Pinne Estate’s declaration, supported by the Flaud Estate, cast a dark shadow of war over the Steelwall Estate. Yet, even if they heavily rebuked the Steelwalls for being Bellid supporters and made it sound like they were ready to drag their troops over to the Steelwall Estate, the Pinnes showed no signs of mobilizing their forces at the moment. It wasn’t because they didn’t want war though; the culprit was the rain.
Shaaaaa! Like usual, thick raindrops poured over the Steelwall Estate again. Although water was an essential life supply, there was a limit to how much they could gather at a time. If there was too much, heavy rain could ruin farmlands instead of helping and cause flash floods. Thus, during this season, it was necessary for the Steelwall Estate to keep a close eye on the amount of rain pouring and prepare to limit damages. Yet, this year, one worry blanketed all others: the constantly rising water level of the river. The body of water had expanded in size by so much that it could no longer even be called a river. It was more like a lake.
The land around that area was submerged in water, and everything that was on it—the houses, fields, paths, and forests disappeared underneath. As water characteristically flowed from a high area to a lower area, the Steelwall Estate suffered the most damage as they were located downstream and had many lowlands. However, the Steelwall Estate could only evacuate its citizens, and it couldn’t do much else.
Even if the Steelwalls were a strong military family in the kingdom, they were nothing more than small ants against the might of nature. They tried to remove the boulder blocking the Horus Gorge, but it was not an easy task. Fierce currents formed around the area, as a mass amount of water had gathered in the narrow area, and no matter how strong a knight was, they would be easily swept and killed if they ventured there. Furthermore, because of the situation currently plaguing the Steelwall Estate, it was impossible to dispatch the knights anyway. In the end, it seemed like they had to push off recovering the Horus Gorge after the monsoon was over.
The Steelwall Estate was busy today too. They had to fix the water situation, provide solutions, and prepare for war. They were so busy that all the administrators under the Count wished that each day was as long as a week. However, no matter how busy they were, they always needed to make time for specific figures, such as the Karuwiman Saint, Lubella, and the holy knight, Weig.
“I heard that you both were leaving.” Although there wasn’t a day the Count didn’t scowl heavily from all the reports causing his headaches, he couldn’t dare to make such an expression to Lubella or Weig. The Count couldn’t hide his exhaustion on his face. The fact that a noble and a strong knight like him showed such a face showcased the insane amount of stress he was experiencing.
“Yes, since it seems like the Bellid’s temple in the Steelwall Estate has been settled for the most part. Thank you for your cooperation, Sir Count.”
“I should be the one to thank you all. You both helped us clean this estate from those muckworms leeching here. We will never forget the help the Karuwimans showed us this time.” The Count thanked them deeply.
Yet, Lubella’s expression didn’t look bright as she accepted this expression of gratitude. “There’s no need for you to be grateful. Taking care of the Bellids is one of the most important missions bestowed upon the Karuwimans.” Then, after closing her mouth and thinking, she sighed and said, “Besides, we don’t know if the Karuwimans will continue to take the Steelwall Estate’s side.”
“…Did something happen?” the Count asked, feeling a change in the atmosphere.
While standing beside her, Weig explained, “We are leaving right now because we received orders for our return.”
“Considering both of your positions, it will be difficult for you both to continue staying here,” the Count said wishfully as if he wanted this reason to be the one why they were leaving. He appeared like a child trying to hide his mistakes, but like how a child’s mistakes always ended up getting caught by their parents, his attempt was futile. Besides, a parent’s job wasn’t to only forgive and comfort their child for their mistakes.
“What will the importance of our ranks matter when it involves exterminating the Bellids? We were ordered to return for a much more important reason.” Then, thinking that she shouldn’t circle around the matter, she blurted, “We will be going to discuss whether or not the Karuwimans will take the Pinne Estate’s side.”
The Count didn’t say anything, or more accurately, he couldn’t. It felt like someone had smacked the back of his head hard. No, he preferred if someone had actually done that instead. