episode_0059

The moment the Emperor threw his clothes aside and forced the Pope to choose between hell or heaven.

Except for the parties involved, there was definitely someone who was starting to get anxious.

Sure enough, thump thump, the sound of someone running down the hallway could be felt.

The sound stopped in front of my door, and soon a quick knock followed.

-Knock knock knock

“Elsa?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

“Oh, Your Grace. Please come in.”

“I apologize for interrupting your rest, but there is something urgent we need to discuss. Please join me.”

Who else could it be?

It was none other than the Marquis, the owner of the Kanosa Castle, which had suddenly become a tourist attraction.

It would have been more enjoyable to witness this historic showdown if it wasn’t happening right in front of my house.

Welcoming the New Year with the Pope as the first guest and the Emperor as the next guest. It was hard to hope for everything to go smoothly without any issues.

It was only natural that a task force was being assembled to handle this situation. I was actually looking forward to when the Marquis would arrive.

After nodding slightly to Lycia, I straightened my clothes.

Once I was ready, I was led by the Marquis to a room with a large table.

Although it was our first meeting, there were a few people who seemed like lower nobles already seated in the room.

After confirming that the desired individuals were all present, the Marquis cleared his throat a few times before speaking.

“As you all know, the negotiations have failed. His Majesty has no intention of welcoming His Holiness into the castle.”

“But how long can that be possible? What if some issue arises…?”

“Indeed. We must mediate between them. Any good suggestions?”

It was interesting to witness this spectacle, but unfortunately, it was happening right in front of my house.

Therefore, if the Emperor were to suddenly die here, it would be equally troublesome for both the Pope and the Marquis.

The Marquis only had two options now.

One, send the Emperor back gracefully. Two, persuade the Pope to enter the castle.

But persuading someone for the first time is difficult, let alone persuading them twice.

Personally, I thought it would be easier to persuade the Pope than the Emperor. And it seemed I wasn’t the only one who thought so, as the Marquis led the task force to knock on the Pope’s door.

-Knock knock knock

“….”

“No response.”

Even after several knocks, there was no response from the Pope. It was unlikely that the Emperor had left for lunch and a nap.

So the Marquis just shouted from outside.

“How about meeting the Emperor once? Perhaps he is truly repentant. He has made efforts to cross the Alps-”

“I don’t want to hear it! Leave.”

“Your Holiness…”

The hopeful persuasion failed before it even began, as the Pope firmly rejected it.

The landlord, who was chased away with just a word, could only turn back desolately. Having tasted the bitterness of hospitality, he weakly spoke up.

“It can’t be helped. Let’s try again tomorrow. Let’s meet here again the day after tomorrow.”

“Very well.”

“Isn’t there a chance that the Emperor might back down in the meantime? Your Holiness must have some thoughts as well.”

The first day’s meeting ended with the anticipation of the next day.

And on the second day.

As soon as I woke up early in the morning, the first thing I checked, of course, was outside the window.

Lycia, who had finally woken up quietly, came to my side and looked outside with me.

The snow that had fallen overnight lightly dusted the Emperor’s head. Other than that, nothing had changed.

The emperor was still standing in his place, holding on. Since he wasn’t lying down, it meant that he was still holding onto his life.

The girl pressed her eyes against the window sill with her fingers.

Her hands were smaller than mine, but the fact that they sank in as deep as a joint meant that last night was not easy.

“Amazing, truly.”

“At this point, even the Pope might not accept it. It doesn’t seem like an ordinary determination.”

“If it were ordinary people…”

If he were an ordinary person, would he have been summoned last night?

Thinking of the Pope upstairs, I didn’t dare say it out loud, but that kind of response was heard automatically.

I glanced at him for a moment and prepared to leave. It was time for the promised meeting.

The task force gathered again and rushed towards the Pope. The urgency in the Marquis’s knocking sound was escalating in real-time, louder and duller than yesterday.

“…Marquis Canossa, and Sir Raven, please come in.”

“Very well, Your Highness.”

But it seemed that it wasn’t just the Marquis’s business, as the Pope also seemed to be gradually burning with impatience. He didn’t ignore the Marquis’s knock today.

It was time to start guessing the results. Spending a night in a snowstorm with only one layer of clothing is not an ordinary determination.

“Come in.”

“Understood.”

Wait a minute. Why did they only call me and the Marquis?

Before I could figure out the situation, I was already pushed by the people into the room where the Pope was staying.

The remaining people outside left as soon as they heard the Pope’s words, and I found myself sandwiched between the Pope and the Marquis, like a pawn placed between them.

Trivial words about when the Emperor would step down passed briefly between the Marquis and the Pope.

After the conversation with no nutritional value ended, the Pope finally spoke to me.

“So, you are Sir Raven. Thanks to you, we were able to quickly hear the news that the Emperor is coming. I appreciate it.”

