Children of the Holy Emperor

Aura is a force akin to the source of life.

In the Main Dimension of Delcross, any living being naturally generates a small amount of aura simply by existing. The fundamental nature of aura is inherently preservationist concerning the body. Unlike external energies which may be tumultuous, an aura user is instinctively incapable of using aura destructively within their own body.

Therefore, Seongjin’s handling of aura—as if it were an alien force similar to the energy of monsters—might fundamentally differ from the residents of the Main Dimension.

“There might be only one solution to this problem,” Logan stated calmly. His demeanor as a former Sword Master seemed to instill confidence.

“And what’s that?”

“Just become so strong that such force isn’t necessary anymore.”

“……”

Oh, that’s straightforward. But why do I feel cheated?

Unaware or indifferent to the slight sense of betrayal on Seongjin’s face, Logan smoothly began to promote the aura cultivation method of his homeland.

“How about learning the Henesys cultivation method? Banahas may have been a genius, but his method is too intuitive and simple. For depth and finesse in operation, there’s nothing like the Henesys method.”

Until recently, Logan had strictly concealed anything related to Ortona. It seemed that now, with his identity revealed to the Holy Emperor, there was nothing left to hide.

Seongjin snorted.

Trying to sell me something? Masain once said Banahas’s cultivation was the strongest on the continent, right?

However, someone was intrigued by his words.

“Is that cultivation method so powerful? More than Weiloz?”

“Absolutely, sister Amelia. Unlike the complex Weiloz, the Henesys method encompasses both spear and sword techniques magnificently.”

“Can it destroy walls if channeled through a spear?”

But why is this sister so keen on destroying walls?

“Walls? With mastery, you could even demolish entire fortresses.”

“Wow…”

Amelia’s grey eyes sparkled with excitement. Logan, seizing the moment, offered her a convincing smile.

“Why not try learning it, sister? After all, you’ll be receiving a Henesys longsword from His Majesty.”

Henesys longsword!

Immediately, Amelia nodded eagerly, falling for his persuasion.

Seongjin looked at her with pity.

Struggling with Weiloz and now seeking to delve into another discipline – her path ahead seemed fraught with hardships. But what can be done? One must climb out of the grave they dig themselves.

He drew his Nutcracker and focused his mind.

After Logan’s warning, Seongjin decided to strictly adhere to the Banahas cultivation method for the time being, putting aside his habit of manipulating monster energy.

Speaking of monster energy…

“…I regret not trying something with the monsters I’ve killed. There was something I always wanted to do after capturing a monster…”

[What did you want to try?]

Seongjin had long harbored a curiosity about utilizing the energy of monsters.

Could he use monster energy in this world, as he did in others? After capturing monsters at the Diggory mansion and during the heresy trials, he lost consciousness both times, so he never got the chance. Perhaps he could absorb energy from a monster’s corpse to strengthen his body, as before?

But upon hearing this, the Demon King was horrified.

[Hey, hey! You’re a human of Delcross now, with an aura! Do you know what kind of impact monster energy might have on you?]

‘Why? It’s just energy. What could possibly go wrong?’

Seongjin may have thought lightly of it, but the Demon King’s concerns had valid grounds.

[Think about it. That knight, Haven, was implanted with an egg that died within a day. But the others survived for days, right?]

‘…Now that you mention it.’

The difference between those two cases seems to be that Haven was an aura user.

[Why do you think the Gray Plague primarily affects the sick and elderly? Could it be because they have weaker auras? And if the egg’s quick death was due to aura, couldn’t the opposite also be true?]

Monsters might be vulnerable to exposure to aura.

Then, could the energy absorbed from a monster also act as a poison to Morres’s aura-endowed body?

‘That’s a possibility, but…’

Even if something went wrong, wouldn’t his father take care of it? Trying it out once might be worthwhile.

The Demon King grumbled in annoyance.

[Do you want to cause trouble again after already worrying the Holy Emperor? Of course, your father will save you. But first, he has to keep you alive to punish you, right?]

That’s a bit frightening.

Seongjin involuntarily shuddered, recalling the Holy Emperor’s icy gaze.

Let’s just focus on training.

* * *

That evening, Logan left Pearl Palace and visited the administrative building for the first time in a while. Following the conclusion of the sea demon subjugation, he typically visited the office of the Saint Aurelion Knights, as was his custom.

Besides his affiliation with the Saint Bastian Order, Logan had separate assignments from the Saint Aurelion Order mainly to compile and report any demon activity encountered during subjugations.

Though it was late and most people had left for the day, Lieutenant Francis, who was still in the office, seemed in good spirits. He was the type of person who’d happily work overtime if it meant reducing the burden on his commander, though he’d likely apply for a day off the next morning.

“This subjugation took unusually long. I heard you went as far as the borderlands near Count Ziegsmundt’s domain.”

At Francis’s comment, Logan nodded.

“My request to investigate inside the domain was denied. The Count was quite obstinate. But it wasn’t entirely fruitless.”

“You mean…”

“As the exorcists reported, we spotted demonkind near the Black Forest, close to Ziegsmundt’s domain.”

