Chapter 597
My Villains Episode 597
70. This side(30)
It is known that there are three continents in Middle-earth. And, as humans always do, the inhabitants of each continent considered the land on which they stood to be the center of the world..
Therefore, in the world of Gwangmyeongism, represented by Mitergeland and Milanol, their home is simply referred to as ‘land’, ‘continent’, or ‘central continent’..
Perhaps based on this simple perception, the division of the outside world was also quite crude..
The union of numerous tribes roaming the grasslands and various emirates dominating the desert was treated as a completely different world even though it belonged to the same continent. Because they are incompatible infidels..
The two continents beyond the sea were only vaguely referred to as East and South. And the residents living there were actually considered to be of different races depending on the region..
It was only about a hundred years ago that this perception began to change little by little. It was the beginning of full-scale trade with the East..
The Eastern Continent has experienced extreme turmoil for centuries since the fall of the 'homeland'. Only after the five kingdoms achieved an exquisite balance were some degree of stability and order restored..
Of course, it was still far from peace, but it was not the same lawless world as before, so brave and ambitious sailors and merchants were able to take the lead in opening up sea routes..
And about 30 years ago, the Amir Allied Powers began to reach south. In addition to rough waves and storms, all kinds of enemies, including fishmen, kraken, and water dragons, blocked the fleet, but compared to the emperor and electors of Mittergerand, they were much easier opponents..
The Southern Continent we reached was different from the Eastern Continent in many ways. There was nothing to find, such as high-quality silk, beautifully patterned pottery, fragrant tea, or mysterious elixirs. There was no proper country.
As soon as various leaders of the desert called themselves sultans, emirs, sheikhs, etc., they became aware of the situation in the south, they filled their ships with soldiers instead of trade goods. Conquest and colonization began..
The Amir coalition quickly saw results. Gold, spices, and slaves flooded into the desert like a flood..
The first to capture the wealth flowing into the barren desert was none other than the Duke of Eyland. This is the duke who is nicknamed the ‘Pirate Grand Duke’ in the coastal regions of the South Seas and Central Continent..
In fact, the colonial route of the Amir Alliance was outside their sphere of influence, but Duke Schiele at the time took action without hesitation. The result was the Fangtooth Fleet that appeared in front of the Amir Alliance's treasure fleet..
True to its reputation, the attack, capture, and expulsion of the Dogtooth Fleet were extremely secretive and rapid. Thanks to this, their plundering activities became known to the world only after 16 treasure ships went missing for half a year..
Duke Skiele held out his flippers, but the desert emirs were already enraged. When several sultans and emirs showed signs of joining forces to wield the blade of revenge, the duke immediately sent a messenger to the electors of southern Mitergeland. Gold and silver treasures acquired ‘accidentally’ near the colonial route were also included..
The three electors in the southern part of the empire always hated the duchy of Eyland. However, the temptation presented by the messenger was so sweet that it eventually raised an army. When the three electors and the Duke of Eyland joined forces and attacked, the desert emirs were defeated and had to retreat for now..
Afterwards, the three electors established colonies on the southern continent with the concessions and help of the Pirate Grand Duke. Since the Amir Alliance did not completely retreat, the two powers coexisted on the wide coast of the southern continent for a while, each focusing on pioneering work..
That balance was broken two years ago. Ruilix II, the emperor of Mittergeland and the most powerful elector, stepped forward..
Ruilix II concluded the War of the Blades, stabilized the eastern border, and then immediately drove his army southwest. With only 40,000 troops directly under the emperor and the three southern electors adding troops, a large army of approximately 70,000 troops attacked the Allied Amirs..
The emirs resisted fiercely, but were eventually defeated and fled into the deep desert. The emperor was unable to eradicate them, but instead succeeded in taking over all of the colonies on the southern continent.…….
“……I apologize in my words.,”
A beautiful woman who had been quietly listening to the story about the colonial status of the Mittergerand Empire cautiously opened her mouth..
“I am well aware of His Majesty's achievements in the south together with the Southern Electors. I heard this a lot not only in Eisbowald, but also on the way to Mitteltang..”
The typical attire of a paladin was wearing a long coat over dazzling white plate armor..
However, other than her attire, the term 'typical paladin' did not really suit her. Isn’t a paladin also a knight? The neckline was too thin to withstand the heavy iron helmet, and the hands were too soft to hold the hilt of the sword. His skin was transparent, not to mention white, and his eyes were kind, but there was no trace of the martial man's ferocity..
But she was clearly a paladin. It was not an ordinary paladin, but a paladin strong enough to be called ‘the first paladin of Calandari’..
“So, my lord, please tell me what you have in mind..”
Theodora bowed her head politely..
She was a paladin of high reputation and a noblewoman born with noble blood, but she did not dare to show it in this place. This was the headquarters of the church she belonged to, and the two old men sitting in front of her were at the top of the church..
“……Um, I see..”
The two red-robed bishops sitting side by side made eye contact. After a moment of mutual glances, Aramos opened his mouth..
“If the Lord says so. I say it harshly.”
“yes please.”
“There is something I must do for the Church of God..”
Theodora bit down as if she had expected this..
“As I have already reported to both of you in writing, I still have an unfinished mission. There may be a use for the chaotic south, but in my opinion,-”
“Hmm? It's the south?”
“……yes?”
