Children of the Holy Emperor - Chapter 444



Only Noblemtl

444. Dachion (1)

Number 21 couldn’t help but admit that he had not been properly aware of the children of the Holy Emperor until now.

“Ugh! Owen! Where the hell have you been all this time!”

Freed from his bonds, Bartoza ran towards Prince Owen, shedding tears. It seemed as if all the fear he had been suppressing inside had burst out at once.

“How cruel! You were going to abandon this Bartoza? Did you really think so!”

“Hey, hey. Calm down. By the way, I thought you were doing well in Regina, so why are you here?”

“Ehhhhhhhh!”

Surprisingly, Prince Owen left the ill-mannered Barshine alone, who dared to grab the hem of the prince’s clothes and hang on. And that’s not all. He even gently comforted her as if he felt sorry for her!

Number 21 was dumbfounded.

‘Isn’t that too lenient on a mere savage?’

No, to begin with, it’s ridiculous that the prince himself is acting like a Barbarian.

And what was that just now? He wasn’t even a clown, and he even demonstrated his fighting skills in front of the townspeople. Doesn’t that prince have any sense that he’s part of the imperial family?

Even more surprising was Prince Mores. As far as No. 21 knew, he was the most difficult and authoritarian person among the people of Seonghwangga.

however-

“Hahah!”

“Shh! Edith. Don’t call me that. I’m hiding my identity right now.”

“Ah! Yes, four! But what the hell are you doing? Where did you come from rolling around in the dirt? And these shabby clothes…!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Edith patted the prince’s back hard and dusted him off, but he only frowned and tried to dissuade her.

“Take it easy, Edith.”

“Ugh! This isn’t a problem that can be ended just like that! He’s not a kid anymore, so please keep your dignity!”

Lastly, Sir Marsain. At first glance, he looked the most calm, but upon closer inspection, it seemed that even he was not normal.

If it weren’t for the current Seonghwang, he would have been the most likely candidate for Seonghwang, but he meticulously cleans up his surroundings and diligently sets up his stall. He’s said to have recently become the babysitter for Prince Mores, so he seems to be quite skilled at taking care of things.

“… … .”

Number 21 realized a great truth.

All the people in Seonghwangga are out of their minds!

“Oh, Father Bart. Your children, what are they, really… … .”

As he muttered like that and looked back at the homunculus of the Holy City, No. 21 couldn’t help but be completely convinced for a moment.

‘Ah, right.’

Whose children are they? They were born as princes and went around as mercenaries, but now that they have ascended the throne, they are trapped in uncomfortable dolls and suffer needlessly. They are human children.

At those impudent eyes, Seonghwang guessed No. 21’s thoughts and quietly opened his mouth.

“… No, Enrique.”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t say anything.”

“So, that’s not it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Father Bart.”

“… … .”

At that moment, Prince Owen, who had just managed to get Bartoza away, approached with a bright face.

“Father Bart!”

There was no need for No. 21 to explain his identity as the Holy Emperor. Having encountered the Holy Emperor’s homunculus on the Southern Front for years, Owen could now recognize him just by brushing the hem of his clothes.

No, I don’t know if I should really say I found out about this… … .

“What brings you here? Is it okay for someone who is not feeling well to come here without a disciple?”

“… … .”

“Aha! Now that the southern front is stabilized, you have come to help the people of the north! You are looking after the safety of not only Delcross but the entire continent. Father Bart is truly amazing!”

The gaze of the Holy Emperor, hidden behind the hood, seemed to move slightly towards the sky. Perhaps he felt a deep sense of emptiness at the First Prince’s lack of awareness.

“Are you Father Bart? It is a pleasure to meet you.”

Sir Marsain also approaches with Prince Mores and greets him. His attitude is strangely friendly considering he is dealing with a mere priest he has never met.

“You are called the ‘Living Saint’ on the Southern Front, aren’t you? You also made a good medicine for Prince Owen. I have heard much from your Majesty.”

This was because Owen had vaguely attributed the source of the ‘Ultimate Elixir’ to Marsain, saying it was his work. Of course, there was no way No. 21 would have known about that fact.

But the one who showed the strangest reaction among them was Prince Mores. He had been staring at the castle with his mouth tightly shut and his gaze fixed on the castle since a while ago.

No. 21 was a little taken aback when he saw the clear emotions in the boy’s eyes. Relief and… joy? Why on earth?

