The war between the human world and the demon world that barely ended in ancient times is starting again?
That too... Because of me?
'Oops, I never thought about this ending.'
The color gradually drained from High Priest Diat's face.
All the rude things he had done so far were tangled up in his mind.
Cedric was simply showing mercy to someone weaker than him.
And now he realizes that that mercy can always be broken by his choices.
Moreover, since Cedric had a child, it was natural that he would act without hesitation.
High Priest Diat gasped and hurriedly threw up his hands.
“Well, Your Highness, that’s... !”
However, Cedric only smiled with a puzzled expression.
“And the name of that ‘someone’ will definitely be included in the reason why I am declaring war.”
“...!”
“Then, after that long war, both the people of the devastated human world and the demon world will remember his name forever.”
He spoke softly and still had a smile on his face, but his gloomy aura became even deeper.
“I have always hated ‘that person’ who was the cause of that war.”
Upon hearing those words, High Priest Diat's face gradually turned pale, like that of a person recalling the most horrific scene imaginable.
“I hope you understand. Then, it’s time, so get up.”
With those words, Cedric stood up.
Then, for a moment, he made eye contact with the terrified High Priest Diat and raised the corners of his mouth.
“Ah, thank you for supporting our remarriage, Diat.”
'Oops, I never thought about this ending.'
The color gradually drained from High Priest Diat's face.
All the rude things he had done so far were tangled up in his mind.
Cedric was simply showing mercy to someone weaker than him.
And now he realizes that that mercy can always be broken by his choices.
Moreover, since Cedric had a child, it was natural that he would act without hesitation.
High Priest Diat gasped and hurriedly threw up his hands.
“Well, Your Highness, that’s... !”
However, Cedric only smiled with a puzzled expression.
“And the name of that ‘someone’ will definitely be included in the reason why I am declaring war.”
“...!”
“Then, after that long war, both the people of the devastated human world and the demon world will remember his name forever.”
He spoke softly and still had a smile on his face, but his gloomy aura became even deeper.
“I have always hated ‘that person’ who was the cause of that war.”
Upon hearing those words, High Priest Diat's face gradually turned pale, like that of a person recalling the most horrific scene imaginable.
“I hope you understand. Then, it’s time, so get up.”
With those words, Cedric stood up.
Then, for a moment, he made eye contact with the terrified High Priest Diat and raised the corners of his mouth.
“Ah, thank you for supporting our remarriage, Diat.”
***
A few hours later, High Priest Diat reached the hallway of the Pope's Palace.
He asked for an audience with the Pope, and when he entered, the Pope, dressed in pure white clothes, greeted him sitting on a chair on the platform.
“An audience with His Holiness the Pope.”
“High Priest Diat, you came early.”
Although he smiled kindly like any other old man, the Pope exuded a sacred energy that was difficult to express in words.
Next to the Pope was Emperor Letitz.
“An audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”
“It’s been a while, High Priest Diat.”
High Priest Diat expressed his deep respect for the two leaders of the empire and stepped aside.
His face was so pale that it was noticeable.
This was because the conversation he had with the Empire's Grand Duke Cedric Twins a while ago continued to stimulate his anxiety.
'I'm not going to end this lightly by simply tearing that 'someone' to pieces. That's natural, I'm going back to the demon world with my family. And after that... '
'I will persuade the Demon King to declare war against the human world.'
There was sincerity in those words.
The great war between the human world and the demon world, which was thought to have ended since ancient times, may begin again.
'Moreover, my name may be remembered for a long time in future generations as the cause of that war...'
It was a terrible thing to even think about.
It was at that time that High Priest Diat whose body was shaking, shook his head vigorously.
Outside the Pope's Palace, the voices of the former Twins Grand Duke and his wife were heard requesting an audience.
Once again, the Pope's permission was given, and today's two people finally appeared in the Pope's exhibition.
It was Grand Duke Cedric Twins, and his ex-wife Rebecca.
“An audience with His Holiness the Pope.”
“An audience with His Holiness the Pope.”
The expressions on the Emperor's and Pope's faces as they looked at them and greeted them were extremely solemn.
“Nice to meet you, Prince Twins. And... Rebecca.”
Emperor Letitz responded first.
The Pope looked alternately at the faces of the former Grand Duke and his wife, then slowly parted his lips.
“Thank you for following this old man’s call.”
The Pope's tone of voice was kind and solemn.
After those words, silence filled the large space for a while.
After the silence continued for a while, the emperor spoke first.
“I heard a rumor that a new life was born between two people who were already divorced.”
“...”
"That is... Is it true?”
A gentle but powerful voice echoed throughout the Pope's Palace.
Although he was feigning a solemn demeanor, in fact, at that moment, Emperor Letiz was earnestly hoping that the rumor was not true.
But on the other hand, he also vaguely felt that there was a high probability that the rumor was true.
'It seems to me that Cedric's attitude towards Rebecca has clearly changed at some point.'
Emperor Letitz let out a long sigh and stared at his friend Cedric.
