65 Scapegoat Alto (1/2)

Konrad wasn't one to let himself get toyed with by greater power. His last life had left a bitter enough taste for him to let that happen again. Therefore, he chose to use the imperial family to vent his frustration.

Holger was known as a calm, calculating prince that carefully weighed all actions he took. Therefore, including Nils, none understood his extreme outburst.

More than seventy pairs of eyes had now locked upon Bishop Alto who had subconsciously taken a step backward. Trapped between fury and shame. However, no matter how wrong, he could never kneel in front of a junior.

”Bold! In this country, do you really think anyone can make a bishop of the church kneel? I don't even have to kneel in front of your father. To say nothing of you! What are you going to report? Your failures to complete the competition's requirements? How is that our fault?

Clearly, this is the result of your own ineptitude!”

Bishop Alto roared back, supporting himself with the Holy Flame Church's name.

”Rotten imbecile. My forty-five years of existence easily trump your one thousand. Since reason is not enough, let's talk law!

Even if a member of the nobility sins against the church, punishing him is not just up to you. It first requires a trial approved by the imperial court!

But not only have you not sought a trial; all can testify that he committed no sin whatsoever. Therefore, your first crime is the arbitrary murder of a nobleman!

Secondly, we also have the crime of the clergy stepping in the jurisdiction of the imperial court!

Thirdly, you have been shouting in front of all present about how you needed not pay any attention to the emperor. Very well, this is the crime of contempt toward the Holy Emperor!

Fourthly, publicly threatening an imperial prince! A capital crime within the court.

Fifthly, publicly threatening a High Exarch's direct descendant! A capital crime within your church!”

Four of the five are enough for direct execution. The second one when tried will still result in your death to preserve the relationship between the church and the imperial court.

Therefore, you are five times condemned to death! I am not sure you have enough heads for what's about to befall you.

In this country, no one can save you!”

Holger had truly gone mad with rage. In other times, he would have contained his anger and first reported to his elder brother.

However, this useless, rigged competition had almost cost his beloved little sister's life. Even if Konrad didn't pull strings, with the bishop openly berating them, how could he restrain himself?

At first, Bishop Alto was confident in suppressing dissidence with his cultivation level, but only now did he realize that there was no way for intimidation to work and that the other party wasn't in the same league as he was.

If it were just about dealing with a powerful noble, he would have no fear. The problem was that the Dowager, Holger's grandmother, and his great uncle were both High Exarchs of the church, three ranks above him with dozens of people like him serving them.

Right now, like many of the high-ranking members of the church, they were in seclusion. However, if forced out by this matter, his life and his family's would come to a brutal end.

The instructions regarding the competition had been given by a Saint of the church. Therefore, he couldn't resist. Yet, if push came to shove, that Saint would force him to shoulder the blame and leave him no way out.

In a bind, he sought help within the eyes of his colleague who'd remained silent from the start, but there was no help to find.

The man was more astute and chose to let him deal with the whole thing right from the beginning.

Inwardly, Bishop Alto was full of grievances. It was clear someone had purposely covered the news of the real nature of the event to prevent the von Jurgen from becoming aware of it and still send a team.

At first, when he saw their team, he'd sent a message to his superior, but only got one answer.

”Carry on.”

Therefore he couldn't exclude them.

But as he floundered and racked his brain for solutions, a frustrating noise reached his ears.

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

A man clapped while walking into the room.

”Who dares?! What is there to cl-?!”

Bishop Alto began, but when he turned and saw the tall, silver-haired man who'd just walked in, he realized that things had gone from bad to worse.

Besides him, his colleague included, all those present bowed and declared in unison:

”Greetings Crown Prince!”

The Crown Prince stood at around 1.85 meters with short silver hairs sitting on a finely chiseled face. As he stepped in with his perfect gait and radiant smile, the simplest way to describe him was ”handsome and refined.”

However, the astute could see that within those outwardly gentle eyes hid a terrifying, callous tiger.

”Dispense of ceremony. I just came to welcome back my siblings. Never did I expect that I would come across such a beautiful scene.”

”Elder brother!”

Nils forgot her proper and dignified military stance to throw herself toward Elmar. He welcomed her with open arms, and gently pat her head.

As it was well-known that the ninth ”prince” was the apple of the crown prince's eyes, none of the gathered individuals found anything strange with that.