The Saintess! #1
Carti had more information to share besides that.
"It seems Baron Pikel has been playing both sides."
"You mean the baron whose territory is just ahead?"
"Yeah."
The name of the barony adjacent to my jungle was indeed Pikel. According to Carti’s intelligence, this Baron Pikel had been walking a tightrope, weighing his options between the Angel faction and the Anti-Angel faction.
"So he’s painting a picture where he attaches himself to whichever side is winning, huh?"
If one times their choice well, that’s called political acumen, but if you fail, you’re just a bat. A half-hearted neutrality only leads to bloodshed.
"Exactly. At first, there wasn't much information on the angels, so he held off on his choice, but it’s becoming clear that the Angel faction is gaining the upper hand. It looks like Baron Pikel has already made up his mind to join them."
"Is that why the Saintess fled in this direction?"
It seemed the Saintess had assumed Baron Pikel was an Anti-Angel figure. That was why she had run toward his territory. Regardless, the Pikel Barony was at the far eastern edge of the kingdom. Perhaps she was thinking of gathering the Anti-Angel forces there to resist the angels.
But now that Baron Pikel had decided to side with the angels, the Saintess was nothing more than a delicious piece of bait. If he captured her and handed her over to the angels, he would receive an incredible reward. A human in power would never pass up such an opportunity.
"What should we do now? What do you think, Carti?"
"Hmm... The Saintess and the Baron don't know much about each other yet. But the moment she appears, Baron Pikel will reveal his true colors. And then, the Saintess will flee again."
Fleeing, huh.
"My guess is... if she’s ambushed, she won’t have anywhere else to go, so there’s a high probability she’ll run into this jungle."
"That would be the best-case scenario."
If that happened, it would be a total jackpot. I could get my hands on the Saintess and crush the Baron’s pursuit forces who would be focused solely on chasing her. If I could guide this properly, it would be perfect.
"Wow, Carti, you’re incredibly capable. How did you find all that out?"
"Carti knows everything!"
"Heh heh, is that so?"
"I’ve been spreading the modified Evil Eyes as far as I can to gather information. Our Veracru family considers this matter very important."
Carti added that since the angels hadn't fully advanced into this area yet, it was relatively easy to operate the Evil Eyes. "And there are countless demons working on this task alone. Everyone is busy collecting and organizing the information sent back by the eyes!"
"Wait, you mean the demons are watching everything through the Evil Eyes?"
"Yeah!"
I imagined the demons of the Veracru family watching the Middle Realm like CCTV operators. It was truly chilling. Even though demons were spying on the Middle Realm, the humans had no idea. Could humans really stand a chance against beings like angels or demons?
Probably not.
"But if that’s the case, I can expect support from the Demon World soon, right?"
It would be great to receive resources or technology. And troops? I don't think I could control troops. If I asked them to send only female demons... Carti would think it’s weird, right? Even so, showing Carti that I’m a lecher might be a bit much. She’s like a little sister, after all; I couldn't possibly let her know such a shameful fact. Still, if I needed to, I’d have to put on a thick face and do it.
"I want to if I can. I’m trying my best. So, Brother Culs, please do your part to help us conquer the Middle Realm."
"I’m already doing that. Don't worry."
That was already my goal.
"Ah, by the way, Carti."
"Yeah?"
"Now that I think about it, how did you learn the human language of the Middle Realm? That must have been difficult."
It seemed she had mastered the language well, which was how she was able to gather intelligence.
"That’s because Brother Culs..."
"Me?"
"No! It’s possible no matter what! There’s nothing Carti doesn't know!"
"Yeah, yeah. Carti is smart!"
Anyway, Carti said she had a little more time and told me to ask anything else I was curious about. She already knew my location, and since she was constantly researching ways to maintain better contact, it had become relatively easy.
"The angels. How strong are they?"
"I knew you’d ask that. It’s important. But don't worry. The angels who have fallen to the Middle Realm aren't that strong."
"Not strong?"
"Even if a strong angel comes, they lose some of their power in the process. They have to grow again in the Middle Realm. That will take a long time. And the angels can't just cross over as they please. They are sending their forces slowly."
"That’s a relief."
The angels were weakened and couldn't swarm in all at once. In that situation, I could definitely put up a fight.
"Good, Carti! Keep bringing me information like this! It’s been a huge help! With information, I can do even better!"
"Yeah! I will!"
As long as she kept providing information, there wouldn't be any problems. Wait. If Carti was doing the spying, was there a need to send Vanessa...? Ah, no. Carti was currently supporting Vanessa, the local informant. The difference between having that and not having it was huge. A local informant was essential.
