Chapter 256 - Chapter 255: The Emperor-Pope's Envoy
The third day of the third month of fire.
Mika had predicted that rumors of the incident in the capital would spread only from the following week onward.
But the rumor reached the royal capital even sooner than that.
The Church's rebellion.
Emperor-Pope Hildinlander, ascension to the throne.
Along with new information, it raced across the entire continent in the blink of an eye.
"How arrogant it is. Truly, how can he do such a thing without shame...?"
This was Kifrod's first words upon hearing the news of the new Emperor-Pope's ascension.
"I understand wanting to follow in the footsteps of a great predecessor and taking their name?"
The system of taking on a new name is likely based on that intention.
I don't think anyone would actually believe that merely inheriting a name means one has "stood alongside" the predecessor.
Isn't it a mechanism designed to spur one on to work hard so as not to disgrace the name they have inherited?
"If one respects a predecessor so much, then taking on their name is the height of insolence. ...Your self-esteem must be so bloated that your body is bursting at the seams."
Kifrod seems to be extremely displeased with the act of arbitrarily taking on a saint's name.
Even Pope Blahoslav and Cardinal Wagnare are smiling bitterly at such Kifrod.
Since the new Emperor-Pope had ascended immediately, and that Emperor-Pope was the Pope of the Gronoir Church, they decided to discuss the response only among a select few.
Taking the name of a founder or someone who left great achievements was something that existed in the original world as well.
But it seems it is not done much in this world.
Pope Blahoslav did not take the name of a past saint, but simply used his own name as usual.
Mika lightly shrugged his shoulders as he saw Kifrod, who looked utterly indignant.
(Well, I do think this Emperor is indeed insolent.)
Normally, when inheriting a name, one adds a generation number like "the second" or "the tenth."
But this Emperor seems to do nothing of the sort.
It is as if he is saying, "I am not Hildinlander II, but I myself am Saint Hildinlander."
The concept of generations or numbers of successors does exist, so he is deliberately not adding them.
Cardinal Wagnare's face grew even more grim as he fell into thought.
"...However, ascending to the throne without stepping down from the papacy... One cannot help but be surprised."
"Yes... I was surprised as well."
Mika agreed with Cardinal Wagnare's opinion.
Mika had firmly believed that the Pope would install a puppet for the new Emperor and manipulate the empire as he pleased.
But this self-proclaimed Hildinlander did not engage in such tedious affairs.
He took both the papacy and the imperial throne into his own hands, dominating both the religious and secular aspects.
The apex of the secular world is the Emperor, and the apex of the religious world is the Pope.
For Mika, who had thought that the separation of church and state was a given, this situation was truly shocking.
(I remember there being a conflict between the Papal faction and the Imperial faction, but did anyone ever monopolize both?)
He doesn't recall much.
However, having the top of religion be the top of politics was a pattern of church-state unity that existed in the original world as well.
As a classification, there were differences, such as placing religion under the state or the state under religion, but it was quite common.
Thinking about it carefully, it isn't really something to be surprised by.
Yes, yes, quite common.
(————Wait, that's impossible! I'm surprised!)
A nation that practiced separation of church and state had been reborn into church-state unity through rebellion.
It is a situation worthy of being quite surprised.
Pope Blahoslav looked steadily at Mika.
"The 'Apostle' sent by the gods. You need not be so surprised."
He said so with a soft expression.
"That country was originally a land tainted by evil teachings. The head who had confused the people with heresy has simply revealed his true nature."
When Pope Blahoslav said that, Kifrod and Cardinal Wagnare nodded.
"We are merely protecting the innocent people from beasts infected with evil teachings."
Saying so, Pope Blahoslav knelt before Mika and began to pray.
Seeing that sight, Mika scratched his cheeks with a pori-pori sound.
"...Yes, that's right. The Church must, without fail, become a spiritual support so that people do not panic."
"Hmm, yes, that is so."
"Leave it to us, 'Apostle' sent by the gods."
Kifrod and Cardinal Wagnare agreed with Mika's words.
