Children of the Holy Emperor Chapter 29

029. Black prophets (4)

On the morning of Kenneth Diggory’s meeting, Seongjin meditated in the training hall as always and devoted himself to training.

After finishing training a little earlier than usual, he took a shower and prepared to go out.

In the meantime, there was another major clothing repair, and now no one would be able to look at Seongjin and think of the fat guy he used to be.

The limbs that have not yet grown have become elongated without any excess fat, and good-looking muscles have been firmly established here and there on the body where the fat has disappeared.

Seongjin smiled happily as his clothes became sleeker.

Looking at it this way, I think Mores is also quite a handsome guy. Well, it’s not like the genes of good-looking parents go anywhere.

With only Sir Martha and Sir Kurt as escorts, Seongjin rode the carriage towards the meeting place on the outskirts of the capital. Until then, his mindset was just to get some fresh air.

The carriage left the city center, went up and down a couple of hills, and began to pass by scattered old mansions. The carriage shook violently because of the bad road surface.

“It’s not a neighborhood where the capital’s nobles mainly stay. “I can’t believe there’s a social gathering in a place like this.”

Sir Martha frowned as he looked at the slightly shabby old houses. She should have known then that something was strange.

Not long after, Seongjin and his group arrived at a huge mansion that was, to put it in a good way, old-fashioned, and objectively looked as if a ghost might pop out at any moment. The garden, which seemed to have been untouched by the gardener, was overgrown with bushes, and withered ivy completely covered the walls and the mansion.

“… … .”

“Is this a place where people live?”

Sir Kurt, who was always polite, had a rare look of nervousness on his face.

As they were looking around to see if it was an abandoned house, a servant appeared at the entrance and guided them into the house.

The group arrived at the banquet hall after walking for a long time through an old hallway that had not been properly cleaned and had cobwebs hanging here and there. The anxiety that something is going wrong grows little by little.

The escort knights were stopped at the entrance to the venue, and Seongjin quietly shook his head when Masain tried to protest. Still, since we’ve come this far, shouldn’t we at least check what kind of meeting it is?

Moreover, just in case, Seongjin had a real sword borrowed from the armory on his waist.

Although he is a beginner in swordsmanship, he is a monster hunter with decades of fighting experience. No matter what happened, I was confident that I would be able to get at least one piece of my body out.

Creak.

As the door opens with a heavy sound, the entire view of the banquet hall comes into view.

When Seongjin entered, he was momentarily startled.

This was because six young men, wearing black hooded robes covered up to their noses, stood up from their seats and approached him.

Even in broad daylight, the banquet hall is covered with thick curtains and does not let in even a single ray of light. In the middle of it all, there was a single, large mahogany table.

Under the dimly lit candles here and there, the long shadows of young people stretch in various directions and sway eerily.

what? Who is this gloomy group that looks like it’s going to summon a demon at any moment?

“Welcome to the gathering of the Black Prophets.”

The young man at the forefront takes off his hood and speaks.

I wondered if this was the leader of the devil worshipers, but the revealed face looked more normal and likable than expected.

The young face, which seems to have barely passed the terms and conditions, is straight-faced and looks sincere. What on earth is this guy who looks like the church guy doing?

“I’ve heard a lot about it. My name is Kenneth Diggory. “It is an honor to meet you like this, sir.”

The voice in which he greets is clearly polite, but he does not even give a simple informal bow to Seongjin.

It seemed like it would remain to be seen whether they looked down on Mores or if this group itself had an atmosphere of excluding excessive examples.

Seongjin just nodded without answering and looked around at the rest of the people. Looking at the generally calm reactions, it seemed like no one actually knew Mores.

Oh, except for the guy on the far left.

When Seongjin’s eyes met, that chubby Rob was visibly embarrassed and flustered.

Maybe it’s him? What is the connection between this organization and Mores?

“I’ve heard a lot about you too. “It’s a pleasure to be here with you, Kenneth.”

After giving a brief greeting to the young man who had removed his hood, Seongjin spread his arms as he approached the plump robe.

“Jonathan, Jonathan MacAlpine!”

He smiled brightly and squeezed the shoulder of the guy who was now slowly taking a step back.

That’s you, right? Where are you running away to? You bastard who lured Mores into this suspicious organization.

Seongjin placed one arm around Jonathan’s trembling shoulder and smiled as he looked around at the rest of the people.

“Now then, would you like to be formally introduced to everyone?”

After chatting with members of the Black Prophets’ Association, Seongjin learned some surprising facts.

First, these six dark-faced young men, including Kenneth, were all classmates or seniors and juniors at the Theological Academy. Jonathan MacAlpine is also two years Kenneth’s junior.

“None of the clergy is willing to explain the questions that arise. “They just tell you to believe, and suppress and oppress those who don’t!”

“… Ah, yes. “It’s bad to force people to blindly believe in anything without any reason.”

“The religious brainwashing and oppression that has blanketed this continent is preventing people from escaping from the swamp of ignorance. What do you think, Your Majesty?”

“Oh, I think it’s really a problem.”

“That’s right!”

What is the usual educational process that makes kids so angry?

Are you okay like this? Holy Imperial Theological Academy?

Second, most of these people were descendants of wealthy high-ranking priests in Delcross, a theocratic society. They are either just shadowy collaterals, or even if they are direct descendants, they are neglected people who do not receive attention because they are under many children.

Yes, like Kenneth who is talking about the fourth son of the second son.

