Chapter 742

Three days later, Ophelia completed the magical tool for tracking Nidhogg, the so-called Soul Compass, as promised.

Whether it would actually work or not was something we wouldn’t know until we tried it.

Anyway, it was a truly eventful three days.

Not that any major incidents occurred, but… let’s just say we were swamped with all sorts of little mishaps.

We trained our allies, including Damien, sent letters to the Landenburg Territory to inform them that we would soon declare independence from the Empire and establish a kingdom…

“It’s an infinite honor to meet you, Saintess! I’m Patrice, a servant of the Goddess Astraea!”

“Ah… nice to meet you. You said your name was Patrash, right? Do you have any business with me?”

The priests of the Astraea Church Order, having heard the news of the Saintess’s appearance, dropped everything and rushed to my mansion. It was a ridiculously busy day.

—

Meanwhile, the Imperial Capital also underwent significant changes.

First, the city’s concept… or perhaps its design philosophy or architectural purpose—had fundamentally changed.

The former Exra-shapel was the capital where the Emperor resided, the largest residential area in the Empire, home to countless nobles and citizens.

However, the two calamities—the great fire caused by the Beastmen and Nidhogg’s rampage—turned the once-glorious and bustling metropolis into a living hell with an average lifespan of 40.

Although Leopold himself stepped forward and announced that financial support would be provided once the city’s restoration was complete, who in their right mind would want to return to such a city?

Of those who fled the capital, less than 1% expressed any desire to return, effectively marking the end of the city’s life as a residential area.

Thus, Leopold gave up on restoring Exra-shapel. Without resorting to extreme measures like forced relocation, it was impossible to restore the city’s population to its former level.

Only two paths remained for Exra-shapel: to decline into a ghost town barely inhabited by fewer than a thousand people, or to abandon its residential function and transform into a new city with a different purpose.

For example, a military city.

“Demolish the empty houses and build barracks and training grounds. Restore the collapsed walls, construct pastures for breeding warhorses, and expand watchtowers and outposts. The new Exra-shapel will not be a cradle for the Empire’s people but a great military city forging humanity’s shield and spear.”

Leopold seemed to think the same way. He abandoned plans to support the return of the capital’s residents and instead ordered the Imperial Army to be brought into the city, fortifying the entire capital.

Thus, Exra-shapel was reborn as a city for the Imperial Army, by the Imperial Army—a military fortress for training, housing, and deploying the Imperial Army.

—

Following Leopold’s orders, Exra-shapel began its redevelopment into a military city, but not all existing facilities were demolished.

Residential facilities for the families of the Imperial Army, commercial districts for their daily lives, and entertainment facilities to relieve the soldiers’ fatigue and stress were preserved.

The cathedrals of the Church Orders were no exception. In fact, the cathedrals were closer to being indispensable core facilities for maintaining the city.

Perhaps because of the existence of Healing Miracles and recovery potions, the medical technology of the Westerners was, at best, akin to quackery.

A city without priests could easily be wiped out by a minor epidemic.

And it wasn’t just about healthcare.

Combat priests who blessed knights to significantly enhance their combat abilities, and paladins who excelled against undead and monsters.

They, too, were invaluable assets in these chaotic times, far more important than ordinary knights. As the capital transformed into a military fortress, the influence and standing of the Church Orders continued to grow.

The Exra-shapel Cathedral, whose upper levels had been completely destroyed, was restored faster than the Imperial Palace. The Shaulite Church Order even planned to build three new cathedrals within the capital under the pretext of expanding treatment facilities for soldiers and residents.

The Shaulite Church Order, renowned among the Church Orders for its exceptional healing effects.

Their argument that it would be most efficient for them to handle the expanded treatment facilities was so reasonable that Archbishop Lacey reluctantly nodded in agreement.

The Astraea Church Order also experienced unprecedented rapid growth.

Though not particularly popular in the Empire—so much so that their cathedral was tucked away in a corner of the capital—the revelation that I was their Saintess brought about a change as massive as Leopold’s balding head.

