How the Cult Saves the World-Chapter 164

The Herpheon Empire, which possesses overwhelming scale and power even within the continent. Its Imperial Palace was more enormous and tremendous than what I had seen in the original.

'So this is the Imperial Palace…….'

I couldn't help but gape just at the entrance of the Imperial Palace visible through the window. The Imperial Palace I actually saw felt majestic, and unlike the original, it was overwhelming.

'The original HSAW was a crappy game that poured everything into illustrations, so it was impossible to expect anything from there.'

Anyway, the Imperial Palace was considerable in scale just from the size of the entrance, and the high walls stretching out on both sides didn't seem to have an end in sight.

The guards watching the entrance checked our identities through Chamberlain Bellosse even though we were obviously riding in a carriage sent down by the Emperor, and only then opened the gate. Whether they were being that thorough with security, or whether they too had a backlash against the Kyros Church like Baron Spent. I couldn't know the details, but the carriage that had stopped briefly moved again and gradually entered inside the Imperial Palace.

"Somehow I'm getting nervous. This is my first time visiting the Imperial Palace……."

"I'm nervous too."

Zain and Troy also looked out the window with trembling eyes, no less than I was. I smiled because the guys seemed quite cute. Even so, my gaze couldn't leave the Imperial Palace.

After passing through the large entrance and entering inside, the path with tall trees growing abundantly was visible first.

And after passing that path, I felt as if I had emerged from a forest. The continuing scenery was a garden full of beautiful flowers in bloom.

The pretty flower beds that must be managed by gardeners every day and the huge fountain in the center gave the feeling of transporting an entire park.

Moreover, the garden itself was so large that even though we weren't going around in circles but went straight ahead, it took several minutes just to cross it.

While being surprised and impressed by the various statues visible in between, the appearance of the Imperial Palace finally properly entered my eyes.

The Imperial Palace visible without obstacles was truly tremendous in scale. The number of buildings easily exceeded ten, and there seemed to be several more in places not visible.

The exteriors were also diverse, and generally all large in size. Among them, there was one palace that was particularly eye-catching and beautiful.

'That is…….'

And the most inner among these, a magnificent building with one side painted in gold.

'The Sun Palace where the Emperor resides.'

The carriage we rode stopped right in front of that Sun Palace.

"You may disembark."

The carriage door opened, and we got off following Bellosse's words. And we were all alike amazed at the grand size of the Sun Palace.

'I did think our Holden mansion was also quite large, but it can't be compared to here.'

"Please follow me. If you move carelessly here, troublesome things can happen."

When we couldn't help but be amazed, Bellosse gave a short warning and guided us inside. So I moved following him with my companions.

The Sun Palace had tight security befitting a place where the Emperor resides and works. Still, thanks to visiting with Bellosse, the procedures were somewhat simplified.

After simply confirming our identities, Bellosse looked at us with very apologetic eyes.

"What's the matter?"

"Um…… Church Leader. I'm sorry, but before entering the Sun Palace where Her Majesty resides, we must perform a purification ritual."

Ah, right. This existed. I saw it often in the original too, but I never thought I would experience it.

"We must wash our bodies with Diego Church's holy water, but it's a simple ritual of sprinkling just a few drops. It's to chase away evil energy, and it's no different from a tradition that has been continuing from long ago…… I ask for your understanding."

At Bellosse's words, Zain and Troy's brows narrowed. Both Zain and I already knew about that fact. It wouldn't make sense for Zain, who is well-versed in information, not to know, and looking at the guy's 'oops' expression now, he definitely knew.

I also knew because I had seen it in the original.

And Troy, who didn't know about that damn tradition, snorted.

"Even though the Herpheon Empire's state religion isn't the Diego Church, to do such a pointless thing."

Although it wasn't the state religion, it was an obvious provocation in the Imperial Palace of an empire where the majority of the imperial citizens believed in the Diego Church, but fortunately there weren't many listening ears. Moreover, it felt somewhat satisfying.

Chamberlain Bellosse also just had a troubled expression. Still, since we had to do this to enter, we reluctantly followed.

Tap, tap-

At Bellosse's gesture, holy water fell on our faces. Because of that, Zain, Troy, and I - all three of our expressions rotted.

'They call it holy water, but it's just water.'

There was no such thing as holy water for the Diego Church bastards in the first place. This was just a device for the Diego Church bastards to show off their power.

After the purification ritual ended, we could finally follow Bellosse and enter inside the Sun Palace. The huge door opened, revealing a wide hall.

The floor, walls, and even the ceiling sparkled. The expensive decorations everywhere were the same, and seeing even a large ceiling painting, I really felt like I was visiting the Imperial Palace.

While looking around, Bellosse guided us to a certain room.

