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Chapter 255

“Master.”

Someone stood in front of the thick curtain. He was the person who had told Joshua about Moon Gate.

“Won?” The silver-haired woman, Lilith, turned her head toward Won.

“I have some important news for you.”

Usually when Won showed up without warning, it meant that something serious had happened.

“What is it?” Lilith asked, slightly nervous.

“The Blue Moon team just sent us a very important message.”

“If it’s the Blue Moon… then is it Avalon?” Lilith’s eyes widened and she put her hand through the curtains. “Give it to me.”

“Here it is.”

Lilith snatched the parchment up and began reading in a hurry.

“Is this right?”

“It’s from Blue Moon,” Won answered defensively.

Blue Moon had been an important part of Avalon for many years. With that considered, the team was about 90% reliable.

“Oh my, they are really going to start the continental war?” Lilith murmured, biting her lips. “Won. If this is the case, then there is a possibility that those monsters really are related to the Avalon Imperial Family.”

“The probability is high. They may be thinking of using the monsters for war.”

“How… They claim to be the center of the continent so how could they… with them out of all things…”

During such a time of peace, an unprovoked preemptive strike was likely to make them the continent’s enemy. Still, Avalon's forces moved forward without hesitation.

She had wondered what made them so confident, but it seemed like it was this.

“Recently, the number of troops stationed along the Avalon Empire's borders has grown by more than 30%. This needs to be monitored…” As Lilith continued to read, her face twisted in displeasure. “Do the seniors know about this fact as well?”

“Yes. Because of that, the entire country is upset right now.”

“The Imperial faction might rebel if they hear about this.” Lilith frowned, as if she could tell what was going on even without looking.

“And unfortunately, Martial Emperor Zactor returned to his residence yesterday.” Won cast an apologetic look through the curtain.

“Wha… What did you just say?” Lilith’s eyes narrowed into slits.

This was new information. Along with the Knight of God Chrysler Jean Sebastina, Martial Emperor Zactor was one of the Nine Stars. He had been absent for the past three years because, as a supporter of the Emperor, he had been checking out what was going on on the continent. But now, he had returned back to the Imperial Palace at what was arguably a dangerous time. It was as if he had been waiting for this day his whole life.

“Not good. This is not good at all.” Lilith shook her head back and forth as she stood. “I have to go back to the temple right now.”

“The determined Emperor and the moderate Pope… The result is predictable. No matter how much the Pope calls for peace, it cannot be stopped if this continues. If a war really breaks out, it will eventually be the priests who will lose everything.”

“Are you implying that we should wait?”

“No,” Won firmly answered. “There are still things I haven’t informed you of yet..”

“What—?”

“If demons and Avalon are really connected, shouldn’t we find the Holy Grail as soon as possible?”

When Won mentioned the Holy Grail, Lilith flinched and stopped pacing.

Hubalt regarded the Grail as sacred, but even in the huge Empire, very few knew of the secrets it was hiding.

“But he said that the Holy Grail is being kept in the Imperial Archives of the Avalon Imperial Family. We can’t do anything right now.”

“Now that I think about it, I’ve been hearing strange rumors about that place for a while now.”

“Huh?”

“I was going to tell you about it after I looked into it more, but—” Won trailed off before continuing his words. “People are saying that the Sun’s Retribution is currently happening at the Imperial Palace of the Avalon Empire for the first time since many years.”

“...!” Lilith’s eyes couldn’t get much bigger now.

“It's still being investigated. But one of the parties is—” Won's eyes sparkled. “It’s that Count, Joshua Sanders.”

***

“It can't be done.”

When Emperor Marcus’s voice rang out, silence fell in the hall. His lips slowly curled as he continued.

“Even if there is something I do not know about in the Imperial Archives, why should I lend you my belongings when you aren’t even mine?”

“...”

“If I did, then it would be no different to me helping you. Above all else, this trial should be held on equal footing where neither side has the advantage. Otherwise, where would the impartiality be?”

That was pure nonsense. The object Joshua had brought up was just a way to help discern the truth; it didn't necessarily help Joshua.

Unable to watch this any longer, Serciarin took a step forward.

“Your Majesty, I think—”

“You. Stay put.”

