Chapter 127: Chapter 127

Shan stared with a blank expression at the handwriting traced by the moving mana stone.

Palles, Count Palatine Tenon…

Could this handwriting truly have been written by someone in Palles?

From a distance that took nearly a fortnight on foot, and almost a week even on horseback?

An ordinary person would have collapsed in shock or suspected some sort of trickery, but Shan was fairly accustomed to this style of communication thanks to the spider remote-control magic tool Cheryn had created.

“It’s a magic tool that lets you communicate directly with someone in Palles!”

“That’s right. I split the same mana stone in half to make them resonate, then fitted them into magic tools so they move and write in sync with a voice. Depending on the size of the mana stone, the connection can be maintained over even greater distances. Theoretically, using something like the basilisk mana stone we got last time, we could communicate over distances several times greater than the expanse between the western and eastern ends of the Arman Alliance. Though I don’t think we’ll ever need to use it like that.”

In fact, this concept itself had been studied for quite a long time.

In the past, what Count Palatine Tenon had asked Cheryn to help him with was precisely researching this technology, and Cheryn’s spider remote-control magic tool had borrowed its concept from it as well.

However, the books brought back from the ruins last time were an immense help in bringing this into full commercialization.

Finding clues there for several concepts that had been lacking previously, rapid progress was achieved.

Of course, as research had been ongoing, results would have been seen in a few years anyway, but saving those few years was a tremendous advantage.

“It takes nearly a fortnight to walk to Palles. Even if a messenger delivers news on a swift horse, it takes a good week, and at least five or six people must travel in a group to prepare for monster attacks. But with this, we can convey news immediately. Even if the other side fails to check it right away, it will take at most a few hours.”

This technology was precisely the source of Cheryn’s confidence in breaking the existing feudal system.

Originally, rulers appointed vassals because they themselves could not exert influence over distant regions.

As tested previously in Palles and Shedil, if the king’s voice could reach across the kingdom at any time, regions could be controlled through well-educated administrative bureaucrats.

Of course, inspectors would need to be sent periodically or rotated to prevent them from entrenching themselves as local powers.

“I see…”

Listening to Cheryn’s vision, Shan also had many thoughts.

Having seen both the advantages and disadvantages of the bureaucratic governance system she envisioned through this northwestern expedition.

The communication technology using mana stones was certain to tremendously boost the control of the capital’s central government.

“Where is it connected right now?”

“For now, only Palles and Shedil. Devices destined for East Solod Castle, Beshalia, and the Eastern Holy See are already in transit, and the goal is eventually to connect every city above a certain size to the capital.”

She said that once that happened, a separate department would be created to handle it exclusively.

Cheryn could not manage all of this alone, and managing even general communications would be inefficient.

Beyond strengthening ties between cities in this manner, there were many other uses.

As with this instance, real-time communication with commanders of armies dispatched from the capital was possible, and spies equipped with this tool could be dispatched abroad to immediately verify local news.

Though in the latter case, care had to be taken lest the tool fall into foreign hands.

Chatting excitedly, Cheryn paused upon seeing a somewhat complex emotion grace Shan’s face.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Hesitating briefly, Shan soon confessed honestly.

He felt it was a shame that, while communicating secretly between the two of them through the spider had been enjoyable, now that such a device existed, that would no longer be necessary.

At that, Cheryn threw aside even her dignity as queen and burst out laughing.

And why wouldn’t she, when it was so adorable for someone built like a giant adult to act childishly like a young boy?

“Goodness… Fine, let’s keep communicating the way we used to between ourselves. Secretly from others.”

Cheryn tapped Shan’s forearm with her index and middle fingers, mimicking a spider crawling up as she spoke.

Shan, giggling from the tickle, recalled something he had not yet asked.

“Come to think of it, did you give this tool a name?”

“Yes. Since it’s for conveying words, passing them on like this will be called a ‘message’, and the tool will be called a ‘message relay’.”

*

As she had confidently promised, Cheryn distributed message relays to major cities across Pendia before long.

To be precise, several units were already in transit when Shan returned to the capital, and since Palles was where they were manufactured, it was the first location connected.

When the newly invented magic tool was unveiled, people could not hide their amazement and excitement.

Unless someone was exceptionally foolish, it was not difficult to fathom how powerful a tool like this was.

Instead of restricting these message relays strictly to official purposes, Cheryn permitted them to be used for conveying personal news in exchange for a small fee.

Even if the person in charge simply transcribed the message sent to the region and dispatched a letter to the intended recipient, the time required for information delivery shortened noticeably.

Of course, because every conversation was entered by the message relay administrator, secret stories could not be shared, but people felt immense joy just being able to communicate with acquaintances far away.

“Father, how are things living in Beshalia? I’m doing very, very well! I don’t know if you heard, but this time I came back after subjugating the monsters that poured out of the Blade Mountains in the northwest. If I were to tell the story of my showdown with the basilisk, even tonight wouldn’t be enough…”

Roden excitedly babbled the message to be sent to his father Callion, the administrator of Beshalia.

