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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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I added my name to the list of the investigation team that would uncover the identity of the Warmonger in collaboration with the priests of the Holy Kingdom.
It’s often said that the darkest place is under the lamp.
They would never dream that the Warmonger himself was hiding within the investigation team.
The Holy Kingdom’s efforts to expose the apostle of the Disaster God would soon end in failure.
I decided to keep a low profile until the investigation by the inquisitors dispatched from the Holy Kingdom was complete.
“The Warmonger is the hero who turned the tide of the Battle of Leigir, which was on the verge of defeat! Such a great person could never be associated with the Disaster God!”
“……”
The Imperial Intelligence Agency was truly exceptional.
To think that the Valtarian Imperial Family had already obtained information about my participation in the Holy Kingdom’s investigation team.
I was caught in an unnecessary commotion.
I expressed my embarrassment while looking at the agitated Crown Prince.
Crown Prince Alexis, who revered the Saintess Party to an almost fanatical degree, pleaded my innocence on behalf of the Warmonger himself.
I felt both perplexed and awkward at Alexis’s actions.
“I also believe in the heroes who saved the world. However, countless nations are expressing fear due to the incident that occurred in the Boemon Kingdom. To alleviate their fears and prove the innocence of the Saintess Party, I believe an investigation is necessary.”
“I-I apologize…! I was momentarily indiscreet.”
I spoke in a persuasive tone, as if admonishing Alexis, while looking into the eyes of the Crown Prince who genuinely admired the Saintess Party.
Alexis seemed to understand and nodded.
“Sir Edanant, the Hero’s brother, must be the most concerned… You must be very worried as well, Sir Edanant.”
“……”
Concerned?
Worried?
What was that?
I had never once worried about Maximilian.
Even when I saw Maximilian’s back as he set off for the worst front line to defeat the Immortal Demon King, I didn’t worry at all.
Because I already knew that Maximilian would be victorious.
It was the same now.
There was no point in wasting energy worrying about the strongest hero in history.
“Alex.”
“Mila sister…”
While I was conversing with Crown Prince Alexis,
The princess, boasting a dignified presence, approached with quick steps.
It seemed she had come to reprimand her overly excited younger brother.
“Aren’t you making Sir Edanant uncomfortable?”
“But the Warmonger is truly innocent! It must be a false accusation fabricated by those who envy the Saintess Party’s lofty reputation! To accuse a great hero of being an apostle of the Disaster God…!”
What was this?
Was he deliberately teasing me?
My face flushed at Alexis’s actions, earnestly pleading for the Warmonger’s cause.
His actions were completely devoid of malice.
That’s why I felt even more embarrassed as I listened to the Crown Prince’s passionate plea.
Alexis eventually left, expressing his strong determination.
Judging by the appearance of the spirited young man, it seemed he would join forces with the nobles who also revered the Saintess Party and submit a petition.
“Pfft…!”
Ludmilla let out a brief chuckle.
It was because she saw my stiff expression.
Even the most skilled clowns performing a comical play wouldn’t be this funny.
Ludmilla, who had chuckled briefly, couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer and burst into a fit of laughter, her face flushed red.
“…Ludmilla.”
“S-Sorry… Pfft! Hahaha! But isn’t it too funny…!”
Had Ludmilla, who valued dignity as the protector of the Imperial Family, ever burst into such laughter?
Was it that funny?
I, the person involved, didn’t find it funny at all.
The princess, with her flowing golden hair, even clutched her stomach as she laughed.
“I heard the news as well. You decided to join the Holy Kingdom’s investigation team?”
“It’s a self-preservation tactic to conceal my identity.”
“Indeed, a brilliant strategy. You are truly remarkable.”
“It was Saintess Zebeline’s suggestion. I simply followed her advice.”
Ludmilla’s expression, which had been praising me, instantly crumpled.
As expected of rivals.
To show such blatant dislike even after a brief compliment.
I cleared my throat awkwardly at Ludmilla’s displeasure, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
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A cardinal was dispatched from the Holy Kingdom to deliver a personal letter from the Pope.
It must be related to the Saintess Party.
Zebeline, upon hearing the news, frowned as if expressing her complex emotions.
The plan to cover up the suspicions surrounding the Warmonger had been thwarted.
The fact that the Pope had personally sent a cardinal meant that he was closely monitoring the situation.
‘Of all the old geezers, it had to be the most stubborn one.’
A middle-aged man with a striking, mirror-like monocle stepped out of the carriage.
Narrow, slanted eyes.
A hooked nose with a downward curve.
And deep wrinkles that clearly showed the passage of time.
The priests who made eye contact with the crimson-clad cardinal turned pale and looked away.
They were afraid of being reprimanded by the cardinal, who was known for his obsession with cleanliness.
“You must be tired from your long journey, Cardinal Baladi.”
