One week has passed since then.
"Hello your highness, first prince Jesse Venetiaan of the Venetiaan Holy Kingdom."
"Hello Mr. gardener."
"Prince Jesse, your daily walk is early today!"
"Yes, sir, I was curious to know how the garden would look in the morning."
I lied as if it was nothing, with a smile on my face to the gardeners who greeted me.
The garden was pretty in the morning, but I did not come here early to look at that.
For the first five days, my morning schedule consisted of eating breakfast, rolling around doing nothing for a while, and then reading the latest issue of the < Biweekly Riester > or past issues in order to learn how things worked in the Empire.
After lunch, I would go out to the balcony and look over the foundation of the Empire from history books Ganael and the attendant children recommended to me, and then went for a walk for about an hour once my body felt stiff.
But then...
"Aren't the camellias beautiful? We pay special attention here because the rear garden of Romero Palace is a place his highness likes a lot."
"Yes, they are beautiful."
It sounded soulless to me too.
Yes, that damn Imperial Prince was the problem. Cédric Riester, also known as 'Crapdric.'
The future Imperial Crown Prince and the main male lead of < I quit my job and ended up as a noble young lady in another world >.
I would have been able to enjoy the fresh air during the usual time I took my afternoon walk if it wasn't for him coming out to the training ground at that time every day to swing his sword.
"The royal gardeners are very busy right now because it is almost tulip season. I wanted to show you a purple tulip since you are from the Holy Kingdom, but..."
One gardener had a look of disappointment on his face. Do tulips not grow in this garden?
"That's okay, Mr. gardener. I'm sure there will be an opportunity in the future."
It's not like I knew anything about flowers. It wasn't a big deal not seeing tulips, so I just laughed it off.
The gardeners soon bowed to me and picked up their pruning shears again.
Benjamin definitely said that the Imperial Prince 'sometimes' uses the training ground, but he has been swinging his sword in the training ground behind Juliette Palace every day since I saw him out the window.
That guy seems to work too hard. It's not like the Empire is at war, and according to Benjamin, the Imperial Prince is already one of the strongest in the Empire.
Does he have a lot of stress or something?
Anyway, I had avoided going on my walks whenever he was out there.
I didn't want to run into the Imperial Prince even as a coincidence because our schedules lined up.
But a few days ago, he started coming to the training ground at the same time as my walks.
I don't know why the hell his schedule changed, but what else can I do but adjust my schedule to my landlord's?
The landlord was the boss in romantic fantasies as well.
I decided to be that guy who enjoys morning walks starting from today.
"Your highness, should I prepare the tea table?"
"Ah, thank you very much. Benjamin, all of you come have a cup as well."
Benjamin had a complicated expression on his face after I said that, but eventually nodded his head.
Ganael and the children were full of smiles as they went off to get the table and supplies.
Benjamin had said no the first time I asked them to have tea with me, saying that the imperial law was strict about attendants and royalty sharing a table.
I argued back saying that Benjamin and the children were from noble households as well, what harm a cup of tea could do, and then said that it was awkward to drink alone with everybody watching.
None of it worked.
In the end, the Juliette Palace's group tea time was earned by my saying that 'I did this in the Holy Kingdom as well. You are free to transfer if you don't like it.'
"Your highness, today's snacks are Madeleine's!"
"There are cookies, too. They are fresh out of the oven!"
"Ganael, don't run. The twins will run if you run."
Ganael and the children brought a large picnic basket and a foldable table.
I chuckled and warned the children who seemed to get extremely excited about the cookies.
Eunse was just like this when she was younger.
Our three siblings tend to all eat well, but Eunse would go crazy for food since she was young.
The tea table was set up almost instantly. We all sat down around the table.
"Let's each eat three cookies and two Madeleine's."
"Yes, your highness!"
Benjamin looked like a professional pouring some peppermint tea as I put the snacks on the children's plates.
I couldn't help it since they would never touch it if I didn't give it to them like this.
"Thank you very much, your highness."
"We thank you for your royal favor."
"It's just snacks. Royal favor is a bit much, don't you think?"
The children laughed out loud at my response.
It was both cute yet pitiful to see their eyes glowing for snacks, as was expected of their ages.
They were only in their teens so I wished they could relax at least in front of me.
Other than Benjamin, Ganael who was sixteen years old was the oldest of my attendants. It was extremely uncomfortable to be attended to by children.
I felt guilty seeing the sleepy looks on their faces when they showed up in the morning to wake me up and help me wash.
How early must they have to wake up to get ready to come attend to me?
"These cookies are for the gardeners. Ganael, take it to them later for me, will you?"
"Your highness, you truly are a warm person."
I just felt guilty that I was being a slacker when people who looked much older than me were doing manual labor in front of me.
But I just smiled since I could not say that.
This morning's group tea time was pretty good.
