Chapter 98

The relationship between the Empire and the Holy Church is close to friendly. More precisely, it is the Dawn Sect that is favorable towards the Livnoman Royal Family, but since the royal family and the sect govern the countries, it is essentially the same thing.

The reason for the friendly relationship is simple. The founder of the Empire, Emperor Eimanka, abandoned the Imperial Calendar, which was based on the founding year of the Empire, and adopted the Sacred Calendar, which is based on the founding year of the Dawn Sect. From the perspective of the Dawn Sect, the Livnoman Royal Family must seem endearing.

In fact, the Imperial Calendar is a rather ridiculous system. Every time the Empire changes, the first year of the new Empire changes, so a year that was the 150th year of the Empire could suddenly become 400 BC. The continent has experienced this chaos twice.

"Since all the continent is the children of Ene and follows the light of Ene, how can human affairs be the standard of the continent?"

However, instead of introducing the fourth Imperial Calendar, Emperor Eimanka declared the adoption of the Sacred Calendar, and as a result, the already powerful Dawn Sect gained even more influence.

To the point where, while cardinals attend the coronation ceremonies of the kings of various countries, the Pope himself still attends the coronation of the Emperor and gives a speech. If you think about it, it's not really strange, as he's just reacting to the amount of money he receives.

In any case, the Livnoman Royal Family, and by extension the Empire, has a friendly relationship with the Dawn Sect. And if you have a good relationship with someone, you inevitably have a bad relationship with someone else.

"Three years ago, they also showed their fangs to the Empire."

I nodded unconsciously at the special minister's clear display of anger and contempt towards the Dusk Sect. Yeah, those bastards tried to screw the Empire three years ago too.

If you have a friendly relationship with the Dawn Sect, you inevitably have a hostile relationship with the Dusk Sect. From the perspective of the Dusk Sect, which seeks to drive out the Dawn Sect and become the mainstream religion, the Empire is no different from an enemy.

That's why three years ago, when the Empire's attention was focused on the north, the Dusk Sect infiltrated the capital and assassinated the cardinal in charge of the Empire. It was an incident that simultaneously screwed both the Empire and the Holy Church with a single assassination.

"They probably think that if they can succeed once, they can succeed again."

"An extremely unpleasant matter."

My words made the special minister's expression even more distorted.

In fact, I am equally unpleasant. If they had attempted an assassination while Tanian was at the academy, I could understand, but to target the heart of the Empire, the capital?

This is only possible because they view the Empire as a joke. The fact that they see the Empire as a pushover just because they succeeded once by luck is intolerable.

'I'll end up being a lackey to a pushover.'

For the sake of my honor and prestige, I must send those fools who view the Empire as a joke to hell. I will purify them with fire, the dirty heretics.

"We plan to inform the War Ministry soon. If it's the Dusk Sect, they will surely gnash their teeth."

The foreign minister spoke as the special minister was thinking of 29 ways to tear the Dusk Sect apart. Indeed, the War Ministry has a lot of grudges against the Dusk Sect.

The War Ministry was thoroughly investigated by the Emperor due to the incident three years ago, to the point where dust was flying in the rain. They were already causing trouble in the north, and now the capital had been breached, and it was feared that the palace might be breached next.

Especially the 1st Guard Legion, which was responsible for the defense of the capital, faced the brunt of the anger. The commander of the 1st Guard Legion, who was on the verge of being promoted to the commander of the Northern Front, was demoted and soon forced to retire.

The retired legion commander, whose hatred towards the Dusk Sect was so great, started a second life as a Dawn Sect Holy Knight. To personally capture and kill the Dusk Sect. It is truly a tragic story.

Therefore, if you mention the Dusk Sect to the War Ministry, their trauma will be triggered, and they will immediately rush to capture and kill them. At least there won't be a shortage of manpower.

"We need to prepare for interception quickly."

"Of course. We cannot allow a battle to break out in the capital."

That's true. If a battle breaks out in the capital, it won't just be a few responsible people being demoted. At least the three of us gathered here would have to resign.

Especially since the Emperor's mood is already bad, and it will only get worse. He is already on edge due to the ominous signs from the north, and if we say, "The people who came to the capital three years ago are coming again," it will result in immediate execution without trial.

'Damn bastards.'

The more I think about it, the angrier I get. The bastards who were quiet when Tanian was in the Holy Kingdom are now stirring things up? And they were quiet even when he was at the academy?

