Chapter 449
I stared blankly out the window of the carriage, pondering what kind of nightmare it was that I had to meet my superior during my honeymoon.
But unfortunately, there was worse. Mar, who was sharing the carriage with me, bore witness to this ludicrousness—we were both newlyweds on our way to meet the Emperor.
How horrifying. It’s like discovering there’s a basement under a disaster—the calamity above is only outdone by another calamity below. I have to take Mar to that dreadful man? It makes me feel utterly powerless as a husband.
‘If only it weren’t for that growth.’
I felt like sighing, but I couldn’t show that in front of Mar, so I bit my lip instead.
If it weren’t for that pesky growth, I wouldn’t be dragged into this. It’s true that the Emperor is a crazy bastard, but without the excuse of the growth, he wouldn’t have called for me. He may provoke in front of others, but he’s not someone who crosses the line.
Besides, he seems to be such a softie at home that he generally doesn’t touch family matters. So normally, such a situation wouldn’t have happened.
‘Was it a blessing or a curse?’
Now I’m starting to resent Enen. If he wanted to be quiet, he should’ve stayed quiet. Why did he have to stir up a ruckus at someone else’s wedding?
Others call it a divine blessing or a miraculous wedding, but it doesn’t hit home for me. Honestly, it would have been a happy and glamorous wedding even without Enen!
“It’s my first time going to the palace for a purpose other than the New Year’s Ball.”
Just as the seed of rebellion blossomed in my heart, I turned my gaze toward Mar’s voice.
Mar looked somewhat awkward yet visibly excited.
“Since the wedding day, it feels like unbelievable things keep happening.”
“…Yeah, I guess so.”
Her cheerful voice, free of complaints, made me smile too.
For me, this golden vacation has crumbled, and it’s annoying to be dragged around like a slave. But from Mar’s perspective, she received blessings on her long-awaited wedding day, drew the attention of the Holy Kingdom due to those blessings, and was called by the supreme Emperor, regarded like a deity by regular nobility and subjects alike. When weighing glory against suffering, it’s definitely the former.
So it’s only natural for Mar to experience a mix of nerves and excitement.
“When the kids are born, let’s boast about how blessed we were during our wedding.”
“Hehe, I should probably write a book about it in advance.”
Seeing Mar smile naturally this time, I steadied my heart.
Okay, since Mar is happy, I can bear this. After all, the honeymoon vacation was granted for Mar’s sake, so as long as she’s happy, I can endure the disruption.
But this patience will be just this once. Just because it happened once doesn’t mean it will happen again—but if it happened twice, three or four times could happen too.
‘Next time they call, I’m going to rebel for sure.’
I’d even think this is a just and righteous rebellion in the eyes of the Great One in Heaven.
After an inspection close to a high-speed checkpoint by the royal knight commander, we headed toward the Sun Palace.
‘Is this really okay?’
While walking, I felt a bit conflicted. I often get summoned by the Emperor, so I’ve endured many half-baked inspections, but this was Mar’s first time entering the palace as an outsider, aside from the New Year’s Ball. From the royal knights’ perspective, she was someone to be thoroughly inspected.
Yet because I was her companion, even Mar was allowed a cursory inspection and passed through. Is this what it’s like to be a powerful official? Completely flaunting the rules and etiquette?
‘Indeed, I really should retire.’
This isn’t a decision driven by personal desire but for the peace of the Empire. If too much authority and power rest on a mere subject, wouldn’t that put the Emperor in a bind?
Of course, the Emperor won’t let me go for now, so I have to find a way to step back by the time the Crown Princess takes the throne. Serving three generations is just too rebellious.
“Hey, Carl?”
“Yeah?”
“What’s that… over there?”
While I was contemplating how to show the Crown Princess my meek side in order to plan my early retirement, Mar tugged at my sleeve and pointed somewhere.
“……”
When I turned in the direction Mar was pointing, I froze for a moment.
‘What the heck is that?’
The first thing that caught my eye was a black horse chewing on a carrot, with two chickens perched on its head, looking around.
This isn’t exactly a bizarre scene. Ever since forming the Bremen band, the palace has been accustomed to surprise busking by the Bremen musicians. How can it be surprising that the Emperor uses the sounds of chickens as his morning alarm these days?
Yet what made me freeze was the woman feeding the black horse a carrot.
‘…Is that a Cardinal?’
With the cross around her neck and a red robe, along with the Dawn Sect emblem emblazoned near her chest.
There’s no doubt about it. She’s practically advertising herself as a Cardinal.
“That’s a horse, right?”
Finally realizing I had been staring blankly, I snapped back to reality at Mar’s words. Unlike me, who was transfixed by the Cardinal, it seemed Mar was captivated by the imposing black horse.
For ordinary folks, that would be the natural reaction. Whether it’s a Cardinal or something else, there’s a beast walking around the palace. How could anyone ignore that?
“And the person next to her is a Cardinal, isn’t she?”
“Looks like it, judging by her attire.”
After a brief moment, her eyes wandered to the Cardinal, who seemed to exude an aura equal to that of the beast.
It was confusing. The announcement of growth meant it wasn’t unusual to have a Cardinal in the palace, but why is she out there, not in the Sun Palace? And not both of them, just one?
As Mar and I stood dumbfounded, it seemed the Cardinal noticed our gaze and turned her head.
‘Whoa.’
Now that I look closely, she’s even got a chicken perched on her shoulder.
As soon as our eyes met, the Cardinal widened her eyes in surprise and then smiled gently.
“I, the humble servant who follows your teachings, greet those blessed by you.”
