Chapter 66 Part 4: Upheaval, Crisis

White hair, white eyes.

A mysterious aura emanated from his entire being.

His age was difficult to guess.

At first glance, he looked like a boy, but at another, a young man.

He was none other than the Pope.

The one called Semyel.

Silence fell upon the square.

The people were unable to understand the situation.

“Stop.”

The Pope spoke again.

The five judges looked to the Empress for guidance.

The Empress was also puzzled.

She gestured to the nobles around her.

But they all shook their heads, indicating they didn’t know.

Finally, the judge spoke.

“What is the meaning of this, Your Holiness?”

Pope Semyel answered.

“The Second Prince, his power is not of dark magic.”

After a pause.

He continued clearly.

“An oracle has been received. And the subject of that oracle, the Saint, has also been found.”

“What?!”

“An oracle…?”

Some of the nobles stirred.

This was truly an unprecedented event.

An oracle after half a century.

“An oracle… isn’t that the will of God?”

“Good heavens.”

There were such murmurings.

But what did the appearance of the subject of the oracle have to do with this trial?

The Empress’s expression hardened terrifyingly.

‘Could it be… Cayron?’

She even considered the worst-case scenario.

Finally, unable to contain herself, she rose from her seat.

“An oracle after half a century. This is indeed a momentous occasion. But there are procedures to a trial. You must explain, Pope. Why you are bringing this up now.”

The opponent was none other than the Pope.

In this country, at least, a country that worshipped God.

He was the only being she couldn’t speak down to.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

The Pope smiled faintly.

Savina found the smile unsettling.

And as expected.

The Pope’s words were shocking.

“The will of the Saint is the will of God. The Church will protect the Second Prince.”

“Protect…?”

The Empress was at a loss for words.

Rationally, the trial was over at this point.

“The Church is protecting the Second Prince.”

“Then… he didn’t use dark magic.”

Such conversations could be heard.

“Absurd-!”

The First Prince, Leon, jumped up.

His face was filled with disbelief.

“What is the meaning of this, coming out of nowhere. An oracle, a Saint. Can you prove your words?”

Everyone’s attention turned to the First Prince.

“It’s a simple matter. We don’t even know if those words are true. Right now, if we verify it at this very moment…”

Leon’s words trailed off.

The atmosphere around him felt strange.

But the most peculiar thing was the very existence of the one called the Pope.

He had lived a long life.

Longer than the recently deceased Emperor.

Yet he maintained a youthful appearance.

Two white pupils.

The Pope was once the subject of an oracle, a human who was a miracle in himself.

Just his silent presence exuded an unexplainable pressure.

“I left the secular world long ago and have no reason to lie.”

The Pope had the look of someone speaking the truth.

The protection of the Second Prince requested by Rosa.

It was absolute protection, not allowing even a scratch.

“Therefore, if this trial proceeds any further, it will be against the will of God.”

And after a long silence.

The trial was halted.

Had this been anticipated?

No, not at all.

Bewilderment rather than acceptance.

And more than that, a sense of crisis.

“Then, I will take it that this matter is resolved amicably.”

She bit her lip as she watched the Pope leave.

It was something completely unexpected.

If she had anticipated this, she would be no different from a god.

If she was the living power of the Empire, the Pope was a living miracle.

But because he had been away from the secular world for so long.

Many had forgotten.

Pope Semyel was a living miracle.

It had been half a century ago.

A terrible plague had swept across the continent.

Hundreds of people died every day.

It was a disease that turned the body to stone.

Now it had become known as Stone Disease, a trivial matter, but.

It was an undeniable fact that the Pope had saved countless lives.

Savina was also a survivor.

So for now, she retreated.

She realized once again.

The Church could also exercise power.

They simply chose not to.

The Second Prince was under the protection of a Saint.

The Pope’s words must have been true.

For the first time. Really, for the first time in her life.

Savina felt like a fool.

Bang-

The door opened.

Her son entered roughly.

“What is going on, Mother!”

The First Prince’s expression was agitated.

“Are you going to just let him go?”

The trial was already useless.

The mourning period was also over, so they could no longer detain the Second Prince.

“Calm down.”

Said Savina.

The First Prince, Leon, reacted as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Ha-“

A deep sigh.

Crash-

Fragments of a glass bottle flew.

“Calm down. Calm down! Do you think I can be calm right now?”

Leon’s expression was frustrated.

He glared at his mother.

Empress Savina was also human.

She was weak to her son.

But as her expression hardened, Leon slowly backed down.

“What are you doing in front of your mother…?”

“I apologize. I was momentarily overcome with anger.”

After a moment of silence, Leon spoke again.

But his expression was full of resentment.

“I have trusted you all this time, Mother.”

How many times had he said it?

“No matter what dirty tricks we had to use, I told you we had to get rid of him. Didn’t I tell you countless times?”

In reality, the reason he insisted so strongly.

Leon truly hated Caron.

He hated him from the bottom of his heart.

That hatred, of course, stemmed from inferiority.

The Second Prince was a thorn in his side.

Assassins, poison, ambushes.

He had tried to eliminate him several times using such methods, but.

“Every time, you were the one who stopped me, Mother.”

And what was the result?

‘If we had followed Leon’s plan……’

It would have surely led to troublesome consequences.

But that fact felt insignificant in the face of the enormous obstacle that had appeared.

“It’s not too late, even now.”

There can be no two suns under the sky.

“If he reaches Elchen, what will you do then?”

Leon had that much sense.

Having already confirmed their hostility.

He might declare independence or even retaliate.

“From now on, I will act on my own. I can’t make concessions this time, not even to you, Mother.”

Those were Leon’s determined eyes.

A cruel nature was glimpsed in them.

Suddenly, Savina realized.

‘Is there any point in restraining him now?’

