126 – Smiling Prince Maker (3)
In this world, there were as many different religions as there were different cultures, so following a religion or doctrine different from Lucerne was rarely treated as a heresy.
but,
Magi, which produces a nauseating smell and an eerie feeling, became a target of ostracism and eradication due to its lack of question-and-answer behavior.
I don’t know the detailed reason.
I once asked theologians about poetics, but each of them who preaches and develops doctrines gives slightly different answers. The answer that is most relevant is that it is because of the great war that took place 500 years ago.
According to the Bible of Lucerne, which is considered the oldest historical book, God wanted his creatures to instinctively understand right and wrong.
The messenger of God said,
‘The energy that makes me want to reject it is Magi. So there is no shame in your fear of him.’
Even the treatment of a mere nefarious energy is like this, but what about the blood of a demon that is terrifying just by its existence?
Duchy of Ermenst.
People who supported the first prince, openly or privately, lined up at the table.
Looking at their faces, they are great nobles that anyone familiar with aristocratic society would have heard of.
“Last night. General Boss was also taken to the cathedral.”
Ermenst, the leader of the Austin supporters, clenched his fists.
“If we go on like this, it’s certain that everyone present here will be detained.”
“…As expected.”
Vice Dean of the Academy. Simon Passat nodded.
When the second and third temples appeared, Simon had the talent not to agree with Ermenst’s opinion, but at this point, even he could only vaguely agree.
All six temple appearances occurred in the realm of those who openly supported the 1st Prince, so it may or may not appear that the next temple will appear, but if it does appear, there is a high probability that it will appear in the realm of those here.
“But how on earth are we supposed to get through this?”
“Isn’t this the place where we gather to find that way?”
“Yes, but…”
Simon put his head down on the table and muttered.
“According to the cardinal’s report, the blood stains on the walls all contained a significant concentration of demonic energy. I overheard that they belonged to high-ranking demons…”
“…Why do you stop talking?”
“It’s because I’m so uncomfortable with all the whining.”
Simon raised his head at the sudden rebuke.
“I had no idea whether the devil even existed, but a high-ranking devil… What can we do with such a monster? In fact, I think we can say that we have reached a dead end.”
“Are you saying that even trying is a useless struggle?”
“…That’s right.”
Simon sighed after answering. It was a very debilitating sight to see from the side, but no one present could blame him.
Even General Boss, the only one who had been to the demon world, was detained, so most people had no idea how powerful the high-ranking devil was.
We gathered together to find a way to do something, but no one was quick to present an opinion. In the end, silence fell over the place, and Duke Ermenst, who was no better than he was, stared at Austin, who was sitting at the head table.
“The only thing that is certain is that the enemy’s purpose is clear.”
And then he let out a heavy sigh.
“His Majesty Austin does not want to ascend to the throne. That’s it.”
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“…Why did you do that?”
Count Schreyer asked.
“There may be many reasons, Count. It may be to throw the empire into chaos, or it may simply be that they do not want His Majesty Austin to ascend to the throne.”
“Then… wouldn’t it be easier to figure out who did this?”
Simon wiggled his fingers.
This was because the fact that the vice-dean of the academy was mentioning the people that came to mind could be considered extremely disrespectful.
However, since he didn’t know if his turn would come someday if he continued like this, Simon’s mouth eventually opened.
“There must be the now dethroned 2nd Prince Henry and the 3rd Prince Victor.”
“It’s a leap in logic… but it’s not an unimaginably stupid reasoning.”
Ermenst nodded at his reply.
“But even with that assumption, there are still unanswered questions.”
“What question do you mean?”
“How could Henry, who was almost exiled from the country and the 3rd prince, who couldn’t establish a political foundation, get the blood of high-ranking demons?”
He gave Viktor the honorific title of prince, but when he mentioned Henry, Ermenst’s voice conveyed contempt.
As expected, although Duke Ermenst openly supported the 1st Prince, he was a person who did not want the empire to be torn in two and lead to a civil war.
Also, the reason why the current emperor, Franz, supports Austin instead of supporting Victor, whom he openly likes.
This is because it was judged that it would be more helpful to the national interest for Austin, who, although not physically fit, was older and had a good temperament, to be appointed as the next emperor.
When Austin, who had no children, died, Victor would naturally take over the throne. Hermenst’s support for Austin was not eternal.
‘…I’m going crazy.’
For that reason, it was difficult for Austin to quickly say that he was currently holding hands with Henry.
Even if Duke Ermenst is related to Empress Breed, Austin’s mother,
Since Austin is plotting to kill the Emperor, we must keep our distance.
‘Where did it all start?’
Austin sat still and looked around.
Not only General Voss, who was close to Ermenst, but also his brother-in-law, Viscount Fosse, were unable to attend the event.
The number of people detained on suspicion of devil worship alone is six. There were many empty seats around the tables. All of this happened in less than ten days.
Normally, Austin would have participated in the conversation by expressing various opinions, but Austin was unable to say anything due to the sudden change in his surroundings.
Even while Austin remained silent, the chaos continued.
“I don’t know what purpose the invisible enemy has, but it is clear that it has a purpose that is harmful to the empire.”
“An invisible enemy… isn’t this too difficult to think about?”
“…You think it’s difficult?”
“Who will benefit the most if we destroy the power of those here? Isn’t it the Third Prince, Victor?”
“Are you saying that the Third Prince is a devil worshiper?”
