Pantheon Temple (3)

It was an aspect I never imagined.

But thinking about it, it was also natural. After all, Cotinus wasn’t just a mere believer.

As I’ve said multiple times, he’s essentially a king representing numerous religious orders.

That’s why he’s the Pope.

Such ideas were rather natural coming from him.

As someone in a position of authority, he couldn’t avoid taking political stances.

However…

“That’s quite a radical idea.”

I still find it hard to agree with the notion that the Empire should be divided.

I understand the concern that this vast land is too much for the Empire alone to handle.

Though the balance has already been broken, at this rate only the Empire will remain among the nations of the continent.

Countries grow through mutual exchange and opposition.

I understand that concept.

But dividing the Empire to maintain that balance? No matter how I think about it, it’s too extreme.

“Perhaps…”

I thought about the reason. Why did Cotinus come up with such an idea?

Something naturally came to mind.

“No, never mind.”

But I didn’t say it.

That would be disrespectful.

Though it naturally occurred to me, it would be rude to connect that with Cotinus who had abandoned everything.

Even if I have suspicions, I shouldn’t voice them.

It’s just an opinion anyway.

There’s no reason to doubt Cotinus as a person. The side I saw earlier hasn’t disappeared.

I remember.

How Cotinus met his death before my regression.

“I’m a bit tired. Would it be alright if we continue this conversation tomorrow?”

“This old body was thoughtless. I apologize for disturbing you so late at night, Saint.”

He was someone who fought at the very front after war broke out.

Someone who decided to face death first and foremost.

He killed countless half-demons and demons.

Cut off one of the demon’s wings.

And even with spears and swords piercing his entire body, he met his death without ever kneeling.

I remember that moment. That’s why I still believe in him.

He will surely be the first to volunteer in the fight against demons this time too.

“Saint.”

“…”

“Please forget my thoughtless words from earlier.”

Cotinus said that with a bitter voice before leaving the room.

Soon after, the sound of his weak footsteps faded into the corridor.

“Hah…”

Life isn’t easy.

Things I thought I knew often turned out to be things I didn’t know.

Even though I’ve leaped through time and returned to the past, there’s still so much I don’t know.

Really…

“Saintess, living isn’t easy.”

Pope Cotinus.

His position before abandoning everything and devoting himself to the Pantheon Temple.

Originally, his name carried the surname ‘Eden’. Coincidentally, the same surname as the Empire he now says should be divided.

Yes, he was imperial royalty.

Cotinus G Eden.

*     *      *

The Emperor of the Empire, Creden G Eden.

People called him the Emperor Without Shadow, the Shadowless Emperor.

This nickname came partly because he rarely showed himself in public, but also because he didn’t reveal great ambitions.

Though it was a dishonorable title, Creden didn’t mind it.

Or rather, he didn’t have the luxury to mind such things.

Creden had a headache watching the two dukes earnestly discussing war before him.

“Your Majesty, I believe we should deploy more forces to the western front to check the Ares Kingdom.”

“Duke Hope, that’s a poor strategy. Don’t you know there’s nothing to gain from provoking the Ares Kingdom?”

Wallace Hope arguing for strengthening checks against the Ares Kingdom and Edge Forys opposing it saying the results would be poor compared to the manpower invested.

The two were famous for checking each other for many years.

This was also why Creden rarely showed himself before other nobles.

The two dukes’ influence was so overwhelming that other nobles often hesitated to speak.

He simply excluded nobles who might needlessly get caught between the two dukes and suffer from the beginning.

Of course, that didn’t mean he wasn’t listening to their opinions. He had arranged to meet with them separately in other meetings.

Though troublesome, putting these two among them would be even more troublesome.

“The Ares Kingdom’s national power is burdensome even for us to handle.”

Edge Forys was right.

The Sword King of humanity, Calips de Ares, was a monster comparable to a trial by himself.

In terms of magic, he was at least 8th circle or higher. Considering that a normal master-level swordsman is comparable to a 6th circle magician, this was extraordinary.

When they’re not even touching Arcanum in the current situation, provoking the Ares Kingdom which is considered equal?

That would be foolish.

“Rather than allocating troops to a fight with nothing to gain, wouldn’t it be better to strengthen our foundation?”

The Ares Kingdom isn’t large in scale nor particularly rich in resources.

If there was any reason to invade that place, there would be only one.

For the title of sole nation.

There weren’t many countries left besides the Empire to begin with. Most were little more than small-scale groups and there was nothing to gain compared to the cost of absorbing them.

