The city of Igogodon.
A place said to be unforgettable to anyone who visits even once.
Among the many sights, two buildings stood out prominently.
One was the Igogodon Cathedral.
Renowned as “the most beautiful cathedral in the world,” it boasted the tallest spire in the capital, along with various murals, masterpieces, holy relics, and sculptures.
However, the spire had recently been destroyed, deemed an act of divine will, and the interior had been entirely emptied to be replaced with something new.
As a result, it was now a somewhat disordered site.
The other was the Imperial Palace.
The residence of those bearing the most noble bloodline on the continent.
The palace, built by utilizing an entire hill without carving it down, was a stunningly beautiful structure.
It featured meticulous moats and fortifications, allowing it to serve as a formidable fortress in times of need.
At the heart of this majestic palace lay the audience chamber, where one could meet the Emperor.
Kneeling on the red carpet, Linnea lowered her head and greeted the pinnacle of the empire’s power.
“Mother, I have returned.”
“Welcome back, Linnea.”
The person seated on the imperial throne was Linnea’s mother and the 18th ruler of the Einsberg Empire—Empress Eirene von Einsberg.
Her golden hair, shimmering brighter than dust in sunlight, was elegantly braided up, with a single lock flowing gracefully to the side, exuding sophistication.
Her deep sapphire eyes, akin to the vast ocean, strongly testified to her imperial lineage.
Her flawless white skin was remarkable, but what stood out most about her was her chest.
Her bosom—an overwhelming pair of breasts that were almost violently large!
Merely looking at them made one feel suffocated under the weight of the word “breasts.”
Even though Linnea, her adopted daughter and the empire’s second princess, was herself quite voluptuous, she was no match for Eirene.
Eirene possessed the kind of overwhelming mature beauty that only a woman in her prime could have.
Her impressive figure threatened to burst through her luxurious dress.
At 36 years old, Eirene was a woman who had learned to doubt more than to love.
She had adopted all her children, including Linnea, at an early age, as they were the offspring of her older sister, Aisha von Einsberg, who had passed away prematurely.
Eirene ascended the throne at the tender age of 22 after the untimely death of her elder sister.
Upon donning the imperial crown, she was immediately confronted with the harsh reality of political strife.
Her siblings were not allies but rivals vying for the throne.
The many nobles who sided with them became her adversaries.
Even so, Eirene managed to weather the storm and solidify her position.
When necessary, she did not hesitate to get her hands dirty with blood, ensuring her survival.
***
Now, on the surface, no one dared to show even a hint of rebellion against her.
Thus, she ended up adopting her sister’s children instead of having her own, as it avoided the complications of direct heirs vying for succession.
She had no intention of seeking a husband now, nor did she ever allocate a place for men in her interests.
Though not devoid of romantic inclinations, her heart raced only when her plans fell perfectly into place, not in the presence of any man.
Extending her fair hand, Eirene spoke.
“So, did you meet the Saintess?”
“Yes. As expected, she has been appointed as a Holy Knight, but…”
“But something happened, didn’t it?”
What followed was a discussion about the selection of the “Holy Knights.”
Hearing about the decision to appoint three knights for a single position, Eirene frowned slightly, tilting her head in curiosity.
Her golden side lock swayed gently as she moved.
“Are you saying they appointed three Holy Knights?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Eirene ran her white hand over her pink lips.
“How transparent. Such a cunning decision.”
Linnea immediately understood who Eirene was referring to.
The Pope—a man named Agnus III, who was rapidly expanding the church’s influence and regaining authority.
“But, Mother, wasn’t the decision to select ‘a plate of Holy Knights’ made in accordance with divine will—”
“Linnea, you don’t actually believe that nonsense about divine will, do you?”
Silence signified agreement.
Linnea did not truly believe in the existence of a god, either.
“It’s a nuisance to make us enemies, but they don’t want to grant us enough power to challenge them. So, the solution is simple—appoint all three. Both you and Ophel Aichel are excellent knights, so adding an unknown knight to the mix poses no real risk. Furthermore, appointing three Holy Knights helps create the impression that ‘this Saintess is extraordinary.’ As for altering that blasted doctrine…”
Eirene smirked faintly.
“They are beasts that devour the scriptures,” Eirene said with a self-deprecating laugh.
