Chapter 27

Whirr—

The flames that consumed Daman threatened to spread to the surrounding nations, but they were extinguished cleanly, sparing only Daman, by the intervention of the Pope.

“…Most of the descendants of the special Arhan  bloodline were exceptional, but they inherited not only abilities but also the personalities of their predecessors.”

Arrogant, self-centered, and intolerant of any challenge to their authority.

Devoid of empathy, they placed no value on anything that didn’t interest them.
“But Princess Rael was different.”

She sympathized with the pain of her subjects, grieved for them, and treated everyone with kindness and warmth.

It was Rael, the first in Arhan’s long and storied history, who awakened divine power—her character needed no further elaboration.

When the Demon King’s forces finally breached the empire’s borders, Rael was said to be the only one among the high-ranking officials to worry about the soldiers at the front lines rather than grow angry.

“If Princess Rael were to ascend to the throne, perhaps the Arhan way would change.”

The way of Arhan, which used diplomacy as a pretext for war, could transform, the Pope added as if confessing a secret, looking me straight in the eyes.

Even as he spoke with such penitence, there was no trace of servility in his demeanor—a skill, no doubt.

“Well, I find it presumptuous that your Holy State dared to attempt to change Arhan’s ways.”

“Haha, I imagine not only Your Majesty but every emperor in Arhan’s history would react the same. Princess Rael is simply… special.”

Indeed. Even in the game Chronicles of Xian, there was a route where Rael became emperor, but only if the difficulty was set to very easy.

Her ascension alone made defeating the Demon King significantly easier. She must have been a good emperor.

Then, what should I do?

It’s too late to use this as a pretext for war.

The Holy Maiden’s contribution to subduing the Demon King was immense. Moreover, to wage war against the Holy State would require overwhelming forces to completely encircle and strangle them—a strategy impossible at the moment.

Even if attempted, there’s no guarantee of victory.

Should I let this slide, then?

If I intend to maintain a strained relationship with the Holy State, burying the matter could work. But if I wish to improve relations, I need to resolve this decisively.

“…When the Duke’s party reached the Holy State, I hear they were treated without question.”
“Lives must be saved, no?”

The Pope’s calm response made me finalize my decision.

“Pope, what’s more important to you—your pride or your followers?”

“The followers, of course.”

“Then record this: that your Holy State attempted to replace the emperor of Arhan and failed.

Keep it private, but instruct future Popes to grant any requests my descendants may make based on this record.”

It’s a debt owed to Arhan.

Let’s leave it at that.

The Pope attached one condition to my proposal.

“As long as it does not go against the will of kiriya, I shall do so.”

“Very well. Then I will forget the matter.”

The Holy State and the Empire will remain intertwined until one or the other ceases to exist.

In that case, it’s better to secure leverage and reset the relationship.

“Pope, allow me to be blunt. If I declare my intent to subjugate all the kingdoms, will you intervene?”

“Of course.”

As he spoke, the Pope removed his gloves, showing me the mark of light engraved on the back of his hand.

“The stigma…!”

“kiriya answered my call, and so this old man rose to this position. If Your Majesty intends to drench the continent in blood like the Arhans of old, I will not stand idly by.”

“And if you won’t stand by? What could your Holy State do beyond its borders?”

The Holy State, protected by kiriya, will never fall—but that doesn’t mean it’s invincible.

Beyond their territory, their strength is equivalent to that of a single kingdom.

While I cannot invade their homeland, eliminating their forces outside their borders is well within the Empire’s current capabilities.

To my question, the Pope responded with remarkable composure.

“This old man will personally seek to assassinate the Emperor.”

“You think it possible?”

“No. It would be impossible.”

Assassinating me was perhaps feasible before I left for the north, but now it’s practically impossible. The Pope must know this as well.

“The attempt would fail, and I would die on the spot.”

“…!”

“It’s not something to boast about, but I bear the stigma. If I were to die at the hands of the Empire…”

“kiriya would be enraged.”

kiriya, though a gentle and kind god, does not love all equally.

As evidenced by the divine power filling the Holy State, kiriya unmistakably favors the Holy State, and among them, especially the Saint and the Pope who bears the stigma.

“Do you think I fear kiriya?”

Are you trying to threaten me?

At my question, the Pope shook his head and answered.

“I speak of this because I know Your Majesty cares for your people. Please think of the Imperial citizens. If the Holy State intervenes, the war will bring no benefit to the Empire.”

“Pope, I believe humanity must unite as one.”

I shared with the Pope a thought I had long harbored.

Look at the beastfolk.

Look at the elves.

Even the demons have united under a single king.

And yet, we humans remain a disorganized rabble.

“If you cooperate in unifying all the kingdoms under my banner, I will recognize your faith as the Empire’s state religion. Alongside Arhan, the name of kiriya will echo across the continent.”

Let us join hands instead.

If I were to demand unconditional surrender through overwhelming force, less blood would be spilled.

Should the Holy State lead the charge in advocating for humanity’s unification, it would serve as just cause in itself.

“That is not kiriya’s will.”

Tsk.

In that case, this is not something that can be resolved by persuading the Pope.

“Then let me ask you one more question. If war broke out between the beastfolk or elves and humanity, what would the Holy State do?”

“I would ask the same of you, Emperor. Why do you regard them with such wariness?”

“I’ve already told you. They are united under a single king. Just as with the Anti-Demon Alliance, if their rulers decide they want war with humanity, it would immediately escalate into a war of the races.”

“A war at the whim of their kings—how is that different from the Empire?”

“It differs in one critical aspect: humanity does not entirely follow my commands.”

Without hesitation, I gave my reply, causing the Pope to let out a deep sigh.

Neither of us was willing to concede, and it became clear that continuing the conversation would lead us in endless circles.

With that conclusion, I decided to wrap up the discussion.

“Pope, may I ask a favor of you?”

“A favor, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. Since I have come without an entourage, I have no one to deliver my messages to the Empire. Could you lend me someone who can communicate with the Imperial court?”

“If it’s something as simple as that, I can deliver the message myself.”

“Ah, in that case, I’d appreciate it. Please inform Minister Dia in the Empire that I will be visiting the Great Forest.”

“…Pardon?”

The Pope stared at me in shock, as if wondering if he had heard correctly.

It was understandable—just moments ago, I had spoken of a potential war of the races, and now I was saying I would visit the elves’ main stronghold.

“While I remain cautious of them, I have a request to make. Besides, even if that weren’t the case, I need to see them myself at least once.”

“A request… is it about the Elixir?”

“Yes.”

The Elixir.

The essence of the World Tree and the greatest panacea on the continent.

“To treat the Duke, it’s the only option.”

“Do you think the elves will grant it to you?”

“Who knows? What matters is that they have what I need.”

“With all due respect, the elves are not particularly amicable toward humans.”

Aside from a select few, such as members of the Hero’s party, the elves were notoriously reclusive.

Even as the Emperor of the Empire, there was a high likelihood that they would ignore my plea rather than grant it.

Could someone as proud as I endure such treatment?

The Pope seemed to consider the possibility that I might lose my temper, provoke the elves, and get myself killed.

Realizing this, he quickly attempted to dissuade me.

“Do not worry. I am well aware of what is at stake, and I have no intention of provoking them unnecessarily this time.”

“Then, at the very least, why not return to the Empire and bring some escorts?”

“There is no need for that.”

Thinking of an old friend I hadn’t seen in a while, I answered the Pope.

“The Empire’s fourth Duke is currently in the Great Forest.”

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