episode_0060

“Fuck.”

These days, the Secretary of War has been really cursing the world.

Why on earth do these trials continue one after another?

You never missed a weekend prayer service even though you were busy. Did you commit many sins in your past life?

It all started with the demons from the far northern lands. The hardliners were trying to make a mess of things.

Just when it seemed as if Novogord was starting to quiet down, the three eastern kingdoms declared war.

I thought things were finally over and calming down, but now the west was causing trouble.

So, while we were trying to focus all our efforts on the West, a bolt from the blue struck.

“War broke out.”

“Have Dedorant and DeGalle finally started an all-out war?

“It’s not west. It’s south.”

“… What the fuck?”

A place where the influence of the Holy Nation still remains strong. The southern part of the continent.

The Kingdom of Benito, which had established itself there, declared war on the Holy Church.

As soon as he heard the news, the minister couldn’t help but sigh.

‘Benito, you crazy bastards. Aren’t you afraid of being excommunicated?’

At first I thought that the King of Benito had finally gone mad.

Although it doesn’t have the same power as it once did, religion still has a lot of influence.

Even in the Empire, anyone who speaks of Rune indiscriminately is subject to punishment, regardless of rank.

If that’s the case, I thought the other kingdoms to the south would be even worse…

[ Southern Kingdoms. No military action despite news of King Benito’s excommunication ]

[Staying at the level of arranging accusations, dialogue and reconciliation with Benito]

[ Benito’s Army. Victory over the Knights and Volunteers of the Holy Order ]

It was the opposite. Rather, those most opposed to the Church were in the South.

I was just watching until someone stepped forward.

Even as the news of the Holy Nation’s defeat spread, there was no sign of movement.

I never imagined that the prestige of the country would fall to this extent.

Since there were so many followers of Light on the continent, it was thought that the church would also last forever.

But it was a mistake. This time it was clearly revealed.

Many rulers were uncomfortable with religious leaders interfering with their authority.

No. It was almost to the point of hatred.

“Your Excellency, we have news from the South.”

“Give it to me now.”

When his subordinate brought him the news, the minister almost snatched it away from him.

Please. Please. This can’t be any more disturbing.

Just thinking about the situation in the West right now makes my head feel like it’s going to explode.

Why do these ridiculous things keep happening during my term?

[ Benito’s Army. Reaching the vicinity of the Holy Nation ]

[ Benito’s Navy. Attempts to blockade the Holy Nation’s coast ]

Nowhere was there any mention of other southern kingdoms making moves.

All that was left was for Benito to continue his winning streak and put pressure on the Holy Nation.

The Secretary of War was left reeling from this terrible news.

“Benito’s skills are quite good.”

And when the emperor heard this story, he said:

“Your Majesty?”

“Minister of War. Do you know why the other Southern Kingdoms are silent?”

“… My convictions only lead to war, and I don’t know much about diplomacy, so I might make a slip of the tongue. Nevertheless, let me give you my brief opinion.”

I guess so.

“I wonder if it is questioning the long-standing Southern order centered on the Holy See.”

“That’s not wrong. As the Minister said, the South has been led by the Holy Nation for too long. More precisely, by the Light Followers who follow Runen.”

“… .”

“Ah. To be more precise, it would be the high priests and bishops who stand above those disciples.”

At the emperor’s words, the minister nodded cautiously, saying that he was also right.

As far as he knows, priests and bishops in the South are still exempt from taxes.

The reason is that we cannot dare to ask those who worship God to perform worldly acts.

In addition to this, there are many other benefits and a lot of authority.

Those are the very things that would never have looked good to other ruling classes.

What kind of era is this? Are we still relying on religious beliefs to enjoy our privileges?

Even those great nobles can’t imagine not paying taxes.

Why are those who do nothing but serve God doing this?

If you had any doubts like, ‘…’ then that’s understandable.’

“All the southern kingdoms secretly agreed. They would no longer tolerate the order centered around the Holy Nation. Religion should remain as a mere belief, and should not become an intervening political force.”

“But the South has been… .”

“They have been under the influence of the religious order for a long time. So they may have thought so too, but they were not ‘confident’. Of course they would. Even if they expressed their discontent on the outside, who would know if someone was excommunicated and they would lose face?”

The emperor continued speaking with a faint smile on his lips.

“It was Benito who set fire to it.”

“That’s… .”

