“High Priest Francis.”
“Oh, Sir Tyrang. You’ve come well. Were the goods delivered without issue?”
High Priest Francis greeted his guest, smoke curling from his mouth.
Of course, this was possible only because this was his ‘villa.’
“Yes, indeed. Just a few sacks of wheat, but packed quite generously, haha.”
The man named Tyrang shook his head, a trace of disbelief in his expression.
He had paid silver coins when purchasing, yet now, although it was the same wheat, transactions were made with gold coins.
This was utterly corrupt and extortionate.
“Ahem, my friend, watch your words.”
“Oh dear— I suppose I got carried away because I’m in a good mood.”
Of course, all the sacks of wheat belonged to High Priest Francis personally.
But when one handled his ‘secret affairs’ like this, fitting rewards naturally followed.
So from Tyrang’s perspective, things going smoothly was a pleasant matter.
“Did you explain it well to the protesters too?”
“Just gave them a few gold coins; they were practically kissing my boots, haha.”
This man Tyrang, though officially the Knight Order Commander, preferred money over his sword.
And that was precisely why Francis employed him.
Strictly speaking, the Order of Ryuten was considered third-rate among the empire’s knight orders.
Its location in the remote northern territories and its commander’s status barely above a sword owner level made that clear.
But few knights could communicate as well as Commander Tyrang.
Flexible thinking, one might say? Francis highly valued that.
Because he was obsessed with money and power, he never shirked dirty or covert tasks.
“Hmm — but you’re still a knight, right? Isn’t your love of money a bit excessive?”
“Whether sword or religion, it must be used as a tool to control — that’s what the High Priest told me. Ha! Truly words that touch my heart.”
“You’ve got a good memory, haha. Now, let me pour you a drink.”
Francis smiled broadly, offering a cup.
“Thank you kindly.”
Everything — the cup, the liquor, the table, the sofa — was of the highest quality.
It was no exaggeration to say that everything served here was top-tier.
Truly, for Tyrang, this place was like a dream.
“But you know, I don’t think there’s much profit left in wheat sacks.”
“Eh? Even though prices are rising every day?”
Francis frowned at the suspicious question and set down his cup.
“Stauffen won’t just let it go.”
“Well, the protesters won’t delay any longer.”
“Merely making noise has no effect. It’s time to move to the next phase.”
“The next phase… Ah, you mean driving out the heretics?”
“Exactly — but you’re not planning to shout like that outside, are you?”
Francis shot him a stern look.
“I thought calling it a ‘heretic purge’ was too blunt.
People hearing it could easily misunderstand.
Though not entirely wrong.”
Tyrang quickly waved his hand.
“Of course not. I wouldn’t say such things if we weren’t here.”
“Right, always keep your mouth shut outside. Anyway, soon the Order’s loyal followers will cause all sorts of trouble.
You and the Ryuten Order will have to suffer some hardship. That’s why I called you today.”
Originally, it would have been appropriate to send the Order of Nikerba’s Templar knights.
But calling Ryuten meant they were about to get their hands dirty.
“So, how far are we supposed to arrest people?”
“All the merchants the Senate supports — both sides.
If necessary, just crush them all completely.”
“… Eh? Is that really okay? The Senate will make a huge fuss.”
“They’re just toothless tigers anyway. They’ll side with whoever wins.
Mark my words.”
Though the Senate was the center of Arian politics, that was ancient history.
They couldn’t even properly manage a contract they themselves issued.
“The important thing is that it’s not the Senate. The royal family is the real problem.”
“Hasn’t the contract been quiet until now?”
“Isabelle — that woman — is stirring things up.
She must have received orders from my father.
Called the ‘Flower of the Kingdom,’ but she’s no one to be underestimated.”
Not just her political acumen, but especially how she handled people — particularly men — was unparalleled.
If not a flower, she was more aptly called a snake.
“But if it’s Harfil, wouldn’t that rascal side with her?”
“A rascal, you say… The duke’s heir you mentioned before? He’s no fool. He’d side with the declining royal family?”
“You know Isabelle’s methods, right? If the heir didn’t understand the subject, he probably would’ve defected altogether. It’s obvious.”
Francis couldn’t forget the feeling he had when meeting Glenn.
Though skillfully concealed, it was a clear sense of hostility.
And above all, the rumor that he wasn’t stupid lingered.
“Right now, it would be troublesome if the Lepents sided with the royal family.”
The timing was truly ironic.
Just now, the Lepent faction dispatched their heir as ambassador.
At that moment,
Knock, knock, knock!
A knight burst open the door.
Before Tyrang could scowl and say something, Francis stopped him.
“What’s the emergency to come so hastily?”
“There’s a major clash between worshippers and citizens in the square. And the Lion Knight Order has intervened!”
“What? The Lion Knight Order, you say? That’s Glenn’s lot?”
The knight nodded quickly.
Then Francis’s expression twisted sharply.
“Why the hell is he there? Wait — this is illegal…”
“Any bright ideas?”
Even Francis hadn’t anticipated this clash.
To be precise, he was aware of the possibility but couldn’t pinpoint time or place.
So the chance that the royal family was behind it was slim.
It was natural to assume the Lion Knight Order got involved by accident.
If so, this was a perfect opportunity.