With that rather polite greeting, I felt a strange sense of ease wash over me.
*
Suddenly, I found myself off on an overseas journey with Elder Aldino. On the bright side, it was a legitimate opportunity to escape the mounting work in the Hall of Saints, but knowing the price was seasickness, I might have hesitated a bit.
“Your Holiness, why must we travel by ship when the relationship between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire isn’t bad? Couldn’t you just teleport us?”
Surely if I protested, I’d get the classic “The easier the pilgrimage, the more it breeds sloth” response. The Pope would probably recite some scripture with a smile, leaving me speechless.
As the head of the Hall of Saints, I do have to maintain a sense of responsibility and pride. A divine blessing was bestowed upon a mortal’s wedding; how could I not meet the protagonist of that wedding?
“I hear you’re going to the Empire. If you see Brother Carl and Sister Marghetta, please send my regards.”
My resolve to endure this was solidified by Tannian’s words before I left for the Empire. If it weren’t for Tannian’s request, I might have thrown myself into the sea midway.
“Welcome! I’ve heard the sea’s temper has been quite erratic lately, so I appreciate your efforts in making it to our island.”
“It was no trouble at all. I was so excited to see the Holy One that I didn’t even feel the hardships.”
“Haha, that’s quite flattering. Truly, I’m embarrassed.”
In any case, despite the horrendous seasickness, the peculiarities of Elder Aldino, and the terrible weather in the Emperor’s greeting, we managed to reach the island safely.
Right now, I’m grateful for Elder Aldino’s presence. If I had been the top envoy of our party, I would have had to hold a discussion with the Emperor in this state.
Just the thought sends shivers down my spine. Standing there, smiling and bowing, while my stomach churns—we’d need to have a polite conversation with the Emperor? I might as well bite my tongue and be done with it.
“By the way, Your Holiness might be in good health for your age, but Cardinal Aldino is in good form too. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that they follow your teachings.”
“Wise men, you say? We’re just humble servants seeking your light. But it’s true that the divine does tend to embrace such servants.”
In the warm atmosphere of their polite banter, I lifted my head to catch a glimpse of the Emperor. Keeping my head down too long was making me feel queasy—
“Oh dear. We have two honored guests, but it seems I’ve been too focused on one.”
As soon as I lifted my head, the Emperor’s gaze landed on me.
Oh no. Did I overhear too early?
“I apologize for my late greeting, Cardinal Alexandriana.”
“It’s quite alright, Your Majesty. Though I may be a Cardinal, the head of our envoy is Cardinal Aldino. It’s only natural to welcome the one at the front first; how could you say such a thing?”
With this instinctive reply, the Emperor seemed satisfied and nodded approvingly. I must admit, that was pretty sharp on my part.
I exchanged minimal pleasantries with the Emperor. As mentioned earlier, the envoy leader was Elder Aldino, so there was no need for me to speak up.
Besides, I had another reason for coming to the Empire.
“The minister of the Information Department should be arriving shortly. He is a very diligent individual, so he will come as soon as he is called.”
With that, it turns out I don’t have to stay through this heavy and awkward meeting any longer.
“Your Majesty.”
“Speak, Cardinal.”
“Unless it’s too much trouble, may I be allowed to greet those blessed by you? As the head of the Hall of Saints, it would be proper for me to seek out those favored by you first.”
Upon hearing that, the Emperor’s expression softened. It was beneficial for him not to be on bad terms with a prospective saint candidate.
“By all means. Those in the palace are aware of the esteemed guests from the Holy Kingdom, so they’ll have no doubts if you stroll around the palace.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.”
With that, I quickly rose and exited the Sun Palace. The glare I felt from Elder Aldino, as if questioning if I was running away, stung a bit, but I ignored it and—
Puhihihng
“Oh my.”
Before long, I came across my animal friends.
Goodness. Did I somehow exit the palace in that time? But wait, even if I exited the palace, this is still the island. Animals roaming around in the continent’s busiest area?
‘Impressive.’
I admired the scene in many ways as I surveyed the animal friends in front of me—a robust black horse and three chickens, snugly perched on its neck and head.
One of them was even holding a carrot in its beak.
“So you’re trying to woo a friend with that?”
—Coo coo!
As I gently took the carrot, the chicken that had been holding it flapped its wings and flew onto my shoulder.
So the chickens raised in the palace can… fly?
—Rumbling
As I stood there dumbfounded, unable to think of shooing the chicken off my shoulder, the black horse approached, snorting.
“…Want some carrot?”
Without hesitation, I took a bite.
‘Pretty smart.’
Seems like it understands human speech and is quite obedient. Which is probably why it wanders the palace like it owns the place.
Looking at the black horse munching on the carrot, I recalled the land assigned to the Hall of Saints. Should I put a few horses there? That could be cute.
Yeah, I should give it a try. It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission, so it’s best to keep it a secret from the Vice Lord—
‘Huh?’
Suddenly feeling a gaze, I turned my head.
‘Ah.’
Following the source of the gaze, I spotted a black-haired man and a red-haired woman.
Quickly, I smiled and bowed my head. I already checked how the blessed ones appeared, so I had a rough idea.
“I, the humble servant who follows your teachings, greet those blessed by you.”
Though it’s a slightly unexpected meeting, it’s not a bad one. Seeing the beautiful young woman who loves animals is much more pleasant than the intimidating sight of the Cardinal.
‘The Minister of the Information Department.’
With a smile still on my face, I confirmed the identity of the black-haired man. He is a real power within the Empire, one favored by the Lord.
‘And Tannian’s advisor.’
Someone I should become close with, both officially and privately.
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