210. Beggar Siblings - Blood Relation
Grandfather?
In the small parlor of the annex, Leo's thoughts alternated between Jenia and Cardinal Verke, delving into the past.
From the relationship between the cardinal and Count Gustav Peter, the tangled thread that seed impossible to untangle was not actually tangled at all.
Jenia was the clue to the solution.
Leo belatedly realized that this clue had been casually ntioned by Marquis Benar Tatian long ago.
- “Oh, right. There's no one closer than blood relatives. Once, my dear friend broke a plate...”
It was during the episode when the beggar siblings tried to beco the marquis's adopted children. The drunk marquis, exchanging strong liquor, had ntioned that his only friend had hastily married and had a daughter who was quite a tomboy, a rather trivial remark.
Back then, Leo hadn't paid attention to his words.
He was too busy plotting to beco an adopted son or daughter to use the marquis's power to make his sister a princess, and he forgot about it later.
Ah... you fool.
As his thoughts began to flow rapidly, Leo beca distressed. Thinking that the solution to the beggar siblings' scenario might have been given from the beginning, he couldn't forgive himself for missing the clue.
Of course, having forgotten the past, there was no way he could have known that Jenia was waiting nearby when he failed to fetch water one morning.
Not even knowing of her existence, he always sought out Cassia, and through her, he entered the Rauno family via Ober. It was only then that he t Marquis Tatian, who was plotting to assassinate his son, and obtained a minuscule clue.
Furthermore, he only t Jenia after the brothel turned into a theater following the resolution of Cassia's entanglent, so rather than it being Leo's fault...
But Leo's complexion darkened. He knew that his first encounter with Jenia wasn't at that ti; in fact, he was aware of it.
The very episode when he got the clue from Marquis Tatian. I went to the Arille Theater with a florist nad Soirin. There, I saw an actor struggling in a pitch-black robe, and my heart raced.
That was Jenia.
I later learned she worked at the Arille Theater while dating her, but even then, I had clearly felt it.
It was a similar feeling to when Rev saw Lena. The sa excitent I felt as Leo Dexter when I saw Lena Ainar. I should not have missed that feeling.
I've ssed up so muChapter As Leo's self-reproach deepened,
“Leo?”
Jenia shook him. Coming to his senses, he realized she was now sitting very close to him.
“I'm sorry. I didn't an to hide it... Are you mad?”
“Ah, no. Not at all.”
Leo brushed off his self-reproaChapter Mourning was best done alone later, so he straightened his back and faced Cardinal Verke.
“I don't know what to call you... Cardinal. Nice to et you. This isn't our first eting, is it?”
“...Indeed. You've grown up. Congratulations on returning alive. No need for titles.”
The cardinal let out a low sigh.
From the mont his long-lost granddaughter brought back the princess he thought dead, he had a hunch, and when Jenia openly introduced the prince as her betrothed, he felt all his plans unraveling.
The class system.
Verke intended to reform this flawed social system entrenched across the continent. He secretly devoted himself to this mission, believing it was his calling. But, dear God, what should I do? The sin of consorting with my sister has co back to haunt . ─ He couldn't help but lant. He lacked the courage to sever the strong bond of kinship.
“Jenia. I'm sorry, but could you step out for a mont? There's sothing I want to discuss with the prince.”
“...Grandfather. I told you clearly. This man is going to be my husband. If you intend to oppose our marriage, stop.”
“No, I can't interfere with your marriage prospects. I just have sothing I want to tell him separately.”
However, Jenia seed unwilling to leave. She clung even closer, prompting Leo to gently persuade her.
“Jenia. Please step out for a mont. I also want to talk with the cardinal.”
“...Okay, I understand.”
With Leo's support, Jenia, albeit reluctantly, left the room. Finally, Leo faced Cardinal Verke alone for the second ti, but the atmosphere was very different from before.
Abandoning the subtle conversation of nobles, Cardinal Verke spoke frankly, like a priest.
“Prince.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“What kind of king do you intend to be?”
“...I wish to be a king in a country where the people do not starve.”
“Is it because you have lived a life of poverty?”
“Yes.”
“...I was a bastard. My real na was Baric Monarch, and my mother, of lowly birth, died without even being able to take a dose of dicine. She was the concubine of a wealthy noble, but even so. Do you think the reason the people are starving is rely due to a lack of food?”
“....”
“No. There is plenty of food. There is also ample land to cultivate, and the people are full of will to make that land fertile. Yet, why do you think people's lives are impoverished?”
“You want to bla the nobles, I presu.”
“No.”
Cardinal Verke took a deep breath. Leaning forward, he uttered words one should not dare say to a prince.
“It is the fault of the king.”
Leo remained silent, and Cardinal Verke continued his argunt, which had previously caused an uproar in the Cathedral with his doctrine of "Universal Priesthood."
