Chapter 105
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 105
Chesa stared at the girl with utter bewilderment.
The girl, who bore a striking resemblance to a feline predator, grinned widely, revealing her sharp canines.
"I'm Aran Skaya. You're Chesa Basilian, right?"
Upon glimpsing Aran's fangs, Chesa's mind immediately conjured the image of Karha before she belatedly replied.
"Y-yes...."
"How adorable you are. Let's be close friends."
Her casual, condescending manner befitted a princess, appearing arrogant at first glance.
Yet the way she grasped Chesa's hand and shook it vigorously was unmistakably that of a child.
Judging by how she seemed to be restraining an urge to bounce with excitement, her true nature appeared to be that of a spirited young lady.
'But why is she acting like this?'
I couldn't fathom why she was making such a fuss about gratitude when I'd sent Itar to the Heresy Interrogation Chamber.
As Aran swung my hand back and forth, I glanced up at Belzeon.
'Do you know what's going on?'
But there was no reason Belzeon would have any answers.
Though he was trying not to show it outwardly, his eyes betrayed considerable confusion.
Frustrated, I decided to ask directly.
"Are you... not angry...?"
When I posed the vague question hesitantly, Aran immediately grasped my meaning.
Aran's eyes narrowed sharply as she spoke.
"That fool needs to get his act together."
"...."
That was something I agreed with wholeheartedly.
He deserved what was coming to him.
"You have no idea how much trouble he's caused me! Honestly, I wish he'd be reborn as a new person in the Heresy Interrogation Chamber."
Aran, who had been grumbling away, suddenly fell silent and studied Chesa intently.
Aran murmured wistfully.
"I wish I had a sister like you instead of my brother...."
She lamented that she would have carried me around every day and cherished me dearly.
The woman who appeared to be Aran's attendant and guardian showed signs of discomfort.
"Your Highness."
At her careful call, Aran burst into laughter.
"All right, all right. I'll stop."
Chesa, who had been quietly observing the situation, suddenly posed a question to Aran.
"Your Highness, why do you need a crown if you're already a princess?"
"Why would a crown be necessary?"
Aran seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, there's no reason to keep it secret. Those who need to know already do."
And from Aran's lips fell the words I had anticipated.
"It's because of the Fairy Queen."
It was an open secret that Itar, Aran's older brother and Crown Prince of Skaya, was infatuated with the fairy Lichesia.
His participation in the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony was driven by his grand ambition to receive the Fairy Queen's crown and make a proper proposal to Lichesia.
From Aran's perspective, he was an annoying and bothersome older brother, yet Itar remained the Crown Prince destined to lead the Skaya Kingdom.
No matter how precious a princess Aran was, she could not ignore what the Crown Prince desired.
Chesa's mind raced quickly.
Judging by the atmosphere when they entered the Assembly Hall, factions had already formed.
The adults who came as guardians naturally divided into separate camps.
Even the children were swept up by the adults' momentum, unable to laugh freely and only watching each other's expressions carefully.
Unfortunately, the House of Basilian was being treated like a public enemy.
It was all because of the Holy King.
'If only the Holy King hadn't come to greet us yesterday, things would've been better.'
Becoming too strong a favorite had actually put me at a disadvantage.
No matter how capable I was, I couldn't legitimately claim the Fairy Queen's crown alone.
I needed supporters among the participants to back me.
'I need allies here.'
In that sense, Aran Skaya was the perfect person to recruit as an ally.
The wealthy Skaya Kingdom would have already scattered money in all directions.
There was a high probability they had already secured the support of Cardinals lacking in the House of Basilian.
After finishing these calculations, Chesa reached a conclusion.
"Your Highness."
And she pulled Aran into a tight embrace.
Aran's eyes widened in surprise at suddenly being hugged by Chesa.
Aran reacted belatedly.
"...U-um?"
Aran's face flushed red as she awkwardly hugged Chesa back.
Chesa, holding the shy girl close, rose up on her tiptoes.
Standing on her small feet as high as she could, she brought her lips to Aran's ear.
"Let's make a deal."
Aran's hazy eyes sharpened instantly at the word "deal."
Chesa whispered her proposal softly.
"I'll help you meet the fairy."
"...!"
"In exchange, give me your support."
Before the startled Aran could ask what she meant,
the noisy Assembly Hall fell silent.
A high-ranking priest had appeared.
The man in pristine white priestly robes walked with long strides and took his place on the podium.
The moment the middle-aged man appeared, the Holy Priests and Holy Knights in the Assembly Hall bowed in unison.
Seeing even the high-ranking priests show such respect, Chesa deduced the man's identity.
'A Cardinal.'
Indeed, the man's priestly vestments bore the insignia of a Cardinal.
The Holy Knights were gathering support for House of Basilian under Hailon's direction.
But I heard the Holy Priests were backing a different child as the favorite to win.
They said they'd already reached consensus, so I was curious which child the Cardinals had chosen.
Since I was too short to see well, I asked Belzeon to hold me up, and he lifted me high.
I carefully observed where the Cardinal's gaze was directed.
It was hard to be certain with so many children crowded in the Assembly Hall.
But it seemed to be directed at a small, frail-looking boy in the front row.
I let out a silent scoff.
He looked utterly defenseless.
One punch and he'd be done for.
'Even with this baby body, I could easily beat him.'
I didn't even think I'd need to draw my axe.
Having confirmed my competition, I lifted my head with supreme confidence.
That's when the Cardinal's gaze fell upon me.
His eyes were assessing me as well.
Under his measured, observant stare, I flashed him an innocent, cherubic smile.
"...."
The Cardinal flinched at my smile attack, then quickly turned his head away.
Was he startled by how adorable I am?
While I was puzzled, the Cardinal cleared his throat awkwardly and began to speak.
He launched into a tedious speech.
He praised the greatness of the Holy Empire and explained the purpose of the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony.
As the children began nodding off during his monotonous discourse.
Finally, he got to the main point.
"Before we formally begin the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony, I shall present your first task."
At the word "task," everyone snapped to attention.
"It is to contemplate what you can offer to God."
The Cardinal continued at a measured pace.
"However, it must be something unique in this world."
At his condition, the expressions of all the adults darkened at once.
I too had to suppress the surge of indignation within me.
'Isn't this just openly saying they're going to strip us bare?'
Since they didn't want to simply hand over the Fairy Queen's crown, which was a sacred relic, they were essentially demanding we surrender our most precious and valuable possessions.
The task was embarrassingly mercenary and petty, despite its stated purpose of rewarding the most faithful child.
Having finished his words, the Cardinal concluded the gathering with a benevolent and magnanimous expression.
"We shall meet again at the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony."
At the announcement of dismissal, the children and their guardians began filing out of the Assembly Hall one by one.
Many moved with considerable haste.
The start of the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony was imminent.
Time was of the essence if they were to quickly deliberate on what offering to present.
"Ha...."
Belzeon exhaled a quiet, hollow laugh.
The Cardinal, whom they had assumed would simply depart, approached with his subordinate priests in tow.
The small, timid Frail Boy that Chesa had glimpsed earlier accompanied them as well.
The Cardinal advanced with his gaze fixed precisely on Chesa, then came to a halt directly before her.
His arrogant eyes looked down upon Chesa and Belzeon.
"Basilian?"
At the curt inquiry, Belzeon offered a respectful bow.
"House of Basilian from the Palen Empire."
"Ah."
The Cardinal's gaze swept briefly across their faces.
"Spare me a moment of your time."
Though phrased as a request, it was a demand that brooked no refusal.
"Have a word with me."
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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