Chapter 268
"The entire army of the realm will be restructured into five legions, with each region working together with the local legion and the self-defense force stationed there in a dispatch manner to maintain public order."
- The 1st Legion, inclusive of the Royal Guard in the central area.
- The 2nd Legion focused around the Esperanza Grand Duchy in the northwest.
- The 3rd Legion centered around the McLaine territory in the southwest.
- The 4th Legion in the northeast.
- The 5th Legion in the southeast.
Each legion consisted of about 1,500 knights and 40,000-50,000 regular soldiers, with ultimate command resting with the king.
Except for the 1st Legion under direct royal command, the 2nd to the 5th Legions were led by Sword Sage, Duke Patrick McLaine, Luther Kaihl, and Wicken Callian, respectively.
Clayton's magical battalion, now nearly 1,000 strong, reported directly to the royalty and could assist any legion as a separate unit.
This reorganization, which consolidated all military authority under the king's control, met no opposition.
Following the removal of Duke Juan's faction, the realm effectively transitioned into an absolute monarchy, partly due to Logan's adept handling of the lords.
Consequently, knights assigned to serve the royal household for three years were now fully integrated into the process...
- My apologies, Lord.
The knights were now directly under the royal house's command, a foreseeable development.
Furthermore, since the situation was consistent across all regions, there was no basis for feeling comparatively disadvantaged.
- The lords save on the cost of maintaining forces, while the nation gains a formidable army.
Nevertheless, one aspect struck many as peculiar...
"Doesn't it seem too concentrated in the west?"
"Indeed."
"It's as if we are gearing up for a conflict with the Empire..."
"Be careful with your words. Don't tempt fate."
"It's likely due to Esperanza and McLaine's positions. It's merely a coincidence."
They dismissed the heavy concentration of forces in the 1st and 2nd Legions as mere chance.
"The Empire boasts 15 such legions."
"And that's without accounting for the Imperial Central Army."
"It's unlikely His Majesty would act recklessly..."
There seemed to be no apparent cause for the kingdom to engage in war with the Empire.
However, the intentions of the monarch who now held complete military power were markedly different.
"The initial preparations are nearing completion."
Hope beckoned on the horizon.
With a thrilling sensation, Logan clenched his fists.
The five legions would commence joint training, evolving into elite soldiers unmatched by any in the Empire within two years.
'A knightly order equipped with artifacts would surpass those of the Empire in quality.'
The production of repeating crossbows, despite the shortage of soldiers compared to the hundreds of thousands in the self-defense force, would enhance their combat effectiveness.
'By continually supplying each legion with Liberatio, we will soon complete the necessary preparations.'
However, it was premature to let down their guard.
A deep breath helped Logan rein in his excitement.
"Your Majesty. An official message from the temple has been received."
As if to prevent complacency, an unexpected hurdle emerged.
* * * 『The temple expresses concerns regarding the unusual events in the McLaine Kingdom and the suspicious actions of the royal house. Consequently, we plan to dispatch inquisitors for a kingdom-wide investigation and seek your approval.』
The direct wording of the message heightened the reader's apprehension.
Even though phrased as a request for consent, it was likely the inquisitors were already en route to the kingdom.
Refusing permission at this juncture would label the entire kingdom as heretical.
Not only would inquisitors arrive, but also the infamous Holy Knights of the Temple from across the continent.
Despite Logan's confidence in facing the temple's assault, it was an action he could not take.
Opposing the temple would shake the faith of the devout populace who worshipped the nine deities.
Above all...
'Such an event never occurred in my previous life. Could this also be a consequence of my own actions?'
With closed eyes and a mind swirling with intricate thoughts, Logan found no clear answers.
Instead of dwelling on vague suspicions about the repercussions of his return, he deemed it wiser to analyze the situation based on the available facts.
Taking a deep breath, he calmly organized his thoughts.
'Children immune to sacred power are being born. Yes, I recall hearing about that. Is this the reason for dispatching inquisitors, or is it related to the plague?'
Inquisitors.
Priests vested with the authority to identify and execute those deviating from the doctrines of the nine deities, also known as exorcist priests.
Usually senior priests possessing advanced sacred power and combat skills to banish demons, they instilled fear across the continent despite their holy duty.
Accused heretics, along with their families, neighbors, and kin, were all put to death.
Villages with a thousand or more residents were razed, along with their inhabitants, for allegedly harboring heresy.
Furthermore, these inquisitors were unmoved by nobles or royalty.
They enforced their version of justice, indifferent to the lives sacrificed, appearing more monstrous than demons to the common folk.
Approximately a century ago, a notorious event solidified the negative perception of inquisitors.
An inquisitor named Vallama, infamous as 'The Devil of Blood,' committed atrocities driven not by religious motives, but by personal desires, crucifying and burning over ten thousand individuals.
