Chapter 369 – Audience -2-

“The Federation and Nema Natas… You have to decide which sword is closer.”

Just as the emperor knew Roman’s general tendencies.

Likewise, Roman was aware of the tendencies and temperament of an old man named Falcone Lancaster.

‘I don’t want to conclude here, and it’s not a topic I want to talk about at length.’

In fact, that raccoon probably doesn’t care much about whether the empire collapses or not after he dies.

As for Nema Natas, he probably intended to hand it over to the prince who would sit as the next emperor, just like his father did.

I have that confidence. Looking at Lancaster’s recent way of running the empire, the saint also sympathizes with it.

The emperor was more cautious than in the past, but along with that, his fear also increased.

I don’t know what caused the old man to have a change of heart, but at some point, he began to envision a future in which there would be no worries, peace, and luxury.

Even now, the only goal is to avoid urgent change and maintain the status quo without turbulence.

If you do not immediately feel that your position as emperor is in jeopardy, it will be difficult to persuade you.

Now comes the most important part.

‘First of all, the information the imperial family has is vast, but it is not perfect.’

After talking a few words, Roman’s hypothesis turned into certainty.

The ruler of the empire knew that a black lump called Nema Natas was located in the power class and deep within.

However, there was not a single clear physical evidence to say that the information was complete.

These are things I was understanding by reading the circumstances over a long period of time.

‘There are a lot of guys too big to push based on suspicion alone.’

Although the emperor was suspicious of Enoch Skadi’s corruption, he did not expect that he would be building a deep relationship with the three knights of the empire, as shown in the letter written by the saint and Roman.

If he had known about it in advance, it is highly unlikely that he would have made an unconventional offer to recruit the Marquis.

Perhaps he is now regretting giving up the Marquis’ head.

“As an adventurer, your insight was helpful. I understand what you want to say.”

“Thank you.”

“But… If you focus all your attention on the blade of Nema Natas, which is closer than the Federation, you are opening a gap for the Federation.”

“I understand that too.”

An undesirable look blooms on the emperor’s wrinkled face.

Something that was naturally expected.

Lancaster would like me, an adventurer who can leave at any time, to remain quiet and not touch sensitive parts of the empire any further.

‘So the face asks what to do.’

This was the price I paid for picking up a beehive, thinking it was beneficial to inflict trauma on me.

Originally, the ideal picture was to give away a marquis who was not a member of the emperor’s faction but gave off an unpleasant vibe.

If things went well, he would have seen it as an opportunity to completely place Platinum in the empire.

“It’s difficult. If you cut off all the branches just because they’re diseased, the huge tree called the Empire may lose its life.”

“Of course. Even if the people holding key positions are contaminated, we also recognize that they are currently allowing the empire to breathe.”

In fact, this is probably a survival method developed by a group called Nema Natas over a long period of time.

Even if you know them, they are difficult to cut out, people who need to be taken care of right now because it will take time to replace them.

From the emperor’s perspective now, if it doesn’t explode, he has no choice but to move forward without holding on.

“I know very well. And it’s not just the imperial family that knows the dirty side of the empire.”

“Is there anyone else?”

“Typically, the first and second knights. Now, the fifth knight of the Dritna family who heard this story will also be included. There are also famous wizards included.”

The two people except Eclair, who silently stood next to them and listened to the information in real time.

Asen Primiller and Belk Amaranth.

As the best knights the emperor can command, the Asen Primillers are the pillars that solidify Lancaster’s power.

“But Your Majesty-“

When Roman tried to argue again, the Emperor raised his hand to stop Roman from speaking and then opened his mouth.

“This may sound funny to an adventurer who has developed his insight through running and clashing with his feet, but even I know the dangers of warlocks.”

“···.”

“I understand the argument you want to make, and I think it is morally sound. But from my point of view, looking at it calmly, I think it is difficult to extract Nema Natas in the current situation.”

“···.”

“There are knights who are said to be the best on the continent. I am of the position that even if there is a revolt led by the three knights, it will not be a big problem to suppress it.”

3 From the emperor’s point of view, a knight is someone who is difficult to kill or save.

Even though he is a dangerous person, it is a sharp sword that can be wielded if desired. He is one of those individuals whose mere presence has the power to suppress conflict with the Federation.

A picture of two people trying to persuade each other with their words.

The rotation continued until each person’s head smelled like burnt smoke.

“Your majesty.”

“Whew, speak up.”

The emperor let out a long snort as Roman seemed to have not wavered his opinion yet.

“Certainly, depending on one’s perspective, Nema Natas may be a necessary evil. Perhaps its mere existence may have served as a motivation for the growth of the knights.”

“Well, that’s the story… I think you know better, no need to explain any further.”

The emperor laughed as he listened to the sentences coming out of Roman’s mouth.

“However, I think the part you just mentioned was more of an attempt to persuade me rather than an advantage.”

“That’s right. There seems to be solid evidence. I’m worried that you’re planning to run up to the third knight and attack him.”

“Your Majesty. It’s been a while since I was so energetic.”

“···.”

