29. Holy War.

“Still, it’s a relief that it’s significantly less than expected. If there had been enough benefits, more reinforcements would have come, and especially if Goryeo participated on a large scale, it would have been a real headache.”

“Hmm… if the Mei Empire and the Goryeo Empire went to war… who would win?”

“Aran… why do you have to bring up such a sensitive topic? We have…”

“Hmph! Of course, our empire would overwhelmingly win!”

“…Moe-hwangnyeo is here, you know.”

“Ah, that’s right. Let’s exclude her opinion.”

“Eek! Why do you always ignore me!”

“It’s not ignoring you. It’s respect.”

“How in the world does ignoring become respect!”

 

 

Terin intervened between the bickering Moe and Aran, answering.

 

 

“Ahem. In terms of objective power, they are about equal… but, in the case of the Goryeo Empire, they have to come a long distance for an expedition, so it would be difficult to beat the Mei Empire.”

“Heh. See? The greatness of our empire!”

 

 

It wasn’t really because the Mei Empire was so great, but Aran nodded appropriately.

 

 

“Anyway, with that many, would it be better for me to go and clean them up at once?”

“Absolutely not, Your Majesty.”

“Why not?”

“…Your Majesty, you are the master of this country. If the master steps forward and something goes wrong, how do you intend to handle the aftermath?”

“Surely I wouldn’t go wrong.”

“Even if that were the case, if Your Majesty steps forward, the entire command will step forward. If that happens, large-scale command becomes impossible. Without command, the soldiers become a disorganized mob, and a disorganized mob can never defeat the enemy.”

 

Terin was firm.

Not absolutely, but he insisted that Aran should refrain from going out alone and handling everything like last time.

 

 

“But isn’t it better to do it that way, with less damage?”

“We might be able to reduce immediate casualties. But military power is something you prepare for the future. If Your Majesty handles everything every time, will the soldiers watching that even train properly? Eventually, they will pass all the worries and preparations to Your Majesty, and this country’s military power will repeatedly decline.”

“I agree with the Duke’s words. Unless it’s unavoidable, it’s difficult for you to step forward from the beginning in many ways.”

“That’s right. The enemies might recognize our country as ‘a country that is nothing without the ultimate pervert.'”

“Why do you describe me that way again.”

“Because it’s true. It’s common sense for everyone, young and old.”

“Ugh…”

 

 

As always, Aran couldn’t find words to refute.

 

 

“Anyway, it’s best for Your Majesty to step forward later, only when it’s unavoidable. And, our soldiers and knights are not that weak. Please believe in them.”

“I understand. Then let’s do that for now.”

 

He nodded and brought up a new topic this time.

 

 

“What about the Mei Empire and Persia? Honestly, I think the Mei Empire is more likely to raise reinforcements than Persia.”

 

If it were Persia under Cornelia as Empress, he could expect it as much as he wanted, but now Huana is the Empress. Unless she forcibly orders it, she won’t send reinforcements.

 

 

On the other hand, the Mei Empire is a potential enemy, but the Empress is Aran’s lover.

She’s also an incredibly 독선적인 Empress who messes with state affairs as she pleases, so she might send reinforcements.

 

 

“What’s certain is that they won’t side with the Saintess at least. I’ve told the vassal states that are currently at war about that. The bitches who side with the Saintess will go to the afterlife before they even meet her.”

“Geez, her words don’t feel like a joke, which makes it even scarier.”

“She’s someone who does what she says.”

 

 

Seorae’s heroic tales (?) that are easily accessible even make her lover Aran’s liver and gallbladder cold.

 

 

“Wouldn’t it work out somehow if Your Majesty sweet-talks her in bed?”

“It’s frustrating, but I think so too.”

“That bitch is a pervert.”

 

The words of Hancock, Iliana, and Cornelia in turn.

They had faces close to certainty.

If Aran goes to Seorae’s bed and coaxes her gently, she will definitely send reinforcements.

 

And that was the same thought for the women who didn’t open their mouths.

 

 

Even Aran!

 

 

“Well… I kind of feel like that too.”

“You said you’d become a god, so why don’t you go and give an order.”

“Ah… that’s…”

 

 

It was a word he blurted out, swept away by the atmosphere, but the women remembered it clearly.

 

“Of course, you’ll be giving orders with your lower body, not your mouth.”

“That’s for sure. If it’s His Majesty…”

“If it’s Aran, it’s certain.”

“There’s no room for doubt.”

“…”

 

 

The women’s reactions were unclear whether they were telling him to go do that, or just teasing him.

Aran was flustered, not knowing how to react.

 

 

“Hmph. Those measly reinforcements. With me here, there’s no way they won’t send them.”

 

 

Moe was confidently alone.

 

“No, even if reinforcements don’t come, if the enemy soldiers see my shining beauty, they will kneel down as if welcoming a god. Ah, why am I so sinful? Now I’m even stealing the heart of the Saintess who worships God.”

