The sudden appearance of Ren further aggravates the tension in the conference room.
As if this wasn’t enough evidence of shocking corruption, suddenly it’s Ren Argen.
Ren’s presence, which had been like air in the past, now had enough weight to make the other person nervous just by hearing his name.
“Do you need to explain what this situation is?”
In response to Osilia’s question, Justin winked at Aston, nodded, and opened his mouth.
“Last Brilliant’s Black Star attack incident. A demon was summoned there, and it was Sir Ren who caught the demon. “At that time, I became friends with Lord Ren and received help from the Black Star Southern Desert Branch.”
“… … So, are you saying that it was Lord Ren who erased the desert branch of the Black Star?”
“Yes.”
Justin’s eyes sank low.
“That’s why Lord Ren came to help us catch the spies inside.”
“Then what is that wizard?”
Justin asked Ren.
“That guy has been caught up with me a few times before. “I received information that they were targeting sacred objects and went to stop them.”
“What is your promise to him?”
“I decided not to touch you the next time we meet, but I said that because you attacked first. “I received help from him before.”
Ren lied without changing his expression. Since they had no way of knowing the truth, all they had to do was lie.
“Lord Ren Argen.”
At that time, Osilia, who had been silent, glared at Ren with a cold look in her eyes.
“I want to ask you something.”
“yes.”
“The night I appeared at the temple. Where and what did you do?”
A voice as cold as frost. Aston frowned in displeasure.
“There’s no way you’re doubting Lord Ren right now.”
“it’s okay.”
Ren opened his mouth without any change in his expression.
“I was training and waiting.”
“… … “Where?”
“Near there.”
It seems like he’s lying blatantly, but there’s no way to reveal that mask.
Osilia couldn’t hide her irritation and kept her mouth shut.
“Was it because of that promise that you let that wizard go?”
Justin, who thought the story was over, asked Ren again.
“yes. “I cannot hand over the sacred relic, but I must keep my promise.”
“… … All right.”
In fact, Justin also thought that Len Argen was involved in the Pope’s death.
In fact, the reason they let the wizard go was probably because they didn’t have the energy to fight the Pope. I wanted to do that, but it seemed like a bit too much of an idea.
“As a reference, if I have nothing more to ask, I will send Sir Ren. “Let’s put Rem and Arad in prison first.”
“I’ll just leave.”
The priests called by Aston dragged Rem and Arad away, and Ren, who had finished speaking as a witness, left the conference room.
“Let’s continue.”
“As I said earlier, Lord Ren’s opinion was included. “The Pope did something he shouldn’t have done, but if he revealed it to the world, God’s authority would fall to the ground.”
“So, are we going to hold a memorial service for the Pope externally but not recognize his papacy internally?”
asked the cardinal, his brown beard slicked back.
“Yes. I cannot accept a Pope who dishonors the name of God! “The idea is to hide it only until a new Pope takes office and the kingdom becomes stable.”
“I agree.”
said Cardinal Beard.
“Let’s dethrone the deceased His Holiness? Are you crazy? “That can’t happen.”
Osilia throws a fit and objects.
“I’m against it too. “No matter how wrong you are, you cannot act in defiance of the Pope’s authority.”
“This means the former Pope ignored God’s authority. “I agree.”
The opinions of the cardinals were mixed. Justin, who quietly listened to their opinions, suggested another plan.
“How about deciding in a conclave? Let’s make a clear decision when all the cardinals are gathered. Until then, keep it a secret.”
“That would be nice.”
“Okay, I agree with that.”
All of the cardinals agreed and moved on to the next item. The disposition of Rem and Arad, the size, duration, and timing of the Pope’s memorial service, and even the details of the conclave, the meeting to elect the Pope.
“Then let’s announce that the conclave will begin in a month.”
“It’s been a really long time since all the cardinals got together.”
* * *
At the back of the mountain, a little away from the village of vagabonds, children gather and work hard to dig up trees and light firewood.
“Captain, is everything done?”
Basil, who was taking care of the children under Ren’s orders, spoke to Ren when he arrived there.
“okay. Basil. “There were no problems?”
“Priests from the Holy Kingdom attacked, but that guy managed to lead it well. I saw him for a moment and he was quite smart. I want to take him in and raise him. hahahahaha!”
After Aston’s rescue last night, the relationship between Ren and Basil became quite comfortable. Basil began to treat Ren comfortably, calling him captain, and at Basil’s suggestion, Ren also decided to call him comfortable from now on.