After that, they discussed statements of condemnation against the rebellion against the new Emperor-Pope and the false claim of sainthood, as well as the reception of refugees expected in the future.
If the war intensifies, soup kitchens will be held in the Great Cathedrals and churches across the country as needed.
However, it was raised that if tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of refugees pour in, it will be difficult for the Church to cope alone, and it will be hard to prepare beds and the like.
In this matter, there is no helping it.
One cannot save everything.
Nevertheless, they agreed on the idea of doing whatever they can.
When the discussion ended, Mika let out a sigh.
Because of that troublesome neighboring country, why must Mika be tossed around?
He couldn't help but think that, but at the same time, the exact opposite thought also arose.
(...Still, it is far better than just being swept along.)
Having the power to resist is better than nothing.
Then, there is no choice but to struggle as much as possible and run around to get one step closer to the best possible outcome.
"...Hildinlander, huh."
Mika muttered softly.
When was the first time he heard of this saint?
(He took the name without permission? Is it okay to forgive him?)
The new Emperor-Pope would be furious enough to punch a saint in the face with a running start, no matter who it was.
Isn't that behavior extremely rude?
It seems the entire continent will be trampled by this blood-thirsty Emperor-Pope.
Thinking of the storm of war that is about to come, Mika felt a sense of weariness.
■■■■■■
【Warterelam's Perspective】
"...Hildinlander, huh."
Warterelam muttered in the bank's reception room with a feeling of weariness.
(Ignorance is terrifying...)
He does not know what the new Emperor-Pope was thinking when he brought up the name Hildinlander, but Hildinlander's true identity is neither a saint nor anything like that.
Rather, there is a high possibility that he was a being hostile to the people.
However, few know that fact.
Who would notice that the Church of Light, widely worshipped across this continent, has been arbitrarily twisted?
Concealment and fabrication of history have been carried out for over a thousand years.
Fragments showing that fact are now barely remaining.
Within the long time of a thousand years, traces of revealing the truth have been swept away and buried root and branch.
Knock, knock.
While Warterelam was lost in thought, the door was knocked on, and two men entered.
"We are terribly sorry for keeping you waiting, Your Eminence."
The two well-dressed men were one the branch manager of this bank.
A slightly slender man with a somewhat neurotic face.
But now, before his two VIP clients, he was trying hard to make a smile.
The other was a man who operated several breweries.
His sturdy physique clearly showed that he was involved in brewing himself.
"Please stop calling me Your Eminence. I am here now as the owner of the brewery."
Warterelam smiled bitterly.
"My apologies. But you intend to devote yourself to activities within the Church from now on, correct?"
"That is a wonderful idea. Since His Holiness the Emperor-Pope has ascended, the Church will be very busy and will take on a very important role from now on."
Pretending to be embarrassed by the two men's transparent flattery, Warterelam made a smile.
Then, he lightly cleared his throat and urged them for the result.
"So, how is it? I would be happy if there is room for negotiation."
When Warterelam asked as if probing, the manager nodded.
"There is no room for negotiation, Mr. Warterelam."
He said so with confidence.
At that answer, Warterelam pretended to be somewhat exaggeratedly disappointed.
The branch manager withdrew his smile once and assumed a serious expression.
"It seems there is no need to negotiate, Mr. Warterelam. He said to buy it at the price you set."
"...Eh?"
As Warterelam froze in surprise, the two men broke into smiles.
"Oh my, after serving as a Cardinal for so many years, we are truly impressed by your deep faith, Mr. Warterelam."
"To dedicate all your assets to the Church for the future of the new Empire and devote yourself to your duties."
Words praising Warterelam's decision were lined up one after another.
Warterelam had instructed Sestendof to sell the brewery and farmland inherited from his father the other day.
He had brought up the matter to the manager who had previously been approached about buying it as a candidate for the buyer.
However, the selling price was about 50% higher than the amount previously approached.
He had been thinking that if they could negotiate, it would be a blessing, as it was surely too high a price to ask, but they said they would buy it as is.
By the way, the talk of donation was a pretext.