In reality, what other options did they have?

They couldn’t just sit back and give up.

“Do not touch the Church.”

Leon left without answering.

Savina’s gaze sank.

She pondered deeply on how to navigate this situation.

The next day.

Caron finished preparing to leave.

“May all your endeavors be resolved amicably.”

“I will not forget the help you have given me.”

“We will meet again. His Holiness will be with us then.”

He exchanged farewells with Cardinal Emilio.

The Empress didn’t detain him.

No, it would be more accurate to say she couldn’t.

“I’m glad things worked out.”

Caron’s close aide, Max, said with a smile.

Fifty knights had gathered again.

Not a single one had been swayed.

“How can you trust those words?”

In retrospect, Max’s words were accurate.

Everyone had been ostracized in the Empire.

Now, Arnad was everyone’s home.

“When they sent us to the brink of death. They’re trying to persuade us to betray our comrades.”

Everyone chuckled.

“I’m curious, my lord. What happens now?”

At someone’s words, Caron answered.

“We’ll have to wait and see.”

But he was already certain in his heart.

The road back to Elchen.

It wouldn’t be smooth sailing.

They might resort to any means.

“So we will ride without rest.”

Of course, only up to the border of Elchen.

Caron actually hoped.

That Leon would give him justification.

Justification to move the troops.

So he had already instructed his subordinates.

If there was an ambush, capture some of the enemies alive.

It was a total of about fifty horses.

They leisurely exited the capital.

People were whispering.

Eyes filled with curiosity.

“He doesn’t seem completely empty-headed, though.”

Max said those words.

Of course, he was referring to the First Prince, Leon.

“Well, yes.”

Caron thought to himself.

‘They probably couldn’t help it.’

The Pope had intervened directly.

That fact was actually unexpected even for Caron.

‘But thanks to that.’

At least he was able to leave the capital safely.

Even if they were rash, on the day the Pope announced the oracle, no less.

‘They must have judged that an ambush in the capital was too risky.’

If that rash move had been made, it would have been the biggest threat.

Caron was grateful to Rosa.

The decision to announce it on the day of the trial.

That insight of hers had saved everyone.

And some time after leaving the capital.

Only then did the knights start to chatter.

But they were only whispering among themselves, unable to bring themselves to ask directly.

Caron looked beside him.

Max also had a strange expression.

‘As if…’

Like he was itching to say something but couldn’t.

When their eyes met, he seemed to gain courage.

“Um… my lord.”

Max’s cautious expression.

Caron already knew what he was going to ask.

“My consort.”

“…Yes?”

“The Saint. The one who asked for my protection.”

After Caron’s statement.

“Whaaat?!”

Strange groans erupted from everywhere.

But it was only for a moment.

“Is it true?! My lord!”

Max’s mouth was wide open.

His expression was full of astonishment.

In fact, he almost fell off his horse.

“Her Grace… is a Saint.”

The flow of that conversation was heard by all the other knights.

Astonishment spread in an instant.

At first, the knights were shocked, but then they cheered loudly.

“Congratulations, my lord!”

“No wonder she seemed different.”

“She’s kind, she’s beautiful. But I didn’t know she was a Saint.”

The atmosphere was hot.

“Such a blessing for the Archducal family.”

“So, is she a Saintess, then?”

There was a Saintess mentioned only in legends.

The first Saintess.

The woman the founder of Elchen, Iolad, had longed for.

Usually, a female Saint was called a Saintess.

“Come to think of it, she’s similar.”

In the legends, Eustacia was also a beautiful woman with silver hair.

The owner of warm and gentle red eyes.

“Could she be her reincarnation?”

“Maybe. Wasn’t it said that Eustacia also had a gentle personality?”

“You fool. Then, is our lord the reincarnation of Iolad?”

“Heh-“

Empty laughter spread.

The only one who was quiet was Caron.

It was about a completely unexpected part.

“I’ve never seen Eustacia.”

At his somewhat out-of-place words, Max replied.

“Oh… of course, you wouldn’t have.”

Because Eustacia was a figure from a long time ago.

“But I know without looking that Rosa is more beautiful.”

“…”

The surrounding knights were all dumbfounded.

But he couldn’t help but say those words.

Caron was secretly feeling displeased.

A woman as beautiful, kind, wise, and considerate as Rosa.

And on top of that, a good helpmate.

There couldn’t possibly be two such women in this world.

Throughout all of history.

Caron’s inner thoughts were evident on his face.

Only then did the knights chime in.

“Ahaha, that’s right.”

“Absolutely, my lord!”

“Even the goddess-like Eustacia couldn’t compare to Her Grace!”

The weather was quite cool.

The knights’ laughter filled the air.

But it was only a brief moment of peace.

Soon, it would be a prelude to a storm.

At the same time.

Rosa stood before everyone.

All the maids of the Archducal household.

Hamel, who had already been informed.

A large crowd gathered in the square.

Priests dispatched from the nearby monastery.

Nobles from nearby estates who had been summoned.

Right beside her stood Cardinal Lazaro.

“Then. Shall we begin?”

Cardinal Lazaro said with a smile.

She stood on the platform.

“Today, the reason I have gathered you all here…”

Rosa cleared her throat.

‘Sigh, I’m nervous…’

So it was hard to get the words out.

She met Freya’s eyes in the front row.

She smiled at Rosa, as if to encourage her.

‘Don’t feel pressured, Your Grace.’

She mouthed those words.

Rosa gained courage from that.

She spoke again.

“The reason is… to tell you an important fact about myself.”

Murmurs spread.

Everyone looked curious.

They had no idea.

Why the Archduchess had summoned them.

Finally, Rosa blurted it out.

“That is because I am the Saint who recently received an oracle.”

Silence descended amidst the astonishment.