Chapter 158 - North Rabbit

Episode 158

The rumor of the oracle that began at the Temple of the Celestial God spread with abnormally rapid speed.

The unofficial epithets attached to Evangeline were steadily increasing.

The Flower of High Society.

The Blessed Rain Saintess.

The Mother of the Sole Imperial Grandchild.

And the Oracle Saintess.

It was the first time since ancient times that an oracle had been delivered.

This was because the influence of the gods had waned even further since the Empire's founding.

Moreover, to be recognized as a formal oracle, a miracle had to accompany it.

In the last 5,600 years, there had been no recognized miracles or oracles.

Naturally, there had been no one officially recognized as a saintess.

Currently, Evangeline was receiving treatment akin to a saintess under the influence of Archbishop Bio.

Evangeline wished to reveal the existence of the divine artifact, the <Book of Fate>, and have her status as a saintess officially recognized.

But Archbishop Bio refused to listen, saying it was premature.

"It will be sufficient to reveal it when no one will dare deny the sanctity and power of the <Book of Fate>."

"But!"

"The <Book of Fate> is an absolute divine artifact. Those who see it will have no choice but to worship the 'Master of Fate.'"

"That's exactly why we must reveal it quickly. That I am the Master of Fate!"

Only then would she receive the treatment befitting her status, wouldn't she?

'The mother of the future Emperor, and the Master of Fate chosen by the five goddesses! That's me!'

Yet, she was dissatisfied with the Archbishop's passive attitude of not disclosing the <Book of Fate>.

For her, the Master of Fate, shouldn't he do everything?

All glory, affection, awe, veneration, and admiration.

Evangeline wanted it all.

Shouldn't the protagonist be granted all of that as a matter of course!

Since it had been revealed that she was the protagonist, she naturally expected all that glittering affection to pour onto her alone.

But such a situation did not easily come to pass.

The Emperor still did not acknowledge Evangeline, and the commoners, who knew nothing proper, only spouted nonsense.

'My child being the son of a nobody like Ludwig? It's a disgrace!'

Once she was recognized as the Crown Princess and her child was recognized as the imperial successor, she would cut down all those spouting such preposterous nonsense.

Just imagining it made Evangeline feel good, and she smirked.

Then Archbishop Bio approached and asked.

"How is your body?"

"My face still feels tight."

Evangeline scratched the scar left by Arpad's bite.

Seeing her fingertips scratch the scar until it bled, Bio said nothing special.

He knew well it was meaningless to stop her.

She would just get angry, saying it was because it wasn't properly treated.

After all, Evangeline's appearance was not that important to him.

The fact that she was the Master of Fate, and that she carried a child who would rightfully seize the throne, was more important.

Especially today was a very important day.

Because it was scheduled to receive the oracle today at the Temple of the Celestial God within the Imperial Palace.

Of course, it wasn't a real oracle. One couldn't know when an oracle would descend either.

Archbishop Bio claimed to have received the will of the Celestial God that an oracle would soon descend upon Evangeline.

And when he asked for the Temple of the Celestial God within the Imperial Palace as the location for this, the Emperor was enraged.

"Dare you receive an oracle inside the Imperial Palace? What do you take the imperial authority for, to make such an outrageous demand! If it is the Celestial God's oracle, receiving it at the Celestial God's Grand Temple should suffice!"

"However, this oracle is also an important matter for the Imperial Family. Is not the temple within the Imperial Palace also ultimately a place where the Celestial God's altar stands?"

"Important for the Imperial Family? Ha! Isn't it that you are trying to interfere in the Imperial Family's succession issue?!"

The Emperor was adamant.

But three months had passed since the Crown Prince's seat became vacant.

The anxiety of not only the Empire's people but the entire continent had reached its peak.

If there were no dragon-blooded imperial family member to succeed after the current Emperor's death, the Artanua Great Plains would become barren land.

This was a great threat to the entire continent.

Pressure was coming from all sides, suggesting it would be good to acknowledge the child in Evangeline's womb.

Originally, the issue of ownership over the Artanua Plains was a factor that allowed the Empire to assert superiority over other nations.

This time, it had conversely become a trap hindering the Emperor's will.

From the perspective of other nations, as long as the Artanua Plains remained safe, it didn't matter who was on the throne.

Moreover, compared to the Empire, other kingdoms had relatively strong religious influence.

For them, the existence of a future imperial successor under the influence of the Celestial God was by no means a disadvantage.

There were such movements within the Empire as well.

The Emperor was enraged by the petition sent by the Duke of Teslan.

Though couched in polite terms, it ultimately urged the acknowledgment of Evangeline's child.

The Ducal House of Teslan, located in the frozen northern lands, was a family ruling a duchy.

Though under the Empire's rule, they exercised clear autonomy. Their position differed from other nobles.

Furthermore, the barren northern lands yielded no grain.

