Chapter 123: Divine Power

Bring in Duke Lavaltor?

The royal guard knight who heard Ian’s command was stunned.

It was only understandable.

“Are you sure you meant Duke Lavaltor? Not Sir Fiosen?”

“That’s right.”

“!”

The knight was at a loss for words.

Even though his job usually revolved around protecting the royal family, he had heard rumors circulating outside.

However, no matter how close the Seventh Prince and the duke were, Duke Lavaltor was not a man who could be summoned at will.

There was no way he could call Duke Lavaltor out for helping him with a few things so far.

‘If anything, wouldn’t it be a relief if he didn’t respond with a snort?’

But Ian seemed to have guessed the knight’s thoughts.

“If you say I call him, he will come.”

“You’re kidding, aren’t you?”

Ian smiled instead of responding. That smile gave the knight a sense of unease, and he could only nod with a sour face.

Perhaps the prince would finally understand once he received a refusal.

The knight left to carry out Ian’s order.

“Very well, I will convey your message.”

“Go ahead.”

Ian looked at the knight’s retreating figure, and his expression chilled.

His gaze was not directed at the knight but at Duke Lavaltor he would soon meet.

‘He must know something.’

He, who usually assisted King Eloin at close proximity, must have known.

The king put his trust in him even when he didn’t trust others. That was all the more reason Ian had to see him.

But he needed to prepare just in case.

Ian ordered Galon in a cold voice.

“Get ready to enter the palace.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Galon bowed his head as if it were only natural, but the royal messenger standing nearby didn’t seem to share the same sentiment.

With a surprised look, the messenger asked.

“Weren’t you going to return for the preparation of the victory ceremony?”

The victory ceremony was scheduled for tomorrow. In this situation where Ian’s forces and all the heirs were preoccupied with preparations for the ceremony, requesting an audience was simply unthinkable.

However, Ian remained firm.

“I need to see His Majesty. Right now.”

His eyes glinted coldly.

Seeing Ian’s eyes, the messenger quickly nodded.

“I will convey your message at once.”

However, Ian didn’t wait for his response. He headed toward the royal palace without delay.

To where King Eloin was.

***

King Eloin had summoned his ministers and was preparing to welcome the Fifth Prince.

Unlike usual, he was donned in formal attire from head to toe.

He had no choice but to do so.

He would meet Haverion the cardinal of the Holy Empire, not his child.

‘The Holy Empire is a temple force with the most powerful influence on the continent.’

They had to treat him accordingly.

But that wasn’t the only reason.

“Isn’t the reason the Fifth Prince is returning home this time because of the presence of demon’s pawns in the country?”

“Yes. Even though it’s the Garcia duchy, it wouldn’t be good if rumors about demon’s pawns in our country spread across the continent.”

“That’s right. Much more so, the Seven Sins. This is really dangerous.”

“But isn’t that an old tale only to scare off children?”

The Seven Sins was a fairytale-like legend passed down in Kaistein.

Unlike the Seven Virtues, who served the First King, they were the progeny of demons that had shrouded the continent in darkness.

It was said that they were sealed away for eternity after being defeated by the Seven Virtues.

It was a story so famous that the entire continent knew about it.

And yet, such beings were appearing in the duchy.

“This could potentially become a matter of great concern for the continent.”

“Yes. Isn’t the reason the Holy Empire an empire because they are the only force that opposes the demons?”

Everyone knew that the Holy Empire was fighting against the demons.

Thanks to them fighting in their stead and their sacrifices, the continent enjoyed peace.

The ministers shook their heads.

“If they declare this country the axis of evil…”

It could lead to a major crisis.

There had been countries in the past that had perished under similar circumstances.

Therefore, the ministers discussed the matter with all seriousness.

“We must find a way to clear the suspicions against the Garcia family.”

“If it doesn’t work out, we might as well end it with the Garcia family.”

“What are you even saying? This is what happened to one of our only duke families. We have nothing to say even if our entire country is condemned. It couldn’t possibly end merely at that.”

The good news was that Ian succeeded in getting the cardinal to enter the palace.

If it had been left as it was, there could have been talk of not only the victory ceremony but also that the cardinal was treated poorly because the country was tainted by the demon.

Moreover, the fact that the Fifth Prince entered the palace before the king even personally came had great symbolism.

“Even if he is a cardinal of the Holy Empire, the Fifth Prince is His Majesty’s child.”

“No matter what, he cannot say in front of His Majesty that our country is a home to the demon’s pawn.”

All they had to do was put pressure on the Fifth Prince.

For that purpose, not only the ministers but also the royal guards and armed knights stood side by side in solemn ceremonial attire.

The appearance now was truly the embodiment of a lion’s den.

“Now that he has entered the palace, what else could happen?”

“That’s right. Even the Seventh Prince has returned to his camp for the victory ceremony. If we handle the issue with the Fifth Prince well, everything will be resolved…”

It was then.

