Ch.15450. God Is Watching Over Me! (3)

Ten days ago, in the Mado Kingdom of Pheisran.

Chaos still persisted here.

Though some stability had been achieved with the formal support and advisory delegations from the Empire and the Irenis Order, within the royal palace itself, power restructuring had yet to be properly implemented, causing continued turmoil.

By now, with the pro-imperial faction poised to seize all authority, neighboring countries were beginning to voice concerns and criticisms, but…

For Rueld and the Imperial Princess who were temporarily staying here, this wasn’t the main issue.

Not that they could simply ignore it either.

But now they had reached their limit.

“Lord Rueld. You must urgently return to the Imperial mainland.”

It was none other than the Imperial Mado Legion.

Specifically, the Vice Commander of the Third Legion had personally arrived in Pheisran.

Though small in stature, he was a striking man with wavy blue hair that fell below his shoulders, wearing a uniform that harmonized a deep blue emblem with a light blue formal attire.

While his sophisticated appearance caught the eye, his sharp features combined with a scholarly impression made him naturally remarkable.

And this man had unexpectedly sent advance notice that he would visit in person.

If he had merely wanted to deliver a message, he wouldn’t have come all this way himself.

Unless he was delivering an imperial decree.

That’s why it was concerning.

“Has something serious happened?”

“The territory has been attacked.”

“…What?”

“More precisely, I regret to inform you that Lady Ermina was attacked. But please don’t worry. Both Lady Ermina and your second son are safe.”

“…”

Though his heart sank, Rueld tried to compose himself, having some faith in the situation.

Just when being stuck here was already complicating matters, now this situation in the homeland…

“Who was it?”

“The entity you reportedly defeated previously, my lord. A red-eyed girl in black armor.”

“…”

She had appeared in Pheisran before too.

Though Rueld had quickly returned to the royal palace, he was literally one step too late.

Despite Elhermina’s presence, this mysterious figure had deliberately infiltrated the Pheisran royal palace and boldly extracted her minions or companions.

Above all, this entity who had faced Rueld himself and barely survived, only to quickly recover and persistently come after him, had now attacked Rueld’s family?

This had to be a deliberate targeting.

“Thanks to Her Highness’s warning to be thoroughly prepared just in case… we were able to avoid the worst.”

“I see.”

Even without him, the Empire would remain strong in itself.

But in this world, there are occasionally those with strength that seems to defy common sense.

And separate from that, there are beings who cause massive chaos.

Since Rueld himself was such a being, he felt the threat all the more keenly.

Thud!

“Lord Medrin?”

“Your Highness.”

When the man called Medrin showed military courtesy, Elhermina responded in kind.

“What brings you personally here? I don’t recall you being on the advisory delegation list for this country.”

After Medrin briefly explained the situation, Elhermina remained silent for a few seconds before addressing Rueld.

“Then Lord Rueld should return to the territory.”

“…”

“I will pursue Kariel in your stead.”

“Your Highness?”

While Medrin looked puzzled, Rueld stubbornly chewed his lip, as if unable to decide so easily.

Elhermina urged him again.

“What the territory needs now is not me, but you, Lord Rueld.”

“Yes. Rationally, that makes sense. But… if we do that…”

“Lord Rueld. Have I ever betrayed your trust? Or failed to meet your expectations?”

“…”

“I don’t think I can handle this if I return. But you are different.”

“What if this is another lure? What if it changes targets and attacks you?”

“It’s fine. I’m not alone here. You know that, don’t you? Have I ever been careless with my preparations?”

“Haa.”

Finally.

“Your Highness Elhermina. And… Lady Geornia. While pursuing my son is important… please never forget that your safety is equally important.”

Having relented, Rueld repeatedly urged Elhermina and Geornia with a stern expression before returning to the territory.

Geornia, who had recovered by now, asked Elhermina with a restored appearance.

“Will this really be alright?”

“Yes. It might even be fortunate.”

“Fortunate?”

“…Because it’s hard to imagine Kariel welcoming Lord Rueld.”

But with me, she’s different.

“At least, I should be able to attempt a dialogue.”

Kariel. If, unlike what his father and others feared.

If he hasn’t had his body seized by the Demon King.

If he still exists properly as himself.

“Surely even in the worst case, we can avoid the tragedy of Lord Rueld having to eliminate him by his own hand.”

“Surely… you’re not saying you’d make that decision yourself in the worst case?”

“That’s not it.”

Elhermina, with eyes somehow filled with regret, but with an expression as firm as steel.

She answered like this.

“That would truly be an assumption that defies reason.”

====

The Fourth Saint Alesia was facing her former colleague who claimed to roam the eastern part of the continent as her territory.

The Sixth Saint.

If Alesia was the Saint of Protection, then she, Edmila, was known as the Saint of Governance.

Her build was similar to other women her age.

Meaning she was smaller than Alesia herself.

However, the dark blue plate armor that clung to her body was perfectly tailored to her frame.

