Children of the Holy Emperor

“Though it may seem now like an institution wielding unchecked power, the Heresy Tribunal originally began as a judiciary organ within the Holy Council. Though it has now become the highest authority overseeing both the Orthodox Church and the Theological Academy, the Holy Council was originally just one of the minor decision-making bodies within the Orthodox Church.”

The Holy Council and the Heresy Tribunal, once minor divisions within the Orthodox Church, had grown into major organizations that even overshadowed the Orthodox Church itself. The Holy Emperor began to explain how these bodies had become independent and grown in power.

“There are still some loopholes within the Orthodox Church that allow it to exert direct influence on the Heresy Tribunal, even if they’ve become largely nominal. These are remnants of the old command structure.”

For example, the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church can invoke something called [Temporary Emergency Authority], he explained.

When a grave issue threatens the empire’s stability, this grants the authority to directly mobilize the capital’s guard and the Heresy Tribunal.

“So, the ones capturing people right now aren’t the Heresy Tribunal but someone within the Orthodox Church.”

It would either be someone who has influence over the Archbishop or the Archbishop himself.

“The authority has its limits. It can’t infringe on the Heresy Tribunal’s original tasks, and upon invoking this authority, the approval of the Holy Council must be sought within three days.”

Of course, the Heresy Tribunal could also request that this be rejected. However, this could only happen once the Holy Council begins its review. In the meantime, the Orthodox Church can mobilize the capital’s guards and inquisitors who are between assignments as they see fit. The Heresy Tribunal can only sit on their hands while waiting for the review to begin.

“Even if the Inquisitors are told to round up the Grey Plague patients, actually accommodating them within the Heresy Tribunal is another issue. This will undoubtedly disrupt their operations.”

“So, the Heresy Tribunal won’t actually detain them? Then where do all these people go?”

“I suspect they are temporarily under the management of the capital’s guard for now.”

Seongjin frowned.

What does that mean?

Collecting people who won’t even be accepted by the Heresy Tribunal? It would all be pointless if the review ends up rejected.

Seeming to sense what he was thinking, the Holy Emperor spoke casually, “Whoever instigated this surely knows this. They likely consider it a success if they can process about half of the plague patients.”

“Half?”

“Yes. The rational for invoking Temporary Emergency Authority and for requesting its cancellation are both important. If the Orthodox Church provides a solid rationale, the Holy Council will usually try to mediate instead of outright rejecting it. There may be some friction, but the Heresy Tribunal will eventually end up accommodating about half of the people brought in.”

Seongjin tapped the armrests of his chair thoughtfully. Then it dawned on him.

“So, the deadline for bringing everyone in is today, which means today is the last of the three days. Tomorrow, the Orthodox Church will file for review, and the Heresy Tribunal will immediately request a cancellation.”

“…”

“If anyone were to intervene, it would be best to do it before the review cancellation is requested and mediation by the Holy Council begins; specifically when there’s a period of vague authority and responsibility.”

“You catch on quickly, that’s good.”

At the Holy Emperor’s casual reply, Seongjin looked at him intently and asked.

“May I take the fact that you (father) are explaining the structure of this winding mechanism to me to mean that you’re also not particularly fond of this situation?”

“…”

“…So it’s alright for me to do as I please, but if you interfere directly, something might falter?”

“…”

Though he received no answer, Seongjin felt satisfied. When the old man keeps his mouth shut, it usually means ‘yes’.

“Go and receive cooperation documents from the administrative office tomorrow morning. Instruct Dorian to do so.”

It was a royal command.

Seongjin got up, bowed slightly to the Holy Emperor, and left the study.

“The young Prince Morress is growing increasingly brilliant.”

Louis, who had come late with tea, remarked somewhat regretfully. Serving the Holy Emperor, who enjoyed the aroma of tea but rarely drank it, made him secretly look forward to serving the prince, who would appreciate the drink.

“He was always an extraordinary child. The problem is that he applies that extraordinary talent only to what he wants to.”

The Holy Emperor took a new cup of tea and replied.

Louis was a bit surprised because the young emperor, who rarely shows emotion, had a faint smile on his face.

“You seem pleased.”

“Indeed. I can’t help but be pleased. Whether it was taking action for Amelia a while back or volunteering to do something for the plague patients today, it must mean that Morres has developed some affection for Delcross.”

Louis inwardly found it odd.