Warterelam, who had stubbornly refused to sell until now, suddenly put the brewery up for sale, so he just added a plausible reason.
"On such a joyous occasion, selling for such a noble reason. I will cooperate as well."
"Ah... thank you."
To Warterelam, it felt like a sale made at a very troublesome timing, with the ascension of the Emperor-Pope, a rebel.
But it seems others had a different impression.
Celebratory noise continued day after day, a mood of being carried away with celebration.
It seems that the abnormal situation of a rebellion actually worked in their favor.
Warterelam forced a polite smile and signed the agreement on the handling of the farmland, brewery buildings, and other matters, as well as the transfer contract, right there.
When Warterelam came out of the bank, Sestendof, who was waiting in a carriage, got off.
"Welcome back, Sir. How was it?"
Warterelam gave Sestendof, who looked worried, a stern expression and silently got into the carriage.
After confirming that Sestendof had boarded, Warterelam instructed the driver to return home.
"Unexpectedly, things worked out. They swallowed it whole without any negotiation."
"Eh!?"
Sestendof's voice of surprise was, however, drowned out by the sound of the wheels.
"Your idea worked. When I said I intended to donate the full amount, they were moved, saying 'What a magnificent idea.' There is no way that could be true. ...If I had known, I should have doubled the price."
Everyone, for some reason, seems to be carried away by this abnormal situation.
Warterelam crossed his legs and took a sip of the fruit wine water he had brought with him.
He would say goodbye to this taste soon.
It was fruit wine made at Warterelam's brewery, which he had loved and drunk for many years, but now it would pass into someone else's hands.
Of course, there are still over ten cases at home from this year's production.
If he drinks it little by little, it should last for several years.
Warterelam moistened his throat and let out a sigh.
"...The war fire is still far away. But it will surely come. The war fire that will swallow this entire country. Surely."
At Warterelam's words, Sestendof nodded silently.
Until now, the Emperor had somehow held back the Church's movements.
Even though they were pushed through and the war started, from now on, there will not even be anyone to stop it.
It will be a boggy battle.
A recurrence of the Fifty-Year War.
No, that Emperor-Pope will not drag out a war for fifty years.
It is possible that a battle like the "Battle of Daburandoru Plains" will happen suddenly.
"Sestendof. Go to the Commercial Union as soon as possible and ask them to prepare for reception. I will have the steward start preparing to flee."
"I understand. I will leave tomorrow at the latest."
Liquidate as much assets as possible and take them to the Commercial Union.
The Empire's currency has not yet crashed, but it will be necessary to exchange it for the Commercial Union's currency as much as possible.
However, if one exchanges all assets at once, it will be suspicious.
One must proceed little by little.
Praying that they won't be caught.
Warterelam sighed and leaned back against the seat.
"...Although these valuable materials I gathered are precious, it is unavoidable to leave them behind, I suppose."
Years of hard work will go down the drain.
Of course, just a few years ago, it had already gone down the drain.
Back then, it was a matter of re-examining from scratch, but this time, it might be necessary to throw them away.
"Please keep the luggage as light as possible, Sir."
"I know without being told. I know that's why I'm depressed."
Sestendof smiled bitterly and then put on a somewhat serious face.
"It will be a move hiring adventurers, is that alright?"
"Yes, of course. Make sure to assign proper guards. Don't be stingy and use D-ranks? Also, this time, it might be better to use adventurers of the immigrant type."
"Immigrant type...? Why is that?"
Immigrant-type adventurers do not worship the Church of Light.
Some may have changed their allegiance, but mostly it is just a formality.
Since this continent is full of Church of Light followers, they often pretend to avoid causing a stir.
That is according to Lambaluel.
Although it was something bought with money for research purposes, no immigrant would tell such a thing to Warterelam, who holds the title of Cardinal.
"It would be troublesome to encounter devout Church of Light adventurers. Try to find immigrant-type adventurers flowing in from the Commercial Union."
"I understand. ...Though I feel the conditions are a bit strict."
