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THE capital of the Kingdom of Kophe, in the conference room known as the Room of Tranquility. It was located further inside a larger meeting space. Weapons, magic, and supernatural abilities were prohibited in this room. There gathered the royal family, grand chancellor, several ministers, and the Church’s high priest and his aide. They sat in order of rank around the marble table, on the middle of which rested a number of strongly worded letters. Each one discussed Richard Il Belktrius, the emperor’s younger brother from the neighboring Belktrius Empire.
The latest letter contained a vociferous condemnation of the Kingdom’s neglect over the present situation and detailed the dispatch of the Imperial Order of Knights, Special Forces for the just cause of providing humanitarian aid and monster extermination.
Chancellor Kantas groaned in disgust. “To think they actually marched on our country…”
When the first correspondence arrived noting the prince’s intention to cross over the border leading his knights, none of them took it seriously. The very idea of a prince doing so was laughable. However, over the past year or so, Richard himself created a fait accompli by sending a number of similar letters, essentially establishing the fact that Kophe was well aware of the communications. And then, in what these officials of Kophe thought of as an exaggerated disclosure, he revealed the Kingdom’s situation to other countries in an effort to seek their understanding and approval of his relief efforts.
Finally, two weeks ago, the man brazenly traversed the border. According to the latest letter, Prince Richard was already working together with a few of Kophe’s lords. The king standing idly by doing nothing had created the justification for invasion. No decision had been reached on how to deal with the emperor’s younger brother.
“The only option is to order all the lords to turn against him and attack.”
This aggressive declaration came from the commander of the royal order of knights. Veins bulged in his forehead as he angrily clenched his fists.
“Our opponent is the Ferocious Crown Prince. There’s no doubt his true motive is invasion and not simply humanitarian aid. At the beginning of this year, territory was ceded in the north due to a dispute with a margrave, but it seems that Prince Richard was involved in the matter,” said one of the ministers.
“I agree that the relief efforts are just a pretext for his true designs, so we need to focus on attacking that justification. Because if we don’t tread carefully now, we run the risk of stirring the hornet’s nest that is the Empire’s army.”
This came from the Chairman of the House of Lords, who rubbed his beard restlessly as he tilted his head in contemplation.
“Hm…I suppose it would be difficult to request assistance from our other neighbors in countering imperial aggression?”
“The nations to which we have ties through their nobles marrying ours have already declared their approval for Prince Richard’s rescue efforts.”
These words were spoken by an influential aristocrat.
The king, silent until now, posed a question to the high priest in a hoarse voice. “High priest, our country’s campaign to destroy the monsters ought to be proceeding smoothly. There shouldn’t be any openings for our enemies to take advantage of us. So the only natural conclusion is that the lords cooperating with him are rebelling against the state.”
“It is as you say, Your Majesty.”
“Then do you suggest we impose penalties and give orders to hunt down the lords who have defected to the imperial prince’s side?”
“That would be the quickest way to resolve this problem.”
“We are agreed then.”
A few of the nobles aware of the true state of affairs in Kophe exchanged meaningful glances but held their tongues. Most of the people in attendance at this conference didn’t know the reality of the catastrophe ravaging their country. So discussing the results of the high priest’s rejection of holy women was perceived as rebellion against him.
No one was willing to risk their position by revealing the truth. And those filled with righteous indignation at the current events had long since been ousted from this council.
One of the nobles made a remark, being careful not to offend the high priest. “Your Majesty, I’m of the firm belief that the unholy woman is the cause of all this.”
A chill suddenly descended. The high priest thumped his golden pewter staff hard on the floor. Thwak! The sound reverberated all the way to the ceiling with its fresco painting.
“That woman…that woman tempted the imperial prince in order to exact vengeance on her homeland. She is the mastermind behind all this.”
No one refuted the high priest’s words.
“Setting aside the matter of Prince Richard, we’ll have them deliver her and her alone to us. Then she will be executed.”
At the mention of Special Class Saint Monica Regulus, also known as the “arousing priestess” and other unsavory monikers, an atmosphere unique to those united against a common enemy erupted immediately.
“That’s right. She’s responsible for all this.”
“Even though most of our lands remain secure from the monsters, to think she and the Empire would invade so arrogantly after criticizing us for some minor missteps! That wanton saint is to blame.”
“Your Majesty! By your royal command, we will respond to Prince Richard and demand he hand over the unholy woman.”
Unexpectedly though, the king frowned and shook his head. “…We must be cautious.”
His words caused a stir amongst everyone in attendance.
“But why, Your Majesty?” The high priest sounded flabbergasted.
“I know her too. But remember that she was just an ordinary commoner. It would be dangerous to make her a martyr by executing her and thereby giving the people a cause for rebellion. So if the Ferocious Crown Prince insists on marching on our nation because of a holy woman from Kophe, we must proceed carefully.”
“I’m not satisfied with your judgment.”
The two most powerful people in this room were the high priest and the king. Lately, they had been working together to set the tone for the country, so if their opinions diverged, nothing was accomplished. Ultimately, with the two of them at odds, no consensus could be reached and the meeting was adjourned in the interim.