Chapter 90 - Episode 89: Strengthening the Territory ③ Angel's Honey
The Milleon Holy Religion is the state religion of the Lordberg Kingdom. The Milleon Holy Religion Missionary Society, whose mission is to protect, convey, and spread its teachings, is not very secularized.
While not completely severed from the secular world, the political influence of the Missionary Society is very small. The bishops, priests, and nuns continue to protect their faith while leading frugal lives.
Because the Missionary Society has built such a unique position within society, continuing a life of asceticism close to self-sufficiency, it possesses its own unique know-how and techniques. While these are not widely released outside the organization, some nobles have taken notice and received them in exchange for donations.
It was this church knowledge that Noein set his sights on.
"I am grateful for your time today, Priest Hasel."
"Since we receive exceptional kindness from Your Excellency Arqvist every day, we wholeheartedly welcome your visit, Your Excellency."
Visiting the church in the territorial capital of Noeina, Noein received a respectful welcome from Priest Hasel, who conveys the teachings of the Milleon Holy Religion in this land.
Priest Hasel, who is still young in his early twenties, migrated to the Arqvist territory with his wife and nuns to operate the church, partly as a means of imposing trials upon himself as a devout believer of the Milleon Holy Religion.
The church, the house where Priest Hasel and the others live, and the grounds for their ascetic life were all provided free of charge by Noein, the territorial lord. As a priest, it was only natural to welcome such a visit from Noein.
"Actually, there is something I would like to ask for your cooperation with."
"My, my... if there is anything someone like me can assist with, I would very much like to hear it."
"Thank you. Then... to put it bluntly, I desire the 'Angel's Honey' held by the Milleon Holy Religion Missionary Society."
"Angel's Honey" is a medicine manufactured by the Missionary Society. It is made using special medicinal herbs as raw materials, and its production method has been kept secret within the Society.
The effects change depending on the concentration; very dilute versions are wholesaled to clinics and the like as painkillers, while those made slightly more concentrated are used as anesthetics. It is an important source of income for the Missionary Society.
And, contrary to its cute name, "Angel's Honey" also had a side where it became a vicious poison if the effect was too strong in its undiluted form.
If this undiluted liquid enters the blood vessels, the body loses strength for several hours, making it impossible to even stand. Even after the effect subsides, paralysis remains in part of the body for many years—or in the worst cases, for a lifetime.
The degree of paralysis varies by individual, but even in mild cases, one of the limbs becomes unable to move properly, and in severe cases, it is said that even getting out of bed becomes difficult.
"...I see, so Your Excellency is also interested in it, as expected."
"Yes, I am a noble, after all."
Whether he had predicted Noein's business or not, Priest Hasel spoke with a smile, appearing unsurprised. Noein responded in kind.
It was common for nobles to obtain "Angel's Honey" from the Missionary Society in exchange for donations.
The uses were varied. It was sometimes used as a tool to impose a punishment one step lighter than a death sentence on a criminal, sometimes used as a tool for interrogation or intimidation by hinting at its use, and sometimes used by court nobles for political struggles.
"And so, how much of it do you desire?"
"Let's see... for now, about one jar full."
"O-one jar full!? Is that so...?"
Hearing the unexpected request, Priest Hasel involuntarily raised his voice.
Normally, the undiluted "Angel's Honey" that nobles request is, at most, about one small vial. To want a whole jar was extraordinary.
"Is it difficult?"
"T-that... it would depend on what purpose you intend to use it for. It is entirely possible to gather the amount if I ask for assistance from other churches, but I cannot help but explain for what purpose you are collecting so much of the undiluted liquid..."
To Noein, who asked with a cool face, Priest Hasel replied while slightly flustered.
"If, by chance, you are considering use for a purpose that goes against the teachings of God, it would be difficult for the Missionary Society to grant Your Excellency's wish. Personally, I understand that such a thing would not be the case with Your Excellency, but..."
In other words, Priest Hasel was saying that because there are explanations to be made to other churches, he cannot sell the undiluted liquid without a justification that does not conflict with the beliefs of the Milleon Holy Religion. Understanding this, Noein immediately revealed the purpose.
"Of course, it is not for a purpose that goes against the teachings of God... Priest Hasel, are you aware that the situation in the Lordberg Kingdom is becoming unstable?"
"Yes, of course. I have heard of the misery in the southwest, where conflicts continue, through the church's information network, and as one who serves God, I can only grieve."
The Milleon Holy Religion Missionary Society is an organization with countless bases throughout the kingdom. There were likely parts of the domestic situation that Priest Hasel knew more about than Noein.
"I, too, grieve over the current situation as one of the kingdom's nobles. I believe that if things continue like this, a great war may occur, and the interior of the country may fall into further chaos... In the worst case, I believe clashes between nobles or civil unrest could occur."