“I’d like to introduce that appearance of yours to Tera Jusin-nim.”

“Oh my, does that mean I’m the main wife?”

“You’re already the main wife, aren’t you.”

“I’m going to be a Grade 1 main wife.”

“What are you, beef? Why are you grading it…”

“Meat is meat.”

“Flesh meat.”

“Meat meat.”

“Aaaah! Don’t say things like that! Did you learn that from Hancock again??”

“Why are you picking on me? You must have naturally learned it from His Majesty’s behavior.”

“I just said meat, why are you doing this. Aran. You’re lewd.”

“E-Even Nuna-nim…!”

 

When did she fall into Hancock’s clutches…!

 

 

“Heh. You have no allies now, hohoho!”

 

Moe laughed triumphantly, repeatedly saying things like ‘Ttakmeok Ttakmeok’ and ‘Meat Meat’.

She’s a woman who can’t be stopped at all.

 

 

“Ugh…”

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Mother! Don’t just lie around sleeping all the time! You’re the Empress!!”

 

 

Soi spent the same morning as always.

She ate breakfast and came to wake up Seorae.

 

 

“Ugh… cock…? What’s with you mentioning that…”

 

Ppajik.

 

 

“I said get up instead of cock… I didn’t say that weird word!!”

 

 

Soi snatched the blanket away.

Then Seorae’s naked body, wearing nothing, was revealed.

 

 

“Hick?! What, what were you doing while you slept to look like this?”

“What else… well… you don’t need to know.”

“Ugh… anyway! The Saintess’s second envoy has arrived, so get up. This time it’s the head priest of the main order.”

“Again? How annoying… you take care of it. I’m going to…”

 

 

Seorae, waving her feet and trying to bring the blanket.

But Soi threw the blanket far away.

Then Seorae in front of her

 

 

“…That’s too much. How can a daughter be like this…”

“How can an Empress be like this?! Get up quickly.”

 

Soi forcibly dragged down Seorae, who was stretched out like a slime.

With a thud! she fell to the floor and groaned ‘Ugh…’, eventually raising her body.

 

 

“You’re a really bad daughter.”

 

She put on her clothes roughly with sleepy eyes and immediately left the room.

It was an imposing figure without even wearing a Clean Badge.

 

 

“Wait… are you going to greet them looking like that?!!”

“Soi.”

 

 

Seorae stood tall.

And then she said with a solemn face.

 

 

“Don’t interfere with me wanting to live a rough life.”

“……”

 

 

Soi lost her words.

Because it was so absurd.

 

 

 

Anyway, through that process, Seorae arrived at the main hall with a disheveled face.

There, the nobles and the Saintess’s envoy, the head priest, were already staring with surprised eyes.

 

 

“A-Are you seeing His Majesty…?”

 

 

It must have been because Seorae’s appearance didn’t look normal at all.

Of course, that was the same for the nobles’ gazes.

 

“What’s going on again?”

 

With an appearance that couldn’t find any manners, she even blurted out informal speech.

It was the first time the head priest of the main order had experienced this, but he endured it, knowing that the other party was the Empress of the Eastern Continent.

 

 

“Ahem. It’s not that but…”

“Yeah. I don’t like it.”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s going to be about helping the Saintess and subjugating Aran, right? I said I don’t like it.”

“N-No, that’s…”

“Geez. I don’t know why you make me repeat the same thing.”

“Mother, he’s still an envoy, so listen to him.”

“Hmm… okay. I’ll listen for now.”

“…”

 

 

The head priest put his flustered heart behind him and opened his mouth.

 

 

“First of all… as you expected, the main points are the same. However, there are conditions. If Your Majesty takes the lead in helping the Holy Nation and eliminating heresy, she said she will give not only Your Majesty but also your descendants a pardon.”

“I said I don’t need it.”

“P-Please listen. If you don’t do that… she said she will withdraw all the priests in the Mei Empire as well as the Eastern Continent!”

“Really? Take them.”

“Pardon?”

“I said take them.”

“N-No, without priests, you can’t wage war…”

“That’s a story for backward 동내 like you. We’re different. Take them.”

“…”

 

 

It was truly headstrong!

From the beginning, she had no intention of listening.

 

 

 

Seorae chased away the hesitant head priest and summoned a general, ordering.

 

 

“Immediately lead four legions and deploy them to the Budinaum Kingdom.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. But… why such an order…?”

“Kill all the priests leaving the Eastern Continent.”

“Yes?!”

“To dare to think of turning their backs on me in front of me, their guts must be swollen.”

“B-But, Your Majesty…”

“If I say that much, you’ll understand what I’m thinking.”

“…”

 

Everyone closed their mouths at the enormous words.

 

 

“I can betray the world, but the world can’t betray me. Anyone who turns their back on me dies.”