Episode 12. Fate (2)
The temple was in an uproar.
"You live long enough, you see everything."
It involved nothing less than a bishop from the Vatican's main office releasing demons. Not content with just demons, he'd even smuggled in sacred poison - the sort of event that heralded a massive heresy inquisition.
Moreover, though his intentions remained unclear, if his targets were the Emperor and Crown Prince... A bloodstorm might soon sweep through the empire.
But the priests were agitated for an entirely different reason.
The bishop's incident alone could turn the nation upside down, but that wasn't their immediate concern.
"Unhand me! How dare you Eshua mongrels lay hands on anyone!"
The priests watched blue-clad knights dragging away the bishop.
"Are those really Eshua people?"
"Wow, I never imagined I'd see Eshua folk in my lifetime."
The holy knights of presented a stark contrast to the Imperial Knights. While the Imperial Knights wore pristine white uniforms, 's were ocean-deep blue. Though their surcoats were properly white for holy knights, their trousers, cloaks, gloves, accessories, and embroidery all shimmered in varying azure hues. Their movements seemed to dye the streets with swirling tides of blue.
Even the priests couldn't help marveling at this noble azure spectacle.
"Truly embodying 's faith."
"Indeed. How long has it been since we've seen such pure, virtuous blue in this land?"
"I've always thought Eshua was the most clerical among the Five Great Houses. They're farthest from greed and worldly concerns."
"Yes! Now that our little saint will lead 's faith, he'll surely grow into a paragon of virtue!"
The priests gazed fondly at the beaming Skeleton King.
The corners of the Skeleton King's mouth stretched so wide they threatened to pierce his ears.
'They're here! My cash cows!'
Those diamond-spoon bastards who'd suck me dry finally arrived!
The Skeleton King felt like tap-dancing with joy.
And why wouldn't he?
When no sign of retrieval came from his family, he'd assumed himself disowned. Given their treatment, he'd wondered if he wasn't some better-off-forgotten illegitimate child. He'd been scheming how to bleed this ducal family dry - partly why he'd cozyied up to the Emperor.
But direct lineage?
'At least my status is secure.'
No more being treated like some no-name skeleton bastard. Having clawed his way up from lowly skeleton mobs - the humblest of commoners - the Skeleton King smirked. Though he had words about being abandoned, their arrival sufficed.
'Anywhere's better than this temple.'
Judging by priests calling them "the most clerical house," they probably valued frugality... Not that he cared!
Ducal families swimming in gold while pretending virtue! As if they wouldn't pick truffles over common mushrooms!
No?
Then I'll just exterminate them.
Everyone including the Skeleton King welcomed Eshua's representatives. Everyone except one.
"Eshua!"
"You! Where did you dredge up that monstrosity?"
The bound bishop being hauled to a carriage glared venomously at the Skeleton King.
"Damned Eshua! Only heretics would spawn such abominations!"
The bishop clearly still suspected the Skeleton King.
"I'll expose that freak! How dare you harbor- GACK!"
Blood sprayed.
As the Skeleton King turned, he saw the bishop writhing with a pierced palm. The Eshua knight who'd stabbed him glared coldly.
"Blasphemy has limits. Insult Eshua's bloodline again, and next I take your head."
The bishop glared at the sword-wielding female knight. Her azure epaulettes marked her as at least a 6th-rank senior knight. Whether Eshua's lord particularly cared was debatable.
"Mad dogs among Five Great Houses! The Pope won't ignore this outr- URK!"
A silver arc flashed.
Thud!
The bishop collapsed gurgling blood from his slit throat, vocal cords severed though alive. The beauty disdainfully flicked blood from her blade.
"Eshua fears nothing under heaven. I said I'd take your head next time."
Finally, the blood-vomiting bishop was dragged into the carriage. The Skeleton King watched admiringly.
'Oho! Useful!'
Unlike the meat-gorging Imperial Knights, these didn't flinch at the Pope's name. Not that Imperial Knights were cowards - all paladins ultimately served the Pope here. Yet everyone, even priests, revered Eshua.
'At minimum, they rival the Papacy.'
The Skeleton King nodded approvingly at his ancestors. He'd have sold out any family groveling before the Pope.
"Apologies for our tardiness, young lord. Please forgive us."
Eshua's knights showed impeccable decorum even to a babbling infant, their devotion palpable.
