Meanwhile, Kaisis let out a sigh.

The fact that his eyes were moving nimbly was surely evidence that he was thinking about something.

But not a single thought could be read from Charlie.

“Ha, hahaha.”

Suddenly, Kaisis burst into laughter.

It was a refreshing laugh, but no one laughed along.

Everyone knew that when the emperor laughs, it often means death.

How much time had passed like this?

As his laughter subsided, Kaisis looked at the head servant with a changed expression.

“Leave.”

After the head servant left the audience hall with Cedric and Noel, Kaisis spoke,

“I found something very interesting while resting.”

Soon, a seductive scent filled the audience hall.

This was Kaisis releasing his pheromones.

‘Oh sh*t. Is releasing pheromones the first greeting here?’

Charlie made a disgusted expression.

Nothing to be done about it.

Taking a deep breath, Charlie composed herself, drawing upon the holy mind from her core.

‘Until the East Sea’s waves are dry…’¹the opening line of the South Korean national anthem, “Aegukga” (애국가).

* * *

“……?”

“……”

Silence fell over the audience hall.

Surely, when Hector had released his pheromones, there had been a reaction in her body.

She clearly remembered struggling to endure it.

But now, there was not only no reaction, but not even the slightest disturbance.

‘What’s going on?’

Hadn’t he just released his pheromones?

Charlie inadvertently looked up at Kaisis.

“This…”

How on earth could this be happening?

Unable to hide his bewilderment at the unbelievable situation, Kaisis was at a loss.

Despite him, a Grand Master, releasing his pheromones, Charlie was not only fine but even had an expression of clear disgust on her face.

“So the gift…”

Hector said, covering Charlie’s hand that was placed on his arm.

“Is this all?”

Red eyes stared at Kaisis as if they could burn him.

“Let’s hear about the saintess first.”

* * *

In the midst of the tense atmosphere.

Charlie, sandwiched between the two, rolled her eyes around.

‘This doesn’t seem good at all.’

Kaisis had returned to his usual composure, as if he had never been flustered.

Hector also stared directly at Kaisis, not hiding his killing intent.

Their silence continued for a long time.

How much time had passed like this?

The first to speak was Kaisis.

“It’s only natural for a Zero with Master-level holy power to become part of the imperial family.”

Seated on the imperial throne, Kaisis continued speaking while looking down at Charlie.

“The saintess’s quarters have been prepared within the imperial palace.”

The quarters Kaisis spoke of were the emperor’s harem, the Marine Palace.

But now, Kaisis’s thoughts had changed slightly.

‘The Sun Palace would be better.’

Even better if it were his own bedroom.

At first, it was just to prevent Hector’s purification.

If Hector hadn’t brought Charlie to the imperial palace, he planned to kill her outright.

Hector’s compliance in following Miller was quite surprising.

However, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

In a way, it seemed to have worked out well. He wanted to see Hector’s reaction.

Yes, that was the extent of it.

Curiosity about the existence that even the great Hector would protect, going so far as to confront him.

But now, neither his Grand Master abilities nor even his pheromones worked on her?

Kaisis genuinely wanted to get his hands on Charlie.

“Considering your close relationship with my friend, I’ll ensure generous arrangements are made.”

“You spout nonsense so well.”

Hector sneered.

His expression, which had momentarily frozen, soon twisted.

Hector, who couldn’t possibly be unaware of Kaisis’s dirty intentions, tilted his head slightly.

“Refrain from rash actions.”

A voice like an animal’s roar leaked through Hector’s gritted teeth.

But Kaisis’s gaze remained fixed solely on Charlie.

“That won’t happen.”

If he had known that the existence he’s hiding would be this interesting, he would have broken down the mansion doors long ago.

Kaisis stroked his chin and let out a sinister laugh.

“I’ve merely tested the limits of my patience.”

Kaisis rose from his seat.

“The saintess ceremony procedures will begin tomorrow.”

The emperor’s pristine white shoes took one step, then another, towards Charlie.

“A week should be enough time to stage a rebellion, don’t you think?”

Charlie’s eyes widened.

Clearly, Kaisis’s words were no mere jest.

Kaisis had always wanted war with Hector.

Specifically, Hector’s rebellion.

“One might mistake that for consideration.”

“This much is normal between us.”

Hector stepped back, shielding Charlie with his body.

At that moment, a red aura enveloped Hector and Charlie.

“Charlie will return with me.”

“Leaving now would be rebellion.”

Kaisis’s lips curved into an arc.

“Are you willing to break the covenant over a mere guide?”

A golden aura also spread, emitting a dazzling radiance.

