Chapter 110
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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 110
Murmurs rippled through the Assembly Hall.
Those waiting for Prince Remil to display his holy power watched the unfolding situation with bewildered eyes.
The day the first task had been assigned.
Rumors had already spread rapidly since then.
There were two strong favorites to win the Minor Saint Prayer Society competition, and among them, Prince Remil was the one supported by the Cardinal and the Holy Priests, while Cardinal Milliod and Prince Remil were known to be close.
"...."
Those who had been whispering as they watched Prince Remil fail to manifest his holy power soon began casting furtive glances at Cardinal Milliod.
Cardinal Milliod's face had already turned deathly pale.
He seemed to want to deny reality in the face of this sudden catastrophe.
A soft, stifled laugh escaped.
Kieran buried his face in my hair, suppressing his laughter.
He whispered to me with barely contained amusement.
"This is fun, isn't it?"
I nodded absently while keeping my eyes fixed on Prince Remil.
'How did he manage this?'
Kieran couldn't have used dark magic within the Holy Empire.
Even the smallest speck of dirt becomes glaringly visible on pristine white paper.
In the Holy Empire, saturated with holy power on all sides, any trace of dark magic would be far too conspicuous to hide.
Until the Minor Saint Prayer Society ended, even Kieran had no choice but to behave himself.
'Which means he received help from someone.'
I looked at the Holy Knights standing beside the Holy King.
Hailon stood among them.
Hailon wore the same uniform as the First Rank Knights.
Though dressed identically to the others, he stood out distinctly, drawing every eye.
It wasn't merely his overwhelmingly beautiful appearance.
Amid the confusion of those around him, only he maintained an indifferent expression, making him all the more conspicuous.
Perhaps sensing my gaze, those ice-blue eyes turned toward me.
The moment our eyes met.
"...."
Hailon's lips curved upward slightly.
The meaning of that brief smile was unmistakable.
'It was Hailon.'
I was utterly speechless.
I'd wondered why things seemed to pass quietly, but I never imagined those two men had conspired together behind the scenes.
"I-I'm terribly sorry, I, ah, that is...."
Prince Remil desperately tried to summon his holy power.
Yet in the end, he could manifest no strength whatsoever.
Prince Remil, stammering fragmented words under the weight of all eyes upon him, trembled as he looked toward Cardinal Milliod.
In this moment, Prince Remil desperately sought the only person who could help him.
But the moment my eyes met Lemil's.
Cardinal Milliod immediately turned his head away.
His cold dismissal shattered the light in Lemil's gaze into countless fragments.
Yet he quietly bit his lip and endured it.
It was a familiar resignation.
Though Lemil had nearly gotten me killed...
Seeing him like this, I couldn't help but pity him.
'The way I sensed the Fairy's power before...'
This boy called Lemil kept nagging at my thoughts.
Lemil knelt before the Holy King.
"...I fear my poor health has caused me to perform inadequately."
His hunched figure looked unusually small and skeletal.
The Holy King waved his hand to dispel the awkward atmosphere.
"I am already aware that Prince Remil possesses exceptional divine power."
Holy King Sianor spoke to Lemil with gentle reassurance.
"The divine will surely accept the precious gift the prince offers."
"Th-thank you."
Lemil hastily bowed his head and offered his gratitude.
Then he was seized by a rough-handed guardian and dragged away as he rose.
His exit was pitiful—a stark contrast to his grand entrance filled with anticipation and attention.
Lemil staggered after his guardian, glancing left and right.
He searched eagerly as if looking for someone, and upon spotting me, he drew in a small breath.
His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but the guardian pulled him away again.
After that, the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony proceeded smoothly.
Each child swore to offer something precious to the divine.
The families attending the ceremony had spent days deliberating, and what they presented were truly valuable offerings.
The Holy King smiled contentedly, praised the children, and blessed them.
Since I was last in order, I watched ninety-eight children present their tributes with a yawn.
There were some entertaining moments in between.