“Martina!”
Basil called out to Martina, who was busy moving around in the distance.
A girl came running here, her hair and face, which had been covered in dust and oil, had been cleaned and looked quite well-groomed.
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Martina, with short dark blue hair, greeted Ren with a bright face.
“The driver has arrived! Guys! The driver has arrived! Everyone, come and say hello!”
At Martina’s words, the children over there rushed over and greeted Ren.
Ren told the children to finish what they were doing and called Martina aside to talk with Basil.
“Such tragedy will not happen to children in the future. So, you can go back to the village. If anything happens, the priests under Aston who are waiting in the tramp village will help you.”
“… … .”
Martina hesitates and rolls her eyes even though she is told that the case has been resolved.
Ren, realizing that he had something to say, asked again.
“What? “I’m not going to say anything, so just say it.”
“I… “I don’t want to go back.”
“… … Now it won’t be as hard as it used to be. “Cardinal Aston will be of great help.”
“Can we also follow the driver?”
“what?”
“I will do anything! I will do everything you ask me to do… … .”
Arms trembling slightly. He chews his lips and swallows, probably knowing that this is an unreasonable request.
“Please. The vagabond village is not our hometown. “It’s hell.”
Ren sucked in a breath as if he had been shocked.
I just thought it would be good for the children to let them live where they lived.
I thought I could live a much better life than before if I just changed my environment, but my thoughts were too one-dimensional.
‘That place itself must be a trauma to those children. I was too complacent.’
But accepting children is another matter. The number of children evacuated here is nearly 50.
Considering that there are easily hundreds of children in similar situations to these people on the outskirts of Seongguk, it is impossible to take them all.
‘Yes, taking care of everyone is greed. ‘You can leave the rest to Aston.’
“Captain, didn’t you say that Brilliant is short on manpower?”
“But that doesn’t mean we need children.”
“Wouldn’t it be helpful in the future if raised well?”
“… … good. “I’ll tell Aston.”
“Really? thank you! thank you so much!”
Martina repeatedly bowed her waist.
Actually, Ren wasn’t bad either. It’s good to have a lot of talented people to prepare for the future.
In particular, Martina was quite desirable, and there are plans to create a magic corps including Joanna, and shouldn’t there be a unit under Basil?
It’s not bad for kids with this level of will.
“It worked out better. “I have to go to Brilliant for a mission, so we can go together.”
Martina, who went to tell the children the news, could not hide her excited face.
Waaa!!
I heard the children cheering.
“50 people is too many, so we need to organize the number of people separately.”
“Captain, wouldn’t it be better for me to distribute the personnel?”
“No, no one can see people more accurately than me. Basil.”
Ren chuckled and looked at each of the children’s faces and checked the status window.
“There are more hidden talents in Seongguk than you think.”
Ren could clearly see how many jewels there were in what he thought was just a pile of trash.
* * *
Arrived at Brilliant.
The memorial delegation is almost fully formed. Due to the circumstances of the kingdom, it was not a very large scale, but it was filled with as much wealth as possible to show sincerity.
“There was no need for Acro to support me like this.”
Fortunately, we were able to get over the Full Gather upper level where we took refuge under Ren’s advice without any trouble.
Moreover, it is said that his relationship with Seongguk ended on a good note, and he not only received a lot of compensation, but also received word of mouth about his resourcefulness, so he is attracting a lot of work.
“no. Thanks to Ren. hahahaha. “I plan to create a Full Gather branch in Brilliant soon.”
“Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard because of me?”
“Oh! It may be because of Ren, but in fact, the Brilliant branch is an investment. The location between continents is also very good, making it an excellent transit point for trade. Moreover, I am confident that Brilliant City will prosper quickly in the future. hehehe… … .”
Acro said with an unpleasant laugh.
“And if possible, wouldn’t it be a good idea to take one of Ren’s sculptures as a gift to the delegation? “It is also rare.”
“hmm… … , good idea.”
A statue engraved with the energy of a sheep would definitely be a gift that would differentiate it from other delegations.
‘I’ll have to carve it whenever I have time.’
The children brought by Ren and Basil were left behind at Arjen Mansion. Cleta Arzen, who was helping the royal family with her work and trying to expand her power, surprisingly welcomed the children very much.
“Here is the list. Uncle. “I have written down those who have the qualifications to be knights, so you can place them well.”