Benjamin explained things like the thought that went into building Juliette Palace where I stayed and the Imperial Prince's Romero Palace.
I just kept it to myself that I thought that the Romero Palace blocked sunlight from reaching Juliette Palace.
The children praised me after eating the cookies, saying that they haven't had any nightmares since I got here.
It was peaceful.
The past week has been peaceful and it would be great if it could be like this all the time.
"Then I shall go share these snacks with the gardeners."
"Okay, thank you."
Ganael completely emptied both his cup and plate before getting up and the other children followed behind him, saying that they would help with the drinks.
Benjamin and I were the only ones left at the table. It was kind of awkward since it was quiet.
I brought the teacup up to my mouth. Benjamin was the first to speak.
"How was your morning walk, your highness?"
"It was pretty good. It was nice to wake me up."
I felt so relaxed that I could probably easily absorb the information from books once I went back inside.
Mornings where I could roll around the bed are best, but it wasn't bad to come out and get some fresh air either.
"I noticed you read a lot of books. Your highness, I heard that you have been reading all sorts of things, magazines, history books, holy text, and even manuals?"
I got the chills because he brought up books just as I was thinking about books.
But it was understandable why Benjamin would choose that topic.
I was like a student studying in their tiny dormitory, except my dormitory was a super fancy palace.
I was underlining each and every book that the attendants brought me, organizing my notes, and quizzing myself to study both the large and small settings of QNW.
Anything that matched what Eunse told me is important and got five stars next to it.
The only thing I could rely on was my brain since I didn't have any skills or photographic memory bestowed upon me by the author or a system.
I frequently questioned what I was doing, but I kept pushing on remembering that I needed to return home alive.
Other than my hour or so long walk, I basically never went out or worked out and only chatted with the people who worked here.
"I had no suitable hobbies to live quietly."
"I also heard that you have asked for past issues of the < Biweekly Riester > as well?"
'Huh? Is something wrong with that?'
The < Biweekly Riester > was a magazine that had gossip and information about the Empire's Beau Monde, but it was not a third-rate waste of time either.
It was a great source of information for someone like me since there were a lot of interviews and details about nobles and their public contributions.
"May I ask why you are so interested in the Empire's Beau Monde but are avoiding meeting any of the important people?"
'Ah, I guess that could cause some curiosity.'
I chose my words wisely.
"I am a bit of an introvert."
This was the truth.
"I like to approach things via text only."
I probably should have read QNW too.
"Your highness, that sounds very different from your personality we have heard about in Riester."
"That is how rumors are. They tend to be exaggerated."
"You are right, your highness."
He gave a short response. Benjamin's wrinkled eyes looked right at me.
"Your highness, my task is to serve you to the best of my abilities. It is not important to me that you are from another kingdom or that you have come here as a diplomatic hostage."
"I…I'm sure."
This was the first time he said the words, 'diplomatic hostage.'
I suddenly felt as if the atmosphere was getting extremely serious.
"My act of 'serving' you also includes making sure that you are safe, your highness."
"I see."
"However, it is difficult for me to protect you properly if there is anything you are hiding from me, your highness."
"Excuse me?"
'He's clearly trying to say that I am hiding something from him, right?'
I looked extremely shocked, but Benjamin just quietly looked back at me.
Benjamin knew best that I've only been in my room, the dining room, and the garden.
I didn't have the time or space to cause some secret accident.
"...Benjamin, I am not hiding anything from you."
'Well, I am, but that has to do with the fact that this world is in a novel and you are a character in it, so let's just brush that aside.'
"You know that I'm someone who can't even get permission to enter the Royal Library. I've never been out of your sight either. I've never sent a letter to the Holy Kingdom nor have I received any."
"Yes, your highness, I know."
"So what are you saying all of a sudden?"
"..."
Benjamin finally lowered his gaze.
I peeked and noticed that his face looked much older than usual.
"Your highness, I don't know if you know this or not, but I am a devoted believer of the Almighty God."
He suddenly changed topics. I recalled the information I learned.
The Church of the Almighty God was the national religion of the Venetiaan Holy Kingdom, as well as the religion practiced by eighty percent of the citizens of the Riester Empire.
Jesse Venetiaan was a priest of the Church of the Almighty God.
"I did not know. I thought Ganael was the only one."
"Juliette Palace has frequently been called the 'frozen palace.' The attendants here were all relegated to this place. However, it was different this time. It was because the news about your arrival had spread, your highness."
I could not tell where he was trying to go with this.
Benjamin, someone who was always calm and did not say much, was spitting out words as if he was a busted faucet that could not stop.
"The children from noble households of firm believers almost fought each other to be an attendant at Juliette Palace. Viscount Callamard's household that had once given birth to a martyr, as well as my own family, Count Girardin's household, were hoping that someone from our family would be assigned to attend to you, your highness. The other children who are here are all believers who have gone through rigorous assessments to be here."
