Children of the Holy Emperor Chapter 198

§ 198. Louise (1)

The captain of the guard, Sir Sebastian Battel, was a remarkable man in many ways.

He is as tall as Sir Francis and has a sturdy, well-trained body.

Although he has a gentle appearance, not like a warrior, the powerful force that comes from him is truly as strong as a castle wall.

‘There’s no way you wouldn’t remember such an impressive person?’

Seongjin was tilting his head, and Manager Bruno gave him a quick reminder from the side.

“Lowering. “Sir Sebastian is Sir Ilma’s husband.”

what? really?

Seongjin looked at him with new eyes.

Just like Lord Ilma, this guard captain also possessed a force similar to that of Lord Masain.

That means they are both preparing for Dekaron Night, and aren’t they truly the strongest couple on the continent?

If a fight were to break out between the two, the entire territory would be shaken.

While I was thinking such nonsense, the guard captain, who had no way of knowing this, politely bowed his head again.

“I contacted the count’s residence in advance. “I will meet you right away, sir.”

In this way, Seongjin and his party arrived at Count Sigismund’s residence under the guidance of Sir Sebastian.

The mansion was located on a low hill to the northeast of the estate. It was a huge building with uneven lines, as if it had been repeatedly expanded over a long period of time.

‘… ‘Is this the count’s mansion?’

A rough wall with exposed stones, or a small window that doesn’t look like it would be damaged.

To Seongjin, who was accustomed to imperial buildings with large terraces and clean plaster walls, the count’s residence felt more like an old castle or fortress than a mansion.

“I heard it’s an older building than St. Bastian’s Church. Indeed, it is the mansion of a famous family that has firmly protected the continent from the demonic realm for over half a century. “It is truly majestic.”

As Masain exclaimed his admiration, a strange look appeared in the guard captain’s eyes.

“I’m glad you see it that way. “Sometimes customers who come here for the first time from other regions are disappointed because of the unfamiliar food.”

There have been several renovation attempts so far, but most of them are canceled in the planning stage due to the large scale. Moreover, the insulation problem cannot be solved with the architectural style popular on the continent.

Only the wide garden in front of the mansion was decorated in a style similar to the imperial capital. Because of the climate, all the rose leaves withered and fell off, and only the dull branches remained.

As we passed the dried-up garden and got off the carriage, a group of people waiting for Seongjin bowed their heads and shouted.

“God’s blessing on Delcross, a thousand-year-old kingdom!”

It seemed that not only the people of Count Sigismund’s family but also the employees had come out in full force.

While I was bewildered by the more sincere hospitality than expected, the elegant middle-aged woman in the lead took a step forward and gently lifted the hem of her skirt.

“I meet the glorious Prince Mores. “It is a great honor for our family to serve you like this.”

It was Countess Sigismund, who had been married from Anatolia, far south of the continent.

Her beautiful face with fine wrinkles is filled with pure joy for Seongjin and his group.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Countess. “I wonder if I’m causing trouble for no reason during a busy time for the estate.”

I thought you would be reluctant to visit Seongjin to some extent.

When I said hello to her, thinking it was unexpected, a soft smile appeared on her face.

“no. Originally, I should have greeted you at the imperial capital. This year, I was unable to attend the birthday party because my mother was sick. “It always brings me great joy to have guests from warm regions visit us.”

At that time, Orden looked around and asked.

“But, mother. “What about the head of the family?”

“iced coffee. She went out to the defense of Magyeong with her grandfather. “The temperature is low this year, so the lycan slope is moving south earlier than usual.”

“… “Even your grandfather?”

“Isn’t Lord Ilma out of the territory? So, just in case something goes wrong, he said he would personally look around the border.”

Vincent Sigismund, who made a name for himself as a great general of the empire, seemed to continue his activities in an orderly manner even after transferring his title to his son. Well, seeing as he is also a Dekaron Knight, it is unlikely that his strength will decline.

