5 - Let’s Lighten This Gloomy Atmosphere!
I received a summons from the emperor!
I thought it was strange, considering the emperor already knew the entire series of events.
Paul led me to some kind of meeting room, where I found a panel of familiar faces assembled. Essentially, all the important figures from this country’s government were there waiting for me.
“Lady Nefertima, please dispense with the formalities and take a seat,” the emperor said, interrupting me just as I was about to bow. I’d been studying the Linus Empire’s social manners ever since arriving. I wanted to say that I’d mastered them pretty well, but I rarely got the chance to actually use them with how informal everyone was here.
“I’ve asked Lady Nefertima to join us today because of an unsettling incident that occurred at the wyverns’ barracks.”
Certainly, I had been there when the incident occurred, but I still didn’t understand why he’d felt the need to summon me to this meeting.
“I can see you’re confused about why you’ve been summoned. I will explain that now,” the elven prime minister, Zeiatiel, said with a gentle smile before launching into an explanation.
The young soldier who’d been taken into custody had much to say.
Despite being quite skilled, none of the wyverns had taken a liking to him, so he’d been left doing inglorious grunt work behind the scenes. At the same time, beastpeople who’d joined the army at the same time as him had already begun to establish themselves and earn respect for their achievements, which left him feeling jealous and left behind.
One day, he’d met a man claiming to be a fellow soldier in a tavern, and while drinking together, the man had told him that the commander-in-chief was showing favoritism to beastpeople.
The man had complained that in his post, beastpeople were earning promotions and fame much easier than humans. When the young soldier expressed indignation, the man had whispered something insidious in his ear.
“Say, you’re a member of the Dragon Corps under the direct supervision of the commander-in-chief, aren’t you? Won’t you be a tool of change for your fellow humans? If something occurred to call the commander-in-chief’s management skills into question, it might be enough to remove the coveted position of commander-in-chief from the hands of a beastperson…”
The young soldier had foolishly agreed and came up with the idea of stealing a wyvern’s egg on the day the commander-in-chief was visiting the wyverns’ barracks.
On the day of the incident, the soldier had attempted to steal the egg as planned, but the wyverns caught him and turned the full force of their terrifying fury on him, causing the plan to end in failure.
While I’d been self-righteously lecturing him, apparently, the word “tool” had finally made him realize something. That he had been nothing more than a pawn used by those who didn’t like the commander-in-chief.
The soldier deeply regretted his actions and desperately wanted to redeem himself by starting over at the absolute lowest rank and working his way back up. However, his crime was too grave to be dealt with by a mere demotion, so he’d also been sentenced to pay a fine and do a period of hard labor.
The fine could be paid in installments and would be deducted from his salary. As for the hard labor, his term was set at 100 days, and he could choose from a list of tasks, so perhaps it would turn out to be a good learning experience for him.
“We searched for the man he spoke to at the tavern but could find no one matching his description in the imperial army. It appears that he was lying about being a soldier.”
That’s not terribly surprising. I wouldn’t expect someone who’s instigating the commission of a crime to use their true identity.
“What about people who have a grudge against the commander-in-chief?”
The commander-in-chief was also present at this meeting, and he confirmed that he had plenty of enemies. His family, the Stoughans, had loyally served the Linus Empire for many generations, and among all the beastpeople in the nobility, they had the longest history and the highest rank at marquess. Many people, both human and beastperson, didn’t like that.
I thought it was entirely possible this was nothing more than an internal power struggle amongst the nobility, but the emperor didn’t seem convinced.
“The young soldier we captured was from a well-known family of devout followers of the Church of Divine Creation. Allegedly, the man who instigated this incident also referred to the church’s teachings several times during their conversation.”
“So you believe that this young soldier was targeted because, in addition to his position in the army, he was also a follower of the Church of Divine Creation?”
“I find it highly likely.”
I see… Should we take this to mean that Runohark, rather than the Church of Divine Creation, has begun making moves against the Linus Empire?
“We’re in the process of looking into the Church of Divine Creation’s movements within the empire, but I’ve received some interesting information.” Zeiatiel paused dramatically for a moment, and the emperor shot her a look that said Get on with it already!
Zeiatiel, don’t mess with the emperor! He’s scary when he gets mad!
