Chapter 63

Wearing high-quality clothes without any ornate decorations for worship, I arrived at the palace cathedral.

Terry seemed to have asked my father for a tour, sensing that I had never been here before.

However, since it was exclusively for the imperial family, some people who didn't want to treat me as a prince tried to interfere.

When the princess heard about this from Terry, she also joined forces with my father, knowing that she had never been to the right wing.

I heard that even more unexpected support came in.

Apparently, a request for a visit to the palace cathedral came from the side of the bishops who serve there.

They said it was a problem that I had never greeted the gods, despite living here for so long, though I don't really understand the religious significance.

The bishops, who also participate in politics, reached a compromise after various considerations, and I ended up visiting today.

"I don't like it here."

"I don't want to either……"

The usually energetic twins were in low spirits.

Probably because they have to behave.

"It's my first time. I'm worried about getting scolded. I'd be happy if you two could help me."

"Really?"

"We'll tell you!"

When I said this tentatively, they perked up.

It's cute how they get energized when relied upon.

Just as I thought that, Terry put a finger up to me and the twins.

"You can't make loud noises either."

"Got it. I'll be careful."

Though the warning was for the twins, I took it on and protected them.

The twins then covered their mouths in the same pose and nodded.

So cute! Including the older brother Terry.

"Welcome, Your Highness."

At the entrance to the corridor leading from the palace to the cathedral, people in white robes, presumably priests, were waiting.

"My name is Tadare Liek Weteri Iidan. I will be your guide today. Please make the most of this opportunity."

The person who introduced himself with a long name and a smile was only looking at Terry.

Clearly power-hungry.

The other person, probably of a similar high rank, was indifferent.

But his eyes were rude and roving.

"My name is Ritrionas Iver Aisort Edenbal."

Neither of them was a bishop, but they might be bishop candidates who could become bishops in Terry's generation.

I don't like either of them.

I have my thoughts, but I'll obediently start the tour.

It's not good to judge by first impressions alone.

We first went up to the gallery near the ceiling on the second floor, which connects to the palace.

The cathedral is a religious building with a high ceiling and a single floor.

It's part of the building that forms the right wing of the palace, but the structure is clearly different.

And by climbing the stairs, we reached the gallery where we could see the luxurious ceiling paintings up close.

"This famous scene depicts the rebirth of the god, painted by a master……"

Yeah, I don't know the artist, and I'm not particularly interested.

Tadare is trying hard to present it, but it's going in one ear and out the other.

Somehow, I managed to listen and understood that, in the history of the empire, the main god of the empire has taken on more and more powers, like an inflation of divine attributes, by incorporating the histories and beliefs of other races.

In my previous life, Apollo and Hermes had so many attributes due to inflation.

Here, the main god of the empire is similar.

The god oversees too many things in too much detail, so it seems that any request should be directed to the main god.

"Let's go down for the worship."

After a long explanation, we finally entered the cathedral.

I praised the twins for not fussing and we went down the stairs.

When we stepped onto the floor of the cathedral, I realized again how large the building was.

I see, we came from above to impress with the grandeur that feels almost oppressive.

Even Terry, who had been here before, was looking up at the ceiling paintings with his mouth open.

It seems Tadare understands the importance of the atmosphere.

"Security personnel, from here on, it is a sacred area. Please refrain from carrying weapons."

Ritrionas, the unfriendly one, blocked the way of the security personnel, including Ikt.

"Shouldn't there be permission for today's worship?"

"I haven't heard of it. Above all, all are equal before the gods. Even as the prince's guard, special treatment is not possible."

Ritrionas repeated that they should remove their weapons.

The security personnel apparently had permission, but Tadare also claimed to be unaware.

"……There's no choice."

"Then the security personnel will wait here, eh?"

Ritrionas seemed to expect them to stay with their swords, but he was surprised when Ikt quickly removed his sword and belt.

Seeing this, the other security personnel also reached for their belts.

"Ah, one of you should stay to watch the swords. Someone might tamper with them, and it could be dangerous for the children."

Essentially, to protect the twins and prevent anyone from doing anything to Ikt.

Ikt, who was the last to remove his belt, was silently designated by me.

In the end, three of us went in unarmed, and one stayed with the swords.

We headed to the back of the cathedral.

The cathedral, decorated with stained glass windows, was dim but sparkled with light.

In front of the statue of the god, there was an altar adorned with gold thread and ornate candlesticks.

"Everyone, let's begin the worship."

Tadare went to a lectern-like stand in front of the altar.

In front of the altar, four cushions were lined up on a carpet laid out for us.

They were for kneeling and bowing in prayer.

Tadare would read the prayers in sync with our prayers.

(The procedure isn't complicated, and I won't make a mistake, but I'm nervous.)

(Sephira detected an armed group.)

I stopped my foot and swayed my body as I was about to step forward.

"Princess Asha?"

"……Sorry, Ikt. My clothes seem to have shifted. I need you to check. Terry, wait a moment. Let's go to the shadow of that pillar."

I grabbed Ikt as an excuse, pressing my chest.

"Sephira detected an armed group."

I revealed that there was nothing hidden in my chest.

Ikt's face was stern, but he didn't make a mistake by shouting.

"Do you know how many there are?"

"……The closest group is ten. There are more scattered, about twenty in total."

Even with just the information from Sephira, the number was too many for the four of us to handle.

"I can't do much alone. Could they be additional security?"

"……No, apparently. Their clothing is different. They all wear white tunics with red trim and hooded cloaks."

"That's the uniform of the knights who protect the church. However, according to what I heard from the Marquis Strategos, there were no thirty knights scheduled for today."

The possibility that Ikt wasn't informed is a concern.

But if the Marquis Strategos were involved, he would have openly increased the security, especially since this is inside the palace.

We don't need thirty for just a worship.

"The lack of communication about the weapons is also concerning. Let's confirm with the second prince's security."

I nodded, and Ikt raised his hand to Terry's security.

"Sorry, I can't tell the difference in the clothing. Help me."

"Go ahead."

Reluctantly, one of the security personnel came over.

But when he saw nothing was wrong with me, he tilted his head.

"Don't make a sound. The church knights are armed and deployed. Any idea why?"

"……No."

The security personnel, about to speak, was silenced by Ikt's glare.

"It's unsettling not knowing their intentions. It's dangerous for all four of us to pray together, leaving a large opening. I'll pray alone first. Keep an eye on the surroundings."

Terry's security nodded tensely at my suggestion.

Ikt had a grim look, but I pretended not to notice and started walking from the shadow of the pillar.

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Next: The Brother's Heart, Unknown to the Elder