Children of the Holy Emperor - Chapter 419



Only Noblemtl

419. Freedom Underpass (1)

Freedom Underpass.

Sungjin first learned of the existence of the secret organization through Belinda’s spirit.

The Freedom Underpass was not actually an underground passage. It was just a slang term that naturally arose because many of those who used it had joined the underground religious order.

[It is said that the first person to create this organization was a wealthy Ortonian who wanted to rescue those seeking freedom of thought from the oppression of the Empire.]

The history of the Holy Empire spans a thousand years. So, whether large or small, there were bound to be people who sought to escape religious oppression or harsh religious trials.

The Freedom Underground provided them with a small amount of food, a safe escape route, and even a new identity when necessary. Because they operated as a tight-knit organization, they were rarely detected, and even if they were caught, they could easily be cut off.

So, contrary to the original intention, later on, all kinds of petty criminals started flocking in.

[The Liberty Underground is mainly filled with hardened criminals who have no hope of remaining in the Empire.]

Then, several years ago.

As Seonghwang unified the religious order by force, the nature of this ‘freedom underpass’ changed somewhat.

The underground religious orders that were completely expelled from the zodiac began to actively utilize the escape routes of the free underground passages in order to preserve their power.

The southern and western directions are [sowing] sects-

And in the northern region, the [Repentance] sect expanded its influence throughout Ortona.

“So, instead of hiding in the underground cult, Giacomo Milo used this northern escape route?”

[Yes, my lord.]

Although the Freedom Underpass is operated with the help of the underground religious order, it is difficult to see it as completely belonging to the religious order’s domain.

So, it is the perfect organization for Giacomo Milo, who has a slightly awkward relationship with the Penitent Church due to the Makaisu incident, to hide in.

“hmm.”

Seongjin wiped the corner of his mouth and thought for a moment.

“It’s been quite some time since Giacomo Milo disappeared. Why didn’t he try to escape further west or south?”

Sungjin’s question presupposed that Giacomo Milo was in the North. However, neither Sungjin nor Belinda had any doubts about it.

[All his bases are in the North. It would have been difficult for him to abandon them and leave.]

“You confiscated the top so thoroughly, but there’s still something left?”

That was good news. I should steal it and invest it in my business.

When Seongjin raised the corners of his lips without realizing it, the demon king shuddered in surprise.

[Here it comes again! That long-term broker’s expression as he shoves in that contract!]

Shut up! Where do you think all those expensive crockery you’re sitting on comes from! Huh?

[Hidden property is property, but Giacomo Milo has no contact with the [Sowing] Order at all. It would not have been easy for him to make new contact with them and plot something, as he was wanted. Furthermore, his family, the Count Milo, originally… … .]

Belinda’s soul, which had been adding explanations diligently, hesitated for a moment and then closed her mouth as if something was bothering her.

“Why? What is it?”

[… I apologize, Master of Souls. This is information I did not know while I was alive, so I feel strongly restricted from revealing it.]

“… … .”

Yeah. Now that I think about it, I did say something about ‘restrictions’ or something.

[One thing, rest assured, I can tell. The Master will surely arrive at the truth he needs on his own soon.]

Anyway, based on the information she provided, Sungjin made a thorough plan for his business trip.

First, under the pretext of searching for Giacomo Milo, the first plan was to openly stir up the Confessional Order, which was a nuisance. Then, even if only temporarily, the activities of the Confessional Order would be suppressed, and Giacomo Milo would not be able to escape from the Free Underground easily.

The Milo upper house is just an excuse to be active. The Penitent Church has been a thorn in Seongjin’s side since long ago.

In a place where the social foundation has already collapsed, they are even setting up a cult, so isn’t the livelihood of the people in the North continuing to collapse? If left as is, it will surely become a huge obstacle for ‘Bertran & Lee’ to expand their influence and rebuild the economy in the future.

furthermore-

‘It seems that Logan’s reincarnation is deeply intertwined with these penitent cults.’

Although I haven’t been able to consult with the person involved, this is something that Seongjin has been consistently concerned about.

Logan said the same thing before. He said he’d never heard of anyone else being reincarnated, and he didn’t know why he was the only one.

Sungjin had an intuition that the Order of Penance was deeply involved here. Didn’t Belinda once say something like this to Sungjin?

-He is the ‘Sacrificial Offering of Penance’, carefully selected by the Archbishop of Penance, to be offered only to the Lord!

But when I asked Belinda again after she became a member of the household, this time I only got this answer.

[I am truly sorry that I could not be of any help to you, Master of Souls. But I have no doubt that you will soon reach the truth on your own… … .]

“Okay, okay. Okay.”

Of course, on the one hand, I had a feeling that it was okay. I also thought that there must be a reason why my father had left Logan alone until now.

However, since it was a family matter, there was no harm in being overly cautious. How could one be optimistic that something that was done with the wrong purpose would have been accomplished through the right process?

‘So let’s first defeat the Repentance Cult. If we keep hitting them wherever they are, something will come out about Logan.’

For that reason, at first, Sungjin planned to run wild as much as he could, and then catch Giacomo Milo at the right time.

And after satisfying the Confessions, I thought I would go around the North and try to discipline the lords who were interfering with my business.

But when he actually arrived in Regina and received Branch Manager Schmidt’s report, Sungjin couldn’t help but realize that his thoughts were very far-fetched.

The attitude of the northern native lords is more stubborn than we thought, and they are working together to systematically sabotage our business!

This sabotage operation would probably be quite long-term. If so, it would be possible that some of them would instigate it all on purpose.

-Yes, that’s right, Your Majesty. The Marquis of Daciano’s attitude is too harsh. But how did you know that?

