Chapter 370: The Event(3)
Chapter 370: The Event(3)
The event, started at Musk's suggestion, produced an immense effect, just as expected.
Although Savior had officially declared a 'Holy War,' the demon worshippers, armed with meticulousness, were difficult to root out. Furthermore, they did not hesitate to resort to suicide terrorism, making it difficult to act even when information was obtained. In the meantime, the demon worshippers would use the chaos to buy time to escape.
However, as Musk had said, if there was a reward worth more than life itself, none of that mattered. To begin with, the world was full of people who valued honor more than their own lives.
On the other hand, public opinion at the start wasn't entirely positive. As mentioned repeatedly, this event required risking one's life. Some questioned whether a private audience with me was truly worth a life, arguing that an event shouldn't be held using human lives as collateral.
[An Entire Village in the Grip of Demon Worshippers...]
[A Horrific Custom Carried Out Under the Name of Tradition.]
[Each Order has dispatched Inquisitors to the village; children who suffered emotional abuse and torture are now under the protection of the Orders...]
However, public opinion did a complete 180 once news spread that an entire village had fallen to demon worship, and worse, that children had been brainwashed and tortured.
Regardless of time or place, children are objects of protection. Those who harm children are never spoken of kindly. Even criminals treat such people like trash, so it was only natural that the news came as a massive shock.
[Villages with no outside contact are the most vulnerable.]
[Underdeveloped areas, not cities, are the primary targets for demon worshippers.]
Information in this world flows primarily through newspapers. Consequently, remote areas or places where information travels slowly are inevitably cut off. This allows human trafficking, akin to slavery, to flourish, with victims mostly being sold to mines or brothels.
In some cases, lords and traffickers even conspire to sell off villagers. The idea of 'good public security' only applies to the capital or major cities. Even without the intervention of demon worshippers, things were already this bad, so it wasn't surprising that an entire village could fall.
[Lord of the Lirs Region, Baron Berk, suspected of human trafficking... He flatly denies it, but villagers testify that he ignored missing person reports...]
[Villages not officially included in territories are at the highest risk. A horrific truth previously unknown even to the upper echelons.]
[Slave traders who bribed nobles. Mine workers living like livestock rescued... Even they blindly followed demon worshippers.]
The impact of the event didn't stop at saving a single village. It was as if a massive treasure hunt had begun, with people poking into every corner of every region. Thanks to that, the corruption and criminal acts of numerous lords were brought to light, and people who had been treated like cattle were rescued.
In the process, shocking incidents began to surface one by one—incidents that far surpassed the shock of an entire village being demon worshippers.
[Among the rescued slaves were not only humans but also Beastkin, Dwarves, and even Elves. Their tendons had been severed, and they were unable to use mana.]
[Elves, treated as 'premium goods,' were mostly used as sex slaves. They were also used as alchemy ingredients and sacrifices for demon summoning...]
[Dwarves were used for labor, and Beastkin were targeted by those with unique fetishes...]
It was revealed that even Elves, the incarnations of beauty and the chosen of the gods, were being toyed with by demon worshippers. Elves are certainly strong, but if they fall into a trap, they are just as helpless. Moreover, their characteristic pride often leads to carelessness, which the demon worshippers exploited to kidnap them.
Furthermore, since the radical faction of the Demon Tribe was involved with the worshippers, kidnapping an Elf traveling alone was trivial.
[The culprit who conspired with demon worshippers to specifically target Elves is currently being hunted... However, the distribution network is vast, and it will take time.]
[Albenheim's Rage. Search parties dispatched immediately to focus on capturing the culprits.]
[Albenheim urges its citizens traveling alone to prioritize safety, emphasizing not to be conceited just because they are strong...]
Naturally, Albenheim was in an uproar. It was only right to be furious when their citizens were being sold as slaves and even used as 'ingredients' in foreign lands. Even during the Race War, some Elves were captured and treated as slaves, but that could be somewhat overlooked as it was a time of war.
But this was a time far removed from war. This went beyond mere talk; it was a major diplomatic crisis. Although Helium was currently on the rise, Albenheim was still the undisputed hegemon. This was a fact that had held true even before Arwen became involved with Isaac.
In terms of my previous life, it was as if the United States had exploded in rage, so it was only natural for other countries to walk on eggshells. The Minerva Empire, where the incidents occurred, was under the most pressure. As the country with the largest territory, it was already prone to bizarre incidents, but the discovery of Elf slaves brought a deluge of criticism upon them.
As if that weren't dizzying enough, the problems didn't end there. If even Elves were being targeted, could the 'Demons' have escaped? It was a known truth that the radical faction of the Demon Tribe was part of the demon worshippers.
[Demons were being used to cause damage to neighboring countries through 'Demonization,' or were treated as materials and sacrifices.]
[Testimony from slave traders states that using them as sex slaves is useless as they turn into demons...]
[Fortunately, Helium was isolated until a few years ago, so there are almost no victims. However, it has been revealed that the occasional Demonization incidents were related to demon worshippers.]
