111 – Allies – 5
“I don’t understand.”
It was Glacia Ehrenberg who said that. After graduating, there was nothing else to do, so he came under my wing. However, not as a soldier, but as my personal bodyguard.
“What do you mean?”
“Now that we have won the battle, shouldn’t we just take over the Principality of Plos? But why are you paying attention to things like Lydia Castle in the distance instead of attacking right away?”
I was dazed for a moment by Glacia’s question, but then realized. Rather, this would be a typical reaction from the perspective of someone who is not familiar with politics of this era.
“That’s because the Holy Kingdom of Lydia had religious power.”
“The power of religion.”
“5,000 Troops of Seonghwangryeong. The population is only 120,000. This deformed structure, in which the number of soldiers is greater than the population and the money they have is much greater than the number of soldiers, appears because they have the power of religion. Every year, many people come to Seonghwangnyeong on pilgrimage from all over the world, and among them there are many nobles. Even nobles who had no interest in religion when they were young often donate large amounts of money as they fear the afterlife when they or their family members die. The fear of the afterlife and God allows the Holy Emperor to exert great influence over the nobles. However, even the Holy Emperor with such overwhelming religious power is not invincible. If you go directly and lay siege to the city, they will be nothing more than just priests with no power. No matter how much they worship God, God cannot protect them from external enemies.”
“… “Because there is no such thing as God in the first place.”
“Well, no matter what Mr. Glacia’s religious views, it is also true that the Holy Kingdom of Lydia has a powerful religious power that can move the Lydians, who make up 70% of the population of the Western Continent. However, it is also true that we do not have the physical power to protect it. Until now, that physical power had been achieved by the five countries of the Taspilia Peninsula joining hands to defeat enemies, but this time, that system was broken. In this situation, there will be conflict from the position of the Holy Kingdom of Lydia. Should he coronate the Princess Leonia, recognize her as King of Taspilia, and join hands with her, or should he excommunicate her and point out her exploits in Taspilia? Are you going to do it? Depending on the choice you make, the fate of the Taspilia Peninsula, including the Holy Kingdom of Lydia, will be determined. And… “
“And?”
“Our fate will also be different. From our perspective, it would be better for the Holy Kingdom of Lydia to take our side. Because if she were excommunicated and publicly pointed out, she would be under fire from all her enemies on all sides. On the other hand, if you receive a coronation ceremony and are recognized as a king, foreign enemies will have no justification to invade your army. Therefore, Her Royal Highness Princess Leonia will not intrude on the Principality of Plos. Instead, she will first observe the reaction of the Holy Kingdom of Lydia.”
“And what if the Principality of Plos recovers?”
“Before that, you probably want to settle things diplomatically. That’s why I came forward.”
“Ah… “
Glacia nodded her head as if she finally understood.
“But what will change if Charles comes forward? Oh, I didn’t mean it to be disparaging.”
“I know that when Ms. Glacia doesn’t like someone, she punches first rather than being sarcastic. I guess what you just asked was a really innocent question. Look. Whether the Holy Kingdom of Lydia becomes our ally or enemy is what will change the fate of Taspilia, right? So what should we do to make the Holy Kingdom of Lydia our ally?”
“… Should I sneak in with a sword and cut off the Holy Emperor’s head?”
“This would be possible in a normal monarchy, but in the case of a castle, it is difficult because the leader is decided by voting. Even so, the next Seonghwang will appear and become even more hostile towards our allies. What we need to do is take control of the influential people of the Holy Kingdom of Lydia.”
“Acquire powerful people.”
“As I said before, the Holy Kingdom of Lydia is not an ordinary monarchy. In important matters, numerous high-ranking cardinals coordinate their opinions and vote to decide on their actions. So, you will have to get your hands on a lot of high-ranking cardinals, and my job is to persuade people who can persuade the high-ranking cardinals.”
