The Emperor Who Was Chapter 23 : Chapter 23

Chapter . 23

I wanted to burn the person who dared to lay hands on the future Emperor's body without permission and drown him in water. As I strived to possess the Emperor's mindset myself, I felt such a way of thinking becoming more familiar. Though I didn't want to confirm it like this.

But this was undeniably politics. There's a reason why pledging loyalty with a kiss still remains in places where old traditions persist these days. Not to ntion diplomacy, in cases like the Holy Emperor and the Emperor, even the body part and number of kisses were all decided through negotiation in advance.

'The worse the relationship, the more intensely one expresses affection in front of everyone.'

For peace, one can even sleep with the enemy; bankers, trust

and invest; such competition for showing off follows.

If my brother flaunted this much political power, I couldn't lose either.

"Since the God Traneha cherishes you so dearly, it might be Mother's will for you to convert to the faith. I too will support you with my best effort."

Just in ti, the First Prince revealed his true feelings.

My brother, who wishes I would shave my head and beco a monk.

'Before your head gets cut off first.'

I placed my hands on Maximilian's shoulders and said in an earnest tone without pushing him away at all.

"Brother, unlike your wish, I will not convert to the God Traneha, so do not harbor unnecessary hope. Because the reason is......."

Stopping mid-sentence, my brother and the people only looked at my lip movents. suppressing the urge to shoot a flashy spell at them, I continued.

"This revelation was actually delivered by Mother, who appeared in my dream along with the God Traneha. In other words, it ans Mother is looking down on the child she parted with without ever holding once. To the extent that even the God Traneha was moved by Mother's love. So if Mother tells

to convert to God, I will follow, and if she tells

not to, I will follow that as well."

In other words, if my mom tells

to beco Emperor, I will.

"How should you accept such a will of Mother, Brother?"

Maximilian bit his lip.

He'd want to tell

to stop talking nonsense, but if he did, he would beco unfilial and even an unbeliever.

"Do not disappoint our Mother again by being a harsh brother. I fear you might incur both Mother's wrath and God's wrath together."

Veins bulged on Maximilian's forehead. Indeed, if you didn't want to hear others' nonsense, you shouldn't have spouted nonsense yourself first.

"Mother no longer tolerates any abuse towards . The revelation I received is Mother's will. Keep that in mind and never go against Mother again, Brother."

I was always criticized as the child who killed his Mother.

Now it was ti for

to reverse-utilize that structure as the child receiving Mother's protection.

My mom, whom I have never seen, wouldn't be soone who resents a baby.

"I am―"

Maximilian tried to say sothing. I didn't want to hear it, nor was there any reason to listen.

"I understand your desire to ask for forgiveness. If your heart is truthful without falsehood, Mother's forgiveness will descend, and I too will forgive you along with Mother then."

Ignoring Maximilian, who clearly had no intention of asking for forgiveness, I turned to the people. Those who persecuted

along with him but wanted to see reconciliation between brothers.

"Everyone, wait with one heart and one mind for what miracle Mother's forgiveness will bring forth when that ti cos."

Expectation was a great motivation for Word Soul Magic. Since they played a large part in the discord between us brothers, if they want to watch reconciliation now, they should make an effort first.

"How wonderful Prince Leontes is! Truly generous!"

"I am truly moved by Your Highness's heart!"

"For the mother who passed away leaving a newborn baby alone to watch over the child by God's side, it is so beautiful!"

"Now if the two Princes beco close, this country will develop even further!"

People began to add their own word souls to my Word Soul Magic. Of course, there were those who lied. But as long as my Word Soul Magic took root in their subconscious, their falsehoods would beco shackles binding them.

"Mother loved . Now I will convey Mother's love to you instead."

My brother persistently spouted nonsense. Without looking at him, whose business was already finished, I looked around at the people and smiled. They also focused on

following my gaze.

The groundwork flowed like water. While at it, I surveyed the situation while ignoring Grimiati and Desmond together.

Grimiati knew how to endure according to the situation, but Desmond couldn't endure even if he read the situation. Expecting him to do sothing reckless again feeling alienated, I finally turned to look at him.

However, Rhiannon stepped forward before him.

"The discovery of Saint Marcella's relic is clearly the grace of the God Traneha bestowed upon Armatia."

Rhiannon could not sit by and watch

elevate the fa of the dead forr Empress. However, towards Rhiannon who snatched away his turn to step forward, Desmond couldn't suppress his anger for a mont and bared his teeth. Showing his canines, then chewing his lower lip beneath them.

He managed it better than the hostility directed at , but everyone saw him baring his teeth like a wolf at his own mother. The Lauderdale people flushed, and the other three factions openly clicked their tongues.

"Also, since the relic was discovered in the Imperial Palace and by a Prince, it belongs to His Majesty the Emperor."

Rhiannon's remark surprised people. So admired it. Thinking how much favor she would have received from the Emperor if she had said such words first.

But the Emperor alone had an emotionless face. He was equally indifferent to Saint Marcella, to , to the Empress, and to his other children. It seems a world without dragons is insufficient to attract his attention.

"Her Majesty the Empress's words are correct but... in honor of the God Traneha's grace, how beautiful it would be to donate it to the Temple. The Traneha religion will never forget Your Majesty's grace."

The Archbishop said quickly. Realizing he had talked about the dead Empress too long in front of the living Empress, trying to curry favor with Rhiannon.