“Bart… Priest.”

Prince Mores opened his mouth awkwardly, then smiled in an unusually gentle manner.

At that moment, No. 21 fell into the illusion that the surroundings were brighter than when the fireworks were going off.

“Now that we’ve met like this, would you like to join our group?”

The prince, who had suddenly made an outrageous proposal with a polite attitude, then gently grabbed the sleeve of the emperor’s robe with a friendly gesture.

“Fortunately, I had reserved a room with plenty of space. I guess it was all for meeting the priest.”

* * *

The group sat together at a sumptuous table.

“I’ll be in charge of your meals today! Eat whatever you want!”

Oliver, very excited, orders new dishes one after another and places them on the table. Thanks to selling out Teosinte at a high price to the townspeople, his pockets are now richer than ever.

Since it is already a done deal that the palace will receive its investment funds, people have no choice but to become more generous.

The group began their meal with a cheerful heart. Everyone was unconsciously exhausted from the intense promotional activities. Even No. 21 and Edith, who had been walking all day and chewing only beef jerky, were happy with this meal.

While everyone was focused on the food in front of them-

“… … .”

Only two people. The Emperor and Prince Mores, kept making eye contact while eating or not.

The Homunculus of the Holy Emperor originally had no need for food. However, for some reason, Prince Mores also persistently glanced at the Holy Emperor with a smiling face, as if he had no interest in eating at all. Furthermore, he sometimes called out to him as if he found it amusing.

“Father Bart?”

“… … .”

“Hehehe, Father Bart.”

Seonghwang looked quite embarrassed, unable to answer.

It’s not surprising, considering that he was set up as an Ortonian who was not fluent in the Imperial language. The moment he heard his voice speaking the Imperial language, the princes and the palace knights would immediately recognize his identity.

‘Wait a minute. But you spoke the Imperial language so casually in front of Edith and the Barbarian Barbarian… … ?’

No. 21, who realized something he had momentarily forgotten, hurriedly looked back at Edith.

“… … ?”

But Edith, who seemed completely unaware of this strange situation, just stared at No. 21 with her eyes wide open, her mouth covered in sauce.

‘What an incredibly thoughtless person!’

Number 21 was secretly amazed. What kind of life has that woman lived until now?

“Father Bart, why aren’t you eating anything? Have you eaten? If you’re hungry, try this.”

Meanwhile, Prince Mores had put down his own dishes and was now busily pushing plates of food in front of the Emperor.

The sight of the prince of the Holy Empire taking care of a priest’s meals is so confusing that it’s hard to tell who is accompanying whom.

“I also tried this meat dish for lunch. It was said to be the best dish in this inn.”

“… … .”

“Ah! It’s hard for you to take off your hood. Is that why you don’t put food in your mouth?”

Then, in place of the embarrassed Seonghwang, No. 21 stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, Father Bart has a weak respiratory system. He quickly becomes ill when exposed to outside air. Therefore, I ask for your understanding that I cannot lower the hood without permission.”

“uh.”

The prince looked at No. 21 with indifferent eyes. Then, his expression changed again and he made a kind suggestion to the emperor.

“If you feel uncomfortable with other people watching, I will ask the owner to bring the meal to my room. Why don’t you go to your room and rest for a while?”

Judging by their mood, they seem ready to drag the castle upstairs and disappear at any moment. Number 21 panicked and quickly blocked their path.

“Your Majesty. I am sorry to say this, but Father Bart is not very good at speaking the Imperial language. So I will be by your side-”

“Even if you can’t speak, don’t you understand the Imperial language ‘very well’?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. That’s true, but… … .”

While No. 21 hesitated after being caught off guard, Prince Mores was already grabbing the sleeve of Seonghwang’s robe.

“Then don’t bother us anymore. You look pretty tired from leading everyone here. You and Edith can rest in the spare room. I’ve got plenty of rooms for you.”

“… … !”

Number 21 jumped up from his seat in a hurry to follow them. But-

Knock knock.

The saint pats his shoulder lightly as if to soothe him.

‘Enrique, it’s okay, stop it.’

Because of that, No. 21 was left in a dazed state, having to blankly watch them move.

Before leaving the restaurant, Prince Mores left one last, absurd order to Prince Owen.

“Owen, we’ll go up first. After we finish eating, pack some delicious food and bring it up to our room.”

“Huh? Again?”

“Oh. Fish cakes, butter bread, and any other delicious food you can get.”

