Ch.583583. Prelude to the Great War (4)

The mountains and rivers of the Empire, not the Kingdom, as a battlefield.

What we had discussed in the great forest—myself, Sione, Adelheid, and Edeline—had finally taken shape and become reality, creating a great current. Realizing this, I couldn’t help but smile.

‘It seems the discussions at the royal palace have finally been resolved to some extent.’

Sending an expeditionary force to the Empire is no simple matter.

All the discussions must have concluded within the royal court, which would have been in utter chaos between Amelie and the pro-Empire faction.

“The expeditionary force will be sent to the Empire in three waves, I hear. The royal army, of course, and lords with resources to spare will dispatch as many troops as possible within their means.”

“Even with the justification of eliminating demons that threaten the continent… they decided to send that many troops?”

“That’s what was decided. Furthermore, Her Majesty the Queen intends to simultaneously conduct a large-scale recruitment of new soldiers for the royal army.”

Using this opportunity as a stepping stone. It seemed Adelheid’s desire to create a new empire beyond defeating the demons was properly reflected in these movements.

‘Even with Amelie’s interference.’

After the Marquis Akion incident, they certainly gained the power to firmly suppress opposition.

‘Thanks to that, they must have been able to perform quite the sword dance.’

Because the royal court directly dealt with those involved.

Now, while the royal will and sword—stained with the blood of traitors—had yet to dry, was when the Queen and Adelheid’s authority stood at its peak. Thanks to this, they had been remarkably successful in suppressing Amelie and the pro-Empire faction.

As I remained silent, lost in these thoughts, Ainel read my expression and added a comment.

“That doesn’t mean you need to rush. The Baron has only recently returned from the Magia Realm. It’s only natural that you need time to reorganize and rest after leading troops into battle.”

“You mean…”

“You can join the second expeditionary force rather than the first to cross into Empire territory without being late. You’ll have over a month more time than the first wave, so there’s no need to feel pressed for time.”

“Ah.”

Joining the second expeditionary force rather than the first to enter the Empire.

Thanks to this, I could secure the minimum time needed to make final checks and preparations with care.

“I’ve heard that the elite large-scale combat forces will be deployed starting with the second expeditionary force. I’ve already informed Her Majesty about the Baron’s current situation, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Then the first expeditionary force will primarily focus on assessing the situation within the Empire and gathering intelligence on the demons.”

Ainel seemed to have heard much more from the Queen than I expected. She nodded slightly at my words.

Well, it wouldn’t be strange for the Queen to trust a county that had been guarding the west and remaining loyal to the royal family for so long.

“And our county also plans to head to the Empire with the second expeditionary force. We intend to dispatch troops led by Siabel and the special task force.”

So the county also wanted to cross into the Empire with the second expeditionary force if possible.

It was somewhat disappointing that Ainel, the county’s greatest strength, seemed to be stepping back this time.

‘But with Siabel and the special task force…’

Siabel Sianella, who had grown even fiercer after spending time with the Beast Special Operations Unit. The special task force under her command possessed firepower and experience no less impressive than any of the kingdom’s knight orders.

‘Since this is a war against demons.’

If they survive, it will provide them all with an opportunity to advance their skills.

The county already had two Masters. Moreover, Siabel had been recognized for her exceptional skills from a young age and was designated as a talent who would become a Master of the new generation.

Currently, she was temporarily stagnating at the Expert level.

‘What’s stopping her?’

What could possibly prevent Siabel, who shares the same blood as them, from rising to Master?

Hoping for three Masters from a single county might be too greedy, but as I was earnestly thinking about that possibility…

Ainel opened her mouth with a serious expression.

“And before that… I think we need to conclusively end our conversation with the County of Velleia.”

“The County of Velleia—”

“Why are you acting as if this is the first you’ve heard of it? Baron, you’ve already met the Velleia heir, haven’t you?”

“Me, meeting the Velleia heir?”

