Ch.535535. Internal Strife (3)

The time when everyone offers prayers before the statue of the celestial deity.

When the priests’ earnest wishes and hopes could reach the heavens. At a time that should be more devout and peaceful than any other.

An unbearably cold atmosphere flowed through the small office for the church’s bishop.

“To request a private audience at this hour… Were there perhaps problems with your life at the church?”

The bishop recognized the gravity of the situation from the unusual demeanor of Sharenne, the captain of the Beastkin Special Forces.

Unlike her usual expressionless face and passive stance. Spreading an intangible pressure that only combat-proficient beastkin could exude, she possessed a dignity that made one swallow involuntarily by her mere presence.

“Bishop, listen.”

Sharenne’s amber eyes fixed on the bishop’s form.

Under her calm yet blazing gaze, the bishop couldn’t help but feel like a wolf’s prey.

Consumed by the illusion that her sharp fangs might pierce his throat at any moment, he swallowed hard and had no choice but to listen to Sharenne’s words.

“After our night operations and daytime activities, our special forces have reached a conclusion regarding the changes in the barony that the church was concerned about.”

“We have confirmed that there are no heretics or pagans in the barony or the baronial family, nor do they harbor any such ideologies.”

“Furthermore, they appear to be practicing the virtues emphasized by the church even more diligently than the current church branch in the barony.”

There was no wavering in Sharenne’s voice.

Like a judge’s verdict. Her precise words allowed no rebuttal or questions.

“I have determined that requesting further cooperation from our special forces would be worthless.”

“Worthless… but the bishop of the county also—”

“This is our conclusion after investigating the situation in the barony because that woman with an inquisitor background was curious about it. Surely… you’re not suggesting that you cannot trust the judgment of our special forces?”

Her brow furrowed.

A clear expression of displeasure.

“Do you know how many days we have wastefully spent here for that sudden request, when we should have been hunting in the count’s magical territory? It would be good not to forget. Our roots are not as believers of the Holy Nation, but as warriors of the Beastkin Alliance.”

“……”

“As beastkin who value honor, it’s difficult to cooperate in disgracing the land of heroes who slew demons. But we cooperated out of goodwill and loyalty to you. However, have you heard about the dishonor we’ve suffered from being treated like ghosts and disrespected by the humans here?”

“That is…”

“Bishop, it would be best not to ask for more. Our Beastkin Special Forces have completed everything we can do here. Don’t you think it would be excessive to take more of our time?”

Sharenne slowly approached the bishop.

With her towering height of over 180 centimeters, the beastkin looking down at him extended her hand and said:

“We will head to the count’s territory as originally planned.”

If he were to grasp Sharenne’s hand and shake it, it would mean agreeing to all her words.

‘…But I was told there must be something hidden.’

Though it wouldn’t hurt to make a good impression on someone closely connected to Saint Artena, he didn’t want to waste this opportunity.

In the end, he had no choice but to take Sharenne’s hand.

“Thank you for your work thus far, Bishop.”

“…Thank you for your cooperation, Captain Sharenne.”

“Well, no need for such words. Please tell the priests on my behalf. Those priests who had seizures claiming fur allergies while staying with us need not worry about allergies anymore.”

“…What? A priest from our church dared to utter such nonsense to you?”

“Ha.”

Disgusted by his seemingly ignorant response, Sharenne finally snorted and released his hand from the handshake.

Afterward, she turned and left the office. The bishop, left alone, could only clench his teeth in emptiness.

“…Which brothers and sisters would dare.”

At least for today, it was certain that the church in the barony would be in utter chaos.

* * *

“I’m here to report.”

“Is everything already finished?”

“Yes, the Beastkin Special Forces will soon head to the county, and I’ve taken measures to ensure the church won’t easily interfere with the barony for a while as they deal with internal matters.”

As expected of a special agent sent by the Lephelia Duchy. Her handling of matters is certainly swift.

After hearing more explanations about how she manipulated them, and learning the full details of the incident, it became clear how dangerous a skilled illusion mage could be.

‘So she projected different illusions to the priests and the beastkin.’

