Chapter 488

"I regret to inform you that I have to agree with part of your statement, specifically the part about the mother."

Erice sighed as she watched Scathach, who seemed to be trying to get away with it.

"You were shouting like that just now."

She suddenly realized that when she went back with Scathach, Tiamat would pat her head and comfort her here and there. And when Tiamat pulled Novia along to comfort the two of them, Scathach would look around and her face would become more and more unpleasant. Even she herself sometimes did that.

Why is that?

Erice couldn't deny that Tiamat was far too good a mother, even though her physique was ridiculously large. She genuinely felt inferior to Tiamat, and upon reflection, it was absurd for someone like herself to want to be a mother.

Nevertheless, she still felt very dissatisfied.

However, Erice actually enjoys this kind of time together.

Despite the many questions she carried in these foreign mountains, and the possibility of being targeted by new enemies... she couldn't help but laugh heartily with relief, as if her amnesiac brain was recording a photograph of an important person that would never fade.

In that case, even if I am a painter--

"Huh? Ah, no way! If you keep talking like that, Scathach will have to go back to the Forest to find the strongest beast!"

Scathach interrupted Erice's thoughts with a smile, "And that's because it was so interesting, so I just called her that!"

Erice was about to say something, suddenly noticed that Scathach's gaze had shifted.

"Is another Magecraft here?"

"Hmm, there's a trace of Od in the direction this guy came from..."

At that very moment, something seemed to fly up in front of them at an extremely fast speed.

Scathach instantly smelled gunpowder; in other words, bullets were being fired.

She naturally didn't need to worry about being hit, and even if Erice was human, she wouldn't be worried, because Erice also discovered the bullet, immediately stomped her foot on the ground and caught the bullet with extremely fast speed.

But that's not all; following the bullets were the Black Keys belonging to the Church, and the figures that followed closely behind.

However, for Erice, who had been taught martial arts by Novia, her strength was comparable to the ultimate use of Reinforcement Magecraft. She only used the force of the Black Keys that rushed towards her once, and then, as if she had taken off into the air, she smashed her overwhelming fist into the figure that was swinging down and attacking. In that instant, the force was multiplied, and ripples several meters in diameter appeared in the surrounding air.

"Oh?"

The figure, seemingly struck internally and struggling to breathe, chose to flee, leaping backward.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of footsteps, so precise they resembled those of professional soldiers, came from right in front of them.

"Well..."

A dark-haired man dressed in holy armor holds Cross to his chest, with hundreds of the Imperial Family Magecraft belonging to the Romanov behind him.

Erice could tell that this guy was the one who had just attacked, the one who used the Black Keys.

"Oh? Such martial arts, so extraordinary, yet fundamentally different, it's truly strange... Which Church do you come from? Within the Empire? Could this appearance be from the India branch of the Vatican...? No, um, could it be that you are from that failed Kingdom of Heaven? However, I have also heard that there are fellow believers on the islands of the Far East."

"Sir, is the prey you're looking for over there?"

Since there was no need to hide it, Scathach's eyes gleamed.

"Oh, no, that's not the case. If you were weak, you would certainly be our prey. But since you are so powerful, that's not the case. The Empire has no reason to be your enemy, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that we have become the prey."

The black-haired man rubbed his temples with his right hand while picking up the Cross on his chest with his left. The Cross, which was incredibly bright, had light swaying gently. Suddenly, he touched the tip of the Cross with his left index finger, and the Black Keys stuck in the ground returned to his hand.

"But Your Excellency, this is Tunguska, a land of ice and snow, not a suitable place for conversation. Perhaps we should relocate elsewhere?"

"Yeah, it's pretty cold here."

"So, do you want to make a deal with us?"

The dark-haired man interlaced his fingers, leaning against the Magecraft who was supporting him from behind. He didn't appear weak; rather, he was doing so intentionally. "I will, in the name of the Emperor, do the empire's utmost, providing shelter, food, or even people."

"Oh dear, oh dear, to actually try to negotiate with a tiger for its skin, that's incredibly audacious."

Scathach blew on her palm symbolically. "But hasn't anyone told you that you should introduce yourself before talking to someone you don't know? It's basic etiquette."

Upon hearing this, the man chuckled softly.

This, on the contrary, made Scathach, who had been completely at ease before, feel instinctively uncomfortable, as if the person in front of her was someone she was inherently incompatible with.

"Nice to meet you. I am Grigori Rasputin, and I have come here on behalf of the Emperor."

Chapter 505 The Third Rome Teacher is also a Rome Teacher!

"Your Majesty, as the Ministry of Internal Affairs has stated, 'uncouth men and dissolute criminals' should not be within the 'cannon range' of the palace."

In Tsar Village built specifically for the Romanov Family on the Outskirts of Saint Petersburg, stands Alexander Palace, a palace beloved by the Nicholas II's Family.

