The Saintess Returned to the Emperor’s Arms – Chapter 140

Author: Chewyy

It’s Time for the World to Be Shaken

“Shall I bring out a bit more refreshments?”

“Haha. Well, there’s a banquet soon. I’m worried I might get too full before that.”

“If there is anything you wish, please don’t hesitate to say so. His Majesty the Emperor has ordered that there must be absolutely no shortcomings in serving you, Archbishop.”

“Very well. I’ll call if I need anything.”

Archbishop Ludovico puffed himself up, putting on an even more solemn voice than usual.

The place he sat in was a waiting room specially prepared just for him.

Every piece of furniture gleamed, and the sweets were so rich they could make one dizzy.

Especially the luxurious sofa he lounged on arrogantly—it was incomparable even to the one in his office at the temple.

As he looked around the carefully decorated interior, Ludovico’s lips kept curling into a smile.

‘That arrogant emperor actually treats me this well?’

Ludovico crossed his legs casually and hummed to himself.

Compared to the quiet waiting room, the outside was bustling.

The grand banquet hall was so crowded with guests that the noise could be felt even from beyond the corridor.

‘If I’d known, I would’ve sided with the imperial family much earlier.’

Just as he began to regret the wasted years he had spent with the useless alliance, someone knocked on the waiting room door.

“Archbishop. It’s been a while.”

“Hm? And you are?”

Faces Ludovico recognized—but not ones he was entirely pleased to see.

They were people he had met while working with the alliance.

“What brings you to the imperial palace?”

“We were invited to the banquet.”

Ludovico frowned.

These men were nothing more than minor local lords with a few rural lands.

‘They said this was a grand imperial banquet—why is the standard so low? Even riffraff like them got invitations?’

Then the men continued.

“To be precise, we were summoned by Lord Kyle.”

“W-What? What did you just say?”

At the unexpected name, it felt like he had been struck on the back of the head, snapping him to attention.

First, he raised his voice in shock without realizing it. Then, worried someone might have overheard, he looked around nervously, gulping like a toad.

Fortunately, all the attendants had stepped outside.

Ludovico quickly took a deep breath and snapped at the men.

“How dare you say that name so carelessly here? What if someone hears!”

“It doesn’t matter who hears. Everyone is on our side.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means that all of the alliance’s forces are gathered here in this imperial palace.”

“What?”

“The day we seize victory has finally come, Archbishop!”

The men kindly explained everything to Ludovico, who was too stunned to grasp the situation.

‘Lord Kyle has already taken control of the entire imperial court. The only one left is Emperor Herhan.’

‘All the guests gathered at today’s banquet are alliance executives summoned by Lord Kyle.’

‘Lord Kyle has gathered all the evidence needed to bring down the emperor, and today he will expose the emperor’s tyranny and drag him off the throne.’

‘Outside the palace, private soldiers brought by our alliance executives are standing ready.’

‘At the signal, they will storm in, and the imperial family will be swallowed by the alliance before they can even resist.’

“Soldiers are stationed outside? A signal? What is that supposed to—”

“Archbishop, that part is what you must take charge of.”

Already struggling just to process the facts, Ludovico now faced an even heavier proposal.

“To rightfully depose the emperor, we need justification. So you must step forward. In the name of the temple, declare that you will punish the emperor’s tyranny and restore Antu’s descendant to their rightful place.”

With that, the man handed Ludovico a prepared declaration.

“You want me to read this… during the official announcement?”

“Yes, Archbishop.”

Ludovico was too shocked to respond.

Just minutes ago, he had been dazzled by the imperial grandeur and had resolved to cling to the imperial family for the rest of his life.

‘But this operation was really happening? With just one signal from me, the entire imperial family could fall?’

If things went exactly as they said, of course it would be ideal.

But still…

“As an archbishop, I have my dignity… And with the alliance already cornered as a group of war criminals, it’s difficult for me to step forward openly… It would look like the temple is openly admitting it has colluded with the alliance…”

“Oh? Archbishop… are you afraid?”

“W-Who are you calling afraid?”

Ludovico raised his voice.

Instead of confronting or provoking him, the man tilted his head and chose to offer another tempting incentive.

“Then it seems Lord Kyle’s message hasn’t reached you yet.”

“Lord Kyle’s message? What do you mean?”

The man looked at him meaningfully and answered.

“He said that if this succeeds, all organizations under the alliance will be placed under your command.”

“What? Under me? Is that true?”

“Yes. Once the emperor falls, Antu’s descendant will naturally belong to the temple. And if the world alliance—reborn with just cause—also comes under the temple… then you, Archbishop, will be the one to reshape the power of the world.”

Ludovico felt dizzy.

The promise was so sweet it almost overwhelmed him.

‘Me… reshaping the power of the world?’

But because it sounded too good, he couldn’t help but doubt it even more.

“I have never heard of such a plan anywhere.”

And it wasn’t just this plan.

Since the former princess Greta was executed, Ludovico had not received a single message from the alliance.

