Ch.206EP.46 – Everyone Has a Plan (4)

…It was really difficult to get a newspaper today.

Seriously, everywhere I went they were sold out?

‘I understand though.’

Certainly, there wouldn’t be a single citizen in the kingdom who wouldn’t buy a newspaper today.

That’s how much the article properly stimulated the dopamine of the southern people, making it impossible not to purchase.

He was the same.

He wasn’t particularly reading it to stimulate dopamine, but he was one of the parties who knew the “inside story” of all these events, so shouldn’t he read it?

Such a bold, no, an all-overturning cutting of the tail…

“No. ‘Cutting off the head’ would be the correct expression here.”

Rustle.

Ihan expressed admiration, or something like it, as he read about the Grand Temple incident that occupied the headline of the morning inquisition and the next page as well.

It was so thorough that it actually inspired admiration.

[Radical Faction dreaming of overthrowing the kingdom? Radical Faction leader Archbishop Berhen and Cardinal Dateo dead.]

[The atrocities committed by the Radical Faction targeted the Academy and Galahad?]

[Royal family furious! ‘Strong criticism toward the temple will follow!’ The kingdom’s stern response-?!]

An unprecedented situation where overnight, the kingdom had been turned upside down—even that expression was insufficient to describe the incident.

The entire south would likely be buzzing about this topic for a while, with no peaceful days ahead.

…However, even in the muddiest waters, flowers bloom.

Amidst the entire nation cursing the temple, they openly showed sympathy and respect toward a certain “hero.”

[The bold decision shown by the Moderate Faction leader, Cardinal Michael!]

[Saint candidate Cardinal Michael! Drawing his sword in a strong response to the Radical Faction’s apostasy.]

[Holy War? Or heretic hunting?]

[Cardinal Michael shedding tears. ‘Those I killed with my own hands were once my teachers, fathers, and brothers.’]

Cardinal Michael.

An elderly priest who had passed ninety this year but still maintained his vigor.

The person who had sat as a cardinal of the temple for the longest time and was known as the leader of the Moderate Faction.

Yet now he was enjoying the same level of attention as if he had suddenly risen to stardom through the radical act of “purifying” all the leaders of the Radical Faction and their apostate followers.

…Cutting off heads and putting them on skewers was already a barbaric and cruel performance, but he went even further with the grotesque act of burning the headless bodies.

However.

‘All of this is actually rational behavior.’

It might sound like a joke, but the faction known as the Radical Faction had truly accumulated many [sins].

They were famous for conducting such extreme acts that even citizens who normally claimed everything the temple did was right would express reluctance with comments like “Well, this is a bit…”.

But upon closer investigation of this incident, it was revealed that many of the acts committed by the Radical Faction were particularly vile and dirty, including “slave trading” which had been forbidden by the military god in the past.

In other words, surprisingly, none of those who died in this incident died “unjustly.”

Over hundreds of people had all committed crimes worthy of execution, and Michael had drawn his sword in the name of justice against corrupt priests running amok.

That was the truth of the purification incident known to the public, and it was understandable why the people were enthusiastic about Michael.

Additionally…

[Galahad’s bold decision.]

[Those who move for the kingdom’s order are truly the family of heroes.]

[What did the Pendragon royal family do when Galahad took action?]

…Provocative content printed by some minority newspapers.

Articles that elevated Galahad while expressing antipathy toward the royal family were written, a typical method of division.

“Are these newspaper people only living for today?”

It was content that properly touched the royal family’s nerves, and Ihan couldn’t help but laugh mockingly.

If the princess sister saw this, she would probably…

“-You’re looking at something filthy.”

Riiiiip!

…Yes, she would tear it up mercilessly like this.

Ihan just blinked as the silver-haired crown princess suddenly appeared and seized his newspaper, tearing it to shreds.

Ah, it was so difficult to get a newspaper today…

“…I was still reading that.”

“Why are you looking at such trash that only dirties your eyes? Throw it away. It’s full of false propaganda.”

“Hmm.”

Ihan scratched his cheek.

Her tone was sharper than usual, and her eyes were overflowing with coldness.

…She seemed to be in quite a foul mood.

“What brings you here? Coming to such a humble place in person?”

However, bad mood aside, Ihan grumpily asked why such a noble person as the crown princess was here.

Well, saying she had something to see and coming all the way here.

