The Max Level Hero Has Returned!
chapter-358

There was no need to confirm the specific location and manner in which Davey's magic was manifesting.

Boom!

"Oh, we're in trouble! Your Majesty! We've detected massive mana in the..." One of the priests who had noticed the magic cast in the sky rushed in and widened his eyes upon spotting Davey.

[Sleep]

Thud…

Davey believed that senseless killing was unnecessary.

"I merely put him to sleep," Davey said as he withdrew his hand after reaching out to the collapsed priest.

Except for Lena, both the Pope and Alice quickly grasped the absurdity of this act. For every magician, an incantation was required to cast even a low-ranking magic spell. It was beyond ridiculous for someone like Davey, known for defying common sense, to cast a spell so quickly and forcefully that a high-ranking priest couldn't even notice it. This only made Alice more nervous.

"Sister Alice... No, Archbishop."

"Your Majesty, please entrust this matter to me," Alice said, her face wearing a bitter expression as she quietly bowed her head.

"Alice, it's a bit regretful to see you in this situation again."

"That's true. Ideally, I should be leaving to become a professor in charge of academic affairs at the Academy."

"That offer is still valid, as long as you're sure that you're not involved in this commotion."

Upon hearing Davey’s words, Alice became anxious. The implication was clear: if she had any involvement in the disturbance, she wouldn't be let off easily.

On the contrary, Alice felt a bit puzzled. Prince Davey had an extremely unsaintly and ferocious temperament. He was greedy and very single-minded. However, he was also very rational. He adhered to an incredibly simple principle: if you did well, you would be rewarded, but if you did wrong, you would be punished.

Why, then, did he force his way here and start this show of force without any consultation or reasonable assessment of the situation? This was not just a show of force; it was almost a threat.

"Don't worry. I'm aware that the Church and the Heresy Tribunal have been in conflict for a long time," Alice responded.

‘The entire church wouldn't suddenly stab me in the back, would they? Unless there's a divine decree or something. The leaders of the church aren't insane enough to barge in without any procedure, especially when facing an opponent who is not a commoner but a powerful force on the continent. Even the church would be careful when dealing with the Lord of Heins territory, a major trading partner. It's just a small territory, but every major nation considers Heins a more significant threat than the Rowane Kingdom,’ Alice thought.

"This is purely the Heresy Tribunal's arbitrary decision," Alice added.

The Heresy Tribunal was a real nuisance. They couldn't be discarded, but their madness exceeded the normal level.

"Well, nevertheless, there are quite a few people in the Church who benefit from their power."

‘Why else would the blood-soaked Heresy Tribunal still exist? Just for their mission? Unlikely,’ Alice thought.

"Davey! It's been a long time! This is the first time we've met since our encounter in the Pallan Empire!"

Lena, the Saintess Candidate whose mind was filled with flowers and who embraced kindness to the core, appeared genuinely pleased to see Davey. She had been exceptionally friendly toward Davey from their initial meeting.

As Lena moved to approach him, Alice quickly grabbed her and whispered in her ear, "Please, stay still for a moment."

Someone needed to assess the situation and determine what to do, but Lena, lost in her flowery world, seemed unconcerned about that. More importantly, Davey, who was currently smiling, appeared even more unsettling to Alice than before. His physical appearance had changed, but that distinct eerie aura remained.

"That's right, Saintess Candidate Lena. I heard the news. You've been chosen as the final candidate."

"Ehehe... That's too kind," Lena said, placing her hands on her shoulders and looking innocently pleased, like a child.

From the start, Lena had no interest in political fights. She was just incredibly kind and naive. Davey's icy smile slightly softened at her smile. Alice did not miss this opportunity.

"I heard the news. The Heresy Tribunal apparently received a divine message and conducted a rough investigation on your territory," Alice said.

"Well, it happened."

Who would threaten a nation just because they underwent an investigation?

"I deeply regret that. However, please understand that this was not the official stance of the Holy Empire. I swear to God, neither the Pope, nor Lena here, nor myself had any knowledge of it."

"If you swear, well, I still have to do what I have to do."

Speaking flatly, Davey pushed his hand into thin air while sitting. A large staff was drawn into his hand.

"Grow!"

Wooong!

Something invisible changed once again. Alice sharply sensed massive clumps of mana hanging in the sky, which began to condense like a large meteor.

"It's not the first time the Heresy Tribunal has conducted such a forceful investigation because they received a divine message. I understand that. But here's the thing."

‘They crossed the line without any fear,’ Davey thought.

"If there's no guilt, there's no problem. The intention is good. But the process was a bit rough, so my people got hurt," Davey added.

‘I've heard that the Heresy Tribunal is often used in the Holy Empire to deal with corrupt clergy or to wield power,’ Davey thought.

