episode_0058

“Nice to meet you all. My name is Charlois Estania from Novogord.”

The Imperial Academy was shocked that day in many ways.

As far as they knew, Novogord was a land inhabited by savage demons.

I thought his speech and actions were extremely frivolous and his appearance resembled that of a monster.

The fact that the academy is located in the south opposite Novogorsk also played a role.

However, the demon named Charlua who suddenly appeared in front of them was completely different from what they had imagined.

The tone of his words was not harsh, and his actions were extremely cautious.

There, the appearance was almost identical to that of a human being. Rather, it was extremely beautiful!

But the Academy’s surprise didn’t stop there.

“I have a question. Could you help me?”

“Here. I don’t quite understand this part. As far as I know―”

“Hmm? Ahaha! It’s not like it’s lacking to this extent just because it’s called Novogord. This here is… .”

Charleroi’s academic achievements were of a very high standard.

To the extent that students at the Imperial Academy can easily surpass them.

It was at a level where I could have somewhat in-depth conversations with professors.

Thanks to this, many people have reached a point where simply saying ‘I was surprised’ is not enough.

When you think of the Demonic Clan, the first image that comes to mind is of a warrior obsessed with battle.

I’m talking about the sight of people of all ages and genders running towards each other, shouting, “Wow!”

In fact, Novogorsk is the country with the largest number of troops per capita.

Even with a population of only about 50 million, the empire is barely able to maintain a total military force of 400,000.

This is also a situation where opinions continue to arise that the legion should be reduced.

However, Novogorsk had a population of about 8 million, but its military force exceeded 80,000 and was close to 90,000.

Novogorsk was the only city that had more than 1 percent of its population as troops.

That’s why the people of the empire thought of the Demons and Novogord.

Only fighting. Only battle. Only power. That was what they believed was their reason for being.

But this demon named Charlua was completely destroying all of that.

[Charlois Estania. Adapting very well to the Academy.]

Thanks to this, the imperial figures who had been watching her felt relieved.

What if Charlois doesn’t adapt well or acts strangely?

The atmosphere surrounding Novogord, which had been built up with great effort, could change strangely.

To prevent that, we assigned personnel to surveillance in addition to the role of escort.

From Charleroi’s perspective, and from the Empire’s perspective.

Just as a fairly pleasant academy life was about to begin.

“Have you heard the news, Charleroi?”

A female student I had become somewhat close with approached me cautiously.

“There was a war.”

“… Yes?”

“There’s war beyond the southern border! The Kingdom of Benito and the Holy Nation have declared war on each other!”

For a moment, Charlois felt that something was strange.

As far as she knows, many countries on the continent, including the Empire, worship the God of Light, Runen.

And the Holy Land is the land where such miracles of Rune were first manifested.

It is a very natural process that all followers of light consider important.

“Hey. Is that possible? Even though the Holy Nation is not a strong country, since the headquarters of the Church of Light is there, in fact, all the followers of Runen are said to be people of the Nation.”

“That’s right. However, the situation seems to be different in the southern kingdoms adjacent to the Kyo-guk.”

“Different? How so?”

“I don’t know the details either. What I do know is that even though the Holy Church overthrew the King of Benito, the other kingdoms are not using that as an excuse to attack, but rather remain silent.”

The moment he heard those words, Charlois’s eyes lit up.

Those who don’t know think that she lived comfortably simply because she was the only daughter of the chairman of the council.

I think of them as greenhouse plants that are raised with great care and know nothing about the world.

Of course, that’s nonsense. If Chairman Kalland heard it, he would have burst out laughing.

Even his father, who was a veteran in politics, had planted his own eyes and ears in the National Assembly without his knowledge.

Charleroi is a man with enough political sense to make any member of parliament like this.

A very familiar scent began to linger in her nose.

This was, yes. It was clearly a whirlwind of political strife with many dirty numbers running wild.

“Anyway… What should I do?”

“What do you mean?”

“The situation beyond the border seems worse than I thought. I’ve heard rumors that the legions are being re-deployed, and the academy may be on hiatus for a while.”

A leave of absence? Why all of a sudden? It’s not like there’s a war going on in the empire?!

When Charlo asked the reason in confusion, the female student said she didn’t know either.

He himself had only heard such rumors from others.

‘no….’

Charlois rested his chin on his forehead and let out a sigh.

I finally came all the way to the southern part of this distant empire to become the first international student.

I’ve been holding up well even in hot weather that I can’t get used to at all.

I was about to start my academy life after overcoming the discriminatory gaze of being a demon!

Because he couldn’t understand at all, Charlo went to see his professors.

I didn’t just tell him the reason for my visit, because that would have made me seem rude.

And I originally learned that you shouldn’t reveal your inner feelings carelessly anywhere.

Especially when you want something or want to know something, you have to hide it even more.

“Professor, I found the information you needed.”

