I Became the Master of the Empress

234 – 238

Thus, regaining consciousness, we gathered for a family breakfast.

“I’m nervous.”

It was definitely the last time I was sent out of the imperial palace.

The murderous glare from my mother-in-law was quite terrifying then.

Even Joy seemed to send a look of disappointment, which weighed on my heart.

While I was lost in such thoughts…

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you going in?”

“Well… I’m a bit scared.”

Back then, there was a certain resolute will and sense of responsibility.

But now that everything is over, the will has faded, and the sense of responsibility seems to have vanished, making the thought of facing the royal elders frightening.

If I hadn’t been injured at that time, I would have apologized immediately… but having been engulfed in sleep for about a week makes it all the more daunting.

“You… you get scared too?”

Theodora, having heard something she shouldn’t have, looks at me with a shocked expression as I shrug my shoulders.

“Of course, I’m human too.”

“What… what do you mean?”

Theodora, frozen in shock.

Ignoring her, I signal to the guard…

-Knock knock.

“His Imperial Majesty and His Grace the Archduke have arrived.”

-Tell them to come in.

The calm voice of my mother-in-law could be heard.

Should I bite the bullet now?

As I ponder, the guard…

-Click!

Opens the door.

My mother-in-law sits elegantly, eyes calmly closed, while Joy looks at me with shining eyes.

No choice now. I must go in.

As I entered, Theodora crossed her arms and followed suit.

But… something about the crossed arms.

Ugh… it’s really hell.

-Creak.

As soon as the door closed, the mother-in-law spoke up.

“Servants and maids, step out for a moment.”

At the mother-in-law’s command, they began to leave one by one.

What’s this? Is she going to scold me severely?

Usually, when one is about to be severely reprimanded, it’s customary to send out those of lower status who shouldn’t witness it.

“You… no, Devian. I have things I’m thankful for and disappointed about regarding you.”

The mother-in-law spoke in a friendly tone, not the usual one used by superiors to their subordinates.

“Don’t just stand there; both of you, sit down.”

Following her words, Theodora and I took our seats…

“Let’s start with the disappointing news.”

The thought of being scolded by her was frightening.

Isn’t it always the case that I feel the strong character of the mother-in-law when I look at Theodora?

As I dreaded her scolding, the mother-in-law frowned and said,

“I know you caught the locust for a reason, but as a mother who cherishes you and Theodora, it was truly terrifying. Of course, I highly regard what you did for humanity, but… no parent likes to hear their children are entangled in such danger. You understand that, right?”

“I do.”

I replied with a tense face, and the mother-in-law continued,

“I consider Terra, Joy, and you as my own children. It’s often said that a son-in-law is like a son, right? Although we started off on the wrong foot, you are precious to me as a son. But you wouldn’t know how much my heart ached when I heard my child was in danger. I felt that terrible pain again, as if my heart was being torn into a thousand, no, ten thousand pieces.”

To the mother-in-law who had lost her first and second sons… the fact that Theodora was in danger must have been a real worry.

I had nothing to say about that.

Moreover… Balor, my biological father, was the very person who killed her husband and son.

“I’m sorry.”

At my words, the mother-in-law gave a faint smile.

“This is a reprimand from a parent to you and Terra, and I’m truly grateful for you protecting Terra and for dealing with the demon worshippers and the demons, saving this world from danger.”

Then, pausing for a moment, she continued,

“Devian, I really did well in choosing a son-in-law.”

At the mother-in-law’s praise, my face turned red.

What should I say? Am I not used to being praised?

I’m at a loss for words due to the sudden compliment.

“Whoa?! Brother-in-law, your face is red! Are you embarrassed?!”

Joy points at my face with a finger, as if she’s found something curious, and my mother-in-law is taken aback.

“Oh my? Is Devian feeling shy?”

“Mother, lately he seems to be getting more and more bashful.”

At Theodora’s words, my mother-in-law looks contemplative.

“If you’re this shy from just a bit of praise… that could be a problem?”

What… what’s the big deal?

I feel bewildered, but soon I understand why.

As I arrive at the Grand Duke’s office.

The staff rise from their seats and set off firecrackers.

“Saint! Congratulations on your recovery.”

“Congratulations! Saint!”

Saint…?

I point to myself, not understanding, and ask again.

“A saint?”

I ask Karl to explain what’s going on.

“Ka… Karl, me a saint? What?”

Who is a saint? Isn’t it a person who pleaded with the gods to bestow divine power upon humanity and succeeded?

A devout follower of the god El, he is a legendary figure, ranked even above the Pope and the Holy Maiden.

An existence older than the very first hero who lived long ago.