“How amusing it is to see them, seizing the appearance of a Saintess, desperately trying to reclaim their former glory. Be they religious leaders or nobles aspiring to meddle in politics… it’s truly a spectacle. Linnea, you’ve studied history, haven’t you? You must know what happened a few centuries ago.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Eirene and Linnea retraced the history of the past.
A time when even emperors had to kneel before the Pope, such was the overwhelming power of religion.
Back then, the scriptures were the law—no, they were prioritized over law itself.
It was an era when religion reigned supreme.
Women of the imperial family, including the Empress, were even obliged to reveal a part of their bosom to align with certain scriptural interpretations.
For the imperial family, which pursued secular values, this must have been deeply humiliating.
The authority of the scriptures was absolute, and the Emperor’s role felt reduced to that of a tax collector.
‘Can you imagine?’
But no matter how great a power, it always has its end.
The then-Pope, Fadulus II, was a notoriously greedy man.
He created heretical doctrines such as “so long as one could pay donations, the size of their holy relics needn’t matter to become a nun,” directly defying divine intent.
This heretical act—still considered the greatest shame of the religious order—culminated in an event that the clergy to this day dare not even mention.
“You know what I mean, don’t you, Linnea?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Yes.
The ‘Holy Relic Pouch Scandal.'”
“…Mother, it’s the ‘Holy Vest Certification Scandal.'”
“Isn’t it all the same thing?”
This scandal, where certificates for becoming a nun were issued without the required “holy relic pouches,” was an unspeakable event from the perspective of the current religious order.
The rapid loss of divine power due to the diminished presence of relics caused a severe decline in the order’s authority, shattering its absolute power.
Ultimately, this led to the current balance: a state religion that couldn’t wield absolute power over the Emperor, while the imperial family also couldn’t entirely control the clergy.
It was a delicate equilibrium.
***
Now, for the first time in 200 years, a Saintess had reappeared.
Naturally, from the Guodun Church’s perspective, leveraging the Saintess’s miracles to restore their influence across the continent wasn’t surprising.
But from the Emperor’s standpoint, they couldn’t simply stand by and watch.
“I’ve agreed to serve as part of the ‘Holy Knight Plate,’ but… should I begin studying the scriptures now to avoid potential pitfalls?”
“The scriptures are ultimately written by humans. Reading them won’t hurt now that you’re a Holy Knight, but… for now, stay out of sight and remain quiet, Linnea. Your mother will handle everything. Understood?”
“You will handle it? What does that mean…?”
At that moment, Eirene tilted her head slightly, gazing down at Linnea.
It was the gaze of an absolute ruler—a clear reminder of a superior addressing a subordinate.
“Soon, you will be the only Holy Knight left.”
Linnea’s eyes widened in shock, but Eirene continued as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Of course, I have no intention of staining my hands with blood. That would be foolish, making enemies of the clergy. However, there are plenty of ways to achieve the same result without dirtying one’s hands.”
“We mustn’t provoke the nobles unnecessarily. It’s essential to prepare carefully before dealing with the Transrente family… Yes, eliminating the nameless knight first would be wise.”
Eirene covered her mouth with her pale hand and laughed softly, “Kuhuhu.”
The sight was so stunning that it was hard to believe this woman was scheming.
“Mother, even so, isn’t it unwise to take action against knights chosen to serve as Holy Knights?”
“Have you already befriended them?”
“That’s not it, but… In this world, just as there are things we must do—”
“There are also things we must not do, is that what you’re saying?”
Linnea was speechless with surprise, but Eirene remained calm and serene.
“In this world, it’s not about what must not be done. It’s about what must not be caught.”
Linnea froze in shock, unable to say a word, while Eirene maintained her composure.
After all, with a Saintess present, the Emperor only needed to be wary for appearances’ sake. What did an Emperor have to fear?
“Don’t worry. If those knights are truly chosen by divine will, wouldn’t the Creator intervene to stop a mere mortal’s schemes?”
With another soft laugh, she continued, “Yes, that is, if the ‘god’ is really watching over humanity.”
“Delicious.”
As Eirene peeled and ate a mandarin, her phone vibrated.
[New chapter of “Holy Knight Appointment (4)” has been uploaded!]
‘Oh! The next chapter is out!’
It’s here! My dopamine rush!
So exciting!
Time to read the next chapter!