Chapter 302 - 300 : The Holy Empire (1)

Chapter 302: Chapter 300 : The Holy Empire (1)

The Holy Empire smelled of luxury and mourning.

A sweet fragrance drifted from open temple doors and bronze censers suspended above the streets, mingling with the scent of flowers laid beneath roadside shrines.

Arthur walked among the crowds with his face hidden beneath the hood of a white robe.

He had chosen the color deliberately.

Here, white was everywhere.

White stone buildings. White banners embroidered with golden crosses. White-robed priests standing beneath archways, blessing those who bowed their heads before them.

It made blending into the crowd considerably easier.

Arthur maintained an unhurried pace.

All around him, people prayed.

Some knelt before small shrines built into the walls. Others had stopped in the middle of the footpaths, their hands clasped beneath their chins as they murmured invocations to Freya.

Golden crosses hung from their necks.

The same symbol adorned their bracelets, their clothing, and the doors of their homes.

Faith was not simply practiced here.

It occupied every corner of the city.

Arthur stepped around a kneeling man and glanced toward the next intersection.

Then he stopped.

A large poster had been fastened to a noticeboard outside a busy shop.

His face stared back at him.

Arthur studied the portrait, then shifted his gaze to the reward printed beneath it.

════════════════════════════

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE

ARTHUR CELESTIAN

HERETIC AND ENEMY OF THE FAITH

Wanted for the murder of Saintess Karina,

the sacred messenger of Goddess Freya.

REWARD: $1,500,000,000

The successful claimant will also receive

a sacred baptism administered by the Church.

Through the Goddess’s grace, the worthy

may receive an extraordinary enhancement

of their strength and abilities.

Anyone who shelters or assists this criminal

will be judged as an accomplice.

════════════════════════════

Arthur read the amount again.

’One and a half billion.’

His gaze shifted to the promise of a sacred baptism.

’And an attempt to buy every ambitious idiot in the region.’

The portrait was irritatingly accurate.

Someone had captured the shape of his eyes, the angle of his jaw, and even the faintly dismissive expression he wore whenever he dealt with people he disliked.

Arthur pulled his hood a little lower.

Only then did he notice the other posters.

One hung on the wall beside the shop.

Another was displayed across the street.

Several more lined the avenue ahead.

His face had become part of the city’s decoration.

’Wonderful.’

A woman standing beside him spat at the noticeboard.

"Murderer!"

Arthur glanced at her.

She didn’t even notice him. Her attention remained fixed on the portrait.

Across the square, a crowd had gathered around a newly erected statue.

Karina.

The sculptor had depicted her with her hands clasped before her chest and her face lifted toward the heavens.

Flowers covered the base of the statue, while candles burned in neat rows beneath an inscription praising her devotion to the Goddess.

A woman knelt before it, crying into her hands.

"Please, Goddess Freya. Let her soul find peace."

Others around her repeated the prayer.

Arthur watched the scene without speaking.

He wondered how much these people actually knew about the woman they were mourning.

Probably very little.

Perhaps nothing beyond what the Church had told them.

A sudden shout drew his attention back toward the noticeboard.

A man had taken off one of his shoes and hurled it at Arthur’s portrait.

The sole struck the printed face with a flat smack.

Several onlookers voiced their approval.

Encouraged by their reactions, another man began tugging at his own boot.

Arthur’s eye twitched.

’At least aim properly.’

The second shoe struck the edge of the board before tumbling into the gutter.

’Pathetic.’

Arthur was considering moving on when someone stopped beside him.

"Looks like you’re a bounty hunter, too."

The voice was deep and amused.

Arthur turned slightly.

The man standing beside him was broad-shouldered, with a large axe strapped across his back. An X-shaped scar crossed his face, and curly black hair fell over his forehead.

His dark eyes moved between Arthur and the poster, studying both with quiet interest.

A broken pendant hung from his neck.

Arthur noticed it before returning his attention to the man’s face.

"Why would you think that?" Arthur asked.

The stranger laughed.

"The way you’re staring at that reward."

He nodded toward the noticeboard.

"I could smell the greed from halfway down the street."

Arthur remained silent.

The man continued, apparently unbothered by the lack of response.

"And you wouldn’t be alone. Hundreds of bounty hunters and assassins are looking for that boy."

He folded his arms.

"If you’re not one of them, you must be here for mercenary work."

"Mercenary work?" Arthur repeated.

"The war with the elves."

The man spoke casually, but his eyes remained attentive.

"The pay is good, from what I’ve heard. Kill a few elves, collect a generous reward, and call it service to the Goddess."

Arthur’s expression remained hidden beneath his hood.

The stranger continued.

"A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, if you believe the recruiters."

He leaned a little closer, lowering his voice.

"But I have a better offer."

Arthur turned his attention toward him.

"Join me. We’ll find this Arthur fellow, capture him, and collect the bounty."

The man’s smile widened.

"A good deal, don’t you think?"

Arthur glanced at the axe strapped to his back.

"There are plenty of people you could ask. Why approach me?"

"Because I have a talent."

"Do you?"

"Money Maker."

Arthur waited for an explanation.

The man tapped a finger against his temple.

"It helps me recognize the sort of people who can make me rich."

His smile sharpened.

"And, more importantly, the sort I should stay far away from."

Arthur studied him for a moment.

"That’s an interesting talent."

"Useful, too."

The man extended his hand.

"Max Wellington."

Arthur looked at the offered hand before accepting it.

"I was born in this empire," Max explained. "I know its streets, its people, and most of the things its priests would rather keep quiet."

He spoke with easy confidence.

"If you need information or an introduction, ask for me. Enough people know my name that someone will point you in the right direction."

Arthur released his hand.

"Now, what should I call you?" Max asked.

Arthur glanced toward the crowd.

The mourners were still gathered around Karina’s statue, while the men near the noticeboard continued retrieving their shoes.

No one was paying them any attention.

"My name is Arthur Celestian."

Max’s smile froze.

Arthur continued in the same conversational tone.

"The very person you’re planning to hunt."

He lifted the edge of his hood.

Only slightly.

Just enough for Max to see his face.

Then he lowered it again.

For a heartbeat, Max didn’t move.

His eyes flicked toward the portrait before returning to the shadow beneath Arthur’s hood.

Recognition settled into place.

Yet he didn’t recoil.

He didn’t reach for his axe.

Instead, a slow, irritating grin spread across his scarred face.

There was caution behind it now.

Arthur approved of that much.

"You realize I only need to shout," Max said quietly.

His gaze shifted toward the praying crowds.

"Thousands of people would come running to tear you apart."

Arthur looked at him calmly.

"Then shout."

Max’s grin thinned.

"You’d receive one and a half billion dollars," Arthur continued. "And a baptism."

He tilted his head slightly.

"Perhaps it would even help you reach your next rank."

Silence settled between them.

Around them, the city continued its usual bustle.

Footsteps echoed across the stone pavement. Prayers drifted through the air. Somewhere beyond the square, a bell began to ring.

Max studied Arthur for several seconds before finally asking, "How much will you pay?"

Arthur’s lips curved faintly.

"Nothing right now."

"An unpromising start."

"But complete the work I give you, and I’ll pay you two billion in cash."

"Two and a half."

"Done."

Max stared at him.

Then he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Should’ve asked for three."

Arthur offered no response.

Max glanced around once more before turning away.

"Follow me."