“Ah, thank you. Miss Charlo. You could have asked your assistant to do it, but you helped me like this.”

“No. I learned a lot from the academic discussion last time.”

The academy professor said he felt sorry to send her away like this and gave her a ride himself.

As we talked about this and that, the conversation naturally turned to that topic.

“By the way, Miss Charlo. Do you have a place to stay for a while?”

“Even though it looks like this, I think it’s possible since you’re a guest of the empire. But why are you doing this?”

“War broke out across the southern border. It was caused by a dispute between the Holy Nation and Benito.”

“I see. Oh my. War.”

The acting is so natural that anyone who sees it would think it’s the first time they’re hearing about it.

The professor, who had never imagined it, just had a look of regret on his face.

“The battlefield is so close. The academy in the south has no choice but to prepare for any eventuality.”

“As far as I know, both Benito and the Holy Nation are somewhat distant from the Empire… .”

“They said that the situation was not likely to be a simple fight between two countries.”

The professor continued speaking while fiddling with his teacup.

“If it had been before, the Southern Kingdoms would have reacted as soon as they heard the sound of the excommunication. It was such a perfect excuse. But this time, they say it’s different. They’re watching Benito, who was excommunicated, and even going beyond that and secretly helping him.”

“If it helps with observation… .”

“This would mean that the hearts of the Southern Kingdoms have turned away from the Church.”

The Southern order that had been maintained for over a hundred years. The position of the church that had never been shaken.

It is shaking now. And not just slightly, but very violently.

As the situation is getting worse, the empire is also preparing for any eventuality.

“Oh, of course, don’t worry too much. This is only a possibility. Unless the Empire enters the war and the situation in the South gets worse than it is now, there won’t be a break.”

*

What the hell is this!

“What the hell is this?!”

I communicated with the princess. And I did it without a single mistake.

If this were normal, I would have burst out laughing and said, “Phaha!”

But now, it was almost impossible to even afford that kind of leisure.

[ Benito. Declares war on the Holy Nation ]

[Holy Church. King Benito Excommunicated]

I thought something was a bit odd, but not as much as in the West.

That’s understandable, because the South is where the power of the Holy Nation reaches so strongly.

To some extent, bishops and priests are greater than some nobles.

So Benito also knew how to make peace with the Holy See to some extent.

But that’s a no-no. Benito just did it coolly.

Whether he is excommunicated or not. Whether the surrounding countries accept Rune or not.

The sight was like watching the actions of a crazy person who only lives for today.

‘But that wasn’t the case. There was every corner I believed in!’

[ Southern Kingdoms, each with different reactions ]

[ Benito condemns. Encourages reconciliation. Offers to mediate ]

At first glance, it seems like everyone is on the side of the Holy See.

But no. If that was really the case, then he should have gone to Benito as soon as he heard the news.

Not just verbally criticizing Benito or urging reconciliation like now.

All the current circumstances suggest only one case.

“Kael. Will the Southern Kingdoms really turn their backs on the Holy Nation and side with Benito?”

At the princess’s question, I thought for a moment and then nodded cautiously.

Otherwise, it would be impossible to properly explain the current situation.

“The reason will be known after looking into the situation in the South a bit more, but that’s my guess.”

“If that’s what Kael is like, then that’s what it must be.”

The princess said that without even listening to the reason.

Because of that, I couldn’t help but sigh for a moment.

“Still. I’m curious as to why, so can you tell me?”

“Ah, yes. In my opinion, it’s probably because of the antipathy toward the Holy Nation that has built up over time.”

In the past, the continent was under an order led by the Holy Nation that worshipped the god of light, Runen.

The power of religion was tremendous. Who hasn’t called religion a drug?

It is said that anyone who spoke even the slightest blasphemous words about God was condemned regardless of their status.

But nothing lasts forever, and the power of that religion gradually weakened.

It’s not that I no longer believe in Rune. Religion still functions as religion.

It’s just that a lot of the influence that was exerted on all areas of society has disappeared.

The Empire was like that, the three eastern kingdoms were like that, and the western kingdoms were similar.

Religion is merely a belief. It should not interfere in the affairs of the state.

“… But the situation in the South was a bit different from other places.”

“I see. There is a Holy Nation in the South. Since it is right next to it, its influence will be reduced differently than other places.”

“Your Highness’s words are correct.”

Yes, the influence of the Holy See is still strong in the South.

Naturally, the social status of each country’s bishops and priests under them is also high.

To the extent that their influence is felt in all the affairs of the kingdom.

They must have looked very ugly to the rulers of each country.

In the meantime, Benito stood up first, so while outwardly taking the side of the Church, inside they were hoping that Benito would put a stop to the Holy Church’s arrogance.

“… Really. No matter where you go in the world, that profit relationship exists.”

The princess reacted with a shocked expression, but I just shrugged.

And after some time, the princess and I finally reached the southern part of the empire.