380. Holy War
380. Holy War
- 1 -
It had been exactly four days since Libertas returned from the Demon Realm.
During that time, outwardly she prepared for war, and inwardly she prepared for Evangeline's transcendence ritual.
There were two reasons for this.
A sense of crisis that war might break out at any moment.
And the fundamental gap between the core of a Lord-level monster and the core of a Dungeon Lord.
These two factors had led Libertas to set aside an ample preparation period.
And, today.
'Finally, it's coming.'
The curtain of war had risen.
A war between the Fate Alliance and the Holy Kingdom, or more precisely, between the Fate Alliance and the 'Holy War Army'.
"Knights arriving from the south, gather here! Unit organization begins now!"
"Mercenaries, this way! Present your identification tags and receive your supplies!"
Flags rose all across the continent.
Crosses wreathed in halos and laurel crowns. Banners bearing the symbol of the Celestial Church were hoisted high.
Those who shouted the name of the one seated upon the Celestial throne gathered like clouds.
Despite the internal strife caused by the opposition of all the Saintesses, which spurred rebellion in more than half of the faithful, the power of the sole religion that had dominated the continent for over a thousand years was still formidable.
There were still many true believers, and the justification of 'heretic subjugation' was enough to set their blood boiling.
"What of the knights from the Holy Kingdom's mainland? Are they not here yet?"
"Apparently, they are urgently dealing with internal purges of heretics. Once that is finished, the main army will join us."
"Tsk, tsk, to think there were so many traitors within..."
An old free knight who had wandered the lands of Zenota clicked his tongue.
"What a deplorable state of affairs! In my day, when His Holiness pointed out a heretic, everyone, whether beggar or noble, rose up as one... How on earth has faith grown so weak?"
It was a conversation Libertas would have scoffed at had she heard it.
For they were burning with blind faith, dreaming not that they themselves were being played by heretics.
The eastern front was even more complicated.
"When exactly are the Rugnisah bastards coming?"
"They say they are in negotiations with Elieteniese and Norn. The shortest route from Rugnisah to strike Haisen and Hilsa is to cross Elieteniese, but that path is blocked, you see."
"Hmm. Still, won't they arrive soon? Though Elieteniese claims neutrality, surely they wouldn't block the path of a Holy War Army."
"...I suppose so."
The total size of the Holy War Army reached 160,000.
40,000 on the Norn-Orbis southern border.
30,000 in the Hinnes Duchy bordering Kakia.
40,000 on the Elieteniese-Haisen eastern border.
And 50,000 on the Zenota-Leophere western border.
It was a massive military force, encompassing adventurers, mercenaries, knights, soldiers, and clerics.
"A war just as winter approaches, how fitting for a holy war!"
"Indeed, for it shall dye the whole world white!"
"Hah, that's quite poetic!"
They called themselves a volunteer army, but in practice, they were no different from a mercenary corps receiving massive military supplies from their host nations and neighboring countries.
Even Elieteniese, which had declared neutrality, did not prevent the Holy War Army from purchasing large quantities of supplies within its borders.
However, the movement of this massive army was a new headache for the other nations not directly facing the Fate Alliance.
"Troublesome... What if even the elite mercenary corps stationed at the Demon Realm border are all drawn away to fight the Fate Alliance!"
"Though rooting out heretics is important, where is the precedent for suddenly withdrawing forces like this?"
The dissatisfaction of the smaller nations bordering the Demon Realm, in particular, reached its peak.
This was because a significant number of the core mercenary bands and adventurer guilds responsible for their national defense had headed to the central part of the Eastern Continent under the banner of a 'holy war'.
"At least they aren't all mindless fools. It's fortunate that they relocated by rotating with additional reinforcements in a cycle."
"Indeed. Otherwise, the border with the Demon Realm would have been shaken immediately. It nearly became a real catastrophe."
At the center of that massive mobilization were the three most prestigious guilds on the continent.
The 'Flag of Glory' guild led by Phrygia Midas, the 'Golden Queen', originally stationed in Lojpreli and leading an aggressive offensive against Duke Dantalion of Secrets.
The 'Dark Moon's Covenant' legion led by Jin Soha, the 'Empress of Night', stationed in Cretea and holding back the Demon Realm Archduke Agares.
And the 'Rainbow Song' guild led by Aren del, the 'Red-eyed Spirit Mage', based on the northern coast of Rugnisah and holding back the Demon Realm Archduke Astaroth.
Three individuals belonging to the 'Ten Moons' among the Continent's Thirteen Stars.
News of their participation sent the morale of the Holy War Army soaring to the heavens.
"We are certain to win this fight!"
"Multiple 'Monarchs'... We might even need to prepare to receive autographs!"
But no one knew.
The truth was, all three of them were more deeply connected to the very source of this incident than anyone else.
And where the tips of their swords were truly aimed.
- 2 -
The Holy See of the Holy Kingdom, Archbishop Anselm's office.
Anselm set down his herbal tea and looked at the communication orb.
Upon it, the figures of three monarchs appeared: Emperor Maximilian of Norn, Nicholas II of Kakia, and Arminius III of Rugnisah.
「Yes, that seems acceptable. I will accept those terms.」
Maximilian let out a satisfied laugh.
A greedy and cruel smile befitting his nickname, the 'Old Griffin'.
Just moments before, he had received a definitive answer from Anselm, confirming he would concretely fabricate justifications for territorial dominion over Orbis, Hilsa, and southern Haisen.
On top of that, he had even secured the extraordinary promises of providing the bloodline of a Saintess to the Norn Imperial Family for the next three generations and appointing one Prince as an Archbishop.
Kakia and Rugnisah had also been promised similar benefits, differing only in degree.
