I arrived at the palace cathedral wearing high-quality clothes, though without any decorative elements for worship.
It seems Terry asked Father for permission to visit, noticing that I had never been here before!
However, since it's reserved exclusively for the imperial family, it seems those who don't want to treat me as a prince caused some obstruction.
Then, when the Consort heard about it from Terry and learned that I had never been to the right wing building, she also supported Father.
And there, I heard that unexpected reinforcements came.
Apparently, the bishop serving the palace cathedral requested that I come to worship.
They say it's problematic that despite living here so long, I've never greeted God even once—some religious fixation that I don't really understand.
Bishops are people involved in politics too, but after various schemes, the adults reached a compromise, and I ended up visiting today.
"I don't like this place."
"Me too..."
The usually energetic twins are low in spirits.
Probably because they have to behave themselves.
"It's my first time. I'm worried about getting scolded. I'd be happy if you two taught me."
"Really?"
"We'll teach you!"
When I spoke as if testing the waters, they perked up.
It's cute how they get energetic when relied upon.
As I was thinking that, Terry raised a finger toward me and the twins.
"No loud voices either."
"Is that so? I'll be careful."
It was a warning for the twins, but I accepted it and shielded them.
Then the twins covered their mouths with the same pose and nodded.
So cute! Including Terry who acts like an older brother.
"Welcome, Your Highnesses."
At the boundary between the corridor from the palace interior to the cathedral, people wearing what seemed to be priestly robes—or rather, white clothes—were waiting.
"I am Tardare Riek Weterai Edan, who shall be your guide today. Please treat me favorably on this occasion."
The one who announced his long name with a smile was looking only at Terry.
Clearly ambitious for power, it seems.
The other person, probably of similar high rank, was curt.
But his eyes were wandering rudely.
"I am Litrionas Iver Aisort Edenbar."
Neither was a bishop, but perhaps they were bishop candidates who might become bishops during Terry's generation.
I don't really like either of them.
I have my thoughts, but I'll quietly start the tour.
Can't judge based on first impressions alone, after all.
We first ascended from the second floor section connected to the palace to the corridor near the ceiling, which corresponds to the third floor.
The cathedral is a religious architecture with a single floor layer pierced by a high ceiling.
It's a corner of the building forming the right wing of the palace, but here the structure is clearly different.
And if you climb the stairs, you reach a corridor where you can view the magnificent ceiling painting up close.
"'This scene depicts the famous Rebirth of God, created by the master artisan...'"
Yeah, I don't know about it even after the explanation, and I'm not very interested.
Tardare is speaking enthusiastically and presenting, but it seems to go in one ear and out the other.
Somehow listening, I understood that in the empire's history, as a result of overlapping other races' histories and beliefs, it seems to be a Roman mythology-style god.
In other words, the gods of lands and cultures subjugated under its rule are treated as lesser gods, while the main god worshipped in the empire keeps increasing in authority, causing power inflation.
In my previous life, Apollo and Hermes had inflated and gained too many attributes.
Here, the empire's main god is like that.
Since [the god] governs too many things and in too much detail, unless you have a specific request, it seems best to just worship the main god.
"Then let us descend and worship."
After the long speech, we finally entered the cathedral proper.
We descended the stairs while praising the twins for not fussing.
And when I set foot on the cathedral floor, I realized anew how large the building was.
I see, the reason we went from above was to impress upon us this grandeur that feels almost oppressive.
Even Terry, who should have been here before, was looking up at the ceiling painting with his mouth open.
It seems this Tardare understands how to put on a show.
"Guards, from here on is sacred ground. Please refrain from wearing swords."
Litrionas, the unsociable one, blocked the path of Icto and the other guards to say this.
"We should have permission for today's worship, should we not?"
"I have not heard of it. Above all, before God all men are equal. Even if you are the Prince's guards, we cannot make exceptions."
Litrionas repeated his demand to disarm.
The guards seemed to have obtained permission, but Tardare also says he knows nothing of it.
"...It cannot be helped."
"Then the guards will wait here, eh?"
