Episode 110
The problem with Zeno’s royal family was that they had no particularly outstanding bloodline. This was evident from the recent success of Gaius.
In particular, the crown prince lost his passion due to the complacency of having taken the throne.
After the meeting, I returned to Hebron with Gaius. As soon as he arrived in Hebron, he conveyed the king’s wishes.
“The Duke of Darun of the Kingdom of Kyle has requested assistance.”
It was expected.
Judging by the fact that the request came sooner than expected, the state of the Kingdom of Kyle seemed to be dire.
“It seemed like you were going to hold out until the end, but is there a special reason why you suddenly changed your plans?”
“The Sword Master has fallen. He has become crippled and can no longer lift his sword.”
“ah…….”
The Sword Master of the Kingdom of Kyle was Calix. He was known to be on par with Duke Braiot, and it was this great man who had been dealt a blow.
If we sent the army carelessly, it would be our own forces that would suffer.
“Has the royal decree been given to the Haryan Church and the Duke of Breio?”
“We will move our troops within a month.”
It was doubtful whether the Duke of Braio and the Harjan Order would act as the royal family intended. They could have pretended to go to battle and stalled for time, or they could have joined hands and used trickery.
To prevent this, the royal family had to send a trustworthy nobleman with them.
I saw that this trustworthy noble family could become Hebron.
‘This must have been planned with that in mind, Commander Southern.’
I had guessed it too. However, this was something that had to be done quickly because there was not much time left for preparation. Instead, it was clear that I would have the full support of the royal family. Even if I did something a little extreme, the royal family would support me, saying that it was something the Southern Commander did for the future of the Zenon royal family.
‘Seize the opportunity.’
I bit the bait the king had thrown. Even after seeing the sharp hook and the taut line attached to it, I decided to become Zeno’s loyal subject.
“A month later, as commander of the South, I will lead the Confederate forces and march on Kyle.”
“Have you made up your mind?”
“Yes, but there is something to do before that.”
“Tell me.”
“I will become a count.”
“Is there a way?”
“Barzai.”
Gaius closed his eyes tightly.
I guessed his mind. Gaius was a bit weak-hearted for a royal blood. That was both his strength and his weakness.
“The powerless people are involved.”
“Do you care about them?”
“Where in the world can there be a king without people?”
“His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince seem to have different opinions.”
“They… … .”
Gaius was careful with his words, because he could not judge his father and brothers lightly.
“Would your Majesty please make me a count?”
“Give me time.”
“Would one month be okay?”
There was no point in delaying it. Even if he had gone to war as the commander of the southern army, a mere viscount could not influence the Pope and the Duke.
“that…….”
“Then I will go first. When Your Majesty has made up his mind, please tell me then.”
“Ugh… … !”
As royal inspector general, Gaius had the power to shake the authority of dukes and popes, but he had absolutely no ability to create viscounts, much less counts.
It would be best to ask the king to do so.
“We will minimize damage to the people, thinking of His Majesty Gaius.”
After it was revealed that Barzai was the god of curses rather than war, the Barzai sect, which had been expanding mainly in the southern region, began to lose some of its influence. However, they expanded their influence with the full support of the ignorant people, and eventually succeeded in establishing themselves as a large sect following the Haryan sect.
Gaius was silent.
He seemed convinced that he had no place to stand.
I bowed to Gaius.
Then I went straight to find Amy.
“We must make Barzaiism the foundation of Hebron. Are you ready, Amy Military?”
“Because there is no war that is not cruel.”
“This war will be particularly brutal. The most brutal war is the current war.”
Following Gaius, Amy also kept her mouth shut.
That’s how the war began.
* * *
For three days, preparations for war were in full swing. The direction of the march was decided, detailed operations were drawn up, and armaments were prepared. Zeno’s informants were scattered in all directions, gathering rumors.
Amy analyzed the collected information and developed a strategy.
“Barzai and Armos have joined forces.”
The Armos cult worshipped Armos, the god of monsters. They tried to expand their power centered on the southern part of Zeno, but clashed with Hebron and were defeated. Armos was not a popular god among the people of Zeno to begin with. The fact that the Armos cult was caught trying to use Baron Prosi incurred the wrath of the kingdom of Zeno.
-Eradicate the religion of Armos!
Although the royal command was given, the remnants clung to the Barzai cult.
There was no evidence, but if you poked at it even a little, it would have been like a bee in a hive.
“It turned out well.”
“The damage will be considerable.”
“No, the damage will be minimal.”
“Although the Barzai sect is powerful and has no significant military force, the number of believers who follow them is enormous. The remnants of the Armos sect cannot be ignored either.”
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Amy compared the armies and was able to devise a pretty sharp strategy. However, she could not read the minds of the people. Of course, that was not something that any noble could easily do.
It wasn’t just Armosism that Barzaiism absorbed. They had also accepted ‘republicanism’, albeit in a clumsy way. Those who didn’t know what republicanism was would not even be able to guess Barzaiism’s hidden intentions.
