturally, this question arose.

“What does the existence of an archbishop mean to you?”

Then, kekekekekeuk.

Belinda burst into laughter as if she was dying of fun.

“… “What’s funny?”

“No, I’m dumbfounded to hear such a question from you and no one else. Do you know nothing about [preparations] for yourself?”

“Spare?”

It was right then.

“… Lowering!”

Sir Masaine shouted softly from behind. The voice was desperate, as if someone was strangling it.

And Sir Valerie, who was watching from the side, blocks Seongjin’s path and quickly covers Belinda’s mouth with a gag. It happened almost simultaneously with Masain’s cry.

“town!”

“Don’t grit your teeth like that, Belinda.”

Valerie pressed her mouth harshly and spoke in a soft voice.

“Eup? Huh?”

“Well, aren’t the teeth that were replanted earlier already shaking? Go ahead and keep your mouth shut. Do you understand?”

“… … .”

Seongjin turned around after checking Lord Masain again, who was breathing heavily with a pale face.

“okay. I can’t go any further. “Enough with the interrogation.”

Of course, I didn’t forget to warn the Inquisitor before leaving the warehouse.

“And Sir Valerie?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m going to see Lord Masain today so I’ll just quietly pass by. But if you block my way like that next time, I won’t let you go even if you’re a member of the monster task force. Do you understand?”

“… … !”

Valerie, who was shocked at what she saw for a moment, immediately bowed her head politely with a serious expression.

“… yes. “I will keep that in mind, sir.”

* * *

“… “Why is everyone in such a mood?”

That night. Logan, who returned to his dorm after dark, was very embarrassed.

This is because a gloomy atmosphere was hanging over Seongjin and Masain, who were sitting in silence.

“Did something happen in the meantime? “Brother, why are you doing this again?”

Seongjin raised his head with a confused expression upon hearing Logan’s worried voice.

‘Gael Bertrand was sacrificed as a penance. ‘What if Logan finds out about this?’

That’s what Belinda said. The reason Ortona fell may have been because it was the country where Gael Bertran was born.

Seongjin felt his mood sinking even more as he faced Logan’s harmless and innocent face.

“… “Oh, poor thing.”

“… … ?”

And then there was silence between them for a while. Martha, who would normally greet Logan warmly, is now immersed in the sofa and rarely raises her head.

Logan, who couldn’t help but stand up, said.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but it looks like both of you aren’t feeling well. Immediately call the dedicated maid and have a cup of warm tea… … .”

And at the same time, he was strongly blocked by both Seongjin and Masain.

“no! “No Edith!”

“Tea is fine, sir!”

Logan, taken aback by the sudden extreme reaction of the two people, blinked for a moment.

However, he did not know the reason and soon came to his own conclusion.

“Well, it’s already too late at night to call the maid. “Then shall I give you a ride myself?”

And after a while, surprisingly, the tea that the Sword Master hastily made was quite edible.

Seongjin took a couple of sips of sweet tea with warm milk out of curiosity and soon felt a little relieved.

I like it.

It has a somewhat nostalgic scent that reminds me of the Earth’s childhood a long time ago.

Logan, sensing the languid air, let out a small laugh.

“It’s been a really long time, hasn’t it? “We both used to eat well when I rode it at the Blue Rose Labyrinth sometimes.”

“Is this Melbourne tea?”

Meanwhile, Seongjin, who sensed a familiar scent, asked, and Logan nodded.

“In the North, this is how they eat Melbourne. “It’s perfect for warming up in cold weather.”

“hmm. Right.”

But before I even took a few sips, I felt strangely dizzy and tired.

“It’s really delicious. But is it because of the heated milk? I feel a little sleepy… … .”

Then, Logan, who was sipping tea on the other side, answered calmly.

“You’ve been sleeping soundly since long ago when you drank it. “Maybe it’s because there’s quite a bit of rum in it?”

“… what?”

Seongjin asked, flinching in surprise.

“Are kids drinking here?”

“hmm? Rum is also often used as a seasoning. why?”

No, anyway, is it okay for a child to drink alcohol to the point where he gets upset?

Of course, it seems possible if you are a sword master who can disintegrate a few drops of alcohol in seconds.

Seongjin is frowning and thinking.

“In the past, His Majesty Mores called this car ‘Hush Tea.’”

The two people turned to see Masain’s voice suddenly coming from next to them.

Fortunately, his complexion looked much better than before, perhaps because of the alcohol-infused tea.

