Chapter 122 : Chapter 122

Chapter 122

A variable.

It was an unwelcome word for Eurasia and Killian, who had a long way to go.

For him, who had been hostile towards the Gods and sealed in a blade for a long time, visiting the Holy Nation was…

‘Like telling me to voluntarily walk into a den of variables.’

Memories from his time as a sword, now fading, came to mind.

‘…….’

He had visited the Holy Nation before with a partner prior to Edan.

Just stepping into the Holy Nation, not even the Papal Office where the Pope resided, felt suffocating.

‘The Gods’ hostility was palpable.’

Afterward, during Edan’s time, he had helped a few times when that guy almost caused trouble by charming a Divine Maiden, but it was only using his Authority from the border, not visiting the Holy Nation directly.

‘The Papal Office is a collection of temples.’

A place where various priests who serve the Gods are concentrated.

Twenty cardinals would be stationed around the Pope, and it was highly likely that they, being former chief priests, possessed Divine Objects.

‘At least twenty people like Pierre. Furthermore, in the Papal Office where the Pope resides, there is a Saintess .’

Among ordinary female priests, those with particularly high divine power are selected as Divine Maidens , and the Saintess is the one with the highest authority among those Divine Maidens.

‘I heard the current Saintess’s authority is comparable to the Pope’s… this is not good.’

There was no telling what would happen if I went to the Papal Office reeking of the Grotesquery's energy.

Bring the Annihilation Squad?

‘Their weapons would be confiscated upon entry. Even if I brought the Annihilation Squad without Aether, they wouldn't be a significant force.’

Bring Hazard?

‘If they found out Hazard’s identity, that the Chief Priest of Pantera was being pushed around by a dragon, they wouldn’t let him go easily.’

However, if he didn’t accept the Pope’s proposal, it was clear that the burden he would have to bear in the future war with the Empire would only increase.

No matter which choice he made, the future that unfolded was not good.

‘The Holy Kingdom Luminescia. Does this mean I have to visit it at least once?’

Luminescia had adopted a theocracy.

The Pope and high-ranking priests made important state decisions, and the king ruled by receiving delegated authority from the representatives of the Gods.

The Pope, who could be called the real power in such a place, had insisted on his visit.

‘What is he thinking?’

“You don’t look well. If it’s about the Grotesquery’s energy, I plan to offer an additional explanation.”

“That’s not much of a comfort. Do you really not have any idea?”

“Unfortunately, no. His Holiness simply expressed a desire to see the person we discussed.”

“……”

“Eurasia will not do anything to harm the Holy Nation, correct? Just as I, Pierre de Pantera, have guaranteed.”

The Chief Priest asked with a stern expression.

“Well, that’s true, but.”

“Well, seeing how Lord Pantera reacted through you, I do think you are related in one way or another.”

“So you’re telling me to go and die.”

“No matter what, this is as far as I can help. If you do not follow His Holiness’s words……”

Pausing for a moment, Pierre shook his head.

“The matter of the medium-sized Warp Gate can no longer proceed.”

“……”

“……”

As if quite pleased with his own pressure, Pierre smirked.

“Think about it. I cannot wait for long.”

“I’ll reply soon. Let’s go back, Hazard.”

[Grrr~]

Hazard lifted its front paw and wagged its tail.

“Heup…”

Pierre flinched and respectfully bowed his head.

***

For two days after his return, Killian holed himself up in his room.

While he was wrestling with an unsolvable problem, Haman paid him a visit.

“You don’t look well, sir. Did you cause some kind of trouble?”

“Our Chamberlain, after receiving the Head Apothecary’s protection, seems to fear nothing.”

“Hehe. Of course not.”

“What is that?”

Killian asked, looking at the object in Haman’s hand.

“It’s a specially crafted potion.”

“Specially crafted?”

At the question, Haman puffed out his chest.

“It’s a special potion where if you brew a hundred bottles, you might complete one. Hehehe.”

He added quietly with a confident smile that the Head Apothecary had acknowledged it.

‘He has been spending more time with the Head Apothecary lately. Was he researching a new recipe?’

A new recipe was something worth trying only after one had a complete understanding of the basic recipe.

It was still an early stage for an intermediate apothecary.

But the Head Apothecary had not only let Haman research recipes but had also lent him a personal apothecary.

