Children of the Holy Emperor

“I’ll likely stay in the capital and help the Monster Special Task Force even after the Emperor’s birthday celebrations. I’ve already discussed this with Sir Leandros.”

Logan explained while carefully turning the pages of the worn book of Otherworldly Apocalypse.

“Besides, His Majesty has promised to reimburse part of the subjugation team’s operational funds from my personal finances while I’m in the capital.”

Is that like saying, ‘I’ll increase your allowance, so stay home nicely’?

“I’ve always focused solely on subjugation and never bothered with operations, but it turns out, organizing a subjugation team costs quite a bit of money. It seems the funds for Ortona’s reconstruction will increase significantly.”

Logan whispered to Seongjin with a slightly pleased expression.

Seongjin was incredulous.

You, man, were quite mature before dying, and now you’re completely playing into the Holy Emperor’s hands, aren’t you?

“What are you looking at?”

Seongjin’s gaze shifted to the pages Logan was turning.

Unlike the flamboyant Sir Valerie, it was curious to see this knight, as precise as a painting, casually browsing the Otherworldly Apocalypse, which until recently was a forbidden book.

After all, isn’t Sir Masain the only one who finds the Otherworldly Apocalypse creepy?

Sure enough, as Seongjin showed interest in the Apocalypse, Masain behind him visibly grew uncomfortable.

Logan nodded and explained.

“While subjugating demons in the northern region, I encountered something strange. It wasn’t demonic energy but something else, emitting an ominous aura. Sir Francis speculated it might be a monster. I thought it might be mentioned here, so I’m looking for it.”

“A monster? From somewhere other than Delcross?”

Seongjin asked, startled.

Could it be that another gate has opened somewhere?

If so, monsters should be pouring out by now, so why is it so quiet?

Just then, Logan pointed to a page.

“Ah, this is it! It really was an otherworldly creature!”

Everyone from the Monster Special Task Force crowded around to look at the book.

“The Blue Flower of the Demon Realm, Dilelaria…”

Jibril read aloud from the page.

Contrary to the description of a flower, the page featured an illustration of a small, blue-dyed butterfly.

It looked more like a moth than a butterfly, with a plump body and wide, feather-like antennae. Nonetheless, the accurate depiction of its core suggested it was indeed a monster.

“A beautiful creature that became my companion many times as I wandered through a thousand dreams. A traveler across dimensions and a monster that enchants other monsters. Monsters, drawn to its dream-like blue wings and mirage-like supreme beauty, follow Dilelaria as if intoxicated. And what awaits them at their destination is only pale rest.”

Hmm. Is Seongjin’s sense of beauty off, or is it the author Sigurd’s mediocre artistic skill?

To Seongjin, it looked like a simple, unattractive pale blue moth. Moreover, the black pattern on its wings uncomfortably resembled eyes.

The Demon King’s opinion was that Sigurd was exaggerating.

[As always, so full of flair. Monsters are simply attracted by its scent. They just want to eat its eggs.]

Wait, that sounds familiar.

Seongjin tilted his head in curiosity, and the Demon King grumbled.

[Have you forgotten after all that commotion? I told you before, there’s a butterfly that travels dimensions alone while channeling.]

‘…The one you said all bug-type monsters commonly like? The egg?’

[Right. The scent Lophellum imitates is that of Dilelaria’s eggs. Monsters are indeed drawn to it like drugs. But that’s just a storyteller’s interpretation who doesn’t know the details.]

The Demon King explained.

It might seem like monsters are entranced by Dilelaria’s butterfly, but in reality, they are both moving in the same direction.

Monsters are attracted to the scent of the eggs, and Dilelaria’s butterflies are there because of…

[Females. Dilelaria’s butterflies travel across dimensions in search of females. They’re so rare that the butterflies move great distances, even across dimensions, to find them.]

Seongjin had heard of moths traveling long distances to find females.

But traveling across dimensions? How is that even possible?

“Are you sure you saw this? The Apocalypse contains illustrations of other butterfly-type monsters as well.”

To the red-haired inquisitor’s question, Logan nodded.

“Yes. The illustration and hue are slightly different, but blue butterflies aren’t that common. Plus, the strong black pattern on the wings is vividly etched in my memory.”

“I see.”

It seemed they didn’t have to worry about a gate being opened somewhere else, as this monster apparently moves across dimensions on its own. The concern, however, was that this butterfly was in possession of a demon.

“So, the recent sudden appearances of monsters might be the work of demonkind?”

Masain, sharing Seongjin’s thoughts, asked with a trembling voice.

It was a plausible theory.

Seongjin remembered what Commander Bruno had told him earlier – about being charmed just before contracting the Gray Plague. He had suspected the one who implanted the egg might be a demon.

And Logan had witnessed a demon and a monster butterfly together during a sea demon subjugation.

To consider them separate incidents seemed too coincidental in timing.

Moreover, could it be mere coincidence that both Dilelaria and Loperum, two types of monsters, emit similar scents from their eggs?

“It’s overwhelming.”

As Jibril sighed, a silence fell over the entire Monster Special Task Force.

The investigation of the Gray Plague, the investigation of the butterfly monster, and their potential link to demonkind.

It was indeed hard to figure out where to start.

“…Let’s tackle it step by step.”

Seongjin, after organizing his thoughts, spoke up.

“We don’t have enough evidence to link the Gray Plague and the butterfly monster yet. Before hastily connecting them, let’s treat these as separate cases to minimize errors. First, the Gray Plague.”

Everyone in the Special Task Force listened intently.

