Chapter 533: The Holy War’s Eve

Several words, and then names, were written smoothly in the parchment.

One of the names written on that parchment was Saint Ariene’s name. Eldith couldn’t help but mutter as she wrote the name.

「I see. His childhood friend, huh? That’s a problem. I never thought he would have a close acquaintance on the enemy’s side. 」

Finn Eldith, the queen of the elven nation of Ghazalia, called out that name in a melodic voice as she wrote it down.

Hearing that name reminded her of the monster at the Great Temple of Flimslat. The strange being who called herself the divine spirit named Altia.

Eldith had also caught a glimpse of that figure. Her very existence was a mistake. Normally, it would be someone she wanted no relationship with.

…However, if that person was the one Lugis loved, then that would be a different story.

Of all people, why did he love someone like that. Perhaps going down this route was typical of him, though.

Eldith hadn’t heard this fact directly from Lugis. Eldith resided in the Gharast Kingdom, far from Lugis.

She simply read what he was saying.

It was true that Eldith couldn’t project illusions over long distances or grasp her surroundings unless certain conditions were met. Even spirited magic had its limits.

But Lugis always wore the military uniform Eldith had made for him, and…he had become even more demonic. He was now closer to Eldith’s kin.

So she could at least tell how his body, fingers, and lips were moving. If she concentrated on her mind and magic, then it would be easy to read his movements and spy on his conversations.

This fact made Eldith happy. Lugis was no longer human. He was on the demonic side now. His body would never return to being human no matter how much his memory and reason returned.

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. The seed Eldith sowed in him sprouted when Lugis transformed into a magical devilish being. All that was left now was for him to grow, little by little. Soon, he’d no longer be human, nor a mere demon.

And then, there would be only one place to return to.

Finally, Eldith put down her quill and leaned back in her chair. The tension in her shoulders relaxed.

「But Matia, what are you talking about, politics? Your talk isn’t a lie, but it isn’t the truth either. This is why humans are so annoying. 」

After spitting this out, Eldith traced Ariene’s name on the parchment several times. Matia had her own schemes, but right now, this woman was the problem.

She gently tried a mild magical spell on that name.

Sympathetic spell…a spell that used an object or name related to a person to inflict blessings or harm. The classic method of casting a curse using hair or nails also fell under the category of the sympathetic spell.

The name was the thing closest to the owner. And Eldith knew how Ariene looked like. All the conditions were met.

Eldith muttered a few words with her eyes wide open. She manifested a curse in the name of the Great Spirit.

In an instant, pain ran through Eldith’s fingertips. Looking at the parchment, only the part that said “Ariene” was burning.

「Lady Eldith…! 」

「It’s okay, Valette. I didn’t get burned. I just bounced back a little. 」

Her maid, Valette, quickly brought a cooled cloth and wiped Eldith’s fingertips. Valette was even more cautious than Eldith. She couldn’t bear to stand the thought of her master being injured and doing nothing.

「A mirror-reversal curse, huh? I didn’t think there was anyone who could bounce back Lady Eldith’s curse. 」

「Yes. It’s not entirely a lie that she’s a divine spirit. That’s why we need to choose our methods carefully. 」

After all, Lugis was still thinking of his childhood friend. This couldn’t be overlooked regardless of what he would do.

Plus, she was the enemy, which was just the right timing. That way, she’d have no choice but to resort to any means necessary.

「Valette, I want you to head to Ghazalia at once. The war is still on. It’s a war against evil. I want to speak to the leaders so that no one wavers. 」

「Understood. I’ll have their responses ready by tomorrow morning. 」

With this, Valette bowed deeply and began unfolding the parchment in Eldith’s private room.

Valette had traveled to Ghazalia several times in Eldith’s place, who was still unable to move from the royal capital. She wasn’t acting as a proxy, but rather borrowing Eldith’s appearance.

Using mirror-spirited magic, Valette was able to assume Eldith’s appearance for a certain period of time. She sent orders to the leaders using this appearance. Of course, she’d inform trusted leaders of this fact first.

Ghazalia wasn’t necessarily rock solid either. If Eldith was absent for a long period of time, then it wouldn’t be surprising if someone started to have nefarious plans.

The fact that Eldith was sending Valette back as the Queen herself, rather than as a proxy, was proof of her complete trust in her.

「…Oh, by the way, I’d like to send a few more people to be with the Heraldic Order. Could you please select them? 」

「Yes. We’ve already secured around ten trustworthy people. 」

「Alright. I’d like someone who can monitor Saint Matia’s behavior. I’m sure she’s doing the same thing. 」

Seeing Valette nodded, Eldith’s cheeks relaxed slightly. She was truly talented. Judging by her ability to complete her mission, she’d definitely be able to gather the necessary personnel.

Eldith smiled and once again took her pen to the parchment. She wrote down several names.

These were the women closest to Lugis and likely harbored ill feelings towards him.

She traced the names several times with her fingers. She made no attempt to use sympathetic magic. Now wasn’t the time for it.

…But eventually, they would go to war. Love and romance was like war.

Eldith found it amusing. With Caria, Filaret, and Saint Matia. In peacetime, they would exchange words and even deepen their friendships.

As forces, they would likely form closer ties with the Gharast Kingdom, Ghazalia, and from now on, the Bolvat Dynasty as well.

…But behind the scenes, they were keeping each other in check, always keeping an eye out, trying to stay one step ahead.

Eldith said she was disgusted by Matia’s actions, but she didn’t mean it. She was sure she would do the same thing if the opportunity arose.

That’s why she shouldn’t try to blame Matia. In war, any means were justified.

「Lugis, you may despise me, because I don’t care what happens to the people that surround you, even more so if you get taken away by someone else. 」

Eldith spoke with a smile, almost singing.

The Heraldic Order and Ghazalia were allies and enjoyed a close friendship, but it had been recorded that there was constant strife behind the scenes.

The cause of this had never been clearly proven, but some say it was because the racial barrier between humans and elves couldn’t be overcome, while others say it was a personal conflict between Saint Matia and Queen Eldith. They believed the conflict was likely motivated by political motives.

But to be honest, the records of this era were often chaotic. Although many records remained intact, it was difficult to determine whether they were true or false.

This was likely due to the chaos caused by major disasters and numerous wars. It was a time of great turmoil.

This era was named after Lugis return to the Gharast Kingdom and after completing the war against demons in the Bolvat Dynasty.

…The Era of the Holy War.

Humanity wasn’t willing to join hands until the demonic catastrophe arrived to torment them all.

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Nice ending!

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