novelraw Chapter 96 : Centre Agreement (1)
Chapter 96 : Centre Agreement (1)
Chapter 96: Centre Agreement (1)
Tuesday, 2 p.m., in the special reception room of the Grand Cathedral.
“I must apologize for calling you out so early, Archbishop.”
“What early hour? The mass is already over—let us speak at ease, hoho.”
Archbishop Dominico sipped at the tea before him and smiled thinly at the man sitting across from him.
‘So, not the head of the main line, but the branch head has come….’
Bernhardt must still be uncertain.
So they sent a subordinate to probe the situation first, did they?
Dominico let out a quiet chuckle before his expression hardened.
“Though… I must admit, it’s rather disappointing.”
“…Disappointing?”
“To think that the trust between us was only this shallow.”
“……”
It was a light exchange of nerves.
“You’d put us in a difficult spot if you misunderstood our stance like that, Archbishop.”
The man speaking was the second-in-command of the Bernhardt Family—the one whom Edgar Bernhardt trusted most.
Mikhail Bernhardt, father of Michel Bernhardt, stroked his chin and gave a placid smile.
“You’re well aware, aren’t you? The Imperial Summit was nothing short of a catastrophe for us.”
“…Hmm, I do know that.”
“Of course, our Lord should’ve come to see you himself regarding this matter, but circumstances made that impossible—so I came in his stead.”
“Mm…”
“Even now, the Lord is holding an emergency council with the subordinate heads. I could have it verified for you if you wish…”
“Oh, no need to go that far. I was merely jesting.”
When Dominico waved his hand dismissively, Mikhail rubbed his neck, looking slightly embarrassed.
“…My apologies. There have been far too many things to worry about lately—I may have been a bit oversensitive. Please forget what I said earlier.”
Thus, the two exchanged words laced with barbs, reaffirming each side’s position.
There were indeed some points of discomfort between them, but not enough to shake the solid bond the two powers shared.
Mikhail gently pushed his teacup aside and got straight to the point.
“The alliance between Mallet and Carvena—it should be checked as soon as possible, don’t you think?”
“Hmm.”
“I’ve already discussed this with His Highness the Crown Prince. What remains now is your decision, Archbishop.”
“…From the church’s standpoint, it is indeed a troublesome affair, to be honest.”
Though he agreed with Mikhail’s view, Dominico couldn’t give a definitive answer.
“But you know this well. Even when backed by a righteous cause, military suppression always breeds discord.”
“That’s true.”
As though expecting that answer, Mikhail immediately presented another idea.
“Let us reserve force as our last resort and try persuasion first.”
“By persuasion, you mean… bribery?”
“The best method is to plant cracks within, so they collapse on their own.”
They had suffered such a blow themselves, and now intended to return it in kind.
Dominico nodded in understanding and lifted his teacup.
“Then who do you have in mind? Eugene Carter? Frederick Lake? Or… Michel Bernhardt?”
“Those men would be useless. They follow neither money nor honor.”
“Then how…?”
“We shouldn’t target Carvena. We should target Mallet.”
Conveniently, Mallet’s current leader was one who desperately chased both wealth and fame.
Mikhail handed a prepared note to Dominico.
It was a written proposal addressed to the Master of the Magic Tower, Gustav of Mallet.
After skimming through its contents, the Archbishop’s eyes gleamed.
“…You mean to have the Church send this document officially.”
“Yes. Even the arrogant Magic Tower won’t be able to ignore it then.”
“When and where do you plan to convene?”
“As soon as possible—how about in Centre?”
“…So another great agreement shall take place in the central city.”
As soon as Dominico gave his approval, Mikhail specified the date.
“How about proceeding with the agreement tomorrow evening? No need to drag it out.”
It was a reasonable suggestion, so Dominico nodded without objection.
“There’s no reason to oppose it. Let’s do that.”
“Yes.”
With the discussion settled, there was no longer any reason to linger.
Mikhail drained his tea in one gulp and rose to his feet.
“Then, I’ll take my leave, considering it decided.”
“Hm? Leaving already?”
“…I have duties to attend to.”
See you tomorrow, Archbishop.
Mikhail bowed at a perfect ninety degrees, then left the room without looking back.
Watching that, Dominico let out a snort.
“Hmph, arrogant—whether main line or branch, they’re all the same.”
Those insolent Bernhardt faces… he’d have to show them humiliation someday.
“…Well, that time will come.”
Dominico too left the reception room, issuing instructions to his waiting aides.
Then, slipping the note into his robe, he headed for his private office.
That night.
Inside the Master’s chambers of the Magic Tower, Gustav and Meriel examined the official letter and attached message.
They came from the Basilica of the Ribenian Orthodox Faith—Saint Dominico Grand Cathedral.
—This is Dominico Nimbus, Archbishop of the Ribenian Orthodox Faith. It is my first time contacting you directly. I always pray for God’s grace to be with you.
—Regarding the recent technology exchange between Mallet and Carvena, I wished to make a proposal. Please refer to the document for details… then, I shall see you tomorrow.
In summary, the document stated the following:
Withdraw from the Duel Union and join under the Ribenian Orthodox Faith.
If accepted, Dellowell’s Inquisitors would not invade Mallet.
Afterwards, Mallet would operate as an independent diocese, with Master Gustav serving as its Bishop.
“So basically, it means ‘crawl to us before the Inquisitors crush you,’ doesn’t it?”
