Chapter 38: When I Came to My Senses, It Was a Needlessly Glamorous Hell 1

“Um… Do we really have to go this far?”

“Of course. Unlike Munhel, the Bohemian region is almost entirely under the control of heretical forces. In other words, any clergy who carelessly enters could be shot dead on sight.”

“Ugh…”

Polena, who had started subtly rebelling against me at some point, was helping Cazeros change clothes inside the carriage.

At this moment, Cazeros had removed her usual clerical attire and donned inconspicuous traveler’s garb.

Additionally, the insignia symbolizing her status as a Holy Knight was separately hidden among the luggage.

Though reluctant, Cazeros had taken on the appearance of an ordinary traveler, prompting Polena to slowly nod in approval.

“Hmm… It’s certainly plain, but it suits you well.”

For some reason, Polena regarded Cazeros’s appearance with a pleased expression.

Feeling oddly self-conscious, Cazeros hastily exited the carriage.

As she hurriedly departed, Polena watched her with a warm, motherly gaze.

‘She truly resembles that child…’

The Bohemian region, which had rebelled against the newly enthroned Emperor Sigismund.

Located between the Empire’s southern and northern regions, this area had originally served as a buffer between the heretical and Church forces. However, it was now firmly under the control of the heretical forces that had risen in revolt, anticipating the new Emperor’s oppressive policies.

And Turen Andreas, the leader of the heretical forces and the head of the prestigious Andreas family, one of the thirteen noble houses of Bohemia, was deeply contemplating their future course.

Although the rebellion itself had succeeded, and they had successfully expelled the pro-Imperial nobles in the process, the situation was far from resolved.

Or rather, in a sense, the true crisis was only just beginning.

‘The rebellion may have succeeded, but… The Emperor will certainly not leave us be. Soon, he will dispatch his armies here. And the Bohemian forces alone will be virtually incapable of stopping them.’

While Turen’s Bohemian forces were undoubtedly formidable, comprising not an ordinary army but mages capable of wielding the extraordinary power of magic, even with his own considerable arcane might, the Imperial forces were stronger.

Although unable to muster the hundred-thousand-strong armies of their prime, their immediately deployable strength was still easily in the tens of thousands.

Just the talented individuals from the prestigious mage families under their command were too numerous to count, and leading this army was the renowned Archmage Tillit – one of the few individuals whose personal prowess Turen could not confidently claim to surpass.

With Tillit’s participation in the impending war almost certain, Turen desperately needed new allies. However, the situation was far from favorable.

Despite spearheading the revolt, the other heretical lords across the Empire were still hesitant to act, merely watching the Emperor’s movements.

The only potential ally was the neighboring Prince-Elector of Pfalz, whose meager support forces were already en route but sorely lacking in mages, consisting of hastily assembled troops that were better than nothing but not to be overly relied upon.

As for seeking aid from foreign nations, that would be crossing a line, so Turen had no choice but to shelve that option for the time being.

The conclusion was that they would have to prevail with their own strength, come what may.

To this end, Turen was striving to conscript every possible soldier and mage while fortifying internal discipline.

‘We must scrape together every single soldier… every single mage we can. For our survival… For the survival of all the Empire’s heretical forces…’

As these thoughts lingered, Turen slowly gazed upwards, his mind drifting to the constant ache of a missing presence.

‘If that child had remained here… would I have been spared these troubles? If only… If only I had been a little kinder to them back then…’

The child whose very whereabouts were now unknown…

As the image of his unforgettable offspring surfaced, a bitter pang gripped Turen’s heart.

After applying suitable disguises, we entered the city of Bohemia.

The initial impression was far grimmer than we had anticipated.

“It truly feels like a warzone.”

“To be precise, it’s the brink of war. According to the latest rumors from Munhel, the Emperor has ultimately decided to take action.”

The news of the Emperor’s declaration to eradicate heresy, essentially a declaration of war, had reached us as soon as we departed Munhel.

Not only me but everyone else could vaguely foresee the impending events.

“…Which means the Imperial forces will soon descend upon this place.”

“It would seem so. And if that happens, I trust the Master will protect this frail Polena.”

“Um…”

Even in this situation, Polena casually jested, prompting me to clear my throat and disregard her remark as I absorbed the scenes unfolding before us.

At the training grounds on the city outskirts, numerous recruits were undergoing weapons drills.

Along the walls, defensive installations, including cannons, were being inspected.

Throughout the city, soldiers patrolled with weapons in hand, maintaining strict vigilance.

‘How should I put it… If I had to compare it to something, it feels like martial law has been declared. Regardless of which side, once a wartime footing is established, the atmosphere shifts fundamentally.’

Although the city itself appeared beautiful, the numerous troops moving about prevented any appreciation of that beauty.

And crucially, knowing that this city would soon turn to ashes…

Made its present state seem all the more fleeting from my perspective.

‘Well, in any case, since we’re here, we should rest for a day and depart immediately. I’d rather not get entangled in the war by lingering too long.’

I wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

However, we needed to replenish our food supplies, rest the carriage horses, and take a breather ourselves.

Thus, with a sense of sitting on a bed of nails, we checked into an inn before immediately heading towards the market.

Fortunately, businesses seemed to be operating as usual despite the tense atmosphere.

Relieved by this, we ventured further inwards to purchase bread, fruit, and dried meat.

Then…

“Hm? What’s going on?”

“It seems some incident has occurred…”

There was a crowd of people and soldiers gathered in one area, effectively blocking the entire street.

We briefly considered turning back, but not being familiar with the area, we decided to proceed in the direction visible to us for the time being.

‘I wonder what could have happened to cause such a commotion…’

As these thoughts lingered, I found my gaze unconsciously drawn towards the disturbance’s source.

That’s when…

“Huh?”

“…Those people are undoubtedly…”

Cazeros and I spoke in bewildered tones.

At that moment, our eyes fell upon two disturbingly familiar faces…

The Holy Knights, Nune and Tine.

“Let go! I said, let go!”

“You scoundrels! How dare you treat Holy Knights like this! Do you not fear the heavens!”

The two of them, bound by soldiers and being dragged away somewhere, were loudly proclaiming their identities as Holy Knights in this heretical region, exhibiting utterly deranged behavior.

Cazeros and I could only watch them with stunned expressions, momentarily at a loss for words.