To call me by such an honorable title? I could be arrested for blasphemy and executed without a word of protest.

“That’s because the Holy See has recognized His Grace the Grand Duke as a saint, so naturally, we follow suit.”

“What?”

The… The Holy See has recognized me as a saint?!

Upon hearing this, I command Karl.

“We… We need to go to the Holy See. Prepare the carriage to the Holy See at once!”

And so, I headed to the Holy See.

***

As I ride in the carriage.

The streets of Roman are strange.

How should I put it? The streets are bizarre to the point where it’s hard to say they’re brimming with vitality.

Tents spread out everywhere, children hitting adults wearing grasshopper masks and wielding swords…

-“Die! I am the Grand Duke of the Duchy of Francesco!”

-“Cough!”

Or a man in a grasshopper mask falls…

★Celebration of the Saint’s Appearance!★

Or some grotesque banners.

-“Look at this, it’s a portrait of His Grace the Grand Duke.”

-“Really? Do you think this will be effective?”

What… What on earth is happening?

With a sense of foreboding, I open the carriage window and ask the coachman.

“Something about Roman’s atmosphere is off, what happened?”

When I ask the coachman, he turns his head and says,

“His Grace the Grand Duke has been recognized as a saint, so everyone is singing his praises. I even bought a pendant with His Grace’s image on it… Could you possibly bless it?”

“What?”

Bless… Blessing? Has he gone mad?

Or has the world changed after I collapsed?

Surely, until I caught the Locust, the imperial citizens were preparing violent protests to kill me?

It doesn’t make sense.

Even if I did catch the Locust, there were casualties, so their friends and families couldn’t possibly like me, right?

But that aside, why buy my picture? It’s rather effeminate?

Moreover, blessings are clearly the duty of a clergyman.

I’ve never been part of the clergy, so for me to give a blessing would be a serious issue according to church law.

“You’re speaking nonsense.”

The coachman I’ve known for nearly three years.

I thought he was quite serious and tight-lipped. To think he’d make such an absurd joke.

Then the carriage stops, the door opens, and I get out.

-“Oh?! It’s His Grace the Grand Duke!”

-Where?! Huh?! It’s true! Your Grace, the Archduke!

-Your Grace, the Archduke!

“Whoa! What… what is this?!”

-Everyone, step back! You are before His Grace, the Archduke.

-Can’t you move aside?!

As the crowd calls my name and approaches the carriage, the security detail holds them back.

-My… My son is sick! Please, just bless him once!

-Please… just let me hold your hand once!

-I’d be content with just a touch of your garment! Please, let me hold it just once.

What… is this?

I flee to the Vatican, watching the frenzied crowd.

“Haah… Haah… Is… is this a nightmare?”

-Huh?! It’s the Saint!

-The Saint! Bless us!

“Ha… Have they gone mad?!”

This… This must be a nightmare. It can’t be anything else.

I feel fear as I see priests and nuns kneeling on one side, showing respect and awe as if to a deity.

What on earth happened while I was collapsed for a week?

Could it be that I’m dead? And have fallen into some bizarre world…

“Your Grace, the Archduke?”

Then, at that moment, I see the familiar face of Sena and I rush over to her, asking urgently.

“Sister Sena… What is happening?”

“Pfft!”

Sister Sena bursts into laughter upon seeing me.

“Isn’t it the proper respect for the great deed Your Grace, the Archduke has done?”

“Proper respect?”

Look at those fanatics…

I shudder as they scan my body with ominous gazes.

“Please… take me to His Holiness, the Pope. No, please do take me.”

I’m accustomed to living with hostility and disgust, but not to such looks.

“Hehe, follow me, please.”

Thus, I follow Sena to the Pope’s office.

On the way, the sight of priests and nuns kneeling on one knee, praying with moved expressions as they see me, unsettles my heart.

“What exactly happened while I was asleep? They say I’m the reincarnation of a saint?”

“That’s because you’ve fought evil without regard for your own safety, and you’ve generously spent your wealth for the lowly, haven’t you?”

I retort, incredulous at Sena’s words.

“If such actions make one a saint, then everyone in the world would be a saint.”

Sena shakes her head at my words.

“Your Grace, we are aware of all that you have done. That’s why His Holiness the Pope has recognized you as a saint, isn’t it?”

Sena’s words, lifting me up, make me feel embarrassed.

“I’m not such a remarkable person.”

I’m just an ordinary person.

I’ve lived feeling a sense of responsibility fitting for the position, rather than for grand reasons.

Then, the familiar door to the Pope’s office appears.

“This is as far as I go.”

Sena, with a fresh smile, bows her head once as she bids farewell.

“May your day be peaceful.”