Chapter 153
There was a huge, luxurious inn in the center of Reinhardt with no less than three floors, yet everyone staying there was a Hubalt Empire official. During the Reinhardt Masters’ Battle, the organizers thought it would be a good idea to provide free lodging to national representatives and their entourages.
The important thing to take note of was that all of them wore grim expressions.
Bang!
Someone flung the inn’s door open. “Ur-Urgent news!”
“...?” High Priest Herald tilted his head at the man rushing inside the building.
“What happened?”
“T-the first dropout in the Masters’ Battle was announced.”
“Drop out?”
Most of them were startled by the man’s words, and their eyes widened in response.
“Who is that?” Modrian asked, seemingly puzzled.
“It’s Duke Altsma. Just now, the Swallow Empire announced that he will be dropping out of the Masters’ Battle. They contacted the organizers about it. Apparently, Duke Altsma is in poor health and had decided to withdraw from the battle.”
“What a surprise…” High Priest Herald sighed deeply. He looked astounded as he said, “The prideful Duke Altsma actually dropped out of the competition just because of his poor health…”
Modrian nodded in understanding.
“It is surprising that Duke Altsma gave up in the middle, but his withdrawal will not have a great impact on the Swallow Empire. They still have two more competitors aside from him.”
“As for us, we have to make a decision soon...” High Priest Herald sighed. “Number 21… we were fortunate enough to receive the last number, but Sir Christian can’t possibly fight in his current condition.”
“The Battle is split between morning and afternoon—two battles a day. In other words, the first round will end in less than two weeks, including vacation days. If Sir Christian doesn’t regain consciousness before then, he won’t make it…” Modrian remarked.
High Priest Herald’s face darkened as he said, “Since Sir Christian advanced the first bout without fighting, he will certainly be scheduled for the opening match of the second bout. Even if he regains consciousness, he still needs time to recover. It will take him months, at the very least.”
After Modrian and High Priest Herald were done speaking, the inn was silent for a while.
However, a middle-aged man silently eavesdropping on their conversation for quite a while now finally spoke, “Sigh, this is a big deal! If we withdraw Sir Christian, how are we going to face His Majesty? His Majesty had high hopes on Sir Christian.”
“...” Modrian and High Priest Herald shut their mouths at the same time.
Marquis Moreland, the representative of the officials of Hubalt, shook his head at Modrian and High Priest Herald’s silence.
His Majesty and His Holiness…
The unique structure of the Holy Empire’s society meant that there were a lot of complex and subtle faction relationships between the currents.
Bang!
Someone suddenly slammed their hand into the table in front of them. It was another obese noble, and he erupted next to Marquis Moreland as he exclaimed, "What sort of embarrassment is this at such a critical juncture? Sir Modrian and High Priest Herald—were the two of you really there at all?!”
“Are you saying that we lied, Count Ford?” asked Modrian with a grim look.
“It simply doesn’t make sense…”
Count Ford grumbled. “Are you saying that the Tears of the Gods shattered like candy, and Sir Christian isn’t recovering faster than his rate of deterioration even with a saintess and a high priest’s help? And what was it again? There’s demonic power in him?”
Count Ford cried out. “Yes, the undead has definitely appeared on the continent! However, you two aren’t the only ones who noticed their appearance. No matter how hard I try to understand, I just can't figure out why you two came back empty-handed!”
Modrian frowned. “What were we supposed to do, then?”
“Did you not say that the two of you saw someone else there!”
“...” Modrian remained silent.
Count Ford continued. “You said it yourself, didn’t you? There was someone else there! Sir Christian, the representative of our great Hubalt Empire, the disciple of the Knight of God, Sir Chrysler jean Sebastian—are you telling us that he was mangled by a fifteen-year-old boy?”
“Count Ford, please watch your words.” Modrian's icy gaze narrowed.
“...”
Count Ford trembled at Modrian's reaction. He took a deep breath as if attempting to calm himself down.
“Hooh… good. Still, one thing has to be clear.” Count Ford continued speaking with bright eyes, “His Majesty the Emperor, unlike His Holiness the Pope, is interested in finding out the truth. However, understanding the truth from your words is impossible. As such, we will immediately begin our independent investigation.”
“No—”
Someone softly interrupted Modrian as he was about to say something.
“High Priest Herald?” Modrian said blankly.
High Priest Herald took a step forward and said, “Count Ford. Could you please tell me in detail what you intend to investigate?”
“It is what it is. We will investigate Joshua Sanders, whom you said was present there.”
“That’s…” High Priest Herald sighed deeply. “How do you plan on doing that?”
“Our knights will keep a hawk eye on him during the battles. If we discover something strange…” Count Ford trailed off before continuing. “In the name of our Holy Empire, I will kill him if necessary.”
“...!” Modrian and High Priest Herald’s eyes widened.
