<Chapter 97>

“The child who has inherited the title of the Holy One. Why have you taken the holy relic out of the imperial palace?”

“What… holy relic?”

The Emperor looked confused, as if he had never heard the term before.

As expected, not only was the treasure from the imperial vault the medium that maintained the blessing of eternal youth, but he also seemed entirely unaware of the relic itself.

‘But the Emperor from 300 years ago definitely knew.’

“Then why didn’t he leave a direct warning? If it were me, I would’ve made it clear not to give it away, since the blessing was tied to the relic.”

“Because there’s a vast difference between a blessing bestowed upon the imperial bloodline and one imbued in a specific object. If he had spoken too carelessly, it would’ve only increased the risk of that information leaking to outsiders.”

That raised another question—why had the blessing of eternal youth been placed in a relic rather than in the imperial bloodline?

The words of the Marchioness provided a significant hint.

“As you know, Duchess, the scriptures of the Great Temple were completely burned in the Holy War 300 years ago and rewritten from scratch.”

If the holy war 300 years ago had actually been a rebellion to drive out God—if that war had led to the collapse of three temples and severely diminished divine influence—

Then the claim that the Emperor of that time had led the holy war to victory with the Pope’s aid and received divine blessing in return couldn’t possibly be true.

Because that war had marked the beginning of God’s downfall.

‘Right. There was never a divine blessing to begin with.’

The Pope from 300 years ago must have offered the Emperor a deal.

And the Emperor had disguised that deal as a blessing from God.

That way, he could reinforce the legitimacy of the imperial bloodline while leaving only vague warnings for his descendants, ensuring the truth would never be discovered.

But because the current Emperor had failed to heed those warnings, things had turned out like this.

‘Well… this is just karma.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly as I looked at the Emperor’s aged face. His misfortune was entirely self-inflicted, so I felt no sympathy whatsoever.

The real victim in all of this was Inosensia, who had unknowingly been used as a bargaining chip and sent to the North.

When I thought about how she ultimately took her own life… there was no room for pity for this man.

“Duchess. Explain in detail. Are you saying the withdrawal of God’s blessing is because of this relic?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I assume you removed a certain treasure from the imperial vault around the time you lost the blessing.”

“A treasure? I have taken nothing…”

The Emperor’s eyes widened as if something had suddenly occurred to him.

“A war trophy!”

“A war trophy?”

“Yes, a few months ago, I had a relic from the holy war removed from the vault. His Holiness the Pope wished to store it in the Great Temple… Yes, now that I think about it, that’s precisely when I lost the blessing!”

The Emperor, growing agitated, grabbed my shoulders with both hands.

“Ah!”

I winced in pain, but he paid no attention and pressed me further.

“Then! If we retrieve that relic, can the blessing be restored? What exactly did God say—?”

“Let go of me!”

The pain was unbearable. I forcefully pushed the Emperor’s hands off me.

“Argh!”

He let out a short cry as he stumbled backward.

“Y-you insolent—!”

The Emperor, sprawled on the floor, glared at me fiercely. But before he could call for his guards, I struck first.

“Kneel!”

“W-what?”

The Emperor’s face twisted in shock at my sudden outburst. I immediately hardened my expression.

‘God, I’m borrowing Your name for a moment.’

“I shall now speak through this child’s lips. Kneel before me and listen!”

The moment I finished speaking, a brilliant, golden-white light erupted around me.

—Glow!

A radiant pillar of divine power shot up, reaching the ceiling.

The overwhelming holy energy spread throughout the audience chamber, and the Emperor, eyes wide in astonishment, let out a shaky gasp before collapsing to his knees.

“O-oh…! I humbly receive God’s words… Please, grant me back my blessing…!”

“I granted your ancestor my blessing 300 years ago in recognition of his valor in the holy war. But now, that war has become meaningless to you!”

“T-that’s not true! I believed the relic to be nothing more than an object. I thought what truly mattered was the history and faith it represented!”

“Faith is what matters, you say? Then tell me—when was the last time you prayed to Me?”

“I… I…”

The Emperor faltered, unable to answer. Just as I expected.

‘He never looked like a particularly devout man.’

“Your faith is too shallow to bear My blessing. And so, I have withdrawn it.”

“No! Please!”

The Emperor clung to my skirt, begging desperately.

“I was wrong. From now on, I will pray three times a day, every single day! I will offer generous donations as well! Please, do not abandon me…!”

‘…Donations?’

For a brief moment, my ears perked up. I almost asked how much he was willing to offer.

But if I appeared too eager for money, he might start getting suspicious. I decided to end this on a reasonable note.

“I shall watch your actions from now on. Remember this well—until your faith is proven, the blessing shall not be restored.”

“G-God! O great God!”

Ignoring the Emperor’s desperate cries, I inwardly made a request.

‘God, please gradually make the glowing divine power around me disappear.’

Only after every last trace of light vanished did I open my eyes again.

I met the Emperor’s gaze—his face was drained of color as he looked up at me, completely overwhelmed.

Before he could speak, I smiled brightly and asked,

“Did you hear God’s words clearly?”

“…Not yet! I have not received confirmation that the blessing will be returned! Summon God once more!”

“Excuse me? What do you mean you haven’t received confirmation? God made it very clear—if your faith is proven, the blessing shall be restored.”

The Emperor’s expression shifted as realization dawned on him.

“…I see! That’s right! If I prove my faith, the blessing will return!”

He then looked up at me with desperate eyes.

“Duchess, please help me. If I can regain the blessing, I shall reward you most generously!”

“A reward, Your Majesty? But thanks to you, I have already been granted the title of Duchess. It is only right that I repay such a favor.”

“Yes! Yes, you’re right! A nameless orphan like you rising to the rank of Duchess is entirely thanks to me! Thanks to me, indeed! So you must assist me!”

Hah. Does he not have a saying in this world about treating others with kindness to receive kindness in return?

This man’s mouth has no filter.

“Of course. So long as you do exactly as I instruct, God will surely return Your Majesty’s blessing.”

“What must I do?”

Putting on a solemn expression, I clasped my hands in front of me.

“First, Your Majesty must uphold your own words. However, to prove your faith, praying three times a day won’t be nearly enough.”

“Then… five times?”

“At least ten.”

“T-ten times?!”

The Emperor’s face twisted in horror. I let out an exaggerated sigh.

“Your Majesty, you must understand—God is deeply disappointed in you. Frankly, I believe even ten times a day is insufficient.”

“Even ten is not enough…?”

“From now on, sincerity is what matters most. You must offer prayers at least ten times daily… and, of course, make appropriate donations.”

The Emperor hesitated, seemingly struggling to accept my demands.

“…If I do that, will I truly regain my blessing?”

“If Your Majesty devotes yourself wholeheartedly, then in time, God will surely look upon you with favor.”

“Very well. I shall do it.”

Without a hint of doubt, the Emperor nodded.

‘It must be because of the divine power he just witnessed.’

And right now, he had no other option but to trust me. He didn’t want to question it.

“But Duchess… there is one issue.”

“What is it?”

“In order to pray, I must go to the Great Temple or a chapel. But if the priests were to discover my condition…”

“Ah, that would be troublesome. We wouldn’t want rumors spreading about Your Majesty losing the blessing.”

“Exactly! So I was thinking—”

Before he could suggest keeping me in the palace to assist him, I quickly cut in.

“Fortunately, I have just the thing for Your Majesty.”

Now then… how much are you willing to pay?
 

<To be continued>

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