“It has to be that way, right?”
Count Schreyer spoke to Duke Ermenst.
“He wanted to become emperor so much that he sold his soul to the devil.”
“Be careful what you say, Count.”
“Be careful! So you’re saying that I’m just going to keep my eyes open and wait for my turn to be detained? Shouldn’t we do something before our goal!”
Kwasik!
Count Schreyer slammed his fist and the table caved in.
Bleep—–
suddenly,
Austin felt a strange sound coming from his ears.
Confusing situation. A space where it is difficult to come to your senses. Amidst the ensuing argument, there was even a military demonstration…
Austin is currently under extreme pressure.
“I don’t know who carried out the operation, but it is obvious that he or a group targeted a certain force! What can be inferred in this situation is that it was done by the 3rd prince or someone who supports him. summer solstice…!”
Bleep—–
Even as time passed, the tinnitus did not stop.
That wasn’t all. Those who are speaking right now,
Count Schreyer.
Duke Ermenst.
General Falschner.
Director Toble.
Their faces looked like many.
“Ugh…!”
Austin squeezed his eyes shut, feeling extreme dizziness.
“…”
Then, the annoying sound lingering in my ears disappeared.
It looks like the confusion has stopped.
“Huh!”
However. Austin opened his eyes and gasped at the sight he saw.
All eyes of those present were focused on Austin.
“Sir, are you okay?”
Simon’s face was blurred as he grabbed his shoulder and made eye contact.
“It’s okay… I’m just going to go to the bathroom for a moment.”
“Go ahead.”
Austin hurriedly left the place. I quickly moved my limping leg to find the bathroom.
‘curse? Or hallucination? Whatever it is, my current condition is far from normal.’
Austin reached the bathroom without anyone to assist him and quickly locked the door.
I felt like I had to make sure no one came in here.
As soon as his legs became weak and he slid against the wall, a man with a familiar appearance appeared in front of him.
“You look like you’re having a hard time.”
The thin, pale man said with a kind-looking smile.
“…Borland. How on earth did you find out about this place?”
“Didn’t I tell you last time? I am always by your side.”
“…”
“Don’t glare at me like that. Unlike Duke Ermenst, I am always on your side.”
The man who continued speaking smiled broadly.
“Isn’t there something more important than that?”
Bolland approached Austin, who was sitting down.
“We have to get through this.”
“…Is there a way?”
“Why not?”
Austin looked at Boland with suspicion, but the lanky man covered his gaze with his hand, as if to ignore the look.
“The collapse of the forces that support the decline… Isn’t it obvious who will benefit? Just kill him.”
“…what?”
Austin asked a stupid question back. Is this person really saying that he should kill his own family member with his own hands?
“Such nonsense…”
“Why does this make no sense?”
“Do you think I kept Viktor alive all this time because I don’t have the ability? If I did that, I would lose my legitimacy.”
Austin felt overwhelmed.
“If I kill Victor, of course I will be the first to be suspected. Who would be truly loyal to a monarch who was so blinded by imperial authority that he killed his younger brother, who was much older than him?”
“hmm.”
“The empire is large. It takes at least a week to communicate from the center to the end. There is no need to go all the way to the princely states. How can we guarantee that the border nobles will not rebel against the emperor whose legitimacy has been undermined!”
Austin spoke as if spewing out long words. Because of that, I was panting as if I was going to lose my breath at any moment, but this was it.
What Austin wanted was a complete throne, not a throne on a sand tower that could topple over with a single wave…
However, the man in front of me tilted his head and gave an expression of confusion.
“You’re wondering too much about this and that.”
“…what?”
Austin’s eyes widen.
Boland knelt down and made eye contact.
“Your life is short.”
“What is that…”
“That’s literally it. I will probably be dead before the uprising even happens.”
“…”
“So, when you go, shouldn’t you do something before you go?”
Having said that, Volland put one hand in his bosom.
“Fortunately, I seem to have the ability to help the lowering.”
An eerie mask emerged from his bosom. It didn’t have any special decorations or shapes, but the dubious energy was overflowing, and it looked like an incantation containing magic on a different level than before.
“…what is this?”
“Put on this mask, shout my name, and your wish will come true.”
“The price? What is the price?”
Austin asked irritably. Since it was a wish-granting tool, he had to sacrifice his own life force even to ‘something’ that was eating away the other person’s life force, and he had no idea how much more he would have to sacrifice to make his wish come true.
However, an unexpected answer came out of Boland’s mouth.
“The price wasn’t there from the beginning.”
With those last words, the man’s new form disappeared.
*
Siron’s room in the annex.
Siron was troubled by the situation he was facing now. He completed his own preparations to build the seventh temple, but the current situation was not conducive to starting.
Even though the maids’ complexions are pale, they are too pale. No matter how far away they are from humans, they are demons at that, but the appearance that showed off their beautiful complexion just a few days ago has disappeared.
‘If this continues, this person will die first.’
“Ophelia needs to rest today. She can’t even walk.”
“…sorry.”
Ophelia, who apologized, could not even get up from her seat due to the dizziness she still couldn’t shake off.
For the first time in a long time, I poured out so much blood in my eagerness to help Master that I literally felt like I was going to die.
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“Master, what about me? Can’t I rest too? If I bleed even a drop of blood, I might die.”
“…You too, get some rest.”
Siron had no choice but to nod his head at the declaration of active sabotage with a pale complexion.