I talked with Carti until the maintenance time for the Evil Eye ran out, and we set up the operation to seize the Saintess.
Cecilia, the Saintess of the Goddess Church who was currently on the run, let out a sigh.
"Haa."
She hadn't rested properly since she started fleeing. Although her body was overflowing with divine power, it didn't eliminate all physical fatigue, and her mental exhaustion was only growing.
She had lost many troops along the way. The guards had thrown their bodies to protect her, sacrificing their lives. Even as they died, they firmly believed that Cecilia was the only one who could save the Goddess Church and the world from the devils disguised as angels. Cecilia felt the same way. Therefore, she had to live up to that faith.
"Are you alright, Saintess?"
The Saintess's guard knight, Lea. She, too, understood the Saintess's pain well. Every time she saw her sighing so heavily, she felt a burning pain in her chest. If she had been more capable and stronger, the Saintess would never have been in danger. Such self-reproach made her anxious.
"Are you alright?"
"I... I am fine."
"You’re lying. Your eyes are tired."
Cecilia was more beautiful and kind than anyone else. Even in this situation, she was worried about her. Lea was grateful, yet felt sorry.
'Such a beautiful person.'
Though she was on the run, the Saintess's body was being protected by divine power. That was why she was as beautiful as ever. Her brilliant blonde hair shone like gold, and her beautiful blue eyes were like jewels. Even looking at her sharp, authoritative gaze made Lea’s heart flutter, despite being a woman herself... and the female body radiating such feminine charm—
'What am I thinking?'
Lea shook her head at that thought.
"Saintess. Even now, it would be better to head toward the Count’s territory..."
"I cannot do that."
A firm answer. "I have said it many times, but in this situation, if I entrust myself to a lord of Count rank or higher, I won't be able to voice my own opinions."
"But still."
"In the end, I would only be used. Even if we drive out the demons of the Heavenly Realm, the Goddess Church will surely collapse."
The Saintess added that she couldn't do that, if only for the sake of those who had died. "To revive the Goddess Church, I need to be the center."
With the appearance of the angels, the Goddess Church had split and become the center of the war. The forces of the Goddess Church that had been brainwashed by the angels were actively participating in the war. The Goddess Church would definitely have to take responsibility for this. In such a situation, if the Saintess lost her autonomy, the Goddess Church would certainly collapse after the war.
The Saintess was a woman of great ambition. She could not just stand by and watch the collapse of the Goddess Church.
"So... is it Baron Pikel?"
"That level should be appropriate."
The Saintess intended to use Baron Pikel. The Pikel Barony was at the edge of the kingdom. If she could take control of the Baron, she would surely be able to draw in comrades from the Anti-Angel faction. It was certain. The Saintess believed in her own abilities.
"If Baron Pikel is Anti-Angel, it might be possible... but if he is Angel-faction, it will be dangerous, Saintess."
According to the last information she heard, the nobles at the far eastern end of the kingdom held resentment toward the angels. She couldn't trust them completely, but the Saintess judged it to be the best option.
But if even that was not the case—
"Then it can't be helped. I will have no choice but to go elsewhere. The unmapped territory. It’s not well known, but if I use that to escape, I should be able to avoid them somehow."
"..."
"Lea. If it were just about surviving, it would be simple. I could just entrust myself to someone and be rolled around as their subordinate."
'I wish it were that simple.'
The Saintess spoke strongly, but Lea’s thoughts were weak. "But our goal is the revival of the Goddess Church. Think of those who have died. Can you stop?"
"...I understand."
"I must find a noble I can grasp and wield. And then I will gather forces to drive out the devils of the Heavenly Realm. If Baron Pikel doesn't work... yes. Let’s try heading toward the Saiell Barony."
Gather forces and punish the devils of the Heavenly Realm. Thus, she would restore justice and revive the fallen Goddess Church.
"I will do as you command, Saintess."
Lea answered quietly. She had no choice but to do as the Saintess wished. "It is as planned. We will head toward the Pikel Barony."
"Understood! Captain of the Guard!"
Even as she gave the order, her anxiety did not fade. If Baron Pikel had joined the angels, a dangerous escape drama would begin once again.
"BROTHER CULSSSSSS!!!"
"Huh?! Carti!"
Carti’s Evil Eye, which had returned, screamed as if it were wailing! How important was this for Carti to react like this?!
"What happened—"
"The Saintess is fleeing! This way!"
"So that’s how it is!"
In the end, the Saintess was fleeing in this direction!
"Good!"
This was the moment I had been waiting for!
"All troops, combat assembly!!!"
I immediately issued the combat assembly order. Ever since I received the information from Carti, I had been prepared to sortie at any moment!
Good!
Let’s catch the Saintess!