Chapter 352: Chapter 352: New Life
The moment he came to terms with reality, he realized what he had to do. He had to find a way to survive in this world. As for returning to his real world, he didn\'t care about that.
In this world, he could have everything he wanted. Here, he didn\'t have to worry about the disgusted gaze of strangers. In this world, he was as handsome as he could be.
Even more important was the fact that he had taken the body of the Emperor in this world.
He focused on the immediate situation. The voice outside the door had mentioned envoys and a Cardinal.
He vaguely remembered that in the novel, the character he had become was the Holy Emperor. He was a figurehead with little real power but significant ceremonial importance.
The Emperor that he knew in the novel had a terrifying end. Now that he had taken that position, he believed that he could change the fate with the knowledge that he carried with him.
He could definitely change the fate of the Holy Emperor for the sake of his own future. The first step in the right direction was through this meeting with the Eastern Envoy.
As he remembered the novel, this was the first step behind the Emperor\'s downfall. He had to make sure he didn\'t fall into that trap now.
"Alright, one step at a time," he muttered to himself. "First, I need to confirm if this world is actually what I remember."
He approached the door, taking a deep breath before opening it.
A well-dressed servant bowed deeply upon seeing him. "Your Majesty, the envoys from the East are waiting in the grand hall, accompanied by Cardinal Treniel. Shall I escort you there?"
"Yes, lead the way," he replied, trying to sound authoritative despite the inner turmoil.
As he walked through the corridors of the palace, he absorbed every detail. The grandeur was overwhelming, yet it felt oddly familiar, as if he had walked these corridors countless times, thanks to the novel.
It was as if the words that he had read came to life. Everything felt so surreal yet real at the same time. The more he immersed in the grand scenery, the more he remembered about this part of the novel.
Upon reaching the grand hall, he was greeted by a scene that seemed to leap straight off the chapter he had read. It was the most important room of the Royal Palace.
It was the Grand Hall where the throne of the Emperor was present. There were also seats arranged for the Ministers of the Holy Empire, most of whom were loyal to the Holy Church with only a few being loyal to the Emperor.
Normally those seats were taken by the Ministers with the foremost seat being taken by the Minister of War. However presently, different people could be seen sitting on the seats.
The person in the foremost seat after the throne appeared familiar. Even though it was his first time seeing that person, the Emperor recognised him as Treniel, the Cardinal of the Holy Church.
The features of that man matched the Cardinal perfectly. Looking at the man\'s calm exterior, the Emperor felt a deep dread in his heart as he knew exactly what kind of a person Treniel was.
Even the other Cardinals didn\'t know the true position of Treniel. They thought he was an average cardinal who had managed to win the trust of the Holy Priestess. At least that\'s what the novel also made him appear at the start.
It was only during the later parts of the novel that more and more threads about Treniel were exposed.
Even amongst the Cardinals, Treniel was the most brutal one. Behind his calm and innocent exterior, it was truly a bloody reality.
\'Hmm? Isn\'t this a little different?\' The Holy Emperor glanced at the people sitting next to Treniel who were in eastern attire.
From what he remembered about the novel, there was only one Envoy from the Great Demon Sect. Why were there three of them now?
Amongst the three, only two wore the attire that represented the Great Elders of the Demon Sect. As Eren was a man, the Holy Emperor didn\'t think that he was the representative that he had read about.
The representative was supposed to be a woman after all.
He shifted his focus to the other Grand Elder, growing even more confused.
\'Wasn\'t the representative supposed to be a beautiful woman who was wearing a veil? I am sure her physique was described in great detail.\'
\'How could she look like a child in reality? Why is it so different from what I read? Or is it that I don\'t remember correctly?\'
The Holy Emperor appeared quite estranged, not saying a single word as he slowly approached the throne, his gaze shifting between Eren and Zia.
Cardinal Treniel stood up, his demeanor respectful yet subtly manipulative.
"Your Majesty," he greeted with a slight bow. "The envoys have been escorted here as you wanted. I hope all the necessary arrangements have been prepared?"
\'As I wanted? Hmph, you snake. Since you want to play, then let\'s play. I will show how a single soldier from earth ruins your plan. I will let nothing disrupt my life in this world, not even the Holy Church!\' the Holy Emperor thought while maintaining a calm exterior with a smile.
He nodded, not letting his real thoughts show on his face. "Thank you, Cardinal."
He approached Eren who appeared like he was leading the group. "You there must be the guests from the Demon Sect. You have come from far away. I hope I don\'t disappoint our guests with our hospitality."