Chapter 98 - The Conviction of the Holy Light
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
If it was the genuine Gawain Cecil from 700 years ago, he would be feeling rather disappointed and sorrowful. Because 700 years ago, the various human nations didn’t have such conflicts. Back then, everyone was a fellow countryman who had escaped from the Gondor Wastelands; they were merely separated by the disaster. Every nation worked together to build a defense line and shared resources. The honeymoon period between the Typhon Empire and the Anzu Kingdom had even lasted for as long as 500 years.
Back then, no one would imagine that there would be a day when they would face one another with weapons.
However, the person standing here wasn’t the genuine Gawain Cecil but a satellite spirit that had descended from above. Gawain knew that he had to ‘sob’ a little, but he knew he wasn’t able to do it convincingly. As such, he could only work hard to make his expression a little stiff and stern, putting on a show as though there was nothing more wretched than apathy. “Has war been declared?”
“It is merely a step away.” Count Cohen shook his head and said, “All diplomatic channels have been severed. Both factions have stationed their troops. There is no more reasoning at this moment, and it is up to whoever makes the move first. We are guessing that the first war between human nations would occur within a year.”
Rebecca who was by the side couldn’t help but comment, “But we need to face the Dark Wave. If the Great Barrier really collapses, is the Typhon Empire going to be unscathed? If the monsters really rush out from the Gondor Wasteland, will they ask which nation you’re from?”
“In fact, before the diplomatic channels were severed, in the last message, my father already sent a warning to the empire,” Veronica said in a soft voice. “He warned those arrogant imperial members that there are changes happening at the Gondor Wasteland and that we have discovered signs of aberration activities at the border of the Anzu Kingdom. He wished that the empire could put down all the foolish talk of vengeance in the face of such a crisis..”
Amber then asked anxiously, “Afterwards?”
Veronica’s eyelids dropped down as she replied, “Afterwards, the Typhon Empire unilaterally severed the magical relay station at the borders and increased their stationed soldiers by thirty thousand.”
“That’s unreasonable!” Rebecca then asked, “How much hatred must the Typhon Empire have towards the Anzu Kingdom for things to come to this? Moreover, even if they didn’t believe it, they should give a reply. What is the meaning of cutting off the relay station..”
“Because — humans are living beings that aren’t very smart. Especially when it involved politics or aristocrats. Their brains are always muddled by profits, reputation, familiar ties, or the habitual wars.” Gawain shook his head and said, “Even if the Anzu Kingdom said that the Dark Wave was coming, why should the Typhon Empire believe it? They would rather believe you are using an excuse to delay or prepare for battle. Even if they believed it.. they would probably hope that the Dark Wave would erupt in the center of the Anzu Kingdom.”
Rebecca blinked her eyes as her brain that had been knocked out by wolves in the past was stuck at this juncture. “Why?!”
Gawain shrugged his shoulders and said, “If it was true, the Anzu Kingdom would be finished, and they would be able to obtain the spoils easily.”
Rebecca felt that she wasn’t able to keep up with Gawain. “Do they think it’s possible? In the face of the Dark Wave..”
“Before personally witnessing the aberrations, have you ever imagined the power of those monsters? Before the old Cecil territory was corroded into wastelands by the elements, did you ever imagine the true power of primal magic? Furthermore, up until now, everything you have witnessed is not even close to the true Dark Wave.”
Rebecca: “..”
Gawain sighed. He wasn’t saying these words just for Rebecca; he was also saying it so that Veronica and the others could hear it. “It is also because of this that even after seven hundred years, humans remain a short-lived race lacking foresight. Right now, apart from the elves, everyone treats the Dark Wave as an ancient legend. The Anzu Kingdom’s royal clan had simply forsaken the entire southern region. Tell me, apart from this developing land, is there any place in the entire Anzu Kingdom that could directly overview the Great Barrier?”
Count Cohen’s expression changed while Veronica crossed her hands, placing them in front of her chest, and lowered her head while praying, “Will the God of Holy Light please forgive us ignorant living beings.. Humans have been holed up in the peaceful lands while civilization has been regressing continuously. The barrier that involves everyone’s life and death has already vanished from their vision..”
“Right now, the elves are probably the only ones that are still conscientiously looking after the Great Barrier, but the Anzu Kingdom and the Typhon Empire don’t seem to be interested at all.” Gawain sighed before changing the topic. “But then again, the Typhon Empire’s reaction is indeed a little strange. Humans might be foolish at times, but their reaction.. is excessively aggressive.”
Count Cohen widened his eyes slightly and said, “You’re saying they know that monsters have appeared at the Anzu Kingdom’s border and also believe there is a threat from the Gondor Wasteland but still chose to conduct an internal war between humans?”
“I didn’t say anything because I don’t know what the current state of the Typhon Empire is. The old fellows that I knew back then have all perished.” Gawain spread out his hands and said, “Let alone the Typhon Empire, I have been in the Anzu Kingdom for a few months and realized all of you have been growing in an uncivilized manner for hundreds of years. Had I not personally seen the portraits of the pioneers from back then, I wouldn’t have dared to believe that this place was really the same place that we developed back then..”
