The continent of El Dorado was quiet.
It felt like the calm before a storm.
But beneath that stillness, a sharp tension lingered.
News of Duke Eamond’s assassination had not yet spread everywhere, but its ripples were already spreading from the heart of the continent.
Especially the royal family of the Sail Kingdom had been in chaos since dawn.
The news brought by the herald from Libertas, the capital of the Free City Alliance, was enough to shake the court.
In the magnificent royal conference room, Queen Irena sat calmly in her chair. No emotion was visible on her face.
Instead, the nobles expressed their outrage.
“How dare they! To assassinate a noble of our kingdom!”
Although the power of the Aristocrats had decreased since Queen Irena took the throne, their voices still existed, however faint.
Especially the nobles belonging to the Aristocrats had no choice but to swallow their indignation at the death of the duke, who could check the queen.
“This is a clear provocation against our kingdom. Immediate military action is necessary!”
“That’s right! The duke’s assassination appears to be a systematic act. The mayor and the council are likely behind it!”
The conference room was filled with anger and grief.
A duke of one country died in another country.
If this were overlooked, the Sail Kingdom would only become a laughingstock.
If they couldn’t even protect a high-ranking noble of the country, what was the point of the country’s existence, and furthermore, the royal authority could be tarnished.
“Your Majesty, we must declare war on the Free City Alliance immediately!”
Therefore, even nobles belonging to the Royalists, not the Aristocrats, were raising their voices against the Free City Alliance.
In fact, for them, this incident was an opportunity.
An opportunity for territorial expansion.
If they could conquer the Free Cities, the Sail Kingdom could take a leap to be reborn as the Sail Empire.
At the same time, the queen’s power would become even stronger.
The Royalist nobles did not want to miss this opportunity.
“Your Majesty, what will you do?”
Lennon spoke.
Lennon had served as the escort knight when Irena was a princess.
After Irena became queen, he became the youngest Captain of the Royal Guard, and his voice had become considerable.
However, Lennon was always on Queen Irena’s side.
Queen Irena’s assertion was his assertion, and Queen Irena’s command was the path he had to follow.
Therefore, as Captain of the Royal Guard, Lennon only waited for Queen Irena’s instructions.
“Everyone, quiet.”
“……”
With Queen Irena’s single word, the assembly fell silent.
The queen quietly closed her eyes and then slowly opened them again.
“I understand your anger.”
Her voice was soft but firm.
“Duke Eamond’s death is a great loss to the kingdom.”
Queen Irena paused for a moment and looked out the window. A small smile seemed to flit across her lips, but no one noticed it.
“However.”
Her words continued.
“We must not make hasty decisions. Instead of punishing the entire Free City Alliance, we must identify precisely who should be held responsible.”
“Your Majesty, what do you mean…?”
“We must consult with the White Church.”
Queen Irena explained.
“They already consider the Free City Alliance as heathens. This incident proves that the Church’s judgment was correct.”
Her gaze suddenly sharpened.
“We will send an envoy to the Church to formally request the formation of a crusade. Our Sail Kingdom will take the lead.”
A moment of silence fell in the conference room. The nobles were surprised that the queen’s decision was much stronger than expected.
“Your, Your Majesty. That is a scale that goes beyond simple retaliation…”
Even Lennon, who had been quietly reserving his own opinions, was startled.
Why was involving the White Church considered strong?
It was due to the geographical characteristics of the Free City Alliance.
The Sail Kingdom was not the only country adjacent to the Free City Alliance.
To the south was the Orbis Empire, and though separated by the Silent Mountain Range, the Kalrn Empire was to the east.
In this situation, it was a burdensome situation for the Sail Kingdom to launch a military attack on the Free City Alliance simply because a noble had died.
However, if the White Church were involved, the situation would be reversed.
The Free City Alliance was on the verge of being labeled as heretics.
If they were confirmed to be heretics and a crusade was decided, the Sail Kingdom would have a legitimate reason to attack the Free City Alliance.
Furthermore, wasn’t Queen Irena being called the new Saintess?
In such a situation, the White Church could not refuse Queen Irena’s request.
Above all, the distance between the White Church and the Free City Alliance was far, so if they were to destroy the Free City Alliance, it would be a good option for the Church to conquer it themselves.
“Duke Eamond’s death is not a mere political assassination.”
Irena opened her mouth.
“This is a blasphemy against sacred royal authority and an act contrary to the Church’s teachings. We must eradicate the heretical ideology of the Free City Alliance with this opportunity.”
The nobles exchanged surprised glances. They doubted if this was the same queen who was usually gentle and valued peace.
“Begin all preparations. I will personally handle the negotiations with the White Church.”
Queen Irena commanded.
“Three days. Prepare for war within three days!”
She concluded the meeting and returned to her private office. As soon as the door closed, all emotion vanished from her face.
“Everything is proceeding without a hitch, as planned.”
She spoke to the darkness.
From within the darkness, Celia’s form gradually emerged.
“Of course, Irena. Your Master’s will is always perfect.”
