Chapter 268 - Chapter 267: Holy War
The third month of wind, the second week, the day of water.
Adelriese's Magic Tool Shop.
"Ooooooh...!"
Mika held a black, glossy robe in his hands, trembling with emotion.
Watching Mika like that, Adelriese and the leader of the Underground Magic Tool Association, the "Don", Nozzemueller, smiled and watched over him.
Finally, the completion of a robe, vest, and gloves made of pure "Copper-type Rare Metal Orichalcum".
[Impact Resistance], [Slash Resistance], [Pierce Resistance], and so on, defense attributes were piled high, and [Heat Resistance], [Cold Resistance], etc., were also [Granted].
It seems to boast defensive power that takes no damage even when punched by Kaerya in tests.
Well, no matter how much impact you can withstand, there is a limit, so you will probably be blown away.
"So cool. It even has a hood."
"These days, you wear hoods often, don't you? It would be a waste to make them and not be able to wear them as daily clothes."
According to Nozzemueller's explanation, it has [Granted] adjustments for perceived temperature, so it seems comfortable to wear even in the height of summer.
It looks super stuffy though.
Besides, black and glossy things have a slightly bad image, don't they?
Quickly, rustle-rustle... No, never mind.
Mika gathered his resolve and put his arms into the robe.
"This is a lifesaver. ...But, isn't it too long?"
Something, it goes all the way to near my ankles?
Academy robes are at most just below the knees.
"You'll still grow taller."
"I-I suppose so..."
Mika felt Adelriese's comfort to be in vain.
Because recently, he had half-given up on it himself.
Should I have done genetic engineering after all?
Damn it...
However, with it this long, it feels like it might get in the way when running.
When he asked with that thought in mind, it seems they had considered that point, and it seems to flow easily when running.
Mika tightened his belt and moved his body lightly.
Perhaps because there is some growth expected, it is made with plenty of room.
It feels good to wear, and it is very light.
"It's good."
"Right? The materials were a bit short, so we couldn't [Grant] it to the planned level, but even at the current state, it has performance like in legends."
Nozzemueller nodded satisfactorily.
"It's a robe fitting for the Apostle. Once the materials for the delayed [Grants] arrive, we'll add them. For now, the robe is complete."
"Yes, thank you very much."
It seems there are also materials that were ordered but haven't arrived due to logistics delays.
Since waiting for them to arrive means it will never be completed, they decided to deliver it once.
Mika looked up at Adelriese and Nozzemueller and smiled brightly.
Seeing Mika's expression, Adelriese noticed something.
Yes, it was a bad premonition.
"Now, you have a little free time, right?"
They had reached a milestone in the main production of robes and such.
The research team, which had been increased in numbers, must surely be bored out of their minds.
At Mika's confirmation, Nozzemueller gave a bad smile.
"...Are you plotting something again?"
Mika grinned.
Watching the two like that, Adelriese put her hand to her forehead and sighed.
"You really come up with things one after another like that... What is it this time?"
"Not just coming up with things, there is something I want you to research."
Mika briefly explained the content he had consulted with Chirensta-san the other day.
"......Long-distance communication...?"
"What is that?"
Mika conveyed the concept of Morse code.
It was a very simple story of sending text using a simple combination of symbols.
"In short, if an action at one point can be transmitted to another point, information can be sent."
"...I understand the logic. But is such a thing possible?"
To Nozzemueller's doubt, Mika nodded firmly.
Mika knew one example of a method to transmit information to a distance in this world.
Fee.
No matter how far apart they were, Fee could absorb Mika's mana.
Using this, for example, if you combine 'sucking for just a moment' with 'sucking for longer', you get the so-called 'dot-dash'.
I don't know the logic behind why it works like that, but since there is an example, there must be a method.
Also, Fee can know the direction where Mika is.
I don't know if it's wired or wireless, but there must be some principle of this world that hasn't been elucidated yet.
"Do you have any idea about magic tools or substances that affect objects at a distance without direct contact?"
When Mika asked, the two made thinking faces.
"......Twin Stones, perhaps, would be that kind of thing?"
"Yes... Yes. That might be it."
"Twin Stones?"
It seems Nozzemueller thought of something, and Adelriese understood too.
However, Mika had no idea what that was.
Adelriese explained while letting her long hair flow down her back.
"Simply put, if you break one of the two stones, the other stone breaks too."
"Oh, such a thing exists?"
It is a long, thin crystal-like object about the size of a pinky finger, said to grow in a pair on a single base.
After splitting the base and separating the two, if you break one, the other breaks too.
"Oh! That's great! Let's research that!"
Mika proposed with a broad smile, but Adelriese and Nozzemueller made ambiguous expressions.
"What's wrong?"
"Well... about the Twin Stones..."
"They're gone."
It seems they had already used them all up and they were gone.
During the Fifty-Year War.
