༺ Religious Fanatics (1) ༻
The Empire had a good relationship with the Holy Kingdom. Specifically speaking, the Dawn Sect was friendly toward the Livnoman Imperial Family. However, it was essentially the same since both controlled their respective countries.
The reason for this friendly relationship was simple. Emperor Amanca, the one who founded the Empire, abandoned the previous calendar based on the Empire’s founding and adopted the Sacred Calendar based on the year of the Dawn Sect’s establishment. From the Dawn Sect’s perspective, the Livnoman Royal Family probably looked lovely.
Indeed, the previous calendar was quite messed up. Every time there’s a change in the Empire, the first year also changes. For instance, what was the Imperial Year 150 yesterday could suddenly become the year 400 B.C. The continent had to endure this absurdity twice.
“The entire continent follows Enen’s teachings, so how come the history is based on human standards?”
However, instead of changing the calendar again based on the new Empire, Emperor Amanca introduced the Sacred Calendar. As a result, the already high status of the Dawn Sect skyrocketed even more.
When a new King was coronated, they sent a bishop to attend. However, when a new Emperor was coronated, the Pope himself came and gave a speech. Well, considering the amount of donations they received, that wasn’t surprising.
Anyway, the Livnoman Imperial Family, and by extension, the Empire, had a friendly relationship with the Dawn Sect. And if you get along with someone, you’ll inevitably fall out with someone else.
“They’ve shown their true colors to the Empire three years ago, too.”
The sight of the Minister of Intelligence openly displaying his anger and contempt for the Twilight Cult made me nod unconsciously. That’s right, those bastards had done something similar to the Empire three years ago.
Being friendly with the Dawn Sect would inevitably make the Empire the enemy of the Twilight Cult.
From the perspective of the Twilight Cult, which sought to oust the Dawn Sect and become the dominant religion, the Empire was no different from an enemy.
So, three years ago, when the Empire’s attention was focused on the North, the Twilight Cult infiltrated the Capital and assassinated the bishop who was responsible for the Empire. They had caused a single incident and managed to offend both the Empire and the Holy Kingdom.
“They must think that it’ll work again since it has worked once.”
“How distasteful.”
At my words, the expression of the Minister of Intelligence darkened even more.
I shared his sentiment. It was one thing to attempt an assassination when Tannian was at the Academy, but targeting the heart of the Empire?
This clearly showed that they were underestimating the Empire. The fact that these heretics thought lightly of the Empire was unforgivable.
‘I won’t let them take the Empire lightly.’
For my honor and dignity, I must send these fools who belittled the Empire to hell. I’m going to purify them with fire. These dirty heretics.
“I plan to inform the Ministry of War soon. I assume they will also grind their teeth against the Twilight Cult.”
Leaving behind the Minister of Intelligence who was contemplating ’29 ways to annihilate the Twilight Cult,’ the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke up. That’s right. The Ministry of War also had a lot of grudges against the Twilight Cult.
The Ministry of War suffered greatly from the incident three years ago. They were criticized heavily by the Emperor. They were already in a precarious situation with the North, and then the Capital had been infiltrated. If the palace were to be breached, it would’ve been a disaster.
The 1st Imperial Guard Division especially suffered a lot. The Commander, who was about to be promoted, was demoted and, soon after, was forced to retire.
Fueled by hatred toward the Twilight Cult, the retired commander started a second life as a Holy Knight of the Dawn Sect with the sole purpose of capturing and killing the Twilight Cult. What a tragic story.
Mentioning the Twilight Cult to the War Department would definitely ignite their trauma, and they’d rush to help. At least we won’t have a shortage of manpower.
“We need to prepare to ambush them.”
“That’s right. We can’t let a battle take place in the capital.”
That was true. If a battle, not a simple assassination, happened in the Capital, things wouldn’t end with just a few officials getting demoted. At the very least, the three of us would be forced to take responsibility.
To make things worse, the Emperor’s mood had been poor lately. He must have been anxious due to the ominous signs in the North. And now, they want us to say something like, “Those guys who came to the Capital three years ago have returned.” That’s asking for a death sentence without a trial.
‘These damn bastards.’
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. They’d remained quiet when Tannian was in the Holy Kingdom. They had also been silent while he was staying in the Academy, and now they were going to make a move when he was in the Capital?
It was true that the Twilight Cult had managed to kill someone in the Capital while they didn’t have much success in the Holy Kingdom. However, that was only because of the Mage Duchess’s absence, a key figure in the Capital’s defense, and the fact that the Empire had poured much effort into the North’s war. Normally, they wouldn’t have been able to get even close to the Capital.