I didn't know why he was telling me this, but I could finally understand why the children have been so friendly with me.
I would have been a mysterious foreigner, a celebrity they read about in magazines, and most importantly, an agent of their faith.
"I have the conviction to become a martyr."
"Mr. Benjamin, why would you say something like that?!"
I waved my hand in shock.
'Be martyred?'
It was an extremely heavy and shocking concept for an office employee from the 21st century Republic of Korea.
Benjamin looked at me and continued to speak.
"But what would the children know? They would become terribly weak when faced with death. They would not be able to survive even with the powers bestowed upon them by the Almighty God."
"Benjamin, please calm down. The children will not be in danger."
I peeked at the teacup that Benjamin drank from.
'Why is he saying all this as if he had been drinking alcohol instead of tea? Did something happen?'
"Please forgive me for saying this. Please promise me that you will be a responsible priest for the believers."
"Of course, I promise."
"Please swear to the Almighty God."
[I swear to the Almighty God.]
I suddenly shook in shock. My voice sounded as if I was speaking into a microphone.
The table then started to glow gold.
"My goodness..."
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Benjamin was amazed while looking down at the ground. I looked where he had been looking as well.
The source of light had not been the table.
A wide golden circle that was glowing brightly was visible with me at its center.
—
Chapter 30 - The Last and Only (2) Chapter 29 - The Last and Only (1) Chapter 28 - Curriculum for Pride and... Chapter 27 - Curriculum for Pride and... Chapter 26 - Curriculum for Pride and... Chapter 25 - Curriculum for Pride and... Chapter 24 - Handling (3) Chapter 23 - Handling ( Chapter 22 - Handling (1) Chapter 21 - Why are you coming out o... Chapter 20 - Why are you coming out o... Chapter 19 - Why are you coming out o... Chapter 18 - The Duke's Family is Sus... Chapter 17 - The Duke's Family is Sus... Chapter 16 - The Duke's Family is Sus... Chapter 15 - The Duke's Family is Sus... Chapter 14 - The Little Visitor (4) Chapter 13 - The Little Visitor (3) Chapter 12 - The Little Visitor (2) Chapter 11 - The Little Visitor (1) Chapter 10 - The Empress Palace's Num... Chapter 9 - The Empress Palace's Numb... Chapter 8 - News about her (2) Chapter 7 - News about her (1) Chapter 6 - Flume Ride (3) Chapter 5 - Flume Ride (2) Chapter 4 - Flume Ride (1) Chapter 3 - A person's crash landin Chapter 2 - A person's crash landing (2) Chapter 1 - A person's crash landing (1)
PrevChapter 5 – Flume Ride (2)
"...I've never seen such a big and bright Holy Domain before."
Benjamin seemed to know something, unlike me who was like a broken toy in this unexpected situation.
It took me about 10 seconds to realize that this 'summoning a golden circle on the ground' was my ability.
I was still confused after seeing something that I've only seen before in games happening to me, but I had a feeling it would be stupid to ask, 'what is this?'
[Anyway, the children will not be harmed because of me. That is true for you as well, Benjamin.]
My voice echoed out once more as if I was in a karaoke bar.
The light of the circle on the ground slowly became dimmer until it disappeared without a trace. It seemed to understand that I had finished what I needed to say and disappeared.
"I shall trust you because you used the Divine Oracle, your highness."
"..."
Benjamin seemed the brightest and most gentle I had seen all week.
I did not say anything in response.
It was difficult to maintain my facial expression, and I had a ton I needed to study after going back to my room.
'Holy Domain,' 'Divine Oracle'… And even why Benjamin acted so weird today.
I became as anxious as someone who did not manage to review all of the topics before having to take a test.
* * *
"Ganael, let's chat for a bit."
I closed my study material, err, the Theology book, and stopped the young boy.
Ganael, who had seemed as happy as possible this morning, seemed extremely anxious now.
He looked pale while serving me lunch and just awkwardly smiled and mumbled to himself any time I tried to talk to him.
"Y, your highness."
"Take a seat. Did you eat?"
The boy quietly mumbled that he did. I could see that his large gold pupils were shaking.
He must have heard something from Benjamin or something so big that there was no way for him not to know what must have happened.
Benjamin, who had made me anxious earlier, had been missing since my walk earlier.
He had disappeared without answering any of my questions.
"Benjamin said something weird to me in the garden. Do you know anything about it?"
"Eek."
Anybody would be able to tell there was a lot he knew.
Ganael might be sharp, but he seemed to suck at acting or lying.
Or is he not thinking about hiding it because it's me?
"I feel like I have a right to know if it is related to me."
'I'm sure it's not a big deal.'
I told myself that and tried my best to suppress the ominous feeling inside my heart.
I had been extremely quiet for the past week and never ran into the Imperial Prince as I had planned.
