Part Five: The Return

  Chapter 188: The Royal Capital (Part 1)

  Compared to the chaotic situation in the West due to war, the peace in Ainfast appeared particularly precious.

  However, this peace did not come from nowhere. Since Bishop Ronis was assassinated, the Church had turned its attention here, believing that the power vacuum about to form here was a great opportunity to regain control of this vast empire. But in the end, Ainfast continued to maintain its distant attitude toward the Church, not giving any of the envoys sent by Celeste the responses they wanted.

  Just like Bishop Ronis's consistent style, the Magic Academy actually remained independent from The Radiant Citadel, and Ainfast was still a powerful empire independent on the eastern continent. The devastating wars in the West could not drag it into the conflict in the slightest. So while His Majesty the Pope was worried about the situation on the Barbarian Highlands, and Queen Katherine was besieged by the barbarians of Tatalia, Grafenhardt XVII could still leisurely go hunting and tour around.

  This young emperor had no awareness of being a monarch, so he enjoyed this kind of leisurely happiness. He knew that all matters could be handled by a group of capable ministers, without needing him to worry. What he didn't need to worry about even more was the loyalty of these ministers, especially the two leading ones, Commander Roland of the Paladin Order and the young Chancellor Mrak. Grafenhardt XVII often had to thank heaven for granting him such capable and loyal subjects. Having no extra thoughts or ambitions, he never doubted that he was the most leisurely and happiest emperor in the world.

  If this emperor had any regrets now, it was that his beautiful empress had not been able to give him a prince, and during this time she seemed to be somewhat unwell, unable to accompany him on his southern tour, having to stay in the palace to recuperate.

  Ainfast Royal Capital, in the Imperial Palace.

  The empress reclined on her bed. Although her face was pale and full of sickness, this former first beauty of the royal capital was still as beautiful as ever. She glanced at the porridge placed before her, frowned, sighed, and shook her head.

  "You should eat something. I heard from the attendants that you haven't eaten a grain of rice for two days. This porridge is made from bird's nest tribute from the South Sea, and it's very good for your health." Rodhart, who was sitting beside her, said softly.

  The empress frowned, sighed, and shook her head: "I really can't eat. I'll vomit even if I do."

  "Oh? Is that so?" Rodhart took out a small piece wrapped in oil paper from his bosom, smiled and waved it in his hand, "Then what about this? This is a pastry made by old Stakon from York Castle in the north. I had someone wait at his door late at night just to buy it."

  The empress's eyes suddenly lit up. She quickly took the oil paper package from Rodhart's hand, and finally a smile appeared on her face. Although there was still no color on her face, that smile was like a spring breeze melting snow. She picked up the oil paper package, smelled it at her nose, and said: "You still remember I love this. It's been over a year since I smelled this fragrance. I remember when I was little, I often pestered my sister to buy it for me there." But in the end, she sighed regretfully again and put down the pastry, "Thank you for going to such trouble, but I still can't eat."

  "What's wrong?" Rodhart's face was full of concern and tenderness. Although he was now the captain of the first squad of the Paladin Order and the commander of the Royal Capital Guard, that gentle and handsome face that made people feel close at first sight showed such an expression, making him look more like a big brother from next door, and even the majesty of his knight's uniform was completely softened.

  "It's mainly that my stomach is uncomfortable, I can't eat anything." The empress frowned.

  Rodhart gently placed his hand on the empress's lower abdomen and began to recite a prayer: "May the Lord have mercy on your people..." White magic light glowed on his hand.

  "Don't." The empress suddenly pushed his hand away in panic, as if his hand was a red-hot branding iron.

  Rodhart looked at her in surprise. He was very sure it wasn't because of the contact of this action. Although she was indeed the empress and he was a subject, in the eyes of others this action would definitely be enough to cost him his head, but he himself knew that for the two of them, this was absolutely nothing. He was absolutely her closest person, even closer than she was with her husband, His Majesty the Emperor.

  The expression on the empress's face was somewhat flustered and somewhat apologetic. She reached out and pulled the hand of Rodhart that she had just pushed away, saying: "I'm sorry. I've really been having headaches and allergies from hearing those prayers lately, and white magic is useless for my illness. Yesterday, the two priests who came from the Magic Academy used white magic on me, and I even coughed up blood, feeling terribly uncomfortable."

  Rodhart asked in surprise: "What? How could that be?"

  "Exactly. Everyone present was stunned. His Majesty was so anxious he grabbed the priest's neck. Later, they went back to check medical books and held meetings to discuss, only to realize that I probably have a very rare tumor disease, and ordinary healing magic is useless."

  "What? Then what should we do?" Rodhart looked anxious.

