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Chapter 119
<-The Secret Collusion Between the Manfredi Imperial Family and the Temple?>
The descendants of the Belvet family were still alive.
How could Duke Manfredi ascend to the throne even before the suspicious deaths of the Belvet Duke and Duchess and the disappearance of Prince Adrian were resolved?
A few days ago, evidence of a secret collusion between the Temple and the Manfredi Imperial Family was obtained.
The Imperial Family was in enormous debt beyond what had been made public, and most of the funds were flowing into the Temple.
Where was Pope Clezio wasting all that money?
And what weaknesses did the Manfredi family expose to the Pope?
There is a saying in the Siska doctrine:
“Those who walk the right path will find peace, but those who walk the wrong path will be revealed.”
All we need to do is watch the Imperial Family and the Temple.
If they are indeed walking the wrong path, everything will naturally come to light.
—Journalist William Kane
Ambassador Hermann personally visited the Giuliano headquarters.
“Welcome, Ambassador,” Enoch greeted him politely, stepping out to meet him.
“There’s no time for pleasantries. Let’s go inside immediately.”
Hermann showed an expression full of displeasure as he roughly lifted the hood of his robe.
“Yes, understood.”
The ambassador and Enoch walked down the corridor and entered a discreetly hidden reception room.
“You’ve heard about what happened at the newspaper, I presume?”
“Yes, I have.”
Enoch kept a cheerful expression throughout, fully aware that it would further irritate the ambassador.
“What’s so amusing about all this?”
“Apologies. I’m naturally someone who smiles a lot.”
The ambassador wanted to say something but held back.
There was neither time nor patience for arguing with the author right now.
“We failed to stop the article… and the whole empire read that absurd piece on the corruption of the Imperial Family and the Temple…”
“You should have left such matters to us,” Enoch said, feigning a regretful expression.
“You can’t imagine how disappointed we were that you didn’t call the Giuliano family for such a crucial task.”
“Did you know that the Star organization was behind the newspaper?”
“There’s no one else but the Star organization who could do such a thing.”
The ambassador let out a low groan.
He regretted ordering them to storm the newspaper without properly investigating first.
“The Emperor himself instructed me to let you handle it.”
“Because we are the only ones in Vincent capable of facing Killian,” Enoch said.
While they talked, Nigel quietly placed some drinks and left.
“It’s a pity you didn’t come to us sooner,” Enoch said, pushing a drink toward the ambassador.
The ambassador gulped it down.
“Is this… alcohol?”
He frowned and wiped his mouth.
“It tastes like alcohol, but there’s none in it. Don’t worry.”
Still, the ambassador’s expression did not soften. Offering a drink that tasted like alcohol to a priest who abstains from it was… uncomfortable and awkward, to say the least.
“Back to the main topic,” the ambassador said, checking his watch. Time had already been delayed.
“Do you have any idea why the Star organization is trying to uncover our connection with the Imperial Family?”
“There are several possibilities,” Enoch said, counting them on his fingers with a relaxed expression.
“Revenge against those who made them this way? Or perhaps to pressure the Belvet family back into prominence? Well, it could be both.”
“It’s been ten years, yet they still make such a fuss.”
The Temple’s authority and image had already fallen long ago due to past events, and it had become embarrassing for the faithful.
“Anyway, deal with the Star organization immediately. The Pope said he would take responsibility for your salvation.”
“No matter what crimes we commit?”
“Yes. Don’t you know the Pope’s power? Anyone whose name is raised before God goes to heaven.”
“Oh, what a perfect deal,” Enoch said, clearly excited.
“In fact, we’ve already finished preparing for the operation.”
“Fast,” the ambassador acknowledged, pleased with that single reply.
“I look forward to hearing good news.”
The ambassador stood and pulled his robe back on.
“The Temple must not be implicated in this matter.”
“Of course.”
The ambassador gave him a final sharp glance before leaving.
“See yourself out,” Enoch said, escorting him to the door.
