Chapter 141 - Are you coming down or not?!

“We are the only ones here right now, and Camu and Ezekiel are probably over there cleaning up by now. I didn’t know Duchess was inside, but the lizard b*stard kept charging towards us, so we decided to split up…oh, but where did it go?”

“It’s right here. Duchess, we’re glad you’re safe.”

As the dragon growled and climbed over the balcony railing, we all jumped back in surprise as something massive approached us.

With a rustling sound, shimmering scales appeared before us, and a giant golden eye blinked at me.

“Krek, krrrk…”

“Hey, it’s a dragon!”

“Krrrrrk…”

As someone muttered under their breath, it didn’t matter.

It was indeed my baby dragon, all grown up and unharmed!

Oh my, it just went through so much, and it’s already working so hard!

Good job, young one!

I ran up to the dragon and hugged its head tightly, or rather, its nose.

“Hey, what’s with all the noise?”

“I don’t know. They’re probably just excited.”

“What are you all doing?!”

The voice belonged to a group of Paladins and guards who had rushed back in.

Although they were talking to the oddly dressed Northerners, their gazes were all fixed on the dragon.

It was understandable.

“Oh, Holy Mother…”

Someone muttered, and it sounded like they wet their pants.

The three Paladins exchanged a burning gaze for a moment before drawing their swords and charging towards us.

Epilogue

As the deep purple velvet draped down the oversized frame, a moment of silence fell.

Ignoring the expectant and sparkling eyes of the messenger, someone finally opened their mouth.

“What is this… exactly?”

“This is a gift from the Duke of Rembrandt. Specifically, it is a replica of the painting that decorates the Sistina Chapel, as you know, from the Vatican…”

“I understand that, but what is it exactly?”

“Excuse me? Ahaha, as I explained earlier, it is an exact copy of the painting that adorns the Sistina Chapel. It was meticulously drawn by the best painter in the south…”

The messenger, who had been rambling with excitement, finally realized the atmosphere around him and shut his mouth.

Contrary to his expectations, the faces of the northern nobles were all gloomy and dissatisfied.

The name of the painting, which was loosely written on the bottom plate of the frame, was none other than “The Virgin Mary Defeating Satan in the Papal,” a depiction of the infamous incident that occurred at the Vatican involving the Virgin Mary.

…So, for those who didn’t know the truth behind the painting, it could have been quite a shocking sight.

It was hard to imagine how shocked the innocent and naive southern citizens, who had never encountered such madness in their lives, must have been when they saw the image of the Frost Dragon, a giant demon, flying towards the Vatican building to attack it.

As if in a dream, the terrified crowd mistook the joyous antics of the Frost Dragon, who had reunited with Rudbeckia there, for the calming of the dragon by the Virgin Mary’s advent. Thus, although the tragedy of the slaughter of the pope’s family and his followers by Satan’s spawn and his followers occurred, the people of the Vatican were saved by the miracle of the untimely manifestation of the Virgin Mary.

It became a holy event that would be recorded in the long history.

Borgia had many enemies.

If the recapture of Rudbeckia had become an official rebellion, everything might have ended, and Rudbeckia might have been threatened for the rest of her life. Therefore, only the paladins themselves and the leaders of the secret alliances at the time knew the hidden truth, which was concealed by countless conspiracies, rumours, and deals.

This included not only the Duke of Rembrandt, but also the question of who would seize the current pope’s seat.

It was highly suspicious that someone had sent such a picture as a gift with a bad taste.

“I wonder what Ruby would say if she saw this.”

Ellenia, who was the only one with an interesting look, mumbled.

At this, the demons who caused the manifestation of the Virgin Mary exchanged very gloomy glances.

What was that fool thinking when he sent this picture as a gift?

They didn’t even want to imagine what would happen if they showed this to the man who was the Virgin Mary’s husband.

Meanwhile, although the messengers tried their hardest to analyze the complex and subtle reactions of the people of the northern region, they were disappointed that they did not get the expected response even after waiting, and gave up and retreated dejectedly.

* * *

“Are you here again?”

The library of the Omertas.

Ivan, who bravely and vigorously stepped into what could be considered the center of power in the northern region, almost crumbled into insignificance in front of his superiors.

But he quickly regained his composure and slid gracefully into a knightly stance like a trembling flower.

“Well, yes..”

“I bet you came to spout the same words again today. My answer is the same as always. It can’t be done.”

“Haha, Your Grace…”

“My daughter is being pursued by all kinds of men, even my own son is competing against them to see who’s the best. And now this incompetent fool wants to take her away from me. No way!”

Incompetent fool!

For the first time in his life, Ivan was hit by such a shock that he lost his senses.

The shock was so great that he forgot that the old Duke was watching him and stumbled a few steps.

Lord Barons, who was nonchalantly playing with his teacup, clicked his tongue.

“Did you come here to brag about taking a step, Ivan?”

“No, no. Rather, I came to see if Iz is still pretending to be sick today…”

“He’s probably still buried under the blanket. Maybe this is a good chance for you to beat him.”

Beating up a sick opponent was a clear violation of the knight’s code of conduct, but anyway, Ivan headed to his friend’s place with a high spirit.

He had learned from his past experience that it was futile to try to intervene awkwardly in the conversation of those two elders.

Damn it, the duke is so greedy… Where else can he find a better groom than me…

“Iz.”

Izek’s room was like an unusual flower garden.

From the untouched gifts and flowers sent from various places, one could easily tell how serious the condition of the owner of the house was.

Unfortunately, Ivan’s optimistic approach was futile, and he instead let out a despairing sigh as he hesitantly approached the bed.

“Hey, Iz.”

“….”

Suddenly, he noticed a bunch of bright yellow Rudbeckia on the table next to the bed.

His monster-like friend was buried from head to toe under thick blankets, rendering him invisible.

“My uncle sent a bribe to become Pope. Can you imagine what it might be?”

“….”

“Well, everything else is settled, and so they’re getting restless. They can’t just sit around while the north remains untouched and the most important position remains vacant… Are you listening? They’re all waiting for you.”

“….”

“But you keep sleeping like this… Damn it, wake up!”

In a fit of rage, Ivan’s fuse burst and he charged forward.

He then grabbed the thick blankets and yanked them fiercely.

An irritated voice immediately rang out.

“Do you want to die? Ivan, you crazy b*stard!”

“If you have been lying around like this for so long, it’s about time you got up, you conscienceless jerk! Damn it, get up and fight me! Let’s go for a round!”

“I have nothing to do, so just leave me alone!”

Ivan then jumped on top of Izek, who was trying to turn over, causing him to freeze in strange terror for a moment.

“Well then, get up and become king right away!”

“I don’t have time for that kind of hassle!”

“Then fight me! What are you doing buried in bed all day without your girlfriend?! That’s not like you!”

“Hey, you b*stard! Are you coming down or not?!”

“I’m not coming down, what are you going to do about it?!”

The door opened without even a knock.

The two knights who were wrestling on the bed suddenly sat up straight, looking ready to fight.

And then,

“….My Lady?”

There was a moment of silence.

The ice princess of Omerta stared at the scene in the room with a blank expression.

And then, after a short sigh and a disdainful look that spoke volumes, she turned around and left the room.

“My Lady, wait! It’s a misunderstanding….”

He didn’t even have a chance to finish his sentence before the door slammed shut.

The sad silence that followed descended briefly.

“This is all your fault.”

“You jumped on top of me without permission in the first place.”

“If you hadn’t been so clumsy, I wouldn’t be in this situation! Damn it, you’re not a good friend.”

“Are you going to keep doing this? Or should I throw you out?”

“……”