Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: The Holy Kingdom's Opening (4)
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The Saintess's speech carried considerable ripple effects.
Rumors spread among the people, and they debated its meaning with one another.
But there were two points in the speech that could be called truly important.
One was her disappointment in the archbishops.
Some refused to believe it, but the evidence and their armed arrest were undeniable facts.
The other was her declaration to completely halt the Holy Kingdom's long-held isolationist stance.
The Holy Kingdom had always been closed off.
It had operated with minimal interaction with the outside world.
This approach had its pros and cons, but to the Saintess, it was nothing but drawbacks.
So, she decided to open the Holy Kingdom's borders and engage in exchanges with neighboring nations.
Not just religious propagation, but culture, economy, technology—everything.
Of course, she had no intention of handing over classified information.
"Come to think of it, Author Prometheus touched on this very issue."
Among his novels, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde could be said to have targeted the Holy Kingdom.
Edn, of course, would shake his head and deny it.
"Looking back now, it's strange."
As mentioned, the Holy Kingdom had maintained a policy of isolation for a long time.
Interactions were limited to contact between ordinary believers or certified merchants coming and going.
The reason was simple.
They selectively admitted people to avoid defiling the Goddess's land.
Thus, ordinary people could meet everyday believers.
But it was impossible for anyone of archbishop rank or higher.
"Strictly speaking, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde doesn't single out the Holy Kingdom."
It was a problem that could apply to any human society, not just the Holy Kingdom.
The real issue was Sherlock Holmes.
Hepiriya had found it entertaining, but for the archbishops, it hit too close to home in many ways.
"There was definitely something similar in our investigations."
"Could it be a novel written by an insider?"
"It couldn't be published within the Holy Kingdom, so it was released in the Empire."
"Or perhaps it was penned by someone from a ducal house with top-tier intelligence in the Empire?"
Hepiriya pondered for a moment, but it was a question she couldn't answer.
How could she judge without any information?
"Rather than worrying about what we can't resolve right now, let's focus on what needs doing first."
The Holy Kingdom's reforms were just beginning.
The Pope and cardinals would lead it, but Hepiriya's role was no small one.
She had to arrest the arriving archbishops, stabilize the internal affairs, and more.
Above all, she had to handle external activities.
"Let's start by sending letters of goodwill."
She wrote and dispatched letters to the nearest Empire, then the surrounding vassal kingdoms, the beastkin nations, and various others.
She didn't know how many replies would come, but this would certainly announce the Holy Kingdom's opening.
"Ah, if the Empire responds, will the author join as well?"
It was just a hope, but she prayed that Author Prometheus would be part of the delegation.
A short time later, several shocking pieces of news arrived.
* * *
The splendid yet understated Imperial Palace never failed to inspire awe in all who beheld it.
Any citizen of the Empire had no choice but to bow their head upon seeing it.
But there was one being in that chamber who did not bow to its grandeur.
"Duke Apontuna. Come in."
The duke bowed to the emperor in accordance with protocol.
He was the only one to whom the duke lowered his head.
"More than anyone—"
"Enough with the greetings. Sit."
The emperor waved him off and gestured to a seat.
The duke gave a light nod in acknowledgment and took his place.
Two men who could shake the Empire with a single word sat facing each other in the innermost chamber of the palace.
"This place is as intimidating as ever, no matter how many times I visit."
"That's why it's perfect for discreet conversations."
The emperor spoke as he lifted his wine glass to his lips.
"A letter arrived from the Holy Kingdom. They want to open relations."
"I've heard. The Saintess staged a rebellion—no, a revolution."
The emperor took a sip of wine and swirled the glass in his hand.
The duke, meanwhile, waited patiently for his next words.
Taking another sip, the emperor let out a small chuckle.
"The Holy Kingdom is in chaos. This could be our opportunity."
"Indeed. I didn't expect it from the Saintess, but dragging those traitors before the Goddess is a boon."
The emperor frowned as he listened to the duke.
He set down his glass, his expression hardening.
"Stop beating around the bush. Save that for those damned council meetings."
"Understood. I'll be careful."
He didn't seem inclined to be careful at all, but the emperor let it slide.
From the emperor's perspective, the duke was a prickly figure.
House Apontuna was a founding house of the Empire.
Having served the imperial family for generations, it was beyond the emperor's easy influence.
At least they were pro-imperial, so words could get through.
