Episode 971 Day 77 (2)
Jeren Chedwill, the Director of the Investigation Bureau of the Magic Kingdom dispatched to the Iderat Alliance by order of the 7th Magic King, withdrew his gaze toward the window.
“It is… the very scene of utter chaos.”
Currently, officials from the Alliance have been found suddenly assassinated. Poisoning, drowning, suspicious deaths. Although they are being concealed to prevent immediate outside exposure, they have not been able to deceive Zeren.
Commander of the Two Wings Knights.8th Seat Multi-racial Diplomat. Head ofthe Olf Merchant Guild.Knight of the Wylen Knights.… … .
People who seemed to have no particular connection were murdered throughout the capitals of the allied nations. This included not only high-ranking officials but also ordinary knights.Perhaps the citizens who had drowned in the river or fallen to their deaths while drunk three days ago were also involved.
Is that just speculation… Anyway, what is the purpose? What is the motive?
Jeren secretly investigated the matter himself, but there were absolutely no clues regarding the culprit.Not even the slightest trace.
And the victims include humans, beastmen, and dwarves, covering a wide range of human species excluding elves, who are the smallest in number within the alliance.In many ways, elves cannot be the culprits, so the possibility of a racial conflict can be ruled out.
“…….”
As such, even the information he had managed to secure had no overlapping points, making it difficult to formulate a hypothesis. An inconsistent series of assassinations was unfamiliar even to him.
Still, if I were to guess───
It seems that a power struggle is taking place behind the scenes that we are unaware of.
A spine-chilling, eerie feeling.
Fifteen years as an investigator, four years as the deputy commander of the Demon King’s direct 2nd Mage Division, and seven years as the Director of the Investigation Bureau—experience honed in the field flashed through his mind.He could not shake off the dirty feeling that he was standing in the middle of a battlefield.
Who kills whom?Who is killed by whom?
Were those murdered in the capital of the Confederate Nation killed by a certain group that, in collusion with the Glory of the Dead, massacred people in the sanctuary of Abenka?Or… … did the dead belong to that certain group? If so, what is the identity of the group hostile to this unknown group?
The wick is already burning.
The sudden procession of the Water King.The enraged Luas Church.The Arnak Empire and the Akenad Sorcerer Kingdom, having respectively imprisoned the dwarf who destroyed the Second Servant of the Glory of the Dead and the city of Zentra.The position of the Alliance, which must defend Alliance Leader Teriwen, accused of betraying the Luas Church.Assassination incidents occurring within the Alliance.
A full-scale international conflict might erupt in the allied nations.
Although Braonic Strom, acting as the interim leader of the Alliance, is doing his best, even a top-tier mage capable of attending the General Assembly of the Magic World could not possibly have experienced a situation like this.If the cooperative relationship breaks down, a handful of spilled blood will flow as a river.
Ultimately, there is only one problem.
Knock knock, knock.
“Come in.”“Director…!”
Investigator Lambert, who had rushed down the hallway in a hurry, flung open the door. It was just like any other day. He is a wizard of considerable ability and great passion.Lambert is building an excellent career as an investigator, just as he has in the past.
But… … is that sincere?
Most of the people who betrayed the Holy Nation were ordinary citizens in the past.Since they were not being manipulated mentally, it meant they were vicious enough to have worn the mask of an ordinary person for decades.
Foreign substances have mixed into society. Maybe next to me, too.
Is the Lambert before his eyes the Lambert he has known all this time?Can he be certain that he is not a traitor?
“They say Cardinal Deello has just crossed the capital’s borders……!”
Who is the enemy?
* * *
Boom───
Cardinal Deello, who had nearly had his neck and heart severed while fighting the first servant, Draven Lemarque, crossed the gates of the Alliance.Exceptional in physical resistance and divine recovery, he was riding a white horse in relatively good health with a rapier at his waist.
That wasn’t all.
The Paladins, Holy Knights, and Bishops under the Cardinal were all on horseback. The Papal State carriage usually used by Cardinals was nowhere to be seen.
The air is heavy.
The solemnity of the Cardinal’s party as they headed toward the center of the capital, escorted by various knight orders from the allied nations, was reminiscent of a battlefield march.
The citizens who had come out to watch, thinking it was a spectacle, felt a sense of tension. The beastkin children cried. Although Luasism does not reject the existence of human species other than humans, it is ultimately a world religion solely for humans.As it pursues doctrines contrary to the ideology of the confederation desiring multi-racial harmony, people felt uneasy about the threatening march of this religious nation.