  "It's nothing. They said this requires slow recuperation and will get better." The empress forced a smile, then said: "But you, when did you learn magic? Did your teacher, Commander Roland, let you learn it?"

  "No, Teacher has always said that greed for more leads to loss, and doesn't approve of me learning magic. Actually, I didn't specifically learn it, just out of curiosity I asked a priest under my command, and unexpectedly it was easy to learn." Rodhart stuck out his tongue at the empress and smiled, "I even feel it's much easier than learning swordsmanship, but I dare not tell my teacher that." He then sighed again: "So I came to see you as soon as I returned, and specially said I wanted to give you a surprise and heal you personally, but unexpectedly it was useless."

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  "Forget it, it's nothing. By the way, those two priests said that Celeste seems to be sending a Cardinal, and they will ask that Cardinal to come and see me then. I heard that this Cardinal was personally appointed by His Majesty the Pope to replace Bishop Ronis to take charge of the Magic Academy, so he must be exceptionally capable."

  Rodhart shook his head and smiled lightly: "I know about this too. Humph, the Pope sent several envoys and they all returned empty-handed, so now he's directly sending a Cardinal to forcefully take over the Magic Academy? But no matter how exceptional this bishop is, what use is it here? This is not Erathia nor Celeste. The ones who actually control Ainfast are Commander Roland and your sister. Do you think they would hand over the Magic Academy to the Church? My only expectation for this Cardinal's ability is that he can cure your illness."

  The empress was lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly asked Rodhart: "You... are you satisfied with the current situation?"

  Rodhart smiled and replied: "What do you mean? Is there anything wrong now?"

  "Are you comfortable being this subject?" The empress looked deeply at Rodhart, "But I'm not comfortable being this empress."

  "Why are you suddenly talking about this?" Rodhart frowned at her.

  "I've been very confused these past few days. I really feel like something bad is going to happen. I really don't want to be this empress anymore, or stay here anymore. Have you thought about it? Actually, we could..."

  "Don't overthink things." Rodhart interrupted the empress. From her expression, her eyes, and his understanding of her, he could completely know what she wanted to say next, "You're just sick, and your spirits are low, that's why you're overthinking things. Just rest quietly and you'll be fine."

  "No, listen to me. I always feel something is wrong, I can't stay here anymore..."

  "What nonsense are you talking about? If you're not here, where can you go? You are the empress of a country."

  "I'm serious." The empress didn't speak anymore, just looked at Rodhart. That face didn't have the slightest trace of what an empress should have. It was full of bitterness and resentment, which appeared even more helpless on her pale and thin face. There were clearly tears glistening in her eyes.

  Rodhart wanted to speak, but looking at the face before him, he suddenly felt something long dormant in his heart tremble, and the words that reached his lips could not come out. This was not the impulsive feelings of young lovers. He could see a deep despair and fear in those beautiful eyes.

  The two looked at each other in silence, when suddenly a voice broke this stalemate. "Reporting to the Empress, Cardinal Javi has arrived at the Magic Academy. Chancellor Mrak requests Lord Rodhart to go together to receive him."

  "Empress, I take my leave." Rodhart sighed heavily, stood up, bowed at the door, turned and walked out.

  In the Magic Academy, High Priest Ryan and the newly arrived Cardinal were already sitting together. The priests and clerics below were also standing in rows, but their expressions were not of standard respect, but instead involuntarily focused on the Cardinal.

  This Cardinal was indeed very strange and eye-catching, but this strangeness itself was also strange, based on his identity and his appearance. Compared to a Cardinal, he was too heroic, too majestic, and too young. He wasn't even wearing Cardinal's robes, but a white Templar warrior's outfit, with a long sword at his waist.

  Two days ago when the news came from Celeste, everyone had exhausted their imagination about this successor to Bishop Ronis. To be entrusted with such an important task by His Majesty the Pope to take over this mess, he must have had extraordinary qualities. But no one had expected that the one who came would be such a young man in his twenties. If it weren't for Bishop Adela, a trusted confidant of His Majesty the Pope whom the priests all recognized, who came with him, even with His Majesty the Pope's personal letter, no one would have believed it.

  After Bishop Adela accompanied him here and delivered His Majesty the Pope's orders and documents to the High Priest, she left. This young Cardinal was left alone in the Magic Academy.

  Although full of surprise, doubt, and even some disdain, the fact that this was indeed the Cardinal personally appointed by His Majesty the Pope to take charge here was beyond doubt. Even though no one here actually welcomed him, the formalities that should be observed could not be neglected in the slightest. All preparations were basically ready, so all the priests and clerics were immediately invited to hold a welcome ceremony.

  "Lord Rodhart has arrived." With the announcement from the priest at the door, the commander of the Royal Capital Guard, captain of the first Paladin squad, appeared at the entrance.

