Chapter 585: Those Who Fear

In a corner of the simple military council room built in the detached palace, the question-and-answer session took place, filling the void with color.

「Afraid, you say? Of someone…like me? 」

「Yes. Everyone feels that way towards you, Lord Hero. 」

Ann said with a smile that was almost perfect. A certain degree of comfort flowed through her heart.

Lugis looked taken aback for a moment before narrowing his eyes. His striking eyes moved as if they were a living creature.

Seeing this, Ann’s lips moved with a look of amusement. There was a hint of pride in her voice.

「Of course, Lord Hero. You beheaded Vrilligant in the East and defeated the Great Demon in the Central territory. I’d find it hard to believe you were just an ordinary person. It’s not like we’re in a heroic tale. But if I knew about your stories, I’d think this: …Terrifying. Rather than killing him, I’d think about not making him my enemy. 」

It wasn’t Lugis himself who reacted most strongly to Ann’s words. Rather, it was those around him. Queen Philos, the nobles including Biomondor, and even Saint Matia showed a hint of impatience, which was unexpected.

「I don’t think it’s necessary to go that far. Lugis is Lugis, after all. 」

Filaret said, seemingly unable to contain herself any longer, but she couldn’t strongly deny it.

This was proof that everyone present understood Ann’s words. In truth, everyone knew.

…It’s impossible not to feel a certain kind of fear. To someone who killed a dragon…To someone who killed the spirit god.

Frighteningly, this kind of fear became more meaningful the further away he was. There was nothing more terrifying in this world than an invisible fear.

Telsarat of Elizard, and Mastigius of Bolvat. Of course, they weren’t driven solely by fear. They each had their own feelings about Lugis.

But that was because they knew Lugis.

The common people, who only knew of it through rumors and had never seen it for themselves, would probably think this at some point…

Applause for the great hero who defeated the demon! Glory to him!

However.

「Even the Great Demons, no, even the Magical Devilish Beings, were monsters beyond human control. They were undeniable monsters that treated humans like dust and killed even armies of tens of thousands in seconds. People would wonder who killed them. What do you call the one who beheaded the Great Demons? Was the one who did it truly human? If I was a member of another faction, I’d throw a dozen or so women into your bedroom in hopes you’d like one of them. And I’m saying this as an example of what people would try to do in order to please you because they fear you. 」

Ann shrugged her shoulders. Perhaps it was her flaw. Why? Even though she said it jokingly, it sounded like she really meant it.

「You’re really merciless towards me, Ann. I don’t remember doing anything that bad. 」

「Well, no one else would say that, would they? Besides, to me, you’ve been a hero since the time of Garoua Maria. You just haven’t changed. 」

Ann narrowed her eyes, thinking how truly malicious he was, especially when he claimed he didn’t remember doing anything wrong.

Ann could have continued her lighthearted banter a little longer, but any further would have provoked those around them too much. Besides, this had sufficiently established her relationship with him. She should consider her objective achieved.

Lugis’ network of connections was surprisingly narrow compared to his position. Of course. Normally, people forged numerous connections and used them as steppingstones to rise, but he remained here without even paying attention to his relationships with others. Those who had a connection with him would be exceptional.

Therefore, Ann only needed to make the nobles aware of her close relationship with him. That would be sufficient as a deterrent and would make future court politics easier.

It wasn’t that she was irritated by him for not even offering a proper greeting after he returned.

Ann asserted that she certainly wasn’t thinking, Who do you think was making connections and solidifying the foundations while you were flying around?

「Now that you’re satisfied, let’s get down to business…This is something that cannot be made public. I ask for your utmost understanding. 」

Ann said, deliberately keeping her voice in the same tone, only changing the look in her eyes. The sweetness that had once been visible on her face vanished, and the one who governed the affairs of the Heraldic Religion was now standing there.

「The enemy army numbers are over 100,000. Adding the forces from Western Roa will make them even more formidable. However, we’ve received a secret letter from their supreme commander, Protector Jace Brackenberry. To summarize the message in a single sentence…it hints at an end to the civil war, a ceasefire. 」

Ann’s words caused the military council room to shake. Literally, multiple people simultaneously lost their composure, making it seem to Ann as if the room itself had moved.

「What are their conditions, Lady Ann… 」

Biomondor quickly seized the opportunity. His past actions had proven him to be a man of keen judgment.

「Please note that this is a document from the Protector himself and the nobles who support him. However, assuming that’s the case…the Protector states that he is willing to formally depose the former King and recognize His Majesty Philos as the legitimate head of the state. 」

「…What? But I don’t know how much of this is true. The Protector is the shield of the state. Would he really abandon the King? 」

Ann nodded, leaving Biomondor’s complex expression behind. She could fully understand what he was feeling.

Biomondor was the leader of the Philos-aligned nobles. By quickly pledged allegiance to Philos, he had risen from a provincial noble with almost no land to a position that allowed him to penetrate central politics.

