The emperor's mood had soured as Carlyle's victories continued to mount.
'It seems the Southern Alliance wasn't much if they were defeated so quickly. But to reinstate him just like that… it's a bit….'
The emperor had been anxious when the imperial army was struggling and the front line was moving north, but as soon as the threat disappeared, his memory of it faded.
However, the promise to reinstate Carlyle had already spread like wildfire through the social circles, and there was no going back.
He congratulated Carlyle with a trembling voice.
"Well done, you've worked hard. It seems Lord Aguiles has once again opened the path to victory for you."
"The Haven Knights did their best in this war, but Countess Pervaz and her army were a great help."
"Oh, really? But… where is Countess Pervaz?"
As if to make sure Giles heard, Carlyle publicly mentioned her military achievement in front of the emperor. Even though he knew the emperor would ask about her whereabouts.
"Countess Pervaz… immediately returned to guard the northern border without a moment's rest."
"Doesn't she even have time to report her victory to the emperor?"
"The troops guarding Pervaz were kept to a minimum. And isn't it my responsibility, not Countess Pervaz's, to report the victory?"
Carlyle laughed as he answered jokingly.
However, Beatrice felt a sense of discomfort there.
'Is that bastard… protecting Countess Pervaz now…?'
It could be that he was mocking the emperor, but it was strange that he mentioned Countess Pervaz first, even before the other knights, and even before Lionel or Giles.
He even mentioned Countess Pervaz first when it came to rewards.
"I plan to reward Countess Pervaz handsomely for her achievements."
"What? Is 50 million Verona not enough?"
"You still like to joke, Father. 50 million Verona is my allowance, and the victory reward is a completely different matter, isn't it? Haha!"
"B, but…."
"We pushed the front line all the way back to the center, won the victory, and had the opportunity to subdue the southern kingdoms. Everyone believes that you will reward us generously this time as well."
The emperor chewed his lips without saying anything more.
He had expected to be able to give the victory bonus, but he didn't want to lose all of it to the rewards.
But what excuse could he make at this point?
"Y-yes, that's right. I will congratulate you without any regrets."
"As expected of you, Father!"
Carlyle was now skillfully using his father.
Beatrice watched the process with interest.
'No way… Did he perhaps strike a deal with the Countess of Pervaz?'
It seemed like there was no talk that didn't include 'Pervaz' no matter what he said. Beatrice's eyes were filled with curiosity.
However, Carlyle was so preoccupied with the fact that Asha wasn't there that he didn't notice Beatrice's gaze.
Of course, Beatrice was also oblivious to the fact that the other person had caught hold of her weakness.
After finishing the victory report, Carlyle returned after greeting the nobles, listening to various reports from the spies he had planted in the palace, and waiting for the guests.
...When you return, I would like to meet you in person and tell you everything. Please let us know your preferred date and time, and we will visit you.
It was time to check if the story in the letter was true.
As the time written in the reply approached, the guards who had been planted around the room quietly approached and reported that the guests had arrived.
"Let them in and keep a close watch on the surroundings. I don't want to be disturbed while I have a serious conversation with my sisters for the first time."
Not long after his permission was granted, the door opened and two people quietly entered.
"It's been a long time, Josephine. Charlotte."
"It's been a long time since I've seen you, Carlyle Orabeoni."
TL/N: "Orabeoni" is a korean word used to call older brothers by females and it's more respectful than calling him 'Oppa'
Carlyle was alone with his half-sisters for the first time.
"Were there no shadows following you?"
"We said that we were going to the opera at the invitation of Countess Livarel. It happens often, so we weren't really suspected."
"But you never know."
"No. My mother doesn't care enough to check on our work twice."
Josephine let out a small sigh. She didn't seem to be lying. Rather, it seemed like she was letting out the resentment she had been holding back all this time.
"Anyway, why are such pretty girls so gloomy?"
For the first time, Carlyle took a close look at his half-sisters' faces.
Until now, he had only seen them in passing, so his impression of them was vague, but when he looked at them properly, they were flowers that had grown beautifully without a single flaw.
However, the faces of the two people who should have been radiating the vitality of youth were filled with worry and fear.