(Ah... That makes sense. If such things still existed, they wouldn't not use them.)
If such things were still left, there would be no need to send a fast horse for two days to announce the start of war.
But if such examples exist, then it is certain that there is something invisible.
"I want you to investigate why such a phenomenon occurs. Are there other things with such properties? If so, why does such a thing happen."
"Why...?"
Mika wondered why they had such doubts.
He couldn't understand it from the start.
The two had such faces.
In this world, everything is decided by the gods.
So, the Twin Stones are like that, and that's where the thinking stops.
Thinking that far, Mika came up with one idea.
He put on the gloves and showed the rings.
"The magic tools for mana stabilization are all divided into six magic tools, right? Earrings, a necklace, and four rings."
"Oh, that seems to be the case."
When Mika confirmed it, Nozzemueller nodded.
"If you remove even one, it stops functioning. Why does such a thing happen?"
"Why? Well, of course it stops functioning if you take off equipment, right?"
Nozzemueller looked suspicious as to why he would ask such an obvious thing.
"Oh!?"
But Adelriese seemed to understand what Mika was trying to say.
She looked surprised, and then started thinking about something.
Mika explained to Nozzemueller.
"When equipping, each magic tool is separated, right? And if even one is broken, everything stops functioning."
"Oh, ah... That is correct."
Nozzemueller also listened to Mika's words while thinking.
"In other words, they are checking each other's status. ...How?"
"How...?"
After hearing that far, Nozzemueller also started thinking.
"If we understand why this is happening, it should be applicable to long-distance communication."
He had casually used it, but wireless already existed.
Well, there is also the possibility that something is being transmitted through Mika's body.
If so, there will be a way to use it.
First, we should elucidate this something being transmitted, or consider applications of this mechanism.
"If possible, aim to establish a method to transmit voice and sound. If that is impossible, Morse code is fine. It would be even better if there is a mechanism to convert text to dot-dash and dot-dash to text."
Mika smiled to himself, thinking that hope might be granted surprisingly soon.
He would also investigate the communicable distance, and might need relay stations to extend the distance.
But since there is the best material, rare metal, it should work out somehow.
More than anything, there is plenty of money.
Even if it costs billions of Rats, I will draw a direct line to Rish Village.
With the prospect of long-distance communication established, Mika felt a little guilt.
(I'm sorry to Chirensta-san, but I can't teach this for free.)
That was what Mika was thinking.
■■■■■■
[Gronoir Empire, Imperial Capital Karchi]
The Emperor's Castle.
Emperor-Pope Hildinlander was listening to a report from the Prime Minister in his living quarters.
"......And that is the current situation where citizens are moving voluntarily. Also, accepting the defeat in the previous battle, volunteers for the army..."
While reading a report summarizing problems such as the decline in domestic production, Hildinlander was also listening to the Prime Minister's report.
Centered around the Imperial Capital, believers began to call out to each other and go to the church.
Going to the church half the week became the norm, and those who did not do so were reported as unbelievers.
It would be fine if it ended with a report, but there were those who forced people to go to the church without recognizing any exceptions, causing trouble to erupt continuously.
Some even took actions that could be called mob justice in groups, and the security of the Imperial Capital was deteriorating rapidly.
The Imperial Army is cracking down, but even the knights of that Imperial Army are participating in mob justice.
Nevertheless, this problem will be solved soon.
Because even the unbelievers will soon start visiting the church frequently.
If they drink the Red Wine served at the church, they will naturally be guided to go.
Those who had visited the church less frequently probably consumed less Red Wine.
If they put Red Wine in their mouths every time they go to the church, they will soon stop taking problematic actions.
And the defeat in the previous battle.
The target of criticism did not turn toward the Emperor.
Because we lost because our prayers were not sufficient.
We have not received the blessings of the gods due to the vices of the former Emperor and his family.
That is the cause of the defeat.
Therefore, people throughout the empire have thrown aside their work and are praying to the gods with all their hearts.
The decline in production power was the result of that.
"Accept all volunteers for the army. Train them as much as possible."
"Yes."
"Promote donations and offerings, and make food a ration. Urge them to dedicate all their property to the gods."
"Yes."
The Prime Minister bowed respectfully.
The Prime Minister raised no questions at all regarding Hildinlander's orders.
Currently, the prioritized work is securing food, securing strategic materials, procuring weapons and armor, and work related to these.
Harvesting crops, mining ores, smithing, etc.
After that, training new recruits is prioritized.
Of course, there are countless other jobs necessary for people to live, but those were stagnating.
Because those are not necessary.
"Seize all goods circulating in the market. Confiscate them. No matter how much property you have, make it useless."
"Yes."
If there are no goods that can be bought with money, then having property is meaningless in the first place.
With the money donated and offered, buy food and strategic materials from other countries.
"Leave."
"Yes."
When Hildinlander waved his hand, the Prime Minister bowed respectfully and left the room.
