Episode 260
Three days have passed since the Imperial Devotion was activated.
The continent was still unable to come to its senses from the sudden bolt of lightning that struck without warning.
What should I call this?
Deusis cult riot? Riot?
No, the level of impact is too different to be treated as such.
The current situation has reached a point where we must worry not only about the existence of the nation, but also about the survival of the human species.
Except for Gatren.
In a typical country, the percentage of Deusis followers is around 30-40%.
More than a third of the entire population suddenly became murderers.
A murderer with powers that surpass even those of well-trained elite soldiers.
His physical strength is more than twice that of an average person, and he can recover from most injuries in an instant.
The only way to kill is to hit a vital point, such as destroying the head or heart, or cutting off the neck.
What country could withstand the appearance of a bunch of killers with such terrifying specs?
“Currently, the only countries whose capitals have not fallen are the Kingdom of Domis, the Kingdom of Agros, the Kingdom of Penten, and the Kingdom of Chersi.” “Only four?” “The remaining kingdoms all had their capitals fall, and everyone, regardless of whether they were royalty, nobles, or commoners, fled.”
“Hmm…”
Olaben Grimier stroked his moustache and looked thoughtful.
‘There is no answer if we continue like this. Accepting any more refugees is also a problem. We need to somehow cooperate with other kingdoms.’
The Dracaen Empire was currently on the verge of bursting under the influx of refugees from all over the continent.
It couldn’t be otherwise, because Dracaen was currently the safest country on the continent.
Dracaen has the lowest percentage of Deusis followers of all nations, and at the same time has the strongest military.
Of course, it did not require much effort to suppress the movement, and the Deusis Cult was driven out of most of the territory in just two days.
Thanks to this, the rumor spread from other kingdoms that had fallen, and even now, a stream of refugees continues in real time.
‘For now, those cowards Penten won’t come forward.’
The Kingdom of Penten is the nation with the greatest weapons production capacity on the continent.
However, for some reason, it has long claimed to be a neutral country and has refused to establish diplomatic relations with other countries except for trade.
Even if I told them that now was the time for everyone to join forces, there was a good chance they would not listen.
‘Agros is geographically inconvenient. It probably won’t last long.’
The Kingdom of Agros possesses the best naval power on the continent.
The problem is that the territory is an isolated land surrounded by the Holy Empire Gatren.
There used to be the Oddria Union and several small kingdoms nearby, but they were all destroyed.
Information has already been received that a large group of fanatics have set out from Gatren and are heading to the Kingdom of Agros.
The Kingdom of Agros left alone will not be able to last long.
‘The Kingdom of Domis seems to be the most likely.’
Kingdom of Domis.
It is famous as a country of knights.
It is a traditional powerhouse with a strong military and few believers in the Deusis religion.
Geographically, it was right next to Drazen, making it the perfect location for cooperation.
‘And the Kingdom of Chersi…’
Olaben Grimier, who had been thinking, narrowed his eyes.
“Wait, did you just say the Kingdom of Chersi?” “Yes. The Kingdom of Chersi is also currently defending its capital, Chersilton.”
The Kingdom of Chersi is a small country located between Gatren and Dracen.
Recently, it has become a hot topic on the continent for signing a peace treaty and non-aggression pact with the Demon Tribe.
“How did the Chersi Kingdom not collapse?”
The Kingdom of Chersi was originally under the influence of Gatren, and thus the proportion of Deusis followers was high.
The military isn’t that strong.
This is natural, for a small country with a territory less than one-twentieth the size of the Dracaen Empire.
I couldn’t understand how such a small kingdom could survive this turmoil.
“That is… King Ian Nel Chersi personally led the army and quickly quelled the unrest.” “That is why I asked how that was possible.” “I am sorry. The report did not include detailed information.” “I need to know the details now. No, I need to contact King Ian Nel Chersi myself so that I can speak to him.”
“yes.”
After the fall of the Kingdom of Agros, Gatren’s next target will be the Dracen Empire.
