I Got a Fake Job at the Academy

Chapter 645: Salesin van Bretus (2)

Newspapers were published in Leathervelk and various countries across the continent.

The front pages of newspapers published in all countries featured a common incident.

[Death of Cardinals and Archbishops of the Bretus Holy Nation!]

[The culprit is the illegitimate child of the Bretus Holy Nation, Heathcliff van Bretus.]

[King of heretics who commands demons. Who exactly is he?]

The incident immediately captured people's attention.

In the midst of the recent demonic incidents causing various disturbances, a heretic who commands demons had appeared.

Moreover, since he was even the bloodline of the previous Pope, public interest could only grow more intense.

The content written in the newspapers was as follows:

It stated that Heathcliff van Bretus had made a contract with an evil god and massacred the cardinals and archbishops of the Holy Nation.

Thanks to the Empire's cooperation, they were able to immediately capture the criminal, and it was said that he would be transported to the Holy Nation.

"There was an illegitimate child? What exactly is going on?"

"A contractor of an evil god. Truly horrifying."

"He's essentially no different from a demon."

"They say he commands demons. He's even worse. Spit"

People around the world debated the incident committed by Rudger.

While it was called a debate, in reality, most were criticizing his actions.

Despite being of the Pope's bloodline, he worshiped a heretical god and even murdered Cardinal Patricio, who was widely respected.

That wasn't all. All the thousands of people who moved with him also died.

One person killing thousands.

This was a mass slaughter difficult to find precedent for even in history.

"How is this possible by one person? Isn't it fake?"

"They say he borrowed the power of an evil god. It's said that in the old days, demons could even destroy countries."

"Is this really okay? A heretical god? I didn't even know such things actually existed."

"It should be fine since they say he's been captured. They say the Holy Nation is transporting him and will soon put him on the execution platform."

"Could it be that the recent demonic incidents were also caused by this person?"

Heathcliff's notoriety spread throughout the entire continent.

Beyond his massacre of the Holy Nation's priests and holy knights, the incidents in Leathervelk and Isla Machina were all attributed to him.

While people condemned Heathcliff, they simultaneously praised the actions of the Holy Nation, including Salesin.

The Holy Nation took a step further.

They declared their intention to completely erase traces of heresy from across the continent and dispatched priests and holy knights that they had prepared in the Holy Nation throughout the continent.

3,000 apprentice and regular priests.

20,000 regular holy knights.

1,000 senior priests.

800 senior holy knights.

Five archbishops.

And even a high priest and a priestess.

As if to demonstrate that they had kept their doors locked for the past 20 years for this moment, the Holy Nation's forces spread throughout the continent in an instant.

Considering that the current Pope, Salesin, was staying in the Exilion Empire it could be said that the Holy Nation was now virtually empty.

"Has the Holy Nation gone mad?"

"When did they gather such forces? Could the number of priests and holy knights have increased so dramatically in 20 years?"

"More than that, if they disperse their forces to this extent, what about their home country? Isn't it empty?"

Despite such concerns, the internal defenses of the Holy Nation remained solid.

As if claiming that those who died with Cardinal Patricio were only part of their forces, they had gathered an enormous number over the past 20 years.

"What is the Holy Nation planning? Are they going to war?"

"Even so, exerting influence across the entire continent rather than focusing on a single country seems strange."

"We can't say much since their stated purpose is to eradicate heresy. Heretics did exist, and demons did appear."

For the Bretus Holy Nation, now was the optimal time for action.

If someone were to oppose their actions and get branded a heretic?

In a situation with nothing to back it up, no one would listen if someone shouted about the Bretus Holy Nation being heretical.

But now, demons had appeared, and someone who worshipped a heretical god had emerged.

The timing wasn't good for rebuttal.

"Plus, the Pope is suspicious. Heading straight to the Empire right after taking the throne."

"Didn't the previous Pope always stay in place?"

"This generation's Pope is even said to be young. Whether it's youthful vigor or some kind of deal with the Empire, we should be cautious."

"For now, let's welcome the delegation coming to our country as much as possible. We'll need to align our statements about demons and heretics, even if it's just a pretext."

No country hindered the Holy Nation's actions.

Upon receiving reports of this situation, First Princess Aileen frowned as if displeased.

"Ha. So this is how they've set the board."

Aileen recalled the current Pope, Salesin van Bretus, who had visited the Empire.

Rudger Chelici.

No, now Heathcliff, Salesin resembled that man who could be called his brother in some ways.

However, their atmospheres were completely opposite.

Unlike Rudger, who exuded a cold, rational, and unapproachable aura, Salesin gave a friendly and gentle impression.

But Aileen had no doubt that their inner natures were completely different.

Rudger might appear that way on the outside, but inside he was a person with compassion and consideration for others.

Conversely, beneath Salesin's smiling face, cruelty was hidden.

'Otherwise, he wouldn't have so easily discarded Cardinal Patricio who faithfully believed in and followed him.'

Aileen thought Salesin should be watched carefully.

Though he said he came to the Empire in person to express his gratitude, she didn't believe his words at face value.

Surely Salesin had come to the Empire to pull some tricks.

And naturally, Aileen knew what Salesin was counting on.

'My weak little brother.'

Ivelon von Exilion, Aileen's brother and the Empire's Second Prince.

A brother with a tender heart and not particularly outstanding political abilities.

He possessed exceptional talent in artistic areas like painting, music, and creative arts, and since he himself enjoyed these, he claimed he wasn't suited to be an emperor.

That Ivelon had now started to step forward to welcome the Bretus delegation.

