075 – Francis
The emperor gathered all the people involved in this terrorist incident.
Tigris, Rain Rover, Bergang, Bastian, Trisha, Charlotte, Irene, Linia and Rakan all gathered in the drawing room on one side of the banquet hall.
Emperor Todd was sitting at the top, but Emperor Todd’s expression did not look very good.
In fact, Emperor Todd was angry to the very end.
It’s only been a few months since the Chimera Lab incident, a suicide bomber in the Palace of Spring.
How are you going to see the faces of your servants at the ordinance meeting tomorrow?
Fortunately, it was blocked.
Emperor Todd drank a glass of water to calm his burning stomach.
First of all, it was important to figure out why this happened and where the security hole was.
“First of all, Bergang gave me a brief overview of the progress of this situation. But the reason I called you here was because I was wondering if there was something I was missing. So, honestly, please explain the circumstances of this case.”
Emperor Todd looked at Tigris and said.
“Tigris I heard that you were in charge of the suppression of this terrorist attack. Can you explain it to me first?”
“Yes. your majesty.”
Tigris explained in chronological order.
He noticed Rakan’s strange behavior, sent four people including Trisha, and shared the information Rakan provided with Bergang, Bastian, and Nadal plainly.
As Tigris’s report came to an end, the emperor’s eyes turned to Rakan more than Tigris.
It was Rakan who first noticed the signs of terrorism, and it was Rakan who provided crucial information in preventing terrorism.
In a word, without Rakan, it would have ended before terrorism could have been stopped.
Emperor Todd looked at Rakan and said.
“Did you come into the Fiora troupe knowing that this terrorist incident would happen?”
“no. your majesty. I had no idea.”
“Then why did you join the Fiora troupe?”
Rakan glanced at Tigris and said.
“Lord Tigris has placed me as a minor in the Fiora Troupe, just in case anything goes wrong.”
Tigris did not panic, as this story was settled a while ago after Rakan and Tigris had a conversation.
Of course, the fact that I told the Emperor a lie was pricked by my conscience, but it was impossible to explain Rakan’s ‘system’ unless I explained it properly, so I decided to move on today.
“Sir Tigris surprises me every time. How did you come up with that idea?”
“I was just trying and thinking to be of help to the Empire. And the top contributor to this work is Rakan. I just planted Rakan just in case there was any danger, but it was Rakan that really did not miss the tension and did its job clearly.”
“Come to think of it, I heard that Rakan you have great observation skills, but I didn’t know it would be this good. How did you find out that he was a terrorist?”
Rakan replied politely.
“Biscotti, disguised as Priest Mattia, was a close friend of the Fiora Company. But suddenly the tone of voice changed and there was a sign of hiding something, so I noticed it.”
“Huh… that’s really great. Indeed, Sir Tigris must have had a reason to use it sparingly. Your work will be remembered by Jim and rewarded accordingly.”
“Hwang-eun is devastated.”
Emperor Todd looked at Bergang and said.
“Bergan. Has it been investigated how Mattia could enter the Palace of Spring?”
“Yes. That’s right. Mattia came at the invitation of ‘Male’, the leader of the Fiora troupe. There was no contact between Male and Priest Matthias before, and it was confirmed that they had asked a priest to pray for congratulatory prayers in the Lucet Temple in Victoria, the capital city.”
“Then you mean that Mattia was sent from the Lucet Temple?”
“Yes. That’s right. His identity has been confirmed by ‘Francisco’, the vicar of the Lucet Temple. Currently, three platoons of golden knights and a team of iron-blooded wizards have been dispatched to the Lucet Temple to secure new recruits for the Bishop Francis.”
Emperor Todd took a sip of the water with a slightly trembling hand.
“…I never dreamed that the diocesan Bishop Francis would be involved. We’ve known each other for over 30 years…”
Emperor Todd seemed somewhat shocked.
Because it was none other than the diocesan bishop Francis who anointed his head with oil at the coronation ceremony of Emperor Todd.
In addition, Emperor Todd was a devout Luxist, so he knew each other well, but it was very shocking to be suspected of being behind the terrorist incident.
But Tigris knew.
The person who handed the water with Levis’ ‘curse of aging’ was the Vicar of Francis.
In addition, Francis was the one who led the Luxists in the empire and caused civil wars and infighting to chaos the empire.
Tichrist If he had known that Matthias had been introduced by Francis, he would have been wary, but he missed it.
‘We need to announce the return log.’
If the emperor had known about Tigris’ regression log and directory, this situation would not have come.
Emperor Todd looked at the four people, including Trisha, who had their eyes down on a very heavy story.
“We will talk about the diocesan bishop Francis later. Rather than that, how did you break the steam explosion method?”
Bastian said.
“God will tell you. This magic is a type of magic that reacts with a kind of ‘catalyst’ that the members of the Fiora troupe, including Rakan, have drank. After distinguishing the catalyst from the beverage, identifying the composition of the catalyst, and applying a magic to suppress the reaction of the catalyst, the steam explosion magic was prevented.”
Unless you’re an archmage like Bastian or Nadal, it’s impossible to explode 100 people at once.
