Chapter 263
At the center of the Holy See stood the Papal Palace.
The grand conference hall where the Pope, the head of state, resided was now heated with the voices of nobles and high-ranking priests.
“……Therefore! We cannot simply leave them alone like this!”
“Now that the wicked and filthy Demon King’s army has been wounded, this is the perfect opportunity to accomplish the nation’s long-held wish—to cleanse the demons’ territory and unify the continent!”
The voice of the high-ranking nobleman, which had been calm at first, had gradually become excited.
Yet his flawless posture, clear pronunciation, and passion captivated the nobles and priests around him.
Nillas Albeluche.
He was the head of the family that had pushed the declining Wordsworth family aside and, along with Raigle, had become one of the most prestigious families in the Holy See.
“I also agree with Lord Albeluche’s opinion. Now is the right time, while the nightmare-like commanders of the Demon King’s army are absent.”
“Except for a few areas on the front lines, including Raigle, the damage to each territory is almost negligible. And with the assassins of the Red Stakes gone, there is no need to keep our forces tied to the capital.”
The high-ranking priests and nobles in the conference hall supported Nillas’s reasonable argument and all turned toward one person.
Agostino IX.
The Pope and head of the Minis Church was seated at the highest seat.
“I believe that matter was already settled at the previous meeting.”
Despite the somewhat heated atmosphere around him, he looked around the room with his characteristically calm and benevolent voice.
At the previous meeting, the nobles led by Nillas had persuaded several high-ranking priests and brought up the same argument.
At the time, Agostino IX, the highest decision-maker of the nation, along with the two cardinals, Grazia and Petracco, had rejected it.
“Sir Glenn Wordsworth, the third Saint and the person closest to the Supreme God at present, strongly insisted that a great crisis still remained for the Holy See to overcome. Since this was also in accordance with the will of the Supreme God Minis, we could not permit it.”
Besides, hadn't the sky over the Holy See turned red a few days ago, almost as if proving Glenn's words?
Yet despite hearing the same answer again, Nillas did not even twitch an eyebrow.
“I have absolutely no intention of going against the will of God, Your Holiness. Looking at the current sky, I agree that acting recklessly would not be wise. But……”
At that moment, a sharp light appeared in Nillas's eyes.
“It is also true that this may be our only chance to sever our long and troublesome connection with the demons.”
“But, Lord Nillas……”
“Of course, how could I say that we should launch an all-out attack while ignoring God's will? I am merely suggesting that we move a little more flexibly.”
“Move flexibly?”
“What if we entrust the protection of this country to Glenn Wordsworth—the third Saint, the undefeated incarnation, and the hero of humanity—and move our forces?”
His gaze was filled with confidence as he looked up.
The Pope's eyebrow twitched.
“Are you saying that we should entrust the protection of this vast Holy See to a single person?”
“Of course, we will spare no support to help him. If it is Lord Glenn, who carries out the will of God, I am certain that he will bravely overcome whatever trial descends upon this land.”
“Hmm……”
The argument was simple.
If someone favored by God could win any battle, then why not have him protect this land?
This was clearly sophistry.
There was no guarantee that Glenn alone could protect the country.
Nor was there any guarantee that the expeditionary army without Glenn would win.
But since nothing unusual had happened in the Holy See except for the sky turning red, the sophistry was gaining strength.
In truth, Nillas's intentions were obvious.
He did not care if the expedition failed or if a real crisis struck the Holy See.
What mattered was somehow starting an expedition, earning military achievements, and strengthening his position.
Albeluche and the many nobles following him were moving solely for that purpose.
“As Your Holiness said, it is too dangerous to act rashly.”
“I understand, Your Eminence Cardinal Grazia. But this opportunity also exists only now.”
Nillas looked up at Cardinal Grazia with a smile.
“Although the victory bells rang and the results were good, Your Eminence must also know that the Demon King's army was stronger in this Holy War than in any previous generation. For that reason, I believe it would be even more dangerous to postpone the decisive battle.”
“Tsk…… But the Supreme God prophesied a crisis for the nation and the church through Lord Glenn's mouth. Are you planning to ignore the revelation given by God?”
Even under Cardinal Grazia's sharp gaze, Nillas continued speaking with a sly smile.
“As I said, I have no intention of ignoring God's will. I am simply saying that since nothing has happened for several days after the sky turned red, perhaps it would be all right to move a little more flexibly.”
“At present, the northern and southern regions of the Holy See are operating more than twice as many patrols as usual. They have also been instructed to report immediately if they detect even the slightest abnormal phenomenon or invading force.”
This time, Nillas's eyes sharpened as he glared at Cardinal Grazia.
“To be honest, I do not understand what you are afraid of that makes you want to throw away such a perfect opportunity.”
“……”
In the end, Grazia fell silent as well.
Compared to Nillas, who had prepared for every possible situation, the only information she had received from Glenn was that a danger was coming.
“Hmmm……”
The Pope stroked his beard.
He also wanted to firmly follow Glenn's warning together with Cardinal Grazia.
But simply saying that they did not know what might happen was not enough reason to keep their forces tied down when Nillas had prepared so thoroughly.
Since the meeting had already shifted this far, they would probably have to reach an agreement that allowed at least some forces to move.
“If that is truly what you all wish……”
Just as the Pope was about to speak while deliberately avoiding Cardinal Grazia's gaze—
KUUUNG-!
CLANK CLANK-!
A tremendous noise came from outside.
At the same time, a holy knight guarding outside rushed into the audience chamber.
“Your Holiness! Are you all right?”
“His Holiness is unharmed. What on earth was that sound?”
“That is…… A lightning strike of enormous scale suddenly struck the slums!”
“Lightning?”
“Yes! We do not know what it is yet, but it seems to be magic or a miracle deliberately caused by someone. The range is simply too wide, so I will immediately dispatch the Knights Order!”
“……Sister. I leave it to you.”
“Yes, Your Holiness. I will investigate.”
At the Pope's command, Cardinal Grazia, who had been sitting beside him, kicked off the floor and rushed out of the audience chamber like lightning.
Soon, the remaining high-ranking priests and nobles began whispering among themselves.
“What on earth……?”
“Could it simply be a natural disaster?”
“That can't be…… Didn't he just say it seemed like artificially created magic?”
“……Artificial magic? Why would something like that happen now……? S-Surely not……”
The words artificially created magic or miracle caused everyone in the audience chamber to think of the same possibility.
Could it be……?
Is this the crisis Lord Glenn was talking about?
Yet no one here could bring that thought out of their mouth.
Crack-
Because Nillas Albeluche was grinding his molars so hard that everyone around him could hear it.
The magical lightning that had obliterated the entire area.
With just that single strike, every visible building nearby had been blown away.
Crackle crackle-
“Urgh…… Mysterious One! Are you all right?!”
Remnants of magical power flew in every direction.
Radeo, the God of Memory and Communication, who had been maintaining a barrier, hurriedly called out to Glenn.
