CH 222

Children's Party (5) - Collusion

Translated by Raizu

Rona relaxedly raised her arms to the sky in a circular motion.

Both hands were lined up diagonally above her forehead, and she snapped her fingers. I felt a sacred sound somewhere there.

She quietly closed her eyes, interlaced the fingers of both hands, lowered them in a flowing motion, and held them in front of her breast.

It was a very beautiful gesture.

Cynthia’s prayer gestures were also refined, but Rona’s gestures were almost haunting.

She’s giving off the air that makes me hesitate to get closer. Earlier, her faith was exploding outward, but this time it seemed to be running wild inward.

[…..what do you mean by revival of faith?]

I didn’t want to deal with her, especially when she’s in this state, but I was the one who raised the question, so I had no choice but to ask her.

[It is nothing but to restore the correct form of faith to the present world. We must once again return to the teachings of the Founding Father Zeth. Clean the cathedral… No, we need to remove the stain.]

Perhaps unable to see the irrelevant answer, Sadin added a supplement.

[It seems that the old houses of the Holy City, including the Cattlearch family, are strongly dissatisfied with the current system.]

To regain the lost authority is to regain the power of the Holy Order, the power of the Faith. And it is also the figure of the former Zeth Holy High Society.

[I’ve heard similar stories from several orthodox families.]

The Prince must have noticed that I wasn’t convinced, so he reinforced the testimony. However, that doesn’t mean that it was resolved.

It’s true that her main goal may be to regain her power from the viewpoint of the Holy Order, but there’s no guarantee that it’s equal to Rona’s personal goal.

Rona, who was watching this side, opened her small lips with a smile.

[I’m very happy that Wilk-dono seems to have taken an interest in it. Is it related to the fact that the church remains in the Quordenze territory? I’m also interested in Zinkaen Empire’s attitude toward our belief…]

She is a girl who talks fluently about things people don’t want to talk about.

It’s a well-known fact that the Quordenze family is a former Imperial Noble, but it’s hard to react when the topic is brought up head-on in a place like this.

[This is a personal question born from confronting your beliefs. Isn’t there a similar concern for someone other than me?]

Anyone, regardless of the Quordenze family, would be disappointed if they saw her running wild for the sake of her faith. So, I cut off her words by seeking sympathy from those around me.

[…..Oh really. If you are staying in the Royal Capital, I can send people from my side. If you don’t mind, please let me know. I think we can talk about what faith should be.]

In the middle of the Royal Capital of the anti-priest Levios Kingdom? Is she brave or does she have some screws loose? However, if the person being sent is a carnal priest who is standing behind her, I might feel like calling them in. Hers looks like a body suitable for a honey trap.

[Whoa. I never thought I’d receive an invitation from a priest in a place like this.]

Thereupon, I let out an unintentional laugh. The place was tense, so I wanted to laugh it off as a joke.

Looking at the Prince’s attitude so far, it’s clear that he doesn’t have a particularly strong hatred for the priest, but he’s still a member of the Levios family. I don’t know where mines are buried.

[Rona-dono, please refrain from inciting the Nobles of the Kingdom. Levios’ armor will become heavy.]

The genocide unit devised by the first King Levios and used to slaughter the priests is characterized by its abundant equipment. All the soldiers, including the commoner militia, were heavily armed assuming that they would fight against Highlords.

Dunkel said it as if he was joking around, but it sounds like a somewhat unscrupulous joke to throw at the priest like Rona. This isn’t just a warning, it’s likely that she intends to overwrite the word Zinkaen Empire that she uttered earlier with the word Royal Nobles.

[I don’t want to provoke… I just wanted to explain. To learn the right teachings, you need the right teacher.]

After giving such a short explanation, Rona continued with a voice full of reluctance.

[A low-ranking priest under me would be able to teach you well enough. Nobody among us wants to harm the nobility. Of course, I’m sending them off as a teacher, so I’d like you to guarantee the treatment that’s commensurate with that… but if you accept that, they will not be afraid to lay off their life.]