Meriel’s sharp remark was spot-on—Gustav couldn’t deny it.
He simply stroked his chin, letting out a low murmur of admiration.
“Exactly what that Carter fellow predicted.”
“…You spoke with Eugene Carter about this?”
“There was a bit of talk, yes.”
“Anyway, you’re going to refuse, right?”
Of course! What kind of man did she take Gustav for?
But contrary to Meriel’s immediate expectation—
“Hmm…”
Gustav’s response was rather cautious.
“…Master?”
“We’ll have to go, at least.”
“…Pardon?”
“There’s a chance I might be able to persuade them.”
“You know better than anyone that they’re not the kind to listen to reason!”
“If they truly were beyond persuasion, they wouldn’t have sent such a generous proposal, don’t you think?”
“But that’s…”
As Meriel hesitated, Gustav’s face twisted in mild irritation.
“A first disciple who can’t even support her Master’s decision, tch.”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant! I’m just worried you might end up enduring humiliation you don’t need to suffer…”
“Don’t worry too much, Meriel. I, Gustav, won’t be flustered by a mere Archbishop.”
“……”
Though her mind was filled with protests and worries,
Meriel firmly closed her mouth.
Her Master had already decided. Arguing further would be meaningless.
At this point, all she could do was trust in his decision and wait.
‘I do wonder what kind of conversation he had with Eugene Carter, though….’
Suppressing the curiosity that kept rising, Meriel bowed deeply.
“I’ll be ready to announce the victory news, Master.”
“Good. Stand by for now. I’ll summon you once more before departure.”
“Yes.”
That same day, late in the evening.
Eber, a small city in the northern region of the Ribenia Empire.
The area where over a thousand troops had gathered was filled with roars of beasts and violent explosions, showing no sign of quieting down.
Kwaaaang!
An Explosion spell burst right before his eyes, and a ringing echoed sharply in his ears.
Inside a large trench, Eric Belfor gave a hand signal to his subordinates.
He asked if the target had been eliminated.
But the observer’s response was the opposite of what he hoped for.
Krrr….
The heavy growl of a beast scraped against his ears.
“Hey! Reform the line, quickly! Another wave’s coming!”
“Yes, sir!”
The moment the order was given, Belfor leapt out of the trench and sprinted toward the soldiers fighting several dozen meters ahead.
The mages at the rear were relentlessly firing Spears at a high-ranking beast a hundred meters in front.
The beast, enduring that bombardment of magical lances, suddenly emerged from the dust.
It was an A+-rank beast—Apos Rhino.
“Quick, raise the barrier…!”
The soldiers hastily unfolded their shields of protection, but a few layers of barriers were nowhere near enough to stop its ferocious charge.
“Graaagh!”
With its five horns, it mercilessly flung aside several soldiers, then turned its bloodshot eyes toward Belfor.
“Tch…!”
The Apos Rhino—among high-ranking beasts, it was one of the least intelligent, but exceptionally adept at exploiting an enemy’s weaknesses.
It must’ve realized that disabling the front-line commander would mean total control of the field.
They had already overextended their lines chasing the whereabouts of Rogis and Mitosis, the key objectives of this suppression mission.
If the formation collapsed here, regrouping would be inevitable.
And when that happened, the beast’s trail would vanish again.
The suppression operation would only drag on longer and longer.
‘Damn it, do or die then…!’
Belfor steeled himself, channeling every ounce of mana into the tip of his spear.
Every beast had its weak point.
Rhino-type beasts had notoriously poor vision.
And to compensate for that, they relied heavily on hearing.
They couldn’t mask their mana sense, but if he could completely paralyze their hearing…!
Just then—
As Belfor leapt into the air, evading the charge and aiming for its left ear—
“You’re a bit late.”
A woman’s unfamiliar voice flowed into his ears.
Planting a halberd the size of a grown man into the ground, a red-haired woman radiated killing intent toward the enemy.
When the two forces collided, a massive shockwave erupted in every direction.
Kuuuung…!
“Kh…?!”
Even Belfor, standing behind her, staggered from the sheer force, yet the woman didn’t flinch in the slightest.
Krrng?!
The one startled was, instead, the beast.
“Less than two years of field experience… I’d say. You knew the gap between us, yet your hostility clouded your judgment.”
Kyaaaak!
The beast howled and twisted its massive frame, but the woman didn’t move an inch.
Gripping its horn tightly with her left arm, she raised her halberd high with one hand.
The amount of mana condensed near the axe blade was enough to make Belfor swallow unconsciously.
Crunch, crack!
The halberd came crashing down, shattering all five horns and burying itself halfway through the beast’s skull.
Overwhelmed by sudden, unbearable pain, the beast writhed violently and rolled across the ground.
The woman glanced briefly at the dazed soldiers and Belfor, then pointed behind her.
“You can handle the cleanup, can’t you?”
Finally realizing what had just happened, Belfor stammered as he addressed her.
“W-wait, the reinforcement from Dellowell the captain mentioned… was that you?”
“My squad members will be joining soon.”
From the Empire’s strongest armed force—the Inquisition of Dellowell.
Among their ranks were three Executioners hailed as the mightiest of all.
One of them, the Executioner of Blood, Karen Rosefield, gleamed her violet eyes and gave a faint smile.
“There’s no time to waste. We’ll advance immediately. Form a separate strike team within thirty minutes, Commander.”