359 – Order of the Sky – 4
After the Great Subjugation War, the empire’s information power over the north completely collapsed. Even if they tried to rebuild their information power from the end of the war to the present, it would be possible to restore it to half of the previous level, but even then, they could not fully concentrate on rebuilding because they were tracking the blood relatives of the reverse puncture.
So the Empire could not get a detailed understanding of the northern power and internal situation. In such a situation, since the blood relative of the reverse celestial self-proclaimed Khan, of course you have to be nervous.
The fear coming from the unknown, the experience that I can at least refer to is the rise of the reverse celestial who went to the point where the empire’s thousand people were sentenced to death. If he handled it loosely, it would be like a declaration that he would give up the Empire and the Mandate of Heaven.
‘Was this real?’
However, it was shocking in a different sense to see the reality after removing the veil of the unknown.
Can we really say that the North is a single power? Is it normal for the internal traitor to act openly and no one to punish the traitor?
‘Is it an alliance?’
No, even lower than that. Rather, a coalition struggles for a common goal, but these do not even share a goal.
‘I don’t think the name Khan is light.’
My head is pounding. It would be understandable if the tribal chief of a large tribe led some forces that matched his will and revolted, but the blood of the reverse heavenr called himself Khan. Simple potentates and khans have authority on a different level.
It is unbelievable that a resourceful person who has rallied forces with such authority would fail in internal crackdowns. If a person who can’t even control internally calls himself a khan, the empire will fall from the line of nomads without stepping out. We fall at the hands of other tribes who dare to ask if you deserve to stand above us.
In fact, if you look at the history of nomads, chieftains who called themselves khan appeared occasionally. They just didn’t think much of it because they all died at the hands of the same nomadic people.
‘This is an impossible situation.’
I’m talking about history, not personal obstinacy. There are only two futures that a self-proclaimed khan can face. Either reign over all the tribes like the Reverse Heaven and become a disaster, or fall into the steppe ghosts like the self-proclaimed ones. There can never be a reign without strict control like the current Khan.
But what can I do? It is incomprehensible and improbable, but it actually happened. If that’s the case, you have no choice but to think of a countermeasure, not a denial of reality.
If the khan’s control is weak, you should take advantage of that gap to expand the empire’s influence. And the more bowed tribes in the empire, the more information that can be deduced about this strange situation.
‘A pagan priest.’
In that sense, the Barandiga tribe reported by the legend is the first priority to be recruited. It is not an exaggeration to say that religion is the basis of nomads because it does not stop at just religion, but melts into everyday life.
The only stumbling block is paganism—
‘Eternal blue sky.’
Suddenly, I remembered the world tree resurrection reported by the crown prince.
I took a closer look at it because it was a monumental event in which the world tree disappeared due to Apels’ atrocities was resurrected during the Kfellofen era. That the cause was the director of the Inspection Department who had contact with the power of a god other than Enen.
I was at a loss as to how the head of the inspection department could get entangled in the resurrection of the world tree, but now it can be said that the great emperor has actually protected it.
‘The God of the North revived the World Tree through the Imperials.’
In that case, there is no justification for persecuting them simply as cults. The World Tree is also important from the Church of Dawn’s point of view.
As soon as I made my decision, I activated the communication tool. Even at this moment, the war continues, and the soldiers of the empire must be shedding blood in a foreign country. If there is a way to advance the end of the war even a little, it is the monarch’s duty to deal with it quickly.
– Your lowly servant to Your Majesty─
“Call for Cardinal Liciuco. I have something to tell you.”
The Minister of the Ministry of the Interior, who lowered his head, cut off his words and immediately gave an order.
Cardinal Rishiuko, as the head of the Archdiocese of Ausen, is the person with the most authority among those related to the Church of Dawn in the Empire. Since he is also aware of the entire story about the resurrection of the World Tree to some extent, persuasion should be quick.
***
As soon as I entered the barracks after receiving the summons from the warlord, the multi-level map given to me by Count Kaitana—no, the northern map was spread out. A token of loyalty showing the territory of tribes willing to surrender.
“Inspector. Have you heard anything about the territory of the Barandi tribe?”
Looking down at the map, I shook my head at the words of the legend who opened his mouth.
“I haven’t heard about him. Several tribes have moved in the past three years, including the Barandiga tribe.”
“There must be a chance to contact other tribes than Kaitana.”
“Yes, sir. Unfortunately, it is.”
Even Count Kaitana, the puppet of the year selected in the North, doesn’t know where all the tribes are. The territory of a tribe can literally change overnight, and without continuous exchange, there is no way to grasp the territory of another tribe in real time.
In addition, when the kagan exploded along with the tribe that said it was a little hard, a migration crisis broke out in the north. The territory of the tribes that use little effort is a net waste area even in the north, and the net waste real estate has turned into a vacant land without an owner. It must have been a heaven-sent opportunity for the tribes who watched with arms crossed behind them.
The Barandiga tribe did not miss the heaven-sent opportunity, and Count Kaitana, who did not particularly communicate with the Barandiga tribe, missed Barandiga’s location.
“But he heard from another tribe that the Barandiga tribe is moving to the front.”
It’s fortunate that Count Kaitana has the information he obtained at the beginning of the war. Thanks to that information, he said he figured out that the Barandigar tribe was neutral.
