Chapter 112 - Episode 28 (Interlude: In the Royal Castle's Meeting Room)
"Good grief, has it finally quieted down?"
From a position looking down from the window of the Royal Castle's meeting room, the square in front of the castle was finally becoming quiet as the clamor subsided.
At noon, the public execution of Amavire Rent was held, followed by words from Saint Carol, and then the King himself promoted the Martial Arts Tournament.
The effect was excellent. There were likely many who thought to channel the blood stirred by the public execution into the Martial Arts Tournament.
"...Well, it was an expensive purchase, though."
The King said so and let out a sigh.
...Although he had promoted the Martial Arts Tournament, the King himself could not feel positive about it.
Above all, the plan to start a war had vanished. The profits that should have been gained had disappeared like sea foam, leaving behind only a 'peace' that was neither poison nor medicine.
The Martial Arts Tournament was also now completely useless. Almost nothing of the investment would be returned. It was a hollow tale to have spent a fortune only to gain the favor of the citizens.
"The only saving grace is that the source of the trouble is dead."
However, the culprit, Amavire Rent, was dead.
That wicked woman, who had piled lie upon lie in an attempt to entrap the country, had become a silent corpse. She would no longer interfere with the King.
But... even in death, Amavire Rent continued to hinder the King's thoughts.
Until the very moment of her death, Amavire Rent had continuously pleaded her innocence.
From the time she escaped the night before the public execution, she had appeared to have lost her reason and was in a state of frenzy... but most of the nonsense she spewed was about having no connection to Violia Nico Fortesia. Verbal abuse toward Violia Nico Fortesia. And that she was innocent.
Since her crimes of disrupting the Saint vote and spreading false information were certain, it was impossible for Amavire Rent to be innocent... but there certainly remained doubts regarding her relationship with Violia Nico Fortesia.
At the Saint voting venue, Violia Nico Fortesia had publicly stated that Amavire Rent had 'betrayed' her. In other words, the two had been working together until then but had a falling out.
This would mean that Amavire Rent spreading false information was contrary to Violia Nico Fortesia's intentions. Amavire Rent had intentionally spread false information. It was better to assume there was some kind of intent behind it.
If there were to be a war with the Kingdom of Asumbra, would Violia Nico Fortesia have been troubled by something?
...Information had indeed come in that Violia Nico Fortesia was traveling around neighboring countries. There was even information that she had sought asylum. There was no doubt she had some kind of interaction with other nations.
And... judging from her behavior during the Saint vote, Violia Nico Fortesia was clearly intending to destroy this country.
"We must be vigilant... a member of House Fortesia is a Fortesia to the core."
Was it a demon, or a curse? With such thoughts, the King uttered the name 'Fortesia' and let out another deep sigh.
...He would have to remain vigilant against Violia Nico Fortesia in the future. In that case, holding a Martial Arts Tournament and gathering soldiers might not be a bad idea.
Thinking so, he could feel slightly more positive about the tournament.
Setting aside the concerns regarding Amavire Rent and the related Violia Nico Fortesia for the moment, the King decided to focus on what he should currently consider.
"By the way, how is the situation at the Cathedral?"
"Yes. They continue to maintain the popularity they gained immediately after the Saint vote... no, it seems their influence is growing even stronger. In an unstable situation, religion is extremely powerful."
The Minister's answer was the same as before. If anything, it might have worsened.
...Since the Saint vote, distrust toward the Royal Family had increased, while on the other hand, the Cathedral had gathered the anxieties of the people, gained their support, and was rapidly growing larger.
As time passed, the distrust toward the Royal Family was fading... but the equilibrium with the Cathedral remained unchanged, and the fact that the Cathedral was closer to the hearts of the people remained the same.
"...We cannot continue to be content in the shadow of the Cathedral like this."
"However, Your Majesty. We must endure for now. If we move poorly and are perceived to be in conflict with the Cathedral, we will truly be unable to function this time."
The King made a sour face at the Minister's words.
...It was unpleasant to be evaluated as the Cathedral being superior to the Royal Family. But in reality, as the Minister said, they had to move so as not to conflict with the Cathedral for now. It was incredibly irritating.
"We cannot continue to treat the Cathedral as the center of the country forever. If anyone other than the Royal Family holds too much power, it will lead to the ruin of the country. We must improve the situation, but..."
The Cathedral was trying to change many things.
The nature of the Cathedral had indeed changed significantly since Carol assumed the position of Saint, and people began to gather at the Cathedral seeking things other than prayer and forgiveness.
The commoners would jump at the food in front of them rather than a grand cause. Their shallowness was repulsive, but that was the current state of this country.
...The commoners gathered in this way would eventually deify the Cathedral like a second Royal Family.
If left alone, the Cathedral might eventually become a second Violia Nico Fortesia.
Indeed. He had had enough of even one person acting like a revolutionary.
...The best thing would be to capture Violia Nico Fortesia immediately and subject her to a public execution just like Amavire Rent. If that arch-criminal were to die, the citizens would also be satisfied with the Royal Family's actions.
However, Violia Nico Fortesia's trail had once again vanished like mist and could not be followed.
Violia Nico Fortesia, who had not shown herself at all since appearing at the Saint vote—where was she now and what was she doing?
To dispel this anxiety, the Royal Family also wanted to take action...
