Book 6: Chapter 5.2
Book 6: Chapter 5.2
「Sit down, Earl Sillys, Eva.」
「Is that alright?」the Earl asked.
「It doesn’t matter. In any case, I am certain I would need your cooperation, Earl. You who have a reputation for being the “Dagger of the Holy Kingdom”.」the Holy Queen said.
「That is quite a fear-inducing title.」
The Earl and Eva sat across Grenjido.
「Let’s get into the main subject. There was a request for military movement from Cardinal Thomason of the Church.」
「That big of an emergency?!」
Grenjido’s eyes widened.
「Judging from the Earl’s reaction, it seems that you have already grasped the information.」
「We received a letter from a trusted source not long ago.」
The Earl presented the letter from Reiji. One of the knights received it and handed it to the Holy Queen.
The content of the letter would have been unbelievable if it was from anyone other than Reiji.
The two worlds are in danger of collapsing.
The only way to avoid this is to unite the two worlds.
In which case, ferocious monsters will also surge into this world, so we must be prepared to prevent this.
「The Cardinal sent the same contents. It seems that Reiji is working together with the Cardinal.」the Holy Queen said.
「With the number 2 of the Church…」
Eva was so surprised that she uttered out despite herself.
The Church is an organisation which is widely spread across this world.
They have almost no armed force, but they hold a tremendous amount of influence.
The heads of each country are always on the lookout to see if they have any ideological problem with the Pope of that time. And the number 2 of the Church holds more authority than the head of a country.
「Your Majesty. I have met Cardinal Thomason several times. He is a reliable man.」Grenjido said.
「Yes, I think so too. But I wanted to hear those words from you.」
「So is the military movement meant to deal with this unprecedented situation?」
The Holy Queen nodded in response to Grenjido’s question.
「But we do not know on what scale, and which country is in charge of which location… The Cardinal also suggested that there might be a problem in the production of skill orbs. In fact, the number of skill orbs produced by the First Altar is decreasing.」
It is also known to Earl Sillys, who belongs to the Altar Management Bureau.
However, this is confidential and should not be leaked to the outside.
Cardinal Thomason knows this information. Which means the Cardinal’s opinion is credible.
「The Church wants to bring together representatives from each country to convene a conference of a “World Union”. Normally, I would head there myself, but–」
「I would advise against that. If Your Majesty leaves the Holy Royal Palace now, the Six Great Dukes could fall apart.」
The Holy Queen nodded in response to Grenjido.
「I agree. Grenjido, I know you just returned, but will you attend the meeting in my name?」
The Holy Queen rang a bell placed on the table. One of the priests brought a tray.
Placed on the tray was a blue glowing magatama—few nobles know what this is.
「I entrust you with full decision-making power.」
It is the crest that proves the bearer as the Holy Queen’s proxy.
「I shall accept this important role, Your Majesty.」
Grenjido stood up from his chair and knelt down to receive the crest.
「Earl Sillys, please accompany Grenjido. I shall leave it in your hands.」
「Yes, Your Majesty!」
Is this what the Holy Queen meant when she said “I am sure I would need your cooperation” earlier?– Eva thought. She understood the significance of what was happening in front of her, but it felt unrealistic.
They were trying to connect the two worlds. If Eva hadn’t seen the “Red Gate” in the Lev Magic Empire, all of this would have felt like a fairy-tale.
She could not feel any sense of crisis.
However, it was Reiji himself who informed of this crisis.
This is what he wrote at the end of the unbelievable letter:
『I don’t want Lady Eva to come to the front lines because it is going to be a very dangerous situation. With that said, I am sure the young lady will definitely head to the front. Since the young lady knows that the front line is where she can effectively use “Magic Eye of Inspire”. But please be sure to let me know when she arrives. If anything happens, I will protect the young lady.』
Emotions sprang up steadily. The sense of urgency she felt when she read Reiji’s letter. The joy of reading the words he wrote.
The Holy Queen praised her father as the “dagger” of the kingdom and requested him to participate in a world conference where representatives from every country will gather.
Tension, excitement, fear, honour—various emotions swelled within Eva.
Masking it all with the cold dignity of a “noble”, Eva set out with her father.
The place where the world conference is set to be held is in Brunstalk, the headquarters of the Church.
**
The small land between the vast territory of the Keith Gran Federation and the undeveloped land “Canion” in the south is the country of Brunstalk.
The boundary with Canion is blocked by a high mountainous range which does not allow the survival of life. In reality, Brunstalk borders only the Keith Gran Federation.
Lake Cani is a huge lake with several floating islands. All of it was the entirety of Brunstalk.
The country’s population is about 10,000.
Most of them are priests. It is a nation for the Church; a nation without any real power.
「That is… the main temple of the Church, isn’t it?」
Magic airship travels are determined with an international treaty, which allows airships to travel on a fixed route with a simple prior application.
Eva was fascinated by the scenery below her.
The calm surface of the lake reflects the blue of the sky and the flowing autumn clouds. A lush green forest surrounds the entire lake. Migratory birds resting around the lake.
A large white-walled church stood towering above the largest floating island.
There was a small floating island right next to it, which is a stop for magic airships.
Magic airships arriving there were already in double-digits. Among them, a giant airship, which was several times larger than the others, is owned by Valhalla, the capital of the Keith Gran Federation.
There was also another eye-catching ship; the magic airship owned by the Sylvis Kingdom, with most of its exterior covered with wood and a number of trees growing on the deck. It is called the “Flying Forest”.
「Many countries seem to have responded to Cardinal Thomason’s call… I wonder which country those people are from.」
Earl Sillys said, standing next to Eva.
Their magic airship was descending toward the stop area.
In one corner of the floating island, there was a group donning unfamiliar clothes.
It was a simple dress that was similar to the clothes worn by the Holy Queen. Dark brown long hair was tied behind intricately. Each person carried a stack of paper and books in their hands.
They were a group who did not seem to suit this gathering of nobles and knights representing their countries.
「Are they… gnomes, and dwarfs?」
Eva noticed a group of short people, and a group with a barrel-like belly.
「It seems to be so… I thought this was supposed to be a meeting of national representatives. What is Cardinal Thomason thinking?」the Earl said.
「Oi, think about it later. Let’s go.」Grenjido said.
The airship shook greatly as it landed safely.
Led by the crew of the magic airship, Grenjido, Earl Sillys, and Eva followed.
「I shall accompany you.」
Arthur, the second captain of the Holy King’s Knights Order, reverently bowed his head. Grenjido tapped Arthur’s back encouragingly and headed out onto the deck.
On this day, representatives of 16 countries and representatives of Librarians, Beast King, Gnomes, and Dwarves gathered in the country of Brunstalk.
The world conference will commence the next morning.