Inside the palace, a performance of "Swan Lake" was taking place. When the swan died, when the performer's hand movements gradually stiffened, and when the white veil shrank into a ball and trembled slightly, all the spectators spontaneously burst into gasps of amazement.

Tsar Nicholas II of the Russia Empire sat expressionlessly in the royal box, while his young wife Alexandra, held her breath, her face flushed from watching the spectacular Swan Lake performance, yet she refrained from uttering a sound of admiration. The reason was simple—

This was a confrontation between the Tsar and his Prime Minister, Stolypin, a student of the great chemist Mendeleev. Of course, it couldn't really be called a confrontation; it was just that the Prime Minister wanted to persuade the two of them to stay away from Rasputin as much as possible. After all, ever since Rasputin cured Prince Alexei, the Empress had become a firm believer in Rasputin's oracle, and the Tsar had accepted all the personnel appointments he made.

"This is my private matter, completely unrelated to politics. Can't my wife and I have our own acquaintances?"

Upon hearing this, Stolypin sighed.

He was well aware of the Tsar and Empress's trust in Rasputin. If Rasputin had used Magecraft to bewitch them, that would have been fine, because the Romanov family and the Magecraft under Russia administration would have subdued him. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case; the dissolute man truly gained the Tsar and Empress's trust through 'charm'.

However, he did not hold a grudge and calmly replied:

"Your Majesty, your responsibilities extend to your personal life, and your continued contact with Rasputin will seriously damage the moral authority of the Imperial Family."

As the emperor who ruled Russia, Nicholas II's Family spent most of their time in the Alexander Palace and rarely participated in social activities in Saint Petersburg. This resulted in a lack of connection between the Imperial Family, the Saint Petersburg nobility, and the general public, making the royal family appear mysterious and gloomy. In addition, the relatively lenient public opinion environment in Russia gave rise to various conspiracy theories about the Imperial Family.

The most exaggerated of these is undoubtedly Laplace's various romantic rumors.

Perhaps Stolypin's words reminded the already impatient Tsar of the scandalous rumors circulating among the people that he had learned from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so the next moment he replied in a low voice, "... Could it be that even you—"

"Your Majesty, I am terrified, I..."

Before Stolypin could answer, Nicholas II waved his hand dismissively. "That's enough, get out of here."

Seeing this, Stolypin could only silently leave the box. However, as soon as he stepped outside, he saw Rasputin leaning against the wall. This Demon Monk had obviously heard the argument between the Tsar and the Prime Minister, but he did not show any unusual reaction. He simply smiled at Stolypin.

"This was a very good conversation. It would have been a mistake not to have it, am I right, Prime Minister?"

"Mind your own business, Rasputin."

After saying that, Stolypin walked out, while Rasputin, who had been glared at, remained unperturbed and walked into the private room with a smile.

In the quiet corridor, Stolypin couldn't help but think:

Poor Russia! If your Tsar is so easily satisfied and so easily seduced by a dissolute scoundrel, what will you gain from him?

Nicholas II was a typical old-fashioned nobleman. On the day of his coronation, a stampede occurred in Moscow as people rushed to see him, but he showed no sign of mourning and instead stubbornly attended the ball hosted by the France ambassador. For example, during World War I, at a Ritual to award the Cross of Saint George, a sergeant was so excited that he shook Nicholas II's hand in violation of regulations. Nicholas II immediately took out a handkerchief to wipe his hand in front of all his officers and soldiers afterward.

Stolypin was indeed at a loss as to deal with Rasputin and the stubborn Nicholas II, but according to intelligence from the Ministry of Ministry of Internal Affairs, it wouldn't be long before the media across Russia would launch a campaign against Rasputin, accusing him of having improper relationships with women. At that time, Stolypin planned to threaten Rasputin into being barred from entering the capital by filing a religious sectarian lawsuit against him.

Just then, footsteps came from the Library of the Alexander Palace, and they bumped into Stolypin in the corridor. He immediately curtsied to the silver-haired man.

Princess Anastasia, greetings.

"Yes, it's Your Excellency the Prime Minister. Have you seen Wei?"

"I'm very sorry, but my Magecraft skills are only average in the Clock Tower Department of Law and Politics. I'm not qualified to see Wei."

"Actually, I can't see the guards either; I just heard my father say there are many guards in the palace..."

The girl waved the teddy bear in her hand, its deep blue eyes blinking curiously. "But I sense something, though I don't know what it is."

"Perhaps we'll be able to meet again after His Majesty sends you, Princess, to the Clock Tower for Magecraft training."

Stolypin said calmly.

"The Clock Tower..."

The girl answered cautiously, "But if I go there, I'll have to say goodbye to my dad, mom, and everyone else, and I don't really want to go."

