Children of the Holy Emperor Chapter 9

009. An unexpected visitor

“So there were visitor restrictions until now?”

Seongjin asked Edith while biting into the lightly baked breakfast bread.

“Since when?”

“I don’t know the exact period. “It’s been two years since I started working there, so it’s clear that there have been restrictions at least before then.”

Edith answered, pouring water into a cup.

According to her explanation, except for a few employees and resident knights, entry to Jinju Palace was initially restricted to all visitors. Those who unavoidably wanted to visit had to first submit an application to the main palace. Even though she was a member of the imperial family, she was no exception.

And most of the applications were rejected. In fact, it is as if entry is prohibited.

“Is it true that I’m not even allowed to go out?”

Edith shrugged.

“I don’t think there was anything like that. “It’s just that His Majesty hated going out of Jinju Palace so much that he rarely went out.”

Fortunately, it seems that Mores was not imprisoned in a villa.

Well, I said that I held a regular audience because it was too much of a hassle to go to the main palace once a week.

Is it okay for the human relationship between a prince of the Holy Empire to be like this?

“Still, I would go to the townhouse to see a friend about once every two months.”

“friend?”

“Yes, I believe it was mostly an appointment with Prince Scarzapino.”

It’s not that I have no friends at all.

“Hmm… … .”

Seongjin was lost in thought as he chewed his salad.

It is said that there are no particular restrictions on the Blue Rose Labyrinth or Silver Rose Labyrinth, which are the palaces of the prince and princesses, so such measures are aimed solely at Mores. It may be related to the reason why there are so few people only at Jinju Palace.

However, no matter how well-known he was, was it really right to isolate him in a villa and prevent his family and friends from visiting him?

Although Mores had a bit of a dirty personality, he wasn’t a particularly violent criminal, so wouldn’t keeping him incarcerated like this have had a more negative impact on his character and standing?

“But if it’s a release, it’s a release, what is a partial release?”

“He said high-ranking priests and paladins are still prohibited from entering.”

“that… … .”

So, people with strong divine power should not enter Jinju Palace at all?

The Demon King whispered.

[Suspicious.]

‘Uh, okay. It’s totally suspicious.’

Seonghwang, what on earth is that guy up to?

If I had known this would happen, I would have been a little more proactive in looking into things while the Demon King was capable of detecting souls. After finishing his meal with an uneasy feeling, Seongjin sighed.

Well, now that I have to think about it alone, there is no way to know the truth of Seonghwang. Whatever the reason, the fact that the restrictions were lifted immediately after confronting him probably means that the impression Seongjin gave at yesterday’s audience was not too bad. I guess they thought it would be less frustrating if they let it go a little more now.

Let’s do what we can now.

Soon he erased all trivial thoughts and ran straight to the training ground.

“Wait two! “What a waste!”

Seongjin started his physical training as usual by running around the gym. Now, even if I maintain the alert at a fairly steady pace, it doesn’t cause much strain on my body. This is an encouraging development, considering he was barely crawling when he first came out to the gym.

I also started doing strength training occasionally. This was because I was losing weight unexpectedly and rapidly, and I was concerned about muscle loss.

The knights of Jinju Palace were now relatively accustomed to Seongjin’s appearances and were training on their own to avoid his range of action. The not-so-kind gaze is still there, but it’s not as overtly hostile as before.

‘Well, this is someone’s training ground, so how dare you say it’s safe.’

I was snorting to myself and taking a moment to catch my breath when a stranger appeared at the entrance to the training ground. He was a man of quite sturdy build and his posture was perfect.

He stood at the entrance for a moment, looked around, found Seongjin, and approached him with a bright smile.

hmm? Where have I seen that face that looks like a gentle large retriever?

“Lowering!”

He walked towards me with great strides, his gorgeous blonde hair flowing, and he put his right hand on his chest and gave a polite greeting.

“I meet Prince Mores.”

“… … .”

So, where did you see it?

The man’s eyebrows droop.

“… This is Martha Klanos, leader of the Imperial Guard and the 2nd Knights. Lowering.”

Ah, the kind knight commander who escorted him from the main palace yesterday.

Seongjin welcomed him with a slightly excessive smile, feeling sorry.

“Lord Masaine! I never thought I would see you at Jinju Palace. What’s going on here? “Is it off duty today?”

It’s not that he isn’t, but now he looks comfortable, wearing simple everyday clothes rather than knightly uniform, and wearing only a sword. In response to Seongjin’s question, Lord Masain smiled slightly and scratched his head.

