Chapter 154

My plan required a high-ranking clergyman like Saint Matheos or Bishop Hong.

Since I would be traveling on a wyvern, it seemed better to bring along Matheos, who already had experience.

Of course, he would probably scream again, giving his wonderful voice a break, but it was fine since I wouldn’t be the one screaming.

As expected.

One problem was that ever since the incident at the Alchenversar Monastery, the Church of Light had completely ‘marked’ me.

Internally, I had coordinated with Bishop Argos, but outwardly, I had kidnapped a saint for over a month.

To make matters worse, I had shown the rude performance of flying into the courtyard on a wyvern, dangling the saint in the air, which was not looked kindly upon by the Church.

In the aftermath, a small riot broke out, with people gathering as far as the Imperial Palace.

There were probably many who thought I had already been excommunicated.

Thus, I was in a situation where I could not confidently enter the cathedral, meet the saint, and suggest that we head to Gremoryus’ territory together.

Even if I approached, the holy knights would come rushing with fiery eyes, ready to wash away my sins through “formal but truly painful penance”.

However, I had to make the saint come out, not the other way around.

Yesterday, I had sent a letter through the palace attendants explaining the situation and my plans, but that didn’t mean Matheos would willingly come out.

The pride of the Church of Light was at stake, but Saint Matheos was also incredibly busy.

He was originally known for performing miracles that saved people on the brink of death, and in return, he was traveling everywhere, purifying the afflicted.

He wouldn’t have time to be persuaded to visit Gremoryus’ territory in a month, let alone actually go.

So, I had no choice but to resort to somewhat unconventional means.

* * *

Deng. Deng. Deng. Deng…

I timed it for the moment he finished the special fundraiser mass he was hosting for the court nobles.

The maids and attendants of the noble families flocked to escort their lords and ladies.

Rudi naturally blended in with the crowd and followed behind Matheos, who stepped out to get some fresh air through a side door.

The saint’s senses were on par with a Sword Master, but amidst the overpowering scents of fragrant candles, the bustling footsteps of nobles and maids, and the afternoon bell ringing, it was impossible for him to carefully guard against one seemingly ordinary maid.

Especially if that maid was a trained mana user and wearing a magic ring as well.

“Saint! I’m sorry!”

Rudi sprang up, infused mana into both the ‘Blessing of Wind’ ring and ‘Life Revival’ ring, and dashed toward me, waiting around the corner.

“Duke Valen! Have you kidnapped me again? Is kidnapping clergy your hobby?”

Matheos struggled, but since he had received the ultimatum, he didn’t truly resist.

“Looking back now, your suggestion to kidnap and exile Bishop Hong was very mild! What a rude act it is to steal a saint like a kitten!”

He was simply contorting his dignified yet strong face as he looked at me.

I chuckled and reassured him.

“I generously provided ample supplies of smuggled tobacco, didn’t I? With that money, there shouldn’t be a single hungry soul in this area for months. Why are you so fixated on this fundraising event?”

Matheos raised his thick eyebrows and, with righteous anger flashing in his deep eyes, retorted,

“Because of you buying all the grain in the central region, the price of grain has skyrocketed! Orphans and widows are on the brink of starving to death. What kind of imperial family lends money at interest to its own citizens?”

“Excuse me?”

Did I buy up all the grain?

Now that I think about it, Jeilliris seemed to have said something similar.

I’ll have to check when I get back.

I shrugged since I knew nothing.

Matheos, perhaps understanding that differently, gaped and attempted to recite the Lord’s Prayer in anger, while I grabbed the reins with my right hand and shoved two fingers from my left hand into Matheos’ mouth.

“Agak?!”

Matheos stared at me as if he was witnessing something utterly incomprehensible.

The sight of the man of lofty virtue and strong demeanor losing composure was worth seeing in itself, but since holy knights and furious citizens were rushing from behind, I urged the horse onward.

“Uhhahaha!”

The masked Rudi’s voice chanting a penitent prayer drifted faintly behind me.

“O Light, I have committed an unforgivable rudeness against your son…”

Matheos was, after all, a compassionate human.

In response to the sweet voice of the guilt-ridden maid, the saint replied firmly yet kindly.

“Dear lamb, the one who kills is not the sword, but the man wielding it, thus you bear no guilt. In the name of the Light Father, I forgive you; lift your head…”

But just then, as I turned the horse’s head, Matheos’ horse came to an abrupt stop.

“…Duke Valen. Where are we going? This path seems somewhat familiar.”

I answered cheerfully.

“Of course, we’re going to Wyvernfit!”

The saint’s mouth opened once more, and a torrent of astonished and furious phrases spilled forth.

“You! Offspring of serpents and demons! Daughter of the chaos consumed by chaos! Where do you intend to take me, who has the Lord of Light as my father? How can I entrust this body to a beast filled with those terrible wings, vile jaws, and the spawn of the Eight Sins?”

“Saint! Is the lamb going to become the daughter of chaos in under a minute?”

Rudi’s face turned pale, and I laughed heartily, leaving the distance behind.

* * *

Before the Gremoryus family took over the abandoned fortresses, mines, and palaces centuries ago, the land was home to a flourishing dwarf kingdom.

Before the underground demons and the immense Greenskin Horde turned the dwarf kingdom into ruins, it was one of the largest mining cities on this continent.

The first Gremoryus defeated the descendants of those Greenskins who destroyed that mining city and killed the underground demons, imprisoning dwarves who came to reclaim their ancestral land to learn metallurgy and architecture.