The King remembered.
He had heard that on the day of the Saint vote, Violia Nico Fortesia had delivered something akin to a speech.
Setting aside the content, he heard that many commoners had listened intently to that speech.
...The commoners were foolish.
They chose the food provided over a grand cause.
If they had even one dissatisfaction, they would even think it fine if everything were overturned.
Even though they had no idea of the destination, they sought change.
That is why the commoners listened to the speech of someone like Violia Nico Fortesia.
...Yes.
The commoners were likely longing for a revolutionary.
A change with an unknown future. Someone who would overturn this country from its very foundations.
That was the future Cathedral... and also Violia Nico Fortesia.
"Truly, it is ridiculous. To be drawn to a great evil simply because they desire change. It is lamentable, even if they are my own citizens."
When the King lamented, the Minister and the Princes and Princesses nodded in agreement.
But.
"...If change is necessary, should we not be the ones to provide that change?"
Only one person. The Seventh Prince, Dactor, said that.
"...We provide the change? What do you mean by that?"
"Even if they'll take any change, I don't believe the citizens are beyond saving as fools. In that case, should we not provide them with the 'correct' change?"
Toward the bewildered Princes and Princesses, and the King, Dactor raised his voice powerfully.
"Now is the time when a Hero is needed. A Hero who will save this country."
"...I see. Indeed. I understand now."
The King's eyes widened, and then he smiled with relief and expectation.
"Come to think of it, the history of this country has always been thus. Our country is a land of heroes. A hero protects the country, the people follow the hero to defeat a great evil, and by following that hero, this country has been maintained."
It is foolish to be imprisoned by the past, but learning from the past yields great benefits.
This country had been attacked by crises numerous times, but each time, it was saved by a hero who led that era, and the country exerted its power by gathering under that hero.
Then, they should do the same in this generation. The citizens likely feel the same way. The one the citizens are waiting for... a 'Hero' who brings 'change.' That is exactly what the citizens expect.
"In that case, we must search. Someone young, good-looking, and strong. This country needs a hero who will lead the Kingdom and strike down great evil. Such a person must thwart evil and make the commoners remember the proper form of this country."
The King said so and... looked around at the Princes and Princesses.
"Now, does anyone come to mind? Someone suitable as a hero to lead this country... someone to participate in the next Martial Arts Tournament and show their majestic figure to the citizens—does anyone have someone in mind?"
Hearing the King's words, the Princes, Princesses, and the Minister all buzzed and whispered to each other.
Then, opinions immediately began to emerge.
"How about Lord Chris of House Clarino? That gentleman is strong and exceedingly beautiful. Lord Chris's brilliance would be obvious even to the eyes of commoners."
"Then, how about Dactor? While it's hard to say he's unrelated to Violia Nico Fortesia, a year has already passed since the engagement was broken. Wouldn't it be fine to put him before the commoners? Besides, Dactor could surely gain popularity. He might be a bit too young, but for my younger brother, his looks are quite good."
"Ah, yes. It might be like pandering to the commoners, but I heard there was a hero who saved the town of Elsemarin from rioters. If we can successfully have that person participate, the commoners would remember them well, wouldn't they?"
"We could also look for adventurers popular among the commoners. Saint Carol's popularity also seems to have been born from her being a person of the common people. Why not look for a hero from a similar position?"
"This isn't about a hero, but how about having the Cathedral's knights participate? If the commoners see the knights, who aren't even that strong, losing to the Royal Family's soldiers, wouldn't they lean from the Cathedral toward the Royal Family?"
...At the opinions that popped out one after another, the King nodded contentedly.
It would be fine. There were several people in this country suitable to be heroes.
If even half of them could be made to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament, it would sufficiently draw the eyes of the citizens.
And then, they just had to make the Martial Arts Tournament a grand success. They would provide the heroes' brilliant activities to the citizens as the ultimate entertainment.
...There, the citizens would obtain the 'change' they desired.
By setting up a 'Hero' who made them hallucinate that they were being saved from their gloomy days, they would be happy of their own accord.
When the opinions had mostly been exhausted, the King concluded the meeting.
"Inquire at the Elsemarin Guild about the hero of Elsemarin and the adventurers. Send a messenger to House Clarino immediately as well. Well, I don't think they'll refuse. ...And, Dactor."
"Yes."
"By all means, you should participate as well. ...I'm not saying you must aim for victory. It is enough if you show the figure of a member of the Royal Family up close to the citizens. Of course, I expect you to achieve good results, though."
"I understand."
At the King's words, Dactor nodded powerfully. As if to say he had no intention of stopping at just 'showing his figure.'
"Good. Then it is decided. We shall make the Martial Arts Tournament a grand success. Let us make it a brilliant event worthy of celebrating the birth of this country's new hero!"
Although the purpose of being for war was lost, a new significance had been found, and the motivation for the Martial Arts Tournament was swelling up greatly within the King once again.
The gloomy feelings from earlier had turned into bright ones, and the King stood up from his chair in the meeting room with a refreshed face.
It was at that moment.
"Your Majesty! Urgent news!"
Tension ran through the meeting room at the voice of the soldier who came running in.
While everyone's expressions tightened, wondering what on earth had happened...
The soldier said with a smile:
"He has been found! The witness in question! ...Lital Pia Esclan has finally been found!"