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Subterfuge of Toxins and Remedies – Part 01

Queen Kujastria of the Kingdom of Ponsonia was at her wits’ end. Spread out before her was a vast map, marked with tokens whose sizes matched the scale of their troops.

“So, it’s indisputable that the Theocracy of Bios deployed its troops first and attacked the Confederacy of Einbiest, correct?”

The map depicted the expansive wasteland at the heart of the continent, with Hopestadt, the largest city in Einbiest, centered within it. It had no natural barriers like mountains or large rivers. The Bios army appeared to be surging through the wasteland, advancing toward Hopestadt. Both armies had assembled on the outskirts of the city.

Learning of this development had compelled Kujastria, who had planned to tour different regions of the kingdom, to return to the capital. Her vibrant orange hair was neatly styled, yet traces of fatigue from the worries and the long journey were etched onto her face.

“Based on the intel we received yesterday, Einbiest and Bios were engaged in some secret negotiations,” explained Duke Nightblaze with a grimace. “However, Bios unilaterally broke the agreement and attacked the delegates.”

Kujastria’s ascension to the throne had been more of a formality, and the actual governance was overseen by the three Dukes and prominent nobles.

The other duke, Duke Jackrune, was presently reorganizing troops around the capital alongside Knight Commander Lawrence. As Ponsonia shared borders with both warring countries, Einbiest and Bios, it was essential to brace for the possibility of becoming entangled in their conflict.

The remaining Duke, Duke Golbishop, held no appetite for war and secluded himself in his domain. Kujastria, supposedly a figurehead, couldn’t help but feel a surge of indescribable anger. She was working tirelessly while he, who had claimed to shoulder significant political responsibility, remained withdrawn. However, now was not the time for internal strife. The thought of him only irritated her, so for the time being she acted as if he did not exist.

Margrave Grugschilt had returned to his territory to monitor the movements of the neighboring Quinbrand Empire, the kingdom’s arch-enemy.

Thus, the discussion on how to respond to the war boiled down essentially to Kujastria and Duke Nightblaze. While capable officials would offer strategies, Kujastria understood that the final decision rested with her.

They tricked me!

It was an inevitable sentiment. She was told that she would only be a figurehead, that others would handle crucial matters, but she never took those words at face value. Still, she hadn’t anticipated such an overwhelming burden.

She didn’t harbor any complaints against Duke Nightblaze. Since his son’s recovery from a near-fatal condition, he had diligently managed the kingdom’s affairs. But there was only so much a man could accomplish alone.

I should be thankful that fewer nobles are bringing up ridiculous matters…

When Kujastria’s father, the former king, passed away, so did her brother, Crown Prince Austrin. The subsequent purge of corrupt nobles aligned with them had resulted in a remarkably smooth policy decisions and implementation. Since her inauguration was still recent, the citizens might not yet fully grasp it, but Kujastria believed that the kingdom was on the cusp of significant improvement.

And at that moment, neighboring nations ignited a war.

“We will not involve ourselves in this conflict,” Kujastria declared. “In fact, we can’t. We haven’t resolved the unrest within our kingdom yet.”

While the ousting of nobles who placed their self-interest above the law had yielded positive results, it had also led to unnecessary chaos. Presently, Kujastria was striving to mend relations with the Quinbrand Empire and stabilize the kingdom’s internal situation. Frankly, she viewed the war between Einbiest and Bios with an attitude of “let them duke it out amongst themselves.”

“However, Your Majesty, Bios is asking for support.”

The Theocracy of Bios managed all the churches and temples established in various nations. In this world, gods were real, and they bestowed Blessings upon individuals through soul cards and guild cards. No one questioned their existence.

Bios monopolized the technology related to these cards. Churches disseminated the teachings of saints and aimed to bring peace and stability to people’s lives. They were present in various regions and villages. As training within churches enabled one to wield healing magic, they also managed clinics.

Temples, on the other hand, directly honored the gods, but praying at one didn’t provide any Blessings. Thus, temples were typically only found in places with substantial populations.

“We will have to explain our circumstances to them,” Kujastria said.

“And if they demand financial assistance for the war?”

“We can offer a certain sum, but it wouldn’t be an exorbitant amount, correct?”

“A hundred million gilans maximum. Given our kingdom’s situation, it might be prudent to provide it in the form of gold bars rather than kingdom currency.”

“I would really prefer not to send gold out of the kingdom at the moment.”

Due to political instability, the value of the kingdom’s currency, the gilan, had dropped, making it less favored among foreign traders. Although the value of gold remained the same, excessive outflow would lead to further depreciation of the gilan. The gold bars held by the kingdom served as a guarantee for the value of Ponsonia’s currency.

“Needs must when the devil drives,” the Duke said. “We must endure for now. Your reign will eventually yield results, and the kingdom’s economy will recover. Then we can amass as much gold as we need.”

“So you’re saying this is a necessary expense.”

“Yes.”

“What was this negotiation that triggered the current crisis anyway? Does anyone know the terms presented by Einbiest’s delegates to Bios?”

Kujastria’s question was met with a collective shaking of heads. She sighed deeply, but there were no comforting words to be offered among those assembled.

After the meeting adjourned, Kujastria retreated to her private chamber. She flopped onto her bed, muttering to herself, as was her habit when alone. But lately, she had curbed such habits, knowing that an unexpected visitor could arrive at her chamber. However, said visitor—Silver Face—had not shown up recently.

“He hasn’t come since that night.”

Around two weeks ago, in this very room, she conducted an experiment with the spell for crossing worlds. Though she was too excited to notice it at the time, thinking back, she noted subtle differences in Silver Face’s behavior.

“Even though Roland’s spell was successful, Silver Face wasn’t pleased. Actually, he seemed bewildered.”

The rift in space and the unknown world beyond had filled her with exhilaration. She wished to perform the spell again, this time using an elemental magic stone with even greater magical output. She quickly began drafting the formula.

She had identified potential improvements and implemented them, but Silver Face, the key figure in this whole process, was nowhere to be found.

“Is it really possible to travel to another world? Is Silver Face planning to cross over the next time we perform the spell?”

Since she managed to create a rift in space, passing through it seemed the next logical step. However, there was no guarantee that returning was possible.

“Does he also waver? I’m plagued with uncertainty all the time,” Kujastria murmured softly, closed her eyes, and allowed herself a moment of rest.

---

The following day, events escalated more swiftly than Kujastria had anticipated.

Without warning, an archpriest from the Theocracy of Bios requested an audience with the queen.

The ecclesiastical hierarchy consisted of the friars, who were both believers and seekers, then managed by deacons, and above them were the priests. However, priests within Bios oversaw thousands of individuals. Conversely, the priests in various other nations managed, at most, around a hundred individuals. This distinction was worth noting.

And above all them stood the archpriests, who had the privilege of direct communication with Bios’ leader, the Pope. Even within Bios’ dominion, there were likely only a dozen or so of these archpriests. Naturally, any matter brought to Kujastria by one would be of utmost significance.

“I apologize for bothering you, Your Majesty,” said Duke Nightblaze.

“It’s no trouble.”

Although diplomatic affairs fell within the purview of Duke Nightblaze, the archpriest insisted on speaking directly to the queen. While Kujastria was far too busy to indulge such whims, dismissing Bios was not an option, and the potential of gaining information about the conflict prompted her to agree to the audience.

However…