I had never heard about Christelle, the MC of < I quit my job and ended up as a noble young lady in another world > either.
That meant that the MC, the male lead, and I had never had any overlap at all.
"Umm, your highness… You see..."
I calmly waited for him to explain.
I was old enough to know that pushing children to hurry up and say it would only be counter-effective.
At least that was how it had been with Eunse.
"Umm... There was a thief."
"Hmm?"
'What? A thief? Not a spy but a burglar?'
I wonder what kind of amazing item was stolen that even I had to hear such weird things from Benjamin.
Ganael seemed relieved to see the shocked expression on my face.
"You really must know nothing about it, your highness. I had faith that that would be the case."
"Benjamin even brought up martyrs. That's why I thought I should at least know about it, even if it wasn't related to me."
I suddenly had a feeling… An important incident must have happened somewhere I don't know about.
It might be the event that progresses the story of QNW.
Even if I try my best not to get swept up by the flowing river, a tiny pebble could not become a boulder. It would end up floating along if the current becomes too strong.
In that case, I wanted to at least know how the river that I would have to trust with my body looked and where the currents were fast and slow.
"I heard that a treasure…a divine item had disappeared..."
– Knock knock.
Both of us stopped talking and turned toward the door after hearing a dull knock.
"Please come in."
Benjamin opened the door and entered. Ganael quickly got up from his seat. I was curious as to what he had been doing until now, but he spoke first.
"Your highness, you have a guest."
"A guest?"
"It is Vice Captain Élisabeth Moutet of the Imperial Guard."
'Holy shit.'
"I don't remember having an appointment with her."
"Excuse me, your highness."
A young woman popped in behind Benjamin and respectfully greeted me.
I anxiously stood up.
She had short olive-colored hair that was curled in and bright grey eyes.
Her uniform had numerous medals to show off her merits.
"There was a serious theft that happened at the border of the Riester Empire and the Venetiaan Holy Kingdom. I asked for this urgent meeting because I had some questions regarding this incident, your highness. Please excuse me for being unable to inform you regarding this meeting in advance."
I would seem weird or suspicious if I didn't excuse her for it.
I slowly nodded my head.
I gulped, knowing that I had no choice but to accept this meeting with her even while knowing who she was. It felt as if the thought I had not too long ago had turned into reality and slapped me in the face.
Forget a flowing river… I seemed to have accidentally gotten on a Flume Ride.
* * *
The only thing I have stolen since coming here was the air I used to breathe.
I reminded myself that I had nothing to feel guilty for and sat up straight.
"Ah, you really do drink tea without any caffeine, your highness."
Vice Captain Moutet was the first to speak. (TL: The author uses the word generally used for knights to address her, but the author uses it for all sorts of things throughout the novel, so I will use titles as fitting for each person. VC Moutet is a knight so I could use Dame, but I don't really like Dame and VC Moutet sounds so much cooler…)
She tasted the Hibiscus Tea that Ganael had brought over. I now knew what she meant by that.
The priest of the Church of the Almighty God stayed away from stimulants like caffeine and alcohol.
They believed that they could not use Divine Power properly if they were forced awake or could not think straight.
It was written on the first page of < The Rules and Beliefs of the Church of the Almighty God > that only the most devoted priests followed this rule.
The reason Benjamin and the children had been shocked when I had asked for Herbal Tea on the first day was because they didn't know that Prince Jesse was so devoted to the rules of the church.
It made sense since this guy was known as the scoundrel of the Holy Kingdom.
I just happened to get really lucky, like a bull that happened to catch a rat while stepping backward.
"It smells so good. I should recommend this to his highness, the Imperial Prince as well. He always drinks dark coffee."
"Umm, you don't need to beat around the bush, Vice Captain Moutet."
Her gaze seemed as if she found it odd that I cut her off.
But things like how Imperial Prince Cédric is a masochist who likes Espresso was information I did not need.
"I'm sure you are busy as well, Vice Captain Moutet. Didn't you say it was a serious theft?"
'Most importantly, I don't want to chat with you that long.'
"The Captain is taking care of all the work. My title is pretty much just an honorary title. Please just call me Élisabeth."
She smiled as she said that. I barely managed to smile back.
Vice Captain Élisabeth was the daughter of a Count and the future heir to the title; her position was in no way just honorary.
"Then please excuse me as I ask some potentially offensive questions."
The Vice Captain of the Imperial Guard took another sip of tea before slowly starting to interrogate me.
I saw the ring on her left hand shining as she held the teacup in her hand.
"Could you please tell me where you were and what you were doing on the night of March 17th?"
"March 17th... That was the first day I got here. I only remember washing up and going to sleep."
I didn't know for sure since I opened my eyes here for the first time on the morning of March 18th.
But my personal attendant and monitor Benjamin told me that, so that should be correct.