"There are many adventurers in the capital. With conditions like this, there certainly won't be none."
When Warterelam said that, Sestendof nodded as well.
"But I never thought the situation would change so suddenly."
"It seems to be turning out exactly as Mr. Lambaluel said."
He had said that a huge nation like the Empire would collapse due to civil war.
Indeed, that civil war has occurred.
Although the conclusion was reached quickly, who can say this is not the first step of the Empire's collapse?
(...No, everyone would say that.)
No one feels any sense of crisis.
This fact itself is what Warterelam finds most terrifying.
"Does 'that guy' Lambaluel have the qualities of a prophet? What a nuisance."
"Then, shall we have him open a fortune-telling business when we go to the Commercial Union?"
"Haha... That might be good too."
Even making such trivial jokes only brings out a dry laugh.
Warterelam put on a somewhat serious face and looked at Sestendof.
"In any case, it is best to flee this dangerous country as soon as possible. I'm counting on you."
At Warterelam's words, Sestendof nodded firmly.
■■■■■■
【"Humus" Perspective】
Northern Gronoir Empire, Brewery.
"P-please stop!"
"This is not something we can release yet!"
The knights of the Imperial Army eliminated the people standing in front of "Humus".
"Please! Please, stop! Please!"
Even while being held down by the knights, the people of the brewery shouted desperately.
"We aren't going to drink it. ...Is that the one for this year?"
"Humus" looked up at one of the huge barrels lined up inside the brewery.
A huge barrel easily exceeding five meters.
At the timing when they were about to bottle the red wine produced this year, the order from the Emperor-Pope stopped them.
"The barrel next to it also seems to be the one scheduled for shipment this year."
"Oh my, that one too?"
It seems the accompanying Church Knight found out about the barrels scheduled for shipment this year.
"It's a relief that it can be done in one go, but it's hard to get up there."
It would be easy if one could jump straight onto the barrel, but one has to climb up the ladder on the side.
Several Church Knights climbed up first, followed by "Humus".
There was no one here daring to look up at this enchanting female bishop climbing the ladder.
Because she is the "Envoy of the Emperor-Pope".
If one displeases her, they will be beheaded, and they won't even be allowed to complain.
Such authority was granted to "Humus".
When "Humus" climbed onto the barrel, she told the Church Knight who had climbed up first to remove the cork.
Among the brewery people who had diligently brewed the red wine, some were collapsing in tears.
Seeing such people, "Humus" flashed an enchanting smile and couldn't help but lick her lips.
(You produce quite a good amount of 'Voluntas'.)
The quality is good, but naturally, the amount of 'Voluntas' from one or two people is far too small.
One must squeeze it out all at once.
Like the coronation ceremony the other day.
"Humus" stuck her hand into the opened hole and closed her eyes.
[Puppet Strings].
Muttering so, red-colored strings fell from "Humus"'s hand, parapara-parapara.
The red strings fell into the red wine inside the barrel and sank down as they were.
"Humus" stood up, ordered them to cork it, and moved to the next barrel.
Doing the same, putting her hand into the hole, closing her eyes, and muttering.
[Puppet Strings].
"Humus" stood up, ordered the Church Knight to cork it, and descended from the barrel.
[Puppet Strings] and the "Artorum" created by "Lumen" were things "Aqua" thought of about a hundred years ago.
Annoyingly, "Aqua" knows so many things and is also good at thinking of such new things.
Thanks to that, the plan has progressed dramatically, but frankly speaking, even that is infuriating.
Why must one think of it as a consequence of such an annoying person?
"Humus" snorted and turned around to look up at the barrel.
Then, she ordered the Imperial Army knight standing beside her.
"The bottling work, well... let's make them wait three days."
"Understood."
The Imperial Army knight saluted, and a small squad remained at this brewery.
It takes a little time for [Puppet Strings] to completely dissolve and spread evenly.
Naturally, for a barrel of this size, three days must be allowed for it to spread.
"Well, let's go to the next one."
"Hah!"
When "Humus" called out leaving the brewery, the Imperial Army and the Church Knights Order saluted all at once.
