The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Episode 43
Where does God’s will go (6)
It was that evening that the message from Archpriest Garden reached the Holy Land.
The news that had been long awaited came back as an agreement that would only cause damage to the Holy Nation.
“What, what?!”
“How presumptuous… …! Support from the Holy Nation? That’s outrageous!”
The high priests gathered in the hall trembled in indignation at the return of the ‘tribute discussion’.
Is this really what the Archpriest of Garden sent me that I believed in?
But at this moment, the fury at this situation itself must have been greater than the reprimand towards the high priest who brought this kind of agreement.
“They don’t even know the subject and are threatening the Holy Nation while leaving room for cooperation with the apostates!”
“Yes!”
Who would dare to do business with the Holy Nation?
Moreover, the opponent is a weak country that has been hiding between the two great powers until now.
No matter how much they tried to shake things up by keeping the secret, it was laughable and arrogant to the high priests who had the power of the Holy Nation.
“Your Majesty! Are you really going to leave them alone?”
“Now is the time to show an example! If we just sit back and watch, the ignorant earthworms of the continent will look down on the Holy Nation!”
The high priests’ strong voices shook the city of Daejeon.
Even though the opposing intention was a result of desire, it was clear that he was so angry that he forgot about dignity.
That moment.
“Be realistic! If they cooperate with the true apostates, the Holy Nation will be in great danger!”
All eyes in the hall were focused on the words shouted by a high priest.
Actually, the answer came to me after just a little bit of thought.
It is their duty to resolve this situation through maximum compromise.
Some of the high priests who agreed with this also immediately began to raise their voices and express their intentions.
“That’s right! Didn’t you hear that the original intention of the support was to cut off diplomatic relations with the Federation Empire? If you just give them what they want, there won’t be a problem!”
“So, are you saying that the high priests should accept such threats as they are?”
“Think of the apostates who are eyeing the Holy Nation! It doesn’t matter whether they are really threatening the Holy Nation! Look at reality, reality!”
“What?!”
It was already a whirlwind of madness.
A single, huge stream of desire, reason, and interests.
Because of this, there was no way anyone could try to disturb the atmosphere in the hall that had already become heated with shouting.
Only one person, except the Pope.
“Please wait. The agreement sent by High Priest Garden is not yet complete.
“There’s no need to wait! They are already on the path to apostasy!”
“What they really want is war, so this time we must show the power of the Holy Nation… … .”
“Didn’t I tell you to stop!”
bang-!
The Pope, as if he would not listen any longer, struck down hard the staff in his hand, the ‘Scepter of Glory’.
A heavy yet refreshing sound ended the commotion in the hall, and soon the Pope recited the following words in a solemn voice:
“High Priest Garden mentioned the importance of cooperation with Esteban. He also told me that they have a mine of sacred iron, and that depending on how the situation is resolved, they will consider exporting the sacred iron from that mine.”
“……omg!”
“Poetry, Shin Sung-cheol?!”
The story the Pope told came as a shock to the high priests, like a hammer hitting them on the head.
They knew better than anyone else how precious the Shinsungcheol mine and Shinsungcheol itself were on the continent.
And the sacred iron symbolizing the body of God also had many meanings in the Holy Nation.
He said he would provide such a precious existence through trade.
“Adventure!”
The madness that swept through the halls was no longer there.
This is because the hardliner high priests were delighted by the unexpected story and nodded their heads in satisfaction.
“Hmm… …! It must be true, since it was confirmed by High Priest Garden.”
“Shin Seong-cheol? Those guys are quite the people.”
“Even if that behavior is presumptuous, I would tolerate that level of damage for the sake of Shin Sung-cheol.”
The sacred iron is the object that is in the greatest harmony with their divine power.
Of course, the rotten priests may not have wanted this for religious reasons alone, but there was no doubt that its existence would make the Holy Nation richer.
“Ahem! They said they would hand over the distribution monopoly of Shinsungcheol to Seongguk?”
And this is the most important key point for the high priests of the Holy Nation who are obsessed with Shinsungcheol.
