saint ch5

Imperial Palace of the Empire

The Orion Order.

To most of the world’s populace, the Order represents noble figures acting as proxies for the gods, but the story is somewhat different for those in power.

Those in power are well aware that the Order’s true nature is nothing more than a corrupt power group.

However, even for them, it is not easy to keep the Order’s authority in check.

Because the gods are real.

Because miracles can actually be witnessed.

As long as the gods exist, no matter what atrocities the Order and its clergy commit, they are merely the deviations of individuals and cannot fundamentally damage the sanctity of the gods and religion.

And as long as that sanctity remains intact, the Order’s authority may weaken, but its existence itself is immortal.

Before the Empire became powerful, this land belonged to the Holy Empire.

Even though the Empire was founded after all the corrupt and depraved clergy were purged, at the very moment the Empire was established,

Even at the moment when the Imperial Family’s power was at its strongest, the existence of the Order could not be erased.

The Order was a thorn in the side of those in power, but at the same time, it was an indispensable element in gathering and governing the populace.

If they had declared that they would erase the Order altogether instead of purging it, rebellions would have erupted in various regions immediately.

Therefore, for the Imperial Family, the Orion Order had been a very difficult problem to deal with for generations, and they were potential troublemakers whose every move was closely watched.

Giving the Order’s leadership positions closest to the capital was not out of respect for their authority, but to monitor them.

It was only natural that news of the Saint’s birth would reach them faster than anyone else.

“A Saint? A real Saint?”

“They say the Sacred Imprint is different. Isn’t it possible that those Order bastards finally created a Forged Sacred Imprint?”

“No matter how reckless they are, they can’t forge a Sacred Imprint. The Sacred Imprint is the symbol of the gods themselves. Nothing even close to it has been created in all of history.”

“According to the Order, an unusually immature child was chosen as the Saint, and the Sacred Imprint has not fully bloomed.”

“That’s the first I’ve heard of that. So they don’t know what it is either.”

“But judging by their confident announcement, the Sacred Imprint itself must be genuine. They must have something to rely on.”

Important figures from all fields were summoned and engaged in lively discussions, so engrossed were they in the existence of the newly born Saint.

If the already troublesome Order started spouting nonsense with a Saint backing them, they would be helpless even knowing what was coming.

A Saint was a political cheat code that could garner popular support under the name of the Saint’s words, no matter what nonsense they spouted.

“That’s not the important thing. Don’t you know how that Saint was born and what the current situation is?”

“Is that information really reliable?”

“The credibility is quite high. It seems that the punishment was indeed inflicted.”

However, even they were unsure how to handle the Saint who had been born this time.

First of all, the fact that the Saint was an incomplete, half-baked Saint was a problem.

It was unprecedented for a human to receive a Sacred Imprint other than Orion’s.

Could it really be a half-baked Sacred Imprint?

Moreover, although it was hard to believe, they received news that they tried to beat the Saint to death, but the Sacred Imprint bloomed and they survived.

Does that make sense?

If the Order inflicted such harsh punishment that it led to death, they must have done something that went against the doctrine or the Order, but a Sacred Imprint appeared in such a child?

Besides, could a Saint who regained consciousness be cooperative with the Order?

It was, after all, the place that tried to beat them to death.

There were too many questionable aspects in many ways.

And the fact that there were many questionable aspects also meant that there were many angles to dig into.

Throughout countless conflicts and political strifes, there had never been an opportunity to attack or exploit a Saint.

For the Empire, this was an opportunity.

“If we can somehow secure that Saint, we can use them as a fatal blow against the Order.”

“We can always fabricate a justification. How do we know that the Sacred Imprint didn’t fully bloom because of the harsh punishment?”

“They’re the ones who claimed it was a half-baked Saint. That Saint isn’t completely in their grasp yet.”

“But it’s too dangerous. Do you know what state that Saint is in to be making such a gamble?”

“For all we know, that Saint is already collared by the Order and could accuse us of being kidnappers.”

Throughout history, the Saints the Order had presented had not been fully recognized for their authority unless they were faithful puppets of the Order.

Not being a puppet of the Order meant that the Saint belonged to a large family or group that could speak out against the Order, and the Order used that as an excuse to say that because they belonged to the secular world, they had no choice but to abandon all status and return to the Order. That was their usual line.

No matter where they were from, it was not easy to reject the Order’s official justification, and the Saints who were dragged to the headquarters in that way were highly likely to become dolls who only followed the words of the clergy.

But this time? An orphan with no connections or background became a Saint, and yet the Order is cautiously testing the waters.

Something must have gone terribly wrong.

It’s just that they don’t know what the problem is.

“Enough.”

A deep voice echoed through the hall.

Despite not being a loud sound, the vassals who had been arguing instantly fell silent.

Because the one who spoke was the emperor, the one above all others who ruled this vast Empire.

“It seems there’s no end to this discussion. So, what are we going to do?”

It was a statement that could be perceived as incompetent, but no one dared to harbor such thoughts here.