Before the publication of Xenon's Biography, Demonization incidents had contributed to dragging the reputation of demons through the mud. The Minerva Empire, in particular, had faced a major scandal when Princess Lina was caught up in such an incident.
However, evidence was surfacing that most of those incidents were the work of demon worshippers. Helium was already busy purging high-ranking officials who had conspired with the worshippers, so they were naturally furious that such a situation had unfolded.
[How far do the reaches of the demon worshippers extend?]
[We were far too complacent. Reality is much more severe than Xenon's Biography.]
[A Holy War in the truest sense has begun.]
[The Minerva Empire, holding the largest territory, has granted search authority to neighboring countries upon agreement...]
With public opinion so poor, the Minerva Empire decided to negotiate with neighboring countries. Normally, deploying another country's troops would require complex procedures, but as the situation spiraled out of control, all restrictions were lifted. Because the territory was so vast, even the Minerva Empire had limits to how thoroughly they could uproot the problem.
It was a relief that it was discovered now; had more time passed, the Empire might have been completely consumed by the demon worshippers. If the Ters Kingdom was the one in crisis last time, this time it was the Minerva Empire's turn.
"You look exhausted."
"......I feel like I'm going to die."
And the result of that exhaustion was sitting right in front of me. I looked at Lina, whose eyes had become sunken over the past few days. She must have suffered quite a bit since the event started; dark circles had formed under her eyes, and her once-supple skin looked slightly worn. At least her hair, which shone like gold thread, was still intact, but her fatigue was visible at a glance.
"Don't wanna do it. Wanna sleep. Gonna die?"
Then, a sly little girl's voice reached my ears. The owner of that voice was currently nestled in my arms. A sprout rising from her head, translucent wings on her back, red hair like mine, and golden eyes. Ariel, the one and only angel, had read Lina's inner thoughts and spoken them aloud.
"......By the way, who is that child? She looks like you, but she has a sprout on her head and wings?"
"Would you believe me if I explained?"
"I'd probably believe you even if you said you were from the future. Anyway, is what I'm thinking correct?"
"Yes. Ariel is an angel."
Ariel nodded at Lina's question, answering in my stead. She looked so precious and cute that I hugged her tightly. When I did, Ariel burst into a fit of giggles. Lina watched us with her hollow eyes before letting out a dry laugh.
"Now I've lived long enough to see an angel. You really are something else."
"I'm sure you have a lot of questions, don't you?"
"Later. I have too much on my mind right now. Yawn..."
Lina let out a massive yawn right in front of me, clearly exhausted. Even her yawn held a certain grace. It seemed her royal etiquette was ingrained in her very bones. I looked down at Ariel while Lina tried to wake herself up.
Ariel was staring intently at Lina, whom she was seeing for the first time. Suddenly, I remembered when I first returned to the dormitory.
‘It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Father smile so broadly.’
I couldn't help but laugh when I saw my father carrying Ariel around everywhere. He already loved our family dearly, so having a cute and lovely granddaughter must have filled him with joy. Moreover, since Mary had explained everything in advance, I didn't have to say much. All that was left was to return to a normal daily life.
"Ariel?"
"Mm?"
"What are you going to call Lina from now on?"
"Big sister."
Just as I expected. I nodded at her calling Lina 'big sister.' For reference, she called Adelia 'Mama' and Kate 'big sister.' And now Lina was 'big sister' too.
This confirmed it. Ariel called the women I had a deep bond with 'Mama,' and everyone else 'big sister.'
‘That just leaves Lily...’
I decided to think about that later. Unlike Ariel, Lily was a newborn. She couldn't even crawl, let alone walk. At least she could roll over. It was heart-meltingly cute when she struggled to flip herself over at the mansion.
Lily and Ariel. They were like unexpected gifts to our family. I looked ahead, imagining them growing up healthy and strong.
Lina was drinking tea to ward off sleep, but her eyes were half-closed with fatigue.
"Lina."
"......Yes?"
"If you're that tired, you can go back."
It was no exaggeration to say that the Minerva Empire was currently facing its greatest crisis since its founding. Savior's prestige had almost hit rock bottom due to the fallen cardinal, but Kate had carried them back up. The Empire had no such luck. It was on the verge of being stigmatized as a haven for demon worshippers. A vast territory symbolizes national power, but if it cannot be managed, it is nothing more than an empty shell.
Fortunately, the Minerva Empire had been controlling it with strong military force, but this had become a problem because it threatened not just one country, but the entire world.
"No, I'm fine. I have news I must deliver to you."
"News?"
"His Majesty wishes to meet you."
"......?"
I blinked, as she had mentioned it so casually. But for Lina, there was only one 'His Majesty.' The person with the highest authority in the Minerva Empire: the Emperor. That Emperor wanted to meet me.
As I was organizing my thoughts regarding this sudden proposal, Ariel, who was in my arms, looked up at me and asked.
"Daddy, what's an Emperor?"
"Hmm? An Emperor?"
"Yeah."
"Well... it's hard to explain, but he's the highest... no, the most important person in a country. Everything related to the country requires the Emperor's permission."
"Even for Daddy?"
"Uh..."