That’s why they were just leaving those countries alone.

The Ares Kingdom, which had been one such country, came up in this meeting for a different reason.

“But that small kingdom is said to have over 40 swordsmen who have reached the master realm.”

Because the power the Ares Kingdom possessed was excessive. Not because they had created special weapons, but simply because their human power had become formidable.

Originally in a country the size of the Ares Kingdom, having just 3 masters would be considered many.

40 masters. Though not comparable to the Empire, considering their scale, it was quite threatening.

A 6th circle magician is considered a natural disaster since they can draw power from the environment.

And now 40 swordsmen of equivalent level? This couldn’t be ignored.

Though they’re compared to 6th circle in terms of realm, these warriors won’t even allow surprise attacks from their basic senses. In terms of elite forces, they’re more troublesome than magicians.

“Strengthening our foundation. Fine words indeed. But until when?”

Wallace Hope sneered as he responded to Edge Forys’s words.

“Duke Forys. Do you know how large the Empire has become? We might spend His Majesty Creden’s entire reign just strengthening our foundation. What then? He’ll be remembered as an emperor who did nothing.”

“How dare you! Duke Hope!”

“Did I say anything wrong? No, isn’t that what you’re trying to make happen? Duke Forys. Don’t make me laugh talking about strengthening our foundation.”

Even before the emperor.

The conversation between Edge Forys and Wallace Hope kept escalating in intensity.

“Fine, let’s say we’re lucky and finish strengthening our foundation quickly. What about the Ares Kingdom in the meantime?”

This flow couldn’t be stopped.

Edge Forys ground his teeth but couldn’t help it.

It had been problematic from the moment the Ares Kingdom’s name came up in the meeting.

“A country that produced that many masters in this short time. The Sword King’s influence must surely be behind it. 40? It may be 40 now, but who can guarantee what it will be by the time we finish strengthening our foundation?”

The Empire was precarious.

Due to repeated invasion and annexation, unity within the Empire had significantly declined.

Though it was time to strengthen their foundation and suppress such discord…

‘This chaos cannot be contained.’

Wallace Hope’s words were also right.

Right now it’s 40. And they increased rapidly recently.

If this was because the Sword King Ares had gained some insight and passed it on, they couldn’t afford to give them time.

How many emperors could give up the title of sole nation?

With this level of national power. If they wanted to, they could do it.

Among the achievements of their ancestors, this was the only one left that wouldn’t be overshadowed.

“No, let’s not.”

“What?! Your Majesty!”

But the Shadowless Emperor, Creden G Eden, shook his head.

He decided to listen to Edge Forys’s proposal over Wallace Hope’s suggestion. This wasn’t because he was a wise ruler without greed who could see the future.

‘It’s about time I took Duke Forys’s side for a bit.’

It was solely a decision to balance the relationship between the two dukes. Unless the two dukes keep antagonizing and fighting each other, his own position would be precarious.

He did have ambition.

How glorious would it be to go down in history as the emperor who created a sole nation?

But he was someone who thought of self-preservation before ambition.

“However, Duke Hope’s opinion has merit too. It would be good to keep some forces there as a check.”

An appropriate compromise.

Though Wallace Hope’s statement had essentially been calling for war, he couldn’t object.

Even if that was his true intention, he couldn’t take back the words he had spoken.

He did want war, but he had only spoken of keeping them in check.

It was an issue created by word choice.

“It’s about time now. I’ve heard your opinions well and seems we’ve reached an appropriate compromise, so I should go attend to my next duties.”

Emperor Creden fled the meeting chamber like he was escaping. The two dukes left behind besides the secretary and some ministers frowned at each other.

“I don’t know what kind of tricks you’re plotting this time.”

“Still, he didn’t take your side in the end, did he? What a shame. I should have taken more time, I was too hasty.”

Wallace Hope clicked his tongue expressing regret.

As he said, his haste had made Creden wary.

“You speak well. But in the end, didn’t we decide to send troops?”

“Not enough to wage war.”

“But if troops are mobilized, they’ll surely have to pass through your territory in the west. You’ve already revealed your intentions. Then? How will Arcanum, which is similar, react?”

“Nothing can be done about that. How can I help that the Ares Kingdom is in the west? And Arcanum is different from the Ares Kingdom. What was given by the Empire and what belonged to others from the start are on different levels.”

“Nonsense.”

“Nonsense? These were problems that needed to be solved originally. Both Ares and Arcanum.”

