The northern territory of Marfane—Logram.
The incident that occurred there was immediately reported to the Holy Alliance by the Marquis of Logram, Raviton.
“Yuru, that bitch, turned this place into a wasteland! She even kidnapped the Crown Prince! The Blue Tower has openly rebelled against the Holy Alliance!”
Strictly speaking, the Tower and the Holy Alliance were independent entities, so the word “rebelled” wasn’t exactly accurate.
But this was an age ruled by the Holy Alliance. Yuru, the Master of the Blue Tower, had undoubtedly taken an action that risked death.
And the events at Logram were quickly conveyed to Ezer as well.
“...Your Majesty, Holy Krata has convened an emergency council.”
An emergency council.
Holy Krata had constructed dedicated chambers for each member nation.
Through an enormous magic formation, these chambers were interconnected, allowing participants from different countries to appear as though seated at the same table. The artifact that enabled this communication could only be powered by holy energy, and thus required the presence of a priest from Krata.
Because it operated solely on divine power, the priests held overwhelming authority.
Naturally, the nation they served—Krata—wielded immense power.
“……”
Tia sat in her office, silently staring at the chamberlain who had brought her the message.
What was bound to happen had happened.
With a grim expression, she rose and made her way to the council chamber.
Clack.
The chamber doors opened as her attendants swung them wide.
Tia took her seat at the far end of the long table—the section reserved for nations not part of the Holy Alliance.
“Tia de Mezelef, Empress of Ezer, joins this council.”
The moment she raised her hand to speak, the empty seats filled in an instant.
Each nation’s representative appeared as if sitting together in a single unified space.
『This is outrageous.』
The young King of Marfane, Ervein, spoke with a pale face.
『To kidnap the Crown Prince of Krata... Unless the Towers have joined forces in rebellion, this shouldn't be possible.』
The abduction of Krata's Crown Prince.
Tia could say nothing and simply listened in silence.
『This is an insult to the dignity of the Holy Nations. Emperor Lutan will wage holy war on the Blue Tower.』
Ervein was clearly shaken by the abduction. He knew that if things were mishandled, all the blame might fall on Marfane. He was trying desperately to shift that blame to the Blue Tower.
『We didn’t anticipate such an act from the Blue Tower.』
The old king Yoka of Guhan, the nation to the west of Krata, sighed.
『To have climbed all the way to Logram, that’s practically Krata’s doorstep. She couldn’t have done it alone.』
At his words, the council members glanced nervously at one another.
『...The real issue is that she broke through your defenses in the first place.』
King Utor of Yaphenon, to Krata’s east, spoke bluntly without decorum.
『Had she come through our borders, we would’ve stopped her before she laid a finger on the Crown Prince.』
Wearing lion-hide armor instead of regal robes, Utor flexed his bronzed muscles and glared at Ervein.
『Ervein, this is your failure.』
『W-What?!』
Ervein shouted in disbelief.
『How can this be my fault?! The Master of the Blue Tower invaded personally! She was once a member of the Hero’s party and the strongest mage on the continent! Do you think you could’ve done any better?!』
『Of course I could.』
Utor flicked his gaze toward the axe beside him.
『Our enchanted weapons resonate with blessed bodies. We wouldn’t lose to some bookworm who only knows magic tricks.』
『Utor!』
As Ervein yelled, Yoka furrowed his snowy white brows and raised his hand.
『Enough! What would Emperor Lutan think if he saw this disgrace?!』
At his outcry, both men froze in place.
『Tch.』
Ervein, who had risen in fury, reluctantly slumped back into his seat.
『Please mind your words!』
『If I overstepped, I apologize.』
But Utor still grinned beneath his lion-faced helm.
He had long been mocked as a barbarian by Marfane. Watching Ervein squirm brought him nothing but joy.
『Emperor Lutan of Krata enters.』
The royal attendant at the end of the table announced.
Step.
Everyone at the council rose to their feet.
『Glory to the Holy Alliance!』
With the chant came a unified gesture of reverence—practically a military salute.
But it was not directed at a god.
It was for the man who had just entered the chamber.