If they think they can push us around, it’s time to get at them. That’s our duty as the Empire’s Civil Servants.
“I have a favor to ask the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager.”
While I was burning with a sense of duty, the Minister of Foreign Affairs told me why he’d summoned me.
“I’d like for the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager and the Masked Unit to participate in ambushing the Twilight Cult.”
I had expected this request, so I nodded. As long as Tannian was part of the pastry club, I had a reason to step forward to protect him.
“And I hope the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager can request support from the Mage Duchess.”
“Sorry?”
This was something I didn’t see coming.
After promising me that they would inform me about the details after they talked with the Ministry of War, they guided me to the Magic Tower. This might have sounded like a polite send-off, but it was essentially a dismissal.
With a smile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs bid me farewell. However, as soon as the Mage Duchess was mentioned, the Minister of Intelligence quickly sent me to the Magic Tower. Damn, so he was listening.
‘How annoying.’
Going to see the Mage Duchess first felt a bit awkward, but it was doable. However, bringing up the Twilight Cult before her was quite uncomfortable.
“Baby, did I just mishear something?”
See? She gave such a passionate response.
When I first entered the Mage Duchess’s office, she warmly welcomed me, saying she was pleased to see me. Thanks to that, we could have a reasonably pleasant conversation.
Just until the moment I mentioned the Twilight Cult.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace, but you heard correctly.”
I bowed my head to avoid the burning gaze of the angered Mage Duchess. I’m innocent. I’m just the messenger.
Fortunately, she seemed to recognize my innocence because her sharp gaze softened with a sigh.
“It’s okay. Lift your head.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
As I lifted my head, I saw the Mage Duchess with her eyes closed, immersed in thought. She was tapping on the desk. However, this silence seemed like the calm before the storm. Please, say something.
“It’s been three years.”
After the silence, the Mage Duchess softly spoke. Her voice, although quiet, sent chills down my spine.
‘These bastards.’
It was shocking to see how many people’s hatred they had obtained with one single action. Their efficiency was certainly impressive.
“How dare they. Is it because they don’t know that they were only lucky the last time?”
“Aren’t they just blind and foolish fanatics? It’s natural for them to act like that without understanding their position.”
Upon hearing my words, the Mage Duchess nodded. After all, she knew better than anyone how insane the members of the Twilight Cult were.
The peak of the Twilight Cult was about 90 years ago. It was at a time when the Mage Duchess was at her peak…
“Baby.”
“Ah, yes.”
Her cold voice surprised me. For a moment, I thought she’d read my thoughts.
“I wasn’t here that time, so I couldn’t deal with them.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that.”
The day when the bishop passed away and returned to Enen’s side, the Mage Duchess was in her territory. She was gathering reinforcements to send to the North.
The Mage Duchess was a key figure in the Capital’s defense, so having that happen while she was away was a disaster. Some might think that she was somewhat responsible, but since she’d been absent due to the war and not for personal reasons, she received the Emperor’s sympathy instead.
“Now, they’re targeting the Capital while I’m here.”
The Emperor had acknowledged that the Mage Duchess was innocent and she had avoided responsibility, but she couldn’t avoid the humiliation and disgrace. However, the Mage Duchess was a noble of the Empire, so she couldn’t leave. That’s why she’d been enduring it all this time.
“To think that they would come here on their own two feet to be executed.”
Those whom she wanted to catch and kill were finally coming to her on their own feet.
The Mage Duchess willingly decided to help send off the Twilight Cult. Judging by her reaction, it seemed like she would have gotten angry at me if we’d dealt with the Twilight Cult without telling her beforehand.
Well, if I had heard that the ones I wanted to kill had been wiped out without my knowledge, I would have felt both frustration and emptiness.
Anyway, it was fortunate. If the Ministry of Intelligence and War and even the Mage Duchess would step in, it was as if the situation was already over. How did those bastards gather the courage to charge toward the Capital?
‘I don’t understand them.’
I never understood fanatics to begin with, but I couldn’t understand them even more today.
No, it wasn’t just fanatics; it’s hard to understand people who were devout to their religion as a whole.
“Is there a good forest around the Capital?”
“Forest?”
It seemed that way, seeing as how Tannian was walking towards me and asking me that as soon as I returned to my mansion.
Why was he suddenly looking for a forest? Was he thinking of forest bathing?
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