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Chapter 124
All the weapons needed for the coup were ready.
The weapons dealer had created improved protective helmets and armor to complement the previous ones.
“Wearing this makes me feel like a top-class knight.”
Nox admired his reflection in the mirror and tried several different poses.
“…Just ignore him,” Giovanni said to Duke Howard and Marquis Wefer, who were seated in front of him.
But Duke Howard couldn’t simply ignore Nox as Giovanni suggested.
After all, the clown acting like that in front of him was his own son!
“You haven’t changed one bit.”
Duke Howard, who had hoped Nox might have matured since they last met, drank his water with a disappointed expression.
Marquis Wefer looked at the duke with pity.
‘I wonder if the duke will ever get to see a daughter-in-law.’
He didn’t even know that his own daughter was in love with that immature Nox.
“By the way, how’s the Delina House reconstruction going? My friends keep asking.”
Delina House—one of the most important social gathering spots for the nobles—had been closed for days, and rumors had begun spreading.
“We’re doing interior renovations along with the repair work. It should be finished within the month, so please wait a bit longer.”
“Is that so? I liked the original interior. I’m curious how it will change.”
Duke Howard, who had been quietly listening, also spoke.
“Didn’t they say the group that attacked the place was the Giuliano gang? Have you billed them for the repair cost?”
At that, Nox cut in with an excited voice.
“The repair cost isn’t the issue! Those Giuliano bastards did this to my handsome face!”
Nox pointed to the scratches scattered across his face.
“Isn’t the leg in a cast a more serious issue?” Marquis Wefer asked.
Nox shook his head.
“My leg will heal quickly, so it doesn’t matter. But my face is practically my life!”
“You can relax. Your appearance is not at the level where it determines your life,” Giovanni replied flatly.
Both Nox and Duke Howard raised their eyebrows at the same time.
“I thought highly of you before, but that wording is unacceptable. How can you say Nox’s appearance isn’t on that level?”
Even though he usually disapproved of his son, Duke Howard naturally defended him. Nox’s eyes welled with emotion.
“Dad…”
“Nox, you and I are estranged. Don’t call me that.”
Even then, Duke Howard remained firm.
“Ahem. I apologize for criticizing Nox’s appearance. Anyway, to get back on topic—we’ve already filed a report against the Giuliano group.”
“You reported them? When?”
“The day after the attack.”
“Yet the security forces remain silent… It’s obvious someone is backing them,” Duke Howard clicked his tongue.
“I heard Prince Kyte has crossed into the Robert Empire?”
“Yes. Once he receives the signal through the communication sphere, he will cross the border with his private troops.”
“I see. The emperor’s movement is suspicious, so we must act quickly. If we delay, we’ll be struck down before we can retaliate.”
As they talked, Killian—who had been out—returned to headquarters.
“Sorry for being late. I had some matters to handle.”
“Sorry? What nonsense!”
Duke Howard and Marquis Wefer stood up delightedly to greet Killian.
“I heard you were injured. Are you alright?”
“I’m fully healed now.”
“They say your mana rank is S-class—truly impressive.”
While they marveled, Nox stood behind them, pouting.
He felt jealous of his father’s completely different reaction compared to when he was the one injured.
“Nox.”
Duke Howard suddenly addressed him, and Nox looked back with eyes full of desperate hope.
“If you’re not doing anything, go downstairs and bring up my bag.”
“…What?”
“I forgot the gift I prepared for Marquis Starr and left it down there.”
“….”
Nox stormed out, deliberately slamming the door. He turned back hopefully—but no one followed him.
“Hmph!”
Back home, he was overshadowed by his two older brothers, and now outside he was losing his parents’ attention to Killian. His life felt pathetic.
As Nox grumbled while walking, a pair of pink shoes stopped in front of him.
“Oh my, hello!”
A bright, familiar voice made him look up.
“Do you remember me?”
The young lady with blonde hair and a refreshing smile—it was Marlin.
“You’re the young lady of House Wefer, aren’t you?”
Even Nox, with his poor memory, remembered beautiful ladies well.
“That’s right.”
Marlin smiled inwardly in satisfaction.
‘Emily was right—I’m glad I waited in front of the bookstore.’