  Just seeing the young Cardinal sitting above, Rodhart couldn't help but show a look of surprise, but he quickly returned to normal, stepped forward and bowed: "Greetings, Your Excellency the Bishop."

  "Commander Roland has accompanied His Majesty to the South. So the Paladin Order is temporarily commanded by Lord Rodhart. Lord Rodhart is a disciple of Commander Roland and also the commander of the Royal Capital Guard." High Priest Ryan explained from the side. Strictly speaking, the Paladin Order was also considered one of the subordinate organizations of the Magic Academy, so nominally it should be under the jurisdiction of this successor to Bishop Ronis.

  Of course, nominally was one thing, in reality it was another. Although this Cardinal looked handsome and extraordinary, he was after all too young, making it difficult for people to believe he had sufficient qualifications and ability to properly handle the difficult problem of the Magic Academy. More importantly, no one here hoped he could handle it well.

  "Your Excellency need not be so formal, after all, I am a guest here." The Cardinal smiled. His smile was very natural, without the slightest tension or affectation, as if he were really just visiting here. His handsome face was brilliant and warm under this smile, "I had heard of the reputation of the Paladin Order back in Celeste, and now seeing someone like Lord Rodhart, I can be even more certain that the reputation is well-deserved."

  Rodhart was slightly surprised and vigilant in his heart. He hadn't felt this way for a long time. This was the feeling of meeting an opponent who could match him, or even surpass him.

  What he felt was not the person's surface heroism or handsomeness, but the things hidden behind that attitude.

  Although this was a welcome ceremony, and all the people here were subordinates of this Cardinal, everyone also held a faint wariness and hostility toward him. What awaited him were deliberate difficulties and obstacles, perhaps even opposition. But even so, this young man could still smile so freely, so casually, without revealing anything beyond what should be shown on such occasions. Like a vast blue ocean, whose pleasing color concealed the unfathomable depths behind it.

  "Chancellor Mrak has arrived."

  For such an important matter as receiving the new Cardinal, it was natural for the leaders of the religious, military, and political aspects to gather together. High Priest Ryan was temporarily in charge of the Magic Academy, Rodhart represented the military forces, and the political representative was naturally the Chancellor.

  This was actually just one of the three representatives, but the Cardinal's reaction upon hearing this announcement was completely different from when Rodhart arrived. The light in his eyes brightened, he stood up and walked toward the door, his smile became warmer, more vivid, more brilliant - that couldn't be faked, but was a warmth that came from the heart, like golden sunlight, gentle and dazzling.

  Chancellor Mrak's figure appeared at the door.

  Probably considering the matter of receiving the Cardinal, her willow-like eyebrows were slightly furrowed. Her official attire couldn't conceal the unique fresh beauty of the young female Chancellor, while the dignified solemnity she possessed was not something any other woman could have. Only she could combine the two completely different directions and attributes of beauty and stability, expressing a unique charm of her own. This charm might not necessarily enchant people, but no one would fail to be moved by it.

  At this moment, the Cardinal had also just walked there. When the female Chancellor suddenly saw the handsome young man in Templar attire before her, she also showed a look of surprise, but then the bishop's action immediately made everyone's expressions even more surprised. He bent down and gave the woman before him a knight's salute rather than a bishop's, extended his hand and said: "Miss Mrak, your beautiful name and talent have long spread across the continent. It is my supreme honor to meet you today. Even the Lord would sincerely praise your beauty and grace. Please allow me to escort you to your seat."

  Although Bishop Adela had already explained to the priests and clerics that this Cardinal had been promoted from the Templar in an emergency, when they saw this scene, the expressions on all the priests' faces were extremely strange. High Priest Ryan, with his mouth wide open, didn't know what to say: "Your Excellency Bishop Javi..."

  Although the Chancellor was extremely surprised, she could confirm from the people around her that this was indeed the new Cardinal. Looking at the hand before her, she hesitated for a moment, but finally extended her hand.

  Bishop Javi smiled and led the Chancellor toward the center of the hall. His posture, steps, and expression all overflowed with confidence and a genuine satisfaction that came from the heart. After seating the Chancellor, he gave a faint smile to the people around who were still dumbfounded: "Everyone, don't be too surprised. This is merely my expression of respect and admiration for Chancellor Mrak."

  "Hehe, it's nothing. Your Excellency the Bishop was originally a Templar, so these etiquette are also very normal..." High Priest Ryan coughed twice, leading the priests and clerics to restore their expressions. But there were still two people whose expressions were somewhat abnormal - one was the Chancellor who had just taken her seat, and the other was Rodhart.

  The Chancellor was confused, puzzled, and surprised. Rodhart, however, seemed to be trying hard to think about something.