Then, he threw the report onto the table.
"Hmph... There is no need to think about the future."
Sacrifices do not need property.
There is no need to think about the future.
Hildinlander slowly stood up and went out to the balcony.
Looking down at the Imperial Capital spread out below.
In the square in front of the castle, there were scattered people who had lost their homes and had nowhere to go.
Shabby-looking beggars.
Watching such beggars, Hildinlander sighed.
"Is it only this much...?"
They must still be hoarding.
Even though I told them it was a waste.
"Well, that is unavoidable."
One cannot know what will happen in the future.
So they try to prepare.
"......It is about time."
Hildinlander, who is both Pope and Emperor, must guide them.
To the foolish people.
To the sacrifices.
The path they should aim for.
■■■■■■
On that day, millions of people gathered in the square in front of the castle.
Naturally, that many people could not fit in the square, and people overflowed into every road centered around the castle.
Today, an edict was issued that Emperor-Pope Hildinlander would speak directly.
That is why so many people had gathered.
"Hail the Holy One!"
"Hail Emperor-Pope!"
"Hail Emperor Hildinlander!"
When Hildinlander appeared from the castle gate, cheers rose, and some knelt on the spot to begin praying.
Stepping onto the podium, Hildinlander raised one hand and responded to the cheers.
Then, raising both hands to request silence, the square instantly fell silent.
"Oh gods. Forgive us. Due to the lazy, prayers have not yet reached you. Due to those who go against the will of the gods, this world is defiled."
That voice strangely echoed across the square.
No, not just the square.
It reached all the gathered people.
Then, when Hildinlander gave directions, the people collectively fell into grief.
"Forgive us..."
"Yes... We are sorry."
"Please, forgive us. Oh gods..."
But Hildinlander did not forgive them to that extent.
Squeeze harder, squeeze it out.
"Why do you not offer everything!!!"
At that shout, all the gathered people were struck by lightning.
It gave such an impact.
"The world of the gods is before your eyes! Why do you not entrust everything to the gods! Why resist!? Why fight back! Look at the gods! Look only at the gods!"
Each of those words struck down the people, making them tremble.
Until now, it had been said that the reason they could not receive the blessings of the gods was the fault of the former Emperor's vices.
But Hildinlander said.
That is no longer the reason.
We ourselves are stained with vice.
Tears overflowed.
Men and women, old and young.
They had awakened.
A collective surge of erupted lamentation.
Hildinlander was satisfied with that mournful voice that roared and echoed.
He absorbed and took in the "Voluntas" directed at him to the fullest extent of his chest.
Then, he spoke gently.
"The remaining time is not much."
Each person repeated Hildinlander's words in their heart.
In the silent square, voices rose one by one.
"Holy Hildinlander..."
"Please, guide us. Emperor-Pope..."
That was the only hope.
The people clung to the only remaining hope.
"Hail Emperor Hildinlander!"
"Holy One! Please save us!"
"Please, us sinners!"
The people knelt and clung with all their hearts.
That only Emperor-Pope Hildinlander could save them.
Hildinlander smiled and nodded greatly.
"Lost children, pray when times of trial come. To me! To this Hildinlander!"
"Hail Emperor!"
"Holy Hildinlander!"
Hildinlander spread his arms wide and looked up at the sky.
"Prepare for war!"
Then, he pointed to a man in the crowd.
"Man, take up your weapon!"
Next, he pointed to a woman in a completely different place.
"Woman, take up your weapon!"
Hildinlander pointed one after another.
"Youth, take up your weapon!"
"Young ones, take up your weapon!"
"Elderly, take up your weapon!"
"The poor, take up your weapon!"
"The rich, take up your weapon!"
"The angry, take up your weapon!"
"The sorrowful, take up your weapon!"
"The pious, take up your weapon!"
Then, he barked at the sky.
"All subjects! All believers! All lost children!"
He thrust his fist upward.
"Take up your weapons!!!"
A roar of cheers exploded.
"Weapons! Weapons in our hands!"
"Prepare for war!"
Hildinlander felt dizzy from the terrible quality and quantity of "Voluntas".
He wavered slightly, but immediately stood firm.
Then, he raised his voice.
"This is a Holy Crusade! Tell all subjects! Tell all believers! Tell all lost children!"
Hildinlander's voice reached every single person among the people, even amidst the cheers.
"The Bible in the left hand!"
"The Bible in the left hand!!!"
"The sword in the right hand!"
"The sword in the right hand!!!"
And, Hildinlander shouted.
"The Holy Crusade begins! Prepare for war! The Holy Crusade begins!!!"
"Prepare for war!!!"
"It is a Holy Crusade!!!"
Hildinlander nodded greatly and gazed at the foolish sacrifices.
Thus, on that day, the voices praising Hildinlander and the voices saying "Prepare for war" echoed in the Imperial Capital forever and ever.