49 – Holy War (성전)
The promise was faithfully kept.
Queen Lunia of Vaskhill recovered as if the bizarre illness had been washed away, and she even seemed younger than before.
However, shadows did not leave Lunia’s face. It was because she heard the news of Leticia’s disappearance while lying in bed.
No matter how much they traced, there were no clues. It seemed as if she had really soared into the sky.
“What do we do… Our Leticia… Leticia… Ugh…”
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault for being useless… My fault for being a worthless father…”
Ronan sincerely thought so. Despite knowing Leticia’s whereabouts, he couldn’t even give a hint. Looking at the recovered Lunia, genuine joy rose deep in his heart, and self-blame overwhelmed him.
He sold his child to save his wife.
Ugly parents had never existed like this.
“Leticia… May you be safe.”
There was still hope. Ronan had declared that if the dying Leticia safely gave birth to the successor, they could send her back to the kingdom.
So, Ronan endured each day, relying on the power of kinship, feeling the blood dry up.
Certainly, there was not a complete lack of hope.
In the cycle of seasons, Leticia safely embraced the demon king’s child and maintained a healthy body.
At this moment, the reunion of parent and daughter seemed imminent.
As the time drew near, Ronan recalled Maru’s plea.
“For at least two years, never let the queen come into contact with the shrine. The sacred is a miracle from the gods; they will surely notice. The remnants of the queen’s remaining blessings will definitely be investigated.”
Ronan actively followed that advice, blocking Luniya from the shrine. It was inevitable that a sense of discomfort lingered, as they hid under various excuses. However, since there were no suspicious charges against them, they managed to pass through somehow.
But cracks start from very small openings. As if a minor design flaw could bring down a massive building.
The annual Forum for the Defense of Humanity, attended by leaders from various countries, was held in the Kingdom of Baschhill.
Since it wasn’t a place for the shrine to participate, Ronan and Luniya gathered with leaders from various countries.
“Cardi.”
“What’s the matter?”
“… I’ll tell you when I’m sure.”
In the forum, Cardi Luminel, guarding the emperor of the empire, was walking. And Cardi’s wife was accompanying him…
‘Somehow, I sense a familiar aura.’
Elena Luminel, the Duchess.
With her beautiful red hair and red eyes, the former priestess…
◇
At that time, Elena Luminal’s background was not properly known. The external information simply stated that Cardi, blinded by love for a commoner, had recklessly plunged into marriage.
Hence, even the Baschill Kingdom readily accepted the Luminal Duke and Duchess as companions. Little did anyone imagine the catastrophic rupture it would cause…
Elena was initially skeptical. However, as she engaged in socializing among the ladies, she seized the opportunity to interact with the queen.
It was then that Elena became certain.
Someone had bestowed a blessing upon Runia Baschill.
“Well, I suppose someone with a baptismal name must have given their blessing?”
That was the extent of her thoughts at that moment. After all, it wasn’t uncommon to meet someone with a baptismal name. But the moment she voiced that, Elena’s smile crumbled.
“What? A blessing? What are you talking about, Duchess Luminal?”
Those were the words uttered by Runia in response to Elena’s congratulations.
A sinister suspicion brushed across her mind. It was not uncommon for the possessor of a baptismal name to conceal their identity, but never had she heard of someone hiding even their blessing.
Could there be a separate reason for concealing that?
The ‘woman’s intuition’ that someone had praised so much rang alarm bells.
“…I spoke nonsense. I shall take my leave, Your Majesty.”
As soon as Elena returned to Cardi’s side, she detailed her suspicions. These suspicions traveled through Cardi’s mouth to the emperor, who promptly sent a cooperation letter to the pope for verification.
The response came swiftly.
[In the past 5 years, the possessor of a baptismal name has not stepped outside the temple.]
The official response from the pope was more than enough to turn suspicions into truths.
Several months passed this way.
An agreement within the global community, excluding the Baschill Kingdom, resolved a major issue.
[1. Based on the Human Defense Treaty, Ronan Baschil and Lunia Baschil, accused of colluding with demons, are detained.]
[2. If they refuse detention, the Empire, representing the Human Defense Council, has the right to declare war.]
[3. ….]
[4. ……]
A formal document containing the agreement of all countries except Baschil was delivered to the royal palace.
Ronan collapsed while washing his face.
It’s a fact that he received help from demons. It’s also a fact that he sold his daughter to conceive the child of the Demon King.