It is a certain future that a giant tsunami will strike.
If done well, the Kingdom of Chersi, located between the two countries, could be used as a breakwater.
***
Ian Nell Chersi.
There are one or two things she does first when she ascends to the throne.
One is a massive purge.
Another is training elite soldiers.
Neither of them were that difficult.
Because many nobles had already died in the incident that occurred on the day she ascended to the throne.
Dealing with the few remaining nobles was simple.
After the purge, she trained an elite force of soldiers who would only follow her orders.
In the past, there would have been opposition with excuses like, ‘It would go against the Empire’s wishes’ or ‘The kingdom’s finances cannot handle it’, but now there were no nobles left who would raise such a voice.
Thanks to this, the training of elite soldiers progressed quickly.
There was no shortage of funds needed for training.
High-ranking noble of the country
The national treasury was overflowing with the confiscated property, most of which was swept away.
As a result, the Kingdom of Chersi had a stronger royal authority than any other country and had a perfect centralized system.
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In this situation, the small territory actually worked as an advantage.
“As soon as we clear out the palace, we will retake the capital city of Chersilton.”
Thanks to various favorable conditions, the Kingdom of Chersi was able to stabilize its capital faster than any other country.
“Don’t hesitate, just cut off the airway. You have to cut off the head.”
She was brilliant and figured out how to subdue the fanatic and gave orders.
In this era, labor was of the utmost importance, but there was no hesitation in killing one’s own people.
The same goes for the newly trained elite soldiers.
They mercilessly killed the citizens in the capital, even their own families.
Thanks to the emotionally dry queen and the soldiers who followed her, the Chersi Kingdom was able to stop the Empire’s devotion with minimal damage.
“Hehehe! Open the door!” “Let’s go to rest! Hehehe! Rest!”
“Eww!”
Three days have passed since then.
Ian Nel Chersi was looking out from the castle walls.
A group of fanatics from somewhere was roughly pushing through the gate.
“Pour oil on it.”
“yes.”
The previously prepared, boiling oil drips down.
Cheeeeeeeee-!
“Eww! It’s divine punishment!” “It’s hot! Hehe! God is angry! Hehehe!”
The screams of a fanatic are heard.
They did not die even though their limbs melted away.
The skin melts and regenerates repeatedly, transforming into a grotesque appearance.
A grotesque sight that gives you goosebumps just by looking at it.
However, the eyes of the person looking at it held no emotion.
“Wizard. Are you ready for the fire spell?” “Preparations are complete.”
“Please activate it.”
As soon as her command was given, the prepared magic was fired.
Flames are poured over people who are doused in hot oil.
Hwarrrrrr!
“Hahahahaha! Punishment…! Punishment…” “Hehe… Rest has come…”
The screams mixed with laughter died down.
The smell of grilling meat rose strongly.
Even the most fanatic of believers could not endure being doused with hot oil and burning.
“Clean up. We need to gather the bodies and burn them again to make sure they are clean.”
“I obey your orders.”
At her command, the knight bowed his head and disappeared.
Now, the citizens must be mobilized to remove the hundreds of corpses piled in front of the city walls.
Ian didn’t bother to use soldiers for such a difficult task.
Instead, they forcibly conscripted citizens and deployed them.
Most people are stuck at home since they can’t go out of the city anyway.
Even helping with chores like this is serving the country.
There was some backlash.
No, rather, it was quite extreme.
The backlash was bound to be even stronger in the capital city, where many relatively wealthy people lived.
But Ian didn’t even blink an eye.
“It’s a good thing since the food situation is not good anyway.”
Hundreds of civilians died overnight.
With his throat cut.
The backlash quickly died down.
The citizens became obedient, well-behaved children.
“How is the investigation going? Is it still the same?” “Yes. I have been observing it for three days and there has been no change. It is still looking for God and is showing strong aggression.”
In addition to what was said above, on the first day of the disaster, Ian started researching something.
A study on fanaticism.
The idea is to capture a captured fanatic without killing him and observe his reactions.