“Are you ready for the operation?”
After the ambassador left, Nigel cautiously approached.
“Yes. Then prepare,” Enoch said with a grin, gathering guns and magic bullets.
“Now we can legally eliminate Killian.”
“Boss! We have a problem!”
Evian rushed into headquarters.
“Evian, what is it? Did something happen at Delina House?” Nox asked.
Evian nodded quickly.
“The Giuliano bastards are attacking Delina House right now.”
The organization members in headquarters sprang to their feet.
“They launched a surprise attack?”
“They’ve really got some nerve,” said another.
Clack, clack, clack. As they swiftly armed themselves, Pete blocked the doorway.
“Calm down. If we retaliate recklessly, we could fall into a trap.”
“Yet they dared touch Delina House.”
“But…”
Pete was interrupted by Evian, who spoke urgently.
“Isn’t Enoch Bluor the boss of the Giuliano organization?”
When the report to Prince Kite confirmed that Enoch Bluor was the hidden boss of the Giuliano organization, it had been shared with all members.
“Definitely the face we saw in the photos,” Evian confirmed.
Pete let out a dry laugh.
“The boss came in person? And revealed himself?”
“Yes, without a doubt.”
While Pete processed the news, Killian and Giovanni left the room.
“Since Matteo came personally, I’ll go greet him myself,” Killian said.
Having heard the commotion outside, Killian was already fully prepared.
Seeing the situation, Pete knew they couldn’t waste any more time.
“I’ll contact the other captains immediately.”
“We move to Delina House at once.”
“Yes!”
The remaining members followed Killian to Delina House.
As Evian reported, Delina House was in utter chaos.
“Killian, finally showing up. Aren’t you moving a little slowly?”
Enoch waved cheerfully from the second-floor railing, looking down at the chaos.
“So you’ve decided to act openly and recklessly,” Killian muttered.
“Of course not,” Enoch said, still smiling.
“I’m not stupid. Killing you is a task permitted by God.”
“Did he hit puberty hard or something? What nonsense,” Nox muttered, frowning.
“It seems the Temple is backing him,” Giovanni observed.
“Ah, they sent these guys here because we fought the priests?”
“Hey, you two,” Enoch pointed at Giovanni and Nox.
“The ambassador emphasized the Temple is not involved in this. No assumptions.”
Yet clearly, it was implied the ambassador had ordered this. Enoch wasn’t planning to take the blame alone if things went wrong.
“Hmph, if we die, we all die together.”
He also disliked the ambassador’s attitude, as if commanding him like a subordinate.
“Anyway, Killian, since it’s God’s will, you’re going to die,” Enoch said, signaling his subordinates.
“Attack.”
The subordinates immediately charged with daggers.
“These guys have no honor,” Nox muttered, drawing a dagger himself.
Following his lead, the others drew their daggers and attacked the Giuliano members.
Three strong men charged Killian simultaneously, but he easily twisted his body backward, avoiding the strike. Then, with his left hand, he grabbed the enemy’s neck on the right and struck with his knee to the face.
Another opponent came from the opposite side. Killian quickly drew a gun from a leather holster on his thigh and fired a magic bullet into the attacker’s elbow.
“Impressive!”
Enoch continued to watch from the second floor, relaxed, which was infuriating.
Because no one knew Enoch’s magic grade or preferred weapons, it was risky to approach him recklessly.
“Clapping leisurely while the fight is going on?”
Nox, the most fearless and hot-tempered of the Star organization, jumped onto the second-floor stairs without hesitation.
“Wait! Be careful, Nox!” Giovanni shouted.
“Why?!”
But Nox had already reached the middle of the stairs, and a trap set by the Giuliano organization triggered, causing a massive explosion.
Nox fell headlong to the first floor, unable to scream properly.
Debris from the exploded stairs flew everywhere, filling the air with dust.
“Nox! Are you alive?!”
Despite barely being able to open their eyes, the Star members shouted to find him.
