The Holy Man of Another Century Gospel

Chapter 264 The Three Princes
Eric's slight indulgence the night before did not affect his plans for the next day. He woke up early the next morning and found that there was quite a commotion outside.

Looking out the window, I saw that the merchants who had stayed here the night before had already set off. Some were heading towards the border, while others had returned to the main road and were heading straight for White Horse City, the city they had come from. With people coming and going, the roads were temporarily congested.

However, this did not affect them much. Riding their horses around the blocked carriages and merchants, the group continued towards the border.

About two hours later, Eric could see the border checkpoint in the distance.

"About to arrive."

Natalia squinted and stared for a while. "We set off very early and quickly, but we didn't expect there to be so many people queuing up ahead of us."

Eric responded, his gaze sweeping to both sides.

Several military camps were stationed here, forming a continuous area, which should be the troops sent by White Horse City to defend the border.

The outer perimeter was heavily guarded, and there were faint sounds of soldiers training inside, but they couldn't be seen from the outside. Eric looked around for a while and then looked away, not intending to go over.

“That’s Sterling’s men over there,” he said to Natalia.

The latter had already noticed this, noting, "This is just one of the campsites."

"The main road extends to this point, and this should also be the most important pass."

Natalia nodded, her gaze fixed ahead.

They rushed to the border checkpoint and queued to cross the border. Because they were not carrying any goods, they used the passage that did not require inspection.

Because the group of church knights was so conspicuously identified, the border guards didn't even dare to stop them, let alone collect tolls, which meant that Eric and Natalia crossed the border without any ceremony.

The latter, in particular, was leaving the Empire for the first time—not counting the chance encounter at the Black Ice Wall where he went down to the other side of the wall.

“We are already within the territory of the Kingdom of Arsha,” Eric said.

"Ah." Natalia pulled back, glanced back, then looked ahead. "Isn't there another checkpoint over there?"

"Anyway, I've gone abroad," Eric said, changing his approach.

Natalia looked back at the checkpoint behind her homeland, where the guards stared blankly at their large group.

Continuing onward, they arrived at another checkpoint. The border guards of Arsha also did not dare to charge the church knights a toll, but they still stopped them and asked about their destination.

“The southern kingdoms,” Eric said without dismounting, “are merely passing through your territory.”

The captain of the guard, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, glanced at his attire and then at the group of church knights following behind him. "Who are you...?"

“A bit more advanced than them,” Eric said.

The guard captain didn't dare ask any more questions and quickly let them pass.

“From now on, my identity is meaningless,” Natalia said softly. “From now on, I will have to rely on Her Highness the Saintess.”

Eric laughed, "I don't believe the Arsairs would dare to disrespect the Empire's Grand Princess."

“There are still some differences.” Natalia shook her head. “Her status as a saintess is different. I’m starting to understand the mindset of the pre-war papacy now. Only your Yela Church has ever been able to expand the church’s influence to such an extent.”

"In the end, it's all about leveraging existing power. Whenever the Vatican tries to do things on its own, it's always swiftly extinguished."

Eric paused, looking ahead, "The Arsair have indeed deployed a considerable number of troops along the border."

Natalia followed his gaze and saw the camp of the Arsha army not far away.

"Should we go there first, or go directly to the capital of Arsha?"

“Let’s go straight to the capital,” Eric said. “These people are just following orders; what’s the point of seeing them?”

Natalia nodded, then asked, "Does Your Highness know the way?"

Eric recalled the map of Arsha from "The Thorn Soul Crown" in his mind. "You recognize it, right?"

However, he only vaguely remembered that when he reached an unclear intersection, if there were no road signs, he would still have to stop and ask the locals or the merchants on the road.

Thanks to the construction efforts of the Hero King, Hero Avenue has been extended to Arsha. The road is wide and smooth, and there are quite a lot of pedestrians and vehicles coming and going.

"Excuse me, how do I get to the capital?"

"Hmm? Take the left at the next intersection. Look at those carriages, they're mostly going to the capital, just follow them."

Eric thanked him, and the merchant he had asked for directions only then noticed the large group of people following behind him, his eyes glazing over.

The Kingdom of Arsha was originally a province of the Delan Empire. Its territory was much larger than Kogano and about the same size as Dorne. The capital was located in the center of the kingdom, and it took two days to get there from the border.

Asking for directions as they went, Eric and his party arrived safely in the capital of Arsha, Sakanran, two days later.

The atmosphere here is quite tense.

The city gate guards were fully armed and questioned everyone who tried to enter the city. Even when facing church knights, they only showed a little more respect during the questioning.

“It seems the old king is really going to die,” Eric whispered to Natalia outside the city gate.

Natalia nodded, her gaze falling on the city gate guards who were questioning the knights ahead. Suddenly, she looked at them and then walked over.

"Are you Her Highness the Saintess?" The guard stopped in front of Eric's horse and asked respectfully.

Eric nodded without saying another word.

"I apologize for taking up Your Highness's time. You and your knight may enter the city now. We will send someone to escort you to the Royal Cathedral."