When one of the high priests asked, the Pope, who had been deep in thought, slightly shook his head.
“The decision-making authority regarding distribution lies solely with them.”
“Hmm… … .”
“Huh!”
The high priests who had expressed opposing opinions did not hide their discomfort.
For them, the ownership of the divine body, Shinsungcheol, naturally belongs to the Holy Nation, which follows his will.
Why did the ‘Hundred Year Holy War’ over sovereignty over the Mithril Mines break out in the distant past?
This was a narrow-minded and old-fashioned idea, but at least for the high priests it was an opinion that was almost like orthodoxy.
However, it was only for a moment.
Clap- clap- clap-
“Okay. Isn’t that a really good offer?”
“… … High Priest Jordan.”
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The high priest who strongly insisted that Esteban should be put under pressure.
High Priest Yohan nodded his head as he finished laughing with a lustful laugh amidst the quiet applause.
“Since they have also used this incident to indirectly express that they are not apostates, I believe that the Holy Nation should also accept their offer and take the lead in improving relations.”
He said so and spread his arms wide to show his meaning.
“Strengthening their defenses will also be of great help to the Holy Nation’s position. Since there are still healing priests left, what could be the problem?”
“… … .”
“Besides, this land remains fertile thanks to the holy blessing of Roena. It would make no difference to provide them with food as well.”
The initial strong purpose has disappeared, and now only the desire towards Shin Sung-cheol remains.
This also applies to other high priests.
From the beginning, no one expressed opposition, but the direction was different, so the Pope simply quietly accepted the opinion.
“I will convey the will of the Holy Nation to the High Priest. Furthermore, this agreement will remain a secret between the two countries for the time being until it is made public.”
“Everything happens according to God’s will.”
“Everything happens according to God’s will.”
… …According to God’s will.
Distorted beliefs are like a knife.
The voice echoed throughout the hall like a fanatic’s wish.
It was a natural compliance without anyone having instructed it to do so.
And the aftertaste it gave continued even as the Pope left the hall and walked through the gardens, breathing in the cold night air.
“… … Solving the affairs of the Holy Nation is nothing more than an individual’s desire.”
It was clearly a crisis for the Holy Land.
They were distracted by the profits and divine power right in front of them, and were turning their gaze away from the blade that was right up to their chins.
In the swamp of blind faith called prestige, like that.
The place where the Pope’s steps stopped was a cathedral faintly illuminated by the moonlight at night.
“… … .”
The light of the spire that falls with difficulty. And in the fragments of moonlight that spread out softly.
The Pope standing inside appears lonely and bitter.
But something was strange.
The flowing moonlight was blocked by something invisible and distorted, and the place where the Pope was standing felt as if he was separated from the world. It felt strange and alien, as if he was possessed.
“This is the heart of the holy nation that upholds the will of God, and its hidden shadow.”
And a place that contains fragments of the sins carried on one’s back.
Suddenly, the Pope remembered the call to the high priest in the empty space.
-Allen Esteban, the 1st Prince, already knew the secret of the Holy Kingdom.
“… … .”
In that alien space, the Pope kept his eyes tightly closed.
I closed my eyes but saw light, and when I opened them I saw the hazy image of a cathedral shrouded in darkness.
The feeling was more than just a feeling of emptiness; it was closer to a sense of detachment, a mixture of complex things.
And then quietly.
“Allen Esteban.”
The Pope’s mouth opened slowly.
“As expected, you are… … .”
Soon the voice crumbled into nothingness.
* * *
the next day.
After conferring with Esteban, the delegation from the Holy Empire left immediately.
It was only natural, since they had no need to remain on this land any longer.
“Hmm… … .”
After hearing the full story of the meeting, George scratched his head with a frown.
Then, as if he didn’t understand, he shrugged his arm holding the coat.
“A fixed distribution route for Mithril was created, and we were able to escape the situation of being dependent on the Federal Empire… … But wouldn’t we have had greater benefits if we had just pushed ahead from the beginning?”
“I guess so.”
In the end, the guys had no choice but to back down.