When the response came back shortly after saying, ‘Don’t waste messages on such useless stories,’ leaving him with a bewildered expression, Shan watched from beside him and giggled.

Similarly, Tavera sent a message to her family in Palles, and Lug also sent greetings to his family in the southeastern countryside.

Behind them, people seeking to communicate with distant relatives or acquaintances lined up.

As this phenomenon intensified, discussions on establishing a dedicated message management department began in earnest before long.

After all, work could not be handled haphazardly forever.

On top of that, thanks to suggestions to gather various news in the capital, process it as desired, and disseminate it across the kingdom, the court of Pendia was abuzz every day.

Naturally, as Cheryn became terribly busy, the time she could spend with Shan also shortened.

The establishment and organization of all kinds of departments following the invention of new items, inventing yet other items, reforming laws and institutions, studying ancient books from ruins…

Even after entrusting various duties to the bureaucrats she had trained herself, the queen always peered into books with bloodshot eyes, and Shan spent his time guarding her side whenever he was not working as the Lord Protector.

To ordinary eyes, it would have been a thoroughly boring time, but Shan enjoyed simply watching Cheryn work hard by her side.

Moreover, it was even better when he could stealthily massage her shoulders or legs or kiss her when no one was around.

The statuses of queen and her close guard were truly excellent positions for secret trysts behind others’ backs.

Around the time several bustling weeks passed alongside the invention of new technology, priests clad in white garments arrived from the east of Hasra.

They were high priests of the Eastern Holy See, including Archbishop Vent.

After entering the royal palace and exchanging greetings with Cheryn and various ministers, Vent called Shan aside and spoke with a smile.

“I have heard much about your deeds this time, Knight of Purity. At an age where one easily succumbs to temptation, your restraint is remarkable. I am truly impressed.”

Vent expressed his gratitude in a sly tone, saying that their honor had been upheld thanks to one of the Eastern Holy See’s few paladins being proven to adhere to the vow of purity.

Recalling how he had been merrily indulging in affection with Cheryn just this morning, Shan offered a bitter smile.

“I do not know if you are aware, but a short while ago, Her Majesty the Queen passed along to us several secret arts of the Western Holy See that she covertly extracted through Old Faith believers prisoners. Have you heard?”

“Yes, I didn’t know the details, but I heard such a thing happened.”

In truth, it was Shan who had extracted the information from the cardinal using drugs, but that was a secret known to only two people.

Everyone else believed that Shan had called the cardinal aside for interrogation and, when he refused to speak, beat him to death in a fit of rage.

Unaware of this fact, Vent calmly explained to Shan what he had learned.

“Leaving other matters to the domain of priests, this alone is something you must know. Namely, regarding ‘Chorus’.”

Chorus.

A secret art of the Western Holy See where multiple priests combined their strength around one powerful priest to bestow a mighty blessing.

How formidable it was had been felt sufficiently during the past Battle of Mount Aman.

Paladins of mediocre skill, who normally would not have lasted long against Shan, even overwhelmed him briefly while wrapped in all manner of blessings through the power of Chorus.

Of course, after a certain amount of time passed, their Fighting Spirit was exhausted, leaving them to be slaughtered one-sidedly.

“Chorus requires more demanding conditions than one might think. First, a caster capable of manifesting miracles of a certain level or higher… at least high-priest class by the standards of the Western Holy See… must be at the center, and those assisting must also receive special training. Additionally, the recipient of the blessing must prepare separately for it.”

Although it was information he already knew from asking the cardinal, Shan listened attentively, feigning ignorance.

“What kind of preparation?”

“It is nothing extraordinary. One ingests a few specially refined medicines and adjusts their bodily condition through purification miracles. If you are not busy, I would like you to make time soon so we may test it. Would that be acceptable?”

Of course, although there were now a few more paladins in the Eastern Holy See besides Shan, it was appropriate for such measures to begin with the strongest knight.

Curious about how much stronger he could become upon receiving the blessing, Shan accepted the offer without hesitation.

As he agreed, Vent smiled and nodded.

“Thank you. I shall see you tomorrow, then. Though it is hardly a pleasant affair.”

He knew well what unpleasant affair Vent was speaking of.

Namely, the execution by fire of Elvin, one of the few remaining royal family members of Pendia and a political rival who had colluded with monsters to target Cheryn’s life.

*

The very day after the priesthood arrived, Elvin was dragged out of the underground dungeon for the first time in months and bound to a pillar erected in the capital’s grand plaza.

Although the verdict itself had been passed months ago, the execution of royalty was originally scheduled according to various protocol rules.

Had the situation been urgent, there would have been no need to adhere to such things, but Cheryn, already secure as the ruler of Pendia, could afford to be leisurely.

The state of Elvin as he was dragged out was a complete mess.