“I came here after hearing that visitor restrictions have been lifted as of today. Until now, there has been no permission to enter. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come to visit you when you were sick.”

Seongjin blinked at the unexpected answer.

Does that mean you have often applied for visits before? As soon as restrictions were lifted, were you the first to run?

Uh, I guess this knight commander was closer to Mores than I thought… … .

The devil scolds him sullenly.

[You are bad! Wrong! Have you forgotten the guy you saw yesterday? How many people are nice to this idiot?]

Hehehe. I’m really sorry I didn’t recognize you. Sir Masain.

Seongjin was internally crying as he felt a surge of guilt, but the knight commander took no notice and still asked in a bright voice.

“I heard you’ve been working hard on your physical fitness lately. Do you always come to the gym at this time?”

“Yes, if nothing happens, I spend most of the day at the training center.”

“That’s great!”

Lord Masaine nodded with a warm smile in response to Seongjin’s answer.

“Then, if there is nothing special, I will be able to come out to the training hall together at this time from now on.”

“Lord Martha? why?”

“This is the order of His Majesty the Holy Emperor. He asked me to watch the prince’s sword skills from now on.”

They said they would send a suitable person, like a knight commander?

This was a request I made yesterday, and it was completed faster than I expected.

“My skills are mediocre, but I am expert in basic Auror training classes. “It will definitely help.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, I usually catch and teach squires who are joining for the first time.”

He looks young, but he is the leader of the knights. I’m sure his skills are good, but for someone with a humble personality, seeing him so confident seems like he’s really good at basic classes.

Masain recognized the anticipation and admiration in Seongjin’s eyes and scratched his head with an embarrassed smile.

“It’s a shame, but I myself was quite late in becoming an Auror. Since the period of laying the foundation was much longer than that of others, the process had no choice but to become more solid… … .”

They say that there are people who start late but master it quickly, and this person seems to be that type. It’s a solid foundation for guaranteed skills. Isn’t this a perfect appointment?

Seongjin grinned.

“It’s incredibly reliable. “Please take care of me, Sir Martha.”

“Yes, sir!”

Masain bowed his head in sorrow.

“Um, but… … .”

Seongjin felt empty, unlike usual, so he glanced around the training hall.

Sure enough, all of the Jinju Palace’s resident knights, who had been training here and there until just a moment ago, had suddenly disappeared.

Why? Obviously, even before Lord Masaine showed up… … .

As I was looking at the empty training hall, Masain asked.

“Sir, I mainly teach swords, but is there any other weapon you particularly prefer?”

“weapon?”

Seongjin was lost in thought.

Back when he was fighting against monsters, most of the world’s infrastructure was collapsed and supply was not smooth.

Not to mention weapons. The heat weapons didn’t even work on the monsters’ thick skin, and the cold weapons that were few in number also tended to chip or break with a couple of cuts.

As a result, the hunters had no choice but to head to the ground with only their reinforced bare bodies. Occasionally, I would roughly trim the monster’s claws, pincers, or teeth and swing them, but should that really be considered a weapon?

“… “I don’t think there is anything in particular.”

“By the way, do you have any memories of the swordsmanship you learned as a child… … .”

“doesn’t exist. “It flew cleanly.”

When Seongjin answered with an extremely refreshing expression, Masain sighed.

“yes. Then, I think it would be a good idea to start with the Imperial Knights’ standard sword techniques and the Banajas technique.”

“Are there any other options?”

“Imperial Knights basically learn both sword and spear techniques, but in the case of Auror practice, the rule is not to enter the other practice until one is mastered. “In most cases, we start with Banahas, which is more intuitive than Wiroz, which was designed for spearmanship.”

Well, there is no change in the fact that you have to learn both in the end, he added.

Seongjin asked, tilting his head.

“Isn’t it better in terms of time to sell just one until the end? It is said that when you reach a certain point, the distinction between practice methods becomes meaningless… … .”

“Eh?”

Masain made a strange expression.

“Who did you hear that from?”

“My father said that an Auror goes where his heart goes… … .”

Wow!

Seongjin was momentarily frightened when Masain suddenly stiffened his face and started yelling.

Well, it’s a bit scary to see a normally gentle person with a straight face.

“A certain level? What level do you think that level is? “Even if they devote their whole lives, how many people will reach the end?”

“uh… … .”

“Wherever your heart goes… I beg your pardon? Is that what you would say to a beginner? yes?”

No, why are you angry at me… … .

While Seongjin was sweating coldly, Masain suddenly put his face in front of Seongjin’s nose and emphasized it again in a strong tone.

