Ch.195195. The Imperial Princess and the Saint

Recently, the Empire has been incredibly busy preparing for the heir’s investiture ceremony, which had been vacant for a long time. The imperial family intended to hold a grand and magnificent ceremony, befitting the importance of filling this long-empty position.

A month ago, the Empire had already dispatched envoys to all nations with which it maintained relations, including neighboring countries, to extend invitations. These nations, eager to maintain good relations with the Empire—which wielded tremendous influence across the continent—hastily assembled delegations and sent them to the imperial capital.

Most delegations were led by crown princes or princesses who would become the next rulers of their kingdoms, accompanied by key figures of power. Interest in the Empire’s next ruler was not just an internal matter but a major topic of discussion throughout the entire continent.

As time passed, delegations from various countries began arriving in the capital of the Infractus Empire, starting about a week before the investiture ceremony.

“Good heavens, it seems even the Republic has sent a delegation.”

“Do you mean to tell me that a simpleton like you can recognize the Republic’s emblem?”

“I may be uneducated, but I know that much! Look, the Captain of the Wings of Freedom Knights has come to escort the delegation!”

“Wings of Freedom?”

When Bill expressed his confusion during their conversation amidst the welcoming crowd, his close friend Henry clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“You call me ignorant, yet you’re worse than I am! Even a three-year-old knows that the Republic was established thanks to the Wings of Freedom Knights and their captain, Ventoman Libertas.”

“If we’re talking about the Republic’s predecessor, wouldn’t that be the Democra Duchy? Could a mere knightly order really make that possible?”

“Watch your tongue! Talk like that is a good way to get yourself stabbed somewhere!”

Henry, startled by Bill’s careless words, slapped his tree-trunk-like arm with his pot-lid-sized palm. Simultaneously, he glanced around to make sure no one had overheard their conversation.

Fortunately, their words seemed to have been drowned out by the crowd that had gathered to see the Wings of Freedom Knights.

“Phew. I guarantee you’ll get into serious trouble someday because of that mouth of yours.”

“Is it that serious?”

“Yes, the Wings of Freedom Knights are famous enough that their influence extends throughout the continent. They’ve criticized the entire continent in the name of equality—imagine how powerful they must be.”

“But the Republic…”

“Just shut up for once!”

Henry clenched his fist and cut off Bill, who was about to make a potentially dangerous statement that could get them arrested for seditious thoughts.

Indeed, the capital guards dispatched to control the dense crowd were already eyeing them with sharp suspicion. The guards had determined that Henry and Bill’s conversation was approaching a dangerous level, ready to deal with any potential dissidents.

If Henry hadn’t noticed those gazes and stopped Bill, they might have been labeled as rebellion instigators and sent straight to the capital’s prison.

After the Horizon Incident, authorities had become particularly sensitive to such matters, so exercising caution was the wisest course of action.

Fortunately, the quick-witted Henry had covered Bill’s mouth, preventing the capital guards from resorting to force.

“One more careless word and we’ll end up in prison, so be careful!”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be careful.”

“Anyway, it’s undeniable that their skills are exceptional. Especially the captain’s swordsmanship, which is said to be among the top three on the continent—what more needs to be said?”

“I’ve heard rumors, but I didn’t realize it was to that extent. I’m not sure if I should ask this, but how does he compare to the Sword Saint?”

“That’s an endless debate among enthusiasts. I’m curious about that myself.”

The two men watched as the Republic’s delegation passed by. Though they had discussed much about them, the real reason they had come to see this procession had nothing to do with the Republic.

“The Holy Maiden has arrived!”

“Bill, it seems she has finally come!”

“Damn, I never thought I’d see her in my lifetime!”

Bill and Henry knelt down, following the example of others who had spontaneously dropped to their knees in reverence.

The flower of the Holy Empire, called the daughter of the chief deity—

Holy Maiden Veronica had officially arrived in the capital of the Infractus Empire.

***

Gilbert quietly observed Veronica, surrounded by the welcoming crowd.

Although she was an artificial holy maiden created out of necessity by the Holy Empire, to ordinary commoners, she was equivalent to the daughter of God who appeared in historical texts.

Veronica was especially popular among commoners because she frequently engaged in charitable activities under the name of pilgrimage whenever she had the opportunity.

Given that someone of her lofty position as a holy maiden personally looked after the welfare of the people, commoners couldn’t help but equate her with the legendary holy maidens known for their benevolence.

Moreover, despite being artificial, it was said that the holy power Veronica possessed rivaled that of the genuine holy maidens of ancient times.

Gilbert himself had witnessed her miracles on more than one occasion, so he had no doubt about the power she possessed.

But that can’t be related to the System, can it?

Gilbert continued to wonder about this point.

Veronica could perform miracles with her unfathomably deep holy power, but that didn’t mean it was omnipotent. Even with her supernatural holy power, she could only accomplish things within the realm of comprehensible possibility.

However, the System applied to Gilbert existed in a realm that couldn’t exist in reality.

It was something bestowed solely upon an individual, inexplicable by any laws of this world—truly an incomprehensible domain.

Though it might sound odd coming from Gilbert, who benefited from the System, even he sincerely acknowledged it as an unreasonable power.

Yet the notification window sent by this System—or more precisely, some entity that spoke to him through that window—had mentioned that if he found the holy maiden, he might learn what he had been curious about.

The message had added something cryptic about lacking causality and needing to secure it, but in any case, meeting her might reveal why he had come to this other world and how to return to his original one.