“Do you recall High Priest Carriduvelle, who was previously stationed in the empire?”
“Yes. Didn’t he return to Farshia following the Great Cleansing two cycles ago?”
“Yes. It seems he will be appointed as the next Grand Divinator.”
The internal structure of the church’s clergy was complicated, and I didn’t really understand it, but if I remembered correctly, the Grand Divinator was the highest position of authority within the church and the leader of the Council of Diviners whose self-appointed task was to “divine the will of God” and lead the church accordingly.
“What’s interesting about that?”
“The shadows uncovered evidence that he was issuing orders to Runohark while stationed in the Linus Empire.”
I was shocked.
I had no idea who this Carry-doo-doo guy was, but essentially, she was saying that someone with proven ties to Runohark was about to become the most powerful person in the entire church, right?!
“Are you saying that he might be the mastermind who orchestrated Lady Nefertima’s kidnapping?”
“I’m saying he might even be the Holy Master we’ve been looking everywhere for.”
“But we don’t have concrete proof of this, right?”
Several gathered officials radiated a murderous rage in response to Zeiatiel’s announcement, but the emperor raised a hand indicating that they should not get ahead of themselves.
“Unfortunately not. The evidence we do have is not signed using the title of ‘holy master.’”
The fact that High Priest Carry-doo-doo (or whatever his name was!) had been issuing orders to Runohark agents implied he was, at the very least, a high-ranking figure within the organization. But it was still possible that even the leaders of Runohark didn’t know the Holy Master’s true identity…
Or maybe he really is the Holy Master?
“Can the shadows infiltrate Farshia?”
“They can physically get into the city by pretending to be pilgrims but say the organization itself is impossible to infiltrate.”
“I see… For the time being, let’s continue working on it in collaboration with the Kingdom of Gaché’s Intelligence Department,” the emperor concluded, decisively determining the plan of action.
Lady Zeiatiel bowed gracefully and took a step back.
“Lady Nefertima, it seems that Runohark has dug their claws in here in the Linus Empire as well. I doubt High Priest Carriduvelle spent his time praying devoutly to the God of Creation while he was stationed here.”
I think you’re probably right. So what you’re saying is, “Don’t let your guard down,” right?
“I’m sure it will feel stifling for you, but for the time being, at least until our investigation is complete, I would like you to remain within the imperial palace where you’re safe.”
“I understand. Am I still allowed to move freely so long as I stay inside the imperial palace?”
“Yes, but please ensure that you’re accompanied by a bodyguard at all times.”
I’ve always got either Shinki or Spica with me, and Seigo and Rikusei follow me around most of the time, so that shouldn’t be a hardship.
“Just to be safe, I’ll also assign elemental spirits to watch over you. I’ll instruct them to inform Euche immediately if anything happens.”
Oh boy, it looks like the number of elemental spirits surrounding me is going to increase yet again. I’ve already got the elemental spirits Sol and Lars assigned to watch over me, as well as those drawn to Shinki…
And as for you, Euche! What are you making such a determined face for?!
“While we’re at it, it’s probably about time to meet with the elemental kings. One can never have too many allies in protecting a beloved child,” the emperor said.
Huuuh?! Is he plotting to pressure even the elemental kings into protecting me?!
“In that case, I will arrange a meeting,” Lady Zeiatiel said.
Wait, is it okay to use the elemental kings like that? Isn’t anybody going to stop the emperor?
I glanced over at Lady Zeiatiel, bewildered and looking for backup, but she went on to say something alarming with a beautiful smile.
“If anything were to happen to the beloved child Lady Nefertima, the elemental spirits and holy beasts would surely become enraged. That’s why the elemental kings’ power is necessary: to protect not only our own empire but, indeed, all of the continent of Larshia. There’s no guarantee that the Goddess will bestow her mercy a second time, after all.”
Oh, is that it? He wants to be extra, extra cautious because if something happens, the Goddess might not suppress the elemental spirits and holy beasts’ anger this time? I didn’t get the impression that she was a cold-hearted goddess, but she is the daughter of that God, so I suppose I can’t afford to be too optimistic.
And that’s how it was decided that we’d be making a trip to the Elemental Palace!