Chapter 64

Rrrrr! Rrrrr!

In front of Kelt Cathedral. What lay before the cardinals awaiting the Imperial knights were twenty corpses.

"This is...!"

"Look at the insignia carved on the coffins! Aren't these the bodies of martyrs!"

"Quickly, confirm it at once!"

At the cardinals' order, monks with faces hidden under white cloth stepped forward and began to examine the corpses.

"These are indeed the bodies of the missionaries. Every one of them... their skulls have been crushed."

"Ha!"

"So this is the Empire's answer!"

The faces of the cardinals who spoke those words were filled with bitter grief.

Yet sorrow lasted only a moment; with a gesture they summoned more monks and began personally lifting the coffins.

"Ho, a cardinal himself carrying the coffins?"

"It is His Holiness's policy. Before the Creator even he is but a simple priest."

To the question from the knights of House Belkuth who had delivered the corpses, the old knight Videl-his gray hair neatly combed-answered thus.

"Though it grieves us to meet under these circumstances, His Holiness wished to convey gratitude for the knightly order personally transporting the bodies."

Casting a sidelong glance at the six colossi watching from beyond the Holy See, the cardinal stepped forward without losing his dignity.

"Hmm. I shall convey His Holiness's words to His Imperial Majesty. However, the knight Sir Yan Verkut whom your country protects...."

"Ah, that...."

When asked about Yaan-the main reason for their presence-the cardinal faltered. Seeing the change in expression, the old knight Videl's brows twitched.

"By His Holiness's order he has gone for a time to the Wall. Word has been sent; he should arrive shortly."

"The Wall? Do you mean to say an Imperial knight has been taken to the heretic inquisition!"

Kelt Holy See, at the northernmost tip of the continent. Recalling the purpose of the Iron Wall at the northernmost edge of that See, Videl shouted.

"Calm yourself, Sir Videl. His Holiness... acceded to a personal request."

Though the cardinal tried to soothe Videl with those words, Videl smiled inwardly.

'The Church has revealed a weakness sooner than expected. We can push harder here.'

"Intolerable! Even if he be His Holiness, how dare he move a knight personally protected by His Imperial Majesty!"

"Sir Verkut who agreed to such a thing is also at fault!"

When one of the two knights accompanying Videl added that, Videl nodded in agreement.

"Clear the way! I shall see His Holiness myself and speak of this!"

As Videl stepped forward the cardinals, who had held back until now, began to rage.

"Insolence! To seek audience with His Holiness unprepared!"

"Even if the matter concerns an Imperial knight, to demand audience with His Holiness is too far, Sir Videl!"

At the moment the cardinals blocked his path-

-Do not bar Sir Videl's way any further.

A murderous voice sent chills down their spines. For the colossus of knight Ilak had drawn its sword on the spot.

Grrrrr...!

"Wh-what!"

"Not only to bring colossi into Church lands, but such vile threats! Has the Empire forgotten its ancient pact!"

Before the Cathedral-

The cardinals trembled with uncontrollable fury at the sight of six colossi treading upon the sacred ground that was the sanctuary of the Creator Church.

-Pact? Was it not the Church that first broke the mutual non-aggression pact?

Hearing Ilak's voice through the loudspeaker, Videl nodded.

"Stand aside. I must see His Holiness."

"No, impossible. Before brigands who draw swords upon sacred ground, we cannot present His Holiness!"

"Retract that statement!! To call knights of the Empire brigands!"

What had begun as a polite exchange had now devolved completely into a shouting match.

"This place is not merely the Church's sanctuary! It is the sanctuary of all believers who worship the Creator! How will you answer for defiling it with military boots!"

"Ha! Should we not first ask about the persecution of the Empire's delegation?"

"Furthermore to take an Imperial knight hostage! This is a scheme to slander the Vailsar Empire!"

As the knights accompanying Videl shouted, Ilak's massive colossus began striding across the square toward the Cathedral.

Boom! Boom!

"Wh-what!?"

"Sacrilege! To bring colossi into the sanctuary!"

The cardinals screamed and raged, yet before them was a colossus that could breach a wall alone. Faced with overwhelming force they could only stamp their feet.

"His Imperial Majesty's demands are two. First, hand over the person of Sir Yan Verkut whom you hold. Second, His Holiness himself shall humble himself and apologize."

"Wait, what!?"

The cardinals reeled at those words.

Because of a single knight the head of a nation-indeed the head of the Creator Church spanning the entire continent-must kneel?

Were it the Emperor or his equal it might be different, but what stood before them was a mere knight. This was outright Imperial tyranny.

"If these clauses are not observed, we are prepared to begin battle at once."

"Tch...!"

The moment Videl finished speaking two more colossi entered.

As the cardinals glared at the Imperial knights-

-Enough. You have violated the Jenar Accords and trespassed upon Church lands without cause.

Hearing the loudspeaker behind them, the Imperial knights turned.

- Wh-what is that?!

- Colossi? What is that armor design?!

Seeing ten colossi advancing toward them the knights cried out in alarm.

"Has the Church developed colossi on its own?"

Five colossi advanced slowly. Seeing them the Empire's page colossi took several steps back.

White colossi unlike those of Alfraia or the Empire.

Their forms draped in white like cloaks drew curses from the Imperial knights.

"To accuse us of violating the Accords while possessing colossi!"

"The Church has crossed the line! Operating colossi undermines the Accords! Yet you bring them here knowingly!"

