Chapter 109
Chapter 109
Alter emitted a cold aura as he stared at Retafel. He couldn't just stand by after hearing such arrogant statements.
On top of that, since Retafel was now trying to harm those who had once followed him, wasn't it proper to regard him as a vile enemy?
"To block my path... It seems the First Apostle has brought along quite a remarkable mage."
"To call me 'remarkable', your skills are far too lacking. If you make mistakes like this, then there's nothing more to see."
"W-what? Are you mocking the Holy King?"
"I am not mocking you; I am merely stating the facts. You know nothing about magic. The quantity of mana does not equate to the quality of your magic."
Alter countered calmly, sharpening his gaze.
The Ninth Holy King had relied solely on the density and capacity of his mana.
Since his power wasn't refined as magic at all, Alter couldn't help but regard it with contempt.
"To be rebuked by the next great mage... Was the position of Holy King ever so empty?"
Berhan gripped the handle of his hammer in grief.
Ordinarily, he would never have shown such disgrace to anyone, but that would have been nothing but arrogance and stubbornness.
If Semerune's Order truly wished to progress, should they not accept critique from the outside as well?
"The next great mage, you say? Then that man is Alter Radiant?"
"Are you finally getting scared? Even a dragon's breath could not harm the next great mage. From your very core, he's unlike the likes of you who cling to immortality!"
"Cut the nonsense! Do you think such threats will frighten me?!"
Retafel intensified the concentration of his mana and shattered the frozen parts.
He then repelled even the cold itself and prepared to go on the offensive.
But though the chill seemed to recede for a moment, it soon surged forth once more.
"H-how...?"
"I told you earlier, didn't I? What exactly do you think you can do when you haven't even mastered the basics?"
With genuine disdain, Alter froze Retafel's mana again.
Retafel relied solely on his raw magical power without being able to wield even a single attribute.
Moreover, since he couldn't infuse that power into his body or weapon like a knight, he was effectively surrounded by an undeserved shell.
"All you did was steal the lives and magic of others, so you can't even use it properly. Did you commit all this for such a paltry gain?"
"Don't be ridiculous! I am stronger now than anyone else!"
Retafel denied those words and unleashed his mana even more violently.
Yet, he was instantly frozen again, with only the bitter cold lingering around.
Alter calmly observed his desperate efforts, all the while pressing Retafel unwaveringly.
"If you'd died as Holy King, you would have become part of history... Isn't that the real immortality?"
"Nnnngh..."
Retafel kept manipulating mana to free himself from the ice.
However, the more he shattered it, the deeper the cold set in, until no longer even a crack would form on the surface.
Only the remnants of mana left traces in place.
"..."
Berhan gazed blankly at the former Holy King.
Once, he had strictly guarded the doctrines, and cared kindly for the congregation and people.
But now, blinded by delusions, he had discarded even a shred of humanity.
"Are you deliberately only restraining his mana?"
"I am an outsider. An outsider cannot interfere in the affairs of the Order."
"There is always the option of personally executing the Holy King and claiming credit."
"I cannot tarnish the name of the Order just for achievements. I will leave what comes next to you, holy apostle."
Alter knew that he should not excessively interfere in the affairs of the Semerune Order.
Besides, Berhan had already humbled himself to request help from him and Brillie Illenat.
With the Holy King as their opponent, the Order needed to settle this internally.
"You are considerate indeed. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. I will personally report to His Majesty the Emperor."
"... Will you be all right? There might be misunderstandings."
"I cannot leave this be with no explanation. Besides, since you too are caught up in this, how could I simply stand by?"
Berhan had already resolved himself when he requested Alter and Brillie Illenat's help.
Had the Holy King not restricted the rite of matrimony, things could have been settled quietly, but now all too many had become aware of the Order's strange conduct.
On top of that, both the next great mage and Sword Flower had been drawn in, so no matter what, it would come out eventually.
Unless the emperor was clearly briefed, it was bound to become an issue later.
"Phew... Restrain the criminal."
At Berhan's command, the paladins immediately approached Retafel.
With his mana sealed, Retafel was fully suppressed. Watching the scene, Alter shook his head belatedly.
'The Holy King wasn't assassinated, but who knows how the emperor will react? He'll likely demand accountability...'
* * *
Yuria was seated on the throne, receiving the First Apostle.
The First Apostle was explaining in detail the reasons and events that had led the Holy King to restrict the rite of matrimony.
So, while Yuria remained doubtful, she acknowledged that the Semerune Order still respected her authority.
"... So disrupting the people's marriages was only a trick?"