Mattia had to go through the process of burning the stolen catalyst into drinks, which slowed the terrorist attack.
“Then how could Priest Mattia be able to transform into a completely different person?”
Tigris opened his mouth.
“God will tell you. It is called the ‘disguise’ magic of the beast people. It is originally used to hide its tail and ears, but it is said that it is possible to transform into a completely different person as it is now.”
“Is there such a magic? Is it impossible to detect by magic?”
“I know that magic can only be destroyed by magic. If you want to prevent a situation like this, it would be best to hire shamans from the Suin Autonomous Region.”
The reason Arphem was able to infiltrate the Dracorequiem and awaken the sealed dragon was because of the beast man’s disguise magic.
If they received the help of the Beasts this time, it was clear that the relationship with the Beasts would improve as well as the security of the Imperial Palace.
“I’ll have to talk about that one day when Captain Teho arrives. I will remember your advice.”
“Hwang Eun is doomed.”
The emperor looked at Bergang and said.
“At the meeting tomorrow morning, I will hold a meeting about this situation. There is no way to stop the media that a terrorist incident occurred in the Imperial Palace. So just let them know that the terror was about to happen, but it was successfully stopped. Do you know what I mean?”
“Yes. Okay. your majesty.”
Emperor Todd looked at the Rain Rover and said.
“Rain Rover. I’m always sorry for you. To make you go through something like this on your birthday. You don’t have the face to raise your head as a father.”
“no. your majesty. If I had said I wanted to see the play, this would not have happened. So it is my responsibility.”
“not. This is Jim’s responsibility. It is my responsibility for failing to establish the dignity of the imperial family. How dare you commit such a heinous thing in the Palace of Spring…”
Emperor Todd’s face reddened again with shame and anger.
“As a father and monarch who is not ashamed of you, I will establish the dignity of the empire. So trust me and wait.”
The princess bowed her head.
“Yes. Okay. your majesty.”
Emperor Todd looked at Bergang and said.
“I will leave all interrogation and investigation of those involved in this matter to you, Bergang. Bishop Francis, in particular, should conduct a thorough investigation.”
Berghan bowed his head.
“Yes. Okay. your majesty.”
* * *
When all the court ladies left, Rain Rover flopped on the bed.
Her soft hair was as dazzling as a rose garden.
Rain Rover muttered to himself.
“Today was really hard.”
The mind was more difficult than the body.
By the way, I don’t know how nervous Rakan and the members were because they were afraid that they would die.
I’m glad it all worked out so well, I wouldn’t have been able to sleep if there were at least one victim.
“How many times have you crossed this slash line?”
When I read it in writing and when I actually experienced it with my body, it was completely different.
[Arfem infiltrated Victorie and awakened the dragon.]
[Levis attacked Beowulf and cast the curse of satiety.]
[Emperor Todd drank the holy water given by Francis and died under the curse of aging.]
· · ·
The tension given by this series of texts was nothing compared to the terror we experienced today.
thump- thump-
Rain Rover’s heart raced like crazy again.
It seemed like he would stay up all night with his eyes wide open.
“Oh right.”
Rain Rover got up.
Then he picked up the purple box on the table.
It was a gift from Tigris.
– what is this?
– It’s late, but it’s a birthday present. Princess’s Majesty.
Before leaving for home, Tigris handed the Rain Rover a gift and tried to unpack it on the spot, but the timing was bad and he couldn’t open it.
‘What did you hear?’
Rain Rover carefully opened the box.
A red ruby necklace and a ring with a silver wing pattern were included as a set.
The red ruby necklace was ‘Perschen and Adne’, and the ring with silver wings was a holy thing called ‘Silver Guardian Ring’.
The corners of his lips went up because he was instantly captivated by its beauty, but after a while, his lips popped out.
“······Everything is good, but I have no sense.”
If you were going to give a ring like this as a gift, wouldn’t you have to put it on yourself no matter how busy you are?
It is a creature called a woman who is moved by such trivial things, and Tigris did not know it, but he did not know too much.
“Actually, you must have been in a relationship to have this kind of feeling.”
There is no mention of Tigris dating or marriage in the regression of Tigris.
Then, if you marry yourself, it means that you are your first love and marriage partner, including before and after the return.
Thinking about that, my face turned red as if it was about to explode.
“Well, wouldn’t that be bad?”
Thinking that this clumsiness was evidence of that made me feel better.
Rain Rover took out the ring and thought about which finger to put it on.
“Eight.”
The Rain Rover was put on the ring finger of the left hand.
The ring automatically shrunk on the thin fingers of the Rain Rover.
Then, the silver wings on the ring unfolded and hugged the Rain Rover.
The suffocation that had tightened my chest due to the tension disappeared, and my pounding heart became quiet.
It was thanks to the ‘best condition’ ability, one of the abilities of the silver guardian’s wings.
In addition, there were ‘silver protection’, which unconditionally defends against external attacks, and ‘poison detection’ ability to warn you by changing color when you pick up poisoned food.
Naturally, this relic was the relic that was in the 1st place report.
“Why are you giving this to me because Lord Tigris is asking me to bring you the relics I need? Do you need me that much?”
Thinking about it that way made me feel better.
