Chapter 566: Knowing what to Believe

The Cathedral. This place, which had maintained its tranquility for centuries and served as a sanctuary for believers of the Grear Holy Church, changed its role in times of turmoil.

It ceased to be merely a repository for faith.

「Suffering is always associated with faith. Heresy will inevitably arise, persecutors will be born, and apostates will grow. But we have overcome them for hundreds of years. It is the same now. What truly enriches a person is not wealth or intelligence, but the ability to overcome obstacles and turbulent times. 」

A quiet yet deeply moving voice echoed.

At the military council in the Cathedral, Saint Ariene spoke, as her radiant golden hair shone in the sunlight.

There was no boisterous fervor among the believers and soldiers listening to her words. Instead, there was an unyielding faith boiling within their hearts.

They didn’t become recklessly enthusiastic or raise their voices like the common people. This was a shameful testament to their profound emotional impact.

They remained unmoved. They showed neither agreement nor passion. Precisely because it was something they were expected to possess.

For the believers and soldiers, the Holy Maiden of the Great Holy Church held more than just a symbolic meaning.

They had lost their capital city to demons and the unfaithful. The capital city was the epitome of royal power, the very identity of the nation.

With royal power severely weakened, not only the soldiers, but even the nobles who had followed the King, needed something else to cling to.

It was merely by chance that the precious golden gem of the holy city fit perfectly into that situation.

「Your Majesty Ameritz, please, speak to the soldiers. 」

The old-looking King rose prompted by the Saint. The heavy white armor he wore over his cloak was a testament to his former reverence for the martial way.

A solemn atmosphere permeated among the soldiers.

「…There is no path to retreat from, only a path to advance. Victory must be achieved by our own hands…Lords, generals, soldiers. I order you to return to the capital. 」

The assembled lords and soldiers readied their postures and obeyed.

The monarchy and the Great Holy Church, though in a cooperative relationship, had been constantly vying for power and interests. But right now, the two were walking towards a near-complete unification.

The King and the Saint. Such a joint campaign had never happened before. They finally united in their wills in order to crush the great evil.

The facts remain unchanged regardless of whose intentions created this scenario.

After the previous events, the Cathedral solidified its wartime system. The council system was completely abandoned, and the Pope supported the Saint’s words. The Cathedral itself was unified under the Saint’s authority.

「…Saint Ariene. Thank you for granting me your time. 」

Only a few people could meet the Saint directly. Guardian Jace Brackenberry stood alone before her in the reception room.

The room, meticulously arranged with an almost eerie purity, felt almost devoid of humanity.

「If that is your wish, Guardian Jace Brackenberry, I cannot possibly refuse. Let me hear your request. 」

The Saint showed a gentle smile, exuding a kind, welcoming aura. More than the Saint herself, it was the figure of the young girl, Ariene, who showed that smile.

For Brackenberry, this human-like figure was even more terrifying.

「…I’ve said this several times in council meetings before, but this war will inevitably devastate the country. Certainly, the western region of Roah, the southern region of Elizard, and the eastern region of Bolvat have all been ravaged. But our situation will be far more severe. Not only will we suffer a monstrous catastrophe, but we are also on the verge of a civil war. 」

「And? 」

The Saint held out her palm, prompting him to continue. Her smile remained unchanged.

「You are intelligent. You should already understand. If it were merely demonic, it would be fine; it could be resolved by extermination. But a civil war is a different story. It will create a deep-rooted hatred within our own country; the nation will be devastated, and the citizens will be divided. 」

This was no longer a mere rebellion created by heretics.

The New Kingdom and the Old Kingdom. The Heraldic Order and the Great Holy Church. The “Gospel War” that was started by Saint Matia of the Heraldic Order had now transformed into a “Holy War” dividing the Gharast Kingdom.

This was a civil war. The fate of the nation was perilous. It was obvious.

「Right now, no large-scale battles have taken place. They have only recaptured cities that were seized by demons. There has been a usurpation of the throne as well. Anyway, there’s still a way to resolve the situation without devastating the country. 」

「So, in short, you’re saying we should cancel the joint campaign by His Majesty Ameritz and the Great Holy Church? 」

「…Yes. It will have irreversible consequences. Only you can do it. 」

「It’s already irreversible. A wise Guardian like you should understand that. 」

Ariene’s voice, full of humanity, abruptly shifted to that of a Saint. The Saint silenced Brackenberry before he could even look up.

「This recent monster disaster has devastated the land, no, the continent, and the very order of the world. To establish a new order on the continent requires absolute power and faith. Only unnecessary conflict will arise if the Heraldic Order continues to interfere. 」

「So…you’re saying you want to crush the Heraldic Order, even if it means a civil war? 」

「Yes. Is there anything more to it? 」

Brackenberry looked directly into the Saint’s eyes.

And he understood again. Persuasion was impossible against this fanaticism. While the Saint’s campaign was merely a diplomatic tool, it was obvious that she had a different motive for instigating it.

Brackenberry couldn’t discern her purpose, but he knew it stemmed from faith.

Therefore, persuasion was impossible. Religion accepted irrationality. It wasn’t a matter of good or evil, but the very nature of religion itself.

Even Brackenberry didn’t absolutely believe he could persuade her. This was his final confirmation.

「I understand your words, Holy Saint. I no longer wish to pursue this matter. 」

He was certain. Words couldn’t stop this Saint. Therefore, there was no other option.