Eric then responded.

The royal guards led the way, with church knights escorting them from the front and back. Eric and Natalia rode on horseback, entering the city amidst the bewildered gazes of the capital's residents, until they arrived at the Royal Cathedral.

The leading knight went in to report, and a short while later, the bewildered Archbishop of the capital rushed out of the church to greet Her Highness the Saint.

"Your Highness, I had no idea you had come to Sakamran. Please forgive me for not welcoming you properly."

“Archbishop Burgess, please don’t worry about it. It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

Eric looked at the old man in front of him. Because the journey from Arsha to the Holy Capital was long and the Archbishop did not have many opportunities to return to the Holy Capital, he was not familiar with him, but he had met him once or twice.

"You came from White Horse City?" Burgess asked.

“That’s right. Arsha and Cogano are currently at a standoff on the border, and I want to meet with the Arsha royal family to clear up any misunderstandings as soon as possible.” Eric didn’t beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly, “Could the Archbishop arrange this for me?”

"As expected of Her Highness the Holy Maiden!"

Whether it was genuine or flattery, the old man's face was radiant with emotion, which seemed real. "I'll have someone make arrangements immediately, and I believe there will be a result soon. Until then..."

They were received there and stayed at the Royal Monastery behind the cathedral.

According to the archbishop, the room Eric is currently staying in is the same room that the previous saint stayed in more than 20 years ago when she was invited to come.

“Speaking of which, my uncle visited her more than twenty years ago when the old saintess visited here,” Eric said to Natalia and Kasha when only his own people were left in the room.

"Here?" Natalia asked, somewhat surprised.

“Yes.” Eric nodded. “My uncle was still working as a ranger back then.”

He thought for a moment, "His friendship with Prince Arsha probably began around that time."

"Will this friendship, which has lasted for more than twenty years, make that future king trust Your Highness more?" Natalia looked at him.

Eric paused for a moment, then pursed his lips. "Who knows? His trust in his uncle might not extend to me, let alone the Governor of Cogano, with whom there has been constant border friction."

After spending a short time in his room, Natalia and Kasha returned to their respective rooms.

As the Grand Princess of the Empire, Natalia naturally received preferential treatment; her room was right next door, and the room was of a very high standard.

At Eric's request, Kasha's room was also arranged next door.

After waiting for half the morning, Eric finally received a message that the Arsha royal family had received news of the saint's arrival in the capital, and that the eldest prince, Alaric, would personally come to visit.

"What time?"

"Before noon."

“Alright.” Eric glanced at the wall clock. “Don’t keep me waiting too long.” The monk who came to announce the arrival left quickly, and Eric didn’t stay in the room any longer. Instead, he called Natalia and Kasha, and they took a walk around the monastery.

There was a bell tower in the monastery, and a viewing platform at the top. The three of them climbed up the platform and looked out over the entire capital. After scanning around, their gazes were finally drawn to the royal palace in the center of the capital.

“It looks only slightly larger than the governor’s mansion,” Natalia said. “It’s probably not even as luxurious as the governor’s mansion in Westwind City.”

“Arsha is good at military affairs, but his financial resources are just average. He probably just converted the former governor's residence into a royal palace.” Eric looked towards the royal palace and then scanned the streets below.

"Has Your Highness noticed that there are quite a few soldiers patrolling the streets?"

"I saw it on the way here; the atmosphere in the city is very tense."

Natalia looked down at the crowd and said, "With the old king dead, the eldest prince's ascension to the throne is a foregone conclusion. Could there be any unforeseen changes?"

“They might be afraid we Imperials will come and cause trouble,” Eric said.

Natalia sneered.

Kasha was leaning on the railing of the observation deck when, at one moment, she suddenly leaned forward, only to be pulled back by Eric. Natalia gasped in shock.

"If you want to fly, change your appearance first, don't make it so scary."

Kasha smiled at him, then transformed into an owl and glided down from the tower.

Natalia followed the druid as he flew away and casually remarked, "Your Highness should remind Miss Kasha not to fly towards the palace. It would be troublesome if it caused any misunderstandings."

"She'll be careful..."

Eric looked towards the palace, his gaze drifting downwards before suddenly freezing, then he turned and left the observation deck.

"We should go down now."

Natalia also saw a procession of carriages emerging from the palace and approaching in their direction.

The two descended from the bell tower and returned to their room. Shortly afterward, a monk came to inform them that the eldest prince had arrived outside the monastery.

"It doesn't seem quite right to have him come here to see us directly..."

Eric looked at Natalia, who nodded, and then said, "Let's find an empty auditorium."

So, the two waited for Alaric, the eldest prince of the Kingdom of Arsha, in one of the chapels of the cathedral.

The three princes meet here.

"Your Highness, Your Highness the Grand Princess of the Empire, Alaric of the Arsha royal family sends his greetings."

Alaric bowed to both of them, because the saintess was a man, and their identities were easily distinguishable even though it was their first meeting.

Eric bowed slightly in response, his gaze lingering briefly on the eldest prince's face.