Within the Empire, it was inevitably the Duchy of Teslan that was most affected by and concerned with the harvests of the Artanua Plains.

Though the Emperor's rage at the petition pierced the heavens, Evangeline and Archbishop Bio's judgment that he could not continue to ignore it proved correct.

Finally, permission was granted to receive the oracle at the palace temple.

Evangeline felt a thrilling elation.

'Perhaps Hilia felt like this when she was granted permission to hold the banquet at Artanus Hall...'

Then she felt a slight regret.

She wished those eyes could see this sight today, see her achieving a dignified victory.

But considering how much of a hindrance Hilia's existence had been, it was indeed better that she was dead.

'In the end, I am the one who survives and wins.'

A satisfied smile settled on Evangeline's lips.

Deng— deng— deng—!

The clear sound of a platinum bell rang from the Temple of the Celestial God.

As it was a place used only when the imperial family prayed within the palace, its scale was quite small.

Although the Imperial Family venerated Artanus as their ancestor and the source of authority, it was not a religious belief. It was similar to honoring a great figure.

That is why, while religious influence might be weak, it could not be nonexistent.

The existence of the Temple of the Celestial God within the Imperial Palace was due to this.

On the path Evangeline took towards the temple, leading the Empress, Archbishop Bio, and numerous priests, nobles had gathered.

The temple was small, so they couldn't all enter.

Nevertheless, they were people who had flocked to witness the century's event of an oracle up close.

They were looking at Evangeline with eyes sparkling with awe.

"She's said to be a saintess, right?"

"Because an oracle is said to descend."

"Then will the first imperial successor blessed by both a god and Artanus be born?"

"I wish I could receive a share of the blessing too..."

The gathered nobles bowed their heads and bent their knees in unison.

It was the courtesy shown to the imperial family.

It was natural since the Empress was present, but everyone present knew.

The fact that the nobles' respect was directed not at the Empress, but at Evangeline.

In the end, even the Empress was somewhat overwhelmed and ended up walking behind her daughter as if in attendance.

Just as they arrived at the Temple of the Celestial God, Evangeline's elation peaked.

Because an unexpected figure was already inside the temple.

It was the Emperor, gazing up at the sacred altar.

The party, including the Empress, was all astonished.

Evangeline approached the Emperor with a beaming smile. And before she could say anything, she flung herself into the Emperor's embrace.

"I'm so happy, Your Imperial Majesty!"

"......"

The Emperor looked at Evangeline clinging to him with a stiff gaze.

He did not embrace her back or receive her heavy body with concern.

Evangeline pouted slightly.

"Won't you treat me a little more affectionately? I am still Your Majesty's stepdaughter, and soon to be your daughter-in-law."

"You are not my daughter-in-law."

Even at the ice-cold reply, Evangeline did not flinch.

Stroking her swollen belly, she declared proudly.

"But I am the mother of Your Majesty's only grandchild. So I have no choice but to be your daughter-in-law."

The Emperor's coldness did not change in the slightest.

"I have never acknowledged you, nor that child."

Normally, she would have felt insulted and trembled with rage. But Evangeline merely wore a smile all over her face.

"But Your Majesty permitted the oracle to be received in the palace temple, and even came here yourself?"

"......"

"There is no one who doesn't know that this is an acknowledgment of me."

"......"

Even the Emperor, who had been coldly rebuking Evangeline all along, did not deny this statement.

The smile on Evangeline's lips deepened.

'Yes. Because it's the truth.'

Archbishop Bio, supporting such an Evangeline, urged her on.

"Now, let us begin."

His whispering voice was urgent.

"If we miss the timing, people may not recognize it as a miracle."

An oracle required a visible miracle.

Naturally, they had made thorough preparations.

To show a miracle grand and splendid enough for all to acknowledge, the preparations and sacrifices were immense.

If the timing wasn't right, all their three months of hardship, and the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for this, would come to nothing.

Evangeline sat before the altar and clasped her hands together.

And she offered a prayer in a clear voice.

"This humble servant beseeches you. Grant us your revelation."

Evangeline had ultimately failed to properly learn the sacred language.

Therefore, she couldn't even properly recite the simple sacred language needed to trigger the fake miracle.

It didn't matter. Archbishop Bio would just recite the prayer beside her as if chanting it together to activate it.

It was at that moment.

A sudden commotion began to spread from the temple entrance.

Evangeline raised her head, filled with anger, and glared at the temple entrance, then was shocked.

"Wh-what is this?!"

Amidst the commotion, shock, confusion, and joy—all sorts of intense emotions—a woman was entering the temple.

A woman who absolutely should not be here!

Evangeline's voice trembled.

"Hil, lia?!"

At that, Hilia's eyes narrowed, and the color of her amethyst gem-like pupils deepened even more.

Evangeline had already seen that expression many times.

It was the look in Hilia's eyes when she defeated her, insulted her, and smiled with utmost confidence.

That was exactly it.