Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 11: Unholy Holy Queen, part 4
“Commander Lilithia?” Two words plus question marks immediately shot out of Elmira's mouth when he did not find the commander with Xavier.
“He has business to do,” response Xavier simply. “Then, what does ‘cleaning’ mean that you will do the same as what I interpret? By the way,” Xavier is not waiting for Elmira's answer. “I no longer play a masked role. There were some things going on, and my position was forcibly taken. So, now there's no reason why you need to think about our conversation back then.”
…Elmira did not hide her surprise. Xavier is no longer at the head of the New World Order? He really didn't expect that. “...That means whoever overthrew you, he is stronger than you?” he asked for a moment—ia did not care about the fact that the soldiers in control heard their words.
“You saw a massive attack from the month the other day targeting Axellibra?”
Elmira nodded; there was no way anyone would forget about the tense incident.
“The culprit was the same person who forcibly took my position from me. And yes, he is stronger. The magic I used to rely on didn't work on him. At least, now I can't beat him. Right now, maybe only one person can defeat that person.”
“Fie Axellibra?”
Xavier nodded. “I don't think there's anything else. He didn't even take me and Kanna seriously. He limited himself when facing us. Therefore, if you still want to continue our conversation at that time, you know that the real enemy is different.”
“That person” that Xavier meant.Elmira could think of no one but Vermyna Hermythys—dambaan Neix.
“So, you are now siding with a country that you yourself want to overcome?” elmira asked with a curious look on her face.
“. I'm just an individual; there's not much I can do without a decking in the back. Of course it would be different if I was strong enough to subdue Islan alone, but.” Xavier shook his head slowly, looking intensely at Elmira. “You haven't answered my question,” he said.
“You didn't give me a chance to answer,” Elmira said as she gestured for them to start walking. “’The cleaning I'm referring to is...”.
...—Etharna— Church...
Gallan is the new pastor who heads the only church standing in Etharna City. He was just an ordinary thirty-two year old man who had a family and already had one child. There is nothing special about Gallan other than his obedience in doing the command of the god he worshiped. And it was this that made him chosen to replace the previous pastor.
He replaced his predecessor who died of food poisoning three months ago. Based on the investigation that the soldiers and the church did, found the fact that his predecessor was involved in an affair with the wife of one of the rich people in this city. And not wanting to defame both sides, it was finally decided that Gallan food poisoning was unintentionally—not deliberately poisoned.
Of course, there is speculation that it is all set up, there are parties who really want the death of their predecessors so as to make a trap so that the murder over him can be justified. However, there is not a single piece of evidence that can corroborate that speculation. It was no different from the tragic killing of one big family. Although there is speculation that there is a mastermind behind it, but all the evidence leads to internal conflicts.
Putting aside the obligatory duty, one of his duties as head pastor was to establish good relations with the ruler of the country where this church stood. In this case, Elmira Cent Nix Favilifna—ratu who got alias “Holy Queen” from the residents and administrators of the church. She was an unpretentious queen; she checked the state of the citizens on foot (not riding a horse-drawn carriage as the average ruler/noble); she was very friendly towards the citizens; she was very friendly towards the citizens; and Gallan has never heard of anyone vilifying Elmira behind him.
Gallan has met him twice, and alias “Holy Queen” that he can make sure is not just a word. He was the ideal ruler symbol. If Elmira was born into a royal family in Axellibra, her lord would appoint the queen as queen of the Emiliel Holy Kingdom. Therefore, once he got the message that “Holy Queen” would be here, Gallan postponed all his schedule and prepared the best welcome for the queen.
That is also the reason why now he and several other church officials are standing in front of the church entrance, waiting faithfully for the queen to come.
...***...
“...So apparently,” said Xavier accompanied by a nod of understanding. “That's a very appropriate way to avoid conflict. However, it all depends on the head pastor and the church manager. If some of them disagree, conflict is inevitable. Of course it is unless you decide to take action that will tarnish your name.”
“After all, the people must understand that I am the servant of this kingdom. Although this will hurt them, we are the Favilifna people before we are followers of the church. What makes the citizens able to live well is the kingdom, not the church and all its teachings. The people are not forbidden to embrace anything, but they must understand that this kingdom is above everything.”
Xavier understood what Elmira said. Although he was not born into the royal family, although he was not responsible for the lives of the people, the words of Elmira are very clear meaning. As a leader, peace and adequacy also the welfare of the people is his responsibility. When the people are starving, the economy is slumping, the threat of war is at the end of the horizon?
The answer is not the church, let alone the gods. The government is moving. Those who are busy turning their brains. The soldiers who sacrificed blood were moving. There is no god's hand. There is no church smile. There is no miracle. The existence of a kingdom depends entirely on how great his government is. It never depended on the help of the gods.
Therefore, for a leader who prioritizes reality above all else, there is no place for a god in government. The role of the god is only in the spiritual life of everyone. The role of gods is only so that mortal beings do not get lost in their lives. Gods are the instinctive answer to the question of the existence of an individual.
“If so, the nickname ‘Holy Queen’ is not at all appropriate for you. The word ‘Holy’ is only worthy of those who put forward the word of god above all else. You're like forcing a god to limit his role..”.
“It's not entirely true. I'm not limiting anyone. In fact, I brought them closer to dewa.” The confidence in Elmira's eyes flashed brightly. “During this time every church must obey the command of the Great Priest, following the instructions of the Great Church of Luciel. Why so? Who are they apparently? They are nobody. Every church that worships a god must stand alone, not under anyone's command. Right, I gave them a closer distance to god.”
“...Your words have a point,” Xavier was forced to admit. “Removing the fact that churches would never exist if Luciel's Great Church did not begin to spread its teachings, the independence of every church is a good thing. Without a complicated bureaucracy and full of opportunities to defame gods with corruption and the like, a church would be more transparent and free. And by doing so also makes the citizens who use the church have the power to act if something goes wrong in the church. It's pure freedom.”
“Kan? Don't I deserve the title ‘Holy Queen’?” Elmira did not wait for Xavier's answer; they were already in front of the church entrance. “Design merit or not, first let's see if Chief Reverend Gallan is a god worshipper or a Great Priest/Fie Axellibra; let's hear if he manages the church for a god or a church for the Church of Luciel.”
Xavier did not comment on the full statement of provocation, which undoubtedly will get a sharp pain from the dignitaries of the Church of Luciel.
“We are looking forward to your presence, Your Majesty Elmira. We are honored to welcome Your Majesty directly.”