The same went for the duke, who chose silence.
Seemingly pleased with that choice, the emperor smiled again.
"Anyway, that insular Holy Kingdom is reaching out. What do you think?"
"Hm. Simply put, it's the Holy Kingdom trying to erase its stains. As Your Majesty knows, don't you need to be related to a Holy Kingdom citizen at minimum?"
The Holy Kingdom was its own world.
Like elves, isolated with only the barest exchanges.
Of course, better than elves, but to outsiders, it was much the same.
No cultural, economic, technological, or institutional interactions.
Everything entering required inspections, permits—the works.
Now, that Holy Kingdom was extending a hand first.
Not just for proselytizing, but to share other things as well.
Considering the Holy Kingdom's latent power, the duke spoke gravely.
"It will be a great boon to the Empire."
Relations with the Holy Kingdom had always been poor.
Despite being a nation founded on the Church of the Goddess.
The Empire believed in the Goddess too, yet it had always been this way.
Now, a chance for reconciliation and alliance had arisen.
In a continent where most followed the Goddess, the Empire grabbing first?
Politically or as devotees, no downside.
Moreover, the Holy Kingdom had the Saintess—a strategic weapon.
A being wielding goddess-granted power, now obtainable peacefully through cooperation.
Even in collaborative form, it was an enormous gain.
This was the golden opportunity bestowed by the Goddess.
The duke had no desire to let it slip.
Knowing the emperor viewed the Holy Kingdom unfavorably, he opened his mouth to persuade.
"Your Majesty."
"Duke. Lately, I've been reading an amusing book."
An abrupt change of topic.
One might be startled, but the duke remained composed.
He focused on the emperor's calm tone.
What was he getting at?
As the duke perked up his ears, the emperor flashed a mocking smile.
"The Holy Kingdom's isolation let it rot from within slowly. But there's always a crack. Sherlock Holmes exploited it masterfully."
"...Yes. It was somewhat surprising."
The duke wasn't shocked to hear that novel from the emperor's lips.
The emperor enjoyed reading in his spare time, after all.
But why bring it up now?
The duke thought for a moment, then a plausible guess surfaced.
Prometheus—no, Edn's books all touched on religion.
They permeated everywhere.
Partly due to their everyday relevance, but Edn used them as devices.
Subtly challenging imperial authority too.
Don Quixote alone could make one disdain the nobility, no?
If it had targeted the imperial house directly, Edn's head would have rolled long ago.
In other words, the emperor was conveying something through Edn.
Don't view the Holy Kingdom simplistically.
Just then, the emperor spoke.
"The Holy Kingdom might have prepared this under our noses. They could have fooled our eyes and ears to approach Edn."
"Do you mean the Holy Kingdom's revolution might be a mere performance?"
The emperor smirked and shrugged.
A gesture of uncertainty, but the emperor himself was nearly convinced.
Unaware, the duke racked his brains to grasp the emperor's intent.
The emperor gave him no time.
"Squeeze everything you can from the Holy Kingdom. Guard what's ours, of course."
"Are you saying to force an unfair treaty on them?"
"Ha! Straight to the point. You get it. The Empire and Holy Kingdom aren't equals, are they?"
The emperor laughed heartily as he drank his wine.
His eyes still tracked the duke, who found it unwelcome.
In the end, the duke nodded, agreeing to comply.
But a small spark ignited in his heart.
Perhaps Edn had written not of the Holy Kingdom, but of this imperial court.
An emperor chasing only his own gains, heedless of others.
Creating enemies himself yet betraying the Holy Kingdom for a sense of superiority.
It was a scene he'd witnessed countless times.
Yet the emperor mentioning Edn's novels had changed something in a corner of his mind.
Edn's words had fanned a breeze into his heart, kindling that tiny flame.
"And the author of Sherlock Holmes is Edn Rlangbur, right?"
"Yes."
The emperor recalled the face that had recently received a medal and nearly been charged with aiding a dark wizard.
He deemed him useful but frowned at the duke.
"I know you favor him especially, but he leaves a bad taste. The Holy Kingdom's in upheaval. Bring him and give him a proper warning."
"Understood."
The emperor had shown some consideration because the duke doted on him.
In this changing Holy Kingdom, the insolent Edn might become a thorn.
So, retain his value while making him compliant.
As the duke nodded, another gust blew through his heart.
No, perhaps not just a gust.
This time, it burned larger than before.