“Once the crusade is formed, the Free City Alliance will be awash in blood.”
“And all those souls will be dedicated to your Master. What an glorious thing that would be?”
Celia smiled in satisfaction.
“Duke Eamond was useful.”
The one who killed Duke Eamond was a Banshee possessing an adventurer.
Naturally, the Banshee was merely following Celia’s orders.
To her words with a demonic smile, Irena replied in a reverent voice.
“If even a trivial life can help my Master’s plan, I am even more pleased.”
Queen Irena knew very well who had helped her the most to reach this position.
Most importantly, she remembered well the fact that it was Celia who had responded to her call when she was in trouble.
Didn’t Princess Irena declare then?
That she would restore the kingdom to normalcy even if it meant selling her soul to a demon.
“Very well, Queen Irena. I have also made my own preparations, so there will be no significant damage to the Sail Kingdom.”
Celia whispered.
Naturally, Celia also intended to get involved in this war.
“Now, everything is according to the Master’s will.”
Outside the window, the movements of the Sail Kingdom’s soldiers could be seen.
The prelude to a war that would soon engulf the continent was beginning.
* * *
The sky of the El Dorado continent was clearer than ever.
Only three days after the White Church approved Queen Irena’s request, the Sail Kingdom had completed its war preparations.
The Church merely issued a declaration of ‘just retaliation for the heretical acts of the Free City Alliance,’ while the practical command of the war was fully entrusted to the Sail Kingdom.
In front of the royal palace, a wide square was filled with soldiers preparing for the expedition.
Flags bearing the kingdom’s crest fluttered in the wind, and tens of thousands of soldiers formed orderly ranks. The sound of the heavy cavalry’s horses, the footsteps of infantry and mages, and the creaking of wagons loaded with supplies mingled together, playing a magnificent overture to war.
Queen Irena watched the army from a high watchtower.
She wore armor in white and gold, but the symbols of the White Church were deliberately excluded.
This was an intention to clarify that this was the Sail Kingdom’s war.
“Your Majesty, all preparations are complete.”
Captain Lennon bowed deeply and reported.
“The forward units have already headed to the border, and the main force is ready to depart by noon today.”
The forward units Lennon mentioned were precisely the crusade forces.
As the Sail Kingdom held the initiative in the war, most of those who volunteered for the crusade were people of the kingdom.
Of course, adventurers recruited by Celia were also included.
For example, Baldwyn, a Gold Badge adventurer, who was once known as the ‘Knight of Flame.’ Baldwyn had already joined the crusade forces and intended to fight on the front lines. He knew his comrades had been harmed by the warlock, so he voluntarily participated in the crusade. Of course, Celia’s charm was also a factor, but it didn’t matter anymore.
“Good, Lennon.”
A subtle smile appeared on Irena’s face.
All preparations were complete.
“Let’s begin the expedition.”
The Sail Kingdom’s army began to move like a giant steel wave.
* * *
While the Sail Kingdom’s army was holding its expedition ceremony, another organization was moving secretly.
The organization of warlocks, Eclipse.
No, it was now a group of fanatics reborn as the Twilight Church.
Their leader, Sharia, stood on a round altar, looking down at her ten confidants. Her face was no longer that of a destitute and shabby warlock. Wearing a purple robe made of fine silk and with her head covered by a hood woven with silver thread, she had transformed into the appearance of a dignified religious leader.
“Brothers and sisters, the will of the Great One has been delivered.”
Sharia’s voice echoed low and reverent. In her hand was a letter sent by Celia.
“This is the revelation directly delivered by the first apostle. The Great One desires the sacrifice of the Free City Alliance.”
A mad glint appeared in the eyes of the confidants. They were all once key figures of Eclipse, and now they were the heart of the Twilight Church.
“Far away, the army of the Sail Kingdom is on the move. And the crusade of the filthy Church has also departed.”
Sharia continued.
“But we know. They are merely hollow blades moving without true faith.”
Vice-leader Lucas stepped forward from her right.
“Leader Sharia. The preparations of the Twilight Knights are all complete. The Skeleton Knights given by the first apostle have now become warriors of death who move according to our teachings.”
Sharia smiled with satisfaction at Lucas’s words. Before them stood one hundred Skeleton Knights, armed and ranked.
Until now, the Skeleton Knights had been soldiers protecting the Twilight Church just in case. Of course, they were soldiers who obeyed the orders of the first apostle, Celia, not Leader Sharia. However, starting with this incident, the Skeleton Knights also began to obey the words of Leader Sharia and Vice-leader Lucas. Their role was simple.
“From now on, we will help the Free City Alliance and stop the crusade.”
The Twilight Church, composed of warlocks, helps the Free City Alliance. What would be the reaction of neighboring countries, especially the White Church, if that happened? Sharia found the thought alone delightful. At the same time, she felt reverence for Celia, the first apostle.
‘Ah, this is how war should be waged!’
A war where lies and manipulation pervaded… Sharia had learned a great lesson today.