Having received no proper healing miracles while imprisoned in the dungeon, just as Gizel III had in the past, he could neither express his intentions nor even maintain proper consciousness.

That he had not died was thanks to receiving various medicines and healing miracles that helped maintain health.

But now, the life he had sustained for so long was about to end.

“Hear now, Elvin Gizel Inar Hasra…”

In front of everyone gathered, Vent proclaimed that Elvin would be subjected to the ‘Baptism of Fire,’ recounting his numerous sins just as he had declared in the past.

Priests in pure white garments chanted the Goddess’s name from both sides, repeating the decree.

As the charges were made known before everyone in amplified voices, citizens spat with contemptuous expressions and shouted.

“You perverted bastard who mated with monsters!”

“Fuck a dog or a horse instead, you bastard!”

Like those who had attempted treason after being incited previously, Elvin faced countless insults, but having already lost consciousness, he did not even perceive them.

For him, this was actually better.

Because appearing in person might make her look as though she were presiding over the execution by fire, Cheryn could not come to the execution grounds (aside from having far too much work anyway) so Shan attended in her place to observe.

Looking at Elvin bound and drooling, he clicked his tongue.

‘Why did he have to play tricks using monsters…’

In truth, whether Elvin or Conrad, both had been hostile to Cheryn, but there was a massive difference in how the two were treated.

While part of the reason was the pretext of mating with monsters and controlling them, personal resentment also played a large role.

In the past, when the two princes waged a civil war in the capital, it was Elvin who had captured Cheryn first as she tried to slip away to Palles and locked her in the tower.

Cheryn deeply harbored the grudge over the death of her guard, Kagon, during that process.

Aran, who had been promised in marriage to Kagon, also specially came to the site to watch Elvin’s execution by fire.

Though she was much better now, when she had heard the news in the past that he failed to escape and died, Aran had cried for days on end.

Seeing Elvin, the root cause, finally executed, it felt as though the grievance of that time was washed away.

“Kagon…”

The moment white flames flared up beneath the wooden pillar where Elvin was bound, she shed tears while calling Kagon’s name.

People nearby coughed lightly and averted their gazes to show respect for her.

“Gaaahhhhh!”

The Flames of Purification, originally a secret art of the Western Holy See but recently revived in the Eastern Holy See, burned far hotter than ordinary flames.

Hot enough to incinerate Elvin’s flesh and blood, as well as the germs dwelling in his mind that had encroached upon his brain.

When Elvin, who until a moment ago had been drooling unconscious, thrashed around screaming madly before going limp, something inside his mind spewed forth dark purple smoke.

Seeing this, people whispered among themselves that the demonic power dwelling within Elvin was escaping.

The end of the man who had once occupied nearly half of Pendia and almost became king was truly futile.

*

A few weeks after Elvin’s execution by fire concluded and the high priests of the Eastern Holy See departed, spring finally arrived.

In a season when snow melted and fresh sprouts sprouted upon the earth, an ominous message arrived in Hasra.

The sender’s location was Palles.

[Count Palatine Tenon has collapsed. The reason is presumed to be old age. According to the priests, the time has come for the Goddess to take him.]

“Hah…”

At the unexpected tragic news, Cheryn let out a deep sigh.

Count Palatine Tenon, Oroom Sagat, was already over seventy years old, so it was an age where passing away soon would not be strange.

Of course, although he brewed and consumed all sorts of healthy alchemical medicinal herbs, that did not fundamentally extend his lifespan.

Thus, the day after receiving the message, Cheryn declared to her ministers that she would embark on a temporary royal tour to Palles.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but we believe leaving your seat empty during such a busy time as this will cause much confusion.”

“Count Palatine Tenon is personally my mentor, as well as the head of the Palles Magic Society and the chief executive of the magic tool factory. In addition to offering condolences on his passing journey, I must also search for someone to replace him and verify whether they can properly perform his duties. Do you intend to do this in my stead?”

A bureaucrat who had been overwhelmed daily with work in the newly formed message management department protested timidly, then bowed his head.

Looking down at him, Cheryn smiled and comforted him.

“There is no need to worry so. Even while traveling to Palles or after arriving there, I will carry a message relay with me and continue communicating. While smooth operations as when I am here may be impossible, urgent matters can all be handled.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Just as she said, thanks to the message relay, the queen could now carry out her duties as monarch to some extent even without staying shut inside Hasra.

As Lord Protector, Shan organized the troops and drew up travel plans to escort the queen during her journey to Palles.

Five royal knights, three hundred royal guards, and over a hundred attendants including handmaidens to serve the queen…

As a fairly large number of people were moving, there were quite a few things to pay attention to, such as supplies.

Originally, Roden would have taken care of all of this, but this time Shan drew up the plans himself while appropriately receiving his assistance.

Still, because he had observed over time, although there were a few minor mistakes, it turned out quite well.

Thanks to that, just three days after the Count Palatine’s illness became known, the queen was able to leave Hasra and head toward the city that had served as her foundation.