Chapter 436

A letter from Kurt Reicher, Cardinal of the Imela Church Order.

It was an invitation filled with surprisingly polite wording, considering it was sent to someone close to being an enemy.

He invited me and Lacey to discuss the future of the Holy Kingdom.

He also mentioned wanting Milia to come, not for any special reason, but likely because her nickname, “Imela’s Arrow,” piqued his interest.

“The future of the Holy Kingdom, huh? That’s quite a grandiose expression. In reality, it’s probably about the future of his own Church Order.”

Lacey’s response was a bit sarcastic.

Well, even I could tell it was blatant.

This guy, who had only shown hostility and wariness toward Lacey before, suddenly sending an invitation—what could his reason be?

With both Paulus and Erich dead, the Saintly Struggle Society is on the verge of collapse.

Three Church Orders merged into one, but before they could do anything, he’s the only one left. How absurd.

“So, what are you going to do? It seems like meeting him would be a good idea.”

“That’s right. The Kranuus Church Order refused to cooperate with us, and the Menes Church Order is silent, so shouldn’t we at least try to pull in the Imela Church Order?”

Lacey also smiled, as if this was a good opportunity.

—

The Imela Church Order’s cathedral was, for better or worse, a place befitting the temple of the Goddess of Love.

The interior, decorated with bright colors, was filled with sculptures and large paintings like other cathedrals, but the content was quite different.

The St. Eluniel Cathedral was adorned with war paintings and heroic sculptures, giving off a majestic atmosphere.

The Menes Church Order’s cathedral felt like the night sky had been brought indoors.

In contrast, the Imela Church Order’s paintings and sculptures depicted the goddess and her priestesses without any embellishment.

In other words…they were all nude.

The sculptures of the goddess and the paintings presumed to be of priestesses were all completely naked.

Looking at each one, they felt more classical than obscene…but still, with naked women everywhere, it was hard to tell if this was a temple or a high-end brothel.

At least there were no works depicting the process of making children.

There were plenty of works showing women holding children, though.

Thank goodness.

If there had been paintings or sculptures like that, it really would’ve felt like a brothel.

Even the priests wandering the cathedral were mostly women.

At a glance, there were about nine times more women than men.

…I heard the Cardinal was definitely a man.

Could it be that the Imela Church Order’s cathedral was like a harem for him…?

“This is kind of embarrassing… If I had come with Damien, it might’ve been awkward.”

Milia, too, was walking with slightly flushed cheeks amidst the sea of flesh tones.

She seemed to have nowhere to look, her gaze fixed downward.

“Amazing. I didn’t know you still had a sense of shame, Milia.”

I thought that had all evaporated long ago.

“…….”

Milia didn’t say anything after that.

From her expression, she didn’t seem angry, just that her embarrassment had reached its limit.

—

“Thank you for accepting my invitation. Acting Cardinal Elmain, Sir Median, and Milia.”

Cardinal Kurt welcomed us with great enthusiasm.

He was an old man with droopy eyes, giving off a particularly frail impression. His pale complexion and sunken eyes suggested poor health, though not to the point of immediate collapse like Drexler.

We sat on the sofa he guided us to and enjoyed the tea and snacks prepared in advance while engaging in a long conversation.

He seemed determined to join hands with us.

He lavished praise on Ai-mel-ra de Median, whom I had never met, and even offered Milia some advice on married life, saying he had heard she and her husband got along well.

Watching a seventy-year-old bachelor give marital advice to a teenage girl made me wonder if it was advice or just teasing.

Well…since neither Milia nor Lacey seemed uncomfortable, I guess it was genuine advice.

After finishing the flattery-filled introduction, Cardinal Kurt finally got to the main topic.

As the conversation turned to the politics of the Holy Kingdom, Milia lost interest and started admiring the decorations in the Cardinal’s room, while I, unable to smoke, soothed my bored mouth with snacks.

“So…this has become quite troublesome, hasn’t it? We only set up enemies in the Saintly Struggle Society to balance the forces, but Paulus met his end, and Erich, true to his nature, is gone. Now, I’m the only Cardinal left in the Saintly Struggle Society.”

“Both incidents were truly regrettable.”

Lacey sipped her tea without batting an eye.

While Paulus’s death was one thing, Erich’s suicide was largely our doing, yet she showed no trace of guilt—a poker face worthy of emulation.

Come to think of it, I wonder what state the Menes Church Order is in now.

With the Cardinal dead, has that female Saint candidate taken real power?

“Regrettable… Anyway, whether by chance or fate, only the Cardinals of the Saintly Struggle Society are meeting unfortunate ends. Unintentionally becoming the head of the Saintly Struggle Society, I can’t sleep for fear of when the assassin’s blade might turn toward me.”