—

『The stronger Lugis becomes, and the more he accomplishes, the more troublesome things become. I don’t mind, though. It’s a good thing Lugis is doing well. 』

Having overheard the exchange with Brackenberry, Ariene shrugged casually in the mind of the Divine Spirit Altia.

Despite having desired and acted upon the desire to have everything but herself taken away from her childhood friend, she genuinely rejoiced in his growth…it was a pure innocence. These two were seemingly contradictory feelings that coexisted within Ariene.

It seemed there was the desire to save and control him, and the feelings of love and affection for him, as if all of them were the same.

Altia let out a single, defiant smile at her subordinate’s words. A voice escaped from the Saint’s private chambers.

「He’s gotten stronger? How? 」

It wasn’t mockery. There was no emotion in it. It was simply a statement of fact, accompanied by a sense of truth.

『Lugis, who was once just an adventurer, has now defeated great demons and sorcerers. If that’s not what you call him, then what is? 』

「Yes, his strength has increased, and he’s acquired martial arts skills. In that respect, he is indeed Offal’s follower. He’s skilled at tearing up my script… But a person’s strength and weakness are different things. He has become much weaker. If he truly wished to kill me, then he should have remained true to himself from the beginning. 」

Altia’s eyes showed pity for the first time.

「Ariene. You are my follower. It was because of you that I was able to obtain the Holy Body. So rest assured. I will surely give you the means to fulfill your wish. 」

…He will be yours.

Altia said, seeing in her eyes Lugis’ image confronting the Great Demon Zebrililith. Ariene replied.

『Yes, I know. But I do not wish to cling to you. I just want to save Lugis in my own way. 』

And by any means necessary. Ariene said those words in her usual manner.

—

The human army on the Olyn Plains, facing Zebrililith, was divided into three groups.

One was the front line, led by Filaret, to face and defeat the witch; the other was a separate unit led by Caria to draw the horde of monsters from the rear…

…And then there was another unit, separate from the other two, tasked with escorting Lugis and Eldith to battle with Zebrililith. Due to the nature of their role, the soldier unit had to be cavalry, and their numbers were limited. Therefore, there were only about a hundred of them.

This was a number that could easily be annihilated if the hordes of monsters unleashed their full force.

One of them, Bernard, rode ahead on his horse. His familiarity with the curved blade of his saber, gripped tightly in one hand, suggested he was a seasoned cavalryman.

「General! All we need to do is get close, right? No matter what happens! 」

「That’s right! If we can just get close to Zebrililith…that’s all we need! You only need to land one hit! 」

They exchanged loud voices. Bernard nodded in satisfaction and gripped his saber tighter.

Bernard was a seasoned cavalryman. That’s precisely why he sensed the difficulty of the engagement Lugis was attempting.

Certainly, the front line and the other unit had divided the hordes of monsters. There was a gap between them.

But even so, their numbers were far greater than the cavalry.

Simply attacking that gap would likely result in being scattered. Lugis said one hit would suffice, but that wouldn’t allow them to break through, even if it would unsettle the monsters.

Bernard held his saber horizontally. A cavalryman’s saber wasn’t swung around like in knightly tales. He simply aligned the blade with the enemy, matching the speed of his horse.

「…Don’t think any further once the cavalry charges…」

Bernard muttered softly. He took a deep breath. A group of monsters was now within the cavalry’s reach. They finally seemed to notice them.

He shouted to the ninety-nine cavalrymen deployed around him.

「…Our country’s enemy is here! Victory for us! There’s no need to think, charge! 」

The other cavalrymen responded to Bernard’s words. They understood his intention and resolve. He and the other cavalrymen all shared the same thoughts.

…In short, they had no intention of simply striking them once and retreating. They were here of their own volition.

Their job was to make path for Lugis and Eldith, so that they could reach Zebrililith. A single strike wouldn’t suffice. They had to annihilate a portion of the enemy force.

No, Lugis and Eldith might be able to cut through the disoriented horde of monsters. But that would be exhausting. If they were going to be exhausted anyway, then it would be better for them to do it themselves.

At least Bernard thought so. That’s why he was the first to thrust his saber into the monster’s belly. Wiping away the fat and blood, he turned his wrist and moved on to the next enemy. And then the next, and the next.

「…!」

He thought he heard a voice from behind, but he couldn’t stop the cavalry that had begun the main charge. The horses’ hooves smashed the monsters’ skulls and trampled the flesh and blood of the living.

The surrounding cavalry fell one after another. They had charged against an enemy many times bigger of their size. It was inevitable. The cavalry’s objective wasn’t survival.

「General! 」

Bernard shouted. The escort for the main charge was reaching its limit. The towering figure was visible right beside them. The noise of the soldiers could be heard even from afar. A separate unit, having sensed the disarray of the hordes of monsters, must have launched a further offensive.

The hordes of monsters were undoubtedly unsettled. But they didn’t collapse. They had a giant tree to cling to.

…Breaking that giant tree wasn’t Bernard’s role.

「…Why won’t anyone listen to my orders? Listen, I won’t allow you to die. You’ll be my direct troops. Don’t die. You must survive. 」

The hero, accompanied by the Elven Queen, spurred his horse forward, while showing his sharp eyes at Bernard.

「That’s an honor. I won’t die yet. 」

Bernard declared those words after sweeping his saber and readjusting his grip on the reins. He watched the hero confront the enemy of humanity with apparent enjoyment.

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