The Tenth Research - Sacred Royal Authority (6)

“Well.”

“That’s an ambiguous answer.”

Belladia’s proposal had been sincere. It was no lie meant to deceive even herself. Therefore, he would answer with equal sincerity.

“I do not want descendants.”

“Why not?”

“They would cloud the work I must do.”

Grey held value only when it remained untainted by any single hue. Only a color unbound by black or white could shift to match the situation at hand.

“If I had children, I would be bound by the duty to protect them. I would have to abandon grey and adopt a clearer color.”

Favoritism toward one’s own offspring was a father’s natural obligation. Anyone who treated his own son the same as another’s had no right to call himself a father.

“Favoritism always clouds judgment.”

“Heh.”

“By contrast, the path I walk demands that my judgment remain perfectly clear at all times.”

He was a mage possessed of near-infinite potential. Should he ever lose his judgment, he would become the greatest doomsday trigger of all.

“I hope that answers your question.”

“I understand what you mean.”

Belladia’s expression brightened as she adjusted her robe. It was the face of someone freed from an inner compulsion.

“Still, I’m not giving up completely.”

“You will need to bear many children.”

She nodded firmly.

“I’ll marry a man who isn’t my teacher. Someone who commands vast territory and a powerful army. Most importantly, a man whose seed is excellent enough to produce the finest heir to the throne.”

That future was inevitable. As the heir to her house, she had no choice.

“But I still believe you are the most suitable man to become the father of the royal line, and I have no intention of keeping only one husband. So… if you ever change your mind, please tell me.”

“I will keep your intentions in mind.”

“That is enough.”

“Then let us prepare for the coronation.”

A new dynasty was about to be born.

The traditional coronation proceeded as follows: before the gathered nobles of the realm, the king would display his majesty while the nobles knelt and swore fealty to their new liege. Knights would draw their swords in oath, and representatives of the common folk from every walk of life would cry out in acclamation. Afterward, the king would kneel before the archbishop and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠vow to rule according to the teachings of the Sun God. The archbishop would then place the crown upon his head in the Sun God’s stead, and the reign would begin.

However, a variable had appeared. One even he had not anticipated.

“My rule requires no blessing from the Sun God.”

“!”

“Instead, I will receive my crown from the Grey Sage.”

While discussing the coronation procedure, Belladia had voiced her unyielding will. She wished to be crowned not by the archbishop, but by the Grey Sage.

“My temperament is fierce and cruel. The Sun God’s teachings, which emphasize universal love, do not suit me.”

In truth, this was the hidden sentiment shared by many of Essil’s nobles. They were warlike men raised on martial training, fundamentally at odds with the Sun God’s emphasis on compassion and mercy.

“And above all…”

“…”

“The Sun God’s Church sided with the Bastard King during the civil war. Why should I ascend the throne under their blessing?”

Yet no monarch had ever voiced such a claim in public—let alone before the archbishop and every lord of the realm.

“…”

The Grey Sage’s sharp gaze swept over Belladia. The Ring of Socialization that suppressed her impulses remained in place. Her clear eyes showed that she was restraining her bloodlust.

‘Then this is no impulsive decision.’

He was merely the queen’s advisor. He needed to trust her judgment—at least when it came to ruling Essil.

“Are you aware that you are not yet queen?”

“Of course, Archbishop Tomori.”

“Are you also aware that you lack legitimacy?”

Archbishop Tomori narrowed his eyes at Belladia seated upon the throne. He was a sturdy middle-aged man whose scarred face and eyepatch over his right eye spoke of the many dangers he had survived.

“I am also aware that I have the army’s support.”

“The Church commands sufficient forces as well.”

“Then I will propose a negotiation, Archbishop. I will preserve every privilege the Sun God’s Church enjoyed under the old dynasty. The Church will remain exempt from taxation, its clergy will retain immunity from criminal prosecution, and it may keep its own armed forces.”

“However, it will no longer be the state religion.”

“!”

“It will be merely one denomination among many.”

“How dare you utter such blasphemy—!”

“I will sever my romantic relationship with the Grey Sage.”

“““!”””

Belladia’s declaration sent a wave of anticipation through the lords’ eyes. They had believed Tellorian, the Grey Sage, would become the new queen’s consort and the true power behind the throne.

“Furthermore, I swear upon the name of Conqueror Zaherion that my virginity remains intact. I can swear this before the gods themselves.”

She continued.

“I also swear again upon the name of Conqueror Zaherion that the consort who will rule the kingdom alongside me will be chosen through an open process. Any noble may participate, and both their forces and personal martial prowess will be taken into account.”

The lords’ blood began to boil. Their usual calculating caution melted before the prospect of claiming both the throne and an unparalleled beauty. Men were simple creatures.

“…!”

