Chapter 86: Holiness and Impiety – 2

Chapter 86: Holiness and Impiety – 2

“…That concludes my report.”

“Well done, Commander. You’ve worked hard at this late hour.”

“As someone who works for the Empire, it was only natural.”

The Imperial Palace of the Empire, a place where solemnity and maintaining appearances would usually be paramount, but……

“Did you see those madmen!! Your Majesty!! We must protest this matter to the Holy Kingdom immediately!”

“Protest? Do you think that’s enough?! This is a direct act of terrorism that occurred in the Imperial Capital!”

“We must show those Holy Kingdom maggots what the Empire truly is!”

At that moment, the representatives present in the Imperial Palace were driven more by anger than by elegance.

It was because of the riot where the Holy Kingdom arbitrarily entered the Imperial Capital to arrest a formal Imperial citizen, whom they had arbitrarily labeled a ‘heretic.’

If they had ended the matter quietly, it might have been different, but not just one or two Imperial citizens had witnessed the scene of divine power overflowing last night and remembered it clearly.

Even the nobles living in the capital themselves had witnessed yesterday’s events.

Therefore, most nobles raised their voices, insisting that they must formally protest this matter to the Holy Kingdom and receive an apology and compensation.

“Even so, isn’t it unwise to provoke the Holy Kingdom for no reason…”

“If the Pope uses God’s name to impose strange regulations for no reason…”

“No matter how powerful the Empire is, if the Holy Kingdom completely turns into an enemy, there’s a high possibility that neighboring countries will help the Pope, not His Majesty…”

Of course, some were reluctant to protest against the Holy Kingdom, but……

“…Are you vassals of the Pope? Or are you vassals of the Empire?”

“T-That’s not it…!”

“Then, armed mages, who did not even receive permission, entered the Imperial Capital and cast magic throughout the entire capital… Are you saying this is something that can just be overlooked?”

The one seated at the head of the audience chamber where the representatives gathered.

Wearing a splendid crown, he imperiously scrutinized the nobles.

He was clearly far from youth, having entered middle age, but possessed an undeniable dignity and spirit.

The eyes of the Emperor of the Empire, whom everyone in the Empire called the master of the Empire, swept over those who opposed protesting against the Holy Kingdom.

……Without even hiding his anger, so that everyone could read that emotion.

His voice was clearly calm, unlike the passionately shouting nobles, but his gaze showed no intention of hiding his emotions.

“That’s right! This is absolutely not something to be overlooked!”

“We must show the Holy Kingdom His Majesty’s dignity! We must show that His Majesty’s authority is higher in the Empire than the Pope’s!”

“We must declare war on the Holy Kingdom and show them the true power of the Empire!!”

At his appearance, some radical nobles even spoke of declaring war, reaching the point of advocating for it.

In the end, the Imperial Palace’s audience chamber was unusually filled with loud shouts and mutual accusations.

“What are you saying, let’s go to war without any preparation?! Are you even thinking?!”

“So, you’re saying we should submit to the Pope’s authority? Since when did the capital become a comfortable living room for the Holy Kingdom’s maggots to just waltz into?!”

However, such a commotion quickly subsided when the Emperor’s gaze met that of someone who had remained silent until now.

The one who had been silently observing the situation and calculating his moves until now.

…It was the Duke.

“Yes, I have sufficiently heard your loyal opinions… I am also curious about the Duke’s opinion, who has been quiet until now?”

“…Regardless of what the Imperial Family does, the Ducal Family was preparing an ultimatum to the Holy Kingdom.”

At first glance, it seemed like a remark that disregarded the Imperial Family’s authority, and to some extent, it actually was.

However, the statement that the Ducal Family would do something regardless of what the Imperial Family did was a rather old and established remark.

…In the sense that the Ducal Family strongly requested that action from the Imperial Family, and also in the sense that the Ducal Family would indeed move regardless of what the Imperial Family did.

“An ultimatum, you say… Does the Duke even consider war?”

“After all, the Pope is not someone with such a narrow vision as to start a war right now. Above all… doesn’t His Majesty also have something to gain?”

“Does the Duke think they will accept the terms of the ultimatum?”

