86 – 86. The Covenant of the Great Earth Mother (3)
—-
The convening of the Alliance Council was akin to an inevitable power that even the Emperor, with unmatched authority, could not stop.
The Covenant of the Great Earth Mother.
That was the justification for the convening of the Alliance Council.
Since the leader of the Holy Kingdom had ordained the Covenant, nations that worshiped the Great Earth Mother as their sole deity had no choice but to accept it. As news spread that the Covenant had come down from the heavens, many nations on the continent began to move.
“Darn it, after driving out the vile demons, now it’s the heretics’ turn. Never trust the Holy Kingdom’s sweet talk. All the past saints were lunatics blinded by faith.”
Perhaps the Emperor of the Valtaria Empire was the only one so scathingly critical of the Holy Saint Beorn, revered as the great father of all priests.
The man with a fancy mustache raised his voice with a gruff tone while brandishing a revolver.
“Do you believe in the Covenant, Your Majesty?”
“Nonsense. It’s like a nose ring for the nose and an earring for the ear; that’s the essence of the Covenant. Unless a person is a decoration themselves, who would believe it straightforwardly?”
The Covenant was clearly the voice of the merciful Great Earth Mother.
However, the Covenants announced by the Holy Kingdom were all used as justifications for war.
Isn’t it ironic?
That the voice of the merciful sole deity could act as a cause of bloodshed.
Emperor Barbarossa exposed the duality of the Covenant and sneered.
Bang!!
A sharp gunshot rang out.
Simultaneously, a deer hit by a bullet collapsed, its head pierced.
“The truth of the Covenant is not important. It’s the ripple effects that matter.”
Barbarossa hesitated until the end to regard the convening of the Alliance Council announced by the Holy Kingdom.
But ultimately, he had no choice but to accept it.
No, he had to accept it.
The voice of the merciful sole deity had a weight that could render even the Emperor of all mankind temporarily powerless.
“Do you have any inkling about the Covenant, Your Majesty?”
“Well, how could a mere mortal perceive the divine?”
Indeed.
How can a mere human understand the depths of the one and only god.
God commands, and humans obey.
As history has shown so far, the relationship between god and humans will never change.
“Let’s put aside the difficult and boring stories now… Edanant, Gongja, from what I see these days, it seems that love is progressing smoothly as they frequently move around with Mila.”
“Oh?”
“Weren’t the two of them recently visiting the Hoenberg family together? Young people these days progress quickly.”
“….”
Did they already think that the father and daughter-in-law had finished the formal meeting?
Expectations overflowed in my heart at the sight of Barbalosa’s rugged face like a wild lion.
Hmm.
I’m not sure how to respond.
If I say, “In fact, there is no relationship between me and Ludmilla!” I’ll probably be dragged to the execution ground with my father. The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.
“There isn’t much time left in this year.”
“….”
Get married this year.
Although the voice sounded indifferent, sincerity was felt within it.
“They say it’s trendy these days to have weddings in spring.”
“….”
Or get married next spring.
The oppressive pressure in the murmured words felt suffocating.
“I, I will do my best to repay His Majesty with the best possible outcome.”
Should I change the subject to avoid answering?
Or should I politely say that it’s difficult to give a clear answer?
No,
Whichever option I choose, it would lead to self-destruction.
The Emperor of the Valtaria Empire is like a caring parent to his children, not someone who can be deceived with petty tricks. Therefore, I answered, dripping with cold sweat, with the response that the Emperor would like the most.
“Hmm. I didn’t mean to force an answer from Gongja…”
To be able to be so shameless.
I now understand whom Ludmilla sometimes resembles with her poker face.
“Anyway, let’s discuss the engagement after the Alliance Conference concludes.”
“…Understood.”
“Could it be that we will have another engagement with the Hoenberg family… Life truly is a series of twists and wonders.”
“….”
Life is a series of twists and wonders.
I couldn’t agree more with that statement.
My current feelings were exactly like that.
—
The Emperor of the Valtaria Empire accepted the proposal from the Emperor of Shanghorn and declared the convening of the Alliance Conference.
All kings following the imperial decree, gather.
All the kings gathered at the imperial capital in response to the emperors’ declaration as joint leaders of the Alliance Conference.
“The kings of the Republic of Latherano have all arrived!”
“We can see the Kingdom of Zisterd too!”
The kings of the Republic of Latherano, including the Kingdoms of Savoia and Siena, who are part of the Republic, appeared. Following them, the King of Zisterd, known as the Eastern Conqueror, also passed through the gates with his guards.
