Children of the Holy Emperor Chapter 65

065. Gray Plague (1)

The Holy Empire Delcross is a country of theocratic unity.

As a result, a bizarre form of government administration that was unprecedented on the continent was being conducted, with separate legislative bodies and separate judiciary.

[Holy Assembly] that interprets scriptures and enacts holy laws

[Parliament] which discusses state affairs and administers imperial law

[Heresy Tribunal], which identifies heresy and condemns devil worshipers

[Tribunal] that judges and executes crimes according to imperial law

Usually, they were managed separately and well-kept according to custom.

However, sometimes conflicts arose, such as when something permitted under imperial law was prohibited in the Holy Assembly, and there were even laughable incidents in which one crime was prosecuted by two courts at the same time, resulting in double punishment.

This was a system created when Delcross, a thousand-year-old kingdom, was established, but thanks to the first prosperity that ruled for over 300 years, it was completely institutionalized.

In addition, although its lifespan was shortened as it was passed down from generation to generation, there was no way that there was a country that could threaten Delcross, which had powerful priests centered around the Holy Emperor, the representative of the main god.

Thanks to this, Delcross was able to remain the most powerful empire, even though it had the most inefficient government system on the continent.

Why is such a detailed explanation necessary?

This is because Seongjin was now strangely summoned to the Theological Academy as a witness for the [Black Prophets] incident. With his legal and religious representative, Katrina, Grand Master of the Order of St. Aurelion.

Students at the Theological Academy, including Kenneth Diggory, were originally scheduled to be imprisoned and tried by the Heresy Tribunal. However, since the holy law to punish them was not properly established, it is said that it was decided to convene a holy assembly first by order of the Holy Emperor.

The problem is that once a sacred assembly is convened, it takes at least a month or as long as three or four months to enact related laws. This is because most of the time is spent interpreting and discussing scriptures about related content.

Moreover, the biggest event in the empire, the birthday party, is approaching.

It would probably take at least six months before the provincial law was officially revised and the trial could begin.

Now, there is no basis to indict them yet, so the students are strangely imprisoned in the courthouse on charges of housebreaking and vandalism.

And the investigation of the case itself is being carried out roughly, with investigators dispatched from the Theological Academy and going back and forth between the court and the academy.

Seongjin was absent-mindedly thinking to himself as the inspector stood in front of the investigator, “How can the country still be run even though things are going as they should?”

“So, the reason the prince went to that mansion was because he received an invitation… … .”

“Yes, the letter has already been submitted as evidence.”

“Have you ever had a separate relationship with these students before?” … .”

“well? As I stated earlier, I have no memory of before I had a fever.”

As Seongjin gives his pre-prepared answer without any hesitation, the investigator glances at the complexion of Katrina, who is standing behind him. Then he lowered his voice a little and carefully asked a question.

“if… “I am offended, but did you know about that strange creature?”

“A strange creature?”

“yes. According to Kenneth Diggory and other students… The prince seemed to know something about its identity… … .”

Seongjin naturally asked back with an innocent face.

“Well, just by looking at it, doesn’t it look like it was wrong? “Of course I thought it was a demonic species, but why do you call it a strange creature?”

“hmm… … .”

The investigator had a troubled look on his face. Because I could feel from long experience that this shameless prince knew something but pretended not to know.

However, the knight commander standing behind the prince and quietly staring at what they are doing is somehow scary.

After thinking for a moment, the investigator sighed and sorted out the documents.

“Yes, this is the end of the investigation. There is no significant difference from the students’ statements. Thank you for your cooperation, Prince Mores.”

If the Heresy Tribunal had attacked, it wouldn’t have ended this easily. Seongjin stood up with a slightly shocked look on his face.

Are you really okay like this? Judiciary of the Holy Empire?

“Thank you for your effort. Prince Mores.”

As she left the academy, Lord Katrina spoke to Seongjin with a gentle face.

Katrina Belpine, leader of the Knights of Saint Aurelion.

He is Seonghwang’s right hand man and the knight commander whom he trusts the most.

According to Masain, she is Seonghwang’s closest aide, having assisted him since he was a child.

This gentle-looking middle-aged woman, with her intense auburn hair tied up and wearing silver armor, was a familiar sight to Seongjin.

I remember seeing the Holy Emperor pouring out divine power right next to him when he fell down after tearing up the back door in an attempt to close the passage.