Litrionas, who seemed to expect them to wait without removing their swords, stared wide-eyed as Icto quickly removed his sword along with its belt.
Seeing that, Terry's guards also all reached for their belts.
"Ah, one person should stay to watch the swords. There might be pranksters, and it would be dangerous if small children became interested."
In short, to protect the twins and prevent anyone from doing harm to Icto.
At my words, Icto silently designated the one who had been slowest to remove his belt.
Among the guards assigned one per prince, three accompanied us unarmed, while one waited holding the swords.
We headed toward the deepest part of the cathedral.
The cathedral, with stained glass decorating its stone walls, was dim yet sparkling with dancing light.
Before the divine statue, an altar decorated with gold-threaded cloth and magnificent candlesticks were placed.
"Then let us all worship."
Tardare went to a place like a music stand in front of the altar.
And before the altar, four cushions were lined up on a carpet laid out for us.
They were for kneeling and bowing our heads in prayer.
It seemed Tardare would read the liturgy in time with our prayers.
(The procedure isn't complicated, and I probably won't make any mistakes, but somehow I feel nervous.)
(Sensation detected. Armed group discovered.)
I stopped my foot that was about to step forward and swayed my body.
"Prince Asha?"
"...Sorry, Icto. My clothes seem to have shifted a bit, so I want you to look. Terry and the others, wait a moment too. Let's go to the shadow of that pillar over there."
I revealed that there was nothing wrong with my chest that I had been hiding.
Icto made a stern face, but didn't commit the blunder of raising his voice.
"Do you know the numbers?"
"...Ten closest. Others scattered, but twenty more."
Even hearing from Sephira, it's a number that four guards cannot defeat.
"I alone cannot handle it. Is there a possibility that armed group is the guard?"
"...Doesn't seem so. Different clothing. All wearing white tunics with red trim and hooded mantles."
"That is the uniform of the knightly order tasked with protecting the church. However, according to the arrangements I heard from Count Strategos, there should not have been thirty knights today."
What is conceivable is something Icto was not informed of.
But if Count Strategos were to do it, he would openly increase the guard, and moreover, this is inside the palace.
We don't need thirty people just to worship.
"I'm also concerned about the communication failure regarding bearing swords. Let us confirm with the Second Prince's guards."
When I nodded, Icto raised his hand toward Terry's guards.
"Sorry. I don't understand the construction of the clothes well. Help me."
"Go."
Told even by Terry, one guard reluctantly came over.
But when I was fine, he tilted his head.
"Don't raise your voice. The church's knightly order is deployed in an armed state. Any idea why?"
"N... no."
The guard who was about to raise his voice endured it while being glared at by Icto.
"It's unsettling that we don't know their target. It's dangerous for all four of us to worship together and create a large opening. And the one likely to be targeted is me. I'll worship alone first. Keep watch on the surroundings."
At my pointing out, Terry's guard nodded with a tense expression.
Icto made a sour face, but I pretended not to notice and walked out from the shadow of the pillar.
Regular updates
Next: The Younger Brother's Heart, the Older Brother Knows Not 4
Wait, I need to check the last part again. The user included the "定期更新" and "次回" lines which are meta commentary. I should translate them as they are part of the text provided.
Also, I need to make sure the tone is consistent. The narrator is observant, somewhat detached but caring about the twins and Terry. The guards are professional. The priests are politically motivated.
One check: "セフィラ" - in the text it's written in katakana. It seems to be an ability or a voice in the narrator's head. "Sephira" or "Sefira" - I'll use Sephira.
"イクト" - Ikuto or Icto? I'll use Icto for a more fantasy feel, or Ikuto. Actually, looking at the pattern, these seem like fantasy names. I'll use "Icto".
"ターダレ・リーエク・ウェターイー・イーダン" - Tardare Riek Weterai Edan. This is a long fantasy name. I'll keep it as is.
"リトリオマス・イーヴァー・アイソート・エデンバル" - Litrionas Iver Aisort Edenbar.
"ストラテーグ侯爵" - Count Strategos (Strategos is a military title, but here it's part of the name/title).