Archbishop Tomori immediately sensed the shift in political currents. The very lords who had been helping him check the Harrington family were now preparing to call Rodrick Harrington their father-in-law.

‘What a cunning wench!’

Because Archbishop Tomori was a deeply pious saint, he was not swayed by appearances. But the powerful secular lords, eager to win Belladia’s favor, began supporting every proposal she made.

‘…Damn it! I’ve been outmaneuvered!’

The Church’s power rested on moral authority. When measured purely by military and financial strength, it was inferior to the secular lords. Once noble opinion turned against it, there was no way to recover.

“Now, returning to the main topic.”

Now the initiative belonged to Belladia.

“The one who crowned our founder, the Valiant King Marchasi of the Harrington line, with the Swan Crown was none other than the White Sage Ologast. To overcome division, we must return to the kingdom’s roots…”

Belladia made full use of the knowledge Tellorian had taught her. She laid out arguments that shifted the legitimacy of royal authority from the Church’s blessing to the support of the nobility.

“…Therefore, I believe the legitimacy of the throne derives not from the recognition of priests, but from the support of knights who possess noble blood and outstanding virtue.”

The nobles responded with thunderous applause. These men would have nodded even if Belladia claimed the sun rose in the west; the idea that she would diminish the Church’s authority and grant power to them instead pleased every single one of them.

At that moment, the elven ambassador Glorinmar returned and read aloud a letter from the Eternal Queen. The letter declared that Belladia was a descendant of both Zaherion and the Eternal Queen, completely resolving the issue of bloodline.

“Any objections, Archbishop?”

“…None.”

“Then it is unanimously resolved.”

Clang! Clang!

The Grand Assembly hereby declares:

“…An astonishing turn of events.”

“I was surprised as well.”

Rodrick, who had observed the proceedings, could not hide his amazement at Belladia’s political skill. He had scolded her all day for exchanging letters with young lords and behaving in an unladylike manner, yet…

“She must have planned this in advance, right?”

“She may not have worked out every detail, but she clearly calculated that maintaining ambiguous yet close relationships with the powerful lords would allow her to call upon their aid in a crisis.”

It had been a wise move. One that leveraged her strengths.

“…Not exactly an honorable approach.”

Still, the Ironhammer Lord regarded his daughter with a dissatisfied expression. No matter how necessary it was, he did not like seeing his daughter spreading scandals.

“Isn’t that also a form of ability?”

“…”

“Queen Lisbeth, who led Albion’s golden age, remained unmarried her entire life and played her favorites against one another. King Berusiel of Mithra also kept multiple husbands…”

Enough.

That was enough.

It was merely an old man’s grumbling.

“By the way, are you all right?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, can you really give up on Belladia? If you still wish to become my son-in-law, there is still time. If you so desire, I will smash every political obstacle with the siege hammer you gave me.”

Tellorian shook his head.

“I appreciate the offer.”

“…”

Rodrick stared openly at Tellorian. The man’s limbs were intact and he was clearly capable of performing as a man. Then surely there should be at least some regret at letting go of the chance to claim such a peerless beauty? No matter how much reason suppressed it.

Yet there was truly no regret in the Grey Sage’s eyes.

“Do you perhaps prefer men?”

“…No.”

“Then why do you look so relieved?”

“…”

“I want to hear you call me father. I want someone I can rely on with my heart, beyond mere calculation—someone like family.”

In response, the Grey Sage answered quietly.

“Belladia no longer needs our consent. Advice will suffice.”

“That is true. She is the queen now.”

Come to think of it…

“I suppose I can remarry now…”

“You were considering remarriage?”

“How long am I supposed to remain a widower?”

Rodrick chuckled.

“I miss the touch of soft skin too.”

“Then why have you not remarried until now?”

“If I remarried and had children, what would become of my daughter? Especially if I had a son?”

According to the succession laws of the central regions, sons came before daughters, and daughters before younger brothers.

“Belladia would have immediately lost her position as heir. And she is not the sort of woman who could become the lady of another house…”

But now a younger brother would be acceptable. Belladia’s position had become secure.

“So let me ask one last time, brother.”

“I am certain.”

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

“You truly have no romantic feelings for Belladia?”

“Truly none.”

“If that is your answer, I will not ask again.”

They silently clinked their glasses.

They avoided drinking too much, however.

“Thank you.”

Yet Rodrick spoke as though drunk.

“Thank you truly, brother…”

“…”

“I may never be able to repay your kindness even in death… but at least I wanted to say this.”

I am in your debt.

I am truly grateful.

Dawn broke, and the coronation was held.

“I ask Belladia of House Harrington.”

“Speak, O Grey Sage.”

“Do you swear upon your own honor?”

To defend the realm against enemies.

To protect the people from hardship.

To uphold nobility against evil.