“Well, about the bantra moss larva… … .”

“Yes, don’t worry about what you said. “A report has been submitted to His Majesty, and the Knights of St. Terbachia are already conducting their own investigation.”

Seongjin had previously explained Bantra Mos to her before coming to the academy. It was because I thought it would be troublesome if someone like that appeared again and opened a gate in the capital.

Of course, if you asked me where I got that information, it would have been quite difficult. However, Katrina just calmly listened to Seong-jin’s explanation, and even told her investigator to pretend not to know and to discourage her.

What can I say? I guess it’s because I heard he was King Seonghwang’s right hand man.

The fact that Seongjin didn’t ask anything was the same as Seonghwang.

If you think about it, he was a person with many aspects that reminded me of Seonghwang, such as his attitude of quietly listening to what was being said or his attitude of quietly pressuring investigators.

But when I told that story, Katrina let out a haha ​​laugh.

“You had the same thought as me. While talking with the prince, I was thinking that you resembled His Majesty a lot in some way.”

yes? Where are you going?

When Seongjin looked at her with wide eyes, her eyes were beautifully curved.

“Your Majesty was calm and intelligent like the prince when he was young.”

“… … .”

Francis, who was quietly following her, coughed.

Yes, I know. Sir Francis.

I know, so stop coughing like an asthma attack!

On the way back to Jinju Palace by carriage, Seongjin told Katrina that he wanted to visit the court. Because she wanted to meet Jonathan McCalpine, who was in prison.

There was something I needed to ask him more about Mores’ past activities, as well as the funds he was said to have sponsored the [Black Prophets].

“Hmm… … .”

Katrina thought for a moment and then nodded.

“Well, I think it’ll be okay if it’s from the court. It is a place completely separate from the Heresy Tribunal. “They just imprisoned the students for convenience, and there will be no interest in this incident.”

Just then, the carriage arrived in front of the main palace.

She opened the carriage door and turned to the adjutant.

“Then, since I have to report to Your Majesty right away, I will greet you here. “Sir Francis, may I ask the prince instead?”

“Yes, Captain. Don’t worry! “I will take responsibility for the prince and serve him until the end!”

The tall adjutant gave an unusual smile and answered politely.

Seongjin was dumbfounded.

Francis. He’s like a fighting dog ready to bite others, so why doesn’t he change so much in front of the leader?

“okay. “You are always reliable, Sir Francis.”

Katrina patted his back and turned her head towards Seongjin.

“Sir, sooner or later, the exorcist of Saint Terbachia will visit the Pearl Palace. It’s just for advice, so don’t worry too much about it. “If you give me information about the ‘monsters’ you know, it will probably be of great help to them in their work.”

Instead of saying ‘strange creature’ or ‘deviant thing’ like the investigator did, Lord Katrina used the expression ‘monster’ mentioned by Seongjin.

It somehow felt like proof of infinite trust in his words, and Seongjin suddenly felt strange. Because I could never guess the reason for that unconditional liking.

While Seongjin had a shocked expression on his face, she politely bowed with her hand on her chest. She still had a friendly smile on her face.

“Then I will just leave. Lowering.”

The carriage door closes, and Katrina’s appearance through the window disappears.

It was at that moment that Francis’ gently smiling face suddenly changed. His sharp eyes were already wide open and the corner of his mouth was hard, to the point where it seemed like he had become a completely different person in just a moment.

What is this guy? Is it a dual personality?

“No, you’re going to go back to Jinju Palace right away and train whether you can live or die, but why are you suddenly a judge, yes?”

Hmm, those words were truly arrogant even in front of the prince.

It’s the usual Francis.

“I said I need to meet Jonathan MacAlpin.”

“So why do you have to meet that person? “We have already subtly covered up the donation story, but is there a need to go to the court and admit to a previous relationship?”

It’s not that there wasn’t concern about that, but what’s important is that Jonathan MacAlpin’s testimony was already secured and it was put to rest.

Previously, Lord Masain also searched not only the Jinju Palace but also the internal register of the main palace, but couldn’t find the details of the sponsorship. He has absolutely no evidence to implicate Mores.

In that case, wouldn’t it be better to get as much information as possible from Jordanan MacCalpine as soon as possible before the trial begins? If possible, it would be a good idea to control entry to some extent.

But Francis’ complaints did not stop.