He was around forty years old, with short hair and a beard, a robust physique, and a shrewd and capable appearance.

Perhaps because his memories of his past life were too distant, Eric felt that the Alaric in front of him was much younger than he remembered, even though, chronologically, there was only a few years between them.

After exchanging a few pleasantries and mentioning Edgar, Alaric formally inquired about their purpose.

"Your Highness and I were merely passing through; our original destination was the southern kingdoms."

Eric looked at him. "But our last stop was White Horse City, where we met with Governor Sterling of Cogano, who mentioned the current tensions on the border between the Empire and Arsha."

Alaric remained expressionless. "So, Your Highness is here on behalf of Sterling to persuade us to surrender?"

“I never intended to,” Eric said, glancing at Natalia beside him. “Neither does Your Highness. To be precise, we are here to seek a peaceful resolution to the border crisis.”

Alaric just watched them.

Eric continued, "Even though the two countries are currently at odds on the border, I think the eldest prince should understand that the greatest threat to humanity comes from the demons in the north."

“I cannot deny it,” Alaric nodded. “I have long heard of the valiant deeds of the two princes on the battlefield. Although you are young, you are true heroes.”

Eric smiled. "Would the eldest prince believe me? The entire empire, including Kogano, is currently focused on resisting and even expelling the demons, not on invading other human kingdoms to the south."

"I'm more willing to believe what I see."

Alaric looked at him. "Your Highness came from the border and must have seen the Imperial army arrayed on the border of Arsha. Could the demons emerge from our Arsha?"

“Governor Sterling told us that it was your country that first sent its army to the border,” Natalia said. “The merchants and adventurers we’ve met along the way have also told us the same thing.”

"—Not the army, but Her Highness the Grand Princess of the Empire."

Alaric looked at her again, “Your Highnesses should already know about my father’s health condition. In order to avoid the chaos during the power transition from becoming an opportunity for the North to take advantage of, I only sent a small force to the border as a precaution. But Sterling’s reaction was to send the entire army of Cogano to the border!”

He spread his hands, "The situation that Your Highnesses are seeing now is only because I have no other choice."

"Clearly, this is a misunderstanding that has been wrongly fermented based on long-standing suspicion and hostility between us."

Eric looked at the eldest prince, who was of the same generation as his uncle, and said, "You must also be able to see this, but you just lack the opportunity to take a step back."

“The only opportunity can come from the actual situation at the border. I cannot allow our border to fall into emptiness based solely on Your Highness’s words.” Alaric looked at him as well. “Even though I am very willing to believe in both Your Highnesses.”

Eric and Natalia exchanged a glance and nodded. Natalia then spoke up, "I am willing to write to Governor Sterling and ask him to make concessions. I also urge Your Highness not to hesitate to show your sincerity and to respond."

“If Sterling withdraws a squad, I will withdraw a squad; if he withdraws a company, I will withdraw a company; if he withdraws a legion, Arsha’s legion will return to its original position,” Alaric said.

Both of them smiled.

"I think this is an outcome that both sides would like to see."

The eldest prince sighed, "A misunderstanding escalating to this point is also a huge pressure for me, but I can't gamble Arsha's fate on the Empire's sincerity."

“Communication between us is very important,” Eric said.

“The severing of ties with Cogano is something that happened in the previous generation.”

Alaric shook his head. "I have no intention of determining whose fault it was, but a conflict decades ago killed many people on both sides, and communication was cut off ever since."

"Perhaps now is the best time to resume communication."

Natalia spoke up, "We will take care of the main communication in the early stages, but after the necessary aspects are settled, Your Highness might be able to write a letter to Governor Sterling in person?"

Alaric nodded slowly. "I'll consider it."

The negotiations went smoothly, and the three had a pleasant conversation. At the end of the conversation, the eldest prince invited the two to visit the palace and to pay their respects to the old king who was nearing the end of his life.

"My father would be very happy if he knew that Her Highness the Holy Maiden was coming to visit him."

Eric had no reason to refuse, and Natalia agreed. They arranged to enter the palace the next morning.

Before leaving, Alaric asked one last question.

"I've heard quite a bit about your journey, Your Highnesses. You've been to the southern kingdoms, presumably to seek their aid?"

The two nodded.

Alaric's gaze swept over the two faces. "Then why skipped Arsha?"

Natalia looked at Eric, and the eldest prince, realizing this was probably what he meant, looked at him in return.

why?
Because I already knew you were stingy...

Eric smiled. "If the Crown Prince is willing, would we refuse? However, as I just said, Arsha is about to undergo a power transition, and His Highness may not have the time to support the North. We don't mind waiting a little longer."

Alaric smiled and nodded, but in the end he didn't say how long the wait would take.

After seeing him off, Natalia returned to her room and immediately drafted a letter to Sterling.

Having planned ahead, the letter was written quickly. Eric read it once and, finding no problems, instructed the church messenger to send it out as soon as possible.

White wings took flight into the sky, and Eric's gaze followed them upwards.

"It looks like we'll be staying in Arsha for a few more days."

(End of this chapter)