Chapter 90
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Chapter 90
Though Kieran had made his sarcastic remark, Hailon offered no response.
He simply had no desire to react to such trivial provocations.
Chesa observed the Holy Knights who had accompanied him.
'His adjutant Daren came as well. And the remaining three appear to be knights from the First Rank Holy Knight Order.'
After assessing the Holy Knights, Chesa's gaze shifted smoothly toward the members of the Basilian Family.
'A dark mage, two swordsmen, and one mage.'
And the bear cub from the Nemea Marquis Family, renowned for their swordsmanship.
'The bear cub seemed quite formidable as well.'
Hata, nestled peacefully in Chesa's arms and mimicking a helpless puppy, was far from weak.
As a beastkin, she was more than capable of holding her own in combat.
It was an excessively lavish escort for merely protecting a single child.
Surely no one else attending the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony had brought such an entourage.
Rather, no one could have brought one.
The very fact that a Heretic Inquisitor had come as an escort knight was absurd in itself.
Yet Chesa found this extravagant escort deeply unwelcome.
To be honest, she wished to strip away at least the Holy Knights.
A Basilian Family and Holy Knight combination, no less.
It felt as though problems would erupt with every breath they took.
In fact, Kieran was the sort of person who despised merely watching Hailon breathe.
'Perhaps this too is a test of the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony.'
Something to gauge one's conduct toward the Holy Knights.
It was certainly a plausible theory.
The Pure Child Prayer Ceremony was a ten-day observance.
Ordinary prayer ceremonies typically lasted about a month.
But since the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony was conducted for young infants, the duration had been drastically reduced.
For ten days, the children would offer prayers to the divine at the Grand Temple of the Holy Empire.
During this time, they would undergo various trials.
Of course, since it was a ceremony for infants, they were merely light tests, or so it was said.
Yet while five-year-old children and younger gathered together, swarming about in peaceful prayer for ten days,
the accompanying adults were destined to endure a hellish ordeal.
The victor of the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony was determined through deliberation among the Holy King, the Cardinal, the Heretic Inquisitor, and the Bishop-ranked Holy Priests and Holy Knight Commanders.
The Cardinal and Heretic Inquisitor each numbered thirteen.
The Bishop-ranked Holy Priests and Holy Knight Commanders each numbered thirty-six.
Adding the Holy King brought the total to ninety-nine distinguished individuals.
It was a prayer ceremony with the crown of the Fairy Queen, a sacred relic, offered as the grand prize.
The Holy Empire considered it important enough to gather such high-ranking officials on such a large scale for deliberation.
Since the victor would be decided through this deliberation, the behind-the-scenes maneuvering to curry favor with the high-ranking officials had been fierce even before the ceremony began.
This was why Kieran had made his social debut, attending galas and meeting various people—something he had never done before.
The Heretic Inquisitors had no need for concern.
They were the sort of men who would die if Hailon commanded it.
Since they prioritized Hailon's orders above even the Holy King's, they would naturally speak and act according to his wishes.
The Holy Knights would likely be much the same.
'The real problem lies with the Holy King, and the Cardinal and Holy Priests.'
The Cardinal and Holy Priests were mostly favorable toward Hailon.
After all, Hailon's support was essential for the selection of the next Holy King.
But choosing the victor of the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony was an entirely different matter.
They wouldn't necessarily bend to Hailon's will over something like this.
Many of them had already cultivated connections in various directions.
If luck turned sour, there was every possibility the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony could devolve into a power struggle between the Holy Priests and Holy Knights.
They would likely make efforts to prevent it, but...
'With a sacred relic at stake, it would be strange if a conflict didn't break out.'
Still, I wanted Chesa to win above all else.
If only to spare Kieran from looking miserable, I wanted her to claim the Fairy Queen's crown.
Turning over various schemes in my mind, I boarded the carriage with Ishuel.
Except for Ishuel, who despised sunlight for fear of ruining his complexion, everyone else rode on horseback.
The distance from the Palen Empire to the Holy Empire Hilderd was a full day's hard ride on horseback.