“Oh really! Do you know how much I looked forward to the day when I could see our respected leader again while serving as acting leader during the last closing prayer?”

“… … .”

“But I was just wondering if the leader came out. What is this? “It’s a backlog of work, and the work is being pushed around, and the leader is still worrying about nothing and sticking by His Majesty’s side!”

Is this guy whining about losing the leader to Seonghwang? really?

“It’s the same today! It’s been a while since the leader came out of the main palace, so why are you separating me from him just because I’m going to the court? “Isn’t it really too much for you and your Majesty?”

Is this person really… … .

Seongjin smiled peacefully.

I tried to tolerate it for a while, but it was too noisy.

“Sir Francis, I didn’t want to go this far.”

“… “What do you mean?”

Behind the glasses, the fierce eyes become more pointed.

However, Seongjin had an ace up his sleeve.

“It will come.”

“… … ?”

“It will all come to Lord Katrina. “Sir Francis mistreated me on the way.”

“… … !”

Francis unconsciously opened his mouth and looked at Seongjin stupidly.

why? Do you think I can’t do it?

I don’t know, but I’m sure Lady Katrina would take my side, right?

[Wow, you childish bastard. I really live with this guy… … .]

The Demon King, who usually kept his mouth shut when a priest was next to him, dared to say something.

what? why? what? Isn’t it enough as long as the effect is good?

Indeed, the effect of ‘It Will Come’ was amazing.

Francis was dumbfounded for a moment, then made a face like he had chewed shit and closed his mouth like a clam.

How do you feel? I have discovered this fighting dog’s weakness!

Seongjin was elated, but the devil just sighed quietly.

[Who is weirder about this? The guy who wants to snitch, and the guy who actually works… … .]

The carriage moved towards the court in silence.

Once we arrived at the court, the proceedings went smoothly. When I told them the purpose of my visit, my identity was verified and I was immediately taken to the prison.

The court said they didn’t care because they were young students and treated as minor criminals, but the interview process was extremely lax.

However, when Seongjin visited the prison, he encountered an unexpected sight and fell asleep. A strange scene unfolded, with imprisoned students sitting on the cold stone floor, covering their heads and leafing through books.

The whole story was like this.

At least six months from the end of the Holy Synod meeting to the start of the trial.

Most of the members of the Holy Society were concurrently professors at the academy, and they could not stand to see students comfortably imprisoned without studying for months.

Moreover, the period when the meeting was convened happened to be during the academy midterm exam period.

The professors thought this way.

-You guys have to submit your assignments and take the test first, right?

So, a ridiculous situation arose where all the [Black Prophets] were writing reports in prison.

“hmm… … .”

Kenneth Diggory, who suffered a fracture to the back of his head, fortunately received treatment from priests and seemed to have woken up safely. As he was in his senior year and had to write his thesis, he was digging through the thick books on his major with a white face.

Except for him, the rest of the guys had light bruises here and there on their faces. It seems that he was subjected to quite harsh interrogation when he was first imprisoned in the Heresy Tribunal.

It was only a day before they were transferred to the court, but to beat up young students like that when they were not even sure of the charges yet, the heresy court must be a very scary place.

Among them, Astley Bettcher, who seemed particularly temperamental, and Jonathan MacAlpin, who did not have the support of a high-ranking clergyman, seemed to be in a rather serious condition. He couldn’t even open the book and was suffering in a corner of the prison.

I think I got hit a bit too much.

“Why are those two in such condition? Is it okay to leave it like that?”

When I asked the guard, he tilted his head.

“well. “There wasn’t anything particularly strange when I came here yesterday, right?”

Everyone is dying. What does that mean?

“Sir Francis.”

When Seongjin’s name was called, Francis accompanied the guard and opened the prison door.

These are the students whom Seonghwang personally stepped forward to protect. If he fell into critical condition due to the Heresy Tribunal’s fault, it would be a huge problem.

The rest of the prophets, who were busy writing reports, hesitated and retreated to one side of the prison.

Francis knelt down and carefully examined the condition of the two people. For a moment, he touched his forehead with his divine power-enveloped hand and lifted the hem of his clothes to and fro.

How much time has passed? Eventually, Francis raised his head towards Seongjin and spoke with a slightly serious expression.

“Sir, I think we should quarantine the students first and call a doctor.”

Is it really that bad?

However, his continued words made not only the students but also the guards turn pale.

“I think it’s a plague.”

fantasy,