n

n

nMikhail's brows lifted in interest.

"The holy church? Let them in,

" he said.

nThe church had never come to the palace without sending prior notice before and they rarely go out of their space either.

nThere are only a few occasions for the royal family and the church to meet. First is during inaugurations. The church would oversee the ceremonial of any appointments, be it the emperor, the empress, the queen, or the crown prince. They are also present during the founding day of the empire, and all sacred annual rituals.

nSo hearing them going out of their way to come and visit the palace without any of these mentioned occasions, the reason must be very important.

nMikhail knotted his forehead slightly as he guessed.

n'Is it because of that?'

nThe vassals curiously looked on, behaved and sat there, anticipating whatever the church had something to say or do. Some of them already had an inkling which made them more attentive.

nAll eyes were glued at the door when it opened widely to welcome the guests, three old men in white modest robes.

nThese three men are the elders of the holy church in the empire and the ones who have the highest positions. For these elders to come personally, Mikhail's premonition solidified.

nIt could only be 'that'.

n

"Greetings to the emperor.

" The one who has the most authority and the oldest out of the three respectfully addressed him.

n

"High priest Abe, you are here…

" Mikhail returned his pleasantry with gleaming eyes.

nHe had worked with the high priest before so he is quite acquainted with him.

nWhat's surprising is, this high priest would never leave the church and would spend most of his time devoted to God Luminus and the other Gods that the holy church believes in. So what made him come out?

nHis heart began to beat faster.

nMikhail studied the priest's figure, trying to read him. But the priest only showed a bright expression, almost childlike if he said so. All three of them at the moment are brimming with unmasked happiness.

n

"I have come here to send joyous news, your majesty,

" High Priest Abe openly beamed.

n

"Oh? Then let us hear it.

" The emperor leaned back to his chair, both relieved and anxious.

n

"The saint has been sanctified,

" his voice loudly announced with a slight tremble.

nJust saying it out loud made these virtuous elders' hearts to shake. The Gods knew what had happened after hearing the news. Abe cried for the first time in years and immediately held a vigil.

nAfter that, he excitedly pulled two of his brothers along to convey the news himself to the emperor. The priests were even stunned to know that he willingly left the church.

nThe room was filled with gasps and murmurs from each of the vassals at once.

n

"The saint?

"

n

"So the rumor about the saint is true?

"

n

"There really is a saint?

"

n

"This! We only hear it from legends!

"

n

"A saint had finally appeared for the first time ever! What a time to be alive!

"

n

"The saint…

"

nAll of them have heard of the raging rumors for some time now. It's a very popular topic among the commoners but they thought none of it.

nAfter all, it was merely a rumor and these people have more important things to do than to entertain it.

nWho among them would really care if there is a saint?

nThey are noblemen and their interests do not rely on other matters aside from their roles. They get intrigued but that's all. But this and that is different. Hearing it first hand would naturally move them.

nThe emperor turned a blind eye to the commotion and stared at the beaming high-priest with clenched fists.

n

"Is that true?

" A hint of anticipation can be heard from his voice.

nThe high-priest smiled broadly,

"Yes. It has been officially declared by one of the chapters of the holy church in the kingdom of Wisteria. The arcane tower has also assessed and attested to the saint's identity to avoid deceit.

"

nMentioning the tower generated a new buzz.

nThe tower is on it, how can it be false?

n

"They are currently on their way to the empire as part of the delegates for the alliance.

"

nMikhail's eyes flickered.

n

"The alliance, that's right

" he muttered in a daze, vaguely recalling the treaty he signed days ago.

"So the saint is also coming here…

"

n

"Yes, your majesty,

" the high-priest acknowledged.

nHe was a little bit absentminded as the news of the saint was still repeating inside his head. It wasn't that long ago that he discovered someone who has the qualities of a saint and was fairly thrilled.

nBut it turned out that she wasn't the saint written in the books, so of course, this news would leave him reeling.

n

"Then we have to prepare for their arrival and rearrange everything,

" he muttered and quickly reorganized himself,

"Thank you, high-priest.

"

n

"The church is also planning for the saint to be officially introduced to the people, thus we ask for the palace's support,

" high-priest Abe added.

n

"Of course. The empire should welcome the saint with open arms,

" Mikhail enthused, showing an eager expression.

nThe high-priest showed a satisfied smile from the emperor's response and bowed his head slightly.

n

"Thank you, your majesty. Then we will be leaving.

"

n

"Mmm.

"

nThe three were then escorted out, leaving them there to digest the newfound information.

nMikhail had returned to his thoughts this time, completely distracted, and the earlier troubles now overlooked.

nIt's not just him but also Ezekiel and Leon who have been listening to their conversation all this time.

n

"A saint had truly appeared just like we speculated. This is…

" Leon trailed off, at a loss for words.

n

"Father, what do we do now?

" Ezekiel asked, looking at Mikhail's composed countenance.

nThey have already begun the preparations for the alliance a long time ago. But they have no idea that the saint is also coming with the envoys from the Kingdom of Wisteria. Naturally, the arrangement would be different.

nEmperor Mikhail hushed the crowd with his piercing eyes. As the noise and excitement dwindled down, his sonorous voice echoed around the hall.

n

"Gentlemen, I hope this news would not be spread around until the saint's arrival to ensure their safety. We don't know what the conquisitors are up to right now but we do know that they are still active. So we should keep this to ourselves. I hope I can count on you with that.

"

nThe group looked at each other before nodding one after another, keeping the emperor's words in mind. It dampened the livened atmosphere as the matter about the conquisitors was brought up again.

n

"Let us continue this meeting for another time,

" the emperor announced in a dismissive tone.

nHis mind was whirring with ideas as he stood up and marched off out of the room with both Ezekiel and Leon in tow. He then stopped not more than a few steps away from the hall and muttered to the wind.

n

"Tell Lukas to gather everyone.

"

nThe hidden guard moved right away, taking Leon by surprise after sensing a presence near him swiftly disappearing. He then calmed down after remembering their identity.

nThere could only be those people who hang around His Majesty like ghosts.

nNo doubt, it's one of the silver wings.. The emperor's elite secret guards.

n