Children of the Holy Emperor Chapter 28

028. Black prophets (3)

When Lord Masain returned to Jinju Palace, it was late in the day when the sun had already set and darkness had fallen.

Seongjin had just finished dinner and was opening a picture book he had borrowed from Amelia.

There were a huge number of specialized books in the Jinju Palace library, but when I searched to learn letters, I couldn’t find a single book that was easy for children.

It was clear that Empress Lizabeth did not take Mr. Mores’ level of knowledge into consideration at all when she first created the library.

It was the angelic Princess Amelia who extended a helping hand to Seongjin, who was wondering how to start studying letters.

She carefully kept all the picture books she read as a child, and she willingly lent her collection to Seongjin, who said he had trouble remembering how to read.

Sometimes, when we had lunch together, I would open a picture book and slowly read it to Seongjin. I also listened intently to Seongjin’s voice as he stuttered as he read.

-It has been my long-time dream to read books with my family.

To Seongjin, who felt sorry for wasting her time, she smiled happily.

Thanks to this, Seongjin has now reached the level of reading simple children’s books on his own, albeit at a slow pace.

Well, considering that I told Seonghwang that I wanted to read philosophy and religious books, I still have a long way to go.

So today, as I was eating dessert and flipping through children’s books with cute animal pictures, I heard a knock on the door and Masain came into the room with a very tired look on his face.

“It’s a lot later than I thought. I apologize. Lowering.”

Seongjin closed the book in silence and looked at him.

Today, Seongjin has made a lot of progress in his training. That’s why Masain’s advice was even more urgent, but when I saw him walking in with a haggard face, I didn’t even feel like blaming him.

“So, I heard there was something I needed to find out. Did you finish the job well?”

Looking at the atmosphere, it doesn’t seem like there was much success.

Sure enough, Masain shakes his head with a gloomy face.

Golden Truth Society, Adelheidt’s Plague Society, Blue Republican Revolutionary Front.

Suspicious organizations said to have been sponsored by Mores.

“First, we searched all of the Jinju Palace ledgers containing records of the person’s use of personal funds, but no records were found for these organizations.”

He began to supervise Jinju Palace’s administrative officers in the morning and thoroughly investigated the details of sponsorships and donations within the past five years.

However, the only regular support was an orphanage and a small theater on the rue de Bertrand, and it is said that there were only a few occasional cases of support for aid organizations for the poor.

There he thought of two possibilities.

First, it is possible that Empress Lizabeth sponsored these organizations in her name on behalf of Mores.

Second, there is a possibility that imperial forces trying to slander Mores sent donations in his name.

So from then on, he rushed to the main palace and searched through several years’ worth of financial records in the internal register. The administrative officers and administrative priests in charge were shocked because they thought a financial audit was starting unexpectedly.

And the results were clean. Mostly donations to orphanages and poor relief organizations. Occasional support of arts organizations.

At least, the funds within the imperial palace have never flowed directly into those suspicious organizations.

“and… … .”

Seongjin made a tired face. Just by listening to it, I could clearly feel how much work Masain must have done today.

“Of course, it is not impossible that among the organizations in the sponsorship records, there are ghost organizations that only exist in the records, or that the records have been laundered several times… … .”

Masain trails off. Judging by the atmosphere, it looks like tomorrow they will pick up a list of each sponsor and start investigating each one to see if the organization is real or if the funds were properly invested.

No, that’s enough! Stop it, you stubborn idiot!

How are you going to research it all on your own?

Seongjin waved his hand and said.

“Lord Masaine, so there is no end. The police only investigated the details of donations and sponsorships, but doesn’t it seem possible that I may have created false purchase details of expensive items such as art and embezzled funds? Are you going to investigate all purchases made by the imperial palace within the past few years?”

“… … .”

“What if there are no supplies? If you say it was damaged or sent as a gift somewhere, there’s no proof, right? No, I might have just passed on the actual product. Or that the artwork in the imperial palace warehouse is a forgery and the real one is at the auction house.”

Masain’s face turned pale. I don’t think I even thought about that possibility.

“Or how about this? What if I accepted someone’s request and asked for support in return?”

“… “Are you asking for compensation?”

Sir Masain looked like he was about to faint.

No, you idiot. So I’m not saying I did that, it’s a story of possibility.

Well, I’m not sure if Mores really did that.

Seongjin decided to appease Masain for now.

When I tap the sofa, he stumbles over and sits down. He seemed to come to his senses a little when Edith handed him the cookies he had left behind for dessert. So, I guess I’ll just eat some food.

“Now, Sir Masaine. What I said was only a matter of possibility. The probability of it actually happening is extremely low. How can it be normal to embezzle the imperial palace’s funds?”

The light slowly began to return in Masain’s eyes, which had been half lost.

“Furthermore, there is something that is absolutely necessary to realize the possibilities mentioned above. “It is the existence of a helper outside the imperial palace.”

“That means… … .”

“This means that now, rather than chasing the details of money movements, I have to track the history of my social interactions in the past.”

Seongjin smiled brightly and held out a large tray to Masain. There was a tray piled high with invitations inviting the 3rd prince to a social gathering.

“Well, now that you’re back, would you like to read the invitation with me? “As you read, please explain who these people are.”

And I also study spelling a bit.

Lord Masain’s complexion began to turn dark, but Seongjin had nothing to hesitate about.

Isn’t it enough to be grateful that it has prevented the shoveling that will start again tomorrow?

So they stayed up late sorting invitations.

First, select things that appear to be regular gatherings rather than casual events.

All invitations to personal events such as birthdays and engagement parties were blown away.

Gatherings in locations too far from the capital were also excluded. Mores, who was her palace assistant, said she never left the palace for long periods of time.

