41 – The Accused, and the Heap of Sins
After the midnight incident was quelled, the leaders of the empire were in disarray.
“Is this a reasonable situation?! A high-ranking vampire indulging in wickedness right in the imperial capital, so close to the palace!”
“We must immediately dismiss the head of palace information!”
“It could escalate into a huge disaster if not handled properly!”
The nobles residing in the capital were united in their indignation. Their anger had its own justification. Those gathered here were mostly aristocrats, with only a few knights among them.
The reason they had encamped in the capital without any formidable soldiers was simple. Cardinal Luminel had established his position in the capital, and the imperial palace took responsibility for security.
Even though this belief left betrayed nobles fuming, there was little they could do.
“It seems anxiety grew overnight.”
However, the heated atmosphere of their assembly chilled when the emperor spoke. Some wondered if they had raised their voices too loudly and ended up hiccupping.
Eventually, the emperor, with an emotionless expression, presented a simple conclusion.
“As per your demands, I will dismiss the head of intelligence.”
“…!”
Most nobles showed expressions of surprise. Then, each one pondered who would be the next head of intelligence, unfolding the wings of imagination. As a crucial position, the closer one got to it, the more exponentially advantageous it became.
The emperor was not unaware of their inner thoughts.
He calmly announced the appointment of the next head of intelligence as if training a monkey.
“For the position of new head of intelligence, I appoint Arwel, the palace’s white.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Accept it!”
Many opposed the decision. Among them, there were those who tried to logically persuade the emperor rather than forcefully pushing against him.
“Your Majesty, how can you make such a decision on such an important position without following proper procedures?”
“This decision goes against the traditions of the empire that have been decided through meetings.”
While their arguments seemed reasonable, they couldn’t break the emperor’s stubbornness. Instead, he acknowledged their opinions with the logic of the nobles.
“So, what country’s tradition is it to gather in a crowd and dismiss the head of intelligence?”
“W-well, that is…”
“If I’ve already violated the tradition by yielding to your demands, breaking it once more shouldn’t be a significant flaw. Just as the emperor of the empire takes a step back, you should also take a step back.”
The nobles were perplexed.
Given the magnitude of this incident, a reshuffling of palace officials was inevitable. However, the Emperor seemed to feign indifference, as if granting their requests was merely a favor.
Yet, looking at the unfolding situation, it was ambiguous to argue otherwise. The Emperor had declared that he would accept their demands, deviate from tradition, and dismiss the Information Minister.
I fell for my own scheme.
In such a situation, those with their heads spinning vaguely grasped the Emperor’s intentions.
“Could it be… is he trying to empower the third prince…!”
No one was unaware of whom Arwel, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Court, was protecting amidst the political turmoil. In fact, he diligently served the third prince and maintained his life in the palace.
“Oh my… has His Majesty truly lost touch with human emotions?”
No one knew under whose watch the tragic fate of the mother of the third prince, the Second Empress, had unfolded. As the conversation turned to such a topic, without hesitation, questions were raised and answered.
It was a well-known fact that the Crown Prince’s qualifications were lacking compared to the emperors of his time.
Hence, the Emperor granted favor to the third prince solely for the sake of the empire’s continuity.
Even supporting him to that extent was overflowing with generosity…
“One more thing to announce.”
The Emperor extended a scale to the assembled nobles before him.
“I will entrust the post-mortem affairs of the Crown Prince and the third prince. To the side that achieves results, I promise appropriate rewards. However, for the sake of fairness, the appointment of Arwel, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Court, as the Information Minister, is temporarily suspended.”
“Hmm!”
“Is the competition for the throne resurfacing…!”
Post-mortem affairs – in simple terms, it was a cleanup operation. Given the uncertainty of when the demons, imitating human behavior, might strike, it meant preemptively identifying and eliminating them.
The postponement of Arwel, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Court’s appointment as the Information Minister, was due to this reason.
Thus, the minds of most nobles quickly turned.
“It’s not that the Third Prince has set his heart on it yet. If that were the case, he might as well have declared a competition without appointing the Court White.”
“The Emperor seems to consider handling people around him as a person’s capability.”
If we simply consider competence, the promising Third Prince would overwhelm the First Prince. However, unlike the Third Prince, the First Prince possesses the connections and influence he has built up over time.
A leader cannot always be extraordinary.
Therefore, relying on the abilities of others and listening to wise counsel is also a virtue. In that regard, the First Prince has already secured a position as a candidate for the throne.
“Where to draw the line…”
“A moment’s choice can determine destiny.”
