Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 11: Unholy Holy Queen, part 3
Morning comes with a burst of refreshing cold air, making people who are lulled in the warmth of a blanket to get up and move. Wherever it is—entah in a small village or in a big city— is not too much difference. Morning is always the starting line of activity in average life, and night is the end line. And that cycle will keep repeating.
Elmira is no exception ‒ cycles that control her life. He got up from his soft bed, performed his morning ritual, had a quiet breakfast with his mother and brother, and then immediately began his duties. He sat on the throne and listened to his adjutant—who was also his faithful servant—read his schedule today.
Like yesterday, nothing special today. He just had to wait here waiting for the people he had scheduled to meet. There was no problem; he just needed to continue checking the unfinished sheet of documents he had decided on. Everything is just an ordinary thing that is no longer troublesome.
“Free my schedule for this afternoon,” said Elmira. “For the morning, withdraw the meeting two hours from now—and speed up the duration of their time. Now, I want you to send a messenger to the church and tell them I'll be there in a dozen minutes after the messenger leaves. I'll be there with Xavier and Commander Lilithia.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
Elmira nodded and allowed her loyal followers to leave.
Along with the assistant, Hebranest, who had wrapped his body in a chain of adamantite robes, entered the throne room. He reported that the soldiers were ready to leave, and he also confirmed that he had instructed Basvona to take full responsibility for the security of the capital.
“Hebranest, just focus on our border with Ekralina. The sycophant country is too quiet. I wouldn't be surprised if they had already prepared a mass teleportation for the Knights Templar to arrive.”
“Hamba also thinks like that, Your Majesty. The Knights Templar would not try to take a straight path through the empire. Not long ago the empire was already very wary. Of course Emiliel Holy Kingdom, aligned with their arrogance, confidently overcame the Imperial Army. However, as we witnessed the other day, they were also wary of the perpetrators of the attack on Axellibra.”
“Then I entrust everything to you, and make sure you immediately inform here as soon as the Knight Templar appears in Ekralina.” region
...—Translation Knight Templar—...
Marcus growled in annoyance. Not only was all of his magic cannons destroyed last night, this morning he immediately heard from his observation soldiers that the Forbidden Valley of Ed had been under Eternity control. There were over a hundred thousand undead there. And it also answers the question of the perpetrators of the destruction of the Ilamia City States Union.
“This is not at all surprising Eternity is behind the destruction of the Ilamia City States Union; assuming the Great Priestess and all of us are too. However, hearing them rule over that sacred land.”.
Marcus instantly grabbed his two-edged greatsword and sheathed it on his back. “We leave now,” he said as he exited the tent, but then he kept quiet for a while and looked back. “Deserve our attention to the Imperial Army. Tell the others to send the remaining five thousand troops following Rossia's command. They could focus on taking over the Favilifna Kingdom through Ekralina Kingdom. While the remaining five thousand, tell them to follow us.”
The observer soldier nodded obediently, immediately going to carry out the task given.
Marcus continued walking. A small grin developed on his lips. Eternity was a small, disturbing parasite, and the Knights Templar had also gathered enough strength. With the parasite gone, Emiliel the Holy Kingdom could focus on carrying out their absolute goal: to make the Islan whole under the auspices of the Great Church of Luciel. All countries will be obliged to submit to the church, then the ideal life can be carried out.
“And, Islan will no longer be the holy land of Edenia, but instead belong to the noble Miss Fie.”
...—Etharna, Favilifna Kingdom—...
Xavier walked hand in hand with Lilithia out of the inn where they had stayed overnight. Of course Xavier and Lilithia are different rooms. Now Xavier is bound to Artemys; whatever the reason, he cannot be alone with another woman in the same room. Unexpected things can happen at any time. Xavier did not want to play with women like what Reinhart did—, although lately he heard the man had repented.
Indeed, as with Evillia, Artemys did not mind having more than one wife. Because Artemys understood that there was a time when he could not invite her to have fun: women had obstacles. And there is the issue of heredity. Having more than one wife is normal. At least, it's cultural among the capable people of this continent (Xavier heard from Heisuke that in Mikazuki Empire, a man can only have one wife).
However, Xavier was not sure he could treat his wives fairly. His father was troubled by his mother; Xavier could not imagine the scolding he would hear if he tended to side with one. Therefore, if in the end he married more than one, at most he would only marry three women. He already has Artemys, only two more are still confusing. And from that candidate, there's no Lilithia in it.
Therefore, Xavier no longer allowed himself to get too close to Lilithia. She was no longer as weak as she used to be; she had no need to worry if Lilithia tried to force her will. Lilithia seemed to have realized that she had deliberately put up a distance. And that explains why he was acting cold. It started when Xavier ignored Lilithia's pleasure by returning to Verada yesterday.
“Twelfth Commander, First Commander!” call suddenly a soldier in uniform Favilfna Kingdom. “We've been waiting for you guys to come out. Her Majesty Elmira wants you to accompany her to church. He advised that it would be a cleaning event.”
A cleanup?
That's a good word to embellish the actions he's about to take. Well, even though Elmira puts on a noble face and is hailed as “Holy Queen”, Xavier knows not completely she is. And do not rule out the possibility that “Holy Queen” is just a mask. Of course it was just his wild and baseless assumption. Unlike what used to happen in the power of Karen mel Matepola, the inhabitants of Etharna really sincerely praise Elmira. Maybe “Holy Queen” is not just a word.
“Alright,” said Xavier with a nod—ia knew Lilithia would not respond to the soldier's remarks. “Lead the way, we will follow you.”
“No,” argue Lilithia. “You go with him; I have business to do.” And Lilithia disappeared into her magic mirror.
“Rational problems?” ask the soldier with a smile of understanding.
Xavier, who had not blinked before after hearing what he did not expect from Lilithia, this time, blinked three times when he heard the question.
“Being a popular guy is hard; I was in that position once. The women tried to seduce with their sweet words, but in the end I was a loyal man. We cannot say we love one person when our hearts are easily tethered to another. Love belongs to each other, not one belongs together.”
…Once again Xavier's eyes blinked.
“Come, Twelfth Commander, I don't want to blame my superiors for making His Majesty Elmira wait a long time.”