“How did you know this? “Maybe you didn’t have time?”
“I have good eyesight.”
On the outside, a guy who looked completely different from a knight was on the list of candidates for knighthood, and a guy who looked big and sturdy was actually left out of the list.
Cleta had no idea what criteria they had used to select, but since it was what Ren said, she was going to take it into consideration.
“okay. “I’ll do another test separately.”
At Cleta’s command, Marita is seen leading the children with sparkling eyes.
“Just looking at that guy, he looks out of the ordinary.”
“you’re right. “He has the qualities of a leader, so if you teach him well, he will be useful.”
“okay. ah! And Kali will also be going on this mission, so please take care of her.”
“yes? Why is that guy… … .”
Kali Arzen is on the delegation.
For the Pope’s memorial service, descendants of influential families, empires, and royal families from all over the world will gather.
What if Carly gets into an accident? … .
“Don’t worry. “Still, I will listen carefully to what you say.”
“You mean that guy?”
“okay. And since Kali is a high-ranking knight, she will be helpful in strengthening the delegation.”
That’s right. The size of the mission is large, but the power, influence, and fame of the people within it increase the value of the mission.
“I heard that the head of the Layton family is also joining the delegation.”
“okay. “Shouldn’t Travis also start building external connections?”
Cleta said that and smiled.
“It probably won’t be easy to ignore Brilliant’s delegation this time.”
Ren headed to the royal castle to check the preparations for the delegation and its list.
“oh my! Who is this! The pride of our Brilliant! Isn’t it Lord Ren Argen! No! It’s the general! ha ha ha!”
The protocol assistant, who had adjusted his glasses, found Ren and ran to greet him warmly.
This time, Ren resigned from his position as leader of the Golden Lion Knights and temporarily assumed the position of general, a position in charge of the entire military knighthood.
“Please put a temporary one on.”
“What does it matter! “Being a general is important.”
A protocol assistant who sticks around with a friendly smile. Ren said, stepping back slightly.
“If anyone sees us, they will think we are very close friends.”
“Hey. How many years have we seen each other? “Isn’t that almost like a close friend?”
Was the chief of protocol such a friendly personality? It would be an illusion to think that affinity increases over time.
“Thank you for granting me a sudden request. In fact, I was very nervous about what would happen if you refused to be the representative of the delegation.”
“I have a relationship with Brilliant, so how can I flatly refuse it?”
There were two reasons why Ren accepted the request to represent the delegation.
One was the unusual treatment of being given a relic from the royal warehouse as compensation and the independent commanding authority of the knights.
Although it was only while he was in the rank of general, he could now use the knights as he pleased without worrying about the royal family.
The second real reason is that representatives of the delegations invited to the Holy Kingdom’s memorial service had the opportunity to enter the Holy Kingdom’s cathedral where past popes rest.
‘The tombs of the Popes… … .’
This was an opportunity that couldn’t be missed.
“also! “I have eyes for people.”
“Please give me this list.”
“Oh yeah. “It’s here.”
The paper given by the protocol assistant included not only the list of participants but also all the property to express condolences to the Holy Kingdom.
‘There was definitely a lot of support from Full Gather.’
This would be enough as a consolation prize even if we take the royal family’s situation aside.
“Len Arzen, Leighton Travis, Carly Arzen, Jeffman… … , Is Lord Jeffman going too?”
“They said so. “I heard that since our Lord Ren is going, Director Jeffman will also go.”
“If we add other associate knights to the Golden Lion Knights, the scale will be quite large.”
“I used some strength.”
“Aide to protocol?”
“hahahahaha, you’re really good at joking.”
“… … .”
Ren ignored those words and calculated the size of the delegation.
Considering Basil as one of the people who will be added to this list… … .
‘Two masters and three senior knights?’
Additionally, the skills of the Golden Lion Knights have improved significantly, and most of them are now at the mid-level or above.
‘Are you crazy?’
It is simply too strong to be the power of a memorial delegation. Isn’t this really a level of power that can easily suppress the envoys of other countries?
“Who comes from other places?”
“hmm… … , I don’t know the details either, but ah! “They say a sword lord is coming from Paran.”
“Huh, something bigger is coming than I thought.”
“Wouldn’t this mean that the Pope’s influence is that strong?”
Swordmaster.
It is a title that refers to the four sword masters representing the empire.
One of them is coming… … .