363 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 363 "You can't meet His Holiness the Pope? What do you mean, Cardinal Tracy?" As Harmon furrowed his brows, a chilling aura swept over the office, dominating the atmosphere. Tracy felt a shiver run down her spine. 'Damn it.' The power of the 'Saint Aura' could only be wielded by someone who had surpassed human limits in both holy power and force. It was the perfect antithesis of the mana at Kassel Tower. This was the same for her, even as a rare mage within the Soul Wizard faction of Kassel Tower who had blossomed attributes of life and light rather than soul and dimension. No matter how unique a magic could deceive even a cardinal-level high priest, its essence remained unchanged. 'It feels like my soul is being eaten away.' Even the power of the Sword Saint lineage, which the tower had once risked mutual destruction to barely extinguish, couldn't compare to this. Tracy forcibly suppressed her trembling nerves and put on a warm smile, one she had practiced countless times since infiltrating the Order in pursuit of the relic of the progenitor, the Supreme Bracelet. "Since ascending to the papacy, His Holiness has been burdened with relentless duties and now requires rest. He's requested that all audiences be declined for the time being." "Even though I brought back the fake saint who was excommunicated by the Pope himself, will he not even see her face?" The emphasis on a single word made Tracy's brow slightly knit. '...Does he suspect?' Yes, that could be the case. If he personally caught the saint and brought her here, he might have sensed the signs of her sainthood were genuine. 'That's why she must have intentionally gone to the Kingdom of Gaia.' Otherwise, there's no explaining how the leader of the Holy Knights dispatched to the southwestern end managed to capture a saint. The only fortunate thing was that the Holy Sword had brought her back in custody rather than assisting her, which meant she absolutely couldn't be allowed to meet with him. At least for now. "Oh-hoho, as you know, isn't His Holiness quite old? He was also shocked by the saint's horrendous actions, so he needs time to recover both physically and mentally." "Horrendous actions?" "Oh, didn't you know? The superhuman from the Empire who volunteered to guard the saint was murdered in her quarters. And the saint disobeyed the Pope's order to stay in seclusion and fled." Max Illeya, who had been sent to secure a replacement for the pope, was rewritten as someone who volunteered to serve the Holy Nation. "You may not have heard, but because of that, the pressure from the Empire is intensifying. An ultimatum has arrived that the pinnacle of the Empire's superhumans, the Sword Spirit and the Mage of the Cutting Wind, will soon visit the Holy City." Blame the increased pressure on her refusal to follow orders from the Imperial Court. But Harmon, unaware of this, just regarded Tracy with an assertive expression. "The saint couldn't possibly have done such a thing alone. There surely was external assistance...did you not see any other accomplices?" "…Hmm." As the Holy Sword casually nodded his head, Tracy smiled victoriously. 'A staunch principlist. Easy to manipulate.' And as if on cue, the Holy Sword confessed without resistance. "…There were accomplices, but they got away. The saint blocked my path." "Were you really stopped when a mere woman obstructed you, Commander? That's hard to believe." "…The saint threatened to take her own life to hold us off." At that statement, even Tracy had to cough awkwardly. "Ahem, that woman has already been excommunicated. The title 'saint' is... inappropriate." With no other flaws to pick, Harmon merely interrupted Tracy with a calm tone. "I confirmed the signs of sainthood multiple times during her custody. I also intend to officially protest the excommunication to the Order." "You confirmed the signs, you say... then why would she run away?" "Excuse me?" "The precedent lies with the previous Pope. Even deceiving a skilled eye like the Commander's isn't far-fetched." "……" Watching Harmon fall silent, as if struck by a weakness, Tracy grinned inwardly. "Did you not serve the previous Pope for decades, Commander? Can you be certain the saint is genuine? Is it not possible the Order could easily identify her trick because of a similar case?" "Huh..." A sigh tinged with resignation escaped Harmon's lips, and Tracy sensed victory as she delivered the final blow. "Her trick hasn't been revealed yet. She fled in an attempt to avoid that, killing a superhuman of the Empire in the process!" Feigning anger, Tracy raised her voice repeatedly to meet Harmon's gaze with indignation. "The crime of endangering the Holy Nation alone warrants severe punishment!" He won't be able to counter this. 'A principlist won't breach their principles.' While smiling inwardly, thinking she had completely subdued him, the Grand Commander of the Holy Knights unexpectedly uttered something entirely different. "Then for the trial, will His Holiness appear?" "…Well, His Holiness will determine that. But he entrusted this matter to me for the time being." "You mean the treatment of the saint?" "Yes, that's correct." "So His Holiness will…?" "His Holiness will resume official duties once his health is restored." As long as you're in the Holy City, the pope will continue to be unwell. She buried her true intentions in her smile. Then suddenly, Harmon, who maintained a calm demeanor throughout their conversation, flashed a fierce smile. "It is indeed suspicious." "Excuse me? That is quite a rude statement!" "Do you know this, Cardinal Tracy?" "What... are you talking about?" "The previous Pope, or rather that impostor, never allowed me within 10 meters of him. No matter the excuses, he avoided such a situation until the very last trial. Of course, I didn't know the reason then..." With a single stride, Harmon suddenly stepped forward. And with that, the distance between them closed to within the 10 meter mark he'd mentioned. "It seems I understand why now." "W-What are you talking about?" As a sudden wave of anxiety washed over her, Tracy's voice began to tremble. Clang! With a clear ring, a sword was drawn, pointing like lightning at Tracy's throat. "Care to explain why a magician with not a shred of holy power holds the position of cardinal?" Boom! Was this what it felt like to have a bolt of lightning strike one's mind? For a moment, Tracy was stunned as the secret she'd hidden for decades was laid bare. Recognizing her vulnerability, she swiftly stepped back, waving her hands frantically. "W-What are you doing, Commander!" Tracy protested with a quivering voice, but she was the one who orchestrated this private meeting, aware of being watched. Meaning, there was no one to intervene on her behalf against Harmon. "Even the former Pope, that charlatan, possessed a smidgen of holy power. Back then, even the corrupt cardinals clung to the last threads of their dwindling sanctity! But you…" Of course, even if there were someone, who could have halted the unfiltered killing intent emanating from the Holy Sword? "What are you?" The voice, thunderous and resonating, filled the office, and Tracy, overwhelmed by the force, was compelled to retreat further. "C-Commander! Please, calm down! I don't understand what you're accusing me of." In truth, she understood completely. It was because it was true, she couldn't admit it. 