'Could it be that his appearance until now was all fake?'

She had already known that Ivelon had been harboring something in his heart.

Ivelon was wise enough not to openly display it, so Aileen had chosen not to bother him but now Ivelon moved in earnest as if to show that his usual demeanor had been false.

"Princess. What do you plan to do?" Pasius asked Aileen.

Considering the succession rights to the throne, Ivelon's actions appeared to challenge Aileen's authority.

No, it would actually be a challenge.

Otherwise, the guy who had been quietly staying put until now wouldn't suddenly move like a fish in water.

"We must stop the Second Prince now."

"I've been thinking the same, but it's not as easy as it sounds. The main problem is definitely Pope Salesin."

"...I see. As long as he's here, we can't easily touch the Second Prince either."

Even if Second Prince Ivelon ran around doing whatever he wanted, if no one around him responded, he would be no different from an echo that wouldn't resound.

Within the Empire, Aileen had firmly established her power.

Whatever Ivelon did, the Empire shouldn't have even flinched.

The problem arose when Salesin van Bretus actively joined Ivelon.

With the current Pope openly favoring the Second Prince, it was quite disconcerting for those around them.

"And just when I thought my mind was at ease after recently drawing the Lumos family to our side."

"Flora Lumos, wasn't it? Impressive. Such bold ambition at that age."

"Being an illegitimate child is just a label. What's important is that she pushed aside Kayden Lumos and surpassed her other siblings to become the acting head of the family. I helped a bit, but it wouldn't have been easy without that child's ability and charisma."

But despite this good news, Aileen gently massaged her fair forehead with her fingers as if having a headache.

"The problem is still the Pope."

One action from him was enough to shake the iron fortress Aileen had solidly built.

"He was right. I should have struck down my little brother as quickly as possible."

It was too late now to worry about how to deal with Ivelon.

Aileen blamed herself for her complacency, but Pasius didn't think so.

'Princess. In fact, you knew more than anyone that Ivelon, the Second Prince, was dangerous, but because of your blood ties, you tried to deliberately ignore that truth.'

Aileen appeared to be more cold-hearted than anyone, but in reality, she wasn't.

This could be seen in how she cared for her sister Erendir.

'Although you pretend not to be, you actually have a warm heart. That's why I serve you.'

With firm resolve, Pasius said to Aileen,

"I will continue to monitor Second Prince Ivelon. Even if he has joined hands with Pope Salesin, there's nothing he can do right now. We can wait and watch for when he reveals a weakness."

"I'm sorry, but that won't work, Lord Pasius."

Suddenly, the door opened, and Second Prince Ivelon entered.

Pasius narrowed his eyes at the sight.

There should have been guards outside, so how?

More than that, had he been listening to their conversation?

While Pasius was bewildered by Ivelon's inexplicable appearance, Aileen rested her chin on one hand and stared at Ivelon.

"Seeing you suddenly appear like this, it seems what I was thinking is correct."

"Sister. Please give up now."

"Give up? That's quite a grand statement to make just because you believe in a Pope who suddenly appeared."

"You cannot stop him, sister. No, I think no one in the world can stop him."

"Are you going to ignore international society?"

Even though Bretus currently had justification, it wasn't enough to completely fill the vacancy left over the past 20 years.

Moreover, since world politics had been revolving around the absence of Bretus, even though everyone was quiet now, no one knew when they might suddenly change and pressure the Holy Nation.

"Do you think there's still the authority to dismiss as in the old days?"

"Of course, the Holy Nation doesn't have that level of authority now. But sister, do you think that's all there is to the Holy Nation?"

"You speak as if you've seen something."

"This is the mercy I can offer you, sister."

"I can't listen anymore. Be grateful that I've left you alone like this because of blood ties."

"It's because of those blood ties that you're cornered like this."

Saying so, Ivelon pulled something out from his bosom.

It was a scripture the size of a human palm.

As he opened the scripture with its golden cover, it shone and a strange power began to permeate the entire space.

Pasius drew his sword the moment he saw this but he showed a moment of hesitation.

No matter how much Ivelon was an enemy, he was still royalty.

Inflicting wounds on the body of royalty was an absolutely forbidden act for a royal guard.

For Pasius, who served only Aileen, this showed a momentary vulnerability.

In that gap, the light flowing from the scripture engulfed Pasius and Aileen.

"You should have guessed why I was able to come here without any hindrance."

The light disappeared from Aileen's eyes.

The same was true for Pasius.

The two remained still like people who had lost their minds.

It was like looking at dolls whose shells remained but whose souls had vanished.

Ivelon gazed at Aileen's form silently.

"Excellent, Believer Ivelon."

-Clap. Clap. Clap.

With the sound of applause from behind, Salesin walked in.

Ivelon turned to look at Salesin and bowed his head to him.

For him, a member of the royal family, to bow his head to Salesin meant acknowledging that the Empire was beneath the Holy Nation.

But Ivelon's expression showed no sign of humiliation.

"You've arrived, Your Holiness."

"You really did as I instructed."

"It's nothing. Isn't this my role?"

"Well done. Thanks to Believer Ivelon's right choice, the Empire will not perish and will be able to continue its legacy."

Though it sounded arrogant at a glance, Ivelon knew it was the truth.

"The Empire will go down in history. Unlike 500 years ago."

"Yes. I am grateful for your grace."

"It will be the same for other countries. Soon, the high priests we've dispatched will begin the grand plan."

Salesin looked at Aileen and grinned.

His crescent-shaped red eyes gleamed ominously.

"We are spreading our power throughout the continent."