“Whether the Third Prince can handle the Empress…”
Everyone’s concerns deepened.
Those within the influence of the First Prince showed enthusiasm, but those in neutral positions were different.
A careful decision was needed more than ever.
For the sake of none other than them.
◇
Inside the speeding carriage.
The occupants were only me and Elphesia. Perhaps that’s why a quiet atmosphere naturally formed.
Normally, I would have muttered something, but discovering an unexpected truth made me a bit awkward. Therefore, I needed time to gather courage to inquire about it.
“Hey, Elphesia.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“You know, about having talent in swordsmanship…”
“Unbelievable, you’re a ridiculous fortune-teller. What’s the problem with the Imperial Swordswoman using a sword?”
Upon careful consideration, it was indeed true.
It was unrealistic for a daughter raised under the father known as the guardian of the national sword to not learn any martial arts. It was only now that I realized why the original Elphesia, who indulged in wickedness, was not assassinated.
‘Even if she weakened, she’s still a vampire…’
She didn’t even touch a hair on that. Although it’s unimaginable, Glen witnessed it with his own eyes, so there was no choice but to believe.
“…Ah.”
“Harte?”
Even though I knew it wasn’t the right situation, my eyes shamelessly rolled towards Elphesia’s thigh. It was slightly covered by the voluminous dress, but imagining the contents was not difficult.
Surely, there would be a firm and alluring beauty in those thighs. It was only after hearing Glen’s story that I understood the existence of those enchanting thighs.
‘Elphesia’s lower body… a beauty sculpted through exercise…’
The unexpected truth was so astonishing that I silently nodded my head. Then, absentmindedly reflecting on myself, I slapped myself hard.
Smack!
“You, are you crazy? Why suddenly hurt yourself and cause a commotion?”
“Sorry… Elphesia.”
“Wha-what?”
“I… I apologize for committing a sin… sincerely…”
“What sin is there when you haven’t done anything?”
“That…”
One of the two ways to make someone angry is to interrupt what they’re saying, and the other is right…
Anyway, even though I was aware that I couldn’t do anything, I kept my mouth shut.
“I can’t speak… absolutely not.”
“You’re really talented.”
“What talent?”
“The talent to make someone raise their whip.”
Snap!
Elphesia folded her fan.
Why is that? Now that I know all the truths, that thing doesn’t just look like a fan, but more like a well-crafted sword.
I was prepared to take a hit if Elphesia decided to strike. After all, the fact that I had committed a sin against her was an indisputable truth, and if it could ease Elphesia’s mood, it would be for the best.
However, Elphesia’s actions after she lifted herself from the chair were enough to make me hesitate.
“… You need to be punished.”
“P-punished…?”
“Yes, a punishment that would be quite effective for you.”
From Noble mtl dot com
What kind of punishment is possible for someone like me, who can even regenerate if my throat is cut? And all of this within the confines of this cramped carriage.
Suddenly, Elphesia’s proposed punishment seemed laughable to me. Maybe I should have refrained from saying that…
“Harte, you… are too sincere to the point of looking like a fool.”
Elphesia scolded me outright. Soon, she approached me after crossing over from her seat.
As she got close enough for my consciousness to be tightly squeezed, she cautiously sat on my lap.
Squelch. Squelch.
Soft sensation seeped through the fabric of the pants dance. Even though Elphesia’s thigh was thin, it was too thin. Elphesia’s thigh, which I couldn’t even dare to fantasize about, settled on my knee as if it were wrapped around it.
“E-Elphesia…!!!”
“S-Shh! It’s noisy! Your ears are sensitive on this street.”
“No, how can I not shout when you’re doing this…?”
“Tsk, did you think I did this because I wanted to? I sat like this because I know you’re weak against this! I-I’m not… I don’t want to cling to you like a leech or anything!”
Push!
In an instant, she pushed her hips against me, all the way to my waist. In sync with that rhythm, I instinctively straightened my waist. It was just moments before the perfect alignment of the parts that would be perfect for ravishing her.
“D-Don’t… Elphesia…”
“Then stop with the empty words and speak sincerely! I don’t really care if you endure or not, but I have thoughts too, you know?”
“Ugh… You used to push me away even if I got close!”
“Ugh, that’s… well, when I attack, it’s okay?”
“W-Where is that…?”
This is character collapse.
Elphesia would never be this proactive. I must be dreaming of flying in the sky right now. Surely… if it’s not that…
… No, it can’t be a dream. If this is a dream, it must be a vivid nightmare. It’s undeniable evidence that I ravished her. We even share the same bedroom…!!!