“The story must have already ended in advance. Instead of stepping forward, all the southern kingdoms tacitly support Benito. Also, if things go well, the southern order will follow Benito’s lead. Those who wish to oppose, feel free to choose the old order. That’s it.”

“Your Majesty. Is that even possible? It is true that Benito is stronger than the other kingdoms, but if the southern kingdoms unite… .”

As he spoke, the Secretary of War looked as if he was wondering.

A piece of news he had heard a while ago flashed through his mind.

“No way. No way, they’re sending their own army as mercenaries to the battle between Dedorant and Dagale with this in mind?”

“Practical experience is important. Especially in the South, where there has been no major war.”

The military power of the southern kingdoms of the continent is not very good when viewed objectively.

It’s not about the morale of the army or the quality of their weapons. They just don’t have much experience.

The existence of the Holy Land. Whenever there was a dispute, it was there that it calmed things down.

The only thing that has developed is naval power, for the safety of maritime trade.

The Army is, at best, barely above average.

However, about a year ago, many of Benito’s mercenaries headed to Dedorant.

Although they are called retired soldiers, in reality they are people who suddenly left the military during their prime.

They volunteered to be mercenaries and joined the Dedorant army, which was in the midst of fighting against Degalle.

To cut to the chase, the mercenaries’ performance wasn’t particularly decisive.

It was ordinary. It was just something that was okay to have and okay not to have.

‘However, that is only from the perspective of the Dedorant and Degalle fronts. From the perspective of the Southern Kingdoms, it was an extremely valuable combat experience that is hard to obtain anywhere else.’

The number of those who participated in the war as mercenaries was said to be nearly a thousand.

At first glance, you might think, ‘That’s all?’, but the minister saw it differently.

“Minister. What would happen if all of those 1,000 people became instructors and trained soldiers?”

“… It will work in some way. At least in the south, Benito’s army is expected to be the strongest army.”

“Yes. That must be the weapon he used to unite the southern kingdoms. Whether it was the threat of swinging a sword, or the persuasion of sharing experiences.”

The Emperor looked at the map of the southern continent spread out before him.

If Benito really had the support of all the southern kingdoms.

Even if it means enduring the wrath and curses of all the followers of Light on the continent.

If that King of Benito were to swallow the Holy See by any means necessary,

‘That won’t do. It’s not pleasant to see the Holy Nation wielding its faith as a weapon like before, but that doesn’t mean the Nation should become a puppet.’

In the emperor’s vision, it was best for the South to remain exactly as it was.

The Holy See and the Southern Kingdoms are both growling at each other and keeping each other in check.

Only then will the order led by this empire continue without major threats.

I thought there wouldn’t be any problems until now, but then some crazy king of Benito started throwing sewage water at me.

I know the situation in the West is dire, but the South is just as important.

The Holy Land is not a secular place like other countries, after all.

That’s why it was left there, but if the secular state itself swallows it up, it’s a different story.

We must consider the possibility that we might wield that faith as a weapon in the future.

“I will do as the South has requested. I will transfer two of the Imperial Legions deployed in the East to the South. And if the Southern Legions need to move in the future, you will protect the border in their stead.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will do so.”

The Emperor was left alone for a while after the Minister of War stepped down.

He tapped the armrest with his fingertips and thought of the man and woman.

‘Your role has become more important, Belle, my daughter. You must follow the example of the royal family in the East. It was originally intended to boost the morale of the western legions, but this is how things have turned out.’

The entire East was never easy. It was a blessing that it ended so quickly.

But the battlefields the Empire would face in the future, all across the eastern region, were things like that.

and.

‘Kael. You too. Originally, I sent you to demonstrate your outstanding abilities beyond the western border. But things turned out this way, so I had no choice but to return you to the south.’

I’ll do it. And I’m sure Kael himself knows he has to do it.

If he were that clever young man, he would have realized long ago that there was an advance payment involved in the reward he was being given.

This time too, he will do his part. He will do what only he can do.

The Emperor knows what kind of person this young man named Kael is.

He is not a warrior who fights at the forefront, shedding the blood of his enemies.

He is not a commander who must always remain cool and make countless sacrifices.

He is just someone who gets to the point and presents the big picture.

That’s why the position of a true soldier was created and given to him.

So that he doesn’t drown under the burden and responsibility.

It was created to encourage you to do whatever you want.

‘I guess what Jim needs to do for you now is to think about the next prize. Isn’t that right, son-in-law?’

The emperor turned his attention to other matters with a faint smile on his face.