Horse hooves knocking on the road.
Dark clouds gradually gather in the gloomy sky.
Eventually, Cardinal Deello arrived at Conselvar, the capital council of the Iderat Confederation.
thud.
The Order of Custodia, the greatest military power of the confederation and composed of multiple races, held a formal ceremony.
Braonic, the interim leader of the League, raised his voice after gathering the members of the High Consor, the League’s final decision-making body, behind him.
“Welcome to the Alliance, Cardinal Deello. You have come a long way.”“Thank you for the hospitality, Lord Braonic.”“Due to Teriwen’s absence, I have temporarily filled the seat of Alliance Leader. Let me declare first that the Alliance’s stance is clear: we have absolutely no intention of falling out with the Ruas religion.”
Braonic asserted.
“I hope we can resolve the misunderstanding through conversation.”“Misunderstanding.”
Cardinal Deello stared at Braonic with an expressionless face.The scene of believers and innocent citizens being brutally slaughtered by the traitors of humanity who had suddenly revealed their true colors flickered before his eyes.
He silently made the sign of the cross, centering it on the golden cross hanging around his neck.
I will guide you.
The Cardinal follows without a word.
Breonic breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that at least the first step had been taken, and led Cardinal Deello into Conselvar.To the stage of the international community where other forces seeking the Alliance were waiting.
It was three days after Isabella arrived in the confederation.
“…….”
The wizard of the Lefragium Magic Tower watched the Alliance from high above.
* * *
Forty-nine people attended the World Conference, including both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and among them, those who sent representatives to the Confederate nations were by no means many.
Most of the House attendees couldn’t even dare to try.
This is because not only is attendance not mandatory, but it is also obvious that the atmosphere is not conducive to harmony sufficient for international discussions and decisions to be exchanged again.Far from having a voice, even the slightest spark would only stir up trouble.
Iderat Confederation, Great Rampage, Braonic Strom.Beast King of the Great Beastman Tribe, Antias.Isabella of Eon.Duke Lucent of the Arnach Empire.Director of the Investigation Bureau of the Akenad Magic Bureau, Jeren Chedwill.Master of the Helion Magic Tower, Frontline War, Triton Martus.President of the Virente Magic Association, Orders Evendra.Headmaster of the Academy, Ilmarion.Cardinal of the Three Courts of the Luas Theocracy, Deello of Patience.
This is the place to determine whether Leader Teriwen of the Alliance was indeed one of the perpetrators who attacked the Ruas Theocracy, and whether the Alliance was involved in it.
Braonic mobilized all his personal connections to gather people to assist with the defense.The Master of the Hellion Magic Tower and the President of the Magic Association were among them, and the Headmaster of the Academy agreed to Braonic’s request, hoping that he could be of at least some help in preventing a potential crisis.
“Before proceeding with the inquiry… I express my deep regret over the unthinkable tragedy that has recently occurred in the Theocracy of Luas, and I would like to observe a brief moment of mourning. Cardinal, may I ask for your help?”“Of course.”
Cardinal Deello stood up on behalf of the congregation and offered a sublime prayer.
“Mother of Light, please wrap the souls of the wretched in your warm light.”
In front of the Ruas Church, the humans naturally followed the Cardinal in prayer, while Isabella merely went through the motions, offering a moment of silence to pray for the repose of the soul.Antias rested his chin on his hand, appearing relaxed and filled with anticipation.
Then take your seat.
Everyone took their seats except for Antias, who had never even been up.
The fact-finding committee has begun.
Braonic opened his mouth, recalling the logic and circumstantial evidence he had prepared to the best of his ability to prove the innocence of Terien and the Alliance.
“The current Leader of the Iderat Alliance. Everyone is well aware of how much Teriwen has dedicated himself to the harmony of all races and what a benevolent person he is───”“Was he good until now, or what was he like? His past reputation does not matter.”
Cardinal Deello interrupted.
“Commander Teriwen’s betrayal is undeniable. The Commander—no, since he held the position of Commander, it is safe to say he orchestrated the massacre.”“Cardinal?”“The 19th.”
From the start, the Ruas Theocracy intended to prioritize action over dialogue.
“Locate Teriwen’s whereabouts by any means necessary, subdue him, and escort him to Luas Church. If that is not possible, even his corpse is acceptable. That is the only way to prove the Alliance’s innocence.”
… … !!
The expressions on the faces of the members of the alliance changed at the demands, which were much tougher than expected. There was no room for compromise in Cardinal Deello’s attitude.
This is the position of the Luas religion.
