Episode 366 – Cardinal Tracy responds to the Inquisition.
As a result of the rapid changes that swept the capital within a week, the eyes of the residents of Noviense once again focused on the central temple.
“It’s only been a few months since His Holiness the Pope came to the throne…”
“It seems like too many incidents have been happening recently.”
“What’s going on in the world…”
Due to its nature, religion naturally becomes more conservative as time goes by. It has no choice but to have color. We choose stability over change.
And the residents of Seongdo are bound to have a stronger faith than anywhere else on the continent. From their perspective, the series of events that have occurred since the impeachment of the previous pope have been a drastic change, almost like a natural disaster.
There was also news that added to the anxiety.
“They say an army is coming from the empire?”
“Who said that?”
“What nonsense!”
At first it was only a rumor, but it became known that nearly 10,000 imperial troops were racing toward Chengdu.
It was a time when the residents of Seongdo were trembling with anxiety.
Someone of noble status in the same place as them was trembling with anxiety.
“Not yet? Still!?”
The sight of a young man busily walking back and forth from side to side in the study of his spacious residence now seemed familiar to his companions.
“…Your Highness. It is probably unreasonable to bring forward the trial by a few days, which will be held in three days.”
Leos’ answer showed deep concern.
“What about the army of Ik Sword Soul?”
“At this rate, I think we’ll arrive in two days.”
The prince’s expression hardened even more at those words, but neither of them paid attention to the one-eyed knight standing in the corner narrowing his eyes.
Even if they had paid attention, they probably thought they felt the same way.
‘What should I do?’
A typhoon was raging in the mind of the one-eyed knight, Jerome Decade.
– Sword Spirit and Sakpung kill Baros just before the army arrives and disguise it as Seongguk’s actions.
An order passed secretly.
The command, which came in the name of the emperor and teacher, weighed heavily on my heart.
He is no other person but a prince. In addition, he was the one who swore that he would become the next emperor.
The knight’s oath and the emperor’s orders.
A shameful thing to do as a knight and the duty of a subject.
As the conflict in his heart became more severe, urgent voices rang in his ears as he closed his eyes tightly.
“After all, the excuse is Max’s job, right?”
“Yes. First of all, Triss and Galen are saying they will visit the saints under that pretext.”
“With an army of ten thousand. Who would believe that?”
“But it’s an ambiguous number. It doesn’t look like they really intend to launch a war of occupation.”
“That’s right. But if the true nature of the Black Snake is revealed at the trial, they will push to catch and kill the enemies of the Empire. There is also a justification for Max.”
“But isn’t Cardinal Tracy also at a loss right now? With the situation being like this, maybe he can accept His Majesty’s request?”
“What? An announcement to hand over the Pope’s throne or serve the Empire? It’s hard to believe. Tracy was gathered, not the Black Snake. That old man is not in the Holy Kingdom.”
Although Leos spoke of a hopeful best-case scenario, Baros dismissed those hopeful expectations.
And that statement was certainly objective.
Even though his fate is at stake, he shows cool-headed judgment.
That made Leos even more disappointed.
‘If only it hadn’t been for the incident with McLane…’
Even if he hadn’t collapsed at that time, he would have easily won the battle for succession to the throne. It’s not like I’m shaking with anxiety in a place that isn’t even the ecliptic.
But for now, I couldn’t just feel regretful.
“Then how about we capture Cardinal Tracy? If we’re going to reject His Majesty’s will anyway, it’s for the sake of our own immunity…” “
No. I was the one who brought them in in the first place. One tail. Cutting it off won’t make it go away.”
“I heard that Prince Clid also made a big mistake related to those guys. If things are resolved well…”
“They are the cause of that, so in the end, I am the negative one.”
“What if I help Tris take over the castle by helping her with her mission?”
“No matter what, you are putting a spoon on someone else’s table. You won’t even be recognized for the spoon you put on the table.”
The conversation just wandered around without a clear conclusion.
The red sunset reflected through the window and gave off a red glow, as if nervousness was coloring the room.
Jerome, who did not have the courage to intervene, stared blankly at the red light, but Barros’ voice woke him up from his thoughts.
“Lord Jerome, do you have any ideas?”
“…Oh yeah?”
“A plan to stop your mentor and uncle’s army.”
A choice of words that clearly conveys the intention. But what Jerome could say was limited.
“…I’m sorry, Your Majesty. These people are not driven by personal relationships.”
“Yes, I know that. But please feel free to voice your opinion. It’s not uncommon for good ideas to come to mind while you’re just throwing around thoughts like this.”
“Ah… yes.”
What comes to mind?
I couldn’t shake off the anguish in my heart.
“So, if you have any ideas in mind, please tell me right away.”
“I will, Your Highness.”
“okay.”
The hand tapping my shoulder felt heavy.
Jerome could feel his face becoming hard.
But then.
– The saint has come to visit.
An unexpected guest came.
“A private stand? Suddenly?”
The saint who came unexpectedly had unusual business.
“Yes. I have something to talk about alone with the prince. It is important.”
Baros was perplexed.
Since there were quite a few stings related to the black snake, I tried to reduce contact with the saint as much as possible while carrying out this incident. But the central axis came directly.
Also, a private stand?
‘What are you thinking?’
He looked at the other person quietly, but despite the mysterious silver hair and pure white robes, there was no sign of any wavering in his eyes, which felt particularly blue.
A woman whose calm aura is more impressive than her physical beauty.
Since there was no reason to refuse, Baros had no choice but to nod.