“Tyrang, summon the Ryuten Order knights immediately and head to the square. Attach the Templars as well.”
“Right away?”
“Yes. The Lion Knights are oppressing our innocent worshippers! This is urgent!”
An accidental interference leaves no justification.
Even if there was, it would be weak.
So this was an ideal situation to frame them.
We could deal with them before they fully side with the royal family.
“… Ah! I’m setting out immediately.”
Tyrang, who had been thinking carefully, understood and stood.
“Go catch that Glenn bastard! Or at least chase him out of the city. Am I clear?”
“Aren’t the Lepents considered brutish barbarians in Arian? Just treat them roughly, then.”
Two unknightly, unholy smiles crossed his face.
“Good, very good. If it comes to it, use the female priest who travels with him. After all, she serves a different goddess — a heretic.”
Female priest traveling with them…
Surprise spread across Tyrang’s face.
“Isn’t she a priest of the Hernesia Order? Is that really allowed…?”
Hostility between the four great orders forbids collaboration.
It was a longstanding, strict edict from higher authorities.
But at the same time, to Francis, it was an amusing matter.
“They’re just a handful of useless people anyway. No more talk — do as I say.
Oh, and bring Lord Clemens along. At least his swordsmanship is top-notch.”
“Yes, understood.”
Could such a troublesome matter be resolved this easily?
“As expected, the times are calling for me. Ha ha ha.”
If this led to Arian and the empire’s unification, Francis would undoubtedly become the next Pope.
Imperial Pope Francis — what a glorious title!
Even after Tyrang left, Francis couldn’t wipe the satisfied smile from his face.
***
“Goddess, please forgive your debt.”
Hoo—.
As Priestess Monica recited the healing prayer, warm divine power descended.
“Thank you, thank you, High Priestess.”
The wounded patient bowed repeatedly before disappearing.
How many times had this been already? Monica sighed lightly, feeling a bit dizzy.
“Priestess, please go inside and rest now.”
“… No, as a servant of the goddess, I cannot ignore those who need help.”
Monica looked out from the carriage toward the square.
Some time had passed since Prince Glenn and the knights had entered, but chaos still reigned.
Through the thick dust, screams and shouts filled the air.
Naturally, Monica clasped her hands.
“O Spring that has overcome winter, please watch over these lambs. Please forgive our foolishness—.”
Then—amid her earnest prayer, someone interrupted.
“Hey! There’s a heretic priest over there!”
“Purge her! Purge the heretic!”
Voices full of hostility — a group of fanatics had appeared.
Their formation targeted Monica precisely.
“Priestess! Take cover inside the carriage!”
“No, there are too many — we must get out of here immediately!”
Not only fanatics but also unknown men appeared.
By their weapons, they were presumably knights.
In an instant, the crowd surged to surround the carriage.
Two guards assigned by Glenn were not nearly enough.
“Priestess, please escape quickly!”
“What… what is this…”
One guard leapt forward while the other grabbed Monica’s arm to pull her.
There was no time to understand the situation.
Leaving the chaos behind, Monica hurried her steps.
As she turned into the narrow alleyway and passed through a corner—
“Ugh—!”
Clang—!
A sharp metallic sound rang out.
The guard had almost instinctively blocked a sword thrust.
“Get the priestess through here!”
They were the unknown knights.
They blocked the guard sideways.
Two… no, three of them — impossible to hold off.
The guard took his stance, gripped his sword tightly, and shouted.
“I’ll hold them off. You escape somewhere else immediately!”
“Be careful!”
Monica’s face turned pale blue as she changed direction.
Though panicked and trembling, Monica never stopped thinking.
What was going on?
This was no mere riot of fanatics.
They were clearly targeting her — but why?
Could it be that High Priest Francis had directly ordered this?
Even if it was the empire’s orders, this was a grave taboo; surely not—
“Got you! Damn heretic witch!”
“Grrk.”
A brutal hand grabbed Monica’s forearm.
It was a fanatic, gagged with cloth.
“I—I’m a Holy Servant of the Hernesia Order—.”
“Shut up, you filthy witch!”
Screech!
Her head was mercilessly twisted.
Monica gritted her teeth, breaking free.
“I am a Holy Servant of the Hernesia Order! No matter the empire’s orders, the goddess would never allow this!”
“How dare a heretic mention the goddess’ name!”
Crunch, crunch.
Several slaps struck again.
Monica’s protests only fueled the fanatic’s rage.
He was stopped by another worshipper.
“Look, there’s no time. Didn’t you hear me earlier? Take her to the knights immediately!”
“… Where should we go?”
“To the central square. I just saw the Lepents clashing there.”
“Follow me!”
Blood dripped from Monica’s split lip as she stumbled.
“L-Lepent? Going to Prince Glenn?”
At the question, two fanatic men roughly dragged Monica along.
“Shut up and follow!”
So this was it.
They planned to use her as a hostage to threaten Prince Glenn.
Monica sensed their scheme instinctively.
Though rough on the outside, Prince Glenn was a gentle soul.
Her being taken hostage would be an excessive restraint.
… If that were true, then with what conscience could she serve the goddess?
Resolving her determination, Monica took action.
“Ugh! This woman is biting her tongue!”
“Block her! Block her right now!”
Blood streamed down between her cracked lips.