# 369
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369
Separately from Asuka’s sinking after being asked for child support, Xian received a special reward of 500,000 marks and was also offered to become an imperial wizard.
Of course he refused. However, separately from Asuka, he was given permission to leave the imperial palace at any time once the investigation was over.
‘I managed to secure my safety in the empire.’
Sian nodded with satisfaction. Now, no matter what happens to that Asuka guy, he can leave.
As soon as he was free after completing the investigation, he informed Area and Helmut about what had happened.
With this, the imperial family of the empire completely broke away from the temple.
Even if they don’t attack it, the emperor probably thinks that the temple should not be left alone.
And if there is a reason to weaken the temple or stand on the other side of the temple, I will help that side at any time.
Just like Basor, they too cannot tolerate what is happening to them.
After all, it is an empire. The emperor’s pride must have been shattered by this incident. How ridiculous must the temple have looked at them to do something like this?
It took some time for the attempted assassination of the crown prince to be resolved. In fact, it wasn’t even well organized.
“Find out everyone involved in this!”
As soon as he learned of what had happened last night, the emperor was filled with anger and issued an order.
His order specifically meant to find evidence that the temple was involved in this matter and to hunt down those who cooperated with them.
Under the command of the imperial knights and imperial wizards, everything moved according to the emperor’s will.
Because Xian prevented their suicide, the Masked People were forced to confess the facts they knew through harsh torture and mental magic.
They were tails, and because of that, getting to the head wasn’t simple.
The imperial wizard tracked down the fleeing superiors, caught them, interrogated them, and reached the head.
As a result, this involved several high-ranking nobles who were known to be faithful believers.
Surprisingly, among those high-ranking nobles, there was one who vaguely supported the emperor before he ascended the throne.
The temple also had other possibilities in mind.
They also belonged to a devout group called ‘Prayer Club’, which only nobles could belong to.
In order to expand the power of the temple within the empire, the prayer society established a lower organization with prominent people among the common people as its head and ruled over them.
It was natural for them to have frequent contact with the temple. They felt honored to be chosen as special followers of Lumen.
To them, the monarch was Lumen, and the ministers who delivered Lumen’s words were the leaders they should follow.
The reason they were able to find out about the barrier between the imperial library and the imperial palace was because one of them was once the director of the imperial library.
It was already known that he was on the side of the temple.
A bloody storm was predicted throughout the area. The nobles who planned this were imprisoned and awaiting execution, and depending on the severity of their involvement, their families were deprived of their titles, executed together, or exiled from the country.
But despite this, they all denied the temple’s intervention.
In fact, strictly speaking, the temple did not direct or intervene. There was no such evidence.
People at the prayer meeting who heard the news that the temple would be closed were outraged, and the temple added some fire to it.
If the closure of the temple is prevented, the person who accomplishes it will be able to become Lumen’s most faithful servant.
The temple has said all along that God’s will is superior to human will. Even the leaders could not explain why that was the only way to prevent the temple’s imminent closure.
Because the temple, as always, is a group that gives subtle hints.
The emperor formally sent an envoy to the temple requesting an explanation and, without waiting for their response, ordered the closure of other temples under review at once.
Three temples close to Rinosa were closed at once.
Because of this, there was no uproar as believers rose up inside and outside the empire. There was chaos inside and outside the empire. Naturally, the relationship between Rinosa and the imperial family, who secretly took the temple’s side regarding the temple’s closure, was bound to become strained.
The crown prince was almost assassinated in the middle of the imperial palace.
It would be even stranger if Rinosa passed on as if nothing had happened, no matter how much he inherited the royal bloodline.
It was clear that this would weaken Michael’s position.
He was visiting the crown prince unofficially, which also means it was not ordered by Grand Duke Rinosa.
Xian did not leave for Baden right away, but regularly reported to Helmut and Area about what was happening in the empire.
Because they wanted it, and there was also a reason why they couldn’t abandon Asuka.
“Well, everything is going smoothly. Except Asuka. “Everyone is carrying the temple and the castle, and the stronger the force on the other side of the temple becomes, the more advantageous it is for us.”
Asuka cannot leave the empire unless she repays at least half of the 5 million marks. If you run away, you will be chased and caught.