‘Is this the treatment for a prized disciple?’

Stamina that rivaled a knight’s.

Mana sensitivity on par with a mage’s.

The effort and perseverance to endure both the Chamberlain’s duties and physical training simultaneously.

And even the social skills he acquired while assisting Killian.

In Loen’s eyes, Haman must have looked like an uncut gem.

“So why bring that here?”

“Ahem. I brought it to give to you, Prince. There are no side effects, so you don’t have to worry.”

“How thoughtful. It seems my investment in you is finally paying off.”

“Hehehehe.”

“Stop laughing and just tell me its effect.”

“Please don’t be surprised.”

“I won’t be.”

“It can erase one’s presence.”

“……”

“……?”

“Is that all?”

A dry laugh escaped him at the less-than-impressive effect.

“It’s not just about hiding one’s presence!”

A flustered Haman raised his voice.

“It can ‘completely’ erase one’s presence. The Annihilation Squad is familiar with basic concealment using mana, but there’s a limit to completely erasing their presence, isn’t there? That’s why I completed this while researching related potions!”

A single bottle completed after testing hundreds.

But he said that with this one bottle, one could remain undetected by any detection magic for an hour.

“……”

Killian’s eyes sank.

“Indeed… was there such a method.”

“……?”

“It might be possible.”

“Possible? What is, sir?”

“Where is Head Apothecary Loen?”

“Uh… She’s in the apothecary, but.”

“Bring that and follow me.”

Killian took the potion and visited the apothecary.

A week passed like that.

The members who would have an audience with the Pope were selected.

***

“We are visiting the Papal Office as representatives of Eurasia. Isn’t your luggage a bit too light?”

Julian, who had arrived at the Pantera Temple a step later than Killian, asked.

In his hands, clad in the Blue Knight Order’s light armor, was a backpack, not a sword.

“What’s with all that luggage? We’re not going on a trip.”

“You know so little about diplomacy. So you do have your shortcomings, don’t you?”

“……”

“If it weren’t for the limit on companions, I would have brought a hefty donation.”

Julian licked his lips, saying that if he could have brought a merchant guild, he would have prepared properly and built a close relationship with the Holy Nation on this occasion.

Killian quietly clicked his tongue.

‘Should I have taken Demian or Paian after all?’

Since those two had gone to Cornelia and the Eastern Frontier respectively, he had asked Julian, who remained in the kingdom, to accompany him.

Emma Eurasia and Julian had made such a fuss upon hearing they had received an invitation from the Pope.

If Pierre hadn't mentioned the limit on companions, they would have formed a delegation and the visit would have been delayed for a long time.

“The temple is sparkling clean down to the floor. The priests must be earning a good living.”

Julian’s companion, a knight carrying a backpack as large as his build, said.

“Hector, I believe I told you to fix that vulgar way of speaking.”

At Julian’s cold voice, Hector showed a silly grin.

“What does it matter? It’s not like I’m a vice-commander like that Jesse fellow. Politeness is something that starts from the vice-commander up.”

“Haa… You…”

“Centurion Hector, Sir Julian is visiting the Papal Office as a prince, not a commander. Although it seems he wants to show off his commandership by wearing light armor, you too should not act rashly.”

“Killian, the reason I’m wearing light armor is to show that Eurasia is a kingdom of knights…”

“Kehehe, I understand. I will be careful, Tactician.”

“Today, I’m not the Tactician but the Fourth Prince. Be mindful of your titles.”

“Yep.”

“These guys… Hector, you follow Killian’s words as if they were gospel.”

“How could that be? I remain in the Blue Knight Order because I like you, Commander. Otherwise, I would have followed Commander Xenon or Vice-commander Huan and transferred to the Yellow Knight Order long ago.”

“Hmph.”

Julian answered by clicking his tongue.

“Hehehe.”

“Tsk.”

“Kehehehe.”

“Tsk.”

Contrary to his reaction, he didn’t look displeased.

Even if it meant being treated like a porter, he had chosen Centurion Hector as his companion instead of Vice-commander Jesse.

‘Did they get closer after being captured together?’

Considering how he used to not be acknowledged even by the centurions, this was great progress.

‘You seem more suited to the role of commander than before, Julian.’

He gestured with his chin towards the empty spot next to Killian.

“Did you not call for a companion?”

