3 bar menu

The Hidden Side of the Imperial Capital – Part 02

Three aimless days went by without any sign of an audience with the Emperor.

Growing restless, three knights decided to head to the imperial palace early in the morning to give a notice. The palace was about a thirty-minute walk from their district, and they could even catch a glimpse of the castle from their mansion.

They returned late in the night with frustration etched on their faces.

“Those damn officials.”

Treated as elites within the Theocracy of Bios, these knights had received advanced education, mastering etiquette and manners that only nobles in other lands possessed. Upon their return, they casually used slang. The other seven who remained in the mansion were gathered around a sturdy but plain table with Luvain, while Hikaru’s party listened from a distance.

“We told them we were here as representatives of our nation, and that His Holiness was with us, but they still made us wait for a whole day. There was this long queue, and shockingly, the people right in front and behind us were merchants applying for business permits. How could they make delegates stand in line with merchants?!”

Luvain urged them to continue, his expression unchanged. “It must have been quite the ordeal. So, did you manage to submit the application?”

“Yes… we did, but we were instructed to meet with an official from the Bureau of Foreign Relations, a small division under the Foreign Minister’s authority.”

“I see. Then let us arrange a meeting with that person.”

“What?! You’re meeting them yourself?!”

“Show me the way tomorrow.”

“B-But Your Holiness, someone of your stature talking to an official doesn’t sound right.”

“I’m not concerned about my reputation. If they won’t talk unless I’m present, then I will personally speak to them.”

“…”

Luvain’s decisive words silenced the knights.

The Empire’s attitude has gotten pretty tough, Hikaru thought. I’m starting to think Luvain going out to see them won’t make a difference.

---

The following day, Hikaru accompanied Luvain as Silver Face. Lavia and Paula, having spent three idle days, continue exploring bookstores.

I wonder if this works. Somehow I don’t think they’ll entertain us even if Luvain goes there in person. Can’t really blame them. What the previous Pope did was atrocious. His face said he had some sort of plan, though.

Hikaru observed Luvain closely from the shadows.

With the same three knights as the previous day, they headed towards the imperial castle. The castle stood surrounded by walls even taller than those enclosing the city. Inside, it housed the Emperor’s residence, the imperial palace, various government institutions, and the facilities of the Imperial Guards, all densely packed.

The road, narrower than the main thoroughfare, gently sloped upwards, leading to the elevated castle. The moat that once existed had been filled in, leaving only a bridge railing in front of the gate, where a queue had formed since morning. While many merchants were in line, there were also carriages belonging to officials and nobles.

Luvain’s conspicuous carriage, displaying the flag of Bios, quietly joined the queue.

“Hey, you foreign knights over there.”

As the surroundings stirred because of the carriage’s presence, ten soldiers arrived from the castle.

“What’s up with your carriage?”

The haughty demeanor of the soldiers caused veins to bulge on the knights’ foreheads. Nevertheless, following Luvain’s prior instructions, they took a deep breath.

“We are envoys from the Theocracy of Bios, hailing from the holy city of Agiapole!” one announced loudly. “The esteemed figure before you is none other than the leader of the Church, His Holiness the Pope!”

Their voices rang out as if making an official announcement.

“His Holiness the Pope!? Are you serious?”

“That’s a super VIP.”

“But there’s not a lot of people with him.”

As murmurs of disbelief circulated among the onlookers, the soldiers hastily responded, “H-Hold on… We were not informed of such an important visit.”

“We notified the audience application office yesterday. If you’re unaware, it’s your error!”

“A-All right, there’s no need to raise your voice. Hey, someone, go check!”

The soldier, unwilling to shoulder the blame, issued an order, and one of his men scurried into the castle.

As a result, Luvain and his party were allowed to proceed without waiting in line.

Well done. Revealing their identity, forcing them to entertain them.

However, it was not the Foreign Minister, the one in charge of overseeing international diplomacy, who arrived, but three civil servants from the Bureau of Foreign Relations.

The parlor they were ushered to was small, and even to Hikaru, the furnishings appeared unremarkable. In comparison to Luvain, draped in the simple yet opulent fabric of his Papal attire, the room was noticeably humble.

Now, what’s the plan? They still don’t appear eager for serious negotiations.