“Are you implying that you want to start a war between the Avalon Empire and us?”
“Hmph.” Count Fort snorted and asked, “Since when have we needed to watch our actions around Avalon? If it’s true that Sir Christian is currently being tortured by demonic power, then he has to be related to it somehow. His Holiness will not be able to say anything if we found concrete evidence of his involvement.”
“...” Modrian and High Priest Herald remained silent.
Count Ford swept his gaze at Modrian and High Priest Herald.
The Hubalt Empire’s imperial court wasn’t that powerful compared to the other two great powers, and it was all because of His Holiness the Pope’s existence. The priests were not afraid to get involved in mortal politics, and high-ranking priests aspired to hold more power and privilege than ordinary nobles.
Count Ford didn’t like that at all.
‘How can you be a man of God when you dabble in all kinds of hypocrisy?’
There were so many unclear things in the current situation, but they were trying to cover things up and sweep things under the rug.
‘Divine blessing and all that bullshit…’
Count Ford’s expression stiffened as he barely stopped himself from cursing.
“Anyway, you're both aware of it. We must do this such that the internal strife will be resolved when we return to the empire.”
“...” The High Priest Herald pondered for a moment before nodding.
“For now, let’s go with Count Ford’s plan.”
“High Priest?” Modrian asked with wide eyes.
High Priest Herald shook his head at Modrian.
“Priests and holy knights, please cooperate as much as possible in the investigation of the truth. I hope that you will do your best to avoid any ‘accidents.’”
When Modrian saw how High Priest Herald emphasized the word ‘accident,’ he seemed relieved. Modrian had his suspicions too, but he didn’t agree with such a plan since a matter as sensitive as this could easily escalate into an international issue.
‘That old-fashioned codger! Come on!’?Count Ford was gnashing his teeth inwardly. ‘If I find anything suspicious, I’m not going to wait!
He also understood the underlying meaning behind High Priest Herald’s words. It meant that he would keep tabs on their investigation to see whether there would be an accident or not.
“You will see.” Count Ford turned to look at Moreland. “Leave this to me, Lord Moreland.”
“If that’s what Lord Ford wants, then please,” responded Marquis Moreland.
Count Ford was pleased with Marquis Moreland's response.
However, they had no idea that what they had been arguing about would soon become meaningless.
***
Bang! Pop! Pop!
Reinhardt’s sky was lit up by unique magical firecrackers. Today was a festival for all the people of the continent. It was the opening match day of the Reinhardt Masters’ Battle, which was a showdown of the strong.
A sea of more than ten thousand people was in a huge coliseum, and they were waiting for the protagonists of today’s opening match.
“The protagonists for today’s opening match have arrived!” announced the host. His voice was spread far and wide due to the amplification magic, and the audience went wild at his announcement.
The huge coliseum was jam-packed, so the noise levels were unbelievable.
“Little Master! Show us that age isn’t everything!”
“Show us the true power of the Empire of Knights!”
“Joshua Sanders, fighting, fighting, fighting!”
“Aaahhh! He’s so handsome!”
One side of the massive coliseum was cheering for Joshua, the women were particularly louder in their cheers. However, the shouts of the men from the other side didn’t want to lose against the women, so they shouted in defiance.
“Kick the asses of those imperial bastards!”
“He’s half your age! He’s an underdog! Show us your might as a veteran!”
“Don’t lose to that dumbass!”
“You can do it, Knight of Steel!”
Meanwhile, in the middle of the huge coliseum…
“Did you sleep well?” Babelon smiled at Joshua on the other side. “I don’t know if your mother held your hand while you sleep. I mean, you were probably too nervous to sleep, right?”
“...” Joshua remained silent.
The host stared alternatingly between Joshua and Babelon.
“Any accidents that occur during the Master’s Battle are your own responsibility. However, you may surrender at any time, and attacking after your foe has surrendered will disqualify you from the competition, so please be careful.”
With that, the host went down the stage and declared. “Well then, let the battle begin!”
Shwing!
Babelon calmly drew his sword.
“Don’t be too nervous. Just come at me. I’m older than you, so I’ll let you have the first—”
“How boring...”
“What?” Babelon stared in disbelief as Joshua retrieved Lugia from his subspace.
“You’re powerful, so I thought you’ll be different from the others. But it seems that I was wrong, you’re exactly the same as them. Especially on how you judge people based on their appearance.”
“Oh? The ego of our genius Young Master Joshua is actually hurt by my words?” Babelon nodded, seemingly proud of himself as he said, “Well then, let’s fight and see—”
“You were about to say that you’re going to let me have the first move, right?”
“Yeah—” Babelon answered unknowingly.
Shwaaa!
However, he froze at the tempest-like storm that erupted from the other side.
“I think it would be better for you to make your move now, lest you’ll regret it for the rest of your life,” Joshua said in a low voice while staring at the silent and stiff Babelon.
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