Chapter 310

✠During the post-war cleanup period, a significant wind of change swept through the Winchester Royal Family.

King Perat, who had been gravely ill, passed away, and his successor was the First Princess, Celestid.

Following the recent ‘paternity test,’ Queen Raviosa and Ligares had completely abandoned their ambition for power, so there was no friction in Celestid’s succession to the throne.

Instead, they actively supported Celestid and aided in the transfer of power.

The royal family, which had long been unstable due to the discord sown by the dethroned Prince Hadeil, finally found stability.

Incidentally, Hadeil could not endure his confinement of barely a year and committed suicide.

The day after Hadeil’s death, former Queen Raviosa left the royal palace under the pretext of convalescence.

Thus, the only royals remaining in the palace were King Celestid and the former Prince Ligares, who considered himself her right-hand man.

“A year and a half has already passed, Liga.”

“Indeed, Sister.”

The two, whose relationship had been restored as if from ancient times, sat facing each other, sharing the aroma of tea.

The tea table was laden with colorful and beautiful desserts, like ornaments.

Celestid had prepared them for her half-brother, who secretly had a sweet tooth. However, the topic of conversation was too bitter to enjoy the sweetness.

“He still hasn’t… returned.”

His brother, whom he had thought dead since childhood, miraculously appeared for a brief moment only to disappear again shortly after.

He hadn’t even been able to clear the debt of guilt that his brother had lived a tormented life because of him. Yet, his brother, completely unchanged from before, had again gone far away to a place beyond reach to sacrifice himself.

Now, he didn’t even wish to be called by the affectionate nickname ‘Liga’ as before.

He just wished he would safely return alive.

It would be perfect if his brother were alive, just so he could be allowed to wish for his happiness from afar.

Ligares, consumed by regret, could not hide the torment on his face.

“Do you remember when the construction of the memorial was decided? Everyone said then that over a year had already passed. They said it was time for everyone to accept their deaths. But, but, Sister…”

“……”

“I’m not, yet.”

With his face buried in his hands, Ligares uttered his words.

“When brother disappeared into the rift, you said his wife, the Holy Saint, followed him.”

“……”

“The Holy Saint couldn’t possibly be dead. She’s someone who would return, even alone. The fact that she hasn’t returned means she’s still searching for brother beyond the rift. I’m certain.”

He didn’t want to believe that miracles were God’s exclusive domain. Humans could also create miracles.

Therefore, he hoped and wished that Aillet Rodelain would create a miracle.

Just as she had found his brother for them before.

“Liga.”

Celestid quietly rose from her seat and walked behind Ligares’s chair. From behind, she warmly embraced his neck.

“You’re not the only one. I feel the same.”

“……”

“I don’t cling to miracles, but I believe in them.”

“Sister…”

Only then did Ligares remove his hands from his face and look back at Celestid.

Celestid smiled softly, sharing comfort through her gaze.

“That’s why I’m making so many offerings, isn’t it? I think I might be the one who makes the most offerings at Saint Agnes Church.”

“…I will also do my best.”

Around that time, a knock refreshed the atmosphere of the drawing-room. Knowing who it was, the half-siblings were not surprised.

An elegant and intelligent noble lady with bluish-black hair bowed gracefully.

“My greetings to Her Majesty King Celestid and His Royal Highness, Former Prince Ligares.”

“No need for stiff formalities, Bianca. Come in and sit.”

Bianca did not decline and took her seat.

She was responsible for relaying news between the Winchester Royal Palace and Saint Agnes Church.

Thanks to her, the Winchester Royal Family and the Incantation Cult maintained a special friendly relationship.

“How is the situation in the church these days?”

“Just as the Cardinal Council has stabilized, the issue of the Pope’s ascension is being discussed. The prevailing opinion is that the position cannot remain vacant indefinitely… and Cardinal Hilde Marcelion recently awakened to the 8th Divine Power Tier.”

“Hmm, I wonder if that position might be a bit too much for Cardinal Hilde.”

“She has more backbone than she appears. Especially since she’s gradually becoming more like her boyfriend, she’s grown more lively and sociable… Ahem! In any case, I’m not worried.”

“Bianca’s judgment is excellent, so that must be right. By the way…”

Celestid’s gaze grew solemn.

“So Cardinal Hilde has become an 8th-tier Saintess…”

Up until now, it was accepted wisdom that only one Saintess or Saint existed in any given era.

If the Incantation Cult followed the same rule as the Order Religion, then the meaning of Hilde’s awakening was not entirely bright.

It was not a topic best brought up in front of Ligares. Celestid skillfully smiled and changed the subject.

“Speaking of which, I heard Bianca will soon inherit the Count of Gillette title.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ligares also chimed in at the good news.

“Now I should call you Count Gillette. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Celestid spoke playfully.

“Bianca, your story is constantly circulating in royal society these days. I hear the prevailing prediction is that now that you’ve become a Countess, you’ll actively seek a husband. Any thoughts?”

“That’s a valid point. Even if not immediate marriage, an engagement seems necessary.”

“And the groom will be a live-in husband, of course?”

“Yes. We desire an outstanding knight who can restore our family’s honor as a distinguished swordsmanship house.”

“Oh dear, with that standard, our Liga wouldn’t be able to run for husband, would he?”

“Excuse me, Sister…”

“Just kidding. Anyway, Bianca, your criteria for choosing a husband are truly consistent.”

The consort of the Count of Gillette. It was a position worth yearning for among sons below the second-born who had no right of succession.

