357. Adversary (2)
357. Adversary (2)
- 1 -
As soon as the curtain was drawn, the noise from the Fate banquet hall was instantly blocked out.
It was a simple sound-blocking spell.
I headed toward the tea table and said briefly.
"Begin."
At my words, Saya and Esther bowed their heads once.
It wasn't an attitude of tension or fear, but simply one of courtesy and respect.
"It is true that they are showing signs of wanting to form an alliance, Master."
Saya began her report first.
Her voice was calm as ever, but I didn't miss the slight upward curl at the corner of her mouth.
A deep loathing for 'my enemy' naturally seeped out.
"The Holy Kingdom, Rugnisah, Kakia, and Norn. These four nations are actively moving, centered on the Holy Kingdom."
"How specifically?"
"The Holy Kingdom has dispatched 'special envoys' to each country. Nominally for religious exchange, but it appears they are actually progressing military negotiations."
Esther continued the report.
"Rugnisah has gathered its reserves and ordered 'emergency readiness,' and Kakia has doubled its border guards. The Empire... well, with the Aririt issue, they are already hostile to us, so it was a natural choice."
I nodded and lifted my teacup. It was within the expected range of events.
But there was also an unexpected part.
"There is no word from Zenota or Ellieniese."
"In the case of Zenota, they are taking a passive stance. It is likely due to the fact that recently, Cretia and Gorod have distanced themselves from Zenota and are showing a friendly attitude toward Reinrak."
Zenota's rear is unstable, making it difficult for them to launch a more aggressive offensive against us.
Even more so since any forces they could spare have already been crushed by Elena.
Cretia and Gorod are relatively small nations to the west of Zenota.
Though they are small nations, their influence cannot be ignored, because they are effectively represented by two monarch-grade adventurers who keep Agares in check.
'That's also the reason Reinrak can freely take a stance opposing Zenota.'
Though the world doesn't know it, Nyx Jinsowa, who resides in Cretia, has currently become my subordinate.
Even though she is in a state where she can no longer exert 'true monarch-grade' power as she did in life, that fact remains hidden from others due to the secret 'cooperation' Agares and I have been maintaining.
Such a Cretia has recently turned entirely from neutrality to Reinrak's side.
As for Gorod, they are maintaining a neutral stance, but in practical terms, you could say they hold almost the same opinion as Cretia, with whom they jointly defend the southern border.
It's just that this nation is not openly stating its opinion.
'Caught between the three countries, it must be hard for them to speak up.'
I tilted my head to the side.
The part I found unexpected was not Zenota, but the other side.
Ellieniese, sandwiched between the Rugnisah Kingdom and Kakia—two nations practically one body with the Holy Kingdom.
Why had this country chosen neutrality?
"From what I have heard, Henricus III himself has stepped to the forefront and is pushing a non-war policy. He is making the argument that 'peace is the path to prosperity,' but..."
Esther paused for a moment before adding.
"Actually, it seems he wants to watch the situation. He seems to be waiting to see which way the tide of battle will turn."
"Knowing the cause the Holy Kingdom holds, yet remaining on the sidelines... what a truly wise king."
I let out a short laugh.
A wise king.
There is no virtue wiser than a crafty survival instinct.
Having witnessed our successive victories, his desire to remain a safe bystander must have grown stronger.
To the people of Ellieniese, who will enjoy an untimely peace thanks to that admirable 'wisdom' and the 'fear' we have instilled in them, I inwardly sent my blessings.
"But if the Holy Kingdom launches a preemptive strike, they will surely join in."
Ellieniese's attitude was a good miscalculation, but it was something we still needed to remain guarded about.
Because if the Holy Kingdom declares the alliance and Haisen as 'heresy,' the situation will change.
In that scenario, Hilsa and Kiza might move separately to seek their own survival.
'Kiza has Evangeline, and Hilsa has Lin Xue, so we can be somewhat reassured, but...'
Though I have the national heroes who saved them, it was still difficult to feel completely at ease.
It was time to reap the harvest from the targets I could have reached out to earlier, but had deliberately approached slowly.
The power holders.
"Ash."
"Yes, Master."
I looked at Esther and scratched my nail along the rim of the teacup.
"Report on the current status of the Sun Cult."
"Yes. They are currently achieving considerable results within Haisen. While public response is growing, there is also an increasing number of cases where nobles are secretly seeking counsel."
Confidence was evident in Esther's words.
Unlike the Celestial Church's doctrine of 'blind faith in the Absolute,' the Sun Cult's doctrine, which emphasizes 'personal will and inner light,' was spreading regardless of social status.
It was absorbing even some idealists on the fringes of noble society and those on bad terms with the Holy Kingdom, and had gained considerable strength, so to speak.
And the personal connections built in that way were ready to spread further afield.
"There were also reports that His Majesty the King of Hilsa's only daughter, Princess Sofia, and Prime Minister Cromwell's beloved daughter, Miss Olivia—both young ladies have recently been deeply moved by our teachings."
The families of various nations' power holders were beginning to take an interest in the Sun Cult.
If we could firmly secure even them, we would be able to keep at least the opinions within the alliance in the palm of our hand.
