Chapter 90

90.

***

After discussing the additional points for the attack on Calhig, Iris and I decided on a plan to be gradually developed during the urgent meeting.

Given that this operation needed to be handled carefully despite its large scale, it would be counterproductive to decide every single detail too early on. In both my past and present life, I’ve learned that meticulously laid out plans could still unravel.

For plans of this magnitude, it’s better to only create the broad outlines: the direction, the goals, the key considerations – just the blueprint. The rest can be left to the people handling the practicalities. Iris and I, meanwhile, only needed to review reports and prepare for any anticipated variables.

With this approach in mind, we concluded the meeting and each department began working on the Calhig campaign. A week has passed, and so far, everything has progressed smoothly without any issues.

The provisional start date is approximately three months away, and since this is quite a short time, everyone has been moving quickly. Even the husband of the Empress, who holds an important position in the palace, has been busy strengthening the Royal Knights.

Amidst these efforts, I made my way to the western sector.

“This is the Luelara Great Cathedral, isn’t it? Just as I’ve heard — it’s grand but simple.”

The Great Cathedral of the Bright Sect, named after the first saint, is the most important site for the sect, where historical relics of past saints are enshrined, and it’s a well-known pilgrimage destination. It also serves as the central hub for the Bright Sect, where all the information from the Western Continent is gathered and distributed.

Today, I’ve come here to meet Myna.

“Greetings and may the light be with you. Welcome, Your Highness. I am Soren.”

The middle-aged woman introduced herself simply as Soren. Her plain appearance gave the impression of an ordinary priest or follower, with her common brown hair typical of Altain and slightly wrinkled face. Her gentle smile exuded warmth, but her eyes remained firm and unwavering.

She maintained an elegant composure even in the presence of a duke.

“Thank you for the warm welcome, Soren. Though I informed you of my visit, I didn’t expect the Cardinal herself to come greet me.”

“It is only natural to welcome such a guest.”

Her white priest’s robe bore vibrant embroidery of the sun, a pattern reserved exclusively for the saint or high-ranking cardinals.

‘It’s fitting then.’

After all, this wasn’t just any visitor, but the second most important person in the empire. A Cardinal of the Bright Sect holds a rank comparable to Kierson or Barnel. So, it was only proper for at least a Cardinal-level official to meet me.

Though the Bright Sect isn’t a strictly hierarchical organization, roles and authority still carry considerable weight. If a lower-ranking priest had greeted me, the Imperial Palace would have definitely protested.

“Please follow me this way…”

Leaving behind the commotion caused by my visit and the Cardinal’s appearance, I followed Soren inside the Great Cathedral.

***

The interior of the cathedral was serene, much like the Central Guard Headquarters but with a softer atmosphere. While the Guard Headquarters projects a cool sense of discipline and order, the cathedral radiates warmth and reverence.

Guided by my curiosity, I slowly observed the decorations and the priests inside as I moved. Engaging in a simple conversation with Soren, I quickly reached my destination.

Please maintain silence, read a simple brown wooden door with no other markings.

“Saint Myna, I’ve brought the guest.”

Soren gently knocked on the door and a soft voice answered from the other side.

-Yes. Please come in.

With a soft click, Soren carefully opened the door, stepped aside, and closed it behind me as I entered.

As the sound of her retreating footsteps faded, I turned my gaze and saw Myna seated in her chair.

The saint, bathed in sunlight streaming through a small window, smiled warmly in her simple black priest’s robes. Though her attire lacked embellishment, her radiant hair shimmering in the sun, along with her serene countenance, evoked a profound sense of reverence.

‘Hmm, I still can’t get used to this.’

Having known her true nature beforehand, the gap between her real personality and outward appearance always seemed amusing to me.

Stacks of paper sat on her desk, with a wet quill tip indicating that she was deep into administrative work. A quick glance around revealed similar piles in various corners of her audience chamber.

It was clear she had more than her hands full. Comparing this to Iris’s office, it might not be too far-fetched to say they were evenly matched in terms of workload.

‘She probably complained a lot about having to do it.’

As I recalled a brief mention of her in a novel, Myna’s gentle voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Oh, good morning, Your Highness. It’s been a while since the wedding. I hope you’ve been well?”

“Thanks to your blessings, I’ve been going smoothly. Has the Saint been well?”

“Yes, I’ve been doing fine without change.”

Something felt a little off.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed a subtle tension in Myna. Through my enhanced senses, I could detect minute movements in her eyes and muscles that revealed her stiffness despite the smile on her face.

I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was causing her tension, but it seemed she bore no ill intentions. No need to overthink.

‘Hmm.’

With both of us being busy individuals, prolonging the conversation would be a waste of time. Cutting straight to the point, I spoke.