“I see… Thighs are pockets filled with sins… Then, how wicked must the buttocks… no, the breasts be…?”
In truth, I thought I had no s*xual desire.
I had never harbored lust for a woman in the first place. Even though I was constantly with Ivrea, the most beautiful woman in the Empire, I never committed adultery.
So, I had no complaints about a fate that required me to be celibate for a lifetime.
And yet, why am I…
Why on earth…
Committing a sin at this point…! And to Elphesia, of all people, whom I should never love…
‘Indulging in carnal desires without love… How am I any different from a beast in heat? Does this mean all the practices in the temple were in vain?’
What is love anyway? Now, even that concept confuses me. It’s probably all because of the insatiable greed of this damned body.
Thighs exerting firm and elastic pressure so seductively…
I am undoubtedly a pervert. Moreover, a pervert with a clear inclination towards Elphesia’s thighs.
‘Even if I were to cut off my manhood… it would grow back, right?’
Baptism is such a heavy shackle. Oh, divine being, is this the harsh trial for stepping out of the temple?
It was a time when I was at the peak of my abnormality.
Elphesia, with a slightly flushed face, muttered.
“Cough, ahem. Harte, hiding things from your spouse is also a sin.”
“A sin… you say?”
“Yes… a sin. Confess quickly then.”
“Confess…”
“Yes, confess your sins. I’ll accept them all because I am your wife.”
“Elphesia…”
My rationality was being devoured by the sensuality of those resilient thighs. So Elphesia’s words almost penetrated my consciousness like hypnosis.
What I revealed, something I wouldn’t dare express under normal circumstances, was probably because of that moment.
“Elphesia…”
“Yes, Harte.”
Tears seem about to fall.
I truly felt the sensation of sadness, making my eyes moist and reddened.
Nevertheless, as this was the confessional place of the Expiation Ceremony, I confessed the truth, believing Elphesia’s words.
“… I committed adultery with you.”
“What…?”
“Elphesia’s thigh… buttocks… the mole on that boundary… it remains vivid in my memory…”
If my future self were to hear this, it would sound like utter madness. But to me, who had truly gone mad, self-restraint was nothing more than a decoration. Thanks to that, even the leisure to scrutinize Elphesia’s expression was completely lost.
“I dared to harbor obscene fantasies… so, will you stop the punishment…? You, you, you, Elphesia… saying it’s too lewd…”
“Insane…”
“…”
“…Hmph.”
Elphesia belatedly covered the mouth that had uttered harsh words. Normally, I would have squinted my eyes and stared at her piercingly.
But in the present moment, I am a sinner.
I was just a wretch who had to endlessly shake my head.
“…”
Elphesia silently freed my lap from her buttocks and thighs.
Perhaps the sincerity had been conveyed.
We continued towards our destination, the carriage filled with the unspoken agreement we had reached.
In the distance, the mansion facing the carriage’s direction belonged to the writer couple Peter.
It was a journey to seek one-sided consent from the Peter couple from the beginning.
Glen’s Secret Friend – Echo’s first step towards isolation began so promiscuously.
◇
Meanwhile, Echo, left behind at the mansion, pondered over Harte’s words.
“Oh, I see. It’s a structure where the power of fragments is unleashed when you open your eyes. That’s why I couldn’t feel it even when I came to the capital.”
According to him, this power of observing the form of the heart is the influence of the power called fragments. Somehow, it felt like she had become extraordinary, which made it difficult to adapt.
“He said that person is the headmaster…”
Curiosity piqued, Echo observed Harte. She wondered what kind of form the person Glen so greatly admired would have.
However, she was surprised by the unexpected result.
“I couldn’t see anything…”
Rather than saying there was no heart, it felt like it was hidden behind thick, triple-layered walls…
It’s difficult to describe in words, but I understand that the headmaster is a mystery.
“Oh, right! The vice headmaster was also fascinating.”
The form of Elphesia’s heart, observed through Echo’s eyes, seemed to be heavily distorted. It was evidence that people weren’t always good-natured. Peter’s subordinates and Rosery were prime examples.
But the surprising thing was that every time she looked at Harte, the form of her heart changed.
Despite being a concept that is difficult to express, Echo could metaphorically describe it.
“It was like fire… a blazing flame.”
Echo could only observe the form of the heart to a certain extent. Therefore, she couldn’t deduce what type of heart it was that couldn’t be statistically analyzed through experience.
Echo gradually realized that it had something to do with her own common denominator, but it took a long time for her to realize it.