Noein spoke while making a sorrowful face.
"If that happens, conflict may arise between people of the same country. I thought that when caught up in such a situation, I would not want to kill my compatriots as much as possible. I thought that if I had 'Angel's Honey,' I could neutralize the opponent without taking their life, and perhaps overcome such turmoil. That is precisely why I desire a reasonably substantial amount."
"...I see."
Hesitating on how to respond, Priest Hasel merely muttered that for the time being. The reason Noein gave certainly sounded humanitarian.
It was not that "Angel's Honey" had never been used as a weapon. However, because a large donation was required to buy the undiluted liquid from the Missionary Society, and because one could not take a life even if the enemy was paralyzed, it was hard to call it a general usage.
However, Noein judged that precisely because "Angel's Honey" was non-lethal, it would be useful in certain situations.
"I wish to protect my people, and if possible, I also wish to protect the compatriots with whom I may unfortunately cross swords... For reasons such as these, would it still be difficult to explain to those involved with the Missionary Society?"
"That... in that case, an explanation should be possible. I felt that using 'Angel's Honey' to avoid taking lives in battle was a very new and interesting idea. I shall contact other churches immediately and gather the requested amount."
"I am glad, I thank you. To reciprocate your kindness, Priest, I promise a modest donation."
As long as church officials live in this world, money is indispensable.
The wish for a jar full of undiluted "Angel's Honey" was an exceptional matter, but since an explanation of a reason that did not conflict with the teachings of God was provided, and furthermore, a large donation could be received, Priest Hasel decided to accept Noein's request.
.....
When told by Noein that the undiluted "Angel's Honey" would be added to the equipment of the Arqvist territorial army, Yuri made a puzzled face.
"Speaking of undiluted 'Angel's Honey,' normally it's something used for punishments or intimidation. I'd understand if Noein-sama held it as the territorial lord, but why make it equipment for the territorial army? And in such a large quantity."
Facing the jar in the warehouse of the army barracks, Yuri asked this.
"Well, normally you'd think that... but I believe this will become the ultimate weapon for when the time comes."
As Noein said this—he made an evil smile that he hadn't shown in a long time.
"Whether it's a war that occurs with the Lancel Kingdom, domestic chaos, or perhaps some other conflict further in the future... anyway, when this territory, or a faction, or the country is cornered by some trigger, this will become a powerful weapon on the level of a forbidden move."
"If you go that far, you must have a basis for it, but what on earth are you thinking?"
To Yuri, who asked suspiciously, Noein questioned him back.
"For example, you coat arrows in this undiluted liquid and shoot the enemy repeatedly with crossbows. A large number of arrows with the undiluted liquid rain down and pierce the enemy. Then what happens?"
"Well, enemies hit in bad spots will die, and enemies who only suffered injuries will become unable to move due to paralysis."
"Exactly. The enemy will end up with a large number of seriously injured people who cannot move on their own."
"...I see, so that's it."
Yuri also understood Noein's aim.
The wounded are a great burden to an army, but considering morale, they cannot be easily abandoned. Rescuing and sending to the rear a large number of wounded who became unable to even stand because of "Angel's Honey" would be a tremendous burden for the enemy army.
"That's not all. The paralysis from this undiluted liquid remains for years. If many men return with paralysis in their bodies, what happens to that society?"
When Noein said that much, Yuri was speechless.
Far from just losing labor to war, if they ended up supporting a large number of people with aftereffects. That country, that territory, would find it difficult to even properly maintain its society.
Noein intended to use the undiluted "Angel's Honey" as a poison that would erode even the society of the opposing force.
At this rate, it would be far more merciful to just kill the enemy soldiers in one go.
In Yuri's mind, a scene of streets overflowing with disabled wounded soldiers in a town run ragged due to a lack of workers came to mind.
"...That is, truly, no matter how you look at it..."
"Inhumane, right? That's why this is the ultimate weapon. If I used a weapon like this without thinking, there's no doubt the opponent would hate me. It can only be used when we're so desperate that we don't care about anything else, even if it means thoroughly destroying the opponent's society just so we can survive! Though it would be best if it ends with me never using it for my whole life."
Noein spoke with a straight face about things that would leave even a veteran warrior like Yuri speechless.
"...But why did the Missionary Society give you the 'Angel's Honey'? Those people are strict about the teachings of God. There's no way they'd gladly hand it over to be used for such a terrifying reason."
"I explained to Priest Hasel that 'I want a means to avoid killing people when chaos occurs.' Then he gladly gave it to me. It's a very humanitarian reason, isn't it?"
Saying so, Noein smiled brightly. If the content of the conversation weren't so dangerous, it would be an expression that could even be called innocent.
Yuri witnessed once again, after a long time, Noein's cruel mercy, which chose no means and showed no mercy to others if it was to protect his own territory.