“I did. They should be waiting downstairs.”

“……?”

Just then, a priest came out from the temple and greeted them.

“Please follow me. The Chief Priest is waiting.”

Guided by the priest, they reached the basement where the warp stone exclusive to priests was installed.

Pierre and a few other priests were waiting there.

And next to them stood a woman with long, purple hair.

“It has been a while, Prince Julian.”

Sharle slightly lifted the hem of her skirt and paid her respects.

“Princess Sharle…? What brings you here…”

“Oh my, didn’t Sir Killian tell you?”

“……?”

“I am his companion.”

“……!!”

“Ooh.”

Julian and Hector showed contrasting reactions.

“It’s good to have a skilled mage with us, just in case.”

“I am grateful that you not only extended a grand invitation but also rate my skills so highly.”

“I-I see. Thank you for joining us, Princess.”

Sharle smiled brightly and turned her eyes to Killian.

“Sir Killian, you look as healthy as ever?”

“I am. I managed to solve a problem that had been nagging me.”

“……”

“……”

The two quietly exchanged glances.

Right now, Killian was tinged with the energy emanating from the piece of the Grotesquery.

‘Pierre said he explained it well, but I can’t just trust that and enter the Holy Nation.’

So, he had requested a potion that could hide the Grotesquery’s energy through the Head Apothecary.

‘She increased the concentration. A single bottle can suppress the energy enough to be undetectable for about ten hours.’

He had brought five painstakingly completed potions, so he would have enough time for a short visit.

“It seems the greetings are over.”

Pierre interjected.

“Third Prince Julian Eurasia and his companion Knight Hector, Fourth Prince Killian Eurasia and his companion Sharle Cornelia.

I will now transport these four to the Papal Office.”

As he instructed in a business-like tone, the priests infused the gate with their divine power.

A pure white, round gate formed above the warp stone.

“Weren’t we moving through a warp stone?”

Unlike a warp stone, a Warp Gate could be used even by non-mana users.

However, since it consumed a vast amount of divine power, it was generally not used unless for long-distance travel of a large number of people or for diplomatic delegations of national importance.

“Normally, it is customary to use a warp stone… but His Holiness, in consideration of your efforts, has specially permitted travel via the Warp Gate.”

In other words, it meant they could reach the Papal Office in a single trip without the hassle of transferring.

It was an unprecedented privilege.

“To be able to use the temple’s famous Warp Gate. It is an honor.”

Sharle approached the gate made of divine power and let out a string of exclamations, as if looking at a rare object.

Killian interjected with an indifferent tone.

“With Cornelia’s technology, it’s not impossible to create a Warp Gate made of mana.”

“Possessing a Magic Tower doesn’t make one omnipotent. In the end, it is humans who operate the Magic Tower.”

“That sounds like sour grapes to those who don’t even possess a Magic Tower.”

“Sir Killian, you have a tendency to blindly trust in mana.”

“It’s not blind trust, but conviction.”

While they were talking about the warp stone and the gate.

‘Is that fellow Killian really dating Princess Sharle?’

‘A date under the pretext of official duty… Impressive at such a young age, Tactician. Hehehe…’

‘Putting Princess Sharle aside, to choose such idiots as his party. Is he trying to cause a diversion, Killian Eurasia?’

The three different gazes swept over the two, but they didn't pay much mind.

In the end, the conversation was settled only when Pierre intervened.

“I have given the Fourth Prince a prior warning, but to be this chaotic even before departure is deeply concerning. All of you must be mindful of your words and actions upon arriving at the Papal Office.”

His gaze, after a sigh, was fixed on Killian.

“I feel like I’m being treated as a troublemaker.”

“Sir, you are not without such a tendency.”

“Enough with the chatter. Prince Julian, you cross the gate first.”

At Pierre’s words, Julian stepped forward.

“Hmph. Let us all meet in the Holy Nation.”

After fumbling for a moment with the temple’s gate, which he was using for the first time, a nervous Julian crossed over.

Hector and Sharle followed in order.

And then it was Killian’s turn.

“You’ve prepared thoroughly. That’s a good attitude.”

“I’m an unbeliever.”

“How impudent. When you meet the Saintess…”

Ignoring Pierre’s words.

Hwuljjeok.

Killian stepped into the gate.

Without a single thought of the events he would soon be embroiled in.

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