Archbishop Aramos shook his head as if asking what he was talking about..
“I guess they thought they would be sent to the southern colonies.?”
“Are you saying that's not it??”
“Of course, it is true that both the Southern Company and the governors want to borrow the power of light. But isn't Kyeong a paladin representing the church? I should give it a little more serious responsibility..”
“……If you say it is a heavy responsibility,.”
A look was exchanged between the two old men again. When Verfan, another red-clothed bishop, nodded as if urging, Aramos clicked his tongue slightly and continued speaking..
“His Majesty the Emperor has requested support from the Church. In addition to the 30 Holy Knights, 400 red militiamen are planning to be assigned to His Majesty's army. Sir, please lead this..”
Theodora looked a little confused. Light green eyes looked alternately at the two red robed bishops..
“That's almost all of the remaining power at the church's headquarters, right? What kind of misfortune is happening?,”
“It's treason.”
“yes?”
“They say the Grand Duke Antashka's family is plotting treason. It looks like not only the Archduke but other Electors will join in as well..”
Theodora's face was filled with astonishment. Berpan, who had been silent at this sight, opened his mouth in a calm manner..
“You may not believe it, but it's true.”
“What is treason all of a sudden?.”
“Duke Gorond captured the situation and reported it directly to the emperor, and Prince Nadim confirmed it through his subordinates. The reason Lazarus is touring local cathedrals is actually to understand the station's intentions..”
Gorond is the duke of the 'Frothsi' region and the elector representing the southern part of the empire. Nadim is a relative of Ruilix II and a field marshal of the Empire, and Lazarus is the Scarlet Bishop who leads the Qalandari Order along with the two here..
Theodora's face hardened, perhaps because the great figures of the empire were mentioned one after another..
“that… … . Aren't the Antashka family descendants of Ludwig I? There is no way he would betray the will of his ancestors who calmed the chaos on the continent and established an empire and commit treason.,”
“How can we know the Archduke’s true intentions? Just to guess:,”
There wasn't a single ant in the hall except three. Nevertheless, Bishop Verfan lowered his voice for no reason..
“The family that produced many great emperors, including the first emperor, is in decline, while the Stampterg family that currently occupies the throne is flourishing day by day..”
It was an undeniable fact..
The Stampterk family has produced three emperors this century alone, and Ruiliks II has the widest territory among the electors. He is already considered to be the most powerful of all emperors, and has recently been accumulating endless wealth and prestige by pioneering southern colonies..
“The throne may be lost forever to the Stampterk family, the number one enemy of the family... … . It is not unreasonable for the Archduke to be so concerned. They may think this is their last chance to turn the tables..”
“Oh my god, Lord of light.”
Theodora crossed herself in despair..
But that was only for a moment, and as if he had doubts, he asked a question to the two old men..
“I understand very well that this is an emergency situation where a civil war may break out. However, I, the other paladins, and the members of the red militia serve the Lord. Can I get involved in worldly affairs??”
“As the Lord just said, there are concerns about a civil war. How can you hesitate to come forward when so many lives may be sacrificed for nothing??”
“If you are going to mediate, there is no reason to hesitate. However, being part of His Majesty's army and pointing your sword at your compatriots is…….”
The two red-robed bishops understood what she meant and nodded heavily..
“It is impossible for a paladin to harm a member of the Light Church, or even a member of the Calandari. Not only is it against church law, but it is also not what the Lord wants. but…….”
Seeing Verpan hesitating to speak, Aramos spoke with a sigh..
“His Majesty the Emperor is suspicious of us, or rather, of you..”
“……Are you talking about me??”
“That's right. Since you are suspecting that Sir, the first paladin of Calandari, is siding with the weightlifters, doesn't the entire church have no choice but to step forward?.”
Theodora shook his head as if he was dumbfounded by the words that sounded like a sigh..
“Are you saying I'm on the side of weightlifters? I have no connection with the Antashka family..”
“Didn't I say it earlier? It seems that not only the Archduke but also other electors will join in. One of them is after the empire..”
“Empire, hoo? Are you talking about Ruyan??”
“That's right.”
Aramos continued speaking with a heavy face..
“He exercised his right of succession under the pretext of being the 7th cousin of the Lord. The emperor accepted this and made him the elector of the Obdorf region. However, since it is said that the Imperial Empress joined hands with Antashka, how could one not be suspicious of the sutra and the religious order??”
“……Lord.”
Theodora closed her eyes tightly without realizing it..
While my mind was in extreme confusion, a memory from the past day suddenly came to mind..
-Just make one promise with me, sir..
-It's a promise?
-Be sure to pray at least once a day,
-Well, even for me, it would be a bit weird to lie as soon as I finish confessing.…….
-…… Ugh, if you do that, be careful about your behavior. Unless you want to spend the day of reunion as a confession instead of a regret..
-If you're that worried, come back quickly. Before I have too much to confess.
-out… … . If you say you understand, at least a thorn will come out in your mouth.?
“…….”
A scene that was both a sad farewell and a happy memory flashed through her mind. However, Theodora shook her head as if to shake it off. And slowly opened my mouth.
“……I understand what the situation is. I will follow your wishes..”
As she lowered her eyes in a depressed mood, the two red-robed bishops secretly made eye contact in front of her. The eyes of the two old priests were full of complex consideration..
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