Logan, with one of the strongest divine powers in the Lilium Special Force, was highly sensitive to demonic presences.

He quietly entered the forest while the force was encamped, explaining to Francis how he had single-handedly dealt with a demon he encountered there.

Francis clicked his tongue in response.

“You took such a risk? Why bother having a special force if you’re going to act alone? If His Majesty learns you’re doing this, he won’t just stand by.”

“It was a solitary demon known as the Witch of the Forest. There was hardly any danger. Besides, the Lilium knights are noble souls who willingly lend their strength to aid the people, not a personal army of mine.”

“Really? I thought they were just a fan club for Your Highness.”

“…….”

After staring incredulously at his tactless lieutenant for a moment, Logan took something out of his pocket and handed it to Francis. It was a small, rusted medal.

So worn that it was difficult to make out the spider emblem etched on its surface.

“What’s this?”

“After defeating the demon, I found traces of a summoning ritual nearby. This was buried within the summoning circle. The demon worshippers had already fled the area.”

Francis adjusted his glasses and examined the medal, scraping off some of the rust.

After a while, he put the medal down on the desk and said to Logan.

“It’s from the Dark Order. This appears to be the symbol of the ‘Order of Repentance.’ However, its poor condition and crude design mean we need further investigation to confirm its authenticity.”

Logan nodded.

Leading the special force across the continent for years, he realized there were more covert demon-worshipping factions active than he initially thought. A prominent example was the remnants of the Dark Order, who had escaped the purge.

Even in the former territories of Ortona in the east, where he went for sea demon subjugation, traces of such orders were found in every village visited.

Something he never noticed as Sword Master Gale.

The prevalence of the Dark Order’s remnants in the eastern region suggested a deeper secret behind Ortona’s dissolution, beyond just Delcross’s machinations. Recently, Logan had begun to suspect this.

“How about the investigation in the east?”

“Recently, Commander Syllus led a detachment of the 3rd Imperial Knights to the east. Exorcists from Saint Terbacchia also joined, forming a substantial investigation team.”

Again, the 3rd Imperial Knights.

Logan’s expression grew complex.

Why was the 3rd Knights, composed mainly of excellent lance knights, frequently deployed on such mismatched, minor investigations?

Especially since Commander Syllus Agen, quite senior in years, shouldn’t be traveling long distances ahead of major events like the Emperor’s birthday.

“The 3rd Knights seem to be dispatched often.”

Francis sighed.

“Of course. His Majesty is really pushing it. But with the 3rd Knights being specifically targeted, what choice does the commander have?”

With Commander Syllus away, training for new lance knights of the 3rd Knights became difficult, so Lieutenant Dimlos of the 1st Knights had to step in.

This also delayed Amelia’s lessons.

“Lady Syllus’s mother complains that in the last few years, Commander Syllus has never spent the Emperor’s birthday leisurely in Delcross.”

Commander of the 3rd Imperial Knights, still Syllus Agen, a relative of Francis Agen and a well-known figure to Logan.

The tall knight who had claimed Gael’s life in Ortona a decade ago.

“Could it be…”

Logan thought of a new possibility and furrowed his brow.

Had it not been for a recent conversation with Seongjin, he wouldn’t have suspected it.

How many times had Logan encountered Commander Syllus in the palace? Especially during the Holy Emperor’s birthday celebrations, wasn’t he always away on assignment?

It seemed improbable, but could the Holy Emperor be deliberately sending the 3rd Knights away from the capital each time Logan returned?

Could it be… No, it can’t be.

“Is that all you have to report?”

Lost in thought, Logan was jolted back to reality by Francis’s question.

“Oh, actually, besides the demonkind, I saw something strange in that forest.”

“Something strange?”

“It wasn’t demonic energy, but something ominously unsettling.”

Logan slowly recalled his encounter with the demonkind in the Black Forest.

The demon, wandering the snow-covered forest in flowing robes, and a single blue butterfly it cherished.

“That Witch of the Forest was holding a butterfly dearly. Just before I slew the demon, the butterfly vanished without a trace. I still can’t figure out what that sinister aura was, different from the demonkind.”

“……”

Francis blinked for a moment, then straightened his glasses and smiled meaningfully.

“I have a feeling I might know where to find that answer.”

* * *

The next day, after morning training, Seongjin visited the Monster Special Task Force office for the first time in several days.

“Your Highness! You’re here!”

Red-haired Inquisitor Valerie greeted him warmly as usual.

Seongjin skillfully dodged Jibril, who rushed at him with a rose-scented spray, and waved casually to the grim-faced Dame Sharon, who stood in a corner of the office.

He then stopped abruptly, startled by a familiar face sitting upright and reading a book in the back of the office.

Why is he here?

“Hmm? You’re late.”

Logan, always impeccably groomed, looked up from his reading of the Otherworldly Apocalypse.

“I’ve decided to help out with the Monster Special Task Force while I’m in the capital. So, how far has the investigation into the Gray Plague progressed? What can I help with?”

“……”

Still reeling from not avoiding Jibril’s enthusiastic greeting, Seongjin was enveloped in a strong rose scent.

No help needed, but first, do something about that perfume smell!