“His Highness Haverion, the Fifth Prince and Cardinal of the Holy Empire, has requested an audience!”

“!”

Haverion finally arrived at the audience hall.

The ministers straightened their backs with a stern look.

It was to demonstrate the dignity of Kaistein.

King Eloin also raised his hand with a solemn expression.

“He may enter.”

But in the next moment.

“His Highness Ian, the Seventh Prince and King of Bahara, has requested an audience!”

Ian?

King Eloin tilted his head at the sudden request for an audience with his youngest son.

‘Wasn’t he supposed to return after completing the task of bringing Haverion into the palace?’

The ministers were equally dumbfounded.

‘What could be the reason this time?’

‘He just negotiated the condition of meeting with Duke Garcia, and now another incident?’

‘Could it be that he has formed an alliance with the cardinal?’

Their previously straightened postures immediately slouched.

Ian had never once appeared in an audience without causing a stir.

‘A fist close by is indeed scarier than a fist at a distance, but…’

‘He’s more than a mere fist.’

Not only did he pounce on the ministers as if he would eat them up at a mere slip of the tongue, but he also even led Duke Garcia to his doom.

However, there was no reason to refuse the request for an audience.

King Eloin nodded.

“Allow them to enter.”

“His Majesty grants the audience!”

At the king’s command, the doors to the audience hall opened.

Creak—

Right at that moment.

The two entered together.

Tap tap tap.

It was a truly intriguing sight.

Ian and Haverion.

Their appearances contrasted sharply.

Haverion wore a white priest’s robe and had a friendly smile plastered on his face.

On the other hand, Ian was clad in armor, his expression sharp as if ready for battle.

It was an impeccable picture of a priest and a warrior standing side by side.

The tension in the audience hall was instantly heightened.

Furthermore, the two even ignored each other. They bowed toward the king.

“It’s been a while since I last paid my respect to you, Your Majesty Eloin. Have you been well during my absence?”

“Of course not. Thanks to the youngest next to you, I’ve gotten busier every day.”

“Is that so? Well, he does have a unique personality.”

“Have you already experienced it?”

“Yes. Thanks to him, I have to leave the sick children behind to enter the palace. I raised a white flag to the youngest’s wit.”

Haverion glanced at Ian.

But he quickly retracted his gaze.

He seemed to like the sight of the intimidated ministers more than the spoiled youngest.

However, Ian did not intervene in the conversation between the two people.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

He was just looking at King Eloin, quietly bowing.

His action caused the ministers to feel more on edge than they did when the Fifth Prince, whom they thought would never return, appeared.

‘Wh-why is he so quiet?’

‘I know, right? Normally, he would have butted in already and created a commotion.’

‘Doesn’t it feel like the calm before the storm? And then again, just like last time…’

‘Shh! Don’t jinx it! Why are you flapping your mouth so carelessly?’

It was that moment.

Seemingly unable to stand the fact that the ministers’ eyes kept drifting to Ian, Haverion smiled and brought up the topic.

“I am truly sorry about this.”

“!”

“Now that the demon’s pawn has appeared in this country, I will be defining Kaistein as a country of evil.”

“…A country of evil!”

Now, all eyes were on Haverion, even more than on Ian.

Only then did Haverion smile in satisfaction.

“Although you all are already well aware of the existence of demons and demon’s pawns scattered across the continent, the Seven Sins are even more sinister and cunning than those creatures.”

Haverion’s expression turned serious.

“It’s particularly distressing that such an incident is happening in my homeland. Not to mention the fact that the eldest son of the Duke family is involved has the pope worried beyond measure.”

“Hmm.”

“But don’t worry, Your Majesty. I, Haverion, intend to thoroughly investigate the Garcia family and root out the evil that has taken hold in this country.”

The ministers were alarmed by his words. They all quickly caught on to Haverion’s intentions.

“This is clear interference in internal affairs!”

“This is absolutely unacceptable!”

“Garcia is one of the only ducal families in this country. This is a matter for Kaistein to resolve!”

“Who is investigating whom?”

If anything, it was impossible to hand over the supervision of the Duke’s family to the Holy Empire.

Haverion smiled at their reactions.

However, unlike his kindly smile, the words he uttered were anything but benign.

“From how strongly you oppose it, it’s only right for His Holiness to be concerned.”

“What?”

“Are you all perhaps joining hands with the demon’s pawns and trying to cover up for them?”

The ministers stared at Haverion in disbelief.

“What are you saying just now?”

“Are you implying that we, the pillars of Kaistein, would have any reason to join hands with the demon’s pawns?”

“Well, the only heir to the Garcia family also became the demon’s pawn. Don’t you know this fact already?”

“!”

“And one more thing.”

In the middle of the frozen hall, Haverion slowly rose.

And then.

Woong!

A light slowly bloomed from his hand.

The light that gently surrounded his entire arm was unmistakably divine power.

“Unless it’s me, who else can find the evil? Isn’t that right?”