“…Understood. You guys go out for now.”
“yes.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Leos and Jerome followed the command without hesitation.
But even after they left, the saint just stared at him and said nothing.
“…Saint?”
When Baros reluctantly opened his mouth first in the awkward atmosphere, the saint said something unexpected.
“Ah, it looks like there are people who haven’t left yet…”
Baros, whose eyes widened at that, let out a short sigh as if he couldn’t do it.
“Is No. 1 there?”
– …yes. majesty.
A voice echoing in the empty space where nothing can be seen.
However, the saintess did not look surprised at all, as if she was really aware of its existence.
‘A ghost that even Jerome can’t notice unless he uses his characteristics…’
When the name Saint came to me again, the Saint suddenly closed her eyes and put her hands together in front of her.
Soon she muttered something.
Flashing.
With pure white light, a round sphere of light surrounded the saint in all directions.
‘Sacred law barrier!’
Along with healing art, it was a barrier art, one of the two representative powers of sacred art. However, unlike healing arts, it requires enormous divine power, so there are few priests who know how to use it, so even Baros was the first to see it performed by an individual rather than a group.
“Now I can have a full conversation.”
“…It’s amazing.”
Even that was just for a secret conversation, so Baros looked at the saint with new eyes with unaffected admiration.
However, the saint’s next words were far beyond his expectations.
“Prince Baros. How much do you trust His Majesty the Emperor?”
“…What do you mean?”
Since he could not guess what was going on, Baros felt himself shaking even though he knew that he was being stopped by the other person.
“…Someone around me came up with this story. It may have just been a presumptuous assumption, but I felt like the repercussions if it actually happened would be too big, so I had no choice but to come here.”
A long introduction that seems to reflect the seriousness of what follows.
The words that followed in circles were enough to make Baros scared.
“Hehehe. Hehehehe. Such absurdity… Is it true that His Majesty the Emperor wants me to be Abama…?”
The words come out with difficulty like a moan.
Without realizing it, my fist was clenched and trembled.
“I know that this is a truly unreasonable and rude assumption. But as I said, if at least one chance it actually comes true…”
“No, no.”
Baros, who was lowering his head and muttering like a crazy person, interrupted the saintess.
“You said it very well. It clears my mind.”
Contrary to what he said, his face became pale and his eyes were shaking greatly.
“I know it’s rude, but I’ll say it again…”
“No. It’s a very high probability guess.”
The words that came out were firm.
“yes?”
“I would have done the same if I were the emperor. That is the best policy for the empire.”
On the contrary, the saintess’s eyes widened when she saw Baros looking so confident.
As she listened, all she could think was ‘Oh, no way’, but the person involved was agreeing so easily.
“What do you mean…?”
“Before that, I’m sorry, but I’m going to yell at you.”
Baros immediately stood up and began to glow like crazy without even listening to the saintess’ answer.
“Aaaah!! Damn it!! Holy shit!!!!”
A yell or a scream while pulling out one’s head.
“Me? I’m throwing away the card?! Me?!!”
thud. thud.
Even the action of hitting his head against the barrier wall.
Baros stopped glowing only when Ilya began to worry that the prince might actually be crazy.
“Whoa. Excuse me.”
It was a calm voice that did not match his truly miserable appearance, with his hair scattered and his lips red and red from bites that drew blood.
“I thought I was looking at the situation as objectively as possible, but I was being too complacent. Thank you, saint, for reminding me.”
“Oh no, Your Highness. But really…?”
“Yes. I was wasting my time doing something foolish. That guess is the most likely. And if it’s true, the person who executed it might be… Hehe. It was a really wise choice to stand alone. Thank you, saint.”
Illya, who had only asked for a private meeting because the words were too dangerous, was confused, but soon realized the meaning hidden between the lines.
Her face became as hard as Barros’s.
“Then…”
“It would be better for you to leave now. I can’t die like this either, so I need to come up with a solution. Isn’t that enough for a saint?”
The black eyes flashed viciously.
All the remorse contained within them stopped Illya speechless.
She turned away without saying a word, and the companions who soon came back were greatly taken aback by the sudden change in the prince’s appearance. .
“No, Your Majesty!?”
“What on earth did the saintess do!?”
Leos and Jerome were enraged by the poor appearance of the prince, but Baros simply waved his hand to stop them.
“That’s enough. never mind. Now that you’ve heard much more important information. Thanks to you, I think I’ll have to revise my plan.”
“If you say it’s a plan?”
“I’ll have to hit Tracy first.”
“Yes?”
Leos asked back with a puzzled look on his face at the sudden remark.
But Baros had no intention of explaining at length. He continued speaking quickly.
“Is No. 1 there?”
– Yes, Your Highness.
“Bring that ‘thing’ from Sir Tracy. You can do anything. There is no time. I’ll give you two days, so leave right away.”
– …Yes, Your Highness.
Hearing that answer, Baros closed his eyes tightly and let out a long sigh as he felt the questioning eyes of his companions.
“Sir Jerome. Could you check to see if No. 1 is still nearby?”
“Yes? Ah yes.”
At that moment, Jerome’s one remaining eye glowed slightly silver.
He then looked in all directions and shook his head.
“Nothing.”
“Really?”
Baros nodded and beckoned Leos and Jerome. He called me in and said in a whisper at a distance where my heads were almost touching
, “It seems like His Majesty is trying to kill me. And the people who would do it are probably ghosts.”
At those words, the eyes of the two subjects, especially Jerome, were greatly shaken.