After that, small talk continued for a while. Mainly, Logan told the news from the imperial palace, and Seongjin and Masain listened.

Then, Seongjin heard surprising news that little Saint Aurelion, who had been sent to Logan, was enshrined in Bastian Church.

“Oh, that reminds me. “Actually, I have Lord Martha’s too.”

“yes?”

“We all bought it together, but when I thought about giving it to you, I realized that we went on a trip together. So I was wondering what to do, so I put it in my luggage and forgot about it.”

Seongjin rummaged through the women’s clothes and found a small bald saint.

“Now, give it to me when you have the chance.”

“Sir, why do I… … .”

Seongjin looked at Masain curiously as he asked with surprised eyes.

“huh? “So, since we’re family, we all live together?”

”… … !”

At that moment, Masain looked overcome with tears.

And Logan, who was looking at that with a slightly pleased face, said:

“When we return to the Imperial Capital, let’s first learn how to make a cone with me. “Brother Masain.”

“… “A cone?”

“It’s popular in the imperial palace these days to put a pretty cone on little Saint Aurelion.”

That’s not all. Little Castle Aurelion’s custom pouch and custom decoration stand… … .

Seongjin, who was listening to Logan saying strange things next to him, burst out laughing without realizing it.

Is it because it’s been a while since I drank alcohol? Are you feeling much better?

“okay! “Now that you’re out, should I show you something fun?”

After giving the gift, Seongjin remembered something again and jumped up from his seat.

“Actually, there’s something I’d like to ask the two of you for.”

Seongjin said that and took out an ice heart from his chest.

I already know Amelia’s strong taste. It was very easy for her to prepare her gift accordingly.

Logan also knew what he needed, so he prepared a gift accordingly.

However, Seongjin did not yet know what Sisley liked.

Maybe it’s because we haven’t known each other for a long time and because he matures quickly, but he doesn’t often say things like ‘what I want to do’ or ‘what I want to have.’

However, even if you ask others, there is no clear answer because she has lived as a celibate saint until now.

“So, first of all, I prepared something that a girl of Sisley’s age would like. It’s a cute doll that you can probably say we put the most effort into. But just in case, I want to hear both of your opinions first.”

Seongjin shouted with a confident face.

“Come out! Shaved ice number 3!”

Then coo!

A huge shadow was suddenly summoned from the air and fell to the floor. It was a huge teddy bear made of ice.

[Wow!]

The bear shouted loudly and looked at Seongjin with bright eyes.

“… “You said it was a doll?”

Logan asked in confusion, having imagined something like a small porcelain doll wearing a dress.

“huh! “It’s a teddy bear.”

“Teddy… what is that?”

“What do you mean? That’s just an ordinary teddy bear… … .”

Seongjin, who was answering, tilted his head.

what? I chose it because I thought it was a design that wouldn’t go too far with the trend, but maybe teddy bears aren’t that common in this world?

Okay, if design doesn’t appeal, let’s show function!

“This is not just a doll. “He’s a great bear who speaks simply.”

Then the ice bear flapped its short, chubby arms and shouted loudly. It was a high and loud sound, like a recorded electronic sound.

[Al~la~view!]

“Huh!”

Logan and Masain, startled, quickly put their hands on the swords on their belts.

Wow, it’s still too early to be surprised. There’s still a lot left to be proud of.

“It’s not just that. Look, this kid can dance to music.”

Dudududududutun~

The giant ice bear began shaking its plump butt while singing an unknown song.

“… … !”

As the two people’s faces grew paler, only the drunk Seongjin proudly spread his arms without knowing anything.

“And there is another most important function. “It even has a light security function built in to help defeat the bad guys targeting Sisley!”

Then paching!

The dancing bear’s eyes glow red, and sharp, ugly ice thorns protrude from its chubby hands.

[egg! la! View!]

“… … ?!”

“how is it? “What could be more perfect for a children’s toy?”

It’s great to see it again!

As expected, it is worth the effort.

“Lowering… … .”

Sir Martha, who had been gaping with his mouth open, eventually opened his mouth in a trembling voice. His pupils were now shaking mercilessly as if an earthquake had occurred.

“At least, I don’t think the saint would like something like that… … .”

Seongjin was greatly embarrassed when he saw Masain’s face suddenly darken.

“uh? why? “What’s wrong with your reaction?”

“… … .”

“Logan? Please say something too. “Why are you doing that?”

… Isn’t this pretty cool? Is it just me?

fantasy,