“…!”

The ministers fell silent at Haverion’s words.

That was only natural.

‘He’s certainly got a point.’

‘Only those with divine power can find evil. However, there is no such person in our country.’

‘That’s because the Holy Empire monopolizes those with divine power…’

Divine power was an absolute power nobody could ignore.

However, King Eloin did not just sit there and watch.

“Stop it, Haverion. Ceres has not yet been found guilty.”

“Oh, my. I made a slip of the tongue. I apologize, Your Majesty.”

But not even a hint of apology was found in his expression.

Sure enough.

“But, Your Majesty, if the eldest son of the Duke’s family is truly the demon’s pawn… Kaistein won’t be able to easily erase that crime, right?”

“!”

It was a threat.

If Ceres was revealed to be the demon’s pawn, they would hold Kaistein accountable as well. King Eloin’s face crumpled in anger.

“How dare you…”

To insult him and his country right here, in the heart of Kaistein.

King Eloin’s anger engulfed the entire audience hall.

“What do you want?”

Yet, Haverion didn’t even flinch.

“Just give me the right to inspect the Garcia family. Then, I will convey to His Holiness the Pope of Kaistein’s willingness to cooperate with the Holy Empire.”

“Is that all?”

“Of course. The Holy Empire has no intention of interfering in Kaistein’s internal affairs. All we have to do is destroy the pawn of evil.”

King Eloin fell into thought.

‘The evidence from Ceres’s room is irrefutable.’

Refusing this request would mean becoming an enemy of the continent.

But even so, truthfully, he wasn’t afraid.

Unless there was conclusive evidence that this country was the pawn of evil, they couldn’t simply meddle with it.

Moreover, today’s Kaistein was the strongest it had ever been, practically a glimpse of the glory days during its empire era.

‘We have dealt with Bahara, the most troublesome of all, and we also have a card to suppress Cantum. Even the Holy Empire wouldn’t easily underestimate our country.’

The problem lay in reputation.

Being stigmatized by the Holy Empire would result in rejection from all the countries on the continent.

In other words, it would block Kaistein’s exports and imports.

King Eloin had no choice but to accept it.

And Haverion could see that in his eyes.

‘This settles it. King Eloin has no choice but to accept our offer in the end.’

A duke’s family couldn’t be more important than a country.

No matter how amazing Eloin the Blood Lion was, he was merely an old cat in front of the Holy Empire.

Haverion smiled as he harbored such thoughts.

The king really had no other option.

“I guess it can’t be helped. Very well. Your request, I will especially…”

But right at that second.

“Unfortunately, that won’t do.”

Ian finally opened his mouth.

Everyone’s attention was focused on his words.

Haverion, momentarily irritated, looked at Ian with a frown.

“This is not your place to interfere, Youngest.”

There surely was a limit to spoiling another’s almost-finished work. Haverion glared sharply at Ian for his gall to interfere.

“For someone who cannot recognize the evil before their eyes, let alone divine power, to meddle in. There aren’t that many such people in Kaistein.”

But Ian didn’t even look at Haverion.

“No country hands over its right to inspect its subjects to another country. The same holds true for the Holy Empire, the Light of the Continent.”

Ian’s golden iris gleamed as he locked eyes with King Eloin.

“Also, the charge itself of being the pawn of evil brought upon this country. That’s a load of nonsense only ignorant people would say.”

“!?”

At that moment, a cold wind swept through the hall.

It heralded a catastrophic incident that implied the possibility of a war with the Holy Empire.

‘Wh, why dare you challenge divine power?’

‘The other person is a priest recognized by the pope!’

Haverion, too, wiped the smile off his face and shouted in an angry voice.

“What did you just say? Nonsense? Are you telling me to listen to you?!”

“Did you hear that? That’s probably right.”

“You bastard! No matter how young you are, there are things you can and cannot say!”

Haverion did not hold back.

“Your Majesty Eloin! Is this truly Kaistein’s will?”

He shot an icy glare at the king and Ian.

No, he even shouted at the heresy inquisitor who followed him.

“These people dare to insult the cardinal of the Holy Empire! It has become clear that this country is the pawn of evil. We should report this to His Holiness quickly!”

“Yes, Your Eminence!”

With that, the inquisitor drew his sword and prepared to leave along with Haverion.

But precisely at that moment.

Wo-ong! Pats!

A huge ray of light exploded out of Ian’s body.

It was a light so pure it could repel all evil.

The magnitude of that powerful light was enough to even leave Haverion momentarily stunned.

Ian’s eyes flashed, his red hair fluttering in the light.

“I am the successor of Patience, one of the Seven Virtues. Who dares bring up the Seven Sins and their pawns in Kaistein?”

“!?”

“If you call me evil, then you are clearly the pawn of the Seven Sins.”

Ian pointed to Haverion, his lips curling up to a smile.

“What are the royal guards doing? Quickly cut down that pawn of evil!”

“!?”