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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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Chapter 137
The eventful—no, the radiant—visit to the Holy See had finally come to an end.
All that was left was to take the train back to the Imperial Capital, give a brief report to the Crown Prince, and everything would be wrapped up—
“Blessed One of Light! We believe you will surely return to this holy land!”
“I understand. Everyone, I will definitely visit again, so please let go of my hand—”
“Your diligent efforts to spread light and hope across the continent! We will certainly follow your example!”
What’s this? Hearing those words made me think of the line, ‘Spreading love and truth, darkness all around.’
I can’t take this anymore. Something’s going to happen if this keeps up. There are too many people!
At first, the Holy Knights had pious expressions, but now they were starting to look worried.
This was the Holy See, after all, and people were fervently calling out a name other than the Goddess’s.
“Brothers and Sisters!”
I can’t let them put up some ‘Prohibition of Karl Adelheit Idol Worship’ edict across the continent.
“Do not look at where Her will has touched.”
It might have been a bit abrupt, but this was the Holy See, the heart of the Church and the center of its teachings.
And everyone gathered here quickly understood what I was trying to say.
“Simply seek to understand Her will.”
They finished the verse of the teaching I had started. That’s right, everyone! You get it, right?!
“Goddess must have something She wants to say through me. Shouldn’t we all ponder and reflect on what that is every day? Wouldn’t that be what She truly desires?”
To put it simply, ‘Stop bothering me and go pray!’
Of course, if you ask if the people here would take it that way, nine out of ten would say no.
In any case, my words weren’t completely ineffective. Thankfully, the commotion died down somewhat.
The holy knights also looked at me with expressions that clearly said, ‘Thank you so much! You saved us!’
Leaving the ordinary believers and priests behind, I exchanged final farewells with the Pope, accompanied by the cardinals.
“I hope to see you again.”
“I’ll try to visit from time to time to pay my respects.”
From the Church’s perspective, it was beneficial for them, the one who experienced the miracle (though I still wonder if it was truly a miracle), to visit the Holy See frequently.
And for me, it was far more advantageous to maintain a close relationship with the Holy See, not only for myself and the Adelheit family but also for the prestige of the Empire.
In other words, this wasn’t just a vague promise like, ‘Let’s meet up for a meal sometime.’
It was more like, ‘Let’s hold hands and pray to the Goddess again as soon as possible, and work together for each other’s benefit.’
‘This is why having a sister was so convenient. No worries about succession.’
Even with occasional advice from my father, this is the best I can do. I still have a lot to learn.
I’ve heard so much about the world of nobles, but the words they say and the meanings behind them are so different. It’s hard to adjust!
“Where is the starting point of our Blessed One?”
“Y-Your Holiness!”
Selena blushed at the Pope’s playful remark.
It might be called a ‘starting point,’ but everyone knew what it really meant.
“Stand by the Blessed One’s side and become a precious person. A friend is good, but isn’t a companion even better?”
Wow. He’s getting straight to the point. Selena coughed at the suddenness of it.
Meanwhile, her grandfather, standing behind me, burst out laughing, saying, ‘His Holiness is right!’
“And, our four brothers as well.”
I might have been caught up in all the excitement, but my four friends were also important guests.
From the Church’s perspective, they had benefited greatly from the four of them establishing a foundation and generously funding various charitable projects, as the Church had always been dedicated to such endeavors.
“Remember, Brothers. Your strengths come from your warm hearts and sincere actions. If you uphold those, you will all become blessed individuals, no less than your friend here.”
“We will keep that in mind, Your Holiness.”
“We will engrave Your Holiness’ advice deep in our hearts and live by it!”
Seeing them so serious is a bit unsettling. Do they have no intention of acting like that in front of me? They won’t be like this when they’re older, right?
It’s ominous. They say men are boys until they die. If they’re still like this when they’re forty or fifty, I’ll die of frustration.
“Your Holiness.”
“Ah, it’s time for you to board the train. I’ve kept you for too long.”
May Goddess’s blessings be upon your path.
We headed towards the carriage for the station, receiving farewells from the core members of the Church—
“Your Holiness! Again, again!”
Oh, please, no! Oh God?! Are you going to do this to me until the very end?! Let me leave in peace!
[PR/N: Bros got 2 lives memories so he uses ‘God’ & ‘Goddess’ (mostly the former tho)]
I ended up being showered with pure white light until the moment I got into the carriage.