– It is important to recognize the value of humble things first. Only when we are together, not alone, will we be recognized for our value. People, gather together. And unite as one.
“Why do the people follow Barzaiism?”
“Because of the belief that Barzai will save the people from monsters.”
“Why do they believe in Barzai when the monsters are gone?”
“that…….”
Contrary to the analysis of Hebron informants that the Barzai sect would soon collapse, the Barzai sect was still alive and well. The people rallied around the Barzai sect and resisted the nobles. Although it was still weak, their discontent was bound to explode at any moment.
“That’s because there is no suitable replacement for Barzai.”
“There’s Haryan.”
“After the Barzai cult flourished, Haryan became the god of the nobles. Then who is the god of the people?”
There wasn’t any.
If such a being exists, it would be a new god, never before known.
“… … Brecha?”
Amy asked with a frown, and I smiled back.
“The truth will save you.”
“Are you serious…?”
I added without wiping the smile from my lips.
“The death of Irederemnul will come upon those who do not follow the will of Iredem… … .”
“You want to use both religions?”
The sunny side would be ruled by the Brecha Church, and the shady side by the Irederemnul Church. The Haryan Church, having colluded with the nobles, would boast that it would wield immense power for a thousand years.
But eventually, they too will have to admit that the foundation of Zeno’s kingdom is not the nobility, but the people.
“I am the Pope of the Brecha Church and Irederemnul, the god of death.”
My book,
Irederemnul, the god of death who commands the iron knight Iredem, became the ruler of the back alleys. The people believed that there was a nameless god who had no temple, and the people of the back alleys heard that Iredem was in Hebron.
“That, that is… … .”
It is impossible for a human being to become a god. That would be an event that could threaten King Zeno’s royal authority. Zeno’s security could be weakened because of Irederemnul.
But what I want is not the truth. It was not in pursuit of the truth that I created
“Of course it’s nonsense. The people have fallen for the nonsense rumor that Barzai is the god of war, so why wouldn’t my nonsense be accepted?”
“I will prepare, my lord.”
“The territory is overflowing. Open the newly acquired baronial territory to all the people of the territory. Actively accept immigrants, and dispatch troops to help those who escape at night. Also, promise the immigrants a tax reduction in the name of Hebron. When they are in disarray, dispatch five hundred slave soldiers who have learned the Sardian swordsmanship. Slay the enemy in the name of Hebron!”
“insect!”
The big picture is complete.
It wasn’t my job to draw the details.
“… … So go and get to work, Prime Minister.”
* * *
“It’s done, Prime Minister.”
Ryoma looked visibly tired. He and the other administrators had been looking at the accounting books day and night for several days.
The ledger did not exist. It was created by mobilizing Hebron’s information network to understand the imports and exports of other territories and based on that, it was newly created.
It wasn’t something that could be made as easily as it was said. Even if they were a merchant operating in their own territory, it was difficult to determine their exact income, so it was common for them to pay more taxes than reported.
“great job.”
“I learned a lot. I didn’t know this was possible.”
Ryoma had definitely learned this time how to apply randomly collected information to administration. It was a secret that the Royal Academy did not teach, and no accountant would tell you. Even if you knew the method, it was difficult to even attempt it without a solid information network.
Amy shrugged.
“I didn’t know either. The Lord told me.”
“Well, what kind of person are you, my lord?”
Amy, who was looking through the documents, glanced at Ryoma. His reaction seemed a little cute. She had reacted similarly to Ryoma before.
“He is the lord who knows everything. So do not doubt. He can see through your heart too.”
“Hey, no way.”
Ryoma doubted Amy’s words. Amy tapped her forehead with her index finger. Ryoma swallowed hard when he saw that.
Samryunan.
It was one of the facts that those who value reason like Ryoma overlooked. The absolute power that Brecha, the god of wisdom, granted to only one person was in the hands of the Viscount Hebron. It was not clearly revealed what kind of power it exerted.
-You can spy on people’s thoughts through the three-wheeled vehicle.
There were many rumors about this in the world. The origin of the rumor was Hebron, but once it spread, it grew bigger and more bizarre.
-The Count of Hebron can see into the future.
As Amy gestured, Ryoma handed over the accounting ledger.
Amy said, skimming through the contents.
“With this, I will destroy all forces associated with Barzai.”
“Is that possible?”
Amy felt the same way as Ryoma, but she didn’t care. She had experienced miraculous events by the side of the Viscount Hebron, so now she didn’t even feel like it was time to doubt. Instead, she did what she could.
“Faith is an illusion. The ignorant people believe that Barzai is their savior, but he is nothing but a god of curses. The reason the people cannot abandon Barzai is because they are afraid of the curse. It is said that he put a strong curse on several believers as an example.”
The Zenon royal family tried to destroy the Barzai cult because they were disturbing the public sentiment, but they failed. They captured a few priests, killed them, and hung them outside the city gates, but that alone was not enough to destroy the Barzai cult.