It was when the Frail Boy, a royal of a minor kingdom, took his turn.
The small boy stepped forward with confidence.
"I can offer everything I have to the divine."
The boy wore a self-satisfied expression.
As if to say, 'This is the right answer, isn't it?'
Holy King Sianor smiled faintly.
"How admirable."
That was all.
His response was noticeably shorter compared to the other children.
The guardian, realizing the failure, turned pale and quickly bowed before hurrying the boy away.
'How naive.'
I had placed far too much faith in the Holy Empire's words about selecting the most faithful child.
The Holy Empire's challenge required a far more worldly approach.
To put it bluntly, this task was simply demanding, "Offer up something expensive."
The key was wrapping it in packaging that appeared faithful and sacred, without being so blatant as to offend those of high standing.
Since that Frail Boy had failed to notice, he had already been marked with the red line of disqualification.
The Holy King showed particular delight when it came to Aran's turn.
"I wish to offer my crown. As the princess of Skaya, I return the glory I have received to God."
Aran spoke each word deliberately, then gestured to her guardian.
The guardian pulled away the cloth draped over the pedestal.
A dazzling brilliance flashed forth.
A crown crafted by artisans personally summoned by the King of Skaya for his youngest and most beloved princess.
The crown, adorned with an enormous sapphire, eight pearls, and dozens of small diamonds, was something that only the notably wealthy Skaya Kingdom could dare to create.
"How truly beautiful is Princess Aran's heart toward God!"
Holy King Sianor burst into hearty laughter, delighted.
It was questionable whether displaying such obvious greed was acceptable.
The Holy King engaged in an unusually lengthy conversation with Aran.
Aran withdrew in a bright and harmonious atmosphere.
After several more children had passed.
At last, it was Chesa's turn.
Kieran walked forward while holding Chesa, presenting himself before the Holy King.
It was somewhat discourteous behavior.
Kieran should have set Chesa down on the ground to observe proper etiquette.
But Kieran was confident, and I accepted it as it was.
My heart had become remarkably magnanimous.
'Not using dark magic is something, at least.'
Not rushing at the Holy King to place him under mental control seemed quite courteous and respectful by comparison.
Holy King Sianor sat in a chair placed on a platform three steps high, naturally looking down upon Kieran.
Kieran smiled toward the Holy King.
I followed Kieran's lead, gazing blankly at the Holy King.
For some reason, the meeting of our gazes lingered subtly.
The Cardinal beside the Holy King furrowed his brow.
Just before the Holy Priest stepped forward to point out the discourtesy.
Kieran spoke first.
"The sole and precious thing that Chesa Basilian of the Basilian Family from the Palen Empire offers to God is."
Kieran's voice rang powerfully through the Assembly Hall.
Children and guardians who had been losing focus and growing restless suddenly concentrated entirely.
His voice, as though imbued with magical power, was serpentine, smoothly ensnaring all who heard it.
Having captured their attention, Kieran spoke with a radiant smile.
"The unwavering loyalty of the Basilian Family."
He added words that somehow sounded ominous.
"As I have until now, so shall I continue."
It was an utterly ordinary statement—no, less than ordinary.
In fact, it paled in comparison to the declaration made by that young prince of the minor kingdom, who had sworn to offer everything he possessed.
The other participants visibly faltered at Kieran's words.
Yet why was it?
The Holy King's face hardened with terrible intensity.
Kieran took another step forward.
Unarmed, cradling only an infant in his arms.
At that single step, the eyes of the Holy Knights sharpened like blades.
They instinctively reached for their sword hilts.
But Kieran paid them no mind.
Never breaking his gaze from the Holy King, he smiled more deeply and posed his question.
"Do you remember the ancient covenant, Holy King?"
The Holy King trembled violently.
Kieran raised his voice like a theatrical performer.
"The promise in which the Holy Empire commanded the Basilian Family to govern the Black Forest."
"...!"
Kieran smiled brilliantly at the Holy King.
"Now it is time for you to pay the price."
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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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