The carriage was moving neither fast nor slow. One could see the people inside were not to be trifled with and they were surely people of high status.
Finally, Leon and the rest saw the carriage stop in front of them. Escorted by his knights, Crown Prince Ranon got off from the carriage.
He was clad in a princely white suit with intricate embroideries of silver and gold, agreeing with the theme of the temple. His countenance is that of an amicable yet cunning prince, but his beauty is quite dangerously poisonous.
His purple eyes scanned the crowd and finally landed on High Priest Enoch who was leading the receiving party.
"Greetings Crown Prince Ranon, Envoy of the Pope from the Main Temple." High Priest Enoch immediately approached and greeted him according to the Temple's etiquette.
"Greetings, Esteemed High Priest. While I have been in the Empire for quite a while, it feels different to wear a different identity today…So please do me a favor and treat me as you have been treating me before. I am just here to carry out specific activities as asked by the Pope."
Crown Prince Ranon flashed an angelic smile, making everyone have the impression that he was the kind of prince whom the people love.
With his approachable demeanor and seemingly humble approach, the people around them have an impression that he had a good personality which is why the Pope chose him regardless of his status as a nonmember of the Temple.
Kazimir and Antoine looked like they were also interested in Crown Prince Ranon's personality.
However, Leon's expression remained unchanged but a tinge of coldness aroused in his heart. He could see the smugness behind the Crown Prince's expression and tone, it was subtle and hard to figure out.
For him who grew up on a battlefield dealing with cunning enemies and betrayals, he could see it clearly.
High Priest Enoch maintained a calm and cordial expression before gesturing for Crown Prince Ranon and his entourage to enter the temple's reception hall.
"I know that you are tired on the journey, let the knights escort you to your respective quarters to rest while the luncheon is being prepared."
Since he was an envoy in the temple, his quarters are naturally in the Temple, something that makes High Priest Enoch nervous. And so in order to ensure that none of the things pertaining to Eli and the research done inside the temple is leaked, he had Mishael and the rest clear out any traces of these.
After all, what was reported was already on the Pope's side.
"Surely…" Crown Prince Ranon seemed to have expected that he would be staying in the temple instead of a bedroom in the palace and so he only smiled and followed the temple knights.
While they were on the way to the quarters, Leon and the rest of the officials then proceeded to the dining hall to ensure that everything was prepared. The luncheon was sponsored by the Imperial Family to express the intent to sincerely welcome the envoys from the Temple.
Along the course of getting busy, Leon kept thinking about the members of the Crown Prince's entourage. None of them seems to have traces of curse magic according to the detectors and even Baobao who was hiding his presence somewhere in the Temple.
Could it be that the Crown Prince is really clean and unaware of the matters that the Pope has been involved with?
Leon could not rest assured, because the people detected by Baobao during the Grand Tournament did not yet show themselves. Besides, the timelines where the Crown Prince is present also coincide with those people.
Thus for Leon and the team, Crown Prince Ranon is highly suspicious.
Soon the dining hall was ready and Crown Prince Ranon was then escorted to the main hall. With the officials and the Three Princes representing the Emperor, the first meal went smooth sailing and uneventful.
During this time, the Temple, the Imperial Family, and the Envoy finalized the activities to be done for the next few days prior to the transportation of the prisoners to the holy island.
"Tomorrow, the Emperor and a few leaders from the Green Wave Government will have an audience with you. His Majesty Emperor also looked forward to your coming and so I believe that you will have a pleasant time tomorrow."
Second Prince Antoine led the talking to the Crown Prince.
It was so because among the three his strength lies in engaging with people and diplomats.
Crown Prince Ranon's eyes flashed in subtle surprise. He did not expect that this event would cause the non-human community to pay attention. He decided to be more careful and watchful as to the intent of this new player.
After all, they are set to target Seirende, because they know that in their current status, they can face them alone. But if the third great continent will join the farce, they might have a hard time.
None but Leon caught this reaction and took note of it. It seems that Crown Prince Ranon really had a different motive for being an envoy of the Main Temple.
"That is good to hear then! It is a great honor to meet not only His Majesty Emperor but the Excellencies of the Great Green Wave Continent! I look forward to meeting them…"
Crown Prince Ranon smiled and raised his hands to a toast, acting as if the matter of meeting the greatest leaders doesn't faze him at all.
Then his eyes looked at Kazimir who was calmly eating his food while also occasionally socializing with the men at the table.
"Now that I remember, Your Highness, First Prince Kazimir, are you sure you are fine with joining us to visit the court of sinners on the third day? I heard that the main culprits were your maternal family, and your mother was the one leading the rebellion..."
Crown Prince Ranon asked with a smile and expression that looked sincerely worried and innocent.
"Sigh… If I were in your situation, I would have no face to show the people anymore. I would run to a faraway place leaving my title behind…" As if his comment could not be any more insensitive, he continued.
If Eli was here she would have rolled her eyes at the Crown Prince's clumsy acting. He was like the male version of a white lotus, which was a common act for females.
But with the hall full of rigid and cunning men, his words triggered an awkward and stifled silence. His question was borderline insulting to the First Prince and the Empire.
The officials dared not to show displease towards the Crown Prince however they could not help but look at him negatively. As expected to the people of the Vanderford Continent! They could not help but hate the Vanderfords guts.
Leon and Antoine however, did not mask their displease towards the Crown Prince's question. Yes, the siblings were not that close because of their past upbringing, however, now that they started to slowly restore their familial relationship, they could not help but become angry with Kazimir.
Besides, they knew how Kazimir's spirit and will to live almost vanished due to the deep pain caused by the betrayal of the people he trusted and looked up to since he was a child.
"Crown Prince you…" Antoine was about to retaliate and tell Crown Prince Ranon off, but Kazimir signaled him to pause and let him speak.
All the men in the room looked at Kazimir.
Some held their breaths praying that whatever the First Prince answered will not further displease both parties.
Others put down their glasses and utensils, ready to back Kazimir up anytime a fight ensued. Of course, one of those men is Leon.
Feeling the subtle expression of support from his siblings, Kazimir glanced with an assuring look before he opened his mouth to speak.
"Well… I am quite honored that Crown Prince Ranon is concerned about my well-being. But rest assured that my heart and mind are at peace because I know that I chose to stand on the righteous side.
Besides, the Empire of Seirende always values people who are firm in their righteous choices.
From the founding of this empire, up to this day and age, the Imperial Family does not blindly look at people's family backgrounds or history in order to obtain merits.
Because if not, then there would not be one aristocratic family existing in this land. As a direct descendant of the Vanderford, I have faith that you remember this fact very well, Crown Prince."
Kazimir lifted his wine glass and gestured a toast in Crown Prince Ranon's direction, nonchalantly sipping the wine under his calm expression.
Leon, Kazimir, and the rest of the officials wanted to clap at Kazimir's reply.
Everyone in the room knew about the history of the founding of the Empire.
Especially the fact that the First Victor allowed the citizens and former officials of the invaded families to regain their status as long as they contributed to the betterment of the Empire.
What's more, it was this very same principle that the entire Vanderford continent was awarded to Crown Prince Ranon's former commoner ancestor as the loyal right-hand man of the First Victor.
Not only was it polite and diplomatic, but it was also equally venomous as well!