However, Celestid felt a little sorry thinking about how the sons of noble houses would face bitter disappointment when they encountered the high standards Bianca had set.

“Bianca, is there perhaps anyone you fancy?”

She asked out of pure curiosity, with no particular expectations. But then.

“Anyone I fancy… you mean?”

Bianca suddenly gazed into the distance, as if looking at something far away.

Not long after she began sifting through potential candidates, a pink hue blossomed in Bianca’s mind, like cherry blossoms.

‘Printz Rodelain.’

An excellent knight with a kind and bright disposition.

He was a recognized talent, but he had a rather naive side, often making her want to protect him in this harsh world.

His personality and intelligence were perfect, and although she wasn’t sure about his tastes, he was Aillet’s brother, so he was worth considering.

Besides that, there were a dozen or so other conditions required for a husband, but Printz easily passed them all.

However, he was unsuitable due to a serious disqualifying factor. Bianca, rarely showing such a gloomy expression, said:

“If only Aillet were here…”

What Bianca wanted was a man without a right to succession, whom she could easily bring in as a live-in husband.

However, Printz was the grandson of the Hispenril family. While Aillet was around, there had been a sliver of hope that she would return to secular life and inherit the Duke of Hispenril title instead of Printz, but that was no longer possible.

“Ail…”

The absence of her friend made Bianca even sadder, and her eyes slightly welled up.

And this appearance provided grounds for someone to misunderstand in an unexpected way. Ligares stammered in confusion.

“Co-Count Gillette, surely you don’t mean you have feelings for my sister-in-law…? No, but my sister-in-law is with my brother…”

“What are you talking about, Your Highness?”

“…Don’t mind what Liga says, Bianca.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kind-hearted Bianca didn’t probe further and moistened her lips with tea.

As if caressing her gloomy heart, the late spring sunlight streamed in through the large window, shining down on her.✠Peronsa, the capital of Hispenril Duchy.

Saint Agnes Church was bustling with people for the weekend. All were worshippers who had broken Spatial Teleportation Stones to come from all over the country for worship.

Among them were Duke Aronjake Hispenril from Raimian House and the Rodelain couple from Gillette Count’s Castle.

The family, reunited after a long time, exchanged greetings in a somber atmosphere.

“Eltea, your face is half its size. Are you still not eating properly these days?”

“Father, you look like you’ve lost a lot of muscle mass. Aren’t your lats contracted?”

“Ahem, no! I’m perfectly fine, don’t worry. Son-in-law, I entrust Eltea to you.”

“Yes, Father-in-law. Don’t worry. And I will send more beneficial potions to the Duke’s Castle. It will get hot soon, so you should take care of your health.”

“Yes, yes… Taking care of health… Summer is already just around the corner.”

The faces of the three softened at this renewed awareness of time’s passage.

The season when the forests are the freshest and the sea is the most beautiful was about to arrive.

The second spring without their beloved daughter and granddaughter, Aillet Rodelain, had passed, and now the second summer was swiftly approaching.

Leonard, keenly sensing the risk of sinking into melancholy, led the two.

“Worship will begin soon. Let’s go in, Father-in-law.”

“Yes, we should. But where is our grandson?”

“Printz was scheduled to come with a friend today. Let’s all have a meal together after worship.”

“Understood.”

It was then, as the Duke’s family entered the church building.

In the empty space they had just vacated, a swirl of light formed, taking on human silhouettes.

Four people in royal knight uniforms had traveled through the winds of space and time to Saint Agnes Church.

As soon as the light faded, a female knight with light-brown hair frantically looked around.

“Hestio… Where is our Priest Hestio…”

“Chez, try to be a bit more dignified. We’re here for worship now.”

Thanks to Cheryl, who poked her side with an elbow to give a warning, Chez regained her usual calm and upright demeanor.

Cheryl sighed and turned to look at the other group behind them.

“Sir Printz, Sir Raywin, you two are going to the Silver Citadel Knights’ section, right?”

“No, sir. That area is too close to the front, so… Ugh!”

Raywin stopped mid-sentence and gagged, his face pale.

Printz immediately supported him, looking apologetic.

“I apologize, Senior Cheryl. My friend drank too much last night.”

“Drank too much? Again?”

“Yes…”

“Sigh, he still can’t shake off the pain of his heartbreak after a year and a half.”

The near-dying Raywin immediately reacted to those words.

“It’s not heartbreak!”

“Ah, right. Not heartbreak. My bad. You said you couldn’t even confess, didn’t you?”

“……”

Cheryl, having delivered a cutting remark, told Chez to get some fresh air and went into the building first with her.

Printz gladly looked after his friend. Avoiding the crowded front yard seemed best to settle Raywin’s stomach.

“Ray, should I pat your back?”

“Ah, no. How could I dare defile this place with… filth…”

Printz led Raywin to the back of the building.

It was a secluded and quiet place as intended, but it wasn’t entirely deserted.

This was because it was the path used by the resident priests and Holy Knights of the church when moving between their living quarters and the chapel.

Thanks to this, Printz and Raywin encountered a group of church officials.

“Oh, that’s him! Brother Ray!”

“Huh? Did Young Duke Wallenstein arrive?”

“Looks like it, Iphail. Oh, Aillet’s brother is there too.”

“Big Brother Printz, long time no see.”

Ash, Iphail, Hestio, and Hilde spotted the two and approached them.

Hilde, with her keen eye, noticed Raywin’s hangover and immediately restored his physical condition with divine power.

“Are you alright, Young Duke?”

Privilege for Possessors