“How is it possible that he can run around for three days without eating, drinking, or sleeping?” “We’re mainly examining the bodies, but we still have no clue. As for the mental control, I don’t know how it works…” “So in the end, we don’t know anything.”
For a moment, a cold chill came over Ian’s eyes.
The person who was reporting lowered his head in surprise.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty!” “It’s okay, just keep trying.”
“Of course!”
“Just keep in mind that we don’t have much time left.”
“yes!”
The reporter bows his head again.
He interpreted ‘no time’ as a lack of food, but that was not what Ian meant.
‘The fanatics flocking to the capital now are just a few. The real ones are yet to come.’
Countless subjects in the Holy Empire Gatren.
A number of people several dozen times the population of the Chersi Kingdom would have become fanatics.
What are they doing now?
‘Let’s take care of the countries at the back first. We’ll come after that.’
The area centered around Gatren that does not touch Drazen.
We will deal with countries in isolated areas such as Agros and the Oddria Union first.
Next is the Dracaen Empire.
The Kingdom of Chersi was at that crossroads, so it was certain that it would be sorted out one way or another.
This means that tens of millions of fanatics will soon flock to this place.
‘If you can move 24 hours without getting tired, then assuming it’s fast, a week. At the latest, within this week…’
There is not much time left.
We must find a way to repel them as much as possible, or else abandon the capital and flee.
That was when Ian Nel Chersi was organizing his thoughts.
“Your Majesty. We have received communication from the Dracaen Empire.”
“Is it Dracen?”
Her aide brought a communications device along with the communications wizard.
“Yes. My name is Duke Olaven Grimire.”
It’s a name I’ve heard many times.
Olaven Grimier of Draen.
The Emperor’s right hand man and one of the top five nobles in the Dracaen Empire.
Although it was unofficial, I had visited the Kingdom of Chersi several times, so I was familiar with it.
She was immediately handed the communication port.
“You have come looking for me.” – My name is Olaven Grimier of Drasen. Your Majesty. I apologize for contacting you so suddenly.
“It’s okay. These are the times.”
Since this wasn’t a time when I could leisurely arrange my schedule and prepare things, I didn’t want to nitpick over trivial things.
To begin with, the opponent was also a duke of the empire.
“So. What’s going on?” – Let me get straight to the point. I’m asking for the cooperation of the Chersi Kingdom. In addition to exchanging information, we plan to form a united front through military operations.
The corners of Ian’s mouth slightly went up.
The empire puts aside its pride and asks for cooperation from a small country.
She wasn’t foolish enough to get intoxicated by something like this.
She laughed because she knew the meaning behind Olaven Grimier’s words.
“So. You need a meat shield to stand against the incoming fanatics?” -… I won’t deny it, but this will be beneficial to the Chersi Kingdom as well. After all, the Kingdom’s national power won’t be able to stop the enemy.
“I respectfully decline.” – Your Majesty. You must make a wise decision.
“It is impossible for us to negotiate on equal footing right now. So I will contact you again as soon as possible. With terms that the Empire cannot refuse.” – Your Majesty! Now is not the time for that… .
Ian ended the call.
The ministers next to him looked at Ien with a deathly look on their faces.
“Your Majesty… Shouldn’t we seek help from the Empire…?” “That’s right. If the situation arises, we may have to take refuge in the Dracaen Empire…”
The ministers spoke with the utmost resolve to die.
If I continue like this, I’ll be torn to pieces by fanatics.
Since we were going to die anyway, I felt like I should grab onto even a shred of hope.
But Ian ignored their words.
She looked at the royal wizard.
“I’m planning to teleport to the other side of the continent. Are you ready?” “Your Majesty. When you say the other side of the continent, what do you mean…?”
“The Demon King’s Castle.”
Everyone’s eyes widened at the mention of the Demon King’s Castle.
Are you asking the Demons for help right now?
The suspicion soon became reality.
“I have to meet the Demon King.”
A common front between humans and demons.
That was the only way out Ian could think of.