"Did you make contact with anybody outside before going to bed or after waking up?"
"No. But you would probably get better answers asking Benjamin about it. I don't remember very well because I was very tired."
"I have already interrogated him as well. He gave me the same response."
'That must be why Benjamin had been missing for a few hours.'
I nodded my head.
"Could you please tell me everybody you had contact with on March 24th in order?"
"Yesterday? Mm, Ganael and the twins came to wake me up. Benjamin was with us as well when I got dressed. I met some of the gardeners on my afternoon walk, but I have not memorized all of their names yet."
"Most people do not memorize their names."
Her voice sounded as if she was holding back a laugh.
"You are just as Ganael told me, your highness. I was told that you are someone in a high position who is generous to the attendants and respectful even to the gardeners."
I couldn't tell her that it was because the attendants were younger than my sister, while the gardeners were my parents or grandmother's age.
"I feel more relaxed that way."
That was all I could really say. It felt like a stoic yet realistic response.
"Did you say that there were twins among your attendants, your highness?"
Vice Captain Élisabeth quickly changed the topic.
"Ah, they aren't identical. They are children of Baron Bellang, but only their heights are the same."
I talked to her about the twins. The two boys who always followed behind Ganael were 13 years old.
I told her that I did not see anybody after that.
Benjamin, Ganael, and the Bellang twins were the only official ones attending to me while the other servants only showed up when they needed help.
"I visited Baron Bellang's Estate when I was younger."
"...I see."
"The Baron couple were extremely nice people. I should send a letter to check in on them."
The interrogation must have ended without asking anything important as she was talking about such random things.
She then stood up and respectfully bid me farewell.
It seemed too easy for an incident that made Benjamin almost go crazy in the garden and Ganael extremely anxious all day, especially since Vice Captain Élisabeth called it a 'serious incident' as well.
Of course, I felt that this was normal since I really didn't do anything.
"Until next time, your highness."
I just smiled as she walked out the door.
I would rather not see the Imperial Prince's best friend in such an unexpected situation ever again.
* * *
"It must have been tough for you today, your highness."
Ganael chatted with me as he brought me a cup of water in case I needed it in the middle of the night.
I was sitting on the bed reading Kumon, no, < The Theory and Reality of Controlling Divine Power > as I responded to him.
"You had it tough being interrogated today as well. Why are they questioning us when the theft happened so far away from here?"
"It was really tough, your highness. I was completely shocked."
The boy sighed.
I heard more about the incident from Benjamin after Vice Captain Élisabeth left Juliette Palace.
The theft had happened at the 'Temple of Vigilance,' which was extremely far away from the Royal Palace.
Apparently, it was a place that would require someone to go through numerous portals and then travel by horse for a week after that to get there.
"Doesn't that place have extremely tight security as well?"
I read about it in a book.
The Temple of Vigilance was the largest temple on the continent that was on the border of the Riester Empire and the Venetiaan Holy Kingdom.
It was also the residence of the Pope, although the position was currently vacant.
The Pope renounces their nationality once they become the Pope, so the Pope's residence was located in the Temple of Vigilance, which was on a neutral territory guarded by both the Empire and the Holy Kingdom.
"That's right. According to the attendants at the Romero Palace, the Divine item just disappeared without any traces or witnesses. If the Holy Kingdom had stolen it, they would have obviously taken it back to the kingdom, so I don't understand why they were bugging you about it, your highness."
I found that funny as well. They must think I'm some kind of pushover because I'm a diplomatic hostage.
Even if the prince had robbed the Divine item on his way to become a hostage of the Empire, why would he bring such a treasure with him when he knew he would be searched thoroughly upon his arrival?
"Let's just think of it as a reference check."
I nonchalantly responded.
Vice Captain Élisabeth's words and actions had not been heavy at all.
If she really thought I was a suspect, I'm sure the Captain would have shown up instead of the Vice Captain of the Imperial Guard.
Either that or they would have dragged me somewhere to be interrogated.
"Yes, sir. Please sleep well, your highness."
"You too, Ganael."
The boy turned off the light, said goodbye, and left.
I waved at him even though he couldn't see me and slowly lay down.
I suddenly started thinking about Eunse as I stared at the ceiling. Had she ever mentioned this?
I don't think so.
She did talk about temples and ceremonies, but she never mentioned anything about a treasure disappearing or how 'our Jesse' was framed for a crime.
I must have been airheaded. This was no Flume Ride.
I guess I got agitated too since everybody was antsy even though it wasn't even an important incident.
Yes, AirHeads is just the name of a candy bar. (TL: Some things were changed to make this joke work in English as the author referenced a Korean snack).
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– Click.
Someone opened the door and entered the room without even knocking.
It was the twin attendants, the Bellang twins.