The first Saintess of Order in hundreds of years.

Moreover, given that my identity was that of Median, the Empire’s strongest warrior with a reputation to match, it was like a gold mine had rolled into the Astraea Church Order.

I heard that donations large enough to buy a couple of gold mines had poured into the Church Order.

Most of the donations were used to aid those affected by the Insect-Dragon incident and monster uprisings, with the rest invested in training paladins and priests. Still, there was enough left to build one cathedral.

In other words, they did build a cathedral.

“…If I secretly destroy that, it’ll cause a huge uproar, won’t it?”

[Just give up and accept it. Isn’t it your own doing?]

I sighed lightly as I looked out the window of the Golden Mansion at the cathedral’s foundation being laid.

I had anticipated something like this ever since the Holy Mark was revealed… but I never expected them to start building a cathedral right next to the Golden Mansion.

Once it’s completed, I might have to hold morning prayer meetings every day. The thought alone was terrifying.

[Anyway, once you establish the kingdom, you won’t be staying here much, will you?]

‘Well, that’s true, but…’

Judging by their momentum, even if I made Landenburg the capital and holed up there, they’d probably follow me and build a new cathedral there too. The thought sent shivers down my spine.

—

After Ophelia completed the Soul Compass, I visited the overworked Leopold to discuss plans for subjugating Nidhogg.

Of course, I didn’t mention the Soul Compass.

Since the principle of tracking Nidhogg was based on Soul Extraction, the existence of this compass had to remain a secret between Ophelia and me.

So, all I asked about was when, with whom, and how we should proceed toward the Sky Mountain Range.

“I’d like to support you with Imperial knights, but… you know how it is. We don’t have the resources right now. My apologies.”

“So, it’s just me and Épée de Ciel heading to the Sky Mountain Range, then. If Tower Master Floheta could assist, it would be a great help…”

“The Tower Master cannot leave the capital. With the high-level mages wiped out in the fight against Nidhogg, if she leaves now, the Imperial Mage Tower would effectively shut down.”

So, no support from the Mage Tower either. Well, I expected as much.

With the Imperial Palace still in ruins and the Emperor conducting affairs from a small palace, it’s no surprise there’s no spare manpower to support me.

Unless they completely abandon the capital’s defense and monster subjugation within the Empire, it’s impossible.

“…Then there’s no other choice. I’ll handle it somehow.”

“I’m sorry. It seems I’m placing too much burden on you…”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not like this is the first time.”

I shrugged lightly, expressing my intention to take full responsibility.

It’s disappointing not to have the Imperial Army’s support, but we can’t just wait around until they’re able to help.

“I’ve already made all the preparations, so I’ll depart within two days. If we switch horses along the way, we should reach the Sky Mountain Range in about six days.”

If I were going alone, four days would be enough, but with others accompanying me, such a forced march is impossible. It’ll take at least a week.

“…That’s a bit long.”

It’s unlikely anything will happen in that week, but you never know. If Nidhogg is discovered and subjugated during that time, things could get very awkward.

“No need to worry about that.”

However, Leopold seemed to think differently, raising his head with a confident smile.

“I said it’s difficult to provide military support, but I never said it’s impossible. Right?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Do you remember the Airship Project? The aerial warship we planned together. The prototype was just completed yesterday. A perfect success, having passed all stability tests.”

This was shocking news, so I widened my eyes and asked again.

“The airship is complete?”

How could it be finished so soon? Under normal circumstances, maybe, but with the Mage Tower and the capital in ruins, how…?

“That’s right. Thanks to Floheta’s hard work, even sacrificing her sleep.”

Ah… they’ve been grinding Floheta to the bone.

Only then did I understand how they managed to complete it so quickly.

Poor Floheta. No wonder she’s been looking like a walking corpse lately. The Imperial pressure to complete the airship must have kept her from getting any proper sleep.

She must be deeply regretting taking the position of Tower Master by now.