Chapter: 359
Since the Great Subjugation War, the Empire’s intelligence regarding the Northern regions has completely crumbled. Despite efforts to rebuild its information networks since the armistice, they barely managed to recover to half of their prior capability. On top of that, they were too busy tracking the bloodline of the Fallen Star to fully commit to reconstruction.
Thus, the Empire found itself in the dark about the forces and internal situations in the North. With the heirs of the Fallen claiming the title of Khan, it was only natural that tensions rose dramatically.
The terror of the unknown was exacerbated by memories of the Fallen’s rampage just before the Empire faced its doom. If they let their guard down now, it would almost be a declaration of abandoning the Empire and its divine mandate.
‘Is this really the reality we’re facing?’
However, pulling back the veil of mystery and confronting reality was shocking for entirely different reasons.
Can the current state of the North even be called a singular force? With internal traitors brazenly acting, and no one daring to deal with those traitors, is this situation normal at all?
‘Is it a coalition?’
No, it’s even worse than that. If it were a coalition, at least there would be a shared goal, but these factions don’t even share a purpose.
‘Surely the title of Khan isn’t something to be taken lightly.’
My head throbbed. I could understand if a chieftain of a large tribe had rallied certain factions to revolt, but the bloodline of the Fallen claiming to be Khan? There’s a vast difference in the authority between mere powerful figures and a Khan.
For someone wielding such authority to fail to maintain internal control is utterly nonsensical. If one can’t even manage their tribe, claiming the title of Khan would lead them to ruin at the hands of others questioning their worthiness to lead.
Historically, there have been chieftains who recklessly claimed the title of Khan, but they all met their end at the hands of their fellow nomads, as it should be.
‘This shouldn’t be happening.’
History, not just my subjective viewpoint, declares that a self-proclaimed Khan can only end up in one of two futures: ruling over all tribes as a calamity like the Fallen or plunging into the realm of the self-proclaimed. There’s absolutely no way to rule like the current Khan without strict control.
But what can I do? Although it’s bewildering and defies logic, it has indeed happened. Thus, I must think of ways to respond rather than deny reality.
If the Khan’s control is weak, then the Empire must seize the opportunity to extend its influence. As more tribes bow their heads to the Empire, information on this peculiar situation will increase.
‘A priest of an unorthodox faith, huh.’
In this context, the Berandi tribe reported by the Vice Captain becomes the top priority for recruitment. Religion rarely stays just as religion; it seeps into everyday life, making it a fundamental aspect of nomadic societies.
The only obstacle is this unorthodox faith—
‘The Eternal Blue Sky.’
Suddenly, I recalled the incident regarding the World Tree’s revival reported by the Crown Prince.
The World Tree, which vanished due to Apels’s misdeeds, resurrected monumentally during the Kefellofen period. And it wasn’t caused by Enen but involved a chief inspector who had come into contact with another deity’s power.
How on earth could the chief inspector be entangled in the revival of the World Tree? It was baffling, but now it seemed truly to be an act blessed by the Great Emperor.
‘The deity of the North resurrected the World Tree through the Empire.’
If that’s the case, there’s no justification for mere suppression of this unorthodox faith. The World Tree is an essential entity even to the Dawn Sect.
As soon as I made that decision, I activated the communication array. Meanwhile, the war continued, and the Empire’s troops were spilling blood in unfamiliar lands. It was the duty of a ruler to act swiftly if there were any methods to hasten the end of the war.
– Your humble servant petitions you—
“Summon Cardinal Risiuko. There’s something urgent to discuss.”
I interrupted the words of the Minister of the Imperial Household, issuing my directive immediately.
Cardinal Risiuko, head of the Ausen Archdiocese, holds the highest authority among the members of the Dawn Sect within the Empire. Being somewhat aware of the details surrounding the World Tree’s revival, it would be quicker to persuade him.
*
Upon entering the makeshift headquarters at the behest of the Vice Captain, I found the multi-level marketing scheme — I mean, the Northern map received from Count Kaita spread out before me. It displayed the territories of tribes clearly intent on surrender.
“Inspector. Do you have any intelligence regarding the Berandi tribe?”
I shook my head as the Vice Captain, gazing down at the map, spoke.
“I have not heard. Over the past three years, many tribes have relocated, and the Berandi tribe was among them.”
“It seems we may need to contact tribes other than Kaita to have any chance.”
“Yes, Your Grace. Quite regrettably, that is indeed the case.”
Even the top pick for Northern Ambassador, Count Kaita, doesn’t have a grip on the locations of all tribes. The territory of a tribe can change overnight, so without continuous interactions, there’s no way to keep track in real-time.
Moreover, after the Khan perished with those tribes it took some might, an immigration crisis erupted in the North. The territories of those factions that showed a little strength were prime real estate, and those valuable unclaimed lands turned into no-man’s-lands. For the tribes watching from the sidelines, it must have felt like a heaven-sent opportunity.
The Berandi tribe didn’t miss its chance, while Count Kaita, who hadn’t maintained contact, lost track of their position.
“I did hear that the Berandi tribe is on the move toward the front lines.”
It’s fortunate that Count Kaita had secured at least some information at the war’s outset. Thanks to that intel, it was determined that the Berandi tribe maintained neutrality.
Naturally, a priestly tribe that had been trampled upon in faith would’ve come rushing in a froth, but if they’re moving at an unusually slow pace, it suggests they’re not yet prepared for battle. Yet it doesn’t exactly indicate total surrender, either, as they haven’t made appeals to the Empire.
