The Extra Wants To Live

Chapter 156: Church of Universal Equality

Even Carl's heroic steps were beautiful, like a painting. A good appearance alone was a powerful force. Today's insignificant event made Carl even more popular with the common people.

Not only Carl but all his soldiers were on horseback. Most of the soldiers who were active in the Laurel Unit were recruited to ensure peace in the eastern part of the empire, so they could not be brought for justification reasons.

Therefore, the soldiers who followed Carl were only 50 imperial soldiers.

Still, it was quite a sight to see 50 soldiers wearing the red cloaks issued to the imperial soldiers riding horses and galloping together.

It was hard to believe that it had been less than two years since they had been slowly moving around in a rattling carriage.

Carl passed through the street without stopping, and all those who arrived later saw only a cart passing by at a slightly slower speed.

This was all a performance. Considering the speed of the carriage, it would have been better to go a little slower.

Carl reached the palace in one breath, and the palace doors, which had been notified in advance, opened wide without hesitation.

"Lady Catherine, Billford, take care of the soldiers and give them a rest."

"Yes, Lord Carl."

At Carl's words, Catherine and Billford dismounted and led the soldiers away.

Carl rode his horse and dismounted in front of the imperial palace. Harmon and Milton were in the carriage, and Carl, left alone, handed the white horse, whose name was still unknown, to the imperial attendant and strode inside.

"Your Highness."

"Okay. Please guide me."

When the count of the palace who had been waiting greeted Carl, Carl waved at him and continued walking without stopping, his armor clanking.

It was correct to call Carl 'His Highness the Archduke.'

However, Carl's position was somewhat exceptional; he did not own any duchies or lands but rather received military command of the eastern part of the empire from the Emperor.

So, when addressing Carl officially, one had no choice but to use the somewhat strange term 'His Excellency the Archduke.'

Carl didn't like that word very much, so people around him just called him 'Lord Carl.'

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With his blonde hair that seemed to be woven from gold thread, clear green eyes, a beautiful and delicate appearance, and even steel armor, Carl's appearance was completely different from when he had left the palace about a year ago.

It was evident at a glance.

This was 'the Laurel Planter' who had brought peace through victory, uniting the eastern part of the empire in just one year.

The rumors were not exaggerated at all.

This would seem somewhat threatening to the nobles of the central political circles of the empire.

But Carl showed himself boldly and proudly and walked through the palace with his armor clanking like a lion crossing a flock of sheep.

"Your Highness, we are not ready yet…"

"Brother Aric must have already finished preparing, right?"

"… is in the conference room."

Carl, who had just returned while the meeting was still not ready, headed to the conference room, where Aric was already present.

The matter was urgent, so now was the last chance to talk to Aric.

Carl walked confidently, past the imperial knights guarding the conference room and the waiting servants, and opened the door with his own hands.

"..."

"…"

Carl met Aric's eyes as he sat at the head of the table inside the conference room. Aric was also looking at Carl. Both of them smiled at the same time.

"Brother, it's been a while."

"Yes, Carl. It's been a while."

There was no trace of caution in the voices of the two brothers.

Carl treated Aric very politely and gently, and Aric deeply respected Carl, maintaining a gentle attitude.

But when Carl glanced at those who had already arrived at the conference room, they felt a tingling sensation in their stomachs and could not dare to look directly at Carl.

"The meeting is not ready yet, so I would like to talk to my younger brother whom I haven't seen in a long time."

"Yes, Aric."

At Aric's words, the others quietly retreated.

Carl passed them by and approached Aric.

Carl, in his armor, looked like a lion, so leaving Carl and Aric alone felt too dangerous.

However, the two princes, the pillars of the empire, wanted it, so they had no choice but to step aside.

Crunch. Clank.

The door closed, and Carl sat down next to Aric.

"You've grown so much."

Aric spoke in a low voice.

Carl had grown up so quickly that he was now a little taller than Aric, who was already quite tall.

"Now that I'm slowly starting to grow, it's a good thing I don't have to change my armor."

"If you had grown just one more year at that rate, people would have said you weren't human."

"I don't mind growing taller, but I'd like to gain a lot of muscle."

"Are you still that skinny?"

"The taller you are, the thinner you look."

"Is there anything wrong with your health?"

"Very healthy."

The two brothers, who met after a year, chatted for a while. About three months until Aric returned and Carl left.

During this time, the two talked a lot and were able to build a strong bond of trust.

Carl was quite comfortable with Aric, although not as much as with Nero, and Aric, who was always stiff, became somewhat softer when dealing with Carl.

"You did a great job."

Aric spoke, looking at the empty conference room.

"Because that was a promise."

Carl spoke calmly, looking at the Emperor's scenery from beside Aric. They both thought it would soon be theirs.

Carl knew what Aric was thinking, but Aric did not know what Carl was thinking.

"I have a lot to talk about, but I don't have time, so I'll keep it brief."

Aric slowly turned his head and looked at Carl. Aric, who took thorough care of himself, seemed to have not changed at all from before.

"There is someone behind the Palton Rebellion."

"Is it top secret?"

"Yes."

Aric met with Carl alone and carefully conveyed the message. Of course, it was something that could only be revealed to others.

It was probably information obtained through the eyes and ears of Emperor Azgoth, who had spread it evenly throughout the empire, and secret words whispered in secret.

Aric slowly opened his lips as he looked at Carl, the only one of his brothers with blue, green eyes.

"A heresy has arisen. A group of heretics have gathered around the scripture 'Dureniodont,' which interprets the doctrines of the Dürenian sect differently, and they are calling themselves the 'Universal Equality Church,' a sect of the Dürenian sect."

Aric spoke heavily and then added softly, "Bring back the heretical scripture, 'Dureniodont.' If circumstances do not permit, erase it from the world so that it does not fall into the hands of others."

"Are we going to kill everyone involved?"

"The Düren Church will take care of the aftermath. Don't hesitate and erase everything."

Through Aric's firm words, Carl was able to learn the real reason why he had not become a commander.

Rather than being tied down as a commander, he was to act as an independent unit in the field and burn away any traces of heresy.

"You are of royal blood, and there is no one else I can entrust with this task, who is trusted by me and His Majesty."

One could tell just by hearing the name, 'Church of Universal Equality,' that they must be spreading a doctrine emphasizing the idea of equality.

The most noble royal family in this vast empire would certainly try to destroy that idea. If it fell into the hands of another, there was no telling what they would do.

"So, the Düren Church also believed in me and supported me?"

"Yes."

Therefore, the Düren Church, which wanted to make the existence of heresy completely non-existent, probably decided that using Carl as fire to purge heresy was the best option.

If the Düren Church came forward now, the existence of heresy might be revealed to the world.

So they must be hiding in Carl's shadow and trying to suppress heresy.

"Carl, you must succeed."

"Your trust is heavy. I must repay you in return."

Carl answered confidently. He couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.

It was imperative that the heretical scriptures be dealt with, any traces of heresy burned, and the debt to the state church, the Order of Düren, be repaid along with the trust of Aric.

More appetizing meat than the ball that suppressed the rebellion rolled in.

Equality for all? That's ridiculous.

That's something that only makes sense on Earth, where there is no power of transcendence.

How can you possibly compare a lowly farmer with a master of strategic weapons who can rival an army?

'I must do my job. But I am somewhat interested in that scripture.'

Carl thought so secretly.

Of course, Carl, who was the prince, archduke, and emperor of the empire, was not excited about things like equality for all. Only…

'I heard that there is chaos due to a schism in the Tumariad Hadad sect. I wonder what will happen…'

Isn't this really interesting?