Concealed in a corner of the room with his Stealth, Hikaru went unnoticed by all. Despite it being daytime, his ability worked exceptionally well.

“Thank you for making the effort to come all this way,” said an official, a middle-aged man with a pallid complexion and prominent cheekbones. He observed Luvain and the Templars with a keen eye. “Are you here to offer an apology for deliberately spreading the Black Rot in our nation?”

“No!” a knight denied. “His Holiness has nothing to do with—”

Luvain lifted his right hand slightly, silencing him. “That is correct,” he said, openly recognizing the wrongdoing.

The officials were taken aback by this admission, and they fell silent.

“An apology is unquestionably warranted,” Luvain continued softly. “To deliver it, I must meet with His Imperial Majesty.”

“There’s no need for an audience with him. Here’s our list of demands.”

The official placed a paper listing the compensation terms on the table. Luvain gave it a cursory glance.

“It appears we need to discuss the details of these terms,” Luvain said impassively.

“There’s no room for negotiation. Given Bios’s resources, we find this payment entirely feasible.”

“Paying such an amount would essentially cripple the Theocracy’s operations, potentially causing starvation among the people.”

“What about those who perished in the Empire?”

“I will apologize on behalf of the Church before the Emperor. But please remember that many Church members worked tirelessly to minimize the damage within the Empire.”

The official scowled. Luvain made a great point. It was Healers who had stopped the spread of the Accursed Toxin, with Church members risking their lives to protect the populace.

“Furthermore, this document does not include terms for a ceasefire.” Luvain gestured toward the paper.

Without a ceasefire agreement, the Empire could continue its assaults.

“Correct. The compensation solely addresses the lives lost. Future strategies are a separate matter.”

“Not giving us any room for negotiation regarding this compensation is absurd. Do you believe our nation would accept such terms?”

“Hmm? Then, how about this? There’s one thing we want from your country. You give us that, and we can clear the Foreign Minister’s schedule.”

“…And what would that be?”

The official wore a smug grin, clearly expecting this.

“The renowned nun, Flower Face, the Wandering Saint. She worked tirelessly during the outbreak of the Black Rot. We’d like you to hand her over to the Empire.”

Hikaru couldn’t believe it. Paula’s name was the last thing he expected to hear.

Spellbreak Antidote, the spell used to counteract the Accursed Toxin, required at least a level 6 Healing Magic on the Soul Board to use. Such skilled individuals were exceedingly rare, maybe just one in the entire country. Even Luvain or Sophie of the Four Eastern Stars didn’t possess that level of proficiency, and Hikaru had to secretly upgrade their stats.

From what Paula had told him, there was only one person in the Quinbrand Empire capable of using Spellbreak Antidote. They primarily treated nobles, while Paula and Sophie dedicated themselves to helping the commoners.

It wasn’t clear if Paula was more famous than Sophie, or if they were both collectively known as Flower Face or Wandering Saint because they both wore masks. Nevertheless, the Empire had shown interest in Paula.

Hikaru felt the urge to intervene, but he restrained himself. Intense rage was emanating from Luvain.

Silence. It was definitely coming from him.

Even the common people could perceive it, an aura of some sorts that only a select few could possess. The officials’ audible gasp said they felt it, too.

“The Theocracy of Bios has acknowledged its past mistakes in treating nonhumans as slaves and is actively working toward their liberation. How could I, the Pope, engage in something akin to human trafficking?”

“U-Uh…”

The officials were drenched in sweat, unable to utter a word. Luvain’s faint smile carried an overwhelming pressure. Even the Knights Templar, who couldn’t see it, sweated profusely.

“Convey today’s full conversation to the Foreign Minister. Before your country suffers any losses.”

Luvain stood up and exited the room. The knights, snapping back to their senses, quickly followed him.

He’s a righteous man, all right.

Though already aware, Hikaru’s opinion of the man still improved, if only a little. Luvain might have considered that Silver Face was watching, but his actions represented the Church and the Theocracy of Bios.

Once the officials finally started moving, muttering things like “how arrogant” and “our country suffering losses?” Hikaru left the room. He doubted they’d bring the Foreign Minister here. This wouldn’t be resolved so easily.