“Hmph, your manner of speech is disrespectful. If I’ve come here, you should be shedding tears of joy, which would be normal.”

“Ah, yes.”

“…Insolent fellow.”

Slap!

Isis’s fan blazed with fire, but unfortunately.

Crack.

It seemed the fire blazed not at his head, but at her wrist.

“Your wrist is breaking, are you okay?”

“Hmm, this ‘avatar’ for covert operations still needs more refinement.”

“…You really have all sorts of things.”

…Fortunately, it didn’t seem like her actual body had come.

‘When you look at her closely, this sister really has diverse talents.’

He was quietly impressed.

* * *

“The temple, those vermin used a truly verminous trick, those vermin worse than maggots-!”

“Ahem.”

Even the way Isis normally cursed was elegant, but the fact that she used the word “vermin” three times in a row showed that her mood wasn’t just bad—it was truly terrible.

“However, though extreme, I cannot deny it was certainly an effective measure. The Saint Plan, was it? Not only did they shift all the blame for that absurd plan onto the Radical Faction, but the temple itself imposed such severe punishment that there’s no way to rebuke them. Is that all? By giving credit to Galahad, they’ve created a thread-thin bond between Galahad and the temple. While Galahad itself would find this extremely unpleasant, how would the citizens viewing this think? They would harbor expectations like ‘Perhaps Galahad finally believes in the temple too?’ To achieve such an effect by killing ‘merely’ ‘hundreds of pests’—it’s nothing but a profitable business.”

“A-are you not even treating them as humans?”

“According to separate investigations, the crimes committed by priests belonging to the Radical Faction included ‘murdering believers,’ ‘fraud,’ ‘kidnapping,’ and ‘torturing believers.’ What would you call such people?”

“…Spellcasters?”

“…I wonder what kind of people magicians are to you…”

Ihan understood why Isis didn’t treat the dead as humans.

They were clearly worse than the greediest villain, or rather, lower than beasts.

“If there are any who died unjustly, it would be the Archbishop and the dead Cardinal. While they were leaders of the Radical Faction, they were merely petty criminals who embezzled money…”

“I-isn’t that still a crime?”

“According to kingdom law, such petty criminals would only face [40 years of labor punishment].”

“……”

……Those guys, maybe dying was a luxury?

Ihan felt bewildered throughout the conversation.

Clearly the temple had done something crazy, but he couldn’t openly criticize it.

Because the people they used as scapegoats were actually “garbage beyond recycling.”

“What’s even more absurd is that most of the Moderate Faction members are clean, and in Cardinal Michael’s case, while he did receive some backdoor money in the name of sponsorship, it’s so minor it’s almost endearing, leaving nothing to nitpick about, sigh!”

“…Wow.”

Despite knowing it was a mistake, he couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

What were these guys?

‘Why are they so thorough?’

It was astonishing how the strategies and plans set by the three most powerful forces in the south had been overturned so easily.

‘Everyone has plans, but I guess things in the world don’t always go smoothly.’

Until now, he had only seen the temple as a fanatical force, but after this incident, he understood.

The temple has.

‘A strategist.’

And one who is.

A real one capable of making those three eat crow all at once…

However,

“-It seems this insignificant old man will be nominated as the next Archbishop.”

Early the next morning, Ihan realized there was one more person who had been made to eat crow.

“Old man?”

Raphael, the only elder he respected, lamented with a tired expression, and before he could comfort him.

“Also, it seems the temple will express gratitude to brother. For capturing the apostates, they will likely bestow an [indulgence].”

“…An indulgence? That’s definitely…”

“Something precious given to only twenty people in the kingdom’s history. Those who receive it are often honored as heroes by the temple.”

“!?”

“The moment brother receives the indulgence, you step onto the stage. You’ll be the focus of everyone’s attention.”

“……”

“…And this is certainly not what brother would want.”

“…Damn it.”

Ihan usually tried to refrain from cursing in front of elders, but he simply couldn’t hold back, and the curse reflexively escaped his lips.

And he realized.

The unknown strategist seems to be skilled in scheming as well…

‘I was also playing on a manufactured board?’

That even he was being used like a chess piece.

“Ha, damn it!”

Rather than getting angry, Ihan burst into laughter.

At the humiliation of being K.O.’d before even entering the ring…

I’m newly realizing this, but fists alone cannot solve all the world’s problems.

Just as there’s a reason why they say the pen is mightier than the sword.