Edge Forys glared at Wallace Hope, who seemed to have failed yet extracted minimal gains, as if he found him detestable. The remaining secretaries broke into cold sweat as his aura seemed like he might cast magic at any moment.

“Tsk.”

But fortunately nothing like that happened. Though they wouldn’t become friendly, there was nothing to gain from making things worse.

With marriage talks progressing between Siris Forys and Another Hope, the two dukes had to maintain at least minimal friendly relations.

They would need to gradually change their attitudes up until now.

“What will become of the Empire.”

Edge Forys sighed as he left the meeting chamber first.

*     *      *

The night at the Pantheon Temple was peaceful.

The surroundings were quiet and there was no need to prepare for attacks from half-demons or demons.

A space where one could rest at ease.

For me, who had memories of war from before the regression lodged in a corner of my mind, it was truly a good night’s sleep after a long time.

“Mmm…”

I slowly opened my eyes to the bright light flowing through the window gap.

I don’t know how long it’s been since I woke up to sunlight. Besides when I first regressed and when I was unconscious, I basically woke up early at dawn.

It wasn’t a bad feeling at all.

“Hup!”

I stretch.

A good night’s sleep with no nightmares and no dreams of the Saintess.

It’s amazing that I can be in such a relaxed state.

“…Should I rest today?”

There’s a lot to do. A lot to think about. But isn’t it fine?

There’s still time until the hunter’s guild qualification verification.

The tracking holy magic I placed on Another Hope isn’t sending any particular signals either.

Fatigue had accumulated from taking detours on the way from Arcanum to Coinur.

My companions including Claire probably need rest at this point too.

“Hm?”

Since I slept better than usual, meal time must have already passed.

The Pantheon Temple’s daily routine runs quite systematically. Even if I went to the dining hall now, there probably wouldn’t be any food left.

Though I thought that…

“Right, this is natural too.”

A tray placed in front of the door.

Moreover, it even felt warm as if it had just been made.

They must have been replacing it periodically.

“Well then.”

I turn back my footsteps that were about to head out with the tray.

Since it’s come to this, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to eat here simply and look around the Pantheon Temple.

I absentmindedly looked out the window while dipping torn bread in soup.

The weather was good. Green grass covered the ground and colorful flowers were blooming here and there.

Following a butterfly flying near the window with my gaze for a moment.

“Should I walk around a bit?”

I got up and headed outside.

Today I plan to walk around inside the Pantheon Temple and memorize the faces of priests and other people.

I might need their help a lot in the future after all.

“…”

I came out to the grass lawn I had been looking at from the window.

Looking at it like this, it was familiar.

Before my regression, this was the place I visited most after the Pantheon Temple headquarters.

Since this was where most people gathered, I did a lot of work here with the Saintess.

“Was it like this?”

There wasn’t sunlight like this back then.

The flowers and grass only held vitality under the light of holy power created by the Saintess.

I walked following my memories.

Looking at the building pillars lined up at regular intervals, I stop.

“So clean.”

There used to be graffiti here. No, is that not the right way to say it? Since it’s something that happens in what is now the future.

Anyway, there was graffiti here.

As the streets became unsafe, they often let people inside.

Most were powerless elderly and children, and the children would write graffiti on the building walls and pillars, perhaps to calm their anxious hearts or maybe because they were bored. A priest who cleaned it every day complained and the Saintess suggested designating one pillar specifically for graffiti since things had come to this.

-Cielo look at this. Here! It says ‘Saintess is pretty’. You see? I’m this popular.

-Ah, yes. I see.

And so this pillar was filled with all sorts of children’s graffiti.

There must have been the Saintess’s graffiti too.

Since she had childish sides.

“…Right.”

Leaving the clean pillar behind, I walked again. Glancing at flowers blooming here and there, I headed to the flower bed.

There were more flowers here than the ones visible on the building exterior.

There were more varieties and they were more beautiful.

I walked along the flower beds arranged in a circle around the central grass lawn.

-Cielo hurry! Good work today too! Here’s milk tea!

-This doesn’t seem like tea.

-Actually we ran out of tea leaves today so only milk was left. So it’s milk tea!

Originally there was a tea table placed at the center of this grass lawn.

This was also where the Saintess, Claire and I would talk about the hardships of work.

Back then there were fewer flowers than this, probably reduced due to the situation.

Of course now there wasn’t even a single chair let alone a tea table.

With the structure that had been prominently in the center gone, I could finally see the beautiful form of the garden.

Yes, a beautiful scene in itself.

But…

“Damn it.”

For some reason, tears began pouring out.