The guy didn’t forget to add some guesses while doing so.
“Are you considering switching to the offensive when cornered? Isn’t intimidation, which leaves no room for escape, the area in which Your Majesty is most confident?”
… … What field are you confident in?
I chuckled at that absurd sentiment.
Of course, scolding me for that arrogant behavior was not something I could handle.
“George!”
“……omg!”
Someone squirmed and stood up from between the piles of papers in the corner of the office.
A haggard appearance, worn out from fatigue.
Also, the monster’s roar-like voice and momentum made the guy cover his mouth and take a step back.
“I have told you many times! Your words and actions will soon lead to His Majesty’s dishonor!”
“Ah, no, that’s it, since when has it been there… … .”
“It’s noisy!”
“… … .”
As the Baron glared and shouted, George walked away behind me with a stinging gait.
When I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I saw that her small body was hidden behind my back, so she was barely visible.
Of course, that method wasn’t going to work.
“I thought things had gotten better since I went on a mission with Your Majesty… … .”
“T, actually, actually, it was just a prank to show my affection for Your Majesty… … .”
“You’re still making excuses like that… …! From now on, come find me after work!”
“100 million!”
I nodded as I watched the Baron grab George like a rat.
I wondered where I had seen him before, but his personality seemed similar to that of Archpriest Garden, the diplomatic envoy of the Holy Empire.
Although it was less strict and more flexible, the way it followed the same principles was clearly visible.
‘As expected, it’s Baron Vidor.’
After spending a few months with him, I noticed that George was more afraid of the Baron than I was of him.
You can tell by the way they’re whining. It’s not that they’re taking it lightly, it’s their survival instinct that’s kicking in.
Contrary to my assurances that I would not harm the boy, the Baron felt the need to deal with him severely.
‘Contrary to my worries, it seems like things are going well.’
For me, it was more surprising that I was able to handle the talent that rose to that position of chief of staff.
Of course, even if you control him, his annoying personality won’t go away… … .
“I apologize, Your Majesty. I think George is still lacking in the skills to act as an aide, so I will accompany him for a while to provide training.”
“hmm.”
How much more so, since I have ground my teeth against that personality.
I don’t feel sorry, but I just prayed for George’s safety in my heart.
at that time.
dripping-
Someone knocked on the office door.
Looking at the time, it was almost lunchtime.
Perhaps the king’s servant has arrived to announce the meal.
I said, glancing over the papers the Baron had organized.
“Come in.”
Squeak-
“Eek!”
“Your Majesty… … !”
……what?
As the door opened, a scream-like sound escaped from George and Baron Vidor’s mouths.
When I raised my head to see what was going on, a truly unexpected person was walking into the office.
I put down the document I was reading and pursed my lips.
“Why did you come here without calling me?”
The girl said to be closest to God after the Pope.
As the saint stepped inside, the fragrant crosses embroidered on her splendid garments wafted about.
The small, golden headdress occasionally followed her gaze, and finally, in the direction her gaze was directed, there was me, shrugging my shoulders.
“Please take a seat.”
“… … .”
He waved his hand and pushed the two subordinates out with their eyes wide open, but the saintess just stood there frozen in place.
I didn’t care.
I sat down at the head of the reception sofa and smiled slyly.
“Have you come to ask about the dwarves?”
Whether it is voluntary or involuntary.
She chose to remain in Esteban, contrary to the actions of the diplomatic delegation that had already left.
What I brought up was the reason she stayed in Esteban.
In other words, the story was that the verification of the dwarves had not yet been completed.
But the saint shook her head and denied it.
“There is something I would like to ask Your Majesty.”
… … I see.
My eyes narrowed as I was met with the saint’s question.
“Then there is only one reason left.”
Considering the content of the previous meeting, it was safe to say that what she would say was already decided.
As expected, she opened her bright eyes and met my gaze.
“Please tell me what the secret of the Holy Land that you mentioned at the meeting is.”
The truth of history that the Holy Empire has hidden.
What was demanded was the truth behind the sacred fabric created by the rulers.