Serciarin froze.

“I’m so glad that you woke up just fine, Serciarin.”

“Your Majesty…”

“But that makes me even more worried. It’s not been a day since you recovered—what if you got sick again because you overextended yourself? How do you think I, your father, would feel?”

From the outside, this scene was that of a father who cared deeply about his daughter. But of course, no one present believed it. For Emperor Marcus, a father’s affection was a totally alien concept.

“And what does the Princes think of this?”

“I am also concerned about my only sister’s health, Your Majesty,” First Prince Kiser answered.

“I am very honored to witness Your Majesty’s wisdom.” Kaizen bowed and spoke immediately after Kiser.

Kaiser's lips curled into a deep smile as he also bowed his head.

“What about the rest of the nobility?”

“Your Majesty’s thoughts are the thoughts of the nobles,” the Military Advisor replied for the minor nobles.

With a satisfied expression, Emperor Marcus turned to look at the other side. “Do you think I'm going too far, Aden?”

Duke Agnus glanced at Joshua before shaking his head.

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Good.”

Having heard Duke Angus’ reply, Emperor Marcus finally sat down.

“Everyone but you agrees with this. What will you do now?”

“...”

Joshua wore a bitter smile when Emperor Marcus looked at him.

He knew exactly what was happening. First of all, he knew that he had no allies here. Marcus ben Britten was a member of the Imperial Family, not to mention, the most powerful of them all. He couldn't have liked this situation, where the aristocratic faction could suddenly seize control. Joshua could understand that, more or less.

So Duke Agnus, the de facto leader of aristocratic society, was a rude surprise. He could have said something different…

‘...But despite our blood ties, I can’t tell what he’s thinking.’

Joshua quickly pushed the thoughts out of his mind. It didn’t actually matter that his father, Duke Agnus, and the other nobles were here. He couldn't afford to turn his attention away from the opponent he was facing right now.

“Joshua Sanders, tell me what you think.”

“...”

Joshua’s expression turned grave. Now, Emperor Marcus was making him decide. Either be the emperor’s sword or be tossed aside.

Swish.

Joshua’s index finger and middle finger shot into the air.

“...?”

He quickly moved the mana in the air, leaving the aristocrats confused.

Wooooong!

“...!”

The Imperial Knights placed their hands on their swords.

Five different kinds of mana poured out of Joshua’s fingers.

Shing!

The clear sound of swords been drawn from their sheaths rang out in the hall

Emperor Marcus gazed at him coldly.

“Is that your reply?”

Swish.

“...!”

Instead of responding, Joshua continued to move. What he did next made the Emperor’s eyes widen.

His Aura, that could be felt even from afar, was being directed to his other palm. His mouth curled into a small smile as he watched the blood droplets fall to the floor, to the undisguised shock of the audience.

“It's not as if there is no way.”

“What?”

“Heal.” At Joshua's short command, a group of pure white lights burst out and filled the room.

His wound, which had started to drip blood, quickly recovered.

“You—”

“If you don’t like the priests, then what about me?”

The crowd buzzed with surprise. They had heard the rumors from Reinhardt, but this was likely the first time they’d seen it in person. Even Serciarin was stunned for a moment when she saw divine magic for the first time since regaining her vision.

“I have a lot of skill with divine power, so if it’s something like demonic power, then even I would be able to feel it.”

“...”

“I will personally find the proof.” Joshua took a step forward. “If this doesn't work either—”

Joshua's aura flashed and sparked in the suffocating silence.

“Then from now on, I, too, will do my best to keep myself safe.”

“You dare… to threaten me?” Emperor Marcus growled.

Joshua bowed his head slightly.

“I’m sorry for the rudeness, but… Isn’t that why a sword has two edges?”

He slowly straightened.

Even Joshua was taking a chance on this. By coming here, he was making good on a promise he had made to himself: from now on, there would only be one winner.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

After a long period of silence, Emperor Marcus started laughing unbelievably hard.

“Joshua Sanders, I really like you.”

‘Huh?’ The nobles looked around at each other. What was he saying? Maybe—

“Fine, I’ll permit it. I choose Joshua Sanders to investigate Kaiser’s Palace.”