"This is just a suggestion, not a request. Princess, you don't need to take it to heart."

Stolypin said softly, trying his best to convey gentleness, "If you are unwilling, His Majesty will not force you to go; the palace Magecraft can also provide instruction."

"Really?"

"Real."

"That's great!"

After saying that, Anastasia skipped and hopped away as she continued her search for Vi in the Alexander Palace.

As Stolypin watched her retreating figure, he thought of his daughter who had been killed in a bombing at a public reception a few years earlier and his three-year-old daughter who had lost both legs. He then thought again: I hope that when Princess Anastasia grows up, she will not be deceived by people like Rasputin, nor will she be easily deceived by others.

At the same time.

Inside the private room, Nicholas II, who was initially furious, started laughing when he saw Rasputin enter.

"My friend, you've come at the perfect time; the performance is just reaching its climax..."

"Your Majesty, I have come to offer you a suggestion. I have been thinking about it and have considered whether I could lead several hundred Magecraft to Tunguska to explore the mysteries of the manifestation."

"Sure."

Nicholas II sipped his drink nonchalantly, "But let's finish watching the performance first; someone's already gone."

"There's no time to lose, let's do it now."

"..."

Seeing Rasputin like this, Nicholas II laughed again.

"Did you hear what Stolypin said? Don't worry, I won't take that guy's nonsense to heart, and it won't affect our friendship in the slightest. Stolypin said I should cultivate good relations with people? That's exactly the problem. As my father said, people shouldn't love the Tsar, but fear him! The Russia people don't know how to be affectionate, they only know how to be intimidated by Violence! The reason Russia has survived these centuries is firstly through patience, secondly through timely sacrifices, and then through precise and accurate counterattacks!"

Rasputin sat motionless opposite Nicholas II, looking at the Tsar with gentle eyes. He took a sip of the wine offered to him and said kindly, "Your Majesty, I understand, but that's not why I went. Rather, I feel that if I could make contact with the mystery affecting the Clock Tower, it would be a good thing for you."

Thus, Rasputin obtained Nicholas II's permission and led hundreds of Romanov Magecraft in a hurried rush to Tunguska.

Ultimately Rasputin met with Erice and Scathach and proposed a deal.

Scathach was quite excited about the 'trade,' while Erice refused. However, since Scathach really wanted to make the deal, the two suggested that Rasputin meet with Novia so that he could make the decision. Of course, Scathach asked Erice to say that this was her own idea and had nothing to do with Scathach.

So when the two of them arrived at Rasputin, the epicenter of the Tunguska Event, they looked at the scorched earth where trees had fallen in all directions.

"This place--"

To Rasputin's astonishment, he inadvertently compared this desolate place to the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Saint Petersburg.

I initially thought it was a routine illusion created by Magecraft placed on a small local Dragon Vein, but it also seemed like it really was Cathedral. It was too disjointed, like some kind of strange illusion. However, it was true that there was a sense of peace in this desolate place. It felt like half a day would pass in the blink of an eye if I just sat here for a while.

To be fair, Rasputin was by no means a formal member of the Church, but his Faith was beyond question.

"Anyway, is that gentleman inside? I'll go in and speak with him face-to-face now."

Unbeknownst to them, Rasputin's words had become somewhat fanatical. Although they didn't know why he had suddenly become so fanatical, Scathach and Erice nodded and let him in.

Neither of them were worried that Rasputin would pose a threat to Novia, given their strength.

As soon as he stepped inside, Rasputin felt his legs go weak, and after only a few steps, he sat down on the ashes-covered ground.

"... It seems even better than the Peter and Paul Cathedral. Seriously, can Jerusalem or Rome compare to this?"

He felt more nervous than I had imagined, so much so that his strength vanished the moment he sat down on the ground.

Even now, Rasputin has not yet gotten used to this strange area.

Although he had experienced similar feelings of imprisonment in his life before, such as when he clashed with the regular Church staff in the Peter and Paul Cathedral or when he offered prayers to God in public while holding Cross, here, Rasputin felt like a true Heterodox Faith.

Although there was no tense atmosphere at all, things just wouldn't calm down.

Suddenly, he vaguely heard a voice say, "Although he carries the title of Priest, he hasn't even formally uttered a declaration, has he?"

"... Yes."

Rasputin nodded at that statement.

As expected, he saw through it.

Even though several years have passed since he left the barren Tanaka God's teachings were scarce, he still hasn't been able to overcome this problem: he hasn't accepted Church Baptism. Despite calling himself a disciple of God, he hasn't been able to join openly and proudly.

However, Rasputin immediately shook his head. Regardless, he wasn't there for that reason, so he'd put that aside for now. His immediate priority was to reach a deal and use that power to stabilize the empire.

"The Russia Empire was doomed to perish."

"... Huh?"

Rasputin blinked three times in order to process Novia's words.