The Republic of Latherano, which amassed great wealth through trade and finance.
The Kingdom of Zisterd, which grew into a powerful nation by subduing numerous surrounding forces.
The Republic of Latherano and the Kingdom of Zisterd, countries that produced the Mercenary King and the Sage from the Holy Party, attracted even more intense expectations and interest. The gathering of the endless crowds seemed to foretell something significant.
“It’s truly a gathering of unprecedented magnificence. Figures who have recorded splendid reputations across the continent are all here.”
“But it’s equally dangerous. With intricate webs of alliances, it’s bound to be complicated.”
The kings who ruled the continent gathered.
It was like a powder keg ready to explode.
Nodding at Jeblin’s words, I watched the endless procession of kings unfold before me.
“It’s a ridiculous spectacle. All these kings commanding the continent gather to listen to the vague words of the Earth Mother’s divine.”
“For the kings, the truth and facts are not that important. They gather to prove their faith and loyalty to the Earth Mother.”
The appearance of the Republic of Latherano and the Kingdom of Zisterd was just the beginning.
Following them, many kings emerged with their formidable guards.
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Are they competing against each other?
The sight of kings appearing with opulent carriages adorned with precious gold and jewels, accompanied by dazzling armored guards, was extraordinary.
“They said the maximum number of guards excluding the joint leaders was a hundred. But there are still too many, right?”
“Because many kings are attending the Alliance Conference.”
The sight of troops pouring through the gates like a torrential downpour was truly magnificent.
No,
Beyond grandeur, it brought forth worry and fear.
Is it really necessary to bring in such a large number of troops?
The Baltaria Empire must have been prepared for armed conflict, but ominousness loomed. Perhaps due to the precedent of Huangdu being attacked multiple times by the aristocratic factions.
“Rudmila must be extremely busy.”
“Hmph, for the Empire’s Crimson Dragon, it’s only natural.”
Isabel and Elisabeth enjoyed the kings’ hospitality,
While Rudmila, by now, would have been rigorously commanding the troops in preparation for any potential crisis.
All princesses seem to be busy.
Thinking of the princesses fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, I faintly smiled.
“You don’t have to go out? The triumph is approaching.”
“Well, I’m not sure.”
At my question, Jeblinne frowned, expressing her discontent.
She didn’t want to go out.
Why do I have to meet that damn uncle?
Where did Beatrice, whom I cherished like a forbidden leaf, disappear to?
Her gentle demeanor, once as precious as the finest velvet, suddenly twisted.
Through such overt changes, one could roughly guess how much Jeblinne despised the triumph.
“Miss, Lady! Grand Inquisitor Valady is urgently looking for you! Please get ready quickly!”
“Ugh…”
The priests attending to Jeblinne rushed over with pale faces, urging her to get ready.
Upon this, the princess moved reluctantly, feeling the discomfort in her steps.
“Trust is as fragile as a trigger. The issue lies in the upheaval that the One God will create.”
With the Imperial Conference taking place in Huangdu, the flow of upheaval began to accelerate rapidly.
It was palpable.
The kings attending the conference were all to be used as chess pieces according to the intentions of the Grand Strategist.
“It’s the delegation from the Triumph Kingdom!”
“Oh! His Majesty is here…!”
The three-tiered crown symbolizing the authority of the Triumph.
The royal hall signifying the dignity of the Grand Strategist and the white cross.
Undoubtedly.
The procession that appeared with flags imbued with sanctity was the Triumph Kingdom’s Royal Guard.
The platinum-forged armor of the Sacred Knights was enough to captivate the masses. And when the elite bodyguards, known as the pinnacle of the Sacred Knights, appeared, the crowd’s cheers reached their peak.
“…Hm?”
While observing the Triumph Kingdom’s procession with interest,
I witnessed a rather peculiar sight.
A gleaming, magnificent carriage, presumably carrying the monarch, the Triumph, was visible. And several carriages, comparable to the Triumph’s carriage, followed closely behind, packed like a train.
Who could be riding in those carriages?
Judging by the lavish decorations on the carriages, they were undoubtedly individuals of noble status.
“…!!”
Among the carriages safely traversing the street,
I saw one.
Simultaneously, I felt a turning in my stomach, as if it were flipping.
My heart began to race.
Following that, a sense of warlike fervor surged, as if meeting a formidable foe.
Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill.
Alongside the instinctual fear, a surge of adrenaline rose.