Ilmarion composed himself from his inward bewilderment and realized just how deeply this series of events had hurt the Ruas Theocracy.Persuasion would not be easy. Giventhat ordinary people were dying in front of the sanctuary, dialogue might have been meaningless from the start.
‘Terrywen… … in the Alliance?’
Braonic, wearing a blank expression, slammed his hand on the table. It had been over several decades since he had led multi-racial harmony alongside Terrywen.
Terrywen is not a traitor.Braonic knows that better than anyone.
No matter how much we need to appease the Luas religion, we cannot do this. We cannot simply bow our heads just because they wish for Teriwen’s death.It is not only my friend’s life but also the dignity of the Alliance that is at stake.
“Terriwen is undeniably missing. Yet you intend to deal with her without any evidence of betrayal. The investigation into the truth hasn’t even begun.”“The figures who hinted at the island in the Hiaremar Inland Sea to everyone at the World Council, citing prophecy, were Lennon Bernard and Terriwen. And both of them vanished without a trace after the incident.”“That cannot prove Terriwen’s betrayal.”“I agree with Braonic. It would be premature to make a judgment.”“We need to approach this more cautiously, Cardinal Deello.”
Opinions supporting Braonic are being heard.
“Caution, huh…”
Cardinal Delo said.
“I have heard that something unpleasant is currently happening in the capital of the Iderat Confederation. I hear that officials from a confederation with no known contact have met their deaths under unknown motives.”
The atmosphere was stirred.
The Cardinal, having just arrived in Consevar, saw right through the series of assassinations that Braonic had tried to conceal, at least until the investigation concluded.In other words, the Ruas Church’s intelligence network was spread throughout the city. There is only one cleric who operates this quietly.
Inquisitor… … !
Where there is light, there is darkness.
The Inquisitors in charge of the darkness of the Ruas Church are dangerous both in their level and ideology. To think they sent those fanatics to the capital of another country?I finally understood with what mindset the Ruas Church had when they dispatched the Cardinal.
“It looks unstable, both internally and externally, as if infected with parasites. The current Iderat Confederation.”
The Cardinal is preparing for combat.This is because a potential traitor might launch a surprise attack.
If we’re not careful, the city could turn into a battlefield.
It was then.
You know how to be quite a threat even without the Saint.
Antias interrupted, gulping down the precious wine prepared by the allied nations straight from the bottle.
“What do you plan to do if you fail to capture the Alliance Leader by the 19th?”“The Alliance will be deemed to have failed to prove its innocence in the current situation and will be judged as a potential enemy of the Luas religion and the world.”
Cardinal Deello said firmly.
“The Alliance will effectively be under the command of the Ruas religion until the current situation is resolved.”“What.”
Braonic opened his eyes wide.
“What nonsense…!!”“To rule provisionally? That is an interesting decision. I have a few more questions.”
Antias asked.
“I understand your hostility toward the Iderat Confederacy. After all, the leader of this country stabbed the world religion in the back and made it bleed.”“…….”“Then why are you sending hostility toward me as well?”
Cardinal Deello, receiving everyone’s gaze, answered nonchalantly.
“The city of Zantra in the Free State of Formene was destroyed by the dwarves. And around the same time, the city of Goldhill was destroyed. At the very moment Archbishop Joseph was preaching doctrine in celebration of the Magic Festival.”“Who was the villain?”“The Beastman.”
A gaze imbued with the faith of light illuminates everyone.
“Beastmen and dwarves suffered countless casualties before and after the Servant of the Glory of the Dead raided the sanctuary. Humans are not the only ones who betrayed the world.”“Hoho.”“And so must the innocence be proven.”
Cardinal Deello immediately abandoned his formal tone and glared at Antias and Braonic. Not stopping there, he addressed everyone.
Which way are you?
Who is the enemy, and who is the ally?
The Ruas religion was determined to track down the unidentified traitors by any means necessary, to ensure they paid the price for challenging a world religion.
Isabella bit her lip.
It’s a mess right from the start.
It is difficult for her power alone to immediately resolve the conflict between the Ruas Theocracy and other nations. At the very least, a change sufficient to reverse this atmosphere was indispensable.
* * *
“The Alliance of Transcendents, huh? That friend is more sociable than he looks.”
The Transcendent Being rose to his feet after hearing from Bendie about the alliance plan conceived by Adrian.
“I liked it, Leona.”“Yes, Your Majesty.”
King of Highlandia─────Oathbound, Yurion Hiros, fluttered his cloak.
We are setting out.