With an Imperial cross sword hanging at her waist, she truly looked like a knight, needing only a helmet.

Indeed, had Alesia not been present, she probably wouldn’t have removed her helmet.

It’s not for nothing that she’s called the Knight of the Blue Rose.

Dark blue bob-cut hair and blue eyes.

Even her lips were painted blue, giving her quite a distinctive impression.

To put it negatively, combined with her cold expression, it created an intimidating impression.

At first glance, she might remind one of a handsome man, but with her moderately full chest and armor shaped to accommodate it, it would be hard to mistake her gender.

Unless one had unfortunate prejudices about female knights.

While the Empire might be different, in the eastern continent, prominent female knights were rare.

And true to the eastern knights who valued display and showmanship over refinement and restraint, there were men who wore exaggeratedly rounded breastplates and armor that could cause misunderstandings… but even that had its limits.

“I didn’t expect to see you in a place like this, Sister Alesia.”

“…Your stiff demeanor hasn’t changed.”

That soldier-like attitude, now as before…

Still, it was rather cute that she properly called her “sister.”

“I will be in charge of matters here from now on, so please set your worries aside, Sister.”

“The mages won’t welcome you.”

“With the recent incident, the status of the Irenis Church within Pheisran has skyrocketed. And the nobles seeking to secure their new positions are still unstable. The king as well.”

Perhaps from wandering the chaotic eastern continent, she seemed remarkably familiar with the ecology and physiology of power.

“Under the Lord, all are equal. Yet artificial hierarchies exist simply because of who can spread and propagate His exercise and will most widely. I know you’ve contributed to civilizing and converting them through conciliatory measures, Sister. But the world needs more than just soft bread. So I will personally take on the role of the trainer who wields the whip.”

“That doesn’t seem like such a good idea. Coercion invariably brings discontent and hostility.”

“It’s fine. The targets of the whip are limited. As always, we simply demand proper repentance from evil.”

“…Are you planning to erase mages from a country of mages? Wouldn’t that go beyond interference in internal affairs and become a major threat to neighboring countries? What if Irenis believers face rejection and persecution as a result?”

When she asked this out of concern.

She, Edmila, gave a gentle eye-smile.

“I told you. Under the Lord, all are equal.”

If those who ascend to power, those who stand above, do not shoulder their duties and responsibilities.

And if they reveal their ugly intentions to preserve their positions.

“They too will become targets of punishment. And that will be accomplished by their own hands, not ours. We merely give them a push.”

“…Instead of embracing with love, you’ll discipline with poison and conspiracy, then with fire and sword? Do you know how many will be sacrificed?”

“Ignorance always comes with a price. And martyrdom is our blessing and glory. Even the great Empire of Vera, which once ruled the world, gave up and accepted this. In this era when our church’s influence has spread widely and conditions have improved, if we don’t step up, who will?”

“But there’s no need to pursue matters so radically just because…”

“No. Shouldn’t we save them as soon as possible? What about the pain and misfortune they’ll suffer if we proceed slowly? Salvation must be achieved as quickly as possible. For everyone’s sake. Otherwise, how can we defeat demons, suspicious individuals, and devils who drink from deeply rooted malice and poison, as in the incident that occurred here, and protect the lambs from their temptations?”

“…”

This is not a situation where dialogue will work.

Her firm beliefs and the harsh experiences she’s been through have completely solidified her faith and convictions.

“Don’t worry, Sister. I am always just a faithful servant following His will. Things won’t go as extremely as you’re concerned about. Would even I enjoy bloodshed?”

“…Yes. I see.”

But.

Even if she becomes bold on her own, if appropriate people around her provide advice and encouragement.

Then, perhaps, it might be somewhat alright.

However.

If even those around her share her same heart and mind.

If she’s surrounded by such extreme followers.

Hmm…

“I hope you’ll act with an eye on the distant future, not just what’s before you, so that I can trust you. So that you won’t be called a witch instead of a saint in the future.”

“That’s impossible. A witch? That’s absurd.”

Edmila, you shouldn’t be so overconfident.

Excessive faith might be another form of recklessness and arrogance.

More than understanding in order to believe.

Even to prove your faith, constantly questioning your own will and path.

“Even if your will and faith are righteous and firm. Always remember that they don’t always translate into just actions and optimal results.”

For that is the proper trial and just process we must undergo.

“I pray repeatedly that your meaningful actions won’t be misused to satisfy your desires and cravings.”

“Thank you for your words, Sister. As the Lord looks down upon me with favor, I too will pray daily that He looks down upon you and blesses you.”

As always.

Lord.

By Your glorious omnipotent power.

Save us from unjust evil.

Your servant so implores.

“…”

Alesia watched Edmila making the sign of the cross and exhaled quietly.

====

“Will you come along?”

In a guest room at the Pheisran royal palace.

Elhermina visited Mines, who was occupying one of them, and asked for her intentions.

“Where do you mean?”

“Do you need further explanation?”