“Forget the idea of ​​learning anything from him! If you heard anything, you should forget it right here! You absolutely must!”

“… … .”

“Do you understand?”

The Demon King spoke quietly.

[Hey, doesn’t it seem like there’s something going on with him?]

‘… I know.’

For some reason, I had a feeling that classes with Masain would not be smooth.

It was a memorable first class, but I didn’t really learn how to swing a sword right away. Masain walked around the training ground or did light exercise with Seongjin and first carefully checked his overall physical strength.

At the same time, I listened to a rough explanation of the origins of the standard swordsmanship of the Imperial Knights and the characteristics of the Auror training techniques that I would need to learn in the future, and with that alone, the morning went by quickly.

Finally, Masain concluded the class by explaining a simple meditation method.

“If we adjust the main palace working hours to late, perhaps I will be able to attend more classes in the afternoon in the future.”

Seongjin was horrified and waved his hand at the knight commander, who showed great enthusiasm by saying that he would use his vacation to come to class if it didn’t work out.

Are you voluntarily giving up your regular job, overtime, and even vacation time?

Despite his first impression of being quite dependable, Lord Martha was a somewhat disheveled person the more you looked at him.

* * *

Sir Martha wasn’t the only unexpected visitor that day. He was doing some gymnastics in his room after lunch when Edith knocked on his door with a slightly embarrassed look on her face.

“Lowering. “Amelia came to visit us, so we took her to the living room.”

Who is Amelia?

Fortunately, the demon king whose navigation system was nerfed still had the information he had accumulated in advance.

[She is your older sister. The first princess.]

1st princess?

“You didn’t say anything about visiting, right? But you just let me in?”

Even if the child was given by Mores, the prince’s palace would not be a place where one could freely visit. Doesn’t Empress Lizabeth also regularly send messages before she comes?

“That is… He came in without any hesitation, saying he had to meet Hae-ha… … .”

iced coffee. Since she was a princess, it must have been difficult for Edith to take her in or send her back.

Anyway, this was another unexpected situation. Didn’t Mr. Mores say that he doesn’t get along very well with the other princes and princesses? I’m sure he didn’t come to visit me.

[In particular, I heard that the relationship with Amelia broke down a long time ago.]

‘Whose fault was it?’

[Isn’t it obvious? I heard that that guy, Mores, treated her so badly that she was a natural princess.]

‘… … .’

This is probably not a good purpose for your visit. Seongjin sighed.

“Guide me.”

With a heavy heart, she shuffled to the front parlor, and before Edith could even open the door, she heard a screeching sound of a chair being pushed around, as if someone had jumped up from inside.

Then there was the light sound of heels hitting each other.

“to?”

Jump up!

The door was suddenly pushed open with such force that Seongjin almost fell backwards in front of the door.

I looked ahead in confusion and saw a tall girl holding the doorknob and staring intently at Seongjin’s face.

[and… … .]

‘and… … .’

The Demon King and Seongjin both let out a dumbfounded exclamation, and as expected, the girl in front of them looked like an angel who had just come out of a sacred painting.

A neat white dress with wavy, rosy hair. Long eyelashes are fluttering over delicate cheeks like porcelain dolls.

A girl as pretty as a bunch of roses was looking at Seongjin with wide eyes.

“… Mores.”

“uh… … .”

So, this person must be Amelia, right? But why is he looking at Mores with such affectionate eyes? It seems like our relationship is a little different than what I thought?

The Demon King was remembering useless information next to him.

[He said he usually called her a lowly girl. Of course, there is no need to refer to it.]

‘shut up!’

Seongjin broke into a cold sweat and opened his mouth to the girl.

“uh… I… sister? What’s going on here… … .”

However, Seongjin could not finish speaking. At the sound of his voice, as if a dam suddenly burst, the girl began to shed tears.

And then.

“Mores!”

Wow! The sudden weight of her hug made Seongjin crush her buttocks.

“uh? uh?”

“Mores! Mores! Mores!”

The girl didn’t pay attention to Seongjin, who had fallen, and just called his name and snuggled into his arms. It was an earnest gesture, as if it were a baby burrowing into its mother’s arms. His chest instantly became wet with tears.

No, what on earth is going on?

Seongjin was about to say something with a puzzled look on his face, but he soon closed his mouth and started patting her on the back with both hands. Because the girl’s thin shoulders were trembling pitifully.

She began to sob bitterly and repeat an unknown sound as if she was talking to herself.

“Ah, you are alive! I’m back! I’m back again… . “I’m really, really glad!”

… yes?

fantasy,