"Humans are 'equal.' Before the holy deity, we are all rely creations. Of course, there is much debate about this equality within the churChapter Many argue that royalty and noble elites, who bear responsibilities, should not be placed on the sa level as commoners. To so extent, I agree. I do not deny that the current kings and nobles are descendants of great leaders who made remarkable contributions in the past. Undoubtedly, it is 'fair' that they are treated differently according to their abilities and efforts. However, is the world today fair? Is a world where those of low birth are denied educational opportunities, and where nobles inherit all the land for generations, a fair world? Absolutely not. The balance of equality has been tilted since the first human king, Toddler Akiunen, made Banun the first noble."
"So what do you wish for?"
Cardinal Verke's eyes glead, his divine power shimring white as he firmly declared,
"I want to abolish the class system."
"That is impossible."
But Leo also spoke with an unwavering tone. Having glimpsed the world where Minseo lived, Prince Leo had long since established what he needed to do as a king.
Facing the cardinal, who glared at him with cold, steely eyes, Leo explained his reasoning.
"It is not sothing that can be achieved rely because the cardinal wishes it and I accept it and implent it. Regardless of whether it is practically possible to strip the nobles of their privileges and redistribute them to the people, it is not desirable."
"And why is that?"
"Because the people themselves are not ready to rise up."
Cardinal Verke, the greatest theologian of the ti, was quick to grasp the profound implications of the prince's words.
"So, you, Your Highness..."
"Yes. I will impose the duty of education on the people. Not a right, but a duty. When they have fulfilled this duty and equipped themselves with sufficient capabilities, the class system will naturally dissolve."
Leo stared back at Cardinal Verke, making it clear that it was a world the old man would not live to see.
"Priests are currently teaching the people history and theology, right? I hope the church will take on this task. It will likely require many priests and monks... Cardinal Verke, will you help ? I'm sure you have so clever ideas."
I know you run the 'Grania Orphanage.' Since you are already taking in destitute children and raising them as priests and paladins, you are the perfect person for this task.
Cardinal Verke remained silent.
He realized that in trying to persuade the prince, he had ended up being persuaded himself, but the prince's logic had depth.
'The Responsibility of the Created'
Verke was a priest who, if he had to choose, would favor 'the responsibility of the created' over 'the burden of the created.'
He perceived humans as beings who advance with their own will, and the life of a creation was a responsibility given by God, not a right.
Thus, the concept the prince spoke of—where the people must awaken and rise on their own—seed plausible. Academically, it needed further research, but it aligned with the direction he supported.
Though it was regrettable that he would not see that day with his own eyes, Cardinal Verke nodded.
"I understand what you an. Then what about illegitimate children? They are neither commoners nor nobles."
"Aren't illegitimate children also people?"
"...Wait a mont. Do you intend to impose this duty on the nobles as well?"
"Yes. Nobles can invite private tutors to teach their children, thus evading the duty of education, but illegitimate children will be sent to the churChapter Does that answer your question?"
Impressed, Cardinal Verke exhaled a sigh of relief. He started to think that perhaps God had sent this prince to him through Jenia.
The prince extended his right palm.
It was a gesture that seed to ask for candy, and the cardinal looked at the prince, who was just shedding his boyish deanor, with curiosity. Of course, he wasn't asking for candy.
"Can you see this?"
"...Are you holding sothing?"
"No. In my palm... I guess you can't see it. Do you feel anything strange?"
"I don't understand what you an."
Hmm...
The prince pondered, opening and closing his right palm, wriggling uncomfortably before confessing.
"Have you heard of evil gods, Cardinal?"
"Of course."
"Do you believe they exist?"
"Well, I have heard reports of strange entities, though I am not sure if they are deities. Indigenous peoples who have not converted often wield incomprehensible powers..."
"Yes. It doesn't matter what they are called. What is certain is that so transcendent beings exist. The reason I am telling you this... hmm, you probably won't believe if I just tell you, so would you like to take a walk? It's evening now."
"...Very well."
Though puzzled, the cardinal obediently followed Leo outside.
He was not well-versed in 'ancient theology.' It was not his area of expertise, so he knew little about these so-called evil gods or Aashin. The Kingdom of Conrad, being almost entirely a vast plain, had hardly any indigenous people who had not converted, leaving little reason for Verke to send crusaders to expel savages.
Thus, unlike the cardinal of the many-savages-filled Kingdom of Orun, he was sowhat naive about Ashin.
Of course, being naive did not necessarily an being weak or helpless.
As the evening sun set and darkness fell, Cardinal Verke, walking in the park with the prince, shuddered. Radiating pure divine power from his entire body, he shouted,
"Begone (喝)!"
The evil beings nearby dissipated. Once a crusader, he habitually carried a sword, which he swung widely, dispersing the sticky fog and imdiately clearing the heavy air. Leo knew that Oriax's minions had fled.
"Cardinal. This may be hard to believe, but.."
"No. There is indeed sothing here."
"...Please hear out. The one who cursed is Prince Eric. He is an apostle serving the evil god Oriax. My father's collapse is also not unrelated to him."
Leo revealed a truth close to his heart. Though it felt like tattling like a boy, he was a bit embarrassed, but it was an issue only his father-in-law, or rather, his father-in-law's father, could solve.
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