We also removed some invitations that we could be sure had no contact with Mores, such as gatherings for noble ladies and theological conferences.

After sorting through the remaining items, there were only three invitations left.

The first caller was Orden Sigismund. It is a clean, white letter with an old-fashioned border decoration.

“This is Archduke Sigismund. He is the son of the current Margrave of the North and the grandson of Sir Vincent Sigismund, a famous general in the past. He is also famous as the greatest disciple of Balthazar, the greatest knight on the continent.”

The Sigismund family is not a central noble family, but it is a great noble family whose power is so great that no one can ignore it.

The Grand Duke is also renowned throughout the continent for his outstanding inaction. It is said that he is considered an idol among the Confucius of Delcross, having easily won first place in martial arts competitions held in several countries.

Every year, before the birthday party, he comes to the capital and holds a meeting with young Confucius who follow him.

“Rather than being a friend of yours, I think it is an invitation to all young people of high status in the capital.”

Masain added.

Since it’s a meeting right before the birthday party, there’s still plenty of time left, so let’s put this aside for now.

The second is Ricardo Scarzapino. He is a nobleman from Ortona and the second son of a wealthy man.

Wait, Scarzzapino?

The Scarzzapino who is talking about marriage with Mores?

“Probably the wealthiest family in Delcross. Prince Ricardo is a very sociable person, and is famous for regularly meeting with children of influential families.”

The letter is also shiny and golden, full of the smell of money.

Since it discusses the situation on the continent, changes in the economy, trends in the art world, etc., it is probably the most mainstream gathering in Delcross.

I doubt that this kind of person has any connection to Mores.

Oh, come to think of it.

-Still, I used to go to the townhouse to see a friend about once every two months.

I remembered what Edith had said in passing. Did you say that the only friend that Mores interacted with was a minor member of the Scarzapino family? Could it be this person?

Seongjin glanced at the invitation one more time.

Meeting ten days later. It would be a good idea to go here first.

The third caller’s name was Kenneth Diggory. He is the fourth son of Irana, the second son of Cardinal Diggory, the head of the administration.

what? What position is too subtle to be considered important?

Masain also tilted his head.

“I’m not a well-known figure in social circles, but I didn’t know you had regular meetings like this. “I heard he entered the Theological Academy, but I don’t know that he has made many official appearances since.”

In other words, he is a person I don’t know very well. Seongjin was lost in thought as he stroked the smooth black envelope.

It seems like it’s a low-level gathering to invite the prince to, but considering the prince’s reputation as a bastard, it seems like this should be enough for Mores to be treated like a human being.

More than anything, the last sentence of the letter bothered me.

-The Prince’s long-time friend, Jonathan MacCalpine, is also looking forward to seeing you again.

Was there anyone else that Mr. Mores could call a friend other than Prince Scarzapino?

“Does this man named Jonathan know the longitude?”

Masain shook his head in response to Seongjin’s question.

“sorry. I don’t know the details of his personal connections. At least he is not a well-known person in social circles.”

“Hmm, that’s right… … .”

The meeting is in three days. It’s the fastest, so should I just think of it as a way to get some fresh air?

Until then, Seongjin thought so with a light heart.

From then on, time passed smoothly.

Masain, having given up his unsuitable role as a detective, returned to the training center the next day. He looked puzzled for a moment at his student, who had piled four floors at once while he was away, and then sighed.

“No, why is it that someone who can do so well still…?” … .”

Lord Masaine, haven’t you said that before?

Well, it’s not like I can’t understand his feelings. Hunter Lee Seong-jin must be amazing.

Anyway, the long-awaited Auror training introduction process has finally begun.

Seongjin thought that as soon as he started class, he would be able to freely shed aura and swing a sword.

However, I had to quickly change my thoughts, because Lord Masain taught me meticulously, going through each movement slowly.

Even if you think you have mastered one form, you do not immediately move on to the next form, but simply repeat it until it is completely ingrained in your body.

I don’t know if they teach well, but I do know that they pursue perfection in their movements to the point that there is no room for bad habits to develop.

They said it would be boring once they started, and the progress was so slow that even Seongjin, who had a history of repetitive training, was frustrated. I practiced meditation for two days and reduced meditation, but I still couldn’t get out of the first meal!

Of course, the opinions of the resident knights who were in the training hall together were different.

“Prince, the progress is really fast.”

Sir Kurt spoke soothingly to Seongjin, who was about to vent his anger.

“At this rate, both meals 1 and 2 will be completed within a week, right? Then, you will graduate with the basics.”

is it?

Sir Kurt was one of the few high-ranking knights, and he had a serious personality who did not say empty words. If his words are like that, you can trust them quite a bit.

“As for me, sir. Come in as a squire! I only ate 1 meal for 4 months! But considering the average of the knights, it’s not that slow!”

Lord Martha was so angry that I almost deserted.

Sir Claudia, whose round face and freckles were her charm, pouted.

In the meantime, Seongjin gradually became acquainted with other knights besides Mariana Haven. More than half of the drivers had volunteered to come from all over to earn some money for drinks, and they were generally informal and cheerful.

Just like the first time, there were some who glared at me with disdain, but considering Mores’ reputation in the past, that might be a good thing. Seongjin decided to ignore the slightest rudeness.

While we were practicing in the training hall and occasionally reading children’s books, time passed quickly, and the day of the meeting arrived.

With Sir Martha and Sir Kurt as his escorts, Seongjin left for a quiet residential area on the outskirts of the capital. At that time, it was just a light outing.

That is, until five or six young men wearing black robes greeted him at once.

“Welcome to the gathering of the Black Prophets.”

Seongjin stopped breathing without realizing it.

Another suspicious and highly suspicious organization was here!

fantasy,