She showed the priests cooperative and favorable impressions of the beastkin to continue the operation.

And showed the beastkin negative images of the priests, sowing seeds of discord between the barony’s church and them.

Meanwhile, to create more perfect illusions, she even investigated the characteristics and habits of individuals in both groups in such a short time.

‘Captain Dorothy has seemed rather relaxed lately.’

I can’t help but think it wouldn’t hurt to have such a capable illusion mage on our side.

Furthermore—

“I’ve also eliminated all the swindlers who were found to be acting under the Third Princess’s orders. The barony will be free from the pressure of the Third Princess’s faction for a while.”

“The Third Princess’s swindlers were hiding in the barony too?”

“Yes, this document contains information about the orders they received.”

She informed me that she had eliminated the Third Princess’s faction through the subordinates she brought.

“Everything has been handled without leaving any traces or clues, so they probably won’t even realize their agents have disappeared for a while. The baronial family will also have time to prepare for the Third Princess faction’s next move.”

For a moment, I felt a desire to recruit the incredibly capable Lady Bina.

“Then I will now return to the Lephelia Duchy.”

As Bina bid farewell, I snapped out of those thoughts.

Right, what’s the point in coveting Lady Leona’s sword and getting embarrassed?

“You’ve worked hard. I’ll be sure to speak well of you to the Princess.”

“Thank you.”

Bina, who had appeared mysteriously, soon disappeared as quietly as she had arrived.

After she vanished, I checked the information from the First Princess that had arrived while Bina was handling the beastkin unit matter.

“Finally, the delegation has departed—”

Two demons.

The Demon of Deception had reached the doorstep of the Holy Nation, and the Demon of Corpses was advancing toward the northwestern part of the Empire.

“…The demons’ movements have accelerated more than expected.”

With danger now reaching the Holy Nation’s mainland.

I couldn’t help but think it would be good to proceed quickly with everything while they’re too preoccupied to turn their attention to the Kingdom.

So I made a decision.

“Now the only major person likely to interfere here is the Third Princess—”

Since I’ve already earned her enmity to the point of her sending spies.

—The Third Princess will try to break my power while I’m away. If she crosses the line, I can deliver an appropriate punishment with legitimate justification. Of course.

In Adelheid’s letter too.

—Creating justification is simple enough anyway.

With the support of the fiery princess who had completely positioned herself against her, and the means to protect us written in the letter.

“Let’s start by investigating the families in the west who support the Third Princess.”

If the opportunity arises, it might not be bad to use her to increase our cohesion and practical experience.

* * *

The northern part of the Kingdom, swept by the winter war.

Edelin was walking through the northernmost land where the weather remained chilly despite the arrival of warm spring.

The reason was simple. The demon who led an army of corpses and played king was frantically searching for places where the bodies of warriors who had achieved high levels of martial prowess in life lay.

“Elder Pleta, can you see it? This is the land where dragons, demons, and humans fought together.”

“Yes, Grand Elder.”

“It seems more people lost their lives here than I thought. Despite consistent efforts to recover bodies, so many still haven’t returned to nature.”

Edelin offered a small prayer while looking down at the remains of an unnamed person she had encountered countless times.

After burning and erasing the corpse without leaving a single speck of dust using spirit magic, she spoke in a deeply sunken voice.

“We must ensure the Lord of Corpses cannot play with their bodies.”

“A worthy statement.”

“And, as if our efforts in coming here weren’t in vain, I can already feel it.”

“…What do you mean?”

“It seems fragments of the demon remain in the northern lands. Moreover, it appears a larger fragment than expected was sent here.”

“Could that really be true?”

“The Lord of Corpses and I are bound by an unbreakably tough ill fate, so I trust my intuition.”

Just as she had predicted, in the northern part of the Kingdom, like when the Demon of Deception appeared in the Kallia Marquisate in the past, the Demon of Corpses seems to have sent its puppet here.

“Elder Pleta, prepare for battle.”

With a twisted smile, Edelin raised her bow and said:

“From now on, we will erase the demon’s fragment.”

Pleta could only prepare for the fierce battle with an ice-cold expression.