By the time the central temple grew uneasy over the excessive casualties and took action, the empire's inspectors had already unearthed his heinous acts, exposing them to the world.
With the temple's authority rapidly declining as a consequence, they were compelled to implement drastic measures.
All inquisitors were recalled to the central temple, and individual inquisitors were strictly prohibited from conducting heresy trials.
Thus, until now, inquisitors would only intervene upon request from a lord or kingdom, or in the presence of clear signs of suspicious heretical activities.
"But why...?"
No matter how much Logan pondered, he couldn't comprehend the temple's perspective without further information.
"I must meet with Bishop Ilia."
"Yes, I will relay your message."
Logan intended to understand the context behind the temple's dispatch to determine the appropriate course of action.
Yet his plans were promptly thwarted.
"Bishop Ilia has been summoned to the central temple."
"What?"
"For questioning regarding a breach of the sacred prohibition..."
"What nonsense!"
Bang!
The throne's armrest shattered under Logan's grip.
"Could this be related to the plague incident?"
"We cannot confirm, but it is a possibility... Regrettably, our intelligence network within the temple is limited."
Damian's response only intensified Logan's frustration.
"I will go to the temple. I must speak with the Archbishop."
Logan's meeting with the archbishop, his backup plan, proved futile.
"I am powerless to defy an order directly from His Holiness."
Pamiel Gernheim.
The archbishop of the god of water and agriculture and head of the McLaine diocese, declined with reluctance.
"Please elucidate the reason behind this situation. We need to prepare, don't we?"
"I regret to inform you that I am under the Pope's directive...
"
Irrespective of Logan's inquiries, Pamiel reiterated the same responses.
His weathered face bore a genuinely apologetic expression, yet Logan discerned the underlying avarice.
Enraged by the avarice he sensed, Logan suppressed his feelings in the present circumstances.
"I pledge a donation of ten million gold to the Aion Temple. Share your insights with me."
"Oh, what a generous offer. However, I regret that I have no further details to provide."
... This wasn't the anticipated outcome?
Doubt clouded Logan's expression, realizing his error and amending his words.
"Ah, I seek 'your' wisdom, Archbishop, hence the donation should be directed 'specifically' to you. Would that suffice?"
"Heh, hehe. Your earnest plea leaves me no choice but to comply with His Majesty's wishes. Hehehe."
Logan barely contained his urge to confront the man's deceit, but managed to conceal it.
"I wish to understand the root of our current dilemma first. And what about Bishop Ilia?"
"Ah, it's an unfortunate circumstance. Before discussing Bishop Ilia's case, allow me to elucidate the anomaly within this kingdom."
"An anomaly?"
"For years, children born immune to sacred power have been appearing in this land. Were you aware? Even the daughter of Sword Sage, whom Your Highness named, was one of them."
How could he forget?
Young Stella.
Her laughter and innocent calls of 'Uncle His Majesty' echoed in Logan's mind.
A delightful child whom he believed would be a perfect reflection if he had a daughter of his own.
"Initially, it was exceedingly rare, and the church intended to formally invite those with this condition for various investigations..."
Crick.
"I've heard similar accounts before, Archbishop. I'm more interested in the present."
An involuntary grinding noise escaped Logan's lips.
Given the seriousness of their current predicament, the term "investigations" now sounded more ominous than when he first heard it in the Empire.
Sensing the tension in Logan's gaze, Pamiel attempted to clarify with a clearing of his throat.
"Typically, such an immunity, only observed once every few centuries, has been increasingly detected here in Grandia—correction, McLaine. Just within our diocese, we have confirmed over a thousand of these 'children' recently."
"A thousand...? More importantly, are they solely children? Does it exclusively affect children?"
"Yes. In truth, we suspect the actual number may be significantly higher. Most of these cases involve children born in the past 6-7 years."
The emphasis on 6-7 years pricked Logan's conscience, but his immediate focus was on the unresolved issue.
"And how does this immunity to sacred power relate to the inquisition?"
"... There are manifold interpretations of this unique constitution. Firstly..."
"Archbishop. I did not come for a theological lecture."
Despite his efforts to remain composed, Logan's deep, commanding voice bore the authority of an Aura user.
"Uh... This is awkward..."
"Please, keep it 'concise.' I seek clarity on the link between that constitution and the ongoing inquisition."
"Heheh..."
"If I may be more direct, I am interested in the central temple's motives. I ask for your understanding."
Confronted with the direct query, Pamiel chuckled before responding.
"Heh, hehe. Indeed. Simply put, the temple, or rather the Pope, suspects that the land of this kingdom may be 'abandoned by God'."
That revelation surpassed any scenario Logan had envisioned.