"Please wait here for a moment."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

After greeting Bellosse, I entered inside and an antique reception room greeted us. Just like at the entrance, ornaments containing craftsmen's touches were placed everywhere, and the spacious sofa also looked quite expensive.

As soon as I sat down, my body became comfortable and the texture was soft - I wanted to take it to the temple.

"Wow, if we sold just one of the things here……."

And Zain's eyes were half-turned. I immediately ordered the guy.

"Zain, snap out of it. The moment you touch anything here, your life is over."

"Yes, yes. I know. Even so, would I touch things from the Imperial Palace? I'm not that stupid. Unlike Troy."

Although he said that, the guy's gaze didn't leave the various ornaments. Because of that, I had no choice but to ask Troy to keep a good watch on the guy. Troy readily accepted that request.

After that, servants came and brought us tea, fruits, and cookies. Thanks to that, the waiting time wasn't that boring.

About thirty minutes after waiting.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting."

Bellosse returned.

"Her Majesty is waiting for the three of you."

***

We left the reception room with Bellosse and walked and walked again through a corridor without any particular features. The path to meet the Emperor was quite complicated, befitting the vast Sun Palace.

How long did we walk like that. We arrived in front of a huge door with a golden base and red points everywhere.

The guards watching in front of the door exchanged words with Bellosse, and before long, the door opened.

The door opened on both sides, and what was visible first was a long-stretched carpet. A blue carpet was laid for about 20 meters, and at the end, a space covered by a blue translucent cloth could be seen.

'The Emperor is there.'

Following Bellosse's gesture, we entered inside the audience chamber. While stepping on the carpet and approaching the Emperor, I didn't turn my gaze.

I only stared straight ahead and approached the Emperor. And when the distance to the Emperor became quite close at about 5 meters. The knights who had been guarding her on both sides blocked us.

'I guess it's here.'

I immediately greeted her with Imperial Palace etiquette as I had heard from Bellosse.

"I greet the Sun of the Empire. I am the Kyros Church Leader called Leviathan. These two are my reliable subordinates Zain and Troy."

Then the blue cloth covering the throne was drawn back. The person sitting on the throne that was soon revealed was a woman with considerable charisma.

She, with long orange hair and violet eyes, was in her forties, but looked like she was in her early thirties.

A friend who had been war comrades with Mother since childhood, and the person who had even dispatched magicians and alchemists for Revelof Holden who had Malone's disease.

'And…… the Emperor with overwhelming presence.'

Kaliona Train Herpheon.

Just sitting on the throne and looking down, yet I became tense without realizing it from the spirit emanating from her. And it seems to be the same for Zain and Troy. I could hear the sounds of swallowing saliva from tension on both sides.

"Yes. Nice to meet you. You must have had a hard time coming a long way."

The Emperor's mouth finally opened, and the first sentence I heard was quite affectionate. Did our position as the saviors of Holden territory buy the Emperor's favor?

"Not at all, Your Majesty. It's not hardship at all to attend such an honorable event."

I spoke with a business smile. Then the Emperor's lips also rose as if drawn. Then she gestured to me.

"Come to think of it, didn't the previous Holden family head ask you to deliver something to me?"

Seeing her talk about Grandmother, it seems they had already communicated before I arrived. Well, it wouldn't look good for me to suddenly present Grandmother's letter either.

"Yes. That is correct."

I immediately took out Grandmother's letter. And when I delivered it to a nearby knight, he passed the letter to the Emperor.

Before long, the Emperor smiled once looking at the letter's envelope, and didn't lose her smile even looking at the contents.

She read through Grandmother's letter while we waited silently. After 5 minutes that felt like 50 minutes passed, the Emperor looked at us with a satisfied smile.

"I heard the whole story. The entire Holden family became believers of the Kyros Church? That's truly curious and impressive."

"You're too kind."

"To be humble as well. I like you even more."

Grandmother's letter had definitely made the Emperor have considerable favor toward us.

"Moreover, if it weren't for you people, the Demon God's invasion that occurred in Holden territory couldn't have been stopped. The previous Holden family head is a more cold-headed person than anyone, so that statement must be true."

For a moment, the Emperor's eyes sparkled.

"So you people definitely possess considerable power."

"Haha, not to that extent."

"You don't need to be too modest either. I just…… saw considerable 'possibility' in you people."

The Emperor's lips rose faintly. And I knew very well what the possibility she mentioned meant.

'What the Emperor wants.'

It was to exterminate the rotten existences that were encroaching around her.

And the fact that the Emperor saw possibility in us meant that someday she might ask us for help.

'When that time comes…… many things will change.'

Not right away, but that's how it will be in the future.

"The main event will be held the day after tomorrow, so rest comfortably until then."

After chatting about this and that with the Emperor, the audience time ended before long.

'Still, at this level, I won't be ignored at the main event.'

And until this time, I was having the naive thought that perhaps the event might end peacefully.