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Clashing Prides and Border Warfare – Part 02

The conference room they were ushered to, located within the fortress, was predictably unadorned and bleak.

A large table displayed a strategic map with pieces representing enemy positions. The different colors of the pieces suggested that there had been some reinforcements from the Kingdom of Ponsonia.

Probably just here as a watcher.

The Theocracy of Bios and the Quinbrand Empire didn’t share a border. With the kingdom sandwiched between them, the alliance between the empire and the kingdom allowed imperial forces to launch attacks on Bios through Ponsonia.

Even though the kingdom had granted permission, there was still a need to keep a vigilant eye on the imperial troops to prevent any trouble. Hikaru assumed the limited number of kingdom troops was for that very reason.

The conference room had been silent for some time. The Knight Commander and Luvain sat across from each other at the table. Squadron leaders of the Knights Templar were sat beside the commander, while Luvain was accompanied by the priest Leonie and two secretaries.

The Knights Templar considered the temple guards inferior and had barred them from entering this room. Hikaru had managed to sneak in using his Stealth. The room didn’t offer many hiding spots, but it was spacious enough for Hikaru to remain unnoticed behind the curtains.

The reason for the silence was Luvain’s announcement.

“I will personally go to the Quinbrand Empire and negotiate a ceasefire agreement,” he had declared at the start of the meeting.

This took Commander Guildford by surprise, and everyone went silent. They had likely assumed that Luvain came here to take control of the Knights Templar to better defend the holy city.

If it had been a request for reinforcements, Guildford could have easily declined. After all, he held the highest authority here.

At present, the most coveted resource in the country was military strength, and Guildford’s strength lay in his control over it.

Luvain won’t engage on his opponent’s terms…

The cunning of Luvain, a man whose thoughts were inscrutable, manifested in such moments. He never confronted a foe in their strong suit. This was evident in how he knew Hikaru was proficient in Stealth but had taken no measures against it. Luvain allowed him to act as he wished and sought to win him over by sharing all the information he had.

Hikaru had come to understand Luvain’s behavioral patterns.

I’ve gained a more objective perspective now that I’m not directly involved. So, the best course of action is to avoid any further involvement with Luvain.

He feared that even the slightest interaction would lead to his bones being sucked dry.

Luvain broke the long silence. “What do you think?”

“I-I suppose it’s… not a bad idea at all,” Guildford replied hesitantly.

Guildford likely believed that if Luvain were to go to the Empire, he would undoubtedly be killed. There was no reason for the Empire to cease hostilities, and having the Pope himself come presented an excellent opportunity to deal with him. Guildford, who was currently battling the Empire, knew all too well the intensity of the enemy’s anger.

If the Empire were to kill Luvain, he could grab a position of power in the Theocracy of Bios without getting his hands dirty—the greedy and colluding archpriests had already been dealt with by Luvain.

But he’s not entirely sure. He feels like Luvain might have some hidden card up his sleeve, something he believes can persuade the Empire. Otherwise, he wouldn’t casually suggest going to the Empire alone. With a nod, Hikaru continued to ponder the situation. But Luvain’s unusual approach is what sets him apart.

There likely wasn’t any hidden weapon or strategy up Luvain’s sleeve. If there were, and he was confident he could persuade the Empire, he wouldn’t need to request an escort from Silver Face.

Luvain was genuinely willing to stake his life on persuading the Emperor. If the subject revolved around the ancient secret of the Church and Man Gnomes, the Emperor, a Man Gnome himself, might be inclined to listen. Such spirit of devotion and self-sacrifice could only be comprehended by those who shared it. Guildford, a man driven by ambition, would never understand Luvain’s way of thinking.

“Then, I would like to propose a temporary ceasefire to the imperial forces stationed in this area,” Luvain said.

“Preposterous!” A commanding officer rose to his feet. He was one of the squadron leaders of the Knights Templar, and the youngest person here, appearing to be in his late twenties. “We, the brave Knights Templar, proposing a ceasefire with the imperial army?! Since when did our teachings endorse such a weak mindset? You joined forces with the demi-humans while we were here, fighting on the front lines. If the late Pope were to know of this grave sin, how sorrowful and indignant he would be!”

He gestured with his fists, spit flying. Comments of agreement echoed in the room.

“He’s right.”

“These priests always turn soft when they see blood.”

Luvain turned to face the man, and he shrank back a little.

“Wh-What? I merely spoke of justice.” The presence of his colleagues gave him confidence. “Mockery against the Knights Templar, even from an archpriest, will not be tolerated.”

Complaints from their own side even before ceasefire negotiations. This is just downright rough.

The man might not attack Luvain in rage, but Hikaru prepared himself for anything.

“I understand. So, you’re suggesting that the Knights Templar are a formidable force, and if you continue fighting, you will eventually win.”

“O-Of course. We have the terrain advantage. Parametria is an impregnable fortress.”

“And after that, you will also launch an offensive on Einbiest’s army stationed at the holy city’s outskirts?”

“We can do that too, yes. Am I right?”

The squadron leader turned to his comrades for input, and many nodded in agreement. Guildford alone remained silent.

Luvain burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny?” the young officer snapped.

“If you truly are brave, why not confront them directly? Instead, you hole up in this fortress, citing terrain advantage. It’s rather comical. Furthermore, contemplating an attack on the Einbiest army, with whom we have a ceasefire agreement, is akin to a thief robbing someone while they are asleep.”

Being called a ‘thief’ to his face caused the young man’s face to turn red. “Are you mocking the Knights Templar?!”

Seeing the young squadron leader reaching for the sword at his waist, Hikaru jumped out from behind the curtains. However, the man did not unsheathe his weapon, as other squadron leaders hastily intervened and grabbed his clothes and arms, pulling him back.

“Idiot, what are you thinking?!”

“Calm down!”

“Luvain is an archpriest!”

“Who is this?”

Observing the situation, Guildford finally noticed Silver Face, who had approached Luvain. He furrowed his brows slightly.

“An intruder!” one officer shouted.

“An imperial spy?!”

“I see. That’s Silver Face, your right-hand man.” Guildford raised a hand to stop his men. He knew the name Silver Face. “I do not appreciate bringing an outsider to a highly confidential discussion.”

“He is my bodyguard.”

“Then let him come out in the open. Where was he hiding?”

Luvain shot a glance at Hikaru.

“You didn’t know? Must be some sloppy security you have here,” Hikaru responded provocatively.

The squadron leaders’ ire shifted toward Hikaru. While some were unsure how to approach Luvain, an archpriest, Silver Face, an outsider, made for an easy target for their piercing stares.

“The Church was never a private organization,” Luvain said. “We have always been dedicated to spreading our faith across the continent and continue to be funded through donations from various nations. Therefore, seeking a ceasefire with the Quinbrand Empire, hiring an outsider like Silver Face as a bodyguard, and forming a pact with the Confederacy of Einbiest are all in line with the Church’s mission.”

“A deceptive argument.”

“Would you care to put it to the test?”

“…What do you mean?”

“If you can prove yourself stronger than Silver Face and Lord Gerhardt of Einbiest, then that would demonstrate the might of the Knights Templar. However, should you lose, I maintain that proposing a ceasefire is the prudent course of action.”

A vein throbbed on Guildford’s forehead. Hikaru could see the squadron leaders’ rising anger.

Is this really happening?

An unexpected mock battle with the Knights Templar had just been arranged.