He wasn’t even placing a new order at the inn, and he was suddenly asking for food? It was a conversation that No. 21 couldn’t understand at all.

But what was even more surprising was Prince Owen’s reaction.

“Okay, I got it. But I’m a newbie. It’ll take me a while to finish the special stew quest at the cooking shop.”

“Special stew? Is that good?”

“I guess so? At least someone in front of me enjoyed it very much.”

“Okay. Then bring that too.”

Prince Mores simply replied and turned around to leave the restaurant.

“Oh, but I’m a newbie. Where does Bartoza want me to stay? I can share a room with Brother Martha like before… … .”

It was at that very moment that a cold breeze suddenly descended upon the heads of the group.

“Owen. Why would a beast who doesn’t even know his place need a room for people?”

Prince Mores, who had spat out the words coldly, glared at Bartoza with a sharp gaze. It was a completely different expression from when he had met the Holy Emperor, no, Priest Bart, dripping with coldness.

“Put him in a barn or something. If he covers himself with rags and sleeps on them, he won’t freeze to death until tomorrow at least.”

“… … .”

“Hey, boss, give that guy a bowl of porridge. You can’t starve someone just because you hate them.”

Then, Bartoza, who had been reaching for the food until then, hurriedly pulled his hand away with a pale face.

Tingle-!

Prince Mores, who once again gave him a strong warning look, took the emperor and went upstairs.

“…Your Majesty, you really follow Father Bart well.”

Sir Marsain, who had been looking in the direction where the two people had disappeared for a moment, opened his mouth.

“I think this is the first time since Your Majesty and Princess Amelia that you have treated someone so kindly. Have you two ever met before?”

Then Prince Owen answered nonchalantly.

“Well, doesn’t Father Bart look a lot like your father? That’s why Mores also feels a certain affinity for him.”

“Yes? Your Majesty?”

“… … !”

No. 21 and Marsain looked at him at the same time, startled.

But Owen quickly emptied the bowls without paying attention to their gazes. He had to hurry up and finish the daily quest soon.

“Yes, from the moment I first met you, priest, you reminded me of my father. You are of a similar age, and if you look closely, you can see that your actions and bearing are very similar to my father’s.”

“… … .”

“And you have such strong divine powers. Wouldn’t it be strange if you didn’t think of your father?”

Number 21 couldn’t help but cast a bewildered look at Prince Owen.

No, if you know him so well, why on earth do you still not know his true identity?

* * *

It’s light.

As he dragged the person who was almost certainly Seonghwang, Seongjin felt an alien sensation that was clearly different from the physical laws of this world.

He had once felt something like this. That is, from Madame Justine, the owner of the popular costume shop ‘Salon de Merci’.

But surprisingly, the emotions that Sungjin felt through that same sense of discomfort were completely different from before.

‘Madame Justine felt absolutely horrible.’

The unrealistic lightness I experienced at that time made Madame Justine feel something repulsive and unpleasant just by touching her for a moment.

But now, this lightness is seen as a sign of instability that could disappear somewhere at any moment. So, Sungjin is just scared and becomes infinitely cautious.

Percussion.

Finally, when the door closed and the two of them were alone, Sungjin let out the breath he had been holding and called out to him.

“father.”

“… Yes, Mores.”

Finally, a proper answer comes back from the Holy Spirit.

“haha.”

Seongjin, feeling a little relieved, leaned against the door and looked up at him.

“What are you doing here? Surely you haven’t really left the capital, and that strange body is Lord Sharon’s replacement? What on earth is going on?”

Then, Seonghwang, who had been staring blankly at Seongjin for a moment, tilted his head slightly and answered.

“Haven’t you already heard? Your noisy ‘fairy’ has been nagging at me like crazy for a while now.”

“ah.”

As expected, Seonghwang was listening to everything from the side. As soon as he appeared, the Demon King’s voice started chattering incessantly next to Seongjin.

-Lee Seong-jin! Lee Seong-jin! Look here!

-It’s strange! I can feel the strong laws of the psychic world coming from the body of that guy named Bart!

-It’s hard to identify the souls of the regular world, but the author’s soul seems different from ordinary souls! It’s faintly shining, and something seems very strange!

As Sungjin slowly lifted the small lamp-

[Sigh!]

The demon king, who suddenly came face to face with the saint, was instantly reduced to a pile of stones and shrank into the corner of the lamp.