Chapter 98

Chapter 98

The Special Unit [Lilium] of the Order of Saint Sebastian

When they finally arrived, the imperial capital Delcross was brimming with a festive atmosphere. The windows along the streets were adorned with delicate flowers, and blue lily emblems, representing the special unit, were hung on various buildings.

People lining the streets waved handkerchiefs, welcoming the young paladins who had vanquished the sea demons for the empire.

Long live the Order of Saint Sebastian!

The noble blue lilies of Delcross!

Hail the sea demon exterminators!

White petals fluttered everywhere.

At the front of the long procession, young knights in white knightly uniforms led their horses with dignity. Except for the blue sword and crossed blue lilies emblazoned on them, their uniforms were similar to those of the Order of Saint Aurelion.

It was a wonder how they managed to keep their uniforms impeccably clean despite the sea demon extermination not being a simple outing.

There were only about a dozen paladins at the forefront.

Although it was almost embarrassing to call it a special unit, the procession became a sizable force when counting the regular knights, squires, and other soldiers following them.

Blessings upon the millennium-old holy kingdom of Delcross!

Glory to the noble knights of Lilium!

Seongjin and Amelia were secretly watching this spectacle from the entrance of the palace walls.

He was half dragged by her, who had skipped classes to see the parade. Yet, for Seongjin, who spent his days in constant training, taking a moment to enjoy such a diversion wasnt a bad idea.

People really seem to enjoy it.

The sea demon extermination sounded impressive, but it wasnt something the citizens of the capital would have physically experienced.

As Seongjin pondered over the somewhat excessive welcome, Amelia smiled.

There was a monster attack in the capital recently. There was a need to lift the spirits amidst the ominous atmosphere.

Indeed.

Most of the attack victims were unconnected poor people in the slums, so the perceived human toll wasnt as significant as the scale of the incident.

However, it was a spectacle of never-before-seen creatures flying around, attacking people. It wasnt strange that the citizens were shaken.

Thanks to the [monsters] causing havoc, the endless debates in the Holy Council were gradually concluding. There was a move to classify monsters as beings from another dimension, different from demonkind.

It seemed that soon there would be proper working policies for the monster extermination unit.

Ah, look over there, Morres! Its Logan!

At Amelias shout, Seongjin turned his head in the direction she pointed.

The procession of Lilium had now approached close enough to recognize faces from the wall. And at the forefront, a familiar-looking boy rode a horse with a composed demeanor.

A slim boy in the throes of puberty, with black hair. A young paladin.

His youthful face shone even brighter, possibly due to the silver light armor and the white uniform of the knightly order.

His slightly droopy blue eyes and delicate facial contours were more reminiscent of his mother, Empress Tatiana, if one were to be precise.

He resembles his father, somehow.

Indeed, he did.

The calm and dignified aura surrounding the boy was unmistakably royal.Cheêck out latest novels at novelhall.com

Logan truly feels like His Majestys son.

Amelias eyes were filled with deep affection as she looked at him.

And hes really a kind boy. When I first came to the palace and didnt know what to do, he was a great help to me.

Seongjin inadvertently recalled a dream he had a few days ago.

In it, Logan seemed to be taking care of Morres as well.

Setting aside the suspicions of possession, it seemed certain that he was indeed a good-natured person.

However, Seongjin had yet to realize that the hostility Logan directed at him stemmed from something more fundamental.

* * *

Gatherings of the entire imperial family were exceedingly rare in the palace.

Considering the emperor met with his children in rotation every day, Seongjin thought it odd that he didnt organize more frequent gatherings for a family meal or the like.

For Seongjin, this was a relief.

It wasnt like a mandatory office dinner, nor was it enjoyable to dine in a crowded setting with people he wasnt comfortable with.

However, the palace was different on this occasion. When a prince returns to the capital after achieving glory and being away for months, the situation changes.

The emperor had summoned the imperial family for the first time in nearly half a year. With many attendees, the palace was in a buzz of activity.

Notably, there was a fierce competition of dressing up among the empress and consorts, each vying for dignity and pride.

Queen Lizabeth, who always paid attention to Seongjins attire, hadnt even shown her face in Pearl Palace this time, probably preoccupied with her own preparations.

It was the dawn of a rare floral war in the Delcross Palace.

The atmosphere was different for the children, however.

It was a relatively free time to catch up and share news with each other after a long separation. This was why Amelia had been so happy.

Herna and Gades, who lived outside the palace, were also expected to attend, and even a place was prepared for Masain. Dressed neatly in his knightly uniform, Masain boarded the carriage with Seongjin to head to the main palace.

At this point, Masain, unable to hide his imperial identity any longer, smiled awkwardly.

I apologize for not informing you earlier, Your Highness.

No, Sir Masain. Should I start calling you brother from now on?

Seongjin, who had been inwardly frustrated about pretending not to know, asked with a sense of relief.

Considering the emperors age, he could almost be Seongjins son (in previous world), yet he called him father without difficulty. Calling someone brother should be no harder.

However, Masain reacted vehemently, waving his hands in denial.

No! That was a term of endearment from my ignorant childhood. Besides, you dont have any memories of that time, do you?

But still

Moreover, I am just a knight in the service of the imperial family. I am comfortable with our current relationship, so please understand.

Well, if he insists.

Seongjin had always thought him to be a man of integrity, perhaps too much so.

The carriage carrying Seongjin arrived at the main palace earlier than scheduled. Being people who didnt need much preparation helped them start early.

However, as Seongjin and Masain entered the lobby of the main palace, they found someone who had arrived even before them.

Prince Logan, a boy with a calm and settled aura, was leaning against a wall in the corridor, watching Seongjin and his party enter, alone and without any attendants.

Seongjin halted in his tracks as Logan rose to his feet and slowly approached them, still shrouded in what felt like a tangible hostility. Clearly, the sharp hostility Logan had directed at Seongjin during the parade was not a figment of his imagination.

Seongjin hesitated for a moment, uncertain how to approach Logan. If years of bad blood had built up between them, it would be best to start by mending that relationship. He thought about offering a greeting first.

However, contrary to Seongjins expectation, Logans hostility stemmed from a more fundamental cause. It wasnt that he was hostile towards [Morres].

Who exactly are you?

Logans eyes, glaring intently at Seongjin, burned with a blue flame of anger.

Why are you in Morress place, wearing his face, living his life?

!

What have you done with Morres? Answer me!

Faced with an unexpected situation, Seongjin inadvertently swallowed hard.

Amelia-noona to the rescue!