Chapter 4. That's not what I wanted! (1)
Chapter 4. That's not what I wanted! (1)
If I briefly recall that turn-based strategy simulation my friend made, a principality isn't just made up of 'one territory of the principality.'
A large framework called a principality exists, and within it, it's divided into barons and counts appointed by the Duke, and there are even barons under the counts. Systemically, these small boundaries are all treated as 'separate territories.' Systemically, they are called 'provinces.'
And looking at it through that system, the principality's territory is composed as follows.
First, one Duchy. Of course, if you want to be precise, the 'entire principality' is a Duchy, but for the sake of easy explanation, let's call the place the 'Duke' directly rules the Duchy. Directly under that Duke are four barons, and these barons also each have a 'Barony.'
There are three Counties within the principality, but the Duke holds two of them concurrently. The remaining one has a separate Count. And under that Count, there are two barons appointed by the Count, and they have separate Baronies.
Therefore, the 'Artena Principality' has a total of 'ten' provinces: one Duchy, three Counties, and six Baronies.
And if you zoom in on the map, there are separate tiles within those provinces... well, let's skip that. There are no such boundaries in reality.
The game is operated by occupying those provinces. You can set up puppet states, create nobles under your command and grant them, or just manage them directly or merge them entirely. It's also possible to exert influence in other ways besides simply gaining them through military force.
And 'religion' was exactly in the position of 'influence.' If you increase influence by dispatching capable priests here and there, the people who realize something is wrong might revolt, or the AI lords ruling the provinces under your command might go astray.
Just as the concept of tiles doesn't exist in reality, the concept of influence won't move as precisely as numbers, but still, isn't she a Saintess? If that Saintess travels around all ten major regions within the principality, that influence cannot be ignored.
Furthermore, if the Demon Army is discovered again in the process and the Saintess even defeats them.
"......Sigh."
But no matter how much I think about it, the option of not accepting the Saintess doesn't come to mind.
Isn't this a medieval fantasy? The Church's influence is immense. In my case, there were people who trusted me only because my father had been ruling well; otherwise, people would have emerged to gobble up this territory the moment only one daughter was left.
The most efficient method was 'getting married,' and the second most efficient method was 'framing me as a witch and executing me.'
If the knights below me revolt, what could a girl with just ordinary physical strength do?
In the game, Rosalyn just chose to side with the Demon King and hand everything over as prey.
"......Huh."
Wait a second.
I, who had been awake since dawn, staring at the Holy Sword on the table from afar, suddenly remembered one thing.
That knight who has been staying in our territory since yesterday.
If that knight is the Hero, who did he receive the 'Holy Sword' from?
Of course, in the game, Monk Arno died early on, but considering his background, didn't he inevitably receive it from that parish within the Empire?
My guess is, didn't the Church, feeling the Empire was becoming corrupt, entrust the Holy Sword to the Hero and send him to the Kingdom?
If by any chance Monk Arno became the Parish Deputy and was receiving some suspicious reports, there might be a reason he secured my sword the moment he saw it.
"But the Holy Sword is in my hands."
I approached the table and carefully picked up the Holy Sword. Fortunately, it doesn't cause me any great harm when it's in its scabbard.
Parish Deputy Arno was in such a rush that he handed this Holy Sword over to me, hmm.
If he doesn't take back that Demonic Sword, isn't it just mine?
Then, isn't it up to me to choose who to lend this sword to?
"Good."
I thought with a grin.
Then, the Hero just needs to come from our territory.
Knock, knock.
Just then, a knock was heard.
"Come in."
As I spoke, the door opened cautiously and Frida entered. She had a worried expression on her face, but her eyes widened when she saw me grinning to myself.
However, my gaze wasn't on Frida, but directed at Erna standing behind her.
You've arrived, my trash bin.
"Erna."
"Yes, My Lady."
When I called, Erna quickly came in front of me.
I looked at Erna. She had come dressed in her armor since the morning.
The color of the armor was a mix of purple and red. It was 100% my taste. To be honest, I thought it suited her well because it gave off the vibe of a female villain executive.
"There's a scratch on your armor."
"......Pardon?"