Isn’t it only natural for the prince of Delcross to have affection for Delcross?

Reading into the Chief Chamberlain’s puzzlement, the Holy Emperor gave a bitter smile.

“None of those things are obvious to that child, Louis.”

***

The Capital Guards recently had an uneasy cohabitation with the 7th Knight Division.

The 6th Knight Division, with whom they had been working in the Imperial City, was divided and dispatched to the east and south. They now had to coordinate with the newly formed 7th Knight Division from the start.

Unlike the 6th Knight Division, which had helped occasionally, the 7th Knight Division was established with the sole purpose of defending the Imperial City. They began to interfere in the operations of the Capital Guards.

Naturally, constant discord arose as both sides had overlapping responsibilities and debated whose authority should take precedence.

And so the war between the two departments began to heat up, primarily through official correspondence requesting cooperation.

It was a typical morning.

Julia Meyer, the Lieutenant of the 7th Knight Division, was grinding her teeth while reading several documents that had flown in the wee hours of the morning.

“Damn these cooperation memos…”

As Julia muttered, the young knight accompanying her looked startled. Her strange behavior was unlike the usually disciplined and elegant senior.

The cooperation memos seemed to particularly target Julia Meyer. Not only because she was the Lieutenant responsible for the operations but also because she was the primary target of the Captain of the Capital Guards.

She was Julia Meyer, the only granddaughter of Cardinal Meyer, and a prodigy from her academy days in swordsmanship and academics.

By the end of her first year, she had caught the eye of the continent’s top knight, Balthazar, becoming his immediate disciple. Her exceptional capabilities were so highly valued that she was appointed as Lieutenant not long after graduating from the academy.

Despite her excellent work ethic and respectable disposition, even she was getting exhausted by the pointless cooperation memos.

“They’re asking us to give up our training ground for prisoner accommodation. Can you believe these cooperation memos?”

The knight reading the memos frowned.

“For prisoner accommodations, for the deployment of knights for prisoner management, for the supply of food for prisoners…”

“Why not use the perfectly good jail in the Capital Guard…”

“That’s exactly my point. The creativity of the Captain of the Guard is shining brighter every day.”

However, upon arriving at the Capital Guards, they couldn’t deny that the cooperation memos were issued out of genuine need.

The prison of the Capital Guard was overflowing, and people with shabby appearances had occupied even the courtyard. An unpleasant smell filled the air.

“What is this…”

As they looked around, an armed knight from the Capital Guard and a junior knight from the 7th Knight Division were arguing.

“Hand these people over now!”

“No, I won’t just send them off to the training ground without a proper list of their identities.”

“I’ve already explained that a cooperation memo was sent to the person in charge!”

“Then provide a list of their identities. I’ll issue a cooperation memo for the provision of data!”

“Hey, you!”

Just as she was seriously contemplating whether to barge into the Captain of the Capital Guards, someone tapped Julia on the shoulder.

“Are you Julia Meyer, the Lieutenant of the 7th Knight Division? It’s an honor to meet someone so famous.”

He was a cheerful, red-haired paladin.

“And you are?”

“Yes, I am Inquisitor Valerie. Lieutenant Julia, would you mind taking a look at this first?”

As Valerie handed her a sheet of paper, Julia couldn’t help but frown. She was now irritated by documents from other departments.

“What is this?”

“[Monster Special Task Force] sends a cooperative official document to the 7th Knight Division.”

“Monster Special Task Force?”

I had briefly heard rumors about the creation of some strange department, but as far as I knew, it wasn’t yet an official division.

Thinking this, Julia skimmed through the documents and suddenly widened her eyes in surprise. She found a prominently stamped seal. However, the content of the document was rather plain.

—We seek your department’s active cooperation.

“……?”

So, what are they asking us to cooperate with?

While she was puzzled, she saw someone approach the city guards to hand them a document as well. From their dark knight uniforms, it appeared they were an Exorcist.

An Inquisitor and an Exorcist; it was an odd combination.

During this, Inquisitor Valerie began to explain brightly,

“Starting this morning, the jurisdiction for deciding the treatment of these people has been transferred from the church as the Holy Council’s approval process has begun. Since the Heresy Tribunal just formally filed for a review rejection, it’s not even their jurisdiction yet. So, if any commands come down from either side regarding our department’s work from now on, please know it would be a blatant abuse of power.”