Then, in a euphemistic way, she told me that she would give permission on this occasion.

It looks like she’s going to treat it as a gift instead of lending her people to us. Sounds like a statement that her people are not spies investigating the internal affairs of the Quordenze family…

[Rona-dono.]

[Even though I was under Levios’ protection, I acted excessively. Wilk-dono seemed to be interested in the church, so I thought he shouldn’t be misled by the evil priest. Thus I ended up saying all that.]

Sadin spoke as if to cover up Rona’s apology.

[Wilk-dono won’t be tempted by a pragmatist, let alone a priest who belongs to the militant faction.]

It seems that the Nobles here interpreted Rona’s series of remarks to mean “I don’t want priests who aren’t from the religious faction to talk about unnecessary things. Become an ally of the religious sect”. Reasonable.

However, it sounded different to me.

The low-ranking priest Cynthia currently secured by the Quordenze family was originally Rona’s subordinate. When I think about it, I get the feeling that the real intention is lurking there.

If you think about it honestly, I can interpret it as [Cynthia was not involved in the magic beast disturbance that occurred in Newnelly]. And if looking from a more sophisticated point of view, it would be like [I would like to use Cynthia as a direct hotline for the Quordenze family without going through the Levios or Zeldomitra family].

If I ask about her true intention, there’s a possibility that the demon beast terrorism enacted by the priest will be brought up.

This information is one of the diplomatic cards of the Quordenze family, so I can’t cut it without my father’s permission. I feel like this girl is going to talk bluntly without worrying about our circumstances, so I decided that it wouldn’t be a good idea to ask her about it now.

…Is this a strategy of the Holy Maiden? There is some concern about the current situation where I have no choice but to keep my mouth shut.

The only gain is that Cynthia is likely to become ours. After all, I was told that as long as I prepared food, clothing, and shelter for the teacher, I could do whatever I wanted.

I can’t rely on what she said at the evening party, so I’ll make a suitable excuse later and get a written statement of what she just said.

[…I understand that Rona-dono strongly desires the revival of the faith. I was a little intrigued, but the priest’s wishes are not something to talk about right now.]

I declared the end of that topic right then.

While mainly appealing that the Nobles would not listen to the priest’s request, I showed a slight interest and left a little room for conversation. By suggesting the possibility of getting closer to Rona, I’m keeping the Levios family and Zeldomitra family in check.

And here comes the main issue.

[…..Regarding Prince Dunkel’s proposal.]

Dunkel probably didn’t expect to hear his proposal to be brought up on this occasion, but for a moment he showed a surprised expression.

It is clear that Dunkel and Sadin are dissatisfied with their respective generations and are colluding behind the scenes. There is no doubt that the reason for holding this meeting is to draw the next generation of the other Five Noble families into the ranks and put pressure on the parents’ generation.

King Levios would not be so stupid as to disrespect his son who had joined hands with the next generations of the Zeldomitra, Adellahan, Milendorva, and Quordenze families. In particular, the presence of Wilk Quordenze, who smashed Voistra’s Great Shield and confronted the Archduchess Orshian, must have felt eerie.

[I thought it was a really interesting story…including Prince Dunkel’s proposal.]

[Hou?]

[I have hardly ever left Quordenze. I didn’t have many opportunities to talk like this with Nobles of the same age.]

I didn’t know that there were Nobles like Dunkel and Sadin who were so blatantly rebellious against their parents. That there were unexpectedly many Nobles of my generation who had different ideas from their parents’ generation. Wrapping up such impressions with expressions that do not stand out, I tried putting them into words.

The Prince didn’t get irritated when I told him to postpone the conclusion.

[…That was good. So, this kind of meeting was something new for Wilk-dono.]

Now, it’s time for the theatrics.

[Yes. I felt that the act of believing in one’s own will is a precious thing.]