“Recently, he always went around singing and saying that he felt an unusual energy in the magic scene. “Now that I have a legitimate excuse to go to the devil’s temple, wouldn’t it be good for him?”

After adding that, the Countess looked back at Seongjin and said.

“It is the time when Lycan Slopes, who spent the summer in Magyeong, are slowly moving to the vicinity of the county. Therefore, although the head of the family has to be absent, I will do my best to ensure that you are not neglected in your hospitality.”

Seongjin nods and holds out his arms, and his wife lightly folds her arms. And the two naturally walked into the mansion in unison, as if they were old friends.

“I have already received great help from you. “Didn’t you deliberately send the family doctor to me?”

“Ah, I was very worried because I heard that you were seriously injured during the journey. Are you okay now?”

“I’m fine. “Everyone is just overly concerned.”

“Isn’t that how noble your body is? Actually, I was very surprised earlier. “You looked much healthier than when I saw you last year.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, looking at you, you look a lot like His Majesty the Holy Emperor and Empress Lizabeth.”

Then Seongjin burst out laughing.

“I feel relieved to see you like that. “Even now, it’s not enough to be an escort for a beautiful lady.”

“Oh my, you too! Ho ho ho. “You make the heart of an old villager so excited!”

Behind them, the count’s people and employees walk one after another.

Only Seongjin’s group, including Orden, was looking at the scene with their mouths wide open and bewildered faces.

what? What about that natural conversation?

Is that person really the brazen prince who was running around in the snow until yesterday?

“You are, after all, a great person. “Look at that smooth handjob!”

“Lord Claudia! “What a manipulative act!”

“… Is it blood? “Do you have the qualities of a born libertine?”

“Shh! Lord Calmen! “Such blasphemous words!”

Masain, who reflexively thought of his uncle and Prince Logan in turn as he heard the resident knights whispering, immediately turned pale and shook his head.

“No, no way. Even I can’t do that… … .”

* * *

Seongjin was treated very warmly.

A luxurious bedroom filled with warmth, as if a fireplace had been lit long before the group arrived, was waiting for him.

In addition, Seongjin was even provided with a dedicated user.

“He is the most outstanding child among the servants. “He is currently taking butler classes, so you can ask him to do most of the work.”

The butler brought a boy neatly dressed in uniform and introduced him as such.

“This is Louise Battel, sir. “I will serve you with all my heart.”

He looked exactly the same age as Mores, and seemed very calm and serious for his age. The way he bows his head to Seongjin is a boy befitting a knight rather than a servant.

Seongjin, who was worried that the inflexible Edith might cause an accident at the count’s house, was relieved of his worries thanks to this.

“Yes, please take care of me too for a while.”

Seongjin, who greeted him like that, looked at the boy closely, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu.

therefore… … .

“Hmm, didn’t we see you somewhere?”

“… yes?”

The boy looked embarrassed for a moment, but quickly adjusted his expression and shook his head.

“I haven’t left the territory yet. “I understand this is my first time greeting you here.”

Well, I guess so.

Seongjin, who inadvertently asked a question, looked puzzled and tilted his head.

That’s really strange. It’s clear that this is my first time meeting you, but I feel this way many times today.

“… By the way, Battel?”

When Seongjin asked a question, Louise nodded as if she understood.

“Oh, I guess you met your father on the way here. “My father is Sebastian Vattel, commander of the guards of the County of Sigismund.”

“what?”

Seongjin, who blinked for a moment at the unexpected information, asked again.

“wait for a sec. Then you can’t help but respect me… … .”

“Yes, it is. “I am Ilma Batel’s wife.”

… Women’s food?

Seongjin was astonished.

‘I thought you were really a boy?’

Then the devil bastard snorted.

[What is he saying now? At first glance, she looks like a girl, right? A guy with good eyes is strangely dull.]

Well, I thought the lanky thing was just because he was a young boy, but maybe Luise is older than he looks.

“Lunch is ready. “Can we take you to the restaurant right away?”

As I was looking at her blankly, Louise calmly informed me of the next schedule.