It was armor that shone brightly since she had barely experienced real combat, but I approached Erna and said, pretending to examine the armor closely.
"Right here, there's a scratch the size of a fingernail. At this rate, the reputation of being my direct subordinate knight will be tarnished."
"I, I am sorry. I failed to notice it. If you give me some time—"
"As I thought, you need new armor!"
"......Pardon?"
As I said this with a wide smile, Erna was flustered.
"Something a bit cooler, with a brighter image. Erna, your skin is so fair and your hair is a pretty golden color, isn't it?"
"Yes? Ah, yes. Thank you for the compliment......?"
Erna, still not grasping the point, tilted her head.
"So, let's have one made with white and gold that go well together. If we give the craftsmen plenty of money, they'll make it quickly."
"Th...... that...... just repainting the armor I'm wearing now."
"That won't do."
I smiled and held out the Holy Sword to Erna with both hands.
"Otherwise, it won't match this sword."
"......My Lady?"
"Erna, can I ask you a favor?"
"W, whatever the request, I will follow it."
Erna knelt on one knee.
I said while looking at such an Erna.
"Please go meet the Saintess with the Church's knight. And bring her to the principality together with the knight."
"Me...... the Saintess."
"Erna. You believe in the Goddess, right?"
"Well, I do believe, but......."
"Erna's life has turned out really luckily, hasn't it?"
"Th, that is so...... certainly."
A commoner becoming a knight, no less. Moreover, she rose to the position of Knight Commander in an instant. It could be said she gained both money and honor.
Naturally, one could call it 'lucky,' and to put it another way—
"Wouldn't it be something that was only possible because the Goddess was looking down upon you?"
"......."
Erna's expression went blank.
"So, learn by watching a bit more by the Saintess's side."
"......My Lady, is my affiliation changing?"
"Of course not. Erna, you are still the Knight Commander. It just means to escort her while the Saintess is in the principality. Together with that knight."
That's right. No matter how well Erna fights, she won't be able to fight like the real Hero.
But if I stick the label of 'something like a Hero' on her, she'll draw aggro, right? Especially the Demon King's aggro.
Just as there is only one Saintess in this world, there is also only one Hero. That wasn't determined by the Goddess, but is an institutional mechanism. If Erna becomes the Hero, the 'real Hero' will remain a knight to the end.
Then I just need to find that real Hero, secretly hand over Erna's Holy Sword again, or find another Holy Sword and hand it over.
While Erna draws aggro as the 'Hero,' that 'real Hero' will mix in among the knights and advance to the Demon King's castle—
And approach without the Demon King even noticing, and snick—cut his throat.
And although this is a bit of a gamble, if that Hero is under me, it's easier to discard him later when needed.
Anyway, if his skills aren't great, he might die during the war. If that happens, I'll just slightly hint to the Demon King's side that 'I killed the Hero.' While doing so, if I can still maintain a neutral position towards the Church, the Church won't necessarily attack me during the war. This is an important crossroads and supply route, after all.
"......My Lady."
For some reason, Erna looked up at me with an emotional expression.
Is she not suspicious even though I'm showing kindness for no reason like this? It's different from her expression on the battlefield last time. Back then, she looked a bit fed up.
......She might realize something is strange later, so let's think of another reason for now. How about 'I discovered potential'?
While kneeling on one knee, Erna received the sword respectfully with both hands.
And she grabbed the hilt of the sword—no, wait.
"Hick."
She drew the sword slightly, confirmed the light, and closed it.
Phew. Thank goodness she didn't draw it completely.
Well, if a knight shows the blade in front of their lord as soon as they receive the sword, that would be problematic in its own way.
"......I will follow your command."
And she stood up from her seat and strapped the sword to her waist.
"Eat a hearty breakfast before you leave. Request as many supplies as you need. You still have the Artena family crest I gave you, right?"
"Yes, I do."
"Good. Then go and bring the Saintess back safely."
"Understood."
Erna bowed politely to show a knight's courtesy, then quickly turned around and walked out of the room.
"......."
Only after Erna left did I feel a bit anxious.
......Did I do the right thing?
I did this because I couldn't see any other way, but it's the right thing, right?
I don't know why I keep feeling anxious.