"You are correct, Your Majesty. While attention was drawn, he tried to gather followers and close the laboratory."
"What became of the Holy King?"
"We have him fully restrained under strict surveillance."
"Have you apprehended all of his followers?"
"We have detained only some. For now, we're inspecting only the grand cathedral and the capital, but we plan to investigate other dioceses widely."
"Hmm... Has a new Holy King been decided yet?"
"It is still under discussion. We will report to you as soon as a decision is made."
Yuria fell into deep thought.
No doubt they were busy rooting out the Holy King's followers.
That meant clerics and paladins would be mobilized, making external affairs difficult for a while.
"Even if you permit the rite of matrimony now, you can't officiate immediately, can you?"
"That is why, for the time being, we wish to restrict all rituals including the rite of matrimony. Would you be willing to wait until order has been restored within the Order?"
"There's no helping it. This all happened because of the Holy King's unilateral decision, and if not handled properly, wouldn't such incidents recur?"
"What you say is true. Shouldn't we take this opportunity to root out the devious elements entirely?"
"I suppose I'll have to explain it well to the officials. This matter must be kept strictly confidential."
"We are honored by your understanding, Your Majesty."
Yuria was keenly aware of the severity of the incident.
The Semerune Order's honor must not be stained by the Holy King and his followers.
Moreover, the holy apostle had willingly moved to restrain the Holy King and act, even if belatedly.
Since she would continue to maintain friendly relations with the Order, perhaps she could show some leniency.
"... You said the next great mage and Sword Flower cooperated?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Why didn't you report to me first?"
"It was an urgent matter, and we had to prevent any information from leaking. If we had reported immediately, would we have been able to respond so quickly?"
Berhan did not mention the fact that they employed the phantom thief.
Whatever else happened, that point alone would be controversial.
What's more, since Alter himself had suggested it, it absolutely had to remain secret.
"Hm... So you reported only after resolving the matter?"
"I asked for their consent first. Though it may have seemed to slight Your Majesty's authority, I told them it would be rash to decide on uncertain information. They understood my position and intervened ahead of time."
"I am not accusing them. There must be times when you have to act swiftly."
Yuria reluctantly came to terms with their actions.
Both had supported her in the insurrection, and neither opposed their deployment to the eastern territory.
They were nearly loyal vassals, so how could she distrust them?
"Your Majesty, the Semerune Order has devoted itself in loyalty since the founding of the Agnes Empire. Although a grave mistake has occurred, we are rectifying it urgently. I humbly beg that you show compassion to the Order and those who aided us in this incident."
Berhan spoke humbly and bowed his head once more. Yuria studied him for a while, then nodded.
"... This matter will remain undisclosed. The current holy apostles can surely support the next Holy King well, can't they?"
"I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty."
Since claiming the throne, Yuria had spared no effort to stabilize the imperial house and the realm.
Except for the faction of the deposed emperor, she'd rarely used force.
Still, a dragon had invaded, and in the southern lands, strange signs were emerging.
'There's never a day of peace. When will this empire finally be pacified?'
* * *
Alter and Brillie Illenat faced each other over teacups.
The Semerune Order incident had settled for the most part—except the restriction on the rite of matrimony was not yet lifted.
Since the reasons were clear, even Brillie Illenat couldn't complain.
"... Brillie."
"Yes?"
"There's no need to worry too much. We must be understanding, don't you think?"
"I know. Just restraining the Holy King doesn't settle things, does it?"
"They'll be busy electing a new Holy King."
"Since the order came from the Holy King, even a holy apostle can't revoke it, right?"
Brillie Illenat was no longer obsessed with marriage.
Since there was no obvious way forward, she would simply have to be patient.
If anything, the extra time meant she could prepare the wedding with more care, so perhaps this was for the best.
"They only need to choose one from among the holy apostles... but since they elect by majority, it will take time."
"Who do you think will become the Holy King, Alter?"
"Hm... In terms of seniority and accomplishments, it should be the First or Second Apostle."
"You say that as if you don't believe it."
"It's only a possibility. Could it not be the Third or Fourth Apostle?"
"I don't know, isn't it usually the First or Second Apostle?"
"Usually, yes... but now we should look in another direction."
"You think it'll be the Third or Fourth?"
"Yes. The Order itself likely feels a need for change."
Alter replied calmly as he searched his own memories.
In the future where the Holy King was assassinated, the fourth holy apostle had become the next Holy King.
Of course, the premises had changed now, but in the end, the result may not differ much.
After all, the previous Holy King had become a monster, and that inevitably led to assassination or internal strife.
'Things seem settled here... Now I should start thinking about the dragon and the rebels.'