“So, rather than persuading the high-ranking cardinal, you are saying that you will find someone who can persuade the high-ranking cardinal and welcome him as an ally?”
“That’s right.”
Glacia seemed to understand what I was saying, but then she groaned as if it was difficult.
“Isn’t it possible for just anyone to persuade the cardinals?”
“Of course. It’s not an easy role. Among high-ranking cardinals, there are some pragmatists, but there are far more old-fashioned traditionalists. So, naturally, if the etiquette is broken even slightly, you will be hated, and you must be well-versed in the etiquette of the Holy Kingdom. And since it is basically a job that requires persuading others, you will get more points if you have a good appearance or voice. What is more important than that is speech. But the biggest problem is that you have to guarantee political interests to those you are persuading, so you inevitably have to have excellent political sense.”
“Would a person who is so capable in all aspects turn out poorly?”
“If it hadn’t been there in the first place, I wouldn’t have set out to go to Holy Kingdom.”
This is not a joke. I really knew roughly who to take.
From Noble mtl dot com
“What… “My role is to guard anyway, so I will follow it without complaint.”
“Just?”
“Please avoid doing dangerous things if possible. “I don’t want to die either.”
This gentleman, I wonder what he just said as an escort…
With a deep sigh, our carriage arrived at the Holy Kingdom of Lydia.
—–
When we entered the Holy Kingdom of Lydia, we could not help but be surprised. The Taspilia peninsula is swept by telephone, because the people of this country are incredibly bright and lively.
Children were laughing and running around the streets, and market merchants were busy selling their goods, shouting loudly. There was plenty of food on the stalls, and everyone’s expressions were bright. It was as if he didn’t know there was a war.
“It’s peaceful… “
“It seems like the war in the North is someone else’s business to them.”
“Actually, there is nothing strange about it. In nearly 200 years, the mainland of the Holy Kingdom of Lydia has never been invaded. Even if there were invasions from other countries, most of them were blocked in the northern part of the Taspilia Peninsula. Above all, when the Arcadian Empire was alive and well, it was difficult to engage in large-scale wars of conquest because everyone was concerned about the empire.”
“Then we are living in quite special times. “Because a law that has not been broken for 200 years is about to be broken.”
“These are turbulent times.”
That’s right. Troubled times are turbulent times. For most people, it is hell, but for a select few capable people, there is no heaven like the difficult times. This is because class mobility, which is impossible in a reigning world, frequently occurs in difficult times.
“If Glacia had been born about 100 years ago, she might have lived and died as just an ordinary bodyguard.”
Then Glacia looked slightly surprised.
“So, are you saying that I will live a different life from now on?”
“Uh… That’s it… “
I made a mistake. You showed off your knowledge of the future. Glacia becomes the world’s third-ranking sword master and rises to the rank of count. That is the original story. However, I have no intention of advertising that I know the future. Should I try to explain it a little bit?
“You became the bodyguard of Count Rochepol, who was on the rise. “If this isn’t a special life, what is?”
“… “You are unlucky sometimes.”
I’m glad it happens only occasionally. While I was thinking these trivial thoughts, I saw a figure dressed in red coming from afar, leading a group of priests towards our carriage.
When the carriage stopped and I got off the carriage, the person in red who stood at the front spoke.
“This is Benito Urbino. You can call me Cardinal Urbino. “Today, I am serving as a guide for His Excellency the Count of Rochepol.”
“Nice to meet you.”
After bowing lightly to the cardinal’s greeting, I followed him into the Holy Hwangcheong Hall. Even though we entered Seonghwangcheong, no one paid any special attention to us. Most of the clergy were doing their jobs.
And before long, we arrived at the reception room of Seonghwangcheong. And there was a familiar face sitting there.
“Welcome, Count Rochepol. “My daughter has told me your story often.”
It is Alexander IV who says so. A corrupt priest of the Holy Emperor and father of Salome de Hiron. And in the game’s story, he was a character who moved the world’s situation.