“It’s an honor, Your Highness.”

I raised my head and looked at the Pope. He was younger than I had thought.

He still had a light black beard, and the wrinkles on his face were not deeply set.

Other than that, there was nothing particularly distinctive about him. Compared to the accomplishment of making the Emperor submit, he was quite ordinary.

But that was only in appearance; his position was real. The name of leading all the followers of the Europa sect in the world was not to be taken lightly.

“I heard that the Emperor owes you his life. Your story might resonate better than others. Can you persuade the Emperor?”

I couldn’t say no in front of him.

So I decided to see the Emperor today. As soon as I stepped out, the only thing I saw was a snowman.

The Emperor was dressed the same as the day before. His shoes were still off to the side, but his coat was nowhere to be found, as if it had flown away somewhere during the night.

Nevertheless, he was standing upright. Although his body trembled slightly from time to time, it couldn’t be said that he was in good condition.

“Your Majesty, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Well, I don’t know how much longer I should stand here, so I should be fine. So, did the Pope say anything?”

“He suggested that Your Majesty should go to a warmer place.”

“Of course he did. But no matter what the Marquis says, I won’t listen to anything other than the order to enter. If you go back, tell him that I have no intention of doing so.”

The Emperor glanced at the spot where the Pope would be, then looked straight at me.

“To others, it may seem pathetic and foolish.”

“…”

“But there is a fate in this world that is more cruel than death. Knowing that, I cannot leave.”

I did not turn back even after hearing his response. It was partly because I was worried about his condition, but also because it seemed like he still had more to say, as he continued to gaze at me.

Why is he stalling like this to say something?

After a prolonged silence, the Emperor opened his mouth again.

“…Yes, please take good care of the Princess.”

No, why are you suddenly saying that?

*****

Up until the moment of departure from Alpen, Licia had been the Princess’s conversation partner.

Through this process, she learned about the Princess’s intentions and inner thoughts.

Starting with personal stories to gradually bridge the distance, when she finally asked about Raven, it was impossible not to know.

“Oh, so Your Highness has taken an interest in Raven’s power. Were there no other aspects that caught your attention?”

“Well… I don’t really have any other thoughts at the moment.”

“Then that’s fortunate.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing.”

She knew why the Princess had been so focused on Raven.

And Licia could somewhat reassure herself that there were no ulterior motives involved. Though she was still a bit uncertain as to why she felt relieved.

But the reason she didn’t immediately sever ties after finishing her business was due to a different reason.

It was because of the personal stories the Princess had initiated to become closer.

“Well, it seems like we’ve gotten a bit closer now.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course, Your Highness. So, let’s leave it at Raven for now and talk about something else, shall we?”

Heine, who had peeled back the Princess’s layers of reserve… was not as pitiful as she had expected.

Of course, she had no shortage of pitiful experiences in her own life, but there was no need to boast about it, especially in a situation like this.

So, whether this was an appropriate word to describe a person, she wasn’t sure.

If she had to express it, she would say he was an easy opponent.

That was because he would shower you with favors at the slightest hint of attention.

The precarious power struggle of the court. The Crown Prince who constantly challenged the Emperor’s authority. The nobles who professed loyalty in public but plotted rebellions in secret.

And even the cold father in everything. It brought to mind the desolate household she was familiar with.

Since she had been in a similar situation, Licia knew how to handle it experientially.

Just do as Raven does.

“Well, have you found peace after sharing all that’s on your mind?”

“…No.”

“Then until you find peace, let me tell you a story, Your Highness.”

Even if she couldn’t save everyone in the world, it was easy to put one person’s mind at ease.

It didn’t require much effort, so there was nothing she couldn’t do.

And the result of the old stories the girl had picked up and the countless compliments she had given.

“Are you still not up?”

“Early bird gets the worm!”

“….”

“Oh, Father. Are you coughing?”

Heine had learned the energetic morning slogan within just three days.

The Emperor couldn’t continue speaking in the face of this new form of mental domination.

Was this some kind of heretical ritual? Or had he fallen victim to some kind of mind magic?

Those doubts faded away only after he saw Heine playing with a certain girl.

Like Heine, the Emperor also had a deep knowledge of magic.

In fact, his experience was as vast as the years he had lived, and though he was not proficient, he had dabbled in magic himself, so he understood well the artistry Raven had displayed in Alpen.

He already knew the cute intentions behind why Heine had approached Licia.

Later, the more hidden daggers to be inserted into the Pope, the better. He wasn’t too concerned about one of them being taken by the girl.

But the girl reflected in his eyes was still innocent.

Could she not see her own worth? Was her name Lycia, or was she not very close with Heine?

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

The Emperor raised his head at the voice that interrupted his thoughts. The knight was standing in front of him.

Yes, everything that can be used must be used.

You never know.

That could someday become a dagger to stab the Pope.