“But then, what does this phrase ‘active cooperation’ mean……”

“Yes. It’s a request to ‘actively do nothing.’ We, the Monster Special Task Force, will handle everything!”

At the Inquisitor’s cheerful expression, Julia was at a loss for words.

While this was happening, another group of oddly matched people began to stream into the city guard’s courtyard.

“I see they’ve gathered quite an uncouth bunch. Even if it’s an order from above, one should move with some discretion. If they’ve been brought here, then detain them properly. What’s all this pointless fuss?”

First, a boy with an imposing demeanor, dressed in elegant clothes.

“Your Highness! These people are in a dire situation, but is there a need for you to personally intervene in matters involving the Heresy Tribunal? You could just leave it to your subordinates……”

“This is a time-sensitive matter, Sir Masain. Things will move faster if I’m there.”

“Really? Why is that so?”

Following behind the boy, almost awkwardly given his large build, was a knight.

“Am I your personal secretary now? They keep summoning me for all sorts of matters.”

“Didn’t Dame Katrina specifically say to help me out? Keep it up, and I’ll bite you.”

“Ugh…!”

Next to them, a towering, glasses-wearing Paladin kept muttering.

“Your Highness has directly requested assistance from the Lyora Plague Association; it’s an honor. What can I assist you with? Shall we extract blood from these people?”

“No, physician Jibril. I just need the credibility of the Lyora Plague Association. If the Holy Council says anything later, just testify that we sorted the patients through appropriate medical procedures.”

“But I’m a plague doctor! I think we should actively treat the patients now that we are here!”

“Then at least disinfect the area by spraying some fragrance.”

“Got it! Leave it to me!”

In a protective suit, a doctor from Lyora’s Plague Association wielded a large sprayer.

“…What are these people doing?”

Muttering under his breath, one of the junior knights observed the peculiar group, and Julia scrutinized the boy at the center of this chaos.

His strong gaze reminded her of Queen Lizabeth, and the title ‘Your Highness’ made it clear.

“Prince Morres……”

“Yes? That chubby idiot?”

Shocked by the junior knight’s outcry, Julia sternly corrected him,

“Watch your language. How dare you speak disrespectfully of a member of the imperial family!”

“I-I apologize!”

Meanwhile, a few members of the imperial guard arrived to set up tables and chairs.

“I apologize for burdening you with such menial tasks during your escort mission, Sir Haven.”

“No worries, Your Highness! I’ve already dedicated myself to you! I will faithfully execute any command you give!”

“Don’t say you’ve ‘dedicated yourself’ so casually.”

“What? How could you say that’s ‘casual’? Isn’t that a bit harsh?”

Another imperial guard pulled a large cart into the area.

“I’ve gathered all the rye bread from nearby, Your Highness!”

“Good job, Dame Claudia. Make sure to record all the expenses. We’ll be billing the church later.”

“Of course, Your Highness! Hehe, can I have one too?”

“……”

She could not even begin to guess what they were planning to do.

Amidst the city guard and 7th Knight Division who had surrounded the courtyard to watch, Prince Morres, who had been directing the entire situation, finally stepped forward.

He took a sweeping look over the commoners who filled the courtyard.

Some people had severe rashes or their whole bodies had turned gray, and they had collapsed on the ground as if unconscious. But more than half were patients with minor boils, simple skin diseases, or fevers.

All of them were anxiously eyeing the rye bread piled on the cart, swallowing their saliva with desperate looks.

Then Prince Morres spoke to them.

Though not amplified by aura, his voice strangely resounded clearly in their ears.

“From now on, for a short time, our monster-specialized unit will take charge of your ailments! Those suffering from the Gray Plague will receive treatment, and those who have been brought here by mistake will be safely returned, so rest assured!”

At that, the crowd’s murmurs grew louder.

They had thought they would be imprisoned by the Inquisition and tortured to death.

“First, let those who can move come quickly to this table.”

However, the people hesitated, only gauging the reactions of the guards, not daring to step forward.

Just yesterday, those who had insisted they didn’t have the plague were severely beaten. What if they were foolish enough to step forward and get hit by the guards again?

But the situation changed as the prince continued his words.

“It seems like there’s not enough rye bread, so it will be first-come, first-served…”

In an instant, the commoners surged forward, rushing towards the front. The ferocious glint in their eyes, aimed at the food, made even the guards who had brought them here flinch.

The young prince, far from being flustered, shouted at the people with an overwhelming presence.

“Form a line!”