“No. You’re the one who broke the covenant.”

Sparks flew where the two auras met.

In this powder keg of a situation, Charlie grabbed Hector’s arm.

Words of protest rose to her throat.

If they left like this, Hector would become a rebel according to Kaisis’s scheme.

Having broken the covenant, he would have to wage war even against the temple.

Whether her holy power was Silver or Diamond wouldn’t matter to him.

He would use the examination as an excuse to keep her in the imperial palace. But they couldn’t simply comply with Kaisis’s words either.

No, Hector would never let her go.

Even if it meant revealing his dark powers and turning the empire into a sea of flames.

In the end, it seemed they would follow the original story’s content that she had so desperately wanted to avoid.

‘What should I do.’

While she was at a loss,

Time quickly passed Charlie by.

“Charlie is my…”

Just as Hector’s lips parted,

“God’s!”

Bang!

Suddenly, a voice that appeared as the massive hall’s doors opened cut off Hector’s words.

“Blessing, huff… to deliver, huff…”

At once, all three heads turned.

“…I’ve come.”

There stood the Pope, Michael, smiling while catching his breath.

* * *

At that time.

Tanner, who had finished preparing to welcome Hector, Charlie, and the knights, was pacing anxiously around the Grand Duke’s residence.

“They seem to be taking too long.”

As Hector had predicted, flowers were in full bloom in the glass greenhouse.

The pears he had ordered earlier had arrived, and the construction by the river was also completed.

Not just that. From the fire magic stones lining the walking paths to the newly decorated bedroom.

The Duke’s residence was flaunting its perfect appearance, waiting only for its master’s return.

“What could be happening…”

Tanner’s mouth dried up with the creeping anxiety.

By now, they should have long since arrived and been enjoying the party.

“Lord Tanner! Where are you, Lord Tanner!!”

“In the end…”

Tanner lowered his head at the sight of a knight running from afar.

“His Grace, Miss Charlie, and the entire knight order have headed to the imperial palace.”

As expected, the knight delivered devastating news to Tanner.

Just as Kaisis had tried to plant spies, it was natural for Hector to do the same. There were quite a few of Hector’s eyes and ears in the imperial palace.

“The situation?”

Tanner asked again with a composed expression.

If it was already irreversible, urgent measures were needed.

“The knight order went to the banquet hall, while His Grace and Miss Charlie went to the Sun Palace to have an audience with the emperor, but Duke Cedric and Duke Noel came back out. And suddenly, the Pope appeared, brushing off the imperial guards and…”

“What?!”

Cracks appeared on Tanner’s face.

“The Pope?!”

“I don’t know the details, but it was certainly the Pope, they say.”

“Damn it…”

A teleportation magic circle spread from Tanner’s fingertips.

There wasn’t even time to walk to the main building.

Hector would wage war if he had to, but he would never leave Charlie alone.

“Issue a state of emergency alert.”

“……!”

The knight’s eyes widened.

This meant war.

Soon, Tanner’s figure disappeared to contact Richard.

* * *

Kaisis’s face twisted without restraint at the sight of Michael.

“Your Holiness! You mustn’t enter… Ugh!”

The imperial guards who belatedly tried to stop Michael were thrown back by a flash of light.

The recoil sent strands of lavender hair floating in the air.

Kaisis gritted his teeth, unable to blast away the Pope himself.

“The Pope…”

Michael had never set foot in the imperial palace since ascending to the papal throne.

Not only that.

He still hadn’t delivered Kaisis’s prayers to God.

So what could be his purpose for appearing at this moment of all times?

Moreover, the fact that he came without any attendants meant this was undoubtedly Michael’s independent action, not the will of the temple.

“…What brings you here?”

Golden aura rippled around Kaisis as if he might wring Michael’s neck at any moment.

“I told you, didn’t I?”

Michael, seemingly unafraid, flashed a smile towards Kaisis.

Then, straightening his clothes that had become disheveled from running, he calmly crossed the audience hall.

“I’ve come to deliver God’s blessing.”

“Blessing?!”

“Or should I say, God’s revelation?”

God’s revelation.

This was a term frequently used by the imperial family that had joined hands with the temple.

Ha–

Kaisis’s fist trembled with rage.

Hector’s sharpened gaze watched the two.

While he was well aware of the new Pope’s actions, Hector had no reason to involve himself in their power struggle.

However, the situation was different now.

“Sister.”

Michael spoke very carefully as he approached Charlie, as if to show he had no ill intentions.

“……?”

Sister?

What situation was this now?

Charlie blinked her eyes.

While she was surprised by the sudden appearance, the Pope in the original story had been an old man with white hair.