Chapter 387: The Deep-rooted Monster

Largud Ann’s betrayal of the anti-Lugis faction. This caused quite a stir among the elders and those around Saleino.

Everybody recognized that she had received the great trust of Saint Matia and had become her right-handed person. This could be seen from the fact that she had been given the right to govern the puppet city of Philos.

Moreover, Ann was also a valuable resource who could serve as a substitute for the Saint, even if only temporarily. If it weren’t for her existence, Saint Matia wouldn’t have gone to the frontline herself.

Despite the benefits of having the Saint conduct the expedition, which would improve the soldiers’ morale and be in charge of the situation, there was no way the expedition would be possible without the proper control of internal political affairs. Therefore, the Saint believed that Ann could do it.

That’s why Largud Ann’s words would resonate more heavily with the Saint than anyone else’s. If Ann could tell the Saint about the plans of her elders, the Saint would see it as the truth.

The elders didn’t know what the Saint would do if that happened. Until now, she had been moving in the direction of suppressing the elders’ movements. However, there was also a good chance that she could punish them in the future.

In any case, with Ann’s departure, factional conflicts within the Heraldic Order had become even clearer. It was easy to imagine that the organization would be in jeopardy. If this were to happen, the elders’ power base could become weak.

Therefore, the discussion among the elders immediately after the letter had arrived seemed to be heated. The wrinkles on their faces deepened as they spoke, while their saliva flew from the corners of their mouths.

「Maybe someone has tipped us off. Now that the situation has collapsed, it’s only natural that we retreat.」

「The situation has changed, but I haven’t agreed to retreat. Largud Ann abandoned our cause, but that doesn’t mean we have to abandon it too.」

There were two conflicting statements. Would the elders continue to sabotage the expedition? Or would they show a cooperative attitude in order to prepare themselves for the future? This policy had to be decided quickly. There was a risk of more defectors if time passed without a clear policy.

At the very least, the elders would like to avoid giving any kind of excuse to the Saint or Ann. That was the opinion of the majority of the elders.

…Except for the person named Saleino.

Saleino slowly moved his dry lips when most of the opinions had been expressed.

「…Garoua Maria is a city easy to defend and difficult to attack. Suppressing that little girl with just a few soldiers won’t keep our side safe from the Lady Saint. It’s more like trying to sweep her off her feet. But if we make a big move, it will be her side that will absorb the damage.」

Saleino, thinking that this letter was also part of her plan, even had a smile on his face as he spoke directly. That rational tone was the way he always spoke.

Some of the elders could see some emotion in him, but he didn’t speak in a violent manner like some of them did. That cool demeanor slightly calmed down the people around him.

So what should we do? asked the old woman sitting next to Saleino. The wrinkles on her face were deeply carved. Saleino nodded and said the following words as if they were obvious.

「A long-term battle to find a chance will be disadvantageous. That’s why we must act instantly and effectively. The story is simple…our side will attack now. Prepare the soldiers.」

Saleino spoke with passion for the first time in a long time. His wrinkles deepened when he smiled. He even had a relaxed demeanor.

On the other hand, the multiple elders all widened their eyes in agitation and frustration. Some even looked as if they still couldn’t understand what Saleino was saying.

What do you mean to attack? Do you mean we’re going to lead the troops and attack the puppet city of Philos? Such thoughts emerged into the elders’ brains in an instant and their hearts became agitated.

「No way, all we have here now are the soldiers to protect the city. Besides, we’re in the season of death snow. Sieging that city will not be possible. Besides, if the Saint’s soldiers come back, won’t that be the end for us?」

Saleino spoke to the elders, who had convulsed looks on their faces. Saleino’s eyes widened, and his tongue moved with a certain cheerfulness.

「Don’t be fools. That’s what the cunning little girl thinks, too. We’re at a huge disadvantage when it comes to attacking, so we can’t risk it.」

Saleino paused for a moment, looked around, and then spoke again.

「That’s why we’ll do it our way. 」

Saleino said he should finish everything before the Saint returned.

The number of soldiers protecting Philos was less than 1,000, which was inferior to the number of soldiers in Garoua Maria. Moreover, Philos’ reserves of military provisions were small. Most of those provisions were not sent to the frontline. That’s where they had an advantage. Saleino certainly had a chance of winning in a short period of time.

However, on the other hand, there were many disadvantages that could be enumerated.

If the Saint returned before the incident ended, they would have no choice but to surrender due to the overwhelming difference in the number of soldiers. If that happened, the majority of the elders, including himself, would naturally be executed. Besides, Garoua Maria’s protection would weaken, allowing its weakness to be noticed by demonic beings. Moreover, even if the elders held victory in the palm of their hands, the Saint could brand them as traitors.

Saleino said in a mocking manner to the elders who objected.

「The Lady Saint is very smart. She’s not the kind of person who would choose punishment first, even if she lost that cunning little girl by taking over the functions of the city of Philos.」

If they did that, the Heraldic Order would definitely split and lose most of its functions. Of course that wise Saint understood that reality.

Besides. Saleino continued his words. The look in his eyes was unusual, a look that was as ferocious as a hawk.

「How can we gain something without bearing wounds and blood on our hands? Glory will not come to those who do not swallow pain. Do you think that I have developed the Heraldic Order without getting my hands dirty!」

After hearing Saleino’s words, everyone around him stopped breathing for a moment. The atmosphere seemed tense.

A man who rebuilt the very foundation of the Heraldic religion, an organization that was on the brink of collapse in the past. That person was Saleino.

There was no way such a great feat could be achieved by just being pretty.

Saleino shed blood and caused blood to be shed. He had endorsed not only intelligence but also violence. Therefore, the elders knew that this man was terrifying.

Saleino sacrificed himself to the ideals and doctrines of the Heraldic Order by choosing any means to achieve his goals. While he respected reason, he also approved of violence.

Saleino. The monster that had its deep roots in the Heraldic Order was showing glimpses of that violence even though he was old.

Considering his state of being, perhaps the disproval he showed toward Lugis was not an overreaction to a foreign object, but something close to aversion.

When Saleino finished speaking, the elders surrounding him waited for the right moment to open their mouths.

「…We agree. We’ll do as Lord Saleino says. 」

These words spread over many generations and the majority of the elders agreed with Saleino. Actually, they were Saleino’s followers, so their roots were intact even before the debate.

And then, in the end. There was no one to argue with Saleino. Rather, the only person who spoke bold words with Saleino was the Saint.

He nodded approvingly and shook his beard. He told them to prepare their troops immediately.

“…The Heraldic Order is my child. Nobody will take it away. Don’t underestimate me, you cunning little girl.”

Saleino’s eyes showed a brilliant light as he stared in the direction of the city of Philos.

Previous | Next

Happy thanksgiving 2023!

—————–

Support us on Patreon and get access to early chapters