“During Princess Adelheid’s coming-of-age ceremony. I heard you met while looking at clothes with Sione.”

“Ah.”

I remembered.

Noah Velleia.

Sione’s childhood friend. A friend with whom ties were severed when my wife was at her lowest.

There hadn’t been any further connection since then. That’s how it was back then—someone who had disappeared, buried along with Sione’s self-deprecation.

“…How do you remember such details, Count?”

“It’s a matter concerning our family—how could I, as the head, not know?”

The Count added more about Noah Velleia.

“I heard that Noah Velleia attended the recent royal council meeting as Princess Amelie’s closest aide.”

“Wasn’t the County of Velleia a house that declared complete neutrality?”

To think that Noah Velleia had sided with Amelie.

“That’s why I intend to speak with Count Velleia. To determine whether this was the Velleia heir’s independent action or the will of the family.”

It seems many complicated matters had occurred while I was in the Magia Realm.

In any case, since Noah Velleia had participated in the council meeting as Amelie’s closest aide, it was certain that she had become someone who would not be on good terms with Sione and me.

With that brief discussion about the County of Velleia concluded, my short conversation with Ainel drew to a close.

“Thank you for lending your strength to clear the Magia Realm. Thanks to you, we were able to wrap things up easily and quickly.”

“Think nothing of it. This is between the Barony and the County, isn’t it?”

“That’s reassuring. If you say it like that, I should show my utmost sincerity to ensure the Barony can rest well before returning. In that sense—”

Ainel’s lips curled upward.

“Look forward to it. There’s something I really want to show the Baron.”

A simple smile.

Yet that expression was so full of anticipation.

Enough to make even the observer feel the same emotion.

And her following words:

“As a reward, I’ll show you the church of our county in a state of panic.”

It was truly satisfying beyond measure.

* * *

“Your Holiness, I have gathered new information as you commanded.”

“I’ve been waiting. Well, how is the situation at the front?”

“…The tacticians of the Holy Nation cannot evaluate it positively. The demon continues to advance southward toward the Holy Nation, and its malicious illusions are growing even stronger.”

“Then what of the Imperial army that was holding it back?”

“There weren’t many knights and mages who could resist the demon’s illusions. Additional deployments would only result in meaningless sacrifices. Currently, they are concentrating forces in the northern front where Saint Artena is stationed and in the far eastern lands.”

“……”

The Pope’s relaxed and benevolent expression gradually hardened.

It seemed impossible to prevent the demon from setting foot in the Holy Nation.

“Didn’t we deploy more holy knights and priests to the front lines to neutralize the illusions? Yet the Empire failed to properly send additional troops?”

“…That is correct. The Empire’s position is that they must first extinguish the urgent northern flames—”

“While they have troops to spare for the far eastern lands, which are peaceful compared to the south?”

After even declaring a holy war for the Empire’s sake.

After sending the Saint, the symbol of the Holy Nation, to the front lines.

Even so, this passive attitude toward the southern front was not something the Pope could easily accept.

After a moment of silence, the Pope finally ended his contemplation and spoke.

“Summon the Saint of Mercy. As quickly as possible.”

“I will obey your command.”

Not long after, the first Saint of the Holy Nation—Hermin, chosen by the Lady of Compassion and Mercy—stood before the Pope.

“Saint of Mercy, Hermin. As a Saint, you are well aware of your duty to stand against and fight demons according to the doctrine.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“From now on, you must take the lead in earnestly carrying out God’s will to eliminate the demon of illusions.”

A voice solemn beyond measure.

The Pope, an elderly man, possessed the talent to command a weighty and valuable atmosphere precisely because of his age.

“I will grant you permission to use the holy artifacts.”

“By holy artifacts, you mean…”

“The scripture of the First Saint. And beyond that… the Forgotten Glory.”

At the Pope’s words, Hermin bowed her head deeply in reverence.

“I will do my utmost not to disappoint God.”