"Firstly, calm down, Prince Davey. It doesn't do any good for both of us if the conflict with the Holy Empire deepens," Alice hurriedly tried to calm him down but then abruptly shut her mouth, realizing her verbal mistake.

"Doesn't do any good..."

Bang!!

"It's a disaster! Your Majesty! In the Heins territory…!”

Thud!

The second cleric fell.

"Are you curious what that cleric was trying to say?"

"..."

"Heins territory has severed all trade with the Holy Empire. We have also ceased all donations that we used to provide."

The amount of donations was so substantial that the Holy Empire had initiated a new mission project. Upon hearing this, Alice's vision darkened.

Indeed, Heins territory was amassing wealth far beyond what a single territory could generate. The Moon Pull project, which facilitated trade between the elves and dwarves...

The Holy Empire, which used to receive modest donations from each territory, suddenly acquired a large sum of money thanks to Heins territory and eagerly embarked on a new mission project.

"And then, some accursed Paladins invaded the investor's house, assaulting and threatening the investor's family?"

‘What should be done in this case? Should the investment be recovered?’ Davey thought.

"First of all, the trade with the Holy Empire is over, and no more donations will be given."

If another territory had made this decision, it would have been in great trouble.

"If you don't like our decision," Davey murmured flatly, his eyes flashing. At the same time, the bright outdoors started to darken. He then added, "It looks like it's going to rain."

Drop…Drop…Thump…Whooosh!

As he spoke, an untimely downpour began.

Alice rushed out with a pale face and cried, "Please calm down first!"

"That's not a very good answer."

Roar!

Suddenly, a thunderstorm erupted. It was not a mere coincidence of a natural phenomenon. The aura emanating from Davey's entire body was far from ordinary.

Roar!

Crash!

"Oops, my bad."

And then, as if to make that threat a reality, a sudden bolt of lightning illuminated a stronger force.

"Kyah!" Lena screamed, her eyes wide open, and asked, "Are you angry, Prince Davey? That's not good... Your face is so pretty..."

How should he respond to her innocent concern? As Davey's smile subtly grew colder, Alice panicked and abruptly intervened.

‘This crazy flower garden for real!’

"I understand! We will take the issues you've raised into consideration! You can cease the trade as you wish! But no war! Absolutely not! This is not solely a problem between you and the Holy Empire!"

At Alice’s desperate cry, Davey nodded quietly. "Do you think I came here to start a war when we have the continental war prohibition treaty? I came only to notify you."

‘Since when did you care about that? You even shook the Hyeon Empire upside down.’ These words remained unspoken on Alice's lips.

Alice knew. She knew what Davey, who was aggressive and uncontrollably fierce, had done in the Hyeon Empire where his younger sister had been treated unfairly.

"If you can identify those responsible for the misconduct in the Heins territory, there won't be a problem."

"Give me just one month. I will resolve this situation within a month. Even though you're Prince Davey, it is the Holy Empire that should intervene in this matter, not you. I believe you are well aware that doing so will not benefit your reputation."

At that, Davey grinned. "Alright then. Archbishop Alice seems willing to help, and it wouldn't be good to become too enraged. However, a month is too long. Let's make it three days."

"T-Three days?! No way! The Heresy Tribunal is an independent body from the leaders of our Holy Empire! We do not influence each other! Three days is too short! At least two weeks..."

"Three days."

"Prince Davey! How can you resolve something that normally takes thirty days in just three days?!"

"Three days."

Roar!!!

As if time was running out, the magic slowly started to rumble.

"I'm going crazy! Really!! One week!"

"Three days."

"..."

Seeing Davey's unyielding stance, Alice looked at the Pope as if she had walked into a trap. The Pope shook his head slightly.

"Okay. Three days... But promise me you won't intervene."

Observing her grumbling acceptance, Davey grinned. Simultaneously, the thunderclouds outside vanished completely, and the magic dissipated as if it had never existed.

"Well..."

"Well, it's true that three days is too short," Davey replied.

"...What will it take for you to extend the deadline?" Despite knowing she was being manipulated, Alice still made the suggestion.

Since the Heresy Tribunal, a faction of the Holy Empire, had caused this chaos, there was no point in complaining about being dragged along.

'Ah... Ahhh!! Damn fanatics!!'

While cursing the fanatics in the Heresy Tribunal inwardly, Alice maintained her benevolent smile on the outside and asked,"Within reasonable means..."

"Please store this in the sanctuary. Then I'll extend the deadline to about a week."

Seeing the black stone that Davey was holding, Alice's eyes narrowed. "What is...that?"

"It's an enhancement item for my hobby. It's valuable since I obtained it with difficulty and it's not available elsewhere now."

‘My projects have been advancing slowly these days. With this, I think I can create unique pieces that further surpass the boundaries,’ Davey thought.

At that, Alice thought, ‘What does this man think the Holy Empire is, really?’