She had considered asking for a formal introduction, but for Nox to see her as fate, it was best to stage an “accidental” encounter.
“You look upset. Did something happen?” she asked with concern.
“Ah, was it that obvious?”
Nox touched his face awkwardly and smiled sheepishly.
“It’s nothing serious.”
“Even so. Sad feelings should be shared,” Marlin coaxed him gently.
“Let me buy you a hot chocolate.”
“What?”
Nox looked puzzled but soon shook his head.
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
“…Are you rejecting my offer? Truly?”
When Marlin covered her mouth with a wounded expression, Nox quickly lowered her hand.
“It’s not that. I should buy it for you, my lady.”
Then he hooked her hand around his arm.
“Shall we go?”
“Oh my, yes!”
Marlin considered her mission a success.
<Temple–Emperor–Giuliano Group: A Hidden Connection?>
A new headline shook the empire once again.
The article revealed that the current pope possessed no holy power and had been purchasing enormous quantities of drugs each year to fabricate fake divine power.
Even more shocking, it reported that the emperor was the one paying for these massive drug purchases.
As soon as the article was published, protests demanding explanations sprung up in front of both the imperial palace and the temple.
“You’re still okay, right?” Emily asked anxiously, worried about the chaos outside.
“Yes. But it seems the palace is preparing to summon the nobles soon.”
Killian didn’t bother hiding that he was the one who provided the information for the article. In fact, he was eagerly waiting for the emperor to summon him to the palace.
The emperor believed only Duke Sadi could face Killian, an S-class mage, and thus would surely order Sadi to capture him.
While Duke Sadi was away pursuing Killian, their plan was to strike the emperor in the palace during his absence.
While Killian and the main forces would confront the emperor and the imperial faction at the palace, the one who would remain behind and potentially face Duke Sadi was Emily at the Starr estate.
To reduce the danger, Emily and everyone staying at the estate would relocate to a secret refuge.
Killian, sensing Emily’s anxiety at the impending separation, wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“It will be over soon.”
Emily silently nodded and leaned into his embrace.
Both had lost loved ones before. Neither wanted to experience that grief ever again.
“Um…”
Albin carefully interrupted.
“Sorry to disturb the moment, but you have a guest.”
Emily stepped out of Killian’s arms and politely greeted the person standing behind Albin.
“Hello, Priest Franz.”
“Uh… yes, hello.”
He appeared extremely awkward, glancing around restlessly and avoiding eye contact.
“You’re here.”
Killian’s imposing voice made Priest Franz shrink back and hide behind Albin.
Killian didn’t find the timid priest very reassuring, but for Emily’s sake, he restrained his expression.
Despite his timid appearance, Priest Franz possessed overflowing holy power—enough to become the next pope.
The current pope had noticed this and had sought multiple opportunities to eliminate him.
Upon learning this, Marquis Wefer—once a follower of the holy sect—took the initiative to save Priest Franz.
Emily, being a devout believer, readily agreed to shelter him at their hideout.
To Killian, having someone with abundant holy power stay with Emily was an added layer of safety in case of emergency.
But seeing him now, Killian began to wonder if agreeing had been a mistake.
“I’m glad you arrived safely, Father.”
Emily’s gentle voice finally drew a small response from him.
“I still don’t think I’m someone who deserves… such a high position…”
“You know very well, Father—there is no one in the temple with holy power that surpasses yours.”
Killian’s firm statement left Priest Franz speechless.
It was true—those gifted with holy power could sense others’ level simply by looking at them.
Priest Franz found it painful to witness the pope maintain his position with fake power. But realizing no one surpassed him in holy power was just as burdensome.
He had no desire for authority. Quietly training and living in peace brought him happiness.
Perhaps because of that pure nature, the gods had blessed him with such holy power in the first place.
“Father, how is the atmosphere in the temple since the article came out?” Emily asked carefully.
“Well… I was, uh, kidnapped—ah, no—rescued by Marquis Wefer around that time, so I’m not sure…”
“I see.”
After hesitating, Priest Franz whispered in a tiny voice only Emily could hear:
“Is a rebellion really going to happen?”
Naturally, Killian heard every word.
“Yes. So please protect my wife well and ensure she stays safe.”
And just like that, the future pope was assigned as Emily’s personal bodyguard.