"We brought humble gifts fitting the future leader of Azure's faith."
Their carefully presented golden statue made the Skeleton King's eyes spin.
'Gold bars! They know what's up!'
Unlike those half-wit knights hoarding meat, these were in another league-
"Ta-da! Limited edition Golden Skeleton King Execution Toy!"
"The empire's hottest item! Press here - whoosh! - and the damned Skeleton King becomes ashes!"
"We've also got a Saintess Crushing Skeleton King model! Crunch! Snap!"
"Young lord's smiling! He likes them! Peekaboo!"
The Dark Lord's cheek twitched.
Goddammit. All paladins are the same.
Meanwhile, the Skeleton King's expression soured.
Before him, Imperial Knights bowed obsequiously to Eshua knights.
"L-long time no see, sir!"
"Indeed. The Imperial Knights aren't disgracing His Majesty?"
"Y-yes! Probably...!"
Their master-disciple dynamic was unmistakable.
'So that's why they favored me.'
Their immediate belief in his sainthood and hostility toward the bishop now made sense - they were Eshua affiliates. Their gear bore subtle blue accents too.
'Azure's Eshua.'
He recalled the Holy Alliance's color-coded factions:
<Azure's Faith>
<Scarlet's Faith>
<White's Faith>
<Gold's Faith>
<Black's Faith>
The Five Ducal Houses leading all clergy. Eshua's azure knights had been formidable enemies - his own lieutenants used to convulse at blue hues.
'Competent, but...'
"Behold, young lord! This beheads the Skeleton King!"
"Marvelous, yes?"
Their enthusiastic presentation of his murder-toys felt unnerving. Why were his execution playsets trending?
'What did I even do- oh right, countless holy crusades.'
'Well they attacked first!'
He'd annihilated papal forces and hung the Saintess until she cursed his name.
'Avoid the Saintess this life.'
As her mortal enemy since her divine conception to destroy him, their grudge ran deep. Not that clergy hating him was unexpected.
The real issue was the Crown Prince's piercing stare. Unlike others' awe, his gaze felt probing. Had he noticed the magic used on the bishop?
The Skeleton King sweated bullets, feigning attachment to a female Eshua knight. The Emperor looked wounded.
"He loved us until recently."
'Of course! You were my piggy bank!'
The Skeleton King glared at the imperial family. He'd planned to leech off them if his family didn't come, but why stay guests when home awaited?
The Emperor remained persistent.
"We owe the child. While we'll inform Eshua, what if we raised him as imperial kin?"
The Eshua captain's jaw clenched.
"Your jest goes too far, Majesty."
"No jest. The child will be targeted from within and without."
"!"
"Can Azure's Faith protect him, diminished as it is?"
The Skeleton King frowned. Were they weakened?
The Emperor's eyes gleamed.
"The Pope already dislikes him. And the 'Skeleton King' seems interested too."
At that name, Eshua knights turned glacial.
"Eshua shudders most at 'Skeleton King.' Can you face him again?"
Wait.
Were these his past enemies? He didn't recall-
'Did my underlings cause trouble?'
Or had some demon humiliated them? Whatever. He'd crush anyone.
The captain growled.
"We'll manage. In a way... this is fate."
"Destroying the Skeleton King is our destiny."
...What?
Why's my name here?
That phrase... the Saintess used it-
The Emperor chuckled.
"Confronting his forces would please Melissa."
Wait.
That name... identical to his archenemy Saintess from fifty years back?
"But imperial protection is needed. Consider handing him over."
No! They're loaded but- shut up! I need to understand-
Crash!
The reception hall doors burst open. A silver-haired noble entered despite drawn swords, the Emperor waving guards down.
"I came unannounced for urgent matters. Forgive me, Your Majesty. The child is Eshua's blood."
"Sit, Lord Eshua. I never thought the Saintess's direct descendant would come."
Holy shit!
Eshua WAS the Saintess's house!
"Yes. We can't entrust the Saintess's lineage to others."
Her actual descendant?!
"All's well, child. We don't care about curses."
No, it's NOT well!
"Your birth alone is gift enough. Your grandmother and mother only asked you not to grow like that vile Skeleton King."
"......"
The Skeleton King's eyebrow twitched.
Well, fuck. Mom, Dad.
My apologies - I seem to have committed patricide at birth.