A clear act of betrayal against humanity.
Leticia, under the influence of demons, will survive… but Ronan and Lunia will surely die.
Even if they survive, the authority of the monarchy will crumble.
At the point when the document, which only functions with the agreement of all countries, was received, Ronan and Lunia had already socially died.
“Ah… Aah…”
Where did it all go wrong? That’s the question of what triggered the realization.
The crossroads of life and death suddenly approached.
Due to extreme stress, white frost fell on Ronan’s head.
◇
Even as time passed, the Baschil Kingdom took no action.
When the patience of the global community ran out, the Emperor of the Empire issued a decree.
The content of the decree was the military suppression of the Baschil Kingdom.
The Supreme Commander was Cordi Luminel of the Homeland Swordmaster. The goal was the destabilization of the Baschil Kingdom.
“This is troublesome. I am genuinely troubled.”
In the imperial capital’s temple, where ominous news spread, the pontiff murmured with a gloomy expression.
“I can’t believe the divine is involved. It seems the priests of the Shrine lack common sense. How do our little children think?”
“It’s bad! They must have taken advantage of the weak-hearted.”
The saint, Iberia, spoke up bravely. However, the boy standing next to Iberia remained as unyielding as a stone.
Upon seeing this, the pontiff asked,
“What do you think, Harte?”
“I do not judge the owner of the baptismal name. I will do what needs to be done to fulfill the will of the Lord.”
It was an astonishingly cold and firm determination. The pontiff and Iberia made a sarcastic remark to Harte.
“Really… You’re so tough for a little kid.”
“Yeah, yeah! If Harte is like that, what does that make me?”
Iberia pouted and puffed up her cheeks. Regardless of that, Harte maintained his stoic attitude and looked at the pontiff.
“I want to hear the words of the Lord and Your Majesty.”
[Don’t rely solely on the words of the Lord and Your Majesty, Harte.]
“Erhikete.”
[You know very well that autonomy of life is the will of the Lord, right?]
The divine dragon, Erhikete, lightly tapped Harte’s forehead with his pure white wings.
Harte, without moving those large wings, calmly spoke.
“As Your Majesty said, I am still young. Therefore, I believe my judgment is still lacking. So for now, I will follow Your Majesty’s teachings.”
“Oh, my goodness. Even the thickest spine of the sacred scriptures won’t be as rigid as Harte.”
“Indeed. I will address it.”
Harte, accepting it nonchalantly like a sponge. The Pope sincerely wondered what kind of adult Harte would grow into.
“Phew! Harte.”
“Yes, Your Holiness.”
“Someday, Harte may also encounter a good fate. Would you regret it if you act like this then?”
“Is that a story from Iberia?”
“Me, really!?”
For a moment, Iberia’s expression changed. Her face blushed shyly, but Harte didn’t even glance at her.
“He is already someone I value as a member of the escort. No regrets.”
“Oh my, even Harte… how embarrassing.”
“If I need to make someone precious, I will.”
“T-that’s possible!?”
Harte, ignoring the chattering Iberia beside him, remained composed. The Pope and the Divine Dragon wondered how such a child came to be.
“Well, it’s not like one wishes to create something like this… Maybe Harte should go out and experience the world. This wasn’t supposed to happen, but it’s genuinely a concern.”
The Pope had to seriously contemplate Harte’s future.
But only for a moment.
This gathering was not intended for peaceful conversations.
“Hmm, regardless of the intention, the demons used the divine to manipulate the division among humans. This is truly a weighty issue.”
[We must choose an appropriate course.]
“Yes, Mr. Divine Dragon. An appropriate course. We need an appropriate course…”
He raised his hand under his chin and remained silent for a while. After such a prolonged silence, the Pope, whose pupils had turned a mysterious glow, spoke.
“Harte.”
“Yes, Your Holiness.”
“It’s a holy war.”
Sometimes, a delicate response might keep the peace. However, before the Pope’s eyes, there was Harte.
Therefore, now was the opportune moment to suppress the spirit of the demon’s command. The Pope made his final decision.
“Condemn the demon saint. If the demons rebel, I will delegate all authority regarding the suppression.”
“I will heed your will.”
Golden particles blossomed around Harte.
At the age of twelve.
A time when someone might play with toys and enjoy themselves.
During such a time, Harte took his first steps into the outside world.