Chapter 139
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Chapter 139
As momentous events unfolded in succession,
the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony had at last arrived at its final day of prayer.
Though the competition was now in its closing stages, the champion remained uncertain.
The House of Basilian, once a formidable favorite, had declared their withdrawal.
Basilian had not departed the Holy Empire, yet they no longer participated in the ceremony.
Another strong contender remained—the prince of Hebaton.
Yet for some reason, Prince Remil had failed to distinguish himself throughout the competition.
The tremendous divine power that Cardinal Milliod had boasted of so relentlessly was never once demonstrated during the entire Pure Child Prayer Ceremony.
Without that divine power, he was merely an ordinary boy, unremarkable in every way.
Though the Cardinal and Holy Priests offered fervent support to Prince Remil, it proved insufficient to win the hearts of the Holy Knights.
Rather, the Holy Knights seemed to regard the Princess of Skaya Kingdom, with her spirited temperament, with greater favor.
As votes scattered among various candidates, whispers spread that an unexpected figure might yet claim the crown.
The final prayer was to be held in the Grand Temple, as it had been on the first day of prayer.
Yet the Holy King did not appear.
He would reveal himself only to congratulate the victor, presenting the crown with his own hands.
Cardinal Milliod presided over today's prayer.
All participants gathered in the Grand Temple for the final prayer.
The ultimate challenge was for each to prepare a prayer to offer to God.
Yet none prepared their prayer with a pious heart devoted to the divine.
How would the confused Pure Child Prayer Ceremony conclude?
Would the House of Basilian truly withdraw without resistance?
What would become of Chesa Basilian?
Everyone scrambled to share whatever information they possessed.
Even after the Cardinal and Holy Priests arrived, the participants continued their clamorous chatter.
"Ahem."
Observing the restless participants, Cardinal Milliod cleared his throat in displeasure.
Yet the gesture proved futile.
Surveying the crowd that refused to obey his will, he furrowed his brow.
Rumors had already spread throughout the Holy Empire that Cardinal Milliod had hastily sought out Kieran following the House of Basilian's withdrawal announcement.
Mockery flowed through Hilderd—that they had imprisoned him as a heretic, yet now regretted losing his ability to purify demons, wondering what they would do without the Fairy Queen's flower rain.
Cardinal Milliod was well aware of such circumstances.
As the Holy Empire's authority continued to wane, he needed a masterstroke to reverse the tide.
Wetting his parched lips, Cardinal Milliod opened his mouth.
"...I have something to show all of you gathered here today."
Speaking with rare courtesy, he extended his hand toward one side.
Two Holy Priests carefully approached him, each supporting a large velvet pedestal.
Upon the pedestal sat a glass case containing a floral crown.
It was the crown of the Fairy Queen.
White chains were tangled across the crown.
The chains wound tightly between the flowers seemed as though they would never come undone.
Despite being bound by chains, the crown had not lost its noble beauty.
The way it scattered soft light created an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere.
As the participants became instantly captivated, staring blankly at the crown, Cardinal Milliod smiled with satisfaction.
He was quite pleased with how these foolish creatures, given a single distraction, would instantly forget all about Count Basilian.
His goal was to redirect the participants' attention as far away as possible.
"Now that you have seen the crown directly, you understand—all of this is the work of God...."
He was beginning a simple sermon praising God, about to formally commence the prayer ceremony.
Bang!
The firmly closed doors of the Grand Temple burst open on both sides with a violent sound.
The doors of the Grand Temple, reinforced with massive marble panels, were extraordinarily heavy.
A single adult man would need to exert all his strength just to barely push one door open slightly.
Yet these doors swung wide open on both sides as effortlessly as if they were woven from old straw.
The figure that appeared beyond the threshold was an uninvited guest.
Everyone froze in shock, their mouths hanging open.
One of those staring with vacant eyes murmured softly.
"Count Basilian...?"
It was a name everyone now knew.
Count Basilian, Kieran, held Chesa Basilian in his arms.
The tiny baby Fairy wore white flowers as a hair ornament, adorned with pale pink ribbons.
The small white flowers naturally evoked memories of the flower rain the baby Fairy had created that night.
Flanking the Count on both sides were the Young Count and the Twin Brothers.
While the principle of entering the Grand Temple was to be unarmed, real swords hung boldly from the waists of all three brothers.
Everyone was bewildered, unable to fathom the intention of Count Basilian, who had suddenly appeared leading his entire family.
Yet at the same time, their eyes gleamed with anticipation for what scandalous gossip might unfold next.
"...."
Unlike his dramatic entrance, which had been as tumultuous as a rebellion.
Kieran said nothing.
His gaze had been fixed on one place since he first stepped into the Grand Temple.
It was the crown of the Fairy Queen.
His sunken crimson eyes stared intently at the crown.
Though his gaze appeared calm at first glance.
Beneath that smooth surface, dark emotions swirled violently.
Kieran slowly drew in a breath and exhaled.
The man who least belonged in this sacred Grand Temple did his utmost to conceal his darkness.
"...Count Basilian."
Cardinal Milliod cried out, his eyes wide with rage.
"What is the meaning of this? During a sacred prayer ceremony...!"
He commanded the Holy Knights guarding the Grand Temple.
"Drag the Count out at once!"
It was a thunderous roar of a voice.
Yet no one moved.
"...."
In that ominous silence, Cardinal Milliod's eyelids flickered briefly.
Kieran walked forward slowly.
He still said nothing.
He simply walked until he stood directly before the Cardinal.
Kieran asked a question.
"Why did you do this?"
His voice was laden with suppressed sorrow.
Cardinal Milliod flinched at the cunning Count's abominable conduct.
He could understand mockery and ridicule.
But a voice carrying such gloomy emotion—he had never heard such a thing from him before.
Yet it was impossible that the author truly felt such sorrow.
The moment I witnessed him subtly mimicking emotion, I understood instinctively.
That I had fallen into Count Basilian's trap.
"Did you truly wish to expel House of Basilian from the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony?"
Kieran asked, cradling the child in his arms with tenderness.
"To the extent of borrowing the power of dark magic?"
It was the moment Cardinal Milliod's face twisted grotesquely and his lips parted to speak.
The sound of rhythmic marching echoed through the space.
The footsteps of dozens walking in unison were remarkably synchronized.
Following in the wake of House of Basilian came Holy Knights clad in pristine white uniforms.
But it was not merely Holy Knights who appeared....
At the very front of the knights.
There stood figures dressed in the uniforms of the Heresy Inquisitors.
The Heresy Inquisitors of Hilderd, who always concealed their identities so thoroughly that even within the Holy Empire, only the highest-ranking officials knew their true names.
There were three Heresy Inquisitors, each wearing a black mask that covered their entire faces.
Three of these precious, rare Heresy Inquisitors had gathered in a single place.
From the moment Cardinal Milliod recognized the Heresy Inquisitors, he began trembling uncontrollably.
"Why, why, how...."
"Cardinal Milliod."
Clang!
White chains shot forth, binding Cardinal Milliod's limbs.
The chains extended from the Heresy Inquisitor who stood at the forefront.
He slowly removed his black mask.
At the sight of the face revealed beneath the mask, every participant within the Grand Temple drew a sharp breath.
Hailon announced in a calm voice.
"Having confirmed the crime of worshipping heresy, I hereby strip you of your Cardinal rank and place you under arrest, effective immediately."
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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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