Lancaster swallowed his words and muttered his wrinkled mouth.

“If you look at the conclusion, the most important issue is that the Empire is making a fuss to root out the warlocks, so if things turn around, there is a high possibility that the Federal Bureau will take advantage… I think you are worried about that.”

“That’s right. It’s not that unlikely.”

“But it would be difficult for the Federal Government to have enough time to turn its attention to the Empire.”

“···What do you mean? It’s been a long time since I felt this anxious about hearing someone’s answer.”

Wrinkles around the eyes become darker.

A part of the emperor’s mind had been thinking that he had been called for no reason.

“I plan to use the saint’s power to meet the saint in the Federal Bureau and overturn the Nema Natas there first.”

The emperor’s eyes widened in surprise.

He then shook his head vigorously and nailed down his position.

“No matter how sacred and just the intention is, it is difficult to allow.”

The Federation Church also believes in the same goddess as the Empire Church.

The empire has served one god since the past, but since the beginning of the federal state was a gathering of different races, there was a time in the past when polytheism was allowed.

As time passed, it eventually changed into a form that worshiped only the goddess, like an empire.

The first thing that is different is whether there is an agent of the goddess. I will decide whether it exists or not.

I heard that the current sainthood in the Federation is occupied by male elves with good bloodlines.

The federal government does not have a person who listens to the voice of the goddess, but is a form in which the superiors gather to elect a saint among their children and seat him there.

Contrary to his name, a saint does not need divine power. Only a certain level of bloodline is required.

Unlike a saint, she is closer to the owner of the upper class who is solely involved in the operation of the religious order.

Believers in the Empire used to click their tongues at the philistine form, but in the Commonwealth, that form has been continued for so long that it is now a natural picture.

“If I have some free time without Your Majesty’s permission, I will try to attend a drinking party invited by the Third Knight.”

“···He invited you?”

Roman’s smile reflected in Lancaster’s eyes is extremely unsettling.

“The three of us had a drink with the 4 knights with whom I had a conflict, and we decided to let go of the troubles of the past. I had rejected him several times with harsh words, but he seemed kind enough to keep sticking with me and wanting me to come… How could I, who had no title, offer such advice? Would you like to refuse?”

“Wait a moment, just a moment…!”

It gave her a headache because my purpose was clearly visible among the various requirements.

4 If the knight has a fiery temper that only asks whether his son will come or not. 3 It is a famous fact that the knight has an ice-cold personality that does not care about his children or his parents.

From the emperor’s point of view, who had experienced those two things directly and knew Juergena’s true affiliation, it was clear that the purpose of the two knights was to do something about Roman.

“···.”

From an adventurer who declares that he will meet the saint of the Federation and overturn its internal affairs, to a knight who recommends a drinking party with very clear goals.

It was all a headache-inducing story.

Just for today, Falcone Lancaster wanted to throw the coffin on his head.

*****

“Off… It’s over!”

Atra, who was sitting at the same table as Majella, put down her pen and stretched.

Now that the immediate work is over, it’s time to take a break and plan for the future.

“Thank you for your hard work, saint.”

“How about Majella?”

“Hmm… I don’t have much left either.”

“Can I help you?”

Majella’s areas of expertise include, in addition to combat, disciplinary judgments that determine the merits and demerits of church members.

His original job was to serve as a holy knight, but he was selected to be the saint’s escort, so when he was in the monastic order, he helped with the work and relieved the burden on other church members.

“No. What I do is enough.”

“You haven’t been able to get past one piece of paper since a while ago. Is this a difficult issue to judge?”

“···.”

“Give it to me! I’ll look at it and give my opinion. Don’t you think the problem you’re stuck in requires diverse perspectives?”

“No, I will do it.”

Majella refused in a cold voice.

Atra couldn’t hide her displeasure and stuck out her lips like a duck.

“How long are you going to keep complaining? Aren’t you going to eat dinner?”

“But this is… In the Holy Lady’s eyes…”

If this kind of battle lasts long, Atra will ultimately win.

Majella pressed her eyes and handed her the document she was holding in her hand.

After a while.

Atra’s face lit up like fire as she read her paper.

“!!!”

Like Atra, a nun who had taken a vow of chastity before marriage was involved in an affair with a priest she was dating without being married.

The fact that he did this by hiding in a confessional box during work hours is also a requirement for disciplinary action.

Additionally, if chastity has been broken, the punishment can simply be strengthened here.

But that wasn’t the gist of the problem.

The ambiguous point that causes Majella to worry about this issue is that although the two had passionate love, it is difficult to say that they directly broke their chastity.

Therefore, it is difficult to easily determine the level of punishment.

“No… Uh, buttocks are not for making love…!!”

“The nuns claim that they tried to maintain their purity, so this is the problem.”

Atra read her paper again, then looked at her ceiling and let out a hot breath.

Fanning her hand to cool her face, she handed back her paper.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you…”

“Saint. That’s why I said I would do it. I’ll finish it soon, so you can sleep for a while.”

“···.”

Atra, unable to agree with her opinion, crawled under her blanket.