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The royal palace banquet eventually ended due to the demon’s disturbance, and those who had each played a part in sorting out the situation soon gathered in small groups to start their own after-party.

The location was, of course, a tavern located on the streets near the Holy City.

Originally a place where one could enjoy decent food and drinks at a reasonable price, relieving the stress of the day with solo drinking and dining, the tavern had now turned into a lively celebration spot. The clergy, having completed their demon-slaying mission, were laughing and chatting, commemorating a fulfilling day.

Glug, glug, glug—swoosh—.

Gulp, gulp, gulp.

“Ahhh~! Yeah, this is it, this is the stuff!”

With the expression of an uncle stopping by a bar after work, Hildegard chugged a chilled draft beer, foam clinging to her mustache-like lips as she let out a satisfied sigh.

“Wow, I heard Rotaringia is more about wine than beer, so I didn’t have high expectations. But this tavern’s beer seems to hold its own even compared to the Empire’s, don’t you think?”

Munching on salted boiled peas, slices of salt-cured and smoked ham topped with cheese, dried and shredded fish jerky, and other assorted nuts as snacks, she praised the tavern’s beer.

Having unintentionally gone through a period of abstinence due to her training, Hildegard looked incredibly happy now that she finally had alcohol in her system.

“People need these moments of drinking every now and then to gain the motivation to keep going. Living stiffly all the time—what’s the fun in that?”

Esiocles, a muscular man in a tank top, watched Hildegard tilt a large beer stein as if it were a regular glass, his expression a mix of awe and concern.

“Uh… that’s some serious binge drinking.”

A bit worried by her seemingly suicidal pace of drinking, the clergy member turned to Conra, who was sipping on lemonade with a bored expression, and quietly asked, “Is it okay for her to drink like that?”

“Probably fine? That’s just her usual style. Though she might get a bit more drunk than usual since it’s been a while.”

At Conra’s response, Esiocles glanced back at Hildegard, who was already finishing another massive stein. As someone who avoided alcohol to prevent muscle loss, Esiocles couldn’t understand the scene, but he chose not to say anything. Hildegard’s face just looked too happy.

‘Well, as long as she’s happy.’

In the end, good is good, right? As he sipped on his thick protein drink, Esiocles suddenly noticed an empty seat and remarked, “By the way, is Sir Shazel running late?”

“Master is the one who designed this whole operation, after all. He’s probably tied up with some cleanup work.”

“True.”

Esiocles nodded in agreement with Conra’s response.

“Come to think of it, the number of people Master has taught has reached 300 now. Once the rest of the schedule is completed, it’ll only grow.”

Conra, who had been quietly sipping his lemonade, suddenly spoke up. Esiocles raised an eyebrow at the seemingly random comment.

“Well, yeah, but why do you ask? You don’t look too happy.”

The boy, his face filled with a sullen expression, sighed at Esiocles’ question and replied with a slightly lighter tone, “No, it’s just… I guess I’m feeling a bit jealous, or maybe frustrated.”

“What?”

“Well, you know, I’m Master’s squire and disciple, right? But now, hundreds of others are going to receive the same teachings. It just feels a bit off, you know?”

“Oh?”

Esiocles stroked his chin, nodding at the boy’s words. The little guy was showing quite a bit of possessiveness. Thinking about it, the boy had grown quite a bit over the past few months. Kids in their growth spurt age quickly, after all.

“Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’re still the only one who’ll inherit Master’s true secrets, right?”

“Me?”

“Of course. Aren’t you learning it? Master’s hidden true techniques.”

What Esiocles was referring to was none other than energy manipulation and yoga. The foundational techniques of controlling cosmic energy and the swordsmanship of the Egi Sword—essentially what defined Sophia today—were rooted in the mastery of energy manipulation and yoga. Esiocles, seeing this clearly, advised the boy.

“Sophia isn’t making you undergo clergy training because she doesn’t want to tie your future to the Church Order just yet. I personally think the clergy is a decent path, but honestly, once you enter that life, you always end up giving up something.”

At Esiocles’ words, Conra thought of the clergy members he’d met so far, including Esiocles himself and Hildegard, who was currently in the middle of a drinking spree. Indeed, the clergy members in his memories had all given up something important.

Finally, Conra’s expression brightened a bit.

“See? Much better now.”

Smiling, Esiocles took another sip of his thick protein drink.

+++++

Meanwhile, at the same time they were laughing and chatting, Sophia was in a slightly different place.

Accompanied by Cardinal Andrea Bonaventura di Bertone, the First Seat of the Paladins, and Cardinal Alessandro Borromeo, the Minister of Politics, Sophia arrived at a certain room in the royal palace, guided by a servant.

As the servant announced their arrival, Cardinal Andrea quietly asked Cardinal Alessandro, “Hmm, this is a bit unexpected, isn’t it? You’ve always insisted that the Church Order should not interfere in the kingdom’s affairs, yet here you are, following us to the royal palace.”

“This matter involves demons. It’s better to intervene proactively and define the scope of involvement to avoid complications later. My fundamental stance hasn’t changed.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Cardinal Andrea crossed his arms, nodding as if he understood. At this, Cardinal Alessandro suddenly asked, “Is that so? Then what did you think?”

“What did I think? I just thought, ‘Has this guy finally reached his end?’”

“Wait, what did you just say?”

Watching this, Sophia sighed inwardly. These old men, who had lived long enough, were bickering like children. One was a stern-faced old knight, and the other was a respected elder of the Church Order, someone even Sophia held in high regard.

And yet, here they were, acting like kids. Sophia suddenly wondered if it was all Cardinal Andrea’s fault.

‘Just being near him makes people act childish. Cardinal Andrea, what a terrifying person!’

Sophia, grateful for the moment when all eyes were off her, subtly distanced herself from the two cardinals.

“You may enter.”

At the chamberlain’s announcement, the bickering between the two cardinals and Sophia’s subtle distancing came to an end. The three of them stood at the door, exuding a solemn and dignified aura as if nothing had happened. The chamberlain opened the door, and they entered, lightly making the sign of the cross.

“Welcome, esteemed guests from the Church Order. I am the King of Rotaringia, seated on the Iron Throne, Vittorio III.”

Waiting in the room was King Vittorio III of Rotaringia. As the three entered, the king rose to greet the representatives from the Church Order. By his side stood Prince Eduardo, standing in attendance.

“I am Alessandro, Minister of Politics.”

“Andrea Bonaventura di Bertone, First Seat of the Paladins.”

“Seventh Seat of the Paladins… no, I’ve introduced myself before, so no need for that.”

From the start, Cardinal Andrea and Sophia were already on the offensive. Only Cardinal Alessandro maintained proper decorum, but the king, with his sharp eyes, noticed that even Alessandro didn’t seem particularly concerned with the authority of the secular ruler.

Nevertheless, King Vittorio III nodded in satisfaction.

‘Good. Very good.’

This was exactly the kind of Church Order he had hoped for. The measures he was about to take could potentially shake the kingdom to its core. In such times, having a force that could naturally maintain balance was invaluable.

The foolish nobles had tried to drag the Church Order into the kingdom’s political arena, but a massive force like the Church Order wasn’t meant to be used in such a way. The negotiations with these three representatives of the Church Order would undoubtedly serve as a valuable experience for Prince Eduardo, the rightful heir to the throne.

And on this day, a secret pact was formed between the Church Order and the Rotaringian monarchy.

 

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