I didn't answer immediately and glanced at Lina. If she hadn't been here, I would have answered right away, but it felt a bit awkward with her present. She already knew that my authority had surpassed the Emperor's. However, saying that out loud would be rude.
Lina seemed to notice my predicament and answered softly. To Ariel, specifically.
"Your name is Ariel, right?"
"Yes!"
"Your daddy is a truly amazing person. The only beings more amazing than your daddy are the gods."
"Whoa... really?"
"Of course."
At Lina's answer, Ariel's eyes began to sparkle as she looked at me. I could only give an embarrassed smile. She probably didn't know what a 'country' was yet, but she seemed to understand that 'amazing' was a good thing. I was glad it passed smoothly.
"Ahem. Anyway, His Imperial Majesty wants to see me?"
"Yes. Oh, just in case, this is a request, not an order. If you refuse, that's the end of it."
"What does he want to do when we meet?"
Honestly, there wasn't much to do even if I met the Emperor. We'd likely just have a meal full of delicacies and engage in simple conversation. Of course, he would try to win me over throughout. And the method used for that would be...
"You already have an idea, don't you?"
"A political marriage?"
"Exactly."
As expected. I nodded as I watched Lina calmly sip her tea. As mentioned before, from the Minerva Empire's perspective, they would request a political marriage to ensure they didn't lose me. Even though I was already engaged to the House of Rekilis, they would take measures to bind me more securely.
Furthermore, news of my relationship with Arwen was starting to spread, and my relationship with Cecily was due to be announced soon. Therefore, the Imperial Family had no choice but to put in a lot of effort to connect me and Lina.
"It feels a bit premature, doesn't it? Shouldn't that happen after my relationship with Cecily is announced or after I marry Mary?"
"We'd like that, but incidents have been popping up one after another since the event started. Because demon worshippers have infiltrated so deeply into the Empire, the people are very anxious and have lost trust in us. Recently, there was even an incident where a lord sold his subjects to demon worshippers."
"The foundation is shaking."
Lina responded to my concise summary with a nod. I fell into thought for a moment. Since the event began, the subjugation of demon worshippers had accelerated. However, as the pace increased, the horrific atrocities buried beneath the surface also began to emerge.
Those atrocities couldn't be covered up, not just because of the speed of discovery, but because I was the one who initiated the event. From the Empire's perspective, they couldn't stop the event, so it was a wiser choice to try and tighten internal discipline instead.
"Of course, we're not saying we should get married right away. That might leave Mary in an awkward position. It's more about shaping public opinion."
"That much is fine. When?"
"You're accepting?"
"There's no reason not to. However, keep in mind that if an incident occurs during the event, I might have to postpone it. Please remember that."
Although the event started with good intentions, accidents could happen. Above all, innocent casualties must be prevented. However, since the demon worshippers might try to exploit this, I wouldn't cancel it recklessly.
Lina's expression brightened significantly upon hearing my answer, and she offered her thanks.
"Thank you. That's a huge weight off my shoulders. Again, we're not getting married immediately, so you don't need to worry."
"So it's confirmed that you and I will get married eventually?"
"I suppose so."
"Then we'll be doing that too, right?"
"......"
Lina froze with her teacup mid-air at my playful question. Then, starting from her neck, a deep red flush spread until her entire face was crimson. I hadn't said everything, but she clearly understood what I meant. I chuckled and picked up a cookie.
Lina, realizing a bit late that I was teasing her, set down her teacup and began to fan herself with her hand. I received a look that said I was being mean. Eventually, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and spoke, still maintaining her elegant tone.
"......If we marry, it's inevitable. It's a sort of custom."
"Are you really okay with that? If you don't want to, we could literally just have a political marriage and not do anything else."
"No. It's much better to be with you than to be married off to some mediocre man. And..."
Lina trailed off, stopping herself. Her face was still flushed as she stole glances at me. The hand she had been using to fan herself dropped down to grip her dress tightly. For some reason, her body seemed tense.
As I watched Lina's incomprehensible behavior with curiosity, she took a deep breath and spoke.
"Whew... No. I'll tell you that later. For now..."
"Who should I ask?"
"Huh?"
"What?"
Before Lina could finish her sentence, Ariel's voice cut in. Our gazes shifted toward her. Ariel stared blankly at Lina for a moment before speaking slyly.
"Mary? Cecily? Or Kate?"
"......?"
"I want to see him soon. Or should I ask for a 'practice' run in advance?"
What is she talking about? I tilted my head at Ariel's words, which were difficult to follow. Seeing her looking straight at Lina, she was definitely reading her mind. But I didn't understand the meaning at all.
"The others won't say anything, right? We're going to see everything eventually anyway."
"Wh-what?"
"It's not because I'm a pervert. It's because they're so lewd... lewd?"
Perhaps it was because an unfamiliar word had come up.
"Daddy, what does 'lewd' mean?"
"......"
"And what's a 'pervert'?"
The moment I heard those words, I slowly looked over at Lina. Perhaps it was because she was already stressed, and now her temperature had risen too high.
Thud—
The moment our eyes met, her head slammed onto the table.