“The theocratic society is an outdated social structure that is significantly behind the times. Look at the countless kingdoms and principalities subordinate to Delcross! They do their best to prevent the cardinal sent from Delcross from getting involved in politics. What are the results? Look at countries like Rohan and Brittany that are developing spectacularly!”

“… Well then. It is right that religion and politics should be separated. “Nothing.”

Rather than attempting to separate the government, it may have been to avoid interference in Delcross’s internal affairs.

“This is a situation where the direct descendants of high-ranking clergymen inherit high-ranking positions regardless of their abilities! If we can’t break this chain, Delcross’s future will never be bright!”

Seongjin just nodded his head while looking at the black guy who was spouting overheated speech as if he was waving his arms.

That was correct. It’s just that, although he received benefits as a member of the family of a high-ranking priest, he seems angrier because he was not included in the inheritance list.

Third, Seongjin assumed that Jonathan had lured the foolish Mores, but in reality, Mores had been begging Jonathan MacAlpine to introduce the group for about a year.

No, are you really doing such a useless thing? You son of a bitch!

“Given the nature of our gathering, it was virtually impossible to invite the prince of the Holy Empire here. “I believe you will fully understand how much of a burden we are still feeling.”

Kenneth spoke in a calm tone, occasionally glancing at Seongjin as if examining him.

“But did you say you are close friends with member Jonathan? We also had to take into account that His Excellency had spared no effort in providing financial support to the activities of our Black Prophets over the past year.”

Seongjin was so shocked that he almost opened his mouth wide.

Were there any other organizations that Mores supported?

“So the members agreed that it would no longer be possible to ignore the prince’s request to visit the meeting.”

Jonathan, sitting next to me, begins to visibly fidget. Seongjin narrowed his eyes and glared at him.

It seems like I’ve found at least one outside helper who stole the palace funds, and I felt like I would have to take a closer look at that guy once I get out of here.

“If I have to confess now, I may have been subconsciously believing many bad rumors surrounding the prince. Jonathan: My friend is also quite shy, so it may be a little difficult to resolve misunderstandings. … .”

Jonathan’s face is now pale.

My guess is that he wasn’t very active in introducing Mores to this group. Well, since all those rumors were true, I can’t really blame that guy.

“But today, seeing the prince in person, we realized once again how foolish our prejudices were.”

“Yes, our members, who call themselves prophets to break down the ignorance caused by prejudice, were also not completely free from the rumors of the world.”

“I am greatly reflecting.”

“Wouldn’t you say that you are the only member of the Holy Family who is truly intelligent and can see the twists and turns of this empire!”

It seems that the members’ liking for Seongjin has increased significantly as they have tried to counteract every person who has something to say.

And fourth. In fact, the facts I found out earlier were nothing compared to this.

“There was a long hesitation before we could meet the prince, but today, our members decided to do so.”

In response to Kenneth’s calm declaration, the remaining four members, excluding Jonathan, put their black hoods down below their noses again. Jonathan belatedly put on his hood, but his chubby face showed an expression that made him want to cry.

“I would like to officially accept Prince Mores, who is trying to burst the pus and bring a new future to the continent, from this rotten meat called Delcross that is festering from the inside, as a member of the Black Prophet!”

The black robes nod their heads in unison. One of them held out a black robe like theirs to Seongjin.

“uh… “Thank you for your decision.”

Seongjin hurriedly put on a robe to hide his embarrassed expression.

“Okay then, prince. “Please prepare your heart.”

Kenneth speaks in a solemn voice and puts on his hood.

“Now it is time to enter the mysteries of this world as the Black Prophet.”

“… … .”

Seongjin’s mind was now becoming infinitely more complicated.

Aren’t these just middle school-aged teenagers who are a bit dissatisfied with society? What is the mystery of the world?

As Kenneth nodded, a black robe forcefully pushed the empty bookshelf in the corner of the venue.

Squeak. The bookshelf spun around and soon what looked like a small alcove appeared. It was a secret space with a dark staircase leading down to the basement.

The atmosphere here is getting really weird.

Soon, black prophets holding small candles began to descend the basement stairs in a row. Seongjin was caught in the middle of the excitement, unable to do anything and could only silently follow them.

Occasionally stroking the handle of the sword hidden beneath his robe, Seongjin went down the narrow stairs that seemed to go on endlessly.

The unlit stairs were getting darker and darker, and I felt uneasy under my feet to rely on the small candles, but soon small green luminous moss began to appear around me.

As soon as you reach the end of the stairs, you reach a damp stone wall covered in moss. There were a lot of strangely glowing green spores floating around, and Seongjin had to try his best not to inhale them.

They walked along the passage surrounded by stone walls for a while.

The passage gradually widened and eventually ended in front of a huge stone wall. As the group pauses at the large door in the center of the stone wall, Kenneth, who was walking behind him, slowly approaches the door and turns toward Seongjin.

“Look, prince.”

Even as he pushed the door back, Kenneth’s eyes were fixed on Seongjin’s face. He said to him softly, in a slightly exaggerated tone, as if he were performing a play.

“This is the truth that this country hides under the framework of religion, the mystery of the world!”

Kiyi.

The stone door slowly opened and Seongjin’s eyes widened at the sight revealed.

okay. Fourth and most important.

The truth is that these seemingly devil worshipers actually summoned something into this world.

A large space surrounded by stone walls that looks more like a huge cavity than a room.

In the middle of that green, glowing space surrounded by moss, a black mass that could only be described as a giant maggot was writhing ominously.

fantasy,