Veronica: “..”
After this, Gawain arranged a welcome feast for these guests from the royal capital.
The camp was still in a developing phase, and apart from the wild animals hunted in the nearby forest, the camp’s food was mainly supplied by Tanzan Town using river transport. They might have brought some domestic animals and poultry when they initially moved here, but those animals were meant for reproduction, and they weren’t willing to slaughter and eat them at this moment. Due to the deficiency in ingredients, the feast wasn’t really sumptuous, but it was obvious that Veronica wasn’t one of those harsh nobles that would be picky about such things. The Priestess Sandy and Count Cohen were also very understanding as none of them believed there was any problem with the Cecil Clan’s method of treating their guests.
Of course, most importantly, no one would want to pick at the old ancestor as there were 700 years of seniority in between them.
After handing over the manpower, Veronica and the others weren’t going to stay in this place. But before they left, Gawain brought them for a tour of the camp. He wasn’t worried about revealing any of his secrets as many of the projects in this place were still in the early phase. Even if professionals were here, they wouldn’t be able to see anything significant, let alone two priestesses and a combat mage who weren’t specialized in such aspects.. They didn’t even know what a primitive furnace looked like; therefore, it was impossible for them to understand the process of the production of Rebecca Crystals.
Moreover, flaunting wealth and land was the custom and norm for this world’s nobles. If Gawain didn’t bring them for a tour of the camp, it would be more suspicious instead.
Of course, the tent that contained the sphere had been excluded from the tour as that sphere was truly hard to explain..
As expected, along the way, Gawain’s attention was attracted towards Sandy who stood beside Veronica more than once. It was unavoidable as there was a living being that looked like a glowing hologram standing right next to him. Furthermore, he was the only person that could see her abnormality. Whoever was in his shoes would have the same behavior; hence, Gawain took a few glances at Sandy and was finally noticed by Veronica.
“Do you mind that Sandy is reticent?” Veronica asked the question tactfully and said, “Please forgive her. She has always been like this.”
“No, it is because she resembles a person I knew back in the days.” Gawain’s random nonsense had served as excuses in front of Amber more than once. He held onto the mentality that ‘dead men would tell no tales’ and was, therefore, very confident when using such random nonsense. “Of course, she is definitely not the same person. I just couldn’t help but take a few more glances. Please forgive me if I have been offensive.”
“Sandy wouldn’t mind.” Veronica smiled while that woman named Sandy merely nodded, and it was considered as her response. Subsequently, Veronica continued to introduce Sandy. “She has been my good friend for many years. Before I converted, she had already converted to the almighty God of Holy Light. Also, it is her who guided me on this proper path.”
It was the tone of a mad believer.
Gawain didn’t reveal the feelings in his heart. After all, it was her problem on which religion she chose to believe in. Apart from conversations about her belief, this Saint Princess was rather amiable and approachable.historical
But Veronica had yet to finish the topic. “Her devotion truly deserves respect. She is reticent in front of you, but it is because she had offered most of her words to The Lord. — Back to the main topic, I noticed that your land might be filled with vitality, but it seems this place is lacking some guidance in faith?”
Gawain forced out a smile and replied, “I respect devout believers, but as you can see, my territory only has slightly more than nine hundred individuals, after including the one hundred workers that you brought here. Just the construction of houses and agriculture has already taken up a lot of energy. The construction of the church and the supply of missionaries will be left for the later phases.”
“Conviction will not become the citizens’ burden and will become their guidance and power.” Veronica smiled and said, “At least, the God of Holy Light instructs us to treat people with a broad mind and use the Holy Light’s power to guide and protect all living beings. If you are willing, I can help you to construct a church for the God of Holy Light in my name. I can guarantee you that apart from voluntary offerings, the church will not ask for any money from this land. All of the expenses will be provided by me, and at the same time, the church’s clergy will provide treatment and enlightenment to your citizens without any cost.”
Gawain maintained his smile and said, “Is there such a good thing?”
Veronica looked as though her body was brimming with a layer of faint and holy radiance. Her smile seemed like it was permeated with holy light as she said, “Please do not be skeptical. This is my personal expression of goodwill and respect to a legendary hero like you. my younger brother and I have both grown up listening to stories about you.”
Gawain’s smile didn’t change as he replied, “The Cecil Clan is thankful for Your Highness’s goodwill. I will consider this matter, but not now. Once the territory has stabilized and when my citizens require the guidance of conviction, I will very much welcome your assistance.”
“That will be good.” The faint radiance gradually receded from Veronica’s body as her smile became amiable and gentle. “No matter when you need help, The Lord will show concern for anyone. There might be plenty of gods, but only the God of Holy Light will pardon everything. At the end of the Holy Light will be the final redemption for the foolish beings.”