—
Chapter 30 - The Last and Only (2) Chapter 29 - The Last and Only (1) Chapter 28 - Curriculum for Pride and... Chapter 27 - Curriculum for Pride and... Chapter 26 - Curriculum for Pride and... Chapter 25 - Curriculum for Pride and... Chapter 24 - Handling (3) Chapter 23 - Handling ( Chapter 22 - Handling (1) Chapter 21 - Why are you coming out o... Chapter 20 - Why are you coming out o... Chapter 19 - Why are you coming out o... Chapter 18 - The Duke's Family is Sus... Chapter 17 - The Duke's Family is Sus... Chapter 16 - The Duke's Family is Sus... Chapter 15 - The Duke's Family is Sus... Chapter 14 - The Little Visitor (4) Chapter 13 - The Little Visitor (3) Chapter 12 - The Little Visitor (2) Chapter 11 - The Little Visitor (1) Chapter 10 - The Empress Palace's Num... Chapter 9 - The Empress Palace's Numb... Chapter 8 - News about her (2) Chapter 7 - News about her (1) Chapter 6 - Flume Ride (3) Chapter 5 - Flume Ride (2) Chapter 4 - Flume Ride (1) Chapter 3 - A person's crash landin Chapter 2 - A person's crash landing (2) Chapter 1 - A person's crash landing (1)
Prev
Chapter 6 – Flume Ride (3)
I sat up. I could see two children quietly standing in the darkness.
"Hey guys, what is..."
'Mmph.'
I suddenly felt as if I was suffocating. I quickly grabbed my neck.
There was nothing there. But even though there was nothing there…
"Ugh..."
I could not breathe. Neither my voice nor even my breath was coming out properly.
I slowly crumbled down while looking at the children standing in front of me.
The expressions on the Bellang twins' faces that were visible because of the moonlight looked extremely unfamiliar.
The faces that had always been smiling at me were as cold as ice sculptures.
'What is going on?'
"Synkie, prepare the sacrament."
"Just focus on what you're doing, Pierre. (TL: Translates to Peter, but French Peter is Pierre, got to stick with the author's methods even when she doesn't give English spellings -.-) He's resisting."
"Ugh, cough..."
' 'Synkie' and 'Pierre'?'
Those weren't those children's names. At least they weren't the names I knew.
I did my best to stay conscious even as my face turned purple from suffocation.
"Don't rely on your mana. Try to pull out more Divine Power."
"Okay."
"Aah!"
'Synkie' was giving 'Pierre' advice. That tightened the force around my throat even more.
These children were trying to kill me. I could at least be sure of that.
I didn't know how they were doing it, but the twins were trying to commit murder without putting their hands on me.
"Ugh, ahh, mmph!"
"He's stronger than I expected."
"Your highness, please just accept your fate. This is the will of the Almighty God and his majesty's decision."
These punks who haven't even been through puberty were saying such scary things.
I could feel the vein popping out on my forehead. I clenched my teeth and shook my head.
'Like hell I would accept this.'
"Ugh, mm..."
"It's almost complete."
I became dizzy. Everything was getting blurry from a lack of oxygen.
I couldn't help but feel that this world was 'real.'
There was no way that such a slow shadow of death could be fake.
'I'm scared.'
Eunse, my brother, and my mom's faces flashed in front of my eyes.
"Ugh..."
"Good, good."
Renault Bellang, no, Pierre, was saying terrible things with an innocent look on his face.
I glared at the boy and desperately tried to recall what I had just read in the < The Theory and Reality of Controlling Divine Power >.
My mind was hazy, so I couldn't recall very well. I had no confidence that I would succeed.
However… I still had to try.
"I'm going to start the sacrament."
"Okay."
It was a hundred, no, a thousand times better to grasp at the straws and try something rather than to die without doing anything.
I tried to do whatever I could to come back to my senses. I had to focus.
A small golden circle appeared underneath Synkie's feet the moment I started to pray.
'I pray to the great Almighty God of the continent. I don't know if you will accept my prayer, but please. Please save me.'
"Wait, Pierre. Did you just..."
"I can do it. Hurry."
"You idiot, not that!"
'Help me.'
– Craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
– Clang!
[Get lost, you bastards!]
"Aaah!"
A golden circle exploded out of my body.
The two boys' bodies were sent flying as if they were bullets because of my 'Divine Oracle.' I could finally breathe again.
The walls were cracked, and every window in my bedroom was broken.
The chandelier was shaking violently along with the ground.
The books I had scattered around the room were flipping pages as if they were reeds blowing in the wind.
The golden circle under my feet was the only thing that was shining brightly in the darkness.
[Cough cough, don't get any closer!]
My squeaky voice echoed through the Divine Oracle.
The two boys' feet seemed to stick to the ground as they got up as if someone had super-glued them to the ground.
"H, how does he have such..."
"Huff, huff... Huuuuuuuuu..."