And so, they headed for the next brewery.
Until they have infused all the red wine in the country.
Arriving at the lord's mansion where they planned to stay overnight, "Humus" let out a sigh.
Small, tattered.
For a lord in the northern countryside, this is what it amounts to, I suppose.
Would it have been better to stay at the Great Cathedral?
"A damp mansion."
Such an impression slipped out involuntarily.
Greeted by the master of the mansion, she managed to make a smile and was led to the room.
When "Humus" entered the room, she sent everyone else out of the room, leaving only the lord.
All lords, all archbishops of the Great Cathedrals, and bishops have already been made to drink the infused red wine.
She had toured the Empire over and over again, infusing stored red wine and newly purchased red wine.
And she had the lords be given the infused red wine as a gift.
If they drink the gifted red wine, they can be moved as one pleases to a certain extent.
[Puppet Strings].
It is not the power to move them as one pleases like a puppet.
If one cannot move a single finger without giving instructions every time, it would be useless.
It simply means that the will of those who drank the red wine infused with [Puppet Strings] becomes easier for "Humus" and "Lumen," etc., the "Sons of God," to guide.
But this guidance was intense.
The easier it is to guide is proportional to the amount consumed, but church officials have many opportunities to drink red wine for various reasons.
They drink it during rituals, and they drink it diluted with water daily.
If one drinks a little bit every day, it gradually permeates the consciousness, and even the will to disobey "Humus"'s words disappears.
Children also drink thin red wine diluted with water, and if they are children, they will naturally come to think that obeying "Humus" easily is the norm.
Lords and knights usually consume a large amount of alcohol.
Unless they deliberately avoid it because they are not good at drinking, they can immerse the entire nation in [Puppet Strings] this way.
Because the Church is serving it every day now.
If one visits the Church, they are made to drink about half a glass for free.
And many people visit several times a week.
For the sake of the festive noise of the Emperor-Pope's ascension.
The Subjugation Curse binds actions, but [Puppet Strings] binds the will.
It goes well with peer pressure, and one is unconsciously guided, swept along, and dyed.
"Humus" stared steadily at the lord.
"Among your subordinates, is there anyone who resists the Church's policies?"
"That... is impossible."
The lord denied it as if surprised.
"Then, even if they do not resist the Church, are there any you feel have weak faith?"
"Unfortunately, there are a few, Envoy."
Saying so, the lord knelt.
"I am sorry. It is all due to my inadequacy..."
The lord hung his head, appearing to truly feel ashamed of his own incompetence.
"Humus" smiled and tried to speak in a gentle voice.
"It is not your responsibility. But it is a problem that we are not united at this important time."
"As you say."
"For the sake of making an example of it, behead them."
"As you command."
The lord was at "Humus"'s mercy.
He did not doubt for a moment that he should behead them just for lacking faith.
It is quite convenient.
"Actually, never mind. There is no need to go that far."
"Your magnanimous words. As expected of the Emperor-Pope's Envoy."
"Humus" nodded satisfactorily and then proposed to the lord.
"How about we talk it over well once? Perhaps drink some red wine together."
"I believe that is a very good idea."
"Is there still red wine gifted from the Church?"
At that, the lord finally looked panicked.
"I-I am terribly sorry... Actually, that is... we have already drunk it all..."
"Oh my, you have already drunk it?"
It seems the lord is quite fond of alcohol.
"Then, tell the bishop to lend you some red wine. Say it is my order that I need one barrel."
"One barrel? Thank you very much, but is that alright?"
"It doesn't matter. But you should moderate yourself. This time, it is for deepening friendship and understanding with those who seem to have weak faith."
"Haha! Thank you very much."
"Leave."
When "Humus" said that, the lord bowed respectfully and left the room immediately.
If they permeate the lord and those around him, the Domain Army, and even their families in this manner, it won't take much time to spread.
The Church and the lords.
Permeate the people of the Empire from both sides.
"...Things are going smoothly."
"Humus" raised the corner of her mouth and muttered so.