Even afterward, the Gremoryus faced many invasions, but the fortresses built in the dwarf style boasted a grandeur rivaling those in the northern region.

They lived like turtles carrying an everlasting well within their shells.

The fortresses were solid, and the mines were deep.

Being already affluent, they didn’t crave more, and being secure meant they didn’t need to threaten others.

That continued until the latest generation of Gremoryus came into being.

Benechion Kimmelion Gremoryus.

Like his father and grandfather before him, he was a great lord wearing a crown of black iron atop his beautiful black hair.

Unlike previous lords who lived like kings in a well, focused solely on the profitability of the mine and the thickness of the fortress walls, he had a deep concern for the happiness of his subjects, culture and history, and magic.

“Don’t overreach. This month’s goal is 80% of the deliveries.”

“But the profits…”

“More important than profits is the health of my subjects.”

“…Understood.”

“I heard that you’re still using the passages the dwarves used.”

“Considering safety, the middle side is out of the question. Their technology isn’t something we can….”

“Widen the passage with supports. No matter how precious the gem mine is, I can’t allow children under ten to be crawling in there.”

“…Understood.”

“This spring, let’s hold a festival too. On that day, let the subjects wash off the stone dust and wear splendid suits and beautiful dresses.”

“Yes! Let’s give it a try!”

The hesitant vassals and retainers quickly came to understand the new lord’s sincerity.

The new lord was a figure much more ‘worth following’ than the Gremoryus lords from previous generations, who lived surrounded by their wealth and died surrounded by their wealth.

“Our lord is noble and wise.”

“Thanks to him, life has become so much better.”

“What a refined hobby. Who but an extraordinary individual would have a passion for magic and ancient script deciphering?”

“Previous lords just cracked the whip for deeper digging, confined amid the mines and gold. It seems that those above shouldn’t have their work and hobbies align. Hahaha.”

He enjoyed hobbies he could pursue without exploiting his subjects, and as a heterogeneous hybrid, he achieved his own accomplishments.

“The dwarves summoned the demons. Their greed for deeper digging ruined everything.”

He was able to interpret records from over a thousand years ago through self-study.

As happiness beyond count continued to multiply in the territory, a new wind blew.

* * *

“The Emperor’s consort…”

“If it’s burdensome, you can send a distant relative.”

“Is there no vacancy in the succession?”

‘Now is the time to forge a deep connection with the Imperial Family and step outside. I can’t withstand this fortress forever.’

Grace’s insight and longstanding records vividly showed him the near future.

‘In the last hundred years, the occurrences of magical realms have nearly tripled. Compared to 300 years ago, it exceeds tenfold.’

As time flowed, the infiltrators and magical realms would increase, and one day, even the walls of that fortress would crumble.

His father, grandfather, and countless ancestors endured, hoping that such a day wouldn’t come in their lifetimes, but he was different.

‘I must go out. Based on a stable stronghold, I need to implement aggressive policies. It’s not just about surviving in here.’

He sent his sister and older cousin to establish blood ties with the Imperial Family.

“Sister, Graya. Listen well. You two must lead the social scene. Enter the mainstream faction and bring about progressive change. Only by having the Imperial Family, great lords, and the Church unite can we stand against the infiltrators and create a better world.”

Contrary to his concerns, his two close relatives fared well.

“Goodness! Is there really a diamond this large?”

“If you’d like, I’ll present it to the Lady Bessen. Oh, please, don’t decline. This tiara surely wishes to be paired with someone worthy.”

“I’d like to return the favor as well; is there anything you wish for?”

“Then, during the Imperial Assembly…”

With the considerable support from Benechion, the two became a luminary in the social scene, transforming from holy figures into influential figures.

Gaining the Emperor’s favor, they bore several brilliant sons and daughters who became the closest allies of the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

“When we’re alone, you may address me by name.”

“!”

“I can trust you siblings above all else. If you desire a position, speak it. When I become Emperor, we will lead the Empire together.”

“I’d like to handle foreign affairs, negotiating with the high nobles to bring benefits to the Imperial Family.”

“I want to become a court duke! Controlling the capital and pledging loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor.”

The siblings echoed their mother’s voice, and the two mothers conveyed Benechion’s voice.

The Crown Prince and the siblings had matured, and Benechion, who was of an age akin to their father, had now become a refined gentleman in his middle years.

One ordinary day, a letter came in from his sister and younger brother.

[The holy figure infiltrated the First Prince faction.

14 years old. Supposedly, they emerged from the basement of the Court Magic Guild. I don’t have detailed information yet, but they resemble the Emperor.

Skilled in both swordsmanship and magic, there are concerns about their funeral.]

Mediocre poisons or assassins wouldn’t do.

They were already a remarkable sword mage.

We’ve tried several times, but all have failed.]

In response, Benechion replied.

[Very well. I will send the masked sword demons.

Could you tell me their name in your next letter?

I might never hear it again, but I’m curious considering how you both speak of them.]

How could one forget that name?

[Jeilliris.]

That name changed everything.

Months later, Benechion witnessed the heads of his sister, younger sister, and nephews fall at the hands of Jeilliris.

“Jeilliris’ brother is… coming to my territory?”

He continued to wear the crown of black iron atop his still beautiful black hair.

But his gaze was cold and sunken.

“Very well. Let him come. Guide him deep to the most secluded part of this fortress. I shall gladly welcome him and show him how cruel the dwarves’ torture methods truly are.”