* * *
As soon as I returned to the Empire, I was summoned to the Imperial Palace, as expected.
It seems I’ve become the crazy young lord who meets the Crown Prince most often in the Empire.
The rumors that every marquisate, and even the duchies, are keeping an eye on my movements lately don’t seem unfounded.
“Welcome back, brother-in-law!”
The Crown Prince greeted me brightly as I entered the Imperial Palace.
I smiled back, about to reply with the playful ‘I’m back, brother-in-law,’ something I could only get away with while he was still the Crown Prince—
“Karl.”
A dark figure suddenly emerged from behind the Crown Prince and tackled me.
The speed was so fast that I couldn’t even react, let alone notice. As expected of my sister. The strongest—having inherited both our mother’s skill and our father’s strength—
“Oof!”
“Did you have a good trip?”
“Y-yes, Your Highness. I had a good trip.”
“I told you not to call me that, at least not here.”
“…Sorry, sis.”
I barely managed to escape my sister’s embrace and glanced at the Crown Prince.
I was worried he might be jealous of his brother-in-law, but thankfully, there was no sign of it.
A moment later, we sat facing each other with tea served by the attendants—me, the Crown Prince, and my sister.
“…Could you please repeat that, Your Highness?”
And that’s when I realized the situation had blown up even more than I thought.
“Why are you so surprised, brother-in-law? It’s only natural.”
“But… still, this is a bit too much—”
“Tsk tsk. Sometimes I think you underestimate yourself, brother-in-law. It’s the Holy See we’re talking about. The place you visited. And the place where you experienced a miracle. The heart of the Church, the Holy See! In front of the Pope and the cardinals, no less! Did you really expect the continent to stay quiet?”
The Crown Prince laughed, and my sister smiled beside him, looking overjoyed.
And in front of them, a report stated, ‘Large-scale prayer meetings planned in each diocese of the Empire – the miracle in the Holy See appears to be the reason.’
Things had gotten too big. I thought it ended with ‘Oh! Blessed One!’ in the Holy See, but that was just the trailer.
The main event seemed to be unfolding in each diocese of the Empire. Even the elf diocese in the Southern Great Forest and the Lasker diocese had expressed their intention to join in.
“When we prayed in the holy land, the Goddess herself answered. I trust you won’t call that radiant light a mere coincidence. If you did, you’d be dragged away as a heretic in no time.”
“…I agree.”
It was scary. As soon as I received the light and stepped outside, the believers were all like, ‘Whoa!’
If I had just grown a mustache and raised my hand, shouting, ‘Down with the Kanfras!’ they might have all chanted, ‘Hail, Karl!’
“But you know, the real reason I’m so happy is something else.”
“I can guess. It’s because of the imperial heir, isn’t it?”
The Crown Prince looked back and forth between my sister and me, then chuckled and nodded.
When I asked if he was really that happy, he replied, ‘It’s not just anyone, but His Holiness the Pope himself, praying for the imperial heir every week. What parent wouldn’t be happy about that?’
Honestly, even I have to admit it’s impressive.
Throughout the history of the Empire, the Church has never prayed regularly for an imperial heir before their birth.
There have been many instances of blessings being bestowed upon the heir after their birth, but this is truly unprecedented.
“By the way, brother-in-law. Um, about that…”
“Don’t worry. I made sure to pray for a ‘girl’.”
“Hahahaha! Good, very good! You are truly a loyal subject!”
My sister gave the Crown Prince a look of utter exasperation, but… what can you do? Every father naturally wishes for a daughter.
“Your Highness, Karl is also busy with his own affairs, so wouldn’t it be better to get to the main topic?”
“Ah, you’re right, Rika. My apologies.”
The main topic? Wait, so everything up until now wasn’t the main topic?
As I looked back and forth between the two, the Crown Prince cleared his throat and straightened his posture.
“Young Lord Karl Adelheit.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
“Since you are the one who brought us all these great blessings and gifts, I wish to entrust you with the rest as well. Will you accept?”
“Your Highness?”
“Will you do it?”
“Yes. Anything I can do… but what is it that you’re asking of me?”
What? What is it? Why are you being so serious? Are you going to use me somewhere again? Are you going to send me to a military unit or a diocese to appease the public?
“Our imperial heir’s name.”
Huh…?
“Not me. Not Rika. Not even His Majesty. I want you to give them their name.”
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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