Clearly, it was a good trend. But this alone was not enough.
We must also divide public opinion outside.
"It seems I will have to speak with the saintesses. Ash."
Esther's eyes widened slightly.
"You mean in person?"
"Yes."
The influence the Holy Kingdom holds over the common people is considerable.
But most of that influence comes not from the Holy Kingdom's home country, but from the deeds of the clerics who serve among the people.
And the apex of those clerics serving the common folk is precisely the 'saints.' Clerics said to walk the path of the priesthood after receiving revelations from the Goddess.
If they were to offer a different opinion from the Holy Kingdom, the Pope's influence would diminish significantly.
"I don't know if they will come just because we call them. In times like these..."
"Don't worry."
I smiled with my eyes.
"Because I will go to them."
There are four saintesses currently active, including Esther.
In other words, a total of three people to visit.
'For the great cause, I must be willing to humble myself and seek them out as many times as it takes.'
This would be the surest way to dismantle the Holy Kingdom's cause.
- 2 -
The discussion regarding the Holy Kingdom ended, but the meeting continued.
Because humans were not the only enemies we faced.
"Come to think of it, has there been no news from Gaph since then?"
We had been sending scouts this time to slowly gather information on Andras, but when it came to Gaph, whose base is in the deep sea, planting eyes was somewhat difficult.
'And right now, it would be too much to ask even Salvia for this.'
My faction has two maritime groups.
The forces of Echidna, deployed to the east and south, already had large numbers even before meeting me, so it was just a matter of raising those forces appropriately. But Salvia in the west is only just being built up.
Meaning the current priority is to focus on immediate growth.
Therefore, we needed to scrape together every bit of leaking information...
"Actually, there is one piece of news."
It seemed something had indeed happened.
"What is it?"
"From Gaph's domain... contact came from my kin."
I set down my teacup.
The survivors of the Cheoneung Cheon-gu 'Amatsu' Clan, said to be under Gaph's protection—either the demon tribe who were once Saya's servants in ancient times, or their descendants—had suddenly sent word.
"Why?"
At my question, Saya swallowed dryly and hesitated for a moment.
Soon, her voice, slightly trembling, answered.
"...They said they want to see me. And..."
She trailed off, lowering her gaze.
Beneath her long eyelashes, in her pink eyes, a faint longing for her blood kin she could not hide even if she tried, and a glimmer of hope, were rising like mist.
"And?"
"They said they want to meet you as well, Master."
I raised an eyebrow. This was an interesting development.
"According to what the person who delivered this message told me, they were overjoyed when they heard I was alive. And they said they want to know who the person I serve is..."
For a moment, silence flowed.
Esther, I, and Saya. All three of us understood the meaning of this situation.
Shortly, Esther concluded.
"It's a trap."
"I see it that way, too."
Likely, Gaph was behind this move.
He wants to probe our information, or perhaps capture Saya to extort something from me.
"But Saya."
I met her eyes.
"What matters is how you feel. Do you want to meet them?"
A small but clear longing glittered in Saya's pink eyes.
She moved her lips and barely opened her mouth.
"...I do want to see them. To see how they are doing, thinking that I was dead... and what they think of me..."
"Alright."
A faint streak of emotion in her eyes.
It definitely had a great influence on my decision.
But that wasn't the only reason.
Saya is my most loyal sword and shadow.
It was a reward for her unwavering loyalty, and at the same time, it could also serve as another strategic move against the great enemy called Gaph.
I smiled warmly.
"Then we shall go. Set a date."
"Is it alright?"
"Of course, it could be dangerous. But..."
At Esther's worried voice, I took Saya's hand and caressed it.
"Because they are Saya's family, of all people."
Feeling Saya's hand tremble faintly, I spoke in a low voice.
"I should let your family know as well. About who their precious young lady will be marrying."
Instantly, Saya's eyes flew wide open.
In those pink eyes, happy emotions overflowed.
"Master..."
"And besides, the more people who give their blessing, the better it is."
I continued speaking, showing not pity but affection toward Saya. However, I infused the end with a cool energy.
"Assuming, of course, they have the will to give their blessing."
But if they turn into enemies... then nothing but ruin awaits.
I will crush them even more thoroughly—as much as my consideration, as much as Saya's hesitation.
Saya bowed her head in silence. A flush was rising on her face.
Because she too knows that all of this talk is ultimately founded on affection for her.
"Thank you, Master. But..."
"But?"
"Is it really alright? There is a high possibility it's a trap..."
"Saya."
I lifted her chin and met her eyes.
"If it concerns you, I can bear a risk. If it's a trap, I'll treat it as a trap. If it's sincere, I'll treat it as sincere. We just prepare and go. That's all."
I spoke in a whisper, pulling up the corners of my mouth.
"Besides, I'll have to confront Gaph someday anyway."
For a while, an air that was both warm and filled with tension flowed through the room we were in.
The time to greet the enemy was approaching with great strides...
"Oh dear, I forgot to pick up the two of them."
"It's important. Please go quickly."
"We will organize the agenda items."
And even before that, the time to go protect a small, trivial happiness more important than any of that was already right in front of me.