Of course, while the Dusk Sect didn't achieve much in the Holy Kingdom, they did succeed in an assassination in the capital. But that was due to the absence of the Demon Hunter and the Great Purge War. Normally, they shouldn't even be able to get near the capital.

So, if they are easy to handle, we need to make them not so easy to handle. That is the duty of an imperial official.

"I have a request for the Inspector General."

While burning with a sense of duty, the foreign minister revealed the reason for summoning me.

"I would like the Inspector General and the Black Light Corps to participate in intercepting the Dusk Sect."

It was an expected request, so I nodded lightly. Since Tanian is in the baking club, I have a reason to step in to protect him.

"And I would like the Inspector General to request support from the Demon Hunter."

"Huh?"

This was unexpected.

The two ministers escorted me to the Magic Tower, saying they would inform me of the details after discussing with the War Ministry. It was essentially a polite way of kicking me out.

The foreign minister, who had a smile on his face, is one thing, but even the special minister, who had a frown, quickly sent me to the Magic Tower as soon as the Demon Hunter was mentioned. Damn, he was listening.

'This is going to be a hassle.'

Finding the Demon Hunter first is a bit awkward, but it's not impossible. However, it's awkward to bring up the Dusk Sect in front of the Demon Hunter.

"Did I hear you wrong, sir?"

Look, he's reacting strongly, isn't he?

When I first entered the Demon Hunter's office, he welcomed me with a warm greeting. Thanks to that, we were able to have a friendly conversation. Until I mentioned the Dusk Sect.

"I am sorry, but you heard correctly, sir."

I bowed my head and tried to avoid eye contact with the Demon Hunter, whose intense gaze was quite piercing. I am not to blame; I am just the messenger.

Fortunately, he seemed to recognize my innocence and the intense gaze subsided with a small sigh.

"Relax, and look up."

"Thank you, sir."

When I lifted my head, I saw the Demon Hunter with his eyes closed, deep in thought. He was tapping his fingers on the desk, and the silence was like the calm before the storm. I wish he would say something, anything.

"It's been three years."

After the silence, the Demon Hunter opened his eyes and spoke softly. The small, but cold voice made me shiver involuntarily.

'Fucking bastards.'

It's astonishing. One action can create so many enemies. If the cost-to-enemy ratio is high, these are truly remarkable bastards.

"Without even knowing their luck, they dare to."

"They are foolish fanatics blinded by heresy. It's natural for them to act recklessly without knowing their place."

The Demon Hunter nodded at my words. He knows better than anyone how crazy the Dusk Sect is.

The Dusk Sect was at its peak about 90 years ago, which was when the Demon Hunter was in his prime—

"Sir."

"Ah, yes."

I was momentarily startled, thinking he had read my mind due to his cold voice.

"At that time, I was away and couldn't deal with them."

"Yes, I know."

On the day the Empire's cardinal, who was appointed by Ene, was assassinated, the Demon Hunter was in his territory, preparing to send reinforcements to the north.

The disaster that occurred while the Demon Hunter, one of the pillars of the capital's defense, was away could be seen as his responsibility, but since it was for war support and not personal business, the Demon Hunter received sympathy from the Emperor.

"Now, they are targeting the capital again while I am holding the fort."

Although the Emperor acknowledged that the Demon Hunter was not at fault, the humiliation and shame could not be avoided. The Demon Hunter, a noble of the Empire, had to endure the hard times.

"They are running straight into the quagmire."

After enduring the hard times, the miracle of the things he wanted to capture and kill coming to him on their own occurred.

The Demon Hunter willingly decided to contribute to intercepting the Dusk Sect. From his reaction, it seems that if I had not told him and the Dusk Sect had been defeated, he would have been furious later.

Indeed, if I heard that the things I wanted to kill had been wiped out without my knowledge, I would have felt both anger and emptiness.

In any case, it's fortunate. With the special ministry, the War Ministry, and the Demon Hunter stepping in, the situation is as good as over. What kind of courage do these bastards have to target the capital?

'I don't understand.'

Fanatics are inherently incomprehensible, but today they seem even more bizarre.

No, it's not just fanatics; religiously devout people in general are hard to understand.

"Do you happen to know of a good forest near the capital?"

"Forest?"

As soon as I returned to the mansion and saw Tanian approaching, it seemed he was looking for a forest.

Why is he suddenly looking for a forest? Is he thinking of going for a forest bath?