He had heard that the messengers had all fled, and even the executives had turned their backs and left the organization.

The massive wave caused by Emperor Herhan had seemingly shattered the alliance before his very eyes.

Ludovico believed the alliance no longer had a future.

That was exactly why he had willingly answered the imperial summons this time— To find a new power to attach himself to.

But now—

“The alliance is still alive. We’ll prove it to you, Archbishop.”

The man led Ludovico along.

They stopped in front of the entrance to the grand banquet hall.

Lifting the curtain slightly, the man showed him the guests filling the hall to the brim.

“N-No… that person? I thought he had already fled. Wait… he’s here too?”

“What did I tell you? Every single alliance executive has gathered here for today’s victory. Do you believe me now?”

“……”

“Archbishop. Please answer Lord Kyle’s call and become the new leader who will guide us.”

* * *

After several hours passed, the banquet finally began.

After much hesitation, Archbishop Ludovico firmly picked up the gold-edged declaration the man had left behind.

‘Yes. There’s no way Lord Kyle’s plan could go wrong. The fact that he gathered all the executives scattered across the world in one place is proof of that.’

Thinking that way, this truly was something enormous.

He had believed the alliance was finished—just how many steps ahead was Lord Kyle thinking?

The imperial banquet hall lived up to its reputation, grand and dazzling.

Holding a glass of champagne, Ludovico calmly walked through the guests and moved toward the specially prepared high seat at the front.

As he crossed through the crowd filling the massive hall, a thrill ran through him.

All of these people were on his side.

Soon, they would all cheer at his thunderous declaration.

At that moment, the emperor and empress appeared with noble grace.

Everyone in the hall gasped and applauded.

Even Ludovico, who had been sitting arrogantly as if walking on clouds, stood up briefly to keep up appearances.

‘Yes… go ahead and enjoy it while you can. This is the last moment you’ll be able to smile so proudly.’

Ludovico suppressed a wicked chuckle.

Just then, as the crowd moved toward the imperial couple, a young man bumped lightly into Ludovico’s shoulder.

The archbishop immediately narrowed his eyes and glared at him.

“How improper! How dare you behave like this before the Archbishop!”

Even as the priest beside Ludovico scolded him, the man who bumped into him did not lift his head.

He was a young man with blue hair covering his face, and a pale neck faintly visible.

Ludovico forced a kind expression.

“Enough. He seems like a young man who made a mistake out of ignorance. You may go.”

The man left without even a word of thanks, making Ludovico frown deeply.

‘How rude! Judging by him, he’s no executive—probably just some servant who got lucky and slipped in by clinging to his master. Insolent brat!’

Though annoyed, he couldn’t dwell on something so trivial.

‘I must endure it. The time to fulfill Lord Kyle’s will is near!’

The archbishop composed himself and sat back down.

As the banquet progressed and he passed time pretending to be refined, the moment he had been waiting for finally arrived.

“Archbishop, it is time for you to step onto the stage.”

Even a man who had led prayers before thousands of believers and hundreds of priests felt his heart pounding at this moment.

“Archbishop Ludovico.”

It was the emperor calling him from the stage.

As befitting the master of this grand palace, he shone brilliantly today.

“For my beautiful empress, for the safety of this imperial family, and for the prosperity of my empire guided by Antu’s blessing—will you grant your blessing?”

“I shall gladly do so, Your Majesty.”

The emperor’s smile was arrogant—and Ludovico’s answering smile was even more so.

Your confident smile ends here.

Ludovico proudly stepped onto the stage.

As he unfolded the declaration in his hand, every eye in the hall turned toward him.

Savoring the rising excitement, he began to read a declaration unlike any the world had ever heard.

It was a moment that would be recorded in history forever.

“For the peace and prosperity of this land, I hereby proclaim. I, Emil Ludovico Fridran, as one who hears the call of God, as the acknowledged head of the Central Temple, and as the representative of the World Alliance gathered to serve the descendant of God—hereby denounce the tyranny of the emperor who has brought suffering upon this land!”

Though aged, his voice was as firm as iron, and the crowd stirred.

Lost in the illusion that the world would soon bow at his feet, Ludovico failed to notice the faces of the audience turning pale as he continued reading.

“…The emperor is wicked and corrupt…”

“…Our World Alliance seeks to rescue the seed of God from this tyrannical ruler…”

“…From this moment forth, we proclaim once again that the descendant of Antu is a treasure of the temple…”

“…And through the Central Temple, we declare the rebirth of the alliance as a just and wise new ‘leader’ who shares this cause!”

Ludovico’s declaration ended.

Just as Lord Kyle had commanded, he had fired the signal perfectly.

Now it was time for the world to tremble at his voice.

Those who would prove the emperor’s tyranny would rush onto the stage and accuse him.

The crowd would roar like thunder and condemn the imperial family.

The alliance’s army would storm in.

The emperor would be subdued disgracefully and forced to kneel.

And beside him, like a delicate flower, the incarnation of Antu would finally fall into the temple’s hands.