'How... how could he? Even Cardinal Austin, even the saint couldn't detect it!' Nowhere in the annals of Kassel Tower was there a mention of such an event. "Utter nonsense…!" At that moment, perhaps due to Harmon’s rising voice and overwhelming aura, Bang! The Temple Knights stationed outside, loyal to Harmon, burst in as if they meant to break down the door. "Commander!" "C-Commander! You mustn't do this here!" Each dropped the dignity of a holy knight, clinging to Harmon’s arms and legs, and amidst the turmoil, his deputy, Line Harper, whispered something into his ear. Haltingly, Harmon sheathed his sword. Even then, he delivered one icy comment. "Who decides who is tried? This is absurd." "Commander!" Only after Line Harper urgently cried out did Harmon finally close his mouth, his expression still stern. Seeing this, Tracy realized her entire ploy had been shattered. Yet, as if in a final throe of desperation, she shouted, "The Temple Knights are not to meddle in the politics of the Order!" Regardless of how the man discerned her secret so swiftly, there was no way he could prove it. Nor could he be forced to. The central military force of the order, the Temple Knights, were deliberately kept out of politics due to their potential for danger. They were merely executors of the decisions made by the pope or the cardinal assembly. At her words, Harmon merely chuckled. "Luckily, my reputation isn’t bad, and with it, public opinion can be swayed. So brace yourself, Cardinal Tracy… or rather, impostor priest." If the priests of the Order required it rather than the Temple Knights, she’d be subject to an impeachment trial like the former Pope. And if Harmon proved something there, her fate would be sealed. But as if hit by a thought, Tracy quickly regained her composure and bowed gracefully. "Hmm, there seems to be a misunderstanding, Commander. Whatever the reason, I'm ready to accept any inquiry and prove my innocence." A face betraying no previous distress. Harmon merely snorted. "Resman, Harper. From this moment on, 'escort' Cardinal Tracy closely." "Yes!" "Don't hinder her duties or restrict her movement, but make sure she doesn't step outside Norvians. This is an order from the Grand Commander of the Temple Knights responsible for the Holy City’s security." "Yes!" Within his authority, it was the best way to press a cardinal. "Surely, you won’t refuse this, will you, Cardinal?" Harmon’s eyes glinted coldly as he spoke. "I have no choice. I will comply." Tracy accepted with just a wry smile. Was it unexpected? Harmon slightly furrowed his brow but then turned away. In contrast, despite his disrespect, Tracy maintained her poise and sent him off with a courteous bow. The knights remaining in the room scratched their heads, glancing between their stern commander and the pleasant-mannered cardinal. Evidently, even these elite Temple Knights remained oblivious. That brought Tracy a slight sense of relief. "It seems you'll be burdened for a while. I leave it in your hands, brothers." "Ah, yes." "Yes, your Eminence." Still bewildered expressions. She felt confident manipulating pawns of this caliber. Not the Holy Sword himself, of course, but these lesser knights were manageable. Despite everything, the situation was not to her liking. '...This move failed.' The plan was clearly derailed. Not only could she not execute the saint, but an impeachment and a cross-examination of the pope himself were looming. But it didn’t matter. ‘No need to push it unnecessarily.’ Soon enough, she'd have to vanish anyway. Once the Empire and the Holy Nation clashed and the world was thrown into turmoil, her mission would be complete. All that remained was to ensure the emperor couldn't chase them by sending the situation spiraling out of control. Plus, taking the progenitor's relic, the Supreme Bracelet, and ‘the other one’ along would be her final move. There was no need to execute the saint and provoke the Holy Sword any further. ‘The worst scenario I feared was the Holy Sword forcibly meeting the Pope. But I've prevented that.’ Had the Holy Sword intended to reverse the situation by force, there would have been no way to stop him. Although the original plan went awry, tying down the Holy Sword with issues concerning the saint succeeded. ‘If he's planning to sway public opinion, the Holy Sword will have to exert himself in other areas.’ If things unfolded according to his wishes, there'd be no need for him to resort to any rash actions that would break his principles. ‘I'll use the puppet cardinals to stall for time.’ With that thought, Tracy calmed her startled heart. Had she known who the Holy Sword was meeting after leaving her office, she wouldn't have rested so easily. * * * "I had heard that a prince from the empire was staying at the central temple, but I didn't expect to meet you like this." The Holy Sword's expression tightened slightly at the sight of the handsome young man with black hair, black eyes, and a yellow complexion who appeared before him so suddenly. In contrast, the young man flashed a bright smile and bowed his head. "Ahaha. I'm also regretful that it's only now I get to meet the renowned Commander." "And what brings you here?" There was no need for formal pleasantries. Get to the point. By usual noble standards, such a blunt approach would be considered rude, even towards a prince of a minor kingdom, let alone one from the empire. Yet, Baros kept his smile, as though he had been waiting for this moment, and went straight to the heart of the matter. "Are you aware that the Pope is being manipulated by someone?" Harmon's eyes burned with intensity as they swayed under the weight of that revelation.