Unless Area came directly to the empire and stole Asuka, there was no hope, and if he did, Area would be the target.
It seems that Archduke Farnese also knows who Asuka left Baden with.
“Oh right. Asuka was declared the official successor to Archduke Farnese.”
Despite being busy dealing with a series of events, the diligent Archduke Farnese proceeded with his plan as he intended.
A small ball was held at the residence of Archduke Farnese in the archipelago, and Asuka had to greet the nobles there with a bug-bitten expression.
His mother was holding onto his arm with a firm expression, so he couldn’t even let go.
It was natural that the members of the Imperial Knights who had been with him were surprised to learn his identity.
‘He seemed somewhat arrogant.’
‘You weren’t a nobleman, but a member of the royal family.’
They treated Asuka like an arrogant royal brat and only then did they understand.
It was unfair to Asuka, who had only seen such arrogance from the Imperial Knights throughout her life.
[Archduke Farnese will not give up on Asuka, and it seems Asuka has no choice. It seems like I can’t cruelly and coldly go against my parents’ wishes.]
Area evaluated it coldly. Strictly speaking, Asuka was able to go against Archduke Farnese’s wishes.
But I couldn’t shake off my mother. That’s why.
“What will Charlotte think when she hears this news? “Are you in touch with her?”
[Because we are in Baden and she is in Baden. Well… he seemed surprised. Would her thoughts have any influence?]
“Wouldn’t it be okay if Charlotte told Asuka that she would marry you if you became the heir to Archduke Farnese? What would Asuka do if she said she would think again in a situation where she couldn’t even take it out once she did it? “It would be nice if everything goes well, but Asuka has a track record so far, so there’s nothing to say even if she gets dumped, right?”
Sian whispered like a corrupted soul. It was a remark that did not sound like a friend at all.
In fact, that was the least painful conclusion for Asuka.
[I have no intention of asking Charlotte to do that. She won’t respond either.]
A stern voice was heard. It was Helmut who had remained silent the entire time. He opened his mouth again.
[I want to talk to Asuka.]
Xian could hardly see Asuka’s face either.
This was because Archduke Farnese was deliberately keeping Asuka busy so that she could not think about anything else.
Sian shrugged his shoulders.
“It might only be possible late at night.”
[Any time is available.]
That night, Asuka and Helmut had a conversation. Without Cyan or Area involved.
Although it was not long, it was a meaningful conversation. At the end of the conversation, Asuka asked:
“Is it really okay for me to do this? “You…”
Helmut nodded silently without saying anything. Asuka stared at his face illuminated by magic.
“Then I will do that. “Don’t regret it?”
[Yes.]
Helmut’s expression still did not change. As if there wasn’t a single regret. After the conversation, Asuka was lost in thought all night long.
And in the morning, Asuka went straight to visit Archduke Farnese. His face seemed calm for some reason. Asuka blurted out.
“I will live as a member of the royal family for the time being.”
Archduke Farnese’s reaction was cold.
“Isn’t that natural? “There are 4.96 million marks left.”
“…No, that’s not what I meant. You said I had to do my duty. And while serving as an imperial knight, he said, ‘Check whether what I thought matched what I experienced and felt there.’”
“so.”
“So, for the time being, I’m going to try to fulfill that obligation and gain more experience. Because I don’t know yet. Actually, life as an Imperial Knight was not bad for me. It’s similar to Greta’s swordsmanship department, isn’t it? And I found academy life to be a good fit for me.”
“Right.”
Archduke Farnese narrowed his eyes. His eyes were sharp, as if he was analyzing whether there was another plan.
Asuka complained.
“Oh, I don’t want to do escort missions.”
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is looking for you. It seemed like he liked your skills. Or maybe you like it.”
If the person who would become the most powerful person in the empire showed favor, she should be happy about it, but for some reason, Asuka found it uncomfortable.
“In return, I have a favor to ask. “I’m going to tell His Highness the Crown Prince, but I hope my father will listen first.”
Archduke Farnese holds more decision-making power within this empire than the crown prince.
If he says no, you shouldn’t tell anyone.
Archduke Farnese was able to determine that fact more accurately than anyone else.
“Tell me.”
Asuka’s mouth opened. A long story continued for a while.
Archduke Farnese was listening to him with a cautious expression.