The current emperor was a very capable man who skillfully handled all the nobles of the Empire and held strong imperial power, and he was an enemy of the nobles who had personally beheaded incompetent and corrupt nobles in the imperial court on numerous occasions.

“I am sorry to report, Your Majesty, but there are too many difficult variables to read, so it is difficult to come up with a story right now.”

In the end, some officials put forward cautious arguments to protect themselves.

Even those who had been expressing extreme opinions stepped back when it was time to speak in front of the emperor.

It was an unavoidable habit of those in power.

“Isn’t it ridiculous?”

The emperor let out a dry laugh at that sight, but no one laughed along.

Everyone could feel that the emperor was in a very unpleasant mood.

“I know all the material conditions of the border lines located on the outskirts of the Empire. All thanks to you capable people.”

“All thanks to the grace of His Majesty the Emperor.”

At the emperor’s sudden compliment, all the vassals bowed their heads and paid their respects.

“But.”

Immediately afterward, a cold silence settled in the hall.

“But it’s so difficult to find out what’s happening in that holy city located right beneath the heart of the Empire.”

“I am sorry.”

The vassals could only bow their heads more deeply.

The emperor, who was staring at them coldly, clicked his tongue as if for the vassals to hear and then gave an order.

“Prepare as quickly as possible and form a delegation to visit the Order’s headquarters as soon as it is ready.”

“It shall be done as you wish.”

“Include Lord Canyon and Lord Ludmila in the delegation. No, just include both of them. Tell them that the use of force is permissible.”

“It shall be done as you wish.”

“First Princess Azelia will be the head of the delegation. Summon the princess.”

“It shall be done as you wish.”

Normally, there would have been some grumbling about whether it was right to use the princess for such an official event where she would be meeting the Saint’s face for the first time, but in the solemn atmosphere of the hall, no vassal would utter such a tactless word.

“You may all leave.”

“May your Imperial Majesty be healthy and well.”

As the vassals retreated like a receding tide and the hall became quiet,

The emperor, revealing a fatigue that he would never show in front of the vassals, rubbed his eyes and then wore a faint smile as he saw a woman entering the hall.

The woman, who had a beautiful appearance that would surely be beautiful if she dressed up like the young ladies of noble families, but wore minimal makeup and a knight’s uniform, entered the hall and knelt before the emperor.

“Azelia.”

“The parent of all and the sun of the Empire…”

“Enough. That’s enough for official occasions. Doesn’t it feel awkward for your father to hear you say ‘parent of all’ or whatever?”

First Princess Azelia of the Empire, who was trying to take a rigid ceremonial posture, reluctantly relaxed her formality at the emperor’s words, but still answered in a stiff voice.

“We must be faithful to these things even when no one is watching. How many people in the imperial palace want to find fault with me?”

“They are all insignificant people who are not capable of forming ties with you, so they are forming ties with others and hoping for good luck. Don’t worry about them.”

Both the emperor and Azelia knew that that was not all, but they did not bother to put it into words.

“Why did you call me?”

She simply changed the subject as if nothing had happened.

“A Saint has been born.”

“Tell me your command.”

“I’m thinking of sending you as an envoy to the holy city this time.”

“I will obey.”

“Make sure to have a private audience with the Saint at all costs.”

“I will obey.”

“And…”

The emperor uncharacteristically hesitated.

Just from that, Azelia felt like she knew what the emperor was going to say next.

“If you are not convinced that the Saint cannot become a dagger against the Order, kill them.”

“…”

The emperor’s and Azelia’s gazes met in the air.

At that moment, what came to Azelia’s mind was not the political repercussions or the public’s backlash that she would experience if she killed the Saint.

She was always prepared to handle such things.

She just thought of the Saint’s age, who was younger than her.

“Canyon and Ludmila will handle the aftermath. I will bear the brunt of the backlash. You just become a sword.”

How likely was it that a Saint belonging to the Order would not be swept up in the Order’s skirts?

Even if, dramatically, the Order had not yet taken action, how likely was it that the Saint would be secretly hostile to the Order, avoiding the eyes of all the clergy?

The emperor ordered Azelia to become a sword.

A sword does not judge the opponent it pierces.

It was a statement that the emperor himself was aware that he would eventually have to kill the Saint.

This was not really meant to gauge the Saint’s true intentions, but was in fact an incitement to murder.

Unlike his appearance with a shallow smile until just now, his deeply sunken eyes were staring at Azelia without emotion.

But Azelia knew very well that her father was not an emotionless madman, but an emperor who had learned to put aside his personal feelings and make judgments for the sake of the Empire.

“Azelia. Can you do it?”

It was also clear that the last question was not really a question of whether she could do it.

Azelia was smart enough to know that even if she said she couldn’t, someone would have to draw a sword, and if she refused, she would just be running away from guilt.

“…I will obey.”

Azelia’s even more subdued voice echoed through the hall.

Killing emotions and making judgments for the sake of the Empire.

It was the quality of the emperor that Azelia had to learn.