A young Noble who was strongly influenced by their parents admired the free appearance of an older Noble. While developing such a setting in my brain, I squeeze out my voice.

[I must destroy my enemy, the Spierzeig family. This is my mission, as someone who was born in Quordenze…and I must accomplish it with Quordenze’s fang. This is my strong will.]

A father who seeks a safe and secure way to destroy the Spierzeig family, and a son who believes in his own power and wants to destroy his enemy with his own hands. I want the Prince to envision such a confrontational structure.

[…..I see.]

Dunkel should know that my father is enthusiastic about King Levios’ proposal.

But I won’t allow easy subjugation with the help of the Levios family and the Zeldomitra family. If I take King Levios’ proposal, Fanny will be sad. There is no secret behind my determination to destroy the Spierzeig family under the leadership of Quordenze.

Did I get through my intention?

After confirming Dunkel and Sadine’s condition, I announced my conclusion.

[I am more interested in Prince Dunkel’s plan. We should be strong.]

If the situation is left as it is, it will be irrevocably caught up in my father’s diplomatic strategy. If I can join hands with my generation here and add an edge, I should do it.

Until now, I was afraid of the power of the family head and couldn’t face it head-on, but since the other family is in such a state, I think my rebellion this time is within the acceptable range. I also feel that political bargaining is more effective than the spoiled child trying to persuade the father.

[As expected of the Great Shieldbreaker Snake.]

[It’s great to have a reliable next generation in Quordenze.]

I felt bad for Dunkel and Sadin, who seemed happy to have me drawn in, but as long as there is no shipment of Fanny, I will support the King’s plan even if I turn against the next generation. Because they are easier to deal with.

To be honest, I don’t think the Prince’s plan will succeed, and I don’t plan on actively cooperating. I will only use it as a bargaining tool with my father. Or rather, even though the era of turmoil is finally coming to an end, it seems foolish to imitate such a mess now.

I am a person who loves peace. It’s definitely more fun to spread a woman’s crotch than to expand my territory.

[I feel like I’ve seen the dawn of the next era.]

At the end of the day, I warned that it was still early in the morning, and that the remarks were made at an evening party.

It seems that the main purpose of this meeting was to propose the Prince’s plan, and after that it shifted to chatting with less political elements.

The initial tension eased, and it turned into a real casual conversation.

They talked about territories, monsters, local specialties, impressions on visiting the Royal Capital, and hobbies.

[…those are the parts that I’ve read.]

[History of Another World] came up as one of the topics.

It all started when Sadin, remembering what Kalmia was talking about at the beginning of the meeting, asked what kind of book she was talking about. Because it was a book that described the strategy of bringing in a ship, he must have been wondering what it was about.

[Kalmia-dono remembers the contents very well.]

Honestly, it appears that she has read much more than I, the author did. I witnessed a rare occurrence in the Eruo Continental, where someone other than me spoke fluently about the development of Earth’s civilization.

[It is rare to find a book that depicts such an imaginary world, so it left an impression on me.]

Kalmia took a sip of her tea after finishing explaining about the History of Another World.

As the author myself, I was excited to see what kind of criticism would come my way.

[…I gather that Wilk-dono is supporting the author of this History of Another World. What part did you like?]

I never thought the conversation would spin my way. I don’t want to praise myself, but I also want to criticize blatantly.

[It was a long time ago when I got acquainted with the author, and I don’t remember much about that time. I may have been intrigued over how there are people who write strange stories.]

[It is certainly a rare one. Even though it is a fantasy story, it is too unrealistic.]

Hearing Novalf’s words, Kilorde, who had a difficult look on his face, opened his mouth.

[Like Novalf-dono said, it’s nice to be unrealistic. After all, it’s just a commoner’s imagination.]

His tone was completely understandable that he felt that it was silly from the bottom of his heart. Apparently, it wasn’t that he was troubled, but that he was just bored.

[Even if everyone is Serfs, there’s no way a history like the one in that book would transpire.]