“My, you must be under great stress.”

It seemed more than just stress, as Cardinal Kurt let out a deep sigh.

Among the Cardinals, he was known for his particularly fragile personality, and it showed.

At least Erich had shown some spirit, shouting until he was cornered.

Though his speeches were just warmongering, so I only half-listened.

“This isn’t just a minor concern. Even if we try to ally with other Church Orders, the arrogant Holy Sun Alliance won’t accept us, and allying with the Bølberg Church Order is out of the question since they’re utterly untrustworthy. So, here’s the thing…”

After sipping his tea, Cardinal Kurt finally revealed his true purpose for calling us.

As expected, it was a proposal to cooperate with them.

Since unifying the Holy Kingdom is impossible, the only way to maintain stability and peace is for the three forces to balance and check each other.

He suggested abandoning the name “Saintly Struggle Society” and forming a new faction by uniting the Elpinel, Aushrine, and Imela Church Orders.

There didn’t seem to be any reason to refuse.

After new Cardinals are appointed in the Menes and Kranuus Church Orders, things might change, but for now, Cardinal Kurt’s proposal seemed like the best option.

“…Indeed, for the stabilization of the Holy Kingdom, that method seems optimal.”

After silently listening to Cardinal Kurt’s passionate speech, Lacey, seemingly sharing my thoughts, nodded after some consideration.

“However, if you wish to ally with us, you must agree to one condition.”

“A condition?”

“Yes. Tolerate the existence of the Empire’s Diocese and officially recognize their independence. That is my condition.”

Lacey laid out the same condition she had with Paulus.

Her tone was firm, as if to say cooperation was out of the question without this.

It wasn’t an easy question to answer, and Cardinal Kurt pondered for a long time without responding.

Until his teacup was empty.

“Is it difficult?”

“…It’s not a simple matter. Within the Empire, the Diocese is viewed positively for its contributions to witch hunts, but here in the Holy Kingdom, the Empire’s Diocese is seen as a puppet organization colluding with secular power and a seed of new division. To tolerate such an organization, we must first resolve the believers’ distrust and prejudice toward the Diocese.”

A valid point.

Though it’s not something Lacey would find pleasing.

“Are you refusing? That’s truly regrettable.”

Lacey’s voice, expressing regret, was slightly lower than usual, sounding almost like a judge delivering a death sentence.

…The way she said it made me feel like I should draw my sword and behead this old man.

“No, wait. I’m not saying I refuse. I just mean that I can’t tolerate the current Diocese.”

Perhaps sensing the same vibe, Cardinal Kurt hurriedly continued, sweating nervously.

“I have a plan, so hear me out. In short…”

To summarize, he advised solving the Holy Kingdom’s problems under the Diocese’s name to gain the people’s support.

The Holy Kingdom is riddled with issues beyond the Church Orders’ divisions, so if Lacey personally steps up to solve them, the people might view the Diocese’s existence more positively.

Like how she eradicated the Dream Paradise Society in Holon.

“That’s a reasonable suggestion. Except for the fact that I can’t leave the Holy City due to the hearing issue.”

“You don’t need to worry about the hearing. With only six Cardinals left, if I and the Aushrine Church Order oppose it, the hearing can’t even be held. For now, indefinitely postponing the hearing schedule shouldn’t be difficult.”

Cardinal Kurt raised the corner of his mouth, as if to reassure us.

—

The meeting with Cardinal Kurt concluded successfully.

Lacey accepted his proposal and promised to form a united faction of the Elpinel, Imela, and Aushrine Church Orders.

The name “Saintly Struggle Society” seemed tainted, so they planned to change it to something new.

After finishing the discussion, we shook hands with the Cardinal and returned to the cathedral, informing our companions that we might need to visit other cities soon.

The group, who had been idly waiting in the Holy City, seemed to find the news refreshing and responded positively to Lacey’s explanation.

Especially Rana, who was thrilled at the prospect of visiting her hometown.

—

And a few hours later.

When the sun had completely set and everyone was preparing for bed, an unexpected visitor arrived at the St. Eluniel Cathedral.

“Pardon the late hour. I wish to meet Elmain Staldorf, the Saint candidate of the Elpinel Church Order… Is it possible at this time?”

A sharp-eyed girl with shimmering gray eyes and long, night-sky-like dark blue hair.

“Please inform her that Agnes Menesilia, the Saint candidate, has come to visit.”

She revealed her identity by showing the holy symbol around her neck.

The unique two-colored disk-shaped symbol of the Menes Church Order.