Judging by those blue eyes that would remain unwavering in any situation, unnecessary emotional expressions would be pointless.

It would be best to directly convey her own intentions, while omitting unnecessary expressions as much as possible.

“It won’t be an easy journey.”

“I know. Given the continued delay, we’ll have to employ extraordinary methods to shorten it.”

Elhermina paused briefly, seemingly directing her attention elsewhere as she stared at a perfectly normal wall.

“…?”

Shortly after, Mines reflexively followed Elhermina’s gaze to the wall.

It wasn’t that there was something on the wall.

Rather, something massive was approaching from much further away.

“It seems to have arrived.”

With a gesture suggesting they should go out to greet it, Elhermina turned around.

Following her reluctantly to the inner courtyard of the castle, Mines.

“…”

Blinked several times upon seeing a snow-white flying dragon circling above the royal palace.

“It looks energetic.”

That thing?

The Fourth Saint Alesia had also come out just in time, and the knight known as the Giant’s Knight, Dyke Hamelot, was already positioned on one side.

Eventually, the flying dragon landed in the inner courtyard of the palace for the spectators to see, and its body rapidly shrank.

“What’s with you all? Are you forming some expedition to subjugate a new demon king or something?”

Rather startled, the ash-haired boy with snow-white skin and eyes scrutinized each of them.

He was so white that it was almost uncomfortable to look at him.

“There you go again.”

As if it were natural, Elhermina approached and draped a red cloak over his naked shoulders.

“What’s this? It’s cumbersome! Why? Are you embarrassed? You cling to clothes because your flesh is weak!”

“That’s a valid point. But there’s such a thing as social convention.”

“Does the True Dragon have to follow that?”

“If you abandon respect, then all that remains is conflict. If even simple conversation can’t be established, all that’s left between two parties is struggle.”

“Isn’t that good?”

“It wouldn’t matter between you and me. But what if your actions cause conflict between your kind and ours, leading to war? Small misunderstandings sometimes bring nightmares.”

“There you go with difficult words again. Short-lived beings like you who don’t even live long, speaking like our elders would.”

“That’s an honor.”

“I was insulting you. Don’t you even understand sarcasm?”

The Imperial Princess continued what seemed like either soothing or bickering with the white dragon in human form.

“So why did you call me? You know how busy I am.”

“I need your help.”

Elhermina said, looking directly at the white dragon.

“East. The land of scorching heat. I want you to take us beyond that desert.”

“How? Surely you’re not making the audacious request for me, the True Dragon, to carry you?”

“You know well.”

“I really dislike you!”

While calmly deflecting the white dragon’s outburst of irritation.

Elhermina repeatedly emphasized its importance.

“If we do this right, it might even connect to saving the world. Surely someone as great as you wouldn’t easily overlook such an important task. Isn’t that right?”

“L-lying like that won’t make me even remotely listen…”

Watching this scene from a distance, Mines shifted her gaze to Alesia, who had quietly sidled up next to her.

Standing side by side, the difference in their builds naturally made Mines look upward.

“Have you talked with that blind man?”

“Yes. Thanks to your consideration.”

With Rueld gone, Mines’s personal freedom had long since increased.

Not that there was no surveillance at all, but Mines didn’t mind.

It meant they were that anxious about her.

Unless the Imperial Princess or the Giant’s Knight were personally monitoring her, it was clear that no one could stop Mines herself.

However, they surprisingly didn’t treat Mines with hostility or disrespect.

That aside.

“You must have been very busy.”

“Ah, yes… I haven’t been able to pay much attention to you, have I? You see, positions sometimes force you to do things you don’t want to do. But if those things help others, you can’t just ignore them either. It’s troublesome.”

“…”

Though she clearly showed her dislike, from what Mines had heard about her reputation, she seemed to always act for others rather than herself.

Alesia casually asked.

“Do you enjoy drinking?”

“No.”

“Have you learned how?”

“…Do I need to learn to drink?”

“Of course. When you first taste alcohol, it seems tasteless and you wonder why people drink it. That’s because you haven’t properly tasted it.”

“…?”

Is that so?

This was the first time Mines had heard such a thing.

“Since we seem to have a lot to talk about, let’s make time either today or tomorrow.”

“Would that be… alright?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

Due to her clerical attire, saying such things seemed, well… quite inappropriate.

Or perhaps I just have such preconceptions?

Thinking back, the nun who had accepted her at the chapel in Somern Village also had a robust side to her.

…Including her fondness for alcohol.

“Anyway, whatever we have to say… it all comes down to one thing, right?”

“Comes down to?”

“…Yes, simply put, it converges? Comes together?”

Maybe I’ve been looking at the Bible too much.

Unlike before, difficult words come out without even realizing it.

As Alesia scratched near her collarbone wrapped in clothing, Mines’s gaze inadvertently shifted to her large chest area.

“…”

Just by not raising her head to look up.

Just by that alone, her field of vision was filled.

Truly an overwhelming volume. A maternal fullness that was impossible not to admire.