Everyone agreed with Kilorde’s words.

The only one who couldn’t understand it was me, who knows the history of the Earth.

[Commoners die quickly. Regardless of the simple mechanism, there should be a limit to passing on complex technology and knowledge to future generations. Shouldn’t civilization continue to rise and fall and keep moving forward?]

Novalf strongly agrees with Dunkel’s opinion.

[There seems to be a large-scale epidemic in the world of this story, and it is natural for civilization to collapse periodically. I felt that the author was overconfident in the power of commoners.]

[Conveniently, there seems to be no demon beasts, so there shouldn’t be any particular problem even if it collapses.]

Sadin also agreed with that idea. Kilorde reacted to the word demon beast.

[Yes, it’s a world without demon beasts. If people don’t need to protect the land, then there’s no way they can create a nation with tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of people in that story.]

[Yes, I see. That’s the least realistic one.]

Kalmia understood, but I didn’t quite understand. However, if I asked Kilorde, he would get carried away, so I decided to ask Kalmia.

[It is not realistic? I think it’s only natural for people to gather and become a group, and eventually an organization…]

[The people follow us because we show our power as protector of the land by defeating demon beasts. However, there is no existence that can be clearly called a threat in the History of Another World. Is it about natural disasters and epidemics? They can be dealt with, but they cannot be defeated. This gives no reason for people to follow people. I think there are limits to a group led by a leader without authority.]

It’s true that since I was reincarnated on the Eruo continent, I’ve been made to think about power in various ways. This world is very easy to understand, and it’s great because it’s as simple as the strong leads the weak.

[The existence of the King who appears in this different world seems to be tempting the people with such nonsense that he is a descendant of Gods, that he is a descendant of a Hero, but is there such a foolish story? After all, there is no way I can continue to follow a ruler who would die just by throwing a stone at his head.]

Sadin continued his consideration of Kilorde’s opinion.

[Even if something called a country is born, if the ruler is a serf, there will only be political upheavals. After all, the King can change just by putting poison in his food or stabbing him in the stomach with a knife. Such a society. There is no doubt that the world will be far from stable… After all, in a world with only serfs, a nation is just a dream.]

I understand their feelings a little. Around the time I was in the lower grades of elementary school in my previous life, I felt the same when I learned about the presidential system of the United States. It’s a society where guns can be easily obtained, so shouldn’t the President be easily shot dead? How do they maintain society?

[In the Mammushred region, the dynasty has been maintained even after the Hero…the First Great King died.]

[The dynasty that Wilk-dono is talking about, is it the Nagi Dynasty of the Mammushred Federation?]

I answered yes to Dunkel’s question.

The Nagi Dynasty was born shortly before the outbreak of the era of turmoil. More than 200 years is a long time ago. The First Great King is long dead, but the dynasty still exists today.

[The First Great King of the Nagi Dynasty, the Great Heavenly Dragon King, was said to be a very intelligent person. He reigned for a long time, and the ruling system of the Mammushred region was rock solid…]

As expected of a Prince, he seems to have basic knowledge about Mammushred.

[…The fact that the dynasty has survived to the present day is something like the legacy of the Great Heavenly Dragon King. Rather than maintaining the system, isn’t it just taking a long time to collapse? 40 years. A large-scale civil war broke out not too long ago, but I’ve heard that even before that, small-scale conflicts have been occurring in various parts of Mummshred. The Nagi Dynasty will collapse in the not too distant future.]

Upon receiving that information, Kilorde opened his mouth as if he had just seen it.

[It was the Hero who built the strong organization. As expected, the commoners alone cannot create a nation.]

Everyone on Earth is being bullied…

It’s not that I’m stubborn, but I don’t want to accept their opinion as it is because I know the history of the earth. Earth’s history is very real. However, there is no way to explain it because the underlying values ​​are too far apart.