I urgently breathed in and out over and over. My coughing would not stop.
My eyes were hot from the tears that gathered during my suffocation.
"Unbelievable... There's no way you have so much Divine Power!"
"Did you really steal a Divine item or something?!"
[Won't you shut the hell up?]
The two bastards were shouting too much.
I said that because I was annoyed, but the Divine Oracle was applied once more and the boys' mouths were closed shut.
I caught my breath and looked underneath the bed.
It was exactly as I had read in the book. This perfect circle that was radiantly glowing gold…
This was the 'Holy Domain,' an aether circle's simplest form that protected the priest from all external forces.
It was the thing that appeared when I made that vow to Benjamin.
As long as the circle is open, everything I say can be activated as a 'Divine Oracle.'
The strength of a Divine Oracle varies depending on the Divine Power of the priest who activated the circle.
The Divine Oracle would not work if the opponent had a stronger Divine Power than the caster.
Basically, the fact that these punks couldn't do anything because of my Divine Oracle meant that their Divine Power was much lower than mine.
[Don't bite your tongue. Do not think about committing suicide.]
"Mmph..."
Regardless of their identities and the reason behind why they wanted to kill me, I needed to keep them alive for now.
I needed to figure out the details of this issue and come up with a plan to prevent this kind of danger from happening again.
They still called me 'your highness' respectfully and said that it was 'his majesty's decision' to kill me.
Did the Holy Kingdom...
– Bang!
"Prince Jesse!"
"We are the Imperial Guard! Drop your weapons!"
The door that had become weaker because of how my circle released easily fell off.
Vice Captain Élisabeth was in the front of the group of knights that charged in with their swords drawn.
The already messy room instantly turned into a loud flea market.
A few of the Guards who seemed like the Elite stood in front of me as if to protect me.
Benjamin came with them and quickly supported me as I staggered.
I managed to see that his face was pale.
"Get down! Do it now!"
"Mmph! Mmph!"
The other Imperial Guard members bound the two criminals.
The two boys whose mouths were shut closed frowned as they flailed around.
The knight who was trying to drag Étienne Bellang, no, Synkie out of the room, looked stupefied.
The boys' feet were stuck to the ground and would not move.
"Prince Jesse, please release your Divine Oracle. It will be difficult to arrest them like this."
Vice Captain Élisabeth realized what was going on and quickly addressed me.
But it was hard for me to even open my mouth.
I didn't know whether the adrenaline was gone or if I was finally feeling the sequelae of fear, but I could not put any strength into my body.
My legs were wobbly, and I had a terrible headache.
"Your highness!"
It felt as if my body was crumbling down.
I felt as if my soul and body had split, as I thought I was still looking forward, but my body seemed to be falling to the ground.
"Call the Imperial Doctor over immediately!"
"Damn it. Hey you, go escort Her Eminence, the Cardinal!"
That was what I remembered hearing before I fainted.
* * *
"Does he really plan on living quietly?"
I heard a man's voice I did not recognize. It was a low voice that woke me right up.
It was a soothing voice, as if a voice actor was performing.
I wanted to open my eyes to see who this guy was.
Unfortunately, although my mind was awake, my body was not listening to me.
"The flow of his aether has stabled."
"That means that he should wake up soon, right?"
I recognized the voice asking that question to be Vice Captain Élisabeth's voice. The man did not respond.
I just hear a chair quietly being pushed back.
"Cédie, will you be back?"
She seemed to be talking to the other person. However, all I heard was the footsteps of the man moving away.
I finally thought that I might be dreaming.
I wasn't feeling frustrated or suffocated, but the fact that my mind was awake but I couldn't move my body made me feel as if I was having a nightmare.
I got sleepy again once I had that thought. I didn't resist it and fell back asleep.
* * *
"Ah, you are finally awake."
When I opened my eyes, I...did not see an unfamiliar ceiling. It was the same wallpaper that I had been seeing for the past week.
'I guess I'm still Jesse Venetiaan. I'm not back to being Jung Jesse.'
I was disappointed that I didn't wake up at home with Eunse and my brother before slowly turning my head toward the person who spoke to me.
"Hi there."
A middle-aged woman was warmly smiling at me.
Her magenta hair was tied in a side ponytail and flowing over one shoulder.
Her beige-colored eyes looked warm as they observed my condition.
I was intrigued because this was my first time seeing a monocle.
"You fainted because of aether overload. I'm glad you recovered faster than I expected."
"Who, cough. May I ask who you are..."
I asked in a hoarse voice, and she handed me a cup that was on the side table.
I had a case of déjà vu as I drank the water.
The ceiling wallpaper was familiar, but this was actually not my room. It was just a room with the same wallpaper.
Well, my room was probably out of commission after everything that had happened.
I thought about my 'dorm room' that had cracks on the walls and every window broken.