“It’s safe to say that the recent monster turmoil has essentially exposed all the Gray Plague patients. Now, our focus shouldn’t be on the plague itself, but on who implanted the eggs, and what their purpose was. Tracking down the perpetrator seems like the fastest solution.”

Should we try a trap investigation? Like tying up aura in the dantian and wandering around in the slums.

Then Jibril chimed in.

“Your Highness, how about meeting with the academy students you mentioned earlier? They’ve recovered enough to be interrogated.”

Oh, finally!

“That’s a good suggestion, Jibril. I’ll meet them today. Now, about the Dilelaria butterfly. Where did you say you saw it, Logan?”

“Near Count Ziegsmundt’s domain in the north.”

“Right. Investigating there directly now seems impractical. It might be better to check old records. Have there been previous instances of this butterfly appearing in Delcross, or cases where demonkind and monsters appeared together?”

Then Dame Sharon spoke up in a quiet voice.

“There are demonkind extermination reports submitted by exorcists from all over the continent. We can sort out previous cases focusing on Ziegsmundt’s domain and Delcross.”

“Good idea. Can I entrust that task to you, Dame Sharon?”

As Seongjin nodded, a slight flush appeared on Sharon’s pale face.

“Yes, Your Highness. I will get started right away.”

Dame Sharon, usually disengaged due to mundane tasks, responded with an unusually brisk voice and left the room.

Seongjin then turned to the red-haired inquisitor, who had been looking at him with sparkling eyes.

“Sir Valerie, can I ask you to continue the work you were doing? Please keep searching the Otherworldly Apocalypse for the monsters that appeared in the capital and categorize them.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Sir Valerie responded eagerly and smiled broadly. It seemed an appropriate task for the young Paladin who enjoyed mysterious stories.

“Hmm…”

Logan, who had been quietly observing, muttered to himself.

“Just an advisor, but unexpectedly seems to be in control of the entire department?”

What is he talking about?

I merely offered my opinion as an advisor.

“Shall we head to the imperial hospital now?”

As Seongjin got up to leave, Logan followed suit. Seongjin quickly stopped him.

“Before that, you should take a shower to get rid of that scent. Hurry up!”

“Why? It seems like a decent fragrance.”

“You’re nose-blind right now; it’s overpowering. Passersby will stare at you; how embarrassing is that?”

It’s already bad enough that our department is nicknamed not the ‘Monster Special Task Force’ but the ‘Rose Perfume Squad’ in the administration!

Then Jibril protested with an aggrieved face.

“But this scent is for your benefit, Your Highness! You’re going to see patients who had the plague, right? Wearing this fragrance should prevent any possible infection!”

“Jibril. I’m telling you, the plague doesn’t spread because of bad smells.”

Jibril retorted sharply.

“Are you disregarding the teachings of our esteemed Lyora School, Your Highness?”

“No, that’s not what I meant… Ah, really…!”

Frustrated, Seongjin scratched his head, and Logan, smiling gently at Jibril, interjected.

“That’s alright, Physician Jibril. We aura users aren’t typically susceptible to ordinary plagues.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Morres is just concerned about giving the students a standoffish impression. Otherwise, there’s no reason to refuse such a fine floral scent, a badge of honor for Lyora plague doctors who constantly fight against the stench of disease.”

“That, that’s…”

“Don’t worry too much. Oh, and could you check if there have been any recent cases of the Gray Plague at the Plague Institute?”

“Of, of course! I’ll look into it right away!”

Blushing, Jibril bowed shyly.

Seongjin unwittingly gaped in astonishment.

Wow, isn’t he a real pro?

He’s said to resemble the Holy Emperor the most, and indeed, a born charmer is right here.

Following Logan’s cue, Seongjin and Masain quickly exited the task force office.

Before boarding the carriage, Logan performed an astonishing feat. A gentle breeze swirled around him, and suddenly the rose scent significantly diminished.

As the smell faded to just a faint after-scent, Seongjin blinked in surprise.

Logan looked back at the two with an amused expression, shrugging his shoulders.

“Why make a fuss? Just come out quietly like this and scatter it. What’s the big deal?”

Wow, there’s another person here whose aura follows his heart’s desires!

On their way to the hospital outside the palace, Seongjin and Logan sat side by side, incessantly bickering.

“How did you do that? Is it different from releasing aura externally?”

“It’s just materialization. Just do it well.”

“Do it well? How?”

“Why are you asking me? You do it all the time, don’t you?”

“I don’t know how I do it! It’s only possible during meditation; I’ve never done it consciously. Isn’t there an easier way?”

“Well, if you’re curious, why not try learning the Henesys cultivation method?”

Is he trying to sell me something again?

No way, I’m going to achieve greatness with the Banahas cultivation method.

Seeing Seongjin’s flat expression, Logan clicked his tongue.

“Really, you too. Think about your real age, Lee Seongjin. Do you want to argue with a girl who could be your daughter?”

What, this guy?

“Where do you get off shaving years off your age? Jibril could be my granddaughter! Get it straight!”

“What about me? She’s like my great-granddaughter. Daughter or granddaughter, it’s all the same.”

“What? Does that even make sense? There’s a limit to exaggerating your age!”

“Who’s exaggerating?”

“Who else but you? The great Logan, gallantly riding into battle at seventy!”

After bickering quietly for a while, Seongjin and Logan suddenly noticed Masain staring at them and immediately fell silent.

Right. Masain is also a skilled aura user. Despite their efforts to keep their voices down, he could not have missed their conversation.

Masain looked at them strangely for a moment before asking.

“What are you two Highnesses doing, exactly?”