Before he could hear Branch Manager Schmidt’s answer, Sungjin’s mind was already spinning quickly.

Yes, I have a debt to repay to the Marquis D’Ariano anyway.

He must avenge Louise (who is probably still alive), pay for destroying Sigismund’s domain (even though Seongjin has nothing to do with Sigismund’s domain), and most of all, pay for coveting Max (or not coveting him) in front of me!

‘Then, wouldn’t it be okay to change the order a little?’

If you want to cause a real mess, you need to prepare a little more thoroughly. However, it would also be a problem if you delay securing Giacomo Milo’s new recruits because you are doing something else.

So Sungjin obediently asked Branch Manager Schmidt to give him one of his villas. Then, as soon as Sir Martha arrived there, he gave this order again.

“Actually, I’m planning on leaving this place for a while, Branch Manager. This needs to be done in secret, so please make sure that my absence is not known to the outside world during this time.”

The face of Branch Manager Schmidt, who had been busily ordering his servants around to prepare for the sudden arrival of the royal guests, suddenly turned pale.

“No, how can you pretend to be there without the servants knowing when you have prepared to welcome the guests so ostentatiously?”

“Isn’t that something you should figure out? If you want, you can call MeeMee and have her hypnotize people.”

“Huh? That’s so unreasonable… …!”

“Anyway, I trust your abilities. I will, Branch Manager.”

“Excuse me! Excuse me, just a moment!”

Seongjin thought as he walked briskly, leaving behind the branch manager who was desperately clinging to him.

‘I guess I should take Dasha with me first. There’s no one as talented as her when it comes to stealth. And since we’ve come this far, I can’t leave Masain Kyung behind either, so she should go with me… … .’

As Sungjin was making plans, Owen’s face suddenly flashed through his mind.

Somehow, I had been thinking that it would be a good idea to take him with me. It would be good to disguise myself as Varsha instead of the busy Dasha, and even if something were to happen, he would be able to do his part.

but-

‘… Let’s leave him alone. He already seems to be steeped in pagan customs, so it would be a problem if someone were to recognize him.’

Following the heretics, there is a prince who is in collusion with the Dark Cult. If this fact is known, his already rock-bottom reputation in the Holy Assembly will probably fall to the ground.

‘And since this will be his first time in Regina, I’d say he should take his time sightseeing. He’s been suffering all along on the battlefield.’

Seongjin, who was thinking like that, stopped walking and tilted his head.

But I still feel like something is a little bit lacking. What did I miss… … .

‘Well, it’ll work out somehow.’

Okay, then, first of all. Let’s start with a direct report to Sir Marsain.

* * *

“… Infiltration.”

“huh.”

“They disguise themselves as poor people and hide in the criminals’ escape route.”

“That’s right. That’s it!”

“I had a feeling there might be some ulterior motive behind your separation from the group… but why on earth?”

It was natural for Marsain to be puzzled. Wasn’t the mission to search for Giacomo Milo the first thing they did?

But why did the prince do this himself, without his companions’ knowledge or without their help?

“Tsk tsk. Sir Marsain. You only know one thing and not two. The point of this business trip isn’t to capture Giacomo Milo.”

“…sure?”

“There’s no point in making a mess here and there under the pretext of finding him. To do that, we first have to steal him away and hide him somewhere that no one knows about. That way, we can hunt for him like a mouse without being restricted by a time limit.”

“… … .”

“So, not only other people, but even our group must not know that we have secured Giacomo Milo’s new recruit. Then, everything will go smoothly.”

Marsain stared into the empty space for a moment, then sighed softly.

“I don’t understand, but I understand. Your Majesty, why are you telling me everything?”

“Well, that’s… … .”

Seongjin raised his head and stared at the loyal knight.

“If you don’t say anything, Sir Marsain will definitely get angry.”

“… So, you thought I wouldn’t be mad if you told me the plan in advance?”

“Well, you might be angry, but at least you’ll have an excuse that you did your best, right? After all, the cause is important.”

chin!

Martha closes her eyes and rests her hand on the back of her neck.

“If you do it, you will be rejected. What if I block your decline and disrupt your plans?”

“What? There’s no way that’s possible, Kyung-i.”

Seongjin smiled brightly and answered confidently.

“If I sneak out anyway, Kyung will never be able to find me.”

“… … !”

Splash.

Hmm? I feel like I just heard this sound… … .

Whoa whoa, calm down, Sir Marsain! And take some of the strength out of that fist!

So, Sungjin waited for Dasha to arrive and started putting on the poor people’s makeup together with Masain.

Fortunately, by that time, Lord Masain’s anger had calmed down considerably. Of course, he still expressed his dissatisfaction with Dasha’s every move.

“Why should I wear such shabby clothes to your majesty… … .”

“What blasphemous act can you do in the face of such lowliness…?”

“Come to think of it, it was all about teaching you those worthless tricks… … .”

Damn, please save me!

Dasha, who was applying soot, glared at him with earnest eyes, but Sungjin, whose feet were numb, had no choice but to quietly avoid her gaze.

In the meantime, there was a brief skirmish with the Demon King.

[No! Why should I go into this shabby lamp when I have that pretty lamp I got as a gift?]

“Then there’s nothing I can do. I have no choice but to leave it alone.”

[What? But… …!]

“Choose quickly. There’s no time left.”

[…Sniff!]

Oh my, I miss my perfect 24-sided salt crystal today!

The Demon King whined a lot, but did not resist any longer and quietly entered the lamp.

After completing all preparations, Seongjin sneaked out of Schmidt’s villa while he was putting his servants to sleep.

and-

“…Owen?”

In an unexpected place, I came face to face with Owen’s frozen face.

“What? You suddenly came from somewhere without any notice… And how did you know about this place?”