'Man, I destroyed a room just one week into possessing this body.'
"My name is Aurélie Boutier. Have you heard my name before?"
"Ah..."
My jaw dropped on its own.
Aurélie Boutier. Of course, I knew her name. How could I not know?
She was a famous person who appeared in every book that I read.
The Imperial Prince's godmother. She was someone who had rejected the Duchess title twice. She was the Empress's close friend and her 'Religious Partner.'
"It is an honor to meet you, your noble Eminence, Madam Cardinal."
"It's nice to meet you too, little prince. There's no need to get up."
The Empire's only Cardinal quietly chuckled as she greeted me.
She motioned for me to lie back down as I started to sit up.
I never expected such a colossus to appear in front of me like this.
Cardinal Boutier was an important character in QNW that Eunse frequently mentioned.
'Madam Au was shielding Crapdric in front of Christelle, and wow… Even I almost fell for it. She's such a smooth talker.'
Madam Au.
She played the role of the matchmaker who connected the MC Christelle with the male lead.
Although I could calm my nerves after meeting Vice Captain Élisabeth, I felt like I would throw up after meeting the Cardinal.
"First of all, I wish to apologize to you on behalf of the Imperial family. The Empire is partially at fault for this incident as well. Her Majesty was unable to come because she is currently busy, but she expressed her deep regrets. She promised to accommodate anything you want."
Cardinal Boutier furrowed her eyebrows. I tightly clenched the empty cup.
This person plays an extremely important role in the novel and was extremely close to the Imperial family.
I would gain no benefits from getting involved with this person in the long run.
But because of that same reason, the information I could get from her would be extremely high quality.
I had almost died right before I fainted. I managed to save my life because I had studied so hard, but...
If I had fresh knowledge I learned from a person in addition to what I had learned from books, I might have had a better grip on my powers and been in a much better situation.
I couldn't let the same thing happen again. I made up my mind to safely get back home.
In order to do that, I needed to make the most of the opportunity I was given.
"Your Eminence, I wish to hear an explanation. Could you please explain all of it to me?"
"Sure. I'll tell you everything."
She gently took the cup from my hand, poured some more water in there, and returned it to me.
She then filled a cup for herself as well.
"Who were those guys? Where are they now?"
"If you are talking about the siblings, Synkie and Pierre, Synkie is a priest while Pierre is a Holy Knight. They are children the Holy Kingdom sent to assassinate you."
I had expected this, but it was still so cruel. Those guys were too young to do such a task.
"How was that possible? I heard that every attendant had to go through a rigorous check to get into the palace."
"You are right, but they somehow managed to get their hands on the checking process as well."
She took a sip of water. Her expression made it seem as if the situation had been horrible.
"Baron Bellang is a noble from a small countryside territory on the southern end of the Empire, and his faith is extremely deep. The Baron couple decided to send a child to attend to you after hearing about how you would be coming to the Empire. Their first child had already become the young patriarch and would succeed his position, so they decided to send the twins, their second and third children, to take the attendant selection test. Both the parents and children were happy to do that."
'I visited Baron Bellang's Estate when I was younger. The Baron couple were extremely nice people.'
I recalled what Vice Captain Élisabeth had said.
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"After passing the documentation process, the two children got onto a carriage to come for their interviews. They couldn't even think about using portals because they are so expensive. They lost their lives to some bandits while going through one of the dangerous forests in the south. The driver lost his life there as well."
I could tell what happened next even without hearing the rest.
"Those bandits then disguised themselves as the Bellang twins."
The Cardinal nodded her head.
Chapter 30 - The Last and Only (2) Chapter 29 - The Last and Only (1) Chapter 28 - Curriculum for Pride and... Chapter 27 - Curriculum for Pride and... Chapter 26 - Curriculum for Pride and... Chapter 25 - Curriculum for Pride and... Chapter 24 - Handling (3) Chapter 23 - Handling ( Chapter 22 - Handling (1) Chapter 21 - Why are you coming out o... Chapter 20 - Why are you coming out o... Chapter 19 - Why are you coming out o... Chapter 18 - The Duke's Family is Sus... Chapter 17 - The Duke's Family is Sus... Chapter 16 - The Duke's Family is Sus... Chapter 15 - The Duke's Family is Sus... Chapter 14 - The Little Visitor (4) Chapter 13 - The Little Visitor (3) Chapter 12 - The Little Visitor (2) Chapter 11 - The Little Visitor (1) Chapter 10 - The Empress Palace's Num... Chapter 9 - The Empress Palace's Numb... Chapter 8 - News about her (2) Chapter 7 - News about her (1) Chapter 6 - Flume Ride (3) Chapter 5 - Flume Ride (2) Chapter 4 - Flume Ride (1) Chapter 3 - A person's crash landin Chapter 2 - A person's crash landing (2) Chapter 1 - A person's crash landing (1)
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