Chapter 341
(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)
Wings Spreading in the Pitch Black Darkness
Translator : PolterGlast
Compared to other countries, the Istoria Imperial Kingdom,
which had a long and narrow shape from north to south, was divided into 5
administrative districts. Each of these administrative districts was governed
by a Cardinal or Bishop dispatched by the Imperial King, and under them, lord
nobles from the royal era who had embraced the church since the time of the
former Istoria Kingdom served as deputies and governed various places.
What Castro had claimed as the Orthodox Theocracy and brought under his influence was one of those
administrative districts, the four southern counties. And to the north of that
was the central administrative district consisting of four counties centered
around the Royal Capital Isra, and further north were the eastern,
western, and northern administrative districts.
And now, Lugner and Azel, whom Castro
had (been made to) appoint as God's apostles, were engaged in undermining three
of the four central counties, excluding the one where Isra was located.
Their movements were progressing smoothly, and since the onset of winter, the
people living in those three counties had begun to flow one after another into
the Orthodox Theocracy.
To them arrived a summons from the Pope through the church.
「Azel, what is the meaning of this? Why is he summoning us now?
Are we not finally at the stage of laying the groundwork to ignite flames in the
north of the central region—the three eastern counties and the four western
counties?」
「I do not know, but the messenger
said a clue to our pending issue has come into view...」
「That makes no sense. Even though we
are taking the trouble to undermine them for that very purpose.」
Indeed—they had reached a stalemate in their maneuvers against the three nations, a plan they themselves had proposed to
the Empire's First Prince. And rightfully so, because even to
the invitation of Duke Harry, an illustrious and powerful noble among
Imperial nobles, the response of the three countries was not favorable. In the
current situation, it was nothing but a pipe dream to think that people of
unknown origin like them could approach the centers of each country and
manipulate them at will.
If only we could just make contact with the leadership of a
country... we could likely win them over using a mix of eloquence and Dark
Magic. Thinking so, they learned the harshness of reality anew.
「We were forced to change our initial
strategy to first strengthen the power of the Orthodox Theocracy, intending to use that influence to drag those
fools to the negotiating table. He should have understood this procedure, and
yet...」
「Yeah, for that purpose we must
secure an army of at least 20,000, or it won't even serve as a threat.」
Saying so as if spitting it out, Lugner continued his
words with a distorted face.
「Azel, the current situation in Tria is still only a
little over 10,000, isn't it?」
「That's right, with our incitement it
is currently 15,000. Once we seize the central three counties under our
influence, it will exceed 20,000, though...」
「Even so, the Imperial King is a
foolish one. In a desperate attempt to counter us, he is frantically bolstering
his armaments, but it seems he is levying even more taxes to do so. This
country is filled with voices of resentment toward the Church at every turn.」
「Lugner, there's no point in arguing here. We have hurriedly sown
seeds in the three central counties. By spring, they will likely be repainted
into our territory. We should probably return to Tria for now.」
「I suppose it cannot be helped... but
if this turns out to be some worthless matter, we
shall reconsider how we deal with him.」
To them, Castro was merely a puppet, a vessel and
tool to fill with the wine of their ambitions. Therefore, they were merely
exalting him on the surface and feigning the position of apostles. Afterwards,
they hurriedly rode their horses south.
※
After that... Returning to Tria for the first time in
half a year, the two were first surprised by its transformation. Even though
they had anticipated it in advance, its development was astonishing.
Merchant caravans constantly came and went from the southern
border direction, and the front of the city was overflowing with lines of
people desiring to enter. Glancing at that out of the corners of their eyes, as
they slipped through the line guided by the guards, construction works were
progressing everywhere in the city, providing jobs for the people who had
flowed in, and food was given to refugees at the church.
「Tch, that guy... he's unsparingly
using the funds we lent him.」
「Lugner, this place will also eventually become a city of our Clan
of Darkness. We just need to receive that harvest, is that not so?」
Azel's words
are sound reasoning. However, perhaps Lugner was not entirely convinced,
as he merely nodded sullenly.
「Divine
messengers, I have received orders from the
Pope. Please, this way...」
Receiving
word of their arrival, a person waiting at the entrance of the church guided
them to where Castro was. Development and renovation extended to the church as well,
and the cathedral was adorned just like the throne room of a royal palace.
Proceeding to the innermost part, Pope Castro and his close aides were
waiting.
「Lord Lugner, Lord Azel,
truly great work in your role of guiding many people. I believe God is also
satisfied with your performance as divine messengers.」 (It
seems the plot is going excellently. Because there are people watching, forgive
me.)
Right now, it couldn't be helped as a formality... he
understood that, but Lugner was sullen again. Castro was once a
man who was merely kept alive by Lugner and the others.
However, Azel, who had previously feigned submission
to Castro, was a little more flexible. Therefore, he answered in his
stead.
「Yes, we are grateful for your
gracious words. We two have preached God's teachings in the three central
counties and sown seeds. It is expected that the people will also embrace the
correct teachings in the near future. And what is your urgent business?」 (Don't
get carried away. You're merely playing a role right now. So, for what business
did you summon us?)
「There has been word from the Empire,
which secretly supports our Istoria Orthodox Theocracy, appointing you
two as special diplomatic envoys. To that effect, I have received a direct
letter from Duke Harry.」 (It
seems the Duke saw right through the fact that you were at your wits' end after
your big talk. But with this, it will likely become easier to move against
those three countries as well.
You should thank the Duke.)
「Special envoys... is it?」 (There's
no way the now-ruined Duke Harry has such authority, right?)
「That is correct. It is an official letter of appointment stamped with the
Emperor's Imperial Seal. It is proof that our Istoria Orthodox Theocracy
is recognized by the Empire, and that you are specially permitted as the ones
to bear its diplomacy. From here on, you two are to depart for the Lute
Kingdom, which borders our country, and the Ville Kingdom and Cain
Kingdom beyond, and secure recognition for our country.」 (With
this, you will finally be able to visit the three countries with the Empire's
backing and incite them, I suppose.)
「This is... we are merely surprised
by the unexpected consideration of the Empire. Then we shall promptly depart
for the three countries, accompanied by Lord Lugner. For our great
ambitions.」
(I don't know the circumstances, but
if that is the case, it makes things quick. Let's push the scheme forward all
at once with this.)
「Then depart for the three countries
immediately. Tell them that if they recognize our state and form a bond of
friendship, my entire army of 25,000 will rush
to their aid in times of crisis. Furthermore, tell them that this number will
grow with each passing month—conveying that should certainly improve their
impression of us.」
(Tell them that if they recognize
our state and form a bond of friendship, my entire army of 25,000 will rush to
their aid in times of crisis. Furthermore, tell them that this number will grow
with each passing month—conveying that should certainly improve their
impression of us.)
「Yes, with gratitude!」 (Don't
get carried away. In the first place, it was us who gathered the military forces,
and isn't the funding for that ours as well?)
Finally, as Lugner raised his voice while keeping his
knees on the ground and without raising his gaze, the two took their leave from
before the Pope, remaining respectful only on the surface.
「With this, the just cause to visit
each country, and the material for negotiation are ready. Azel, our
wings will finally extend to their countries as well. The day we embrace those
countries with our dark wings is but a few days away.」
「That's right. I don't like that a
helping hand was extended by the Empire's raccoon
in the end, but results come first.」
Conversing so, the two crossed the border and disappeared.
As to who will truly laugh upon seeing this situation, none of the parties involved
know yet.
※ Due to the circumstances so far, the map has South at the top. Please excuse any ugliness.
〈South〉
〈North〉
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