“Hmm······.”
Rain Rover thought for a moment and removed the ring on the ring finger of his left hand.
And put it back on the index finger.
“The ring finger must have a different owner.”
Rain Rover put a ruby necklace around his neck and lay down on the bed.
Rain Rover curled up like a bean worm and slapped a ruby necklace and silver ring.
It felt like sleeping with an attachment doll when I was young, so I felt more comfortable.
To be precise, it was because of the relief that Tigris would come and protect him if he had any problems at any time.
After a few minutes, the Rain Rover sighed and fell asleep.
* * *
Berggan sat facing the Bishop Francis.
“Did you sleep well?”
“It was so much better than my house and I was able to sleep easily. Thank you for caring me.”
“·················ogue.”
Although Francis is a suspect on suspicion of conspiracy to commit terrorism and solicitation, he was imprisoned in a very luxurious prison cell, not a prison with iron bars.
Although Francis was a commoner, he was treated as a high-ranking aristocrat, and there was still no conclusive evidence that Francis conspired or instigated terrorism.
In addition, Francis was treated as a symbol of the right priest by the Lux members in the imperial capital.
Berggan sensed a sense of relaxation in Francis’ benevolent smile.
It must be because he is certain that no matter how much Bergang, he will not be able to harm himself.
Bergang’s stomach twisted.
According to Tigris’ regression, he was the murderer who killed Emperor Todd by handing him the water containing the curse of Levis.
It was very annoying to have to go into the investigation while managing his facial expressions against such a guy.
“Can I get straight to the point?”
Francis nodded slowly.
“Yes. it’s okay.”
“What is your relationship with Mattia?”
Francis thought for a moment before opening his mouth.
“Priest Mattia was a general priest from the Kingdom of Gillion around the last month. Although he became a priest at a late age, I remember him as a man who helped the temple and volunteered more than the younger priests.”
“Weren’t you personally close friends?”
“No. Because Priest Mattia had only been in the Lucet Temple for about a month. I wanted to talk to him personally, but I’ve been so busy that I’ve never met him except for the first interview.”
“Why did you write a letter of recommendation for such a person to enter the Palace of Spring?”
“Priest Mattia has only been in Victoria for about a month, so I don’t know much about Victoria. There was a reason for wanting to build up the insight of Priest Matthias like that, and I thought he was a suitable person because I heard that the prayers of Priest Matthia put people at ease.”
Francis’ speech was unstoppable.
It was as if they had planned and prepared in advance, as if they knew this was going to happen.
He seemed to have prepared dozens of holes through which he could escape at any time.
“Then did you know that Priest Mattia was a magician of the 5th circle?”
“I had no idea. The records of the priests that I can see are only after joining the Lux Church. Because it doesn’t matter to us what he did or what he did before becoming a priest. It only focuses on checking whether the priest can fulfill his duty as a Luxist believer and shepherd of the lost sheep.”
In fact, when I checked the records of Priest Matthias in the Lucet Temple, there were only records that he became a priest three years ago and that he acted as a priest in the ‘Aegeus Temple’ in Marina, the capital of the Gilion Kingdom.
This was not just the story of Priest Mattia.
There was no record of other priests and paladins guarding the Lucet Temple prior to entering the Lux Church.
Even Berggan was unaware of this fact, so his spine shivered.
Because that meant that the priests and paladins of the Lucet Temple were no different than potential terrorists.
“I am very sorry that this happened. I had no idea that Priest Matthias had such a disturbing thought.”
Francis said in a genuinely apologetic way.
“However, this problem must never lead to the oppression of the Lux Church. Think of the 1.5 million church members in Victoria. They are living faithfully every day, receiving the teachings of Goddess Lux and the rest of their hearts. If we abandon them on this matter, Victory will be in great chaos.”
Francis looked straight into Bergang’s eyes and said.
“Neither me nor the other priests will be able to stop it.”
Francis’ words sounded like a threat to inflict infighting if he touched the Lux Church.
And Bergan knew that it was possible.
In fact, more than half of Victoria’s people are Luxists.
Of course, the number of faithful worshipers in the temple is small, but the percentage of people who consider themselves to be believers is very high.
If this incident suppressed the Lux Church and expelled the priests and paladins for questioning their past, the emperor could become the enemy of the Lux Church in an instant.
‘I don’t know what to do now.’
After all, it was very difficult to touch a giant like Francis right now.
In fact, the members of Lux were protesting in front of the city gate just because the golden knights took Francis.
[The Empire of Lucet is more steamed than I imagined.]
Berghan felt the words written on the first page of Tigris’s regression book very close to him.
But I couldn’t stay like this.
The fact that the priests and paladins who did not know their status were embedded in each territory as well as in the Imperial Capital Victory meant that the enemy’s troops were walking openly because it was no different.
‘How should I do this…’
smart⁻
At that moment, the prison door opened and a golden knight entered.
“Captain Bergan. A guest has arrived.”
Berggan said to Bishop Francis.
“Please wait a moment.”
“Yes. All right.”
As I walked out of the cell, there was a pale man in a white fedora.
It was Nadal, the head of the Seven Heads of the Inquisitor.