If it were the tribe of priests whose faith was trampled on, of course they would have come running with foam at the mouth, but the bizarrely slow movement speed means that the Barandiga tribe is not prepared for war yet. But it’s a situation that doesn’t even appeal to the empire to see it as a complete surrender.
“I’m glad I didn’t hide in the rear.”
Jeon Seung-gong, who seemed to be worried about something, lifted his head as if he was relieved to hear that. Certainly, there is a huge difference in difficulty between ‘Finding a tribe hiding somewhere in the north’ and ‘Finding a tribe that will come to the front someday’.
“His Majesty said that even if he is a heretic, if he wants to enter the bosom of the Empire, he will be embraced.”
“Your Majesty’s mercy is like the sea.”
In fact, when he said that he would embrace the Barandi tribe, the center of paganism, he instinctively spat out praises.
To be honest, given the emperor’s personality that values national interests, I guessed that even pagans would embrace it. Since he had to bear the burden, he should praise the emperor’s determination as a subject.
“When the Barandiga tribe appears on the frontlines, we want to contact them, so let the inspector know.”
“Yes, sir.”
I bowed my head to Jeon Seung-gong and answered.
Unlike the Kaitana tribe, there will be many difficulties if you come into contact with the Barandi tribe. First of all, Barandiga has no firm will to surrender, and since he is the last remaining priest in the north, his faith must be outstanding. Not very good feelings toward me, the culprit who trampled on faith—
– A priest? I don’t have a kid like that. He’s all dead.
Ah, that’s fortunate. Then there will be no one who is full of faith.
…
‘Yes?’
Belatedly, I felt a sense of incongruity.
Isn’t there a priest?
The eternal blue sky, which I used to talk to to avoid the fairies, went silent when I entered the north. No matter how much God doesn’t interfere excessively with humans, it would be bittersweet to see the nomads who were his followers die up close. In the first place, the headquarters of the eternal blue sky is now the World Tree.
The eternal blue sky broke the silence and spoke after a long time.
– If there was at least one priest, I wouldn’t have fallen like this. Since there are no temples or priests, I lived in your body.
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With terribly shocking news.
When I think about it, I think I heard something similar when I first met Eternal Blue Sky. Damn, why did you forget? Did the shock of meeting God ruin your memory?
‘The priest is annihilated.’
Anyway, new information has been updated, so I rolled my head again. If the priest of the Barandiga tribe, who did not follow the kagan, was also killed, it means that the empire finally killed the priest who was not involved in the war in order to trample on the pagan faith.
In this case, the difficulty of negotiations skyrocketed. How could they believe in an empire that attacked them when they were quiet—
– Ah, the last priest died a natural death. He died of old age comfortably in front of his family.
‘…….’
The information has been updated again.
Is it because the temple was destroyed? I couldn’t bear to open my mouth at the words of the eternal blue sky.
‘It must be crazy.’
How come these days, different results from the reality of rolling one’s head come out.
The confident escape of the tribe, the splendid minion of Count Kaitana, and the last priest whose life ended after living comfortably.
‘Damn it.’
I wonder if the north is really covered with demons, I can’t predict even the smallest things.
***
Since we ate lamb for dinner last night, is horse meat good for today?
“Chief, we will arrive at the front in a few days. We may collide with the Empire.”
In the meantime, drinking Mayuju every day is boring. Liquor from the Empire is precious, so you should be able to drink it carelessly.
“You have to decide your position now! As a priest, will you stand against paganism or follow the trend!”
Still, sometimes I wonder if it would be good to drink precious things. Alcohol is meant to be drunk, not ornaments—
“Father!”
“I’m listening.”
Aimed at Shati, who was shouting at her, she answered in an apathetic way.
She feels a little sorry when she sees her only daughter trembling, but unfortunately Shati seems to have fantasized too much about her name as a priest.
‘A priest is a horn.’
What is the use of priests in a faith that has lost temples, sacred objects, hopes, and futures?
In the last war, my tribe was neutral because of my father’s old age, but that didn’t attract attention at all. The apostle and high priest of the eternal blue sky, and the kagan who united the nomads for the first time. How could I turn a blind eye to such a being pushing the empire?
But the apostle went to God’s side. The High Priestess could no longer spread the faith in the land, and the Khagan fell before the Empire’s sword.
We are done. Our faith, our faith, collapsed that day. So, he is a priest and what a useless name. In such a situation, other guys secretly look at me with anticipation because I am a priest.
‘A priest knows that even if his head is cut off, he will be resurrected.’
It’s good if the empire doesn’t rush to kill you.
In that case, we could give up the title of priest, but unfortunately, the biggest factor that binds our tribe is also the name priest. Thanks to that, I’ve been wearing this jar for years.
That’s why it’s crazy. As Shati said, she was too immersed in this nuisance to follow the trend, and her life was too precious to follow the dead faith.
‘f*ck your life.’
No matter how much I think about it, it annoys me. I can understand the people of my tribe because they are a tribe united by the authority of being priests, but why do the other tribes expect so much from me? If I were a priest, where would you offer a horse or even a span of land?
‘Things he wouldn’t have even said if Kagan were alive.’
Anyway, it’s a dog’s life.