However, Cedric just remained silent with an expression that did not reveal his true intentions.
Then, for a moment, his lips slowly parted.
“It’s true.”
Cedric calmly admitted.
The expression on the face of High Priest Diat, who was watching this scene, was colored with faint astonishment.
The Emperor, the only sun under the empire's sky, and the Pope who dares stand shoulder to shoulder with him.
It was obvious that if he incurred the wrath of those two people, his position within the empire would be shaken, no matter how much he was the Grand Duke of Twins, who was credited with founding the country.
And yet, he has such a bold attitude.
Cedric went even further and clearly expressed his position.
“Your Majesty the Emperor, and His Holiness the Pope. Up until now, I have helped found this empire and worked to bring harmony between the demon world and the human world.”
“...”
“As the head of a family of mixed-blood demons, I did my best to follow the teachings of my ancestors, who truly cared for the two worlds and hoped for harmony between them more than anyone else. But...”
Cedric paused for a moment, then a long sigh escaped his lips.
“If I have to lose my flesh and blood and the woman I love more than my life in order to remain in this empire, I am ready to give up everything and go back.”
“Twins Grand Duke!”
Emperor Letitz's shout echoed inside the huge papal palace.
A look of excitement was evident on his face.
However, Cedric just continued his words in a calm voice.
“Even though it is my ancestors’ wishes, my own dreams, and... Even if it goes against my friendship with an old friend.”
Cedric's gaze landed on Emperor Letitz.
At that moment, Emperor Letiz's eyes lost their way and wavered for a moment, but he soon disguised a solemn expression.
However, his inner thoughts were full of guilt toward Cedric.
If he had lived as he had been buried in the wilderness for generations, Cedric would have lived in peace and happiness with the woman he loved, regardless of the etiquette of the human world.
'But you're pushing someone who came from the human world's empire to help you into this thorny path.'
He also knew well that the affection demons have for their companions is enormous.
Cedric mercifully covered up the Empire's mistake in the past when the divorce was announced ahead of schedule.
Emperor Letitz knew very well that it was all Cedric's consideration for him, his old friend.
Because of that, his sense of debt and guilt towards Cedric became more extreme day by day.
'Perhaps... I don't know if this will be my last chance to catch Cedric or help him.'
In this situation, the probability that the Pope would allow the former Twin Grand Duke and his wife to remarry was slim.
There was even no way that the High Priest Diat would agree with the Emperor's opinion and persuade the Pope.
Even so, Emperor Letitz was determined to be by his friend Cedric's side until the end of this time.
The Pope asked the Emperor as if he had been waiting for the right moment.
“That is so, Your Majesty. What does His Majesty the Emperor think about this situation?”
No intention could be read from the Pope's tone of voice or facial expression.
However, it was possible to guess that he was opposed to the former Grand Duke and his wife's remarriage.
Emperor Letitz could not hide his troubled appearance.
“I apologize to His Holiness the Pope...”
After thinking for a moment with his mouth shut, Emperor Letitz made up his mind once again.
Even if the relationship between the Emperor and the Holy See inevitably becomes uncomfortable, he will be a strong supporter of Cedric, the Grand Duke of the Empire and his long-time friend.
“I would like to bless their belated affection. I want to support this beautiful couple who came back after a long journey but eventually realized their love for each other.”
“...”
“Isn’t making an exception mixed with such magnanimity and consideration something I, as the highest-ranking person in the empire, can do?”
Soon, Emperor Letitz's strong-willed gaze turned alternately toward Cedric and Rebecca.
After nodding softly at them for a moment, he spoke again with force.
“As the Emperor of the Western Empire, I will officially support the remarriage of those two.”
The hands of the officer writing down Emperor Letitz's words were moving busily.
The Pope's Palace was filled with silence for a while, with only the sound of a fountain pen clicking.
Everyone stopped as if they were inwardly surprised by Emperor Letitz's declaration.
For a moment, the Pope's eyes turned to the High Priest Diat.
“High Priest Diat, what are your intentions?”
"Yes?"
At the Pope's question, High Priest Diat's face began to turn pale again.
“How could the precious decision of the two of you need the opinion of someone like me...?”
He tried his best to avoid answering, but for some reason, the Pope had no intention of backing down easily.
“I would like to hear many opinions before making a final decision, so please give me your opinion quickly.”
The Pope again requested the opinion of High Priest Diat.
For High Priest Diat, the situation was just difficult.
He felt like saying that he should never allow the Twins to remarry.
He felt bad for them for deceiving him and making a fool out of him.
However, the problem was that he was not a bold enough person to overcome his fear and come up with a straightforward answer.
'If Grand Duke Cedric insists that he was unable to obtain permission to remarry from the Pope because of me...'
High Priest Diat trembled without realizing it.
He felt numb just thinking about it.
He might be retaliated against by Cedric, and a great war might actually break out because of him.
After contemplating in fear for a moment, High Priest Diat's mouth finally fell.
“Well, I...”
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