"Your Excellencies, to ensure a decisive victory in this war, each nation must mobilize its finest forces. For the military strength of the Fate Alliance is not to be underestimated."
At Anselm's words, Nicholas II of Kakia replied boisterously.
「Do not worry. We plan to mobilize our pride, the Iron-clad Cavalry, in its entirety. Is the Holy Kingdom not doing the same?」
"Of course. Once our internal purges are complete, we too shall..."
「Though there has been unrest within the Holy Kingdom, it was not an armed revolt, was it? Even now, you could withdraw more of the Holy Knight Order, could you not, Archbishop?」
Arminius III asked, his words laced with subtle barbs.
Ever since the Saintesses' opposition last time, he had been showing a covertly uncooperative attitude toward the Holy Kingdom.
From his perspective, it was clear they had struck a secret pact with the other two nations.
'This old snake...'
Anselm inwardly cursed him, but outwardly he nodded with a gentle smile.
"...Yes, of course. We can."
In the end, if they won the war, the opposition of the Saintesses could simply be dismissed as 'the foolish defiance of those tainted by heresy'.
Both Norn and Kakia intended to commit all their military forces except the bare minimum needed to keep the Demon Realm Archdukes on the eastern and northern fronts in check, and Rugnisah and the Holy Kingdom were planning something similar.
It was the moment the Great Grakheisen Encirclement Strategy was finally put into action.
「Then, I shall look forward to hearing good news from the battlefield.」
After the communication conference ended.
Alone in his office, Archbishop Anselm nervously rolled the walnuts in his hand.
An anxiety he could not share with others weighed down on his heart.
The whereabouts of Paimon, who had vanished the moment he entered the Fate Alliance's territory.
And that unknown entity, 'Libertas', who had sent the Witch of Mist back alive to mock him.
'But, the storm has already begun.'
He rose from his seat and took out the 'Book of Sealing' hidden deep within his vault.
It was an ancient book containing holy magic that sealed not the Archduke of Binding, but two other 'Great Demon Beasts'.
"There can be no more failures... I cannot fail."
His eyes glistened with the frenzy characteristic of one cornered.
The power Astaroth had imbued within him was eroding his reason and fanning the flames of an even greater frenzy.
- 3 -
Elieteniese-Haisen border.
Atop the defensive position erected on the very front line, I closed my eyes and prayed.
"My Master. My Lord. Please look back upon me, embrace the poor, so that Your warm will may spread wide across this world...."
"Goddess. By borrowing Your hand, I shall punish Your misguided will."
There were two subjects of my prayer.
One was the master of my heart. The other, the source of my power.
But after the prayer ended, only one person clearly surfaced in my mind.
Beautiful black hair and violet eyes smiling at me affectionately.
Just recalling that image was enough to make me feel as if the holy power within me grew even more full.
I rose from my seat and readjusted my grip on my hammer.
"「Beneath the sky, and upon the earth. For all those who set their hearts upright. Strength shall be upon you.」"
Hwoo-oook — !
A golden circle rose above my head.
It spread vast waves of light in all directions.
After the waves propagated to the end of the encampment, they turned into countless particles of light, descending to the earth and bestowing blessings upon every being below.
"Oooooh...!"
- This is, the power of a Saintess...!
That blessing did not discriminate between humans and demons.
That holy power is harmful to demons was outdated common knowledge.
What is important is not the power itself, but the will of the one who wields it.
The doctrines of the Sun Cult, established by my Lord, had made me realize this.
"Everyone. Please listen."
Standing at the highest point of the defensive encampment, I raised a flag for the tens of thousands of the Fate Alliance army looking up at me.
A flag depicting a 'cross enveloped in black light and flickering' on a white background.
"They distort the will of God!"
The crowd began to stir.
Propaganda interpreting the Holy Kingdom's intentions differently.
This was an act on a different level from simply opposing the Holy Kingdom's claims.
But, at the same time, many would understand.
For rumors of the 'greedy Archbishop' persecuting the 'most Saintess-like Saintess' had already spread far and wide across the world.
"Though they seek to bring destruction and slaughter upon us in the name of God, we, in the name of our own will, shall protect everyone! If the blades of their swords glisten with hatred, our shields shall grow harder with love!"
Unease spread among the people. But at the same time, resolve overflowed.
This was war, but it was also a fight that must not become a war.
The enemy would rush to kill us, but we had to subdue them while keeping them alive.
'Excessive death or cruelty must not occur. Because people must clearly know who is just.'
It was a difficult condition.
But, it was fine.
Because I, Saintess Esther, was here.
Because my Master was here, watching from behind me.
"Do you know what they call this war?"
I raised the flag high.
"They call it a Holy War! A holy war to annihilate us, the heretics!!"
As silence flowed for a moment, I tried to meet the eyes of everyone gathered, one by one.
"That's right. This fight is a holy war! But, everyone!"
And I raised my voice and shouted.
"Whose side is God's true will on! Theirs? No!!"
I planted the flag down and raised my Hammer.
And then, the sky split open.
Hwa-aak!
A shower of golden holy power poured down.
The entire Hammer blazed like a sun.
"The true justice and the will of God are with us!"
I raised the hand that wore my shield and beat upon my heart.
"In each of our hearts! In the hands that hold onto one another! And in the shields that protect our allies! Let us teach those fools plainly! The true will of God! That God—is within our hearts!!"
- Waaaaaah ——
Tens of thousands of battle cries answered my shout.
I turned back to the people and gave a soft smile.
A great storm was approaching. But the Fate Alliance was, willingly, ready to face it.
The war had begun.
The war of humans.
But behind it, there were demons.
My Master, and the Demon Realm Archduke who ruled the eastern sea.