Chapter 199

Chapter 199

But Ridrian’s voice was louder than mine, and everyone in the room looked at him.

He stood up from the sit and called Cardinal Rampard. As he came, he gave him the ball.

[Rampard.] The pope said.

“Yes, yes! Your Holiness.”

[Can we chat in private?]

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

Cardinal Rampard grasped the crystal ball and shifted closer to where Ridrian had previously been seated.

“Your Majesty, how did the conversation go?” he inquired.

As I inquired of Ridrian, he smiled. It was the expression of a contented predator.

“He has agreed to dispatch 300 priests and 50,000 units of holy water. The Pope intends to deliver them within a week,” Ridrian announced.

“Oh my!” Cardinal Bahan exclaimed incredulously. However, Ridrian remained unfazed, gazing intently at me.

“The Pope has also recognized that we have taken control of Liman, Alterra, Altoe, and even Lucretia under the pretext of saving the continent,” he informed me.

“Oh my God…”

I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth in disbelief. The sheer number of priests and holy water had already astounded me, but this was a new level of astonishment.

“For an organization that represents life and prosperity to recognize our involvement in a war…” I trailed off, lost in thought.

It was an indication that the sect had submitted to Ridrian’s authority, laying down their weapons before him.

***

“Why are you surprised?”

“B-But the fact that they acknowledged it…”

“It’s all thanks to your hard work, my dear personal assistant. As an emperor, I am proud to have such an excellent aide by my side.”

His golden eyes softened. Though his face was familiar to me, Cardinal Bahan began to flinch, perhaps witnessing the emperor’s rare expression for the first time.

Despite the great favor that he had done for me, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I didn’t truly appreciate it. My focus had been entirely on defending myself from the onslaught of attacks, which Ridrian cleverly exploited to his advantage and ultimately achieved the outcome he desired. And to make matters worse, I still had no clue as to what his trump card had been.

“You have no reason to stay here any longer,” he spoke to the cardinals, surprisingly considerate for once. “Rest well today and leave before sunrise tomorrow.”

“Make sure to record today’s meeting officially and send it. Viscount Lesprey, my assistant, will write it up for you, so please accept it with gratitude.”

I suddenly realized how ruthless Ridrian could be when dealing with people. As a saint (ugh!), I couldn’t imagine the church ignoring the letter I wrote. So, pointing it out like that was like being a villain who kills their opponent twice.

“I will inform Assistant Esteban here about tonight’s dinner, so enjoy yourselves.” The expressions of the church officials changed visibly at his words. We had achieved the outcome we wanted without gaining anything in return.

‘The question is whether the church has no capable people or if Ridrian is just that outstanding.’ The determination of the clergy who risked their lives and came to this battlefield ended like this.

***

“Is this my reward?” I asked, my mouth watering at the sight in front of me. It was a veritable paradise of food and drink.

“Please, come in. You’ve had a long day, Iona.”

“Rian.”

Physically and mentally drained, I stumbled back to my room after dinner. But as I reached for the doorknob, I froze. There was someone already inside.

“Why are you standing like that?” He asked.

Reudrian emerged from the bathroom, his body still glistening with droplets of water. He wore a robe that hung loosely around his waist as he absentmindedly ran a towel over his wet black hair.

The setting sun cast a long, red light into the room, highlighting his toned back muscles and biceps. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of desire as I gazed at him, mesmerized by his well-defined physique.

“Wow,” I muttered to myself. “I only see him at night, but I had no idea he was this…fit.”

At that moment, I couldn’t think of anything and just froze in place. It was because he was approaching me with his upper body completely bare. As he got closer, I instinctively took a step back.

I stood there like a statue, unable to move or speak as Ridrian approached me with quick movements. His hand wrapped around my waist, and I felt my senses return all at once.

“What are you doing?” I finally managed to ask.

“Why are you acting like that?” he replied, ignoring my question.

“Please go away!”