“It’s been a while.”
Hordamet Baladi.
The cardinal, known for his stubbornness rivaling Ludmilla’s, had arrived in the Valtarian Empire.
He was a gruff man who refused to compromise.
That’s probably why he enjoyed the Pope’s absolute trust.
Zebeline clicked her tongue inwardly, expressing her displeasure.
The reason for sending one of his most trusted aides was clear.
The Pope’s intention to thoroughly investigate the suspicions surrounding the Warmonger was evident.
“I didn’t expect Cardinal Baladi to come personally.”
“A suspicion that shakes the very foundation of the Holy Kingdom has arisen in the Boemon Kingdom. As a cardinal of the Holy Kingdom, it’s only natural for me to step forward.”
Hordamet Baladi was renowned as an inquisitor who had judged countless heretics.
He never tolerated evil.
The same applied to those who worshiped false gods.
He was a man who had committed brutal massacres during the process of eliminating the remnants of the Demon King’s army and the cult forces that had survived the Racial War.
Zebeline was no different, but Hordamet was even more ruthless.
He was a fanatic who committed slaughter in the name of proving his faith to the great and only god.
“What are your thoughts on the Warmonger, Cardinal?”
“I’m simply here to uncover the truth. I have no personal feelings towards the Warmonger.”
Hordamet gave a businesslike answer to the saintess’s question.
Zebeline scoffed inwardly, thinking, ‘Oh, how noble of you.’
“The reason for my visit to the Valtarian Empire… is not solely related to the suspicions surrounding the Warmonger.”
“Yes?”
“It’s to convey His Holiness’s intentions to the Emperor of the Empire.”
“So there’s another matter.”
What message could the leader of the Holy Kingdom, who worshiped the Earth Mother, have written in his personal letter?
Could it be related to Edanant?
A sense of foreboding struck her.
It was even more unsettling because the person who brought the Pope’s personal letter was a devout fanatic.
“It’s time to meet the Emperor. Saintess, I must excuse myself.”
“I don’t know what it’s about, but… if it’s a decision made by the leader of the Holy Kingdom, we must follow it.”
The cardinal, dressed in crimson robes, politely bowed to Zebeline and headed towards the Imperial Palace with the priests who had been dispatched as envoys.
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The Valtarian Empire and the Gael Holy Kingdom had formed an alliance following the Third Racial War.
Therefore, it was common for envoys from the Holy Kingdom to meet with the Emperor of the Empire.
Just as envoys from the Valtarian Empire met with the Pope every year as honored guests.
However, this time was different.
Emperor Barbarossa dismissed all the ministers who had attended the audience as soon as he read Pope Boern’s personal letter.
“Are you saying we need to hold an Alliance Council meeting, right now?”
“That is correct, Your Majesty.”
Alliance Council meeting.
It referred to a gathering of human nations formed to defeat the Demon King’s army and the cult forces.
To hold an Alliance Council meeting now.
Barbarossa swallowed hard and briefly set aside the Pope’s personal letter.
“Holding an Alliance Council meeting requires the approval of the leader. Do you understand that?”
“Of course. Aren’t His Holiness of the Holy Kingdom and Your Majesty of the Empire the co-leaders who command the Alliance?”
The Emperor of the Valtarian Empire.
The Pope of the Gael Holy Kingdom.
Holding an Alliance Council meeting required the agreement of both the Emperor and the Pope.
That’s why Boern had sent a personal letter to Barbarossa to arrange the meeting.
“It seems the Pope of the Holy Kingdom takes the Alliance Council meeting lightly. To make a decision without providing any justification and simply inform us… Does he intend to rule over the kings of the continent like servants, using the Earth Mother’s divinity?”
Anger could be heard in Barbarossa’s voice.
He was on the verge of exploding.
The anger stemming from humiliation would soon transform into violent rage.
The priests of the Holy Kingdom, facing the imminent situation, looked at Hordamet in terror.
Despite the precarious atmosphere, as if a sharp reprimand would fall upon them at any moment, only the cardinal remained composed.
“The Earth Mother has directly delivered an oracle.”
“…What?”
An oracle.
The Earth Mother had delivered an oracle.
The Emperor’s face was painted with shock at the cardinal’s answer.
His rage subsided.
And in its place, astonishment arose.
“Are you mocking the Emperor of the Valtarian Empire?! It must be a wicked scheme by the Holy Kingdom to rule over the continent using the Earth Mother’s oracle!”
“How could I dare lie about such a matter? His Holiness has indeed received the Earth Mother’s oracle.”
It was an absurd claim.
The reason was so preposterous that it fueled his anger.
Barbarossa shouted in an agitated voice, as if he were about to draw his sharp sword.
However, the cardinal dispatched from the Holy Kingdom remained steadfast in his faith, maintaining his stance.
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