“Tell them to start a war if they want. The Ducal Family’s forces are always ready. Then, instead of an ultimatum, His Majesty will get what he wants through war reparations.”

“Yes, the Ducal Family is such a family, so that’s certainly true. I also have no intention of letting this opportunity pass.”

The Emperor, the leader of the mighty Empire, had only one annoying presence: the Holy Kingdom and its Pope.

Of course, internally within the Empire, there might be a few more annoying things, but externally, it was as stated.

The power struggle between the Pope, the head of the church who represented the will of an absolute being called God, and the Emperor was quite ancient.

No, the power struggle between the Imperial power figures and the Pope, not just the Emperor, was truly ancient.

The Pope invoked God’s will to try and bring the Empire under his control, and naturally, the Emperor resisted this, instead trying to bring the church under his own hand.

In that sense, this incident could be seen as a direct clash between the Empire and the church.

…Because a letter from the Pope had already arrived, defending the inquisitor who was treated as having committed terrorism in the capital and arrested as an active criminal, and instead blaming the Empire for arresting him.

And the Duke, knowing this situation, suggested to the Emperor to send an ultimatum to the Holy Kingdom,

And to get a promise from the Pope to acknowledge the Emperor’s authority and not interfere with the Empire.

If the Pope refused, a war could break out… but the Duke’s expression remained unchanged.

“……I will take some time to think. Everyone, withdraw.”

“”Yes.””

However, the nobles knew.

That the Emperor would eventually accept the Duke’s proposal.

It was a more daring proposal than those who advocated for protests, but more moderate than those who insisted on war at all costs.

But, at the same time, they couldn’t help but have another thought.

”Their patron was attacked, so they seem properly provoked.”

……The ‘heretic’ that the Holy Kingdom happened to provoke was the patron recently announced by the Ducal Family.

***

“……Were you really planning to start a war?”

“The Pope can never start a war anyway. The world is turning strangely.”

“…You’re talking about the gathering of monsters.”

“Yes. It seems some entity is gathering monsters in one place… and the only thing they’d do with gathered monsters is attack humans.”

“…It seems you’re faster with information than I am?”

At that, my father paused for a moment and glanced at me.

“The defense Commander’s intelligence network must be truly impressive, unlike a Knight Commander’s.”

“…It’s a matter His Majesty commanded to investigate, so I received support from quite capable individuals…”

“Enough. I already knew something was strange before that anyway. Anyway.

If monsters launch a collective attack, the first place that needs to move is the church.”

“And the church would never move alone, right?”

“Exactly. They’re busy lining their own pockets, and since their numbers are small, they’ll call it a holy war and throw other factions into the grinder. …The Empire will be among them.”

Having said that, my father paused for a moment, then looked around.

…Confirming that no one was around, as always, he whispered softly to me.

“…Christie, a great war will break out on this continent soon. There is a leader among the monsters, and their goal is to attack human forces.

And the Pope will also know this. Therefore, we must prepare.”

“……Do you think it’s an inevitable war?”

“Unless someone intervenes and twists fate, yes.”

It was quite shocking news, but instead of asking questions, I chose to listen.

…If what he said was true, the Holy Kingdom would be in a state of emergency right now.

“The Pope’s unreasonable actions in this matter must also be because of this. Monsters will soon pour out, and they can’t stop them alone.”

“They need the Empire’s help, then.”

“More precisely, they need expendables to stand on the front lines in their stead, practically like slaves. Because their personal ambition is more important than God’s will.”

At that, I suddenly felt a little angry.

It wasn’t anger at the Holy Kingdom for doing this for purely political reasons.

……If I were to go by that, the Ducal Family isn’t exactly clean either.

The point of my anger was, why the hell did they have to pick on Lucia of all people?

Furthermore, what in the world was that Saintess thinking, defending an act of terrorism that occurred in the middle of the capital?

I don’t know about the Pope, but what on earth was the Saintess’s reason…?

“…Anyway, prepare yourself. The church will now make that child a heretic out of pride, and they will come again.”

“……Yes.”

Saying that, as I turned to gather the defense force, my father’s voice reached me.

“Ah, and… it seems it’s about time you left the defense force, doesn’t it?”