“Good to know they’re not hiding in the backlines.”
It seemed like the Vice Captain, deep in thought, lifted his head upon hearing that. Undoubtedly, searching for a tribe hiding ‘somewhere in the North’ has far different difficulties from locating a tribe that plans to join the front.
“Your Majesty has stated that if they wish to come under the Empire’s wing, even if they follow an unorthodox faith, they shall be received.”
“Your Majesty’s mercy is truly as vast as the ocean.”
To hear that even the Berandi tribe, a focal point of unorthodox belief, is to be received instinctively led to praise escaping my lips.
Honestly, given the Emperor’s prioritization of national interest, I had suspected he’d welcome even heretical beliefs. However, for the Emperor of Kefellofen, who commands the divine mandate and enjoys Enen’s favor, it would be a considerable burden to embrace a heretical faith. To shoulder that burden meant that as a servant, I should commend the Emperor’s resolution.
“When the Berandi tribe appears at the front, make contact. Keep that in mind, Inspector.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
I bowed my head in reply.
When contacting the Berandi tribe, there would be many more obstacles than with Count Kaita’s tribe. After all, the Berandi tribe doesn’t exhibit a firm will to surrender and is the last priestly faction in the North, thus they’ll naturally have strong spiritual convictions. It won’t bode well for me, the one who has trampled on their faith—
– Priest? There’s none of them. They all died.
Ah, that’s a relief, then. So, it looks like there are no overly zealous believers left.
…
‘Wait, what?’
A late sense of unease arose.
A priest, gone?
The voice of the Eternal Blue Sky, which had been cautiously speaking away from the fairies, fell silent upon my entry into the North. No matter how much the gods abstain from excessive meddling in human affairs, it must be bittersweet to witness their own worshippers perish. After all, the main base of the Eternal Blue Sky is the World Tree now.
That Eternal Blue Sky finally broke its silence and spoke again.
– If even one priest had been left, I wouldn’t have fallen into my current state. With no temples or priests, they’ve all taken residence within you.
With that rather shocking news striking me hard.
Thinking back, it feels like I’ve heard a similar remark when I first encountered the Eternal Blue Sky. Damn it, why had I forgotten? Was my memory fried due to being shocked by meeting a deity?
‘All the priests perished.’
Regardless, with this new information, I began to rethink things. If even the priests who had not followed the Khan were dead, it implicates that the Empire was ruthless enough to eliminate even those priests uninvolved with the war.
That would radically escalate the difficulty of negotiations. How could one trust an Empire that had attacked them while remaining passive—
– Oh, the last priest passed away of natural causes. He peacefully passed away in front of his family.
‘…….’
Ah, the information has been updated again.
– His son succeeded both the chieftaincy and the priesthood… but something happened during the succession process, and he couldn’t take on the role properly.
Was it the destruction of the temple causing this? I found it hard to respond to the comments from the Eternal Blue Sky.
‘What a nightmare.’
Lately, every time I try to think, the results keep deviating from reality. The bold defection of tribes, Count Kaita’s flamboyant schemes, and the last priest dying peacefully after living a cushy life.
‘What a mess.’
The North must seriously be messed up; I can’t predict even the smallest details.
*
Having eaten lamb last night, what should I choose for today — horse meat, perhaps?
“Chief, we will arrive at the front lines in a few days. There’s a chance we might clash with the Empire.”
Meanwhile, I was sick to death of drinking only the barley wine every day. The liquor supplied by the Empire is rare, so I can’t just drink it carelessly.
“You need to clarify your stance! As a priest, do you intend to confront this unorthodox faith, or will you bow to the tide?”
Though, sometimes it wouldn’t hurt to indulge a little, would it? Alcohol is meant to be enjoyed, after all, not just for show—
“Father!”
“I’m listening.”
I replied disinterestedly to Shati, who was screeching.
Seeing my only daughter trembling made me feel a hint of guilt, but sadly, Shati seems to have overly romanticized the notion of being a priestess.
‘Priestess, my foot.’
What’s the use of a priestess without a temple, sacred artifacts, hope, or a future?
During the last war, our tribe remained neutral due to my father’s old age, but that doesn’t mean we completely lost interest. The Eternal Blue Sky’s apostle, the high priest, and the Khan who united the nomads first have all pushed against the Empire. How could we turn a blind eye to that?
Yet, the apostle is now with the gods. The high priest can no longer spread faith in this land, and the Khan crumbled before the Empire’s sword.
We are done for. Our belief, our faith crumbled that day. Therefore, the title of priestess is utterly pointless now. Still, others gaze at me with veiled expectations simply because of that title.
‘Does anyone think a priestess resurrects even after being killed?’
As long as the Empire doesn’t pounce on me to kill me, that’s a relief.
So giving up my title as priestess might be an option, but unfortunately, the title is also the strongest element holding our tribe together. It means I’ve been carrying this burden for several years.
So, this is a headache. According to Shati, the wisest thing to do would be to follow the tide, yet I feel too tied to this burden to let it go, especially when life is on the line by following a dead faith.
‘Life’s a bummer.’
No matter how much I think about it, it just annoys me. I can understand that the members of my tribe are banded together by the authority of the priestess, but why do other tribes look at me with such fervor? Did I ever promise a piece of land or something?
‘If the Khan were alive, they wouldn’t dare even speak up.’
Life is truly a mess.
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