Daughter of Sir Ilma and Captain of the Guard, Sir Sebastian.

Indeed, I can’t help but feel familiar, as if I’ve seen it somewhere before. Because the girl resembled both her parents.

The cool features and disciplined posture were exactly the same as Sir Ilma, and the light flaxen hair and calm eyes were exactly the same as Sir Sebastian.

“Or I’ll run you a warm bath so you can relax.”

“Uh, no. “Let’s go to the restaurant now.”

Seongjin took off his thick winter clothing and handed it to Louise.

However, at the moment she handed over the clothes, Seongjin’s sharp eyes noticed something unusual on her hands.

‘… Learn swordsmanship?’

The girl’s long, long hands had calluses characteristic of someone who had held a sword for a long time.

Considering her parents, this wouldn’t be strange. Didn’t she say she’s taking deacon classes now though?

Seongjin was puzzled, but he didn’t ask any further questions and followed Louise out of the room.

Wong wong wong!

As I was walking along the first floor hallway with Louise, I heard several dogs barking from somewhere.

“Do you have a dog?”

Then Louise glanced out the window and explained.

“These are the hunting dogs that the Count keeps. “It’s time to return from training.”

“okay?”

Come to think of it, Hermann was like that too. In Sigismund Territory, which is in contact with the Demon World, a lot of it is said to depend on the abilities of hunting dogs.

It is said that hunting dogs are raised and trained professionally at the count’s residence. They manage the bloodlines of excellent hunting dogs, and some breed them with wolves to obtain wolf dogs.

Wong wong!

Wow.

A long howl as if looking for someone.

Seongjin, who had been quietly listening to the sound, looked back at Louise and asked, feeling a strange premonition.

“Perhaps we can take a look at the hunting dogs now?”

For a moment, a faint look of embarrassment flashed across her face. But then she takes out her pocket watch, takes a moment to gauge the time, and nods.

“There is a shortcut to the main building through sponsorship. Since the kennel is close by, I think it would be enough to take a look around. “I’ll bring some winter clothes, so could you wait a moment?”

“no it’s okay. “You can just use an auror.”

There’s nothing that can’t be done, even if it’s just for a little while.

But it was when Seongjin took a step forward with cold support.

Doo doo doo doo.

Suddenly, a large dog ran across the garden at breakneck speed and rushed at Seongjin.

“… … ?”

Huh?

Seongjin, who was caught off guard because there was no hostility at all, stumbled under the weight of the heavy dog ​​and fell to the floor.

“Lowering!?”

Before he could come to his senses, something wet touched Seongjin’s face. The dog that aggressively crushed Seongjin started licking his face.

Startled, Louise quickly waves her hand and knocks the dog away from Seongjin.

‘What is this again?’

I woke up with an absurd feeling, but what was so good about this dog? Now it started jumping around Seongjin, wagging its tail.

“Max, Max!”

Soon, an old man who appeared to be a zookeeper hurriedly ran towards them.

“Max! You bastard! “What are you going to do if you suddenly run away like that?”

… Max?

Then the dog called Max barked lowly at the old man as if saying something. It looked like she was scolding him.

Wong wong!

‘Max, is this a coincidence…? … .’

But perhaps because of my mood, the dog’s appearance really looked familiar.

Overall, it resembles a wolf. A dark gray back and sides that fade to grayish brown. And the hair on both cheeks and stomach shines white.

… no way?

“… Max?”

Seongjin called the dog in a trembling voice.

OK.

Wong!

As if in response, the dog barked loudly and sat down on the floor, wagging its tail.

“Max? really? But why don’t you say anything… … .”

Seongjin trailed off. Then, the dog tilted its head and licked Seongjin’s nose and cheek with its wet tongue.

Even if you wash your eyes and look for Izzy, you can’t see it, it’s just an active puppy.

Seongjin was in great shock.

“Unbelievable… … .”

Max! What on earth happened in the meantime?

How did you end up like this?

fantasy,