Holy War – I

In the White Palace, at a balcony overlooking the capital. Sitting at a table, a middle-aged man with graying hair slammed his fist, causing the Cardinal hat to shift off his head.

"What do you mean you can't find her?!"

A man in full blue plate armor knelt down before the Cardinal and bowed his head. "Apologies, Cardinal, but-"

"But?!" The Cardinal, Leblanc McFarlane, glared at the man and said, "But nothing, Count! Your own daughter was in charge of the Miko's protection! Do not tell me you do not know where she took the Miko!"

The armored man, Count Carlyte Latreia, simply remained kneeling.

"Curses!" Cardinal Leblanc tossed his hat to the side and ran his hand through his hair. "I received a direct message from God himself and deposed the Pope like he asked. I followed everything to the letter... So why is everything going wrong now?!" He paused and then looked back at Count Carlyte. "Tell me you at least have found traces of where the Pope has gone."

"...My apologies, Cardinal, but-"

"USELESS!" He slammed his hand on the table again and growled. "How are you so incompetent now of all times? Have I extended you too much authority? Or..." He slowly turned to Count Carlyte and said, "Has House Latreia decided to turn on the Church? Twice now your children have turned away from Saint Milis..." He narrowed his eyes and said, "Should I find a replacement for the leader of the Order of the Temple?"

"Of course not, Cardinal."

"Words are not enough." Cardinal Leblanc glanced out towards the torchlit capital, staring at the crowd standing in the courtyard and said, "Go quiet down the peasantry. Let them know what it means to turn against God's words."

"...Understood."

Count Carlyte stood up and started walking off, his armor clanking behind him.

Because he wore the full suit, it was impossible to see his expression.

As a result, the Cardinal missed the thoughtful gleam in the Count's eye as he walked off.

---

"...And that's likely what the Cardinal is thinking." Harry Grimoire shrugged and said, "Such a prideful person will likely find us an eyesore and start a show of calling us heretics before sending in the Inquisitors."

Cliff nodded and then swept his gaze around the surroundings.

It was night, the only source of light from the full moon above and the torches they set up around their base.

He had just finished giving his impassioned speech to the adventurers, militia, and knights that had sided with the citizens over the nobles. Now it was a time of action.

Well, the moment before action.

There was a bit of time left to finalize logistics and sort out the battle plan. Also to check everyone's determination one last time.

Cliff looked out at the people standing nearby.

Harry Grimoire, Cliff's adoptive father.

Lady Astolfo, the co-captain of the White Knights from Arcadia.

Belmondo Nash Venick, the effective leader of the Order of the Church.

Belmondo's father, Galgard, who had just returned after gathering the remnants of the Order of Instruction.

The Adventurer Guild's leader.

And then the various adventurers and other influential figures who had been keeping the Order of the Temple and the nobles from committing a complete purge on the populace.

Sweeping his gaze across from them all, Cliff nodded and said, "So he says. From this point on it is only a matter of time before the sword of the Church falls upon our heads. Will we simply stand here and accept that fate?"

"NO!"

A thunderous roar echoed, followed by clattering steel. The knights hammering on their armor in salutes. Adventurers cheering. The militia cheering in agreement.

"Will we accept the God who declared us the enemy?"

"NO!!!"

"Then..." Cliff turned towards the White Palace. At the same time, he glanced at the towers creating the barrier protecting Millishion.

It was a defensive measure. Common knowledge said that it was only for stopping outside forces and monsters from attacking.

However, Cliff doubted that was its only capability. For now, it was fine, but it was something he needed to keep an eye on as they advanced.

But for the moment...

"Let us depart!"

Sweeping his arm through the air, Cliff spun on his heels and started walking through the streets towards the White Palace. His pristine white robes trailed behind him as he moved, leading the way.

It was night time. As a result, the city should have been quiet, with the citizens fast asleep.

But that wasn't the case.

As Cliff led the way, he could see people peering out from their homes to look at him.

Elderly men and women. Single mothers. Children.

Had it been that trying on them?

Without a doubt, what Cliff was doing was revolt. It was blasphemy of the highest order by declaring the effective leader of the Church as the enemy.

Yet instead of doubt or ridicule, he was met with hope.

Of course, that was just from the commonfolk.

In the distance, Cliff could see the lights on in the noble homes and faint reflections. The cowardly nobility peering out with spyglasses or other means from safety.

'...As expected. Father-in-law knows best.'

Those born into nobility did not appreciate or empathize with the plight of the commoners. And those who clung to the luxury from currying favor with the Church would continue to do so at the expense of the commonfolk.

Millishion needed to change. A false Church that would forsake its people and turn the blade upon the populace was one that did not need to exist. Even if it was the word of God Himself declaring it...

"Humanity will declare who they deem their god."

...They would make a new one who understood their plight.

"...Isn't that right, Father-in-law?"

-RNG-

I felt a shiver run down my spine and glanced off in the distance.

"Is something wrong, Rudy?" Sylphy clung to my right arm and then raised her head to follow my gaze.

"Just go to sleep already." Eri grumbled and then snuggled close to my left side. "We need to get up early tomorrow."

"...Right."

Yeah. I could worry about the fact that Cliff was *definitely* setting off for war instead of negotiating later.

He was a logical sort of guy. If he came to that conclusion, there probably wasn't any other option.

Instead, I should think about how we were going to head back to the Central Continent.

...Maybe it was time to experiment with random teleporting? Since I had a proper anchor point here, I could always warp back. And considering how seasick Eri and the others had been last time, it would probably be better.

But a leisurely trek across Milis sounded fun too. And I was curious about meeting the Beast race in the Great Forest...

Well. I'd figure it out tomorrow.

[author]...I have no idea where we're going with this now, but let's find out, I guess? Haha... :sweat:[/author]