"That's the only way it can be. Carlyle Orabeoni is at odds with Mother and Matthias Oppa, and we're just foreign objects caught in between."
"That's an exaggeration, Josephine. Foreign objects?"
"Why? Are we not even worth being foreign objects?"
Carlyle really wondered why both of them had treated him like a demon before, but he decided not to defend himself for now, as he thought he should first get the information they were supposed to bring.
"I admit that it can't be helped that we have a regrettable relationship. And the fact that you came to see me without your mother's knowledge means that you want to get away from that relationship a little bit, right?"
At Carlyle's question, Josephine and Charlotte cautiously nodded.
"Then shall we hear what you brought for the trade?"
"Before that… promise me. Even in the worst case scenario, you will guarantee my and Charlotte' safety."
"The treatment will depend on what you bring, but if I feel your sincerity, I will guarantee your safety. Swear on Aguiles."
At that, Josephine and Charlotte, who had been exchanging glances, took a deep breath and lowered their voices.
"Mother and Matti Oppa were going to make the Empire a Holy Empire. They said they were going to revise the Imperial Law to the level of the Elahe Law."
Josephine handed Carlyle what she had brought as evidence. They were crumpled letters she had found in Beatrice's room trash can.
They were letterheads designated for the Empress, but the contents were simple greetings, so at first glance it didn't seem like much evidence.
However, Carlyle, who knew well the secrets of the imperial family, held the letterhead up to the candle. As heat was applied, the real contents written in special ink gradually appeared.
"There is no doubt that it is genuine."
Carlyle nodded and folded the crumpled letterhead back into the envelope.
Judging from the fact that she had gone through the trash can as a princess, he could tell how desperate they were.
Seeing that his attitude was somewhat hopeful, Charlotte revealed other information as well.
"And now, Matthias Oppa is surrounded by priests with very strong divine power. Even the ordinary knights have been replaced, so those people don't seem ordinary."
Carlyle's eyebrows raised slightly.
"It's ridiculous to talk about creating a Holy Empire, but what? Priests with divine power are protecting Matthias?"
"Yes. In fact… we asked him to assign one to each of us, but he refused."
"Were those priests recommended by High Priest Gabriel?"
"Yes, that's right."
Carlyle chuckled at Charlotte' seemingly depressed answer.
"Thanks to being blessed by God, I used to frequent the temple like my own home when I was a child. And I learned a lot of things back then."
Josephine and Charlotte had puzzled expressions on their faces, wondering why Carlyle was suddenly talking about his childhood.
"No matter how strong a priest with divine power is, he can't defeat a trained knight."
"What? That can't be! Matti Oppa really did dismiss all the knights."
"There's something you don't know, Carlyle Orabeoni. My mother said that if you let it be known that you have strong divine power, you'll be locked up in the Holy See, so everyone just hides it."
They blinked their innocent eyes and insisted that they were right. They seemed worried that Carlyle would doubt them and kick them out.
However, Carlyle shook his head.
"In order to use divine power in combat, you must first be perfectly trained as a warrior. Divine power is only a supporting force."
"Ha, but… ."
"I know because I'm that case."
"What do you mean by 'that case'?"
"That doesn't make sense. If they have strong divine power, they wouldn't be able to hide it in the first place. The Saintesses of the Tower are the ones who do such things."
The princesses' eyes widened at the story they were hearing for the first time.
Although the power of divine power was one thing, the Saintesses were especially shrouded in mystery, so even devout believers often didn't know much about them.
If Carlyle hadn't been born with the blessing of a god, he wouldn't have known either.
"They are the ones who react to divine power itself. Even the oracle is divine power. If there is a priest with strong divine power, the Saintesses will be the first to notice and immediately notify the Order."
"Then... what exactly are those people?"
"Well, the most likely possibility is that they lied about being priests and hired skilled mercenaries. If they were really priests... it would mean that their weapons are not divine power."
Josephine and Charlotte's expressions were clearly confused. They seemed to be afraid that the information they had brought was wrong.
However, Carlyle had no intention of being harsh to them, who had lived without a sense of presence.