Though it wouldn’t be easy to meet such an important guest of the Holy Empire, he just needed to find a way. After all, Gilbert’s own social position in the Empire was not insignificant, so it wasn’t impossible.

Having confirmed the holy maiden’s presence, Gilbert prepared to leave to arrange a meeting with her.

Did our eyes just meet?

As he was turning away after observing Veronica from within the crowd, Gilbert thought he had momentarily locked eyes with her.

No, it wasn’t his imagination.

As he tilted his head slightly in confusion, Veronica gave him a gentle eye-smile and mouthed a single word.

Though he wasn’t skilled in lip-reading, he could easily interpret what she said.

“Shall I come to you?”

Gilbert furrowed his brow, trying to understand her meaning.

But what interpretation could there be for such a direct question about visiting him?

In any case, if her goal was also to meet him, they would find out when they actually met.

Gilbert nodded lightly and looked forward to their future encounter.

***

Seraphina was composing herself before the start of the investiture ceremony. From the moment she had become aware of her position as a member of the imperial family, her first step had been to become the crown princess.

Her goal, which she had pledged while studying imperial governance, was to make the Infractus Empire a better place for its subjects. To achieve this, she needed to ascend to the highest position in the empire, and becoming the heir—the crown princess—was the first step.

Fortunately, with her innate talent and exceptional eye for talent, she had easily reached the vicinity of the heir’s position, but she had lacked the final decisive factor to secure the crown princess title.

Her father, the supreme ruler of the empire, had spent a long time testing potential successors to carefully select an heir, and these tests had continued until recently.

Fortunately, Seraphina, who had made significant contributions during the Horizon Incident, was finally able to ascend to the position of crown princess.

Of course, she wasn’t fully satisfied. Although the position of crown princess didn’t change easily, there had been precedents.

Especially with an emperor who had tested successors for so long that he had left the heir’s position vacant, he might replace her if she didn’t meet his expectations.

Seraphina didn’t consider the crown princess position as the end.

Rather, she saw it as just the beginning.

She considered this merely the starting line and was already preparing for what came next.

However, Seraphina had recently developed a concern. Something that had never been a consideration before had suddenly appeared on her mental chopping block.

Gilbert Lion Hart.

Even as she composed herself, Seraphina’s mind was filled with thoughts of her disciple, Gilbert.

During the preparations for the investiture ceremony, she had summoned Gilbert for some reason that could be called a notion or an obsession. And she had demanded that he take the position of her consort.

In retrospect, it was strange. It wasn’t something she would normally consider, nor was it a matter to be brought up carelessly.

Given the current political situation in the empire, the position of consort was by no means an easy one. The consort position she had demanded Gilbert take could be seen as a diplomatic card, barring special circumstances.

As is typical for those with blue blood, even marriage was an extension of politics. It was a weapon for forming the strongest marital alliance and a card that could be played most valuably.

The position of consort to Seraphina, who would soon become the crown princess, was not something to be offered frivolously, as it could be expected to have significant political propaganda effects.

Of course, as she became crown princess, there was a need to find someone for the position beside her. The initial proposal to Gilbert for the consort position was for the purpose of producing an heir.

However, at that time, Seraphina had proceeded with the matter out of a possessive desire to have Gilbert, more than anything else.

Fortunately, the rational Gilbert had persuaded Seraphina that things should proceed after the most important heir investiture ceremony, and she had agreed to postpone the official announcement.

Thinking about it now, it was a blessing. Even though she had said it herself, it wasn’t a decision made with rationality and reason, but one driven by impulse.

But he wouldn’t be bad as a disciple.

Though she thought it was an irrational and unreasonable statement, it made her feel like she had seen Gilbert’s true nature again.

Being human, she would sometimes make wrong judgments and incorrect decisions, and having someone who could appropriately prevent those gave her psychological stability.

Moreover, his family, the Hart Earldom, was a family of loyal subjects who had never once stood against the imperial family throughout the empire’s long history.

For Seraphina, who aimed to establish strong imperial authority after becoming empress, Gilbert had sufficient qualities to be a good partner.

Above all, his exceptional talent in handling the God-Machine Soldiers, which represented the continent’s military might, meant he would be helpful both politically and militarily, without even needing to see it.

And in terms of personal preference, he’s not bad either…

Seraphina cleared her throat unnecessarily.

From the moment she had set her sights on the emperor’s position, Seraphina had cast aside all personal likes and dislikes about herself, but after meeting Gilbert, she found him to be a man who not only helped strengthen imperial authority but also matched her preferences well.

His past rumors and reputation had long since disappeared, and what remained was a hero of the empire with innate talent in God-Machine Soldier control.

Seeing his enterprising appearance and drive, she couldn’t help but be attracted to him. For reasons even she couldn’t understand, she had proposed the consort position, but when considering everything with a clear mind, it wasn’t a bad condition.

Seraphina shook her head lightly as if to brush off the thoughts she had been having. Regardless of the good conditions and her preferences, she needed to withdraw her statement.

First, she needed to solidify her position as crown princess and consider whether there were better conditions. So she decided to set aside her personal regrets and withdraw her statement.

Seraphina completed all preparations to transition from an imperial princess to the crown princess, thinking about the investiture ceremony that was about to begin.

***

“That would be difficult, I’m afraid.”

“Wouldn’t that depend on Lord Gilbert’s judgment?”

Seraphina had to suppress her erupting anger as she looked at the smugly smiling holy maiden of the Holy Empire.

Despite all the resolutions she had made before the investiture ceremony.