But Biomondor’s position would no longer be secure if the Protector and the nobles with over 10,000 soldiers were to unite here.

Even if the Guardians had once sided with the Old Kingdom, if they managed to quell the civil war and surrender with 100,000 soldiers, Philos, as Queen, would have no choice but to treat them seriously.

For Biomondor, who had gambled on Philos at the risk of ruin, this outcome was undoubtedly disappointing.

「I don’t really believe it. When those with resources reach out to those without, it usually doesn’t end well. 」

「…Before even considering whether to believe it or not, is it even possible? Not only the knights of the Cathedral, but many nobles also consider their faith in the Cathedral absolute. 」

Caria, who had been intently aiming at Lugis’ neck, seemed to have calmed down somewhat, and following Eldith, she spoke in a relaxed voice. Her question was perfectly valid.

The conflict between the Old Kingdom and the New Kingdom wasn’t simply a struggle for the throne. It also involved religious conflict between the Great Holy Church and the Heraldic Order.

And Caria didn’t say it aloud, but…The words of what she had seen at the Great Temple of Flimslat were also tucked into the corner of her lips. That was why her reaction to the Protector’s offer remained skeptical.

Matia nodded at Caria’s words and added to Ann’s explanation.

「In fact, there were no detailed descriptions regarding the religious aspects. The Protector probably thought that this was beyond the scope of what could be communicated in writing. 」

Military affairs, where discussions revolved around logic and profit, and religion, which leaned towards faith and doctrine, were entirely different fields. The latter was a world where compromise was sometimes impossible.

A deep suspicion and numerous motives intertwined in an instant, centered around the Protector’s document. Ann worried that the Protector might have created this situation to sow confusion.

But the problem was the following. The Protector’s arguments made sense. If they were to get exhausted by the civil war, they wouldn’t be able to survive afterwards. If the Old and New Kingdoms fought each other, then there would be a possibility that they would both collapse sooner or later. Furthermore, recognizing Philos’ claim to the throne would be a significant concession for the protector of the nation. When it was brought up first, it would difficult to refuse easily. They probably figured that we, who held the capital and the army, wouldn’t back down on that point, but for Ann, who liked to read between the lines, it was an unsettlingly straightforward proposal.

「So, what do you think? Tell me what you think. 」

Philos suddenly looked at Lugis amidst the slight murmurs of those around them. Her addressing him as “you” implied that she was asking him as an individual, not as Queen.

Or perhaps, it was a jab at Lugis, who seemed completely uninterested in participating in the war council.

From the outside, Lugis’ actions could be a form of his own influence. But Philos knew that he simply had no intention of participating.

「…There will always be enemies no matter what the Guardians’ intentions may be. I don’t think everything will go peacefully. 」

Lugis said, as if he could see those enemies right before his eyes. The furrows in his eyebrows clearly showed he knew it.

「But it will be better if the number of enemies decreases. Surely it won’t end with just a document, will it? 」

「Yes, Hero. We will definitely send envoys to each other to discuss the matter. 」

Philos nodded emphatically after hearing Lugis and Ann’s words. It was as if he had urged this to happen.

「…I believe this is worth listening to. Even if we win, a plan that leads to the collapse of the nation afterward is foolish. Biomondor, I have never forgotten your achievements, and I do not deny the role of the Heraldic Order. The same goes for the alliance with Ghazalia. But I believe this is necessary for our prosperity. 」

Ann let out a slight sigh of admiration as soon as Philos finished speaking.

She never thought Philos was incompetent as Queen, but she did sense that she had a rather impulsive side as a person. However, she might be more cunning than Ann had initially thought.

Philos would be the one who would suffer the least in this negotiation with the Protector. She might experience some inconvenience due to a shift in her support base, but she would retain her position as Queen.

However, the nobles, including Biomondor, and the Heraldic Order could suffer disadvantages, and if things went wrong, opposition from our ally, Ghazalia, would be inevitable.

That’s why Ann had Lugis speak first, effectively dismissing the other opinions. It was difficult to directly refute his opinion, as he didn’t belong to either the nobles or Heraldic Church factions.

「…Then, we will proceed with the negotiations. 」

Even Ann had no choice but to accept those words.

The main points of the military council were over. All that remained was to confirm the direction of defenses and the finer points of negotiations with other nations.

「Oh, and also, Lord Hero…」

Ann added softly at the end, deliberately changing her tone to make it sound insignificant.

「If you’re going to complain, save it for later, Ann. I’ve had enough for today. 」

「No, that’s not it. Well, it’s not that… 」

Lugis responded with a lighthearted remark because of Ann’s lighthearted tone, to which she muttered softly.

For a moment, she felt as if multiple eyes were piercing her cheeks. She cleared her voice.

「…The Witch of the Great Holy Order has issued a statement addressed to you, Lord Hero. Would you like to read it? 」

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