“Saint Myna, I’ve requested this audience for an important matter. There is something significant I need to discuss with you.”

“Im, an important matter? With me alone?”

Myna’s voice slightly cracked.

Her posture stiffened even further, and her ears began to redden. The tension in her earlier demeanor increased slightly, and I could sense a subtle rise in her body temperature.

‘What is she thinking?’

Could she have anticipated the war? Or perhaps guessed the purpose of my visit and was now trying to assess the level of demands?

‘That’s reasonable.’

After all, boasting the strongest influence across the continent means they had an extensive information network spread throughout. Among their followers devoted to the Sun Goddess, there would be a few minds skilled at organizing information.

All information from the Western Continent would be filtered by them and sent to the Luelara Great Cathedral, allowing the Saint insight into the continental situation.

‘This isn’t going to be easy.’

In essence, I’m here to either cut off or request cooperation from one of the sect’s major financial contributors. Given the nature of this request, Myna must find it quite uncomfortable.

As I thought of a few possible benefits to offer via the official letter, I addressed her, who had been staring at me intensely since the beginning.

“Yes, it’s important. This matter may cause some inconvenience to you, but it affects me, and indeed, the entire Empire. I hope you can understand.”

“Discomfort… Impact…? Indeed!”

“As you’ve likely guessed — that’s correct.”

With a solemn expression, Myna closed her eyes tightly.

Using this moment of determined composure, I continued calmly, and she also opened her mouth to speak.

“I cannot compromise on this war. Let’s negotiate on this premise.”

“Ahem, the message of the divine cannot be challenged! I’m ready to support you well…” she began with vigor but suddenly froze mid-sentence.

“War? Negotiation?”

She repeated, seemingly confused and bewildered, to which I nodded.

“This concerns the war against Calhig. Surely you understand its importance.”

“Wasn’t that a divine message? Arranged marriage…?”

“…An arranged marriage?”

If it referred to an arranged marriage, then that wasn’t an unusual matter in this world. It happened often in small villages under the guidance of elders, among nobles merging their families to grow their influence, and so on.

Nonetheless, this was a strange prophecy indeed. Did it suggest an alliance between Altain and Calhig through marriage?

“Did the Goddess speak of a marriage alliance between Altain and Calhig?”

As I filled my tone with evident curiosity, Myna’s face turned red instantly upon our gaze meeting.

“N, no, it’s not about that.”

She stumbled and avoided finishing her sentence, shaking her head. Taking a deep breath, Myna addressed me cautiously.

“I sense a similar divine favor upon you, Your Highness. Didn’t the goddess deliver a message to you?”

“I have no recollection of receiving any prophecy.”

I easily denied it, having only received a mark from the Goddess who descended, which doesn’t necessarily count as a prophecy.

At my response, her eyes flicked momentarily to my neck where the mark lay.

“No, is that so?”

Myna’s face visibly saddened.

Unlike her usual serene and gentle demeanor, her current indecisiveness presented a rather refreshing and enjoyable scene.

As I thought about how this character appeared in a novel, it hit me. Myna was one of the key characters that played a pivotal role alongside the protagonist and the Moon Sect saint.

‘She had other ideas.’

My assumption about her predicting the war must have been mistaken. The realization that she had her own narrative unfolding made me feel somewhat awkward.

As I contemplated in silence, Myna spoke first.

“I must have shown an embarrassing side. Please forgive me.”

Regaining her usual gentle demeanor, she cleared her throat and asked,

“You came here to negotiate the war. The opposing party being the Calhig Alliance.”

“That’s right.”

“Apologies if it comes across rudely, but why discuss this with me rather than directly with them? The relationship between the sect and the alliance is known to those who should know.”

I nodded in agreement, which made Myna smile gently.

“I understand your respect for the sect in approaching me first. In that case, as a member of this land and the representative of the sect, I’m duty-bound to adhere to propriety.”

She then shuffled through the papers on her desk, swiftly glancing at the content.

Her pink eyes alternated between the papers in her hand and my face.

Seemingly lost in thought, she murmured “Calhig,” quietly reviewing other documents before turning her gaze back to me.

Thus, she spoke again.

“The empire seems to want the sect to avoid involvement.”

“It’s their challenge this time.”

“The alliance provides considerable funds. There are many facilities and activities sustained by that. Despite this, they are considered fervent followers embodying the Sun’s shadow. Still, you intend to wage war against them?”

Myna’s question only confirmed my nod.

“This concerns the empire’s dignity. It’s not a matter to overlook easily either. With many eyes watching and hands reaching out. Not to mention the situation is pressing.”

With her expression turning serious, we locked eyes, and she listened quietly.

“You must have received some indication through the pilgrimage groups that something strange is happening in the north.”

At the mention of the northern front, Myna’s eyes sparkled.

***