Rhiannon nodded with dignity.

"Please do so, Your Majesty."

Whispering slightly to the Father Emperor. Since the Empress claid the Father Emperor's ownership first, she could advise him first. Indebting the Traneha Temple. As expected, she was skillful.

"Ownership of Saint Marcella."

The Father Emperor's gaze looked at the statue standing tall on the ground after completely shaking off the dirt as if looking at a tree next to it. Without empathizing at all with the surroundings cheering for the statue's excavation.

No one dared to object, but his words were irreverent. Not ownership of the holy relic, but ownership of the saint.

"Let the discoverer decide."

Then he said sothing unexpected.

"Pardon? Your Majesty?"

To the extent that even Rhiannon asked back to the Emperor in confusion.

"Did not the discoverer say he received a revelation from the God Traneha? So he will decide where the saint's relic should go and its future course appropriately according to God's will."

Saying that, he looked at . With the sa emotionless gaze as when looking at the holy relic. If you're not interested, just keep your mouth shut as you have until now.

If he had expressed interest apart from giving

a trial, I might have mustered strength to beco a son worthy of my father's eyes.

'But whether I succeed or not, he will be equally indifferent.'

He only gave the trial because he couldn't keep ignoring it in front of everyone. Whether I succeed, 'I see', or fail, 'I knew it', he would surely say. Even though it's not an easy trial.

If I hand over the holy relic to the Temple, I beco a Prince less loyal to the Father Emperor than the Empress who once raised the issue of the Emperor's ownership.

But if I hand it over to the Father Emperor who isn't even interested in the holy relic, the Temple will completely forget praising

and harbor a grudge.

I felt the gazes of my brothers rejoicing in the difficulty I faced.

'Rhiannon attacks

so well, why doesn't Maximilian get jealous?'

Just then, Rhiannon urged.

"What will you do, Prince Leontes? His Majesty the Emperor awaits your answer."

"I only do my best not to disappoint Father."

Without even looking at Rhiannon, I looked only at the Father Emperor and declared.

"Saint Marcella's relic belongs to His Majesty the Emperor."

"Prince Leontes!"

"Is it not a holy relic found after receiving a revelation from the God Traneha!"

The Archbishop and other priests gasped in unison. Only the originally reticent Cardinal remained silent, but his appearance was more ominous.

"Since I, the son of His Majesty the Emperor, discovered it in the Imperial Palace, the ownership belongs to His Majesty the Emperor. If that were not God's will, why would He give a revelation to , a Prince, in the Imperial Palace? Especially a revelation that even the Archbishop of the Traneha religion did not believe and harbored distrust against. If the Temple rejected God's grace once, they have no choice but to bear the consequences."

At my words, they dared not retort but looked angry. On the other hand, flushed faces appeared on Rhiannon and my brothers.

"However, as one who received a revelation from the God Traneha, I wish to give glory to God. Therefore, I implore Father to permanently lease the relic of Saint Marcella to the Temple."

Like that, I threw the ball the Father Emperor threw at

back to him. Clarifying the Father Emperor's ownership while indebting the Temple.

"Permanent lease, you say......."

"Then the Temple possesses it, but the ownership is His Majesty the Emperor's......."

As people whispered, the Father Emperor asked .

"What do you an to do?"

"If Father only grants permission, I will manage all remaining procedures. This statue is Father's, but the Traneha religion borrows it permanently. They may exhibit the relic, but must reveal in detail how it was discovered, from God's revelation and Mother's blessing to my discovery and Father's tolerance. If they neglect even one thing......."

Saying that, I looked aningfully at the Archbishop. He, who was glaring at , hurriedly lowered his eyes.

"Then, with my own hands that petitioned Father for rcy for the Temple, I will confiscate the holy relic myself."

"I-I will strive to ensure absolutely no such thing happens!"

A priest shouted in an earnest voice. Soone with much stronger faith than the Archbishop.

"Do not worry. Unless it is a fairly big mistake, the Temple's permanent lease will continue. Also, even if I take the holy relic from a Temple that committed a wrong, if another Temple serves the holy relic properly, I will gladly send it to that Temple."

In other words, a notification that if they don't spread the legend of

discovering this statue widely by spending money, I will confiscate it and give it to another Temple.

Originally, disputes between Temples over holy relics were fierce. Temples and regions fought each other, often shedding blood. The Holy Emperor declared he would judge ownership fairly to prevent such fights, but the election itself depended on how many votes were bought.

In such a situation, the Temple borrows the holy relic capable of attracting the most pilgrims forever, but it's not permanently enshrined in one place? Depending on the Prince's decision, our Temple can also borrow it?

It was trendous good news for all Temples across the country. Now there's no need to spend big money to buy and display holy relics that might be chicken bones or dog bones.

Not a common piece of wood claiming to be from the True Cross that all sorts of Temples possess, which if combined would build a ship, but a real relic excavated in the Imperial Palace under the Emperor's watch!

The poignant maternal love of the dead Empress, the filial piety of the son who lost his mother as soon as he was born, the God Traneha who bestowed grace moved by the mother and son, a perfect legend surpassing knightly romances that will fill sermon tis and squeeze money out of believers!

"If you entrust it to our Temple, we will cover the saint's statue entirely in gold. Of course, we will exhibit statues of Her Majesty the Empress and Your Highness the Prince together! How sacred it would be!"