In fact, when I hear their opinions, I feel like, [That’s right, there’s no way serfs can create a country. Wasn’t all the memories of the earth a delusion of mine…?]. To that extent, serfs are a fragile existence from the perspective of the Highlords.

[I hear that Wilk-dono is deeply involved with the citizens of Nambonan City, and it may be natural to want to believe in this power. In the past, I also had the same thoughts when I saw the civilian militias in The Free Cities.]

Kilorde sneered at Sadin’s follow-up.

[It’s a mistake to expect commoners. They are only slaves to us as their guardians.]

Ah, this is what Nobles are… What a touchingly Noble opinion.

Usually no one would deny this opinion. However, there was only one person in this place who was in a different position.

[…Kilorde-kun. Why are you saying such cruel things?]

Hearing Orshian’s voice, Kilorde had a startled expression as if to say that it was unexpected.

Where’s the relaxed smile from before? Everyone here could tell that all his attention is focused on the girl sitting next to him.

[Lu… Lucia. No. Lucia has great power, doesn’t she? Serfs are commoners who have no power. Weak people who are just waiting to be protected.]

…..Kilorde-kun, you’re an idiot. Orshian wasn’t angry because she was originally a commoner. Rather, it is a remark that seems to incur unnecessary anger.

[It’s not like that. Why do the Nobles treat everyone so lightly? I may be strong, but that’s it. Everyone in the village could do a lot more.]

If they don’t master magic technique, a Highlord will be nothing more than a warrior who could strengthen their body to fight. They will still be a strength to reckon with, but it will not lead to improvement of life.

For Orshian, who hails from the Mist Lands, the villagers who work in the fields and take care of livestock may have been more amazing people.

[Everyone is doing what they should be doing, so everyone can live. That’s what my brother said.]

That’s why Orshian asserted that it’s not a good idea to make light of someone.

It was like an older sister nagging her younger brother, and like a commoner who was angry at the unreasonableness of the Nobles.

[No, Lucia’s power is…]

Somehow, I guess my awareness of the word “power” doesn’t mesh.

The power that Kilorde speaks of is “the power to protect the land from demon beasts and protect the space where people live”. The power that Orshian speaks of is probably “the wisdom and technology of people who enrich their lives”.

The difference between the power that protects the world and the power that is used in the protected world… In other words, it comes down to whether it’s from the point of view of a Noble or a commoner.

I feel sorry for Kilorde, who is enamored with Orshian, but I think it’s better for them not to get married because the way they see things are too different. It will surely become a marriage disaster.

[Wilk-kun seems to be getting along with the commoners in Nambonan City, doesn’t he? Kilorde-kun should follow Wilk-kun’s example.]

[That…!]

Why would you say something here that would draw Kilorde’s anger toward me?

No, it’s useless to expect such consideration from Orshian. Kilorde also said that it was a mistake to expect too much from commoners.

[I understood from talking to you earlier. Wilk-kun is a Noble, but I don’t think he’s a bad person who looks down on anyone other than Nobles.]

Kilorde would probably want to argue that [It’s not very Noble-like to get along with commoners] or [He’s a pitiful guy with no pride], but he seems to realize that saying that will only anger Orshian even more. So, he just stared silently.

[I would be happy if there were more Nobles like Wilk-kun. Although he’s a bit of a perv.]

………Somehow, I feel that Orshian and Rona are quite similar.

Perhaps because she doesn’t know how to behave as a Noble, she calmly says things that shouldn’t be said. It’s troublesome even if it doesn’t seem to be offensive. There are at least two people here now who none of us would like to have this kind conversation with in public.

Eh, there’s no point in escaping from reality.

[Even though I only held your hand. Princess Orshian must have been very well taken care of.]

[Did you just say you held her hand? Lucia’s hand…]

No, I don’t care if it’s just her hands. Kilorde-kun, don’t you think you’re a little too possessive? I think you should learn from Novalf who willingly offered his fiancée to dance with me.

After that, Kilorde continued to glare at me until the end of the meeting.