Though the knights shouted, the cardinals-regaining confidence on seeing the paladin colossi-shouted back.

"Then you expect us to hand over His Holiness without resisting your tyranny?!"

"How will you answer for bringing colossi to the sanctuary! This is a grave matter that could lead to war!"

The clash between the two sides had reached its peak, a hair-trigger situation where battle could erupt at any moment.

"Cardinal!"

In that moment a monk approached and whispered something in his ear.

The cardinal nodded and spoke to Videl.

"Sir Yan Verkut whom you seek has arrived."

At those words-

-To think an international dispute over a single man. I am overwhelmed.

Accompanied by a languid voice from the loudspeaker the ashen colossus appeared.

"Oh, that is-"

"The Creator's colossus! To see it move-!"

Glaepnir strode between the two opposing forces. The cardinals forgot their quarrel and gazed in wonder at the sight.

-Sir Verkut. Is that you?

When Videl signaled, it was Ilak who spoke through the loudspeaker.

At the same moment Glaepnir's cockpit opened revealing Yaan within.

He wore the black uniform of the Greyhounds.

-It is me. Confirmed visually.

"Good. One demand is satisfied."

After a brief reply to Ilak's report Videl signaled and the cockpit hatch closed. Though he had achieved his objective his expression toward the cardinals did not change.

"Yet the second demand remains."

"Still they-!"

Relieved that the matter was settled the cardinals cried out at Videl's words.

"This began when Church soldiers threatened the Empire's delegation. I must hear His Holiness's assurance with my own ears that this will never happen again. As proxy of His Imperial Majesty!"

At Videl's words the tension that had eased tightened once more.

Although ten colossi had formed a tight encirclement, the eyes of the Belkuth knights watching them brimmed with confidence.

- No matter how many raw recruits you bring, they're still knights who've never seen real combat!

- Don't think you can beat those of us who've bled on the battlefield!

At the bold taunts of the Belkuth knights the Church's holy knights swallowed dryly.

"Well, for all that talk, three of you were flailing hopelessly against Colossus Four alone."

"Pfft!"

Inside Glaepnir's cockpit.

When Yaan said that in response to the Belkuth knights' swaggering remark, a laugh sounded from a corner of the cockpit.

It was a boyish laugh, somehow light-hearted.

"What do you intend to do?"

"They have no real wish to protect me. They're simply trying to keep me from stepping forward."

The Pope, gazing at Glaepnir's monitor with a faint smile, replied.

[Warning. Unauthorized biological entry into the Frame is strictly forbidden. This is-]

"If you're sore, come kill me too. If not, keep quiet."

Before he could even savor Glaepnir's senses after so long, Yaan brought the Frame to a halt between the two camps, fatigue forgotten under the sudden mission.

"Are you truly all right with this?"

"With what?"

"Your Holiness is head of the Church. Entrusting a mere knight like me with your person-"

Yaan cut himself off mid-sentence.

After all, he was an Imperial knight; whatever choice the Pope made was none of his concern.

While Yaan wondered at his own words, the young Pope grinned and turned to him.

"A mere knight? To the Church you are more important than anyone, Yaan Verkut."

"The cardinals seemed to feel otherwise."

Recalling the face of the cardinal who had tried to use him as a tool, Yaan spoke; the Pope only gave an awkward laugh.

"Popes of history were always veiled figures. But not me. I'll lead and protect the Church-and my people-from the very forefront of this age."

Hearing that, Yaan quietly pressed his lips to Glaepnir's loudspeaker.

- Both sides, cease all hostile action. Further military operations will benefit neither nation.

At Yaan's words every eye in Church and Empire turned upon him.

"Guard your tongue, Sir Verkut! Though taken prisoner, you have already acted in grave breach of knightly principle. You will answer for it!"

- Who is to hold me accountable? Who but His Imperial Majesty may call a knight to account?

"What!?"

At Yaan's retort Videl was struck dumb; Yaan sneered, thankful he sat inside a colossus, and waited for the next speaker.

"I too would ask the same. Sir Videl Belkuth. Since when does the Empire allow anyone not of royal blood to summon His Imperial Majesty's proxy?"

A voice from behind. When Videl turned and saw its owner, his eyes widened and he could only murmur vacantly.

"Prince... Klaus?"

Prince Klaus, red hair swaying, grinned broadly. Behind him fifty Greyhound company members began to line up throughout the Holy See.

"How... When? No-how could Prince Klaus be in the Church lands?"

Glaepnir lowered its stance, Yaan's gaze slipping from the dumbstruck Videl.

"It is time to disembark, Your Holiness."

"Thank you, Yaan Verkut. I asked much..."

"Worth it to make fools of the Belkuth knights."

With those words Yaan worked Glaepnir's console; the cockpit hatch opened, and little Pope Celt II, clad in monastic habit, slowly emerged from Glaepnir's cockpit.

"Y-Your Holiness!"

"Why were you inside that colossus...?"

The Belkuth knights were not the only ones staring wide-eyed in shock.

The cardinals too stood speechless, having never expected the Pope to appear from such a place.

"It is an honor to meet you, Your Holiness. I am Klaus van Vailsar, thirteenth prince of the Vailsar Empire."

"May the Creator's blessing be with you, Prince Klaus. I am Jorge Lapis, Pope of the Kelt Holy See."

Smiling at each other, Pope and prince exchanged greetings, while knights and cardinals could only watch in stunned silence.