"アーシャ殿下" - Prince Asha.
"双子" - the twins.
The text seems to be from a web novel, given the "Regular updates" and "Next time" at the end.
I should ensure the martial arts/cultivation terminology fits, though this seems more like a Western-style fantasy with a Japanese protagonist (isekai?). The "previous life" mention confirms isekai/reincarnation elements.
The translation should be smooth and natural while keeping the Japanese narrative structure (which is somewhat loose and conversational).
Final check on specific phrases:
- "貫頭衣" - kanzukuri? No, "貫頭衣" is a specific type of clothing, often translated as "tunic" or "poncho-like garment". Given the "white with red trim" description, I'll use "tunics".
- "帯剣" - wearing/bearing swords.
- "殿下方" - Your Highnesses (plural) or Your Highness. Given Terry is there too, likely plural.
- "演出" - direction/presentation/staging.
- "セフィラ" - Sephira (seems to be a detection ability).
The text is ready for translation. I arrived at the palace cathedral wearing high-quality clothes, though without any decorative elements for worship.
It seems Terry asked Father for permission to visit, noticing that I had never been here before!
However, since it's reserved exclusively for the imperial family, it seems those who didn't want to treat me as a prince caused some obstruction.
Then, when the Consort heard about it from Terry and learned that I had never been to the right wing building, she also supported Father.
And there, I heard that unexpected reinforcements came.
Apparently, the bishop serving the palace cathedral requested that I come to worship.
They say it's problematic that despite living here so long, I've never greeted God even once—some religious fixation that I don't really understand.
Bishops are people involved in politics too, but after various schemes, the adults reached a compromise, and I ended up visiting today.
"I don't like this place."
"Me too..."
The usually energetic twins are low in spirits.
Probably because they have to behave themselves.
"It's my first time. I'm worried about getting scolded. I'd be happy if you two taught me."
"Really?"
"We'll teach you!"
When I spoke as if testing the waters, they perked up.
It's cute how they get energetic when relied upon.
As I was thinking that, Terry raised a finger toward me and the twins.
"No loud voices either."
"Is that so? I'll be careful."
It was a warning for the twins, but I accepted it and shielded them.
Then the twins covered their mouths with the same pose and nodded.
So cute! Including Terry who acts like an older brother.
"Welcome, Your Highnesses."
At the boundary between the corridor from the palace interior to the cathedral, people wearing what seemed to be priestly robes—or rather, white clothes—were waiting.
"I am Tardare Riek Weterai Edan, who shall be your guide today. Please treat me favorably on this occasion."
The one who announced his long name with a smile was looking only at Terry.
Clearly ambitious for power, it seems.
The other person, probably of similar high rank, was curt.
But his eyes were wandering rudely.
"I am Litrionas Iver Aisort Edenbar."
Neither was a bishop, but perhaps they were bishop candidates who might become bishops during Terry's generation.
I don't really like either of them.
I have my thoughts, but I'll quietly start the tour.
Can't judge based on first impressions alone, after all.
We first ascended from the second floor section connected to the palace to the corridor near the ceiling, which corresponds to the third floor.
The cathedral is a religious architecture with a single floor layer pierced by a high ceiling.
It's a corner of the building forming the right wing of the palace, but here the structure is clearly different.
And if you climb the stairs, you reach a corridor where you can view the magnificent ceiling painting up close.
"'This scene depicts the famous Rebirth of God, created by the master artisan...'"
Yeah, I don't know about it even after the explanation, and I'm not very interested.
Tardare is speaking enthusiastically and presenting, but it seems to go in one ear and out the other.
Somehow listening, I understood that in the empire's history, as a result of overlapping other races' histories and beliefs, it seems to be a Roman mythology-style god.
In other words, the gods of lands and cultures subjugated under its rule are treated as lesser gods, while the main god worshipped in the empire keeps increasing in authority, causing power inflation.
In my previous life, Apollo and Hermes had inflated and gained too many attributes.
Here, the empire's main god is like that.