『It’s been a while, all of you.』
Draped in gold-plated armor, the towering man dwarfed everyone else in the room.
Had it not been for the cross-shaped emblem embedded in his massive sword, no one would have guessed he was the head of all the priests—the Emperor of Holy Krata.
Turning his head slowly, eyes sharp despite his wild hair and unkempt beard, Lutan scanned the room.
『Forgive me. I’ve returned from battle and lacked time to dress properly.』
Thud!
He planted his sword into the floor and sat at the head seat.
With a simple gesture, everyone followed and returned to their seats.
The once noisy chamber fell into a terrifying silence.
‘Lutan...’
Tia swallowed dryly, keeping her gaze low.
‘The emperor mad for holy war.’
A man obsessed with purging all things unholy by brute force.
He believed only war could represent faith. He saw himself as the greatest force of holy judgment and believed no one else could bear the mantle of Hero.
Had Krata not developed the so-called “Hell Pit”—a dungeon from which monsters periodically emerged—he would’ve likely taken up the sword himself.
But that secret, and his ongoing holy campaigns, were hidden from public knowledge.
If word spread that the Demon King had successfully planted a Hell Pit in the heart of Krata, it would tarnish Lutan’s honor irreparably.
He didn’t even share this with his own son. Lutan trusted his council—bound by power—not his bloodline.
『So, the leash on the Blue Tower’s mage Yuru has come undone, I hear.』
Everyone held their breath. No one dared respond.
『They say my son has been abducted. Is it true?』
Just a simple question.
But the atmosphere froze instantly.
『Y-Your Majesty!』
King Ervein of Marfane sprang up and prostrated himself on the ground.
『Forgive me! Such unspeakable things occurred in my land!』
Unable to endure Lutan’s gaze, Ervein buried his head into the floor.
『I swear to recover the Crown Prince with all my strength! Please grant me just one chance!』
Ervein was a king. He should’ve maintained his dignity.
But Lutan’s mere presence had made him collapse in fear.
‘Ervein...’
Moments ago, he had tried to shift all blame onto the Blue Tower. Now he was crawling. Watching that, Tia clenched her fists.
‘Enough already.’
His behavior only made things harder for her. This incident was caused by Yuru. But whether it was better to confess or feign ignorance, she couldn’t decide.
『King Ervein. Do you truly believe all this is your fault?』
『Eh?』
『The one who took my son is none other than Yuru—the strongest mage alive. Tell me honestly: did you ever have the strength to stop her?』
Gulp.
Sweat ran down Ervein’s face as his eyes darted nervously.
『N-No, Your Majesty!』
His words tumbled out in panic.
『Yuru was far too powerful! I apologize! I spoke out of turn...』
『You...』
Lutan turned his eyes to the back of Ervein’s bowed head.
『Have repented.』
It was like watching a god forgive a sinner.
『Even though the one truly responsible sits in this room, you still took all the blame.』
Everyone’s eyes shifted.
『Tia de Mezelef.』
All eyes turned to her.
『I ask you: what do you make of the monster born of your land?』
『......』
『Do not fear. I have more than one son.』
It was not concern for his child.
『What I wish to know is how you justify producing a “heretic” who defied the Holy Alliance.』
Tia parted her lips but couldn’t speak right away.
『I...』
『Everything you’re about to say is a mere excuse.』
Lutan cut her off.
『But since you once executed your oldest friend with your own hands, I will place faith in your piety.』
He raised his hand.
『Go. Find Yuru. Wage holy war upon her. And I will remain silent.』
Tia bit down hard.
Lutan had made her spill far too much blood with her own hands.
It haunted her in crimson-tinted nightmares every night. But that meant nothing to him.
Once again, everything was starting under the banner of “holy war.”
‘Yuru... this is all because of you.’
Just like Clay, Yuru had now set foot into hell with her own will.
With that thought, her muddled heart finally settled.
She released her grip on her skirt, loosened her clenched jaw, and spoke calmly.
“I will do my utmost to atone.”
A strange peace entered her gaze.
♧
“Clay.”
In the Demon King’s office—
“Goe’s gargoyle has returned.”
Hearing the scout had returned, Clay rose from his seat.
(End of Chapter)