But we couldn't gallop at such speed while pulling a carriage carrying an infant.
Taking our time, we planned to lodge at an inn for one night and arrive at our destination by afternoon the next day.
'Nothing should go wrong in the meantime.'
I gazed anxiously out the carriage window.
Kieran and Hailon rode their horses side by side, exchanging sharp remarks with each other.
When Kieran threw out a comment with a crooked smile, Hailon's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
The atmosphere was already deteriorating.
"...Sigh."
I decided to mentally prepare myself in advance.
***
The forest path connecting the Palen Empire to the Holy Empire was one rarely traveled by ordinary folk.
They had deliberately chosen this secluded route over the main thoroughfare—all because their procession was far too conspicuous.
With everyone in the group possessing striking beauty and a uniformed Holy Knight among them, they drew every eye that passed.
Hailon, a Heretic Inquisitor, had nothing to gain from such attention.
He had suggested taking the quietest path back, and Kieran had readily accepted the proposal.
The secluded forest path was serene.
It was ideal for riding horses at a leisurely pace, and one might have truly savored the tranquil, peaceful atmosphere.
Had it not been for the person beside him.
"Have you parted ways with the fairy?"
I had long anticipated that being in this man's company would inevitably mean hearing nonsense.
I had intended to ignore whatever he said.
Yet Count Basilian possessed an exceptional talent for exasperating people.
"Surely the fairy's recent absence isn't because of you, is it? Chasing after her unilaterally since you parted?"
Hailon's eyes narrowed.
He glanced briefly toward the carriage.
The distance and closed windows meant my words wouldn't reach inside.
Hailon's voice turned glacial.
"If you wish to cooperate, you should first learn to hold your tongue."
"My, does a Holy Knight curse as well?"
Kieran smiled with a sly, infuriating grin.
There was reason for his brazen conduct.
The perceptive serpent had already discerned that Hailon's desires aligned with his own.
Even if Kieran were to commit blasphemy here and now.
Hailon could not consign him to the Heresy Interrogation Chamber.
Because I wanted the child to win the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony.
Only once.
I had seen the Fairy Queen's crown.
The floral coronet woven from flowers that never wilt was exquisite.
As I gazed blankly at that crown and breathed in its fresh fragrance, Lichesia came to mind.
I thought of placing that crown upon her head.
Though I knew it was impossible—sacred relics could not be smuggled away.
Yet the opportunity had presented itself.
Even if not Lichesia herself, I wanted to crown the child who bore her striking resemblance with that coronet.
As Lichesia's daughter, the child would eventually manifest fairy power.
Since it belonged to the fey, it was only right to return it to them.
Imagining the crowned child, I parted my lips.
"The Holy Priests' opinions are converging. They have another child they are promoting, so it would be wise not to lower your guard."
"Could the Holy King not simply command that the crown be given to Chesa? Someone of your standing should be close to him."
....
It was then that Hailon fixed a piercing gaze upon the smirking Kieran.
Both men turned their gaze forward simultaneously.
They sensed approaching footsteps.
Not just one or two—dozens of them.
Kieran clicked his tongue sharply and spoke.
"Slave Hunters."
The Slave Hunters were said to stake their very souls for anything of value.
Yet there was no reason for them to touch a massive caravan procession moving openly, one that even included Holy Knights.
Their prey must have fled in this direction.
What kind of prey would they pursue so relentlessly, even with Holy Knights clearly visible?
And yet, he still couldn't sense any trace of the prey.
Without needing to discuss it, both Hailon and Kieran opened their senses to search for the quarry.
That was when it happened.
Black flower petals and butterflies suddenly scattered through the empty air.
Between the swirling petals and butterflies, a gaunt woman appeared.
Both men's eyes widened in unison.
Kieran murmured in bewilderment.
"A Fairy...?"
Then came the sound of the carriage window shattering as it was thrown open.
The child's pink eyes peering out from the window were trembling wildly.
Chesa screamed out urgently.
"Everyone, get away!"
But before anyone could react to Chesa's warning, the world inverted.
The Fairy's Illusion Realm had unfolded.
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