Since [the god] governs too many things and in too much detail, unless you have a specific request, it seems best to just worship the main god.
"Then let us descend and worship."
After the long speech, we finally entered the cathedral proper.
We descended the stairs while praising the twins for not fussing.
And when I set foot on the cathedral floor, I realized anew how large the building was.
I see, the reason we went from above was to impress upon us this grandeur that feels almost oppressive.
Even Terry, who should have been here before, was looking up at the ceiling painting with his mouth open.
It seems this Tardare understands how to put on a show.
"Guards, from here on is sacred ground. Please refrain from wearing swords."
Litrionas, the unsociable one, blocked the path of Icto and the other guards to say this.
"We should have permission for today's worship, should we not?"
"I have not heard of it. Above all, before God all men are equal. Even if you are the Prince's guards, we cannot make exceptions."
Litrionas repeated his demand to disarm.
The guards seemed to have obtained permission, but Tardare also says he knows nothing of it.
"...It cannot be helped."
"Then the guards will wait here, eh?"
Litrionas, who seemed to expect them to wait without removing their swords, stared wide-eyed as Icto quickly removed his sword along with its belt.
Seeing that, Terry's guards also all reached for their belts.
"Ah, one person should stay to watch the swords. There might be pranksters, and it would be dangerous if small children became interested."
In short, to protect the twins and prevent anyone from doing harm to Icto.
At my words, Icto silently designated the one who had been slowest to remove his belt.
Among the guards assigned one per prince, three accompanied us unarmed, while one waited holding the swords.
We headed toward the deepest part of the cathedral.
The cathedral, with stained glass decorating its stone walls, was dim yet sparkling with dancing light.
Before the divine statue, an altar decorated with gold-threaded cloth and magnificent candlesticks were placed.
"Then let us all worship."
Tardare went to a place like a music stand in front of the altar.
And before the altar, four cushions were lined up on a carpet laid out for us.
They were for kneeling and bowing our heads in prayer.
It seemed Tardare would read the liturgy in time with our prayers.
(The procedure isn't complicated, and I probably won't make any mistakes, but somehow I feel nervous.)
(Sensation detected. Armed group discovered.)
I stopped my foot that was about to step forward and swayed my body.
"Prince Asha?"
"...Sorry, Icto. My clothes seem to have shifted a bit, so I want you to look. Terry and the others, wait a moment too. Let's go to the shadow of that pillar over there."
I revealed that there was nothing wrong with my chest that I had been hiding.
Icto made a stern face, but didn't commit the blunder of raising his voice.
"Do you know the numbers?"
"...Ten closest. Others scattered, but twenty more."
Even hearing from Sephira, it's a number that four guards cannot defeat.
"I alone cannot handle it. Is there a possibility that armed group is the guard?"
"...Doesn't seem so. Different clothing. All wearing white tunics with red trim and hooded mantles."
"That is the uniform of the knightly order tasked with protecting the church. However, according to the arrangements I heard from Count Strategos, there should not have been thirty knights today."
What is conceivable is something Icto was not informed of.
But if Count Strategos were to do it, he would openly increase the guard, and moreover, this is inside the palace.
We don't need thirty people just to worship.
"I'm also concerned about the communication failure regarding bearing swords. Let us confirm with the Second Prince's guards."
When I nodded, Icto raised his hand toward Terry's guards.
"Sorry. I don't understand the construction of the clothes well. Help me."
"Go."
Told even by Terry, one guard reluctantly came over.
But when I was fine, he tilted his head.
"Don't raise your voice. The church's knightly order is deployed in an armed state. Any idea why?"
"N... no."
The guard who was about to raise his voice endured it while being glared at by Icto.
"It's unsettling that we don't know their target. It's dangerous for all four of us to worship together and create a large opening. And the one likely to be targeted is me. I'll worship alone first. Keep watch on the surroundings."
At my pointing out, Terry's guard nodded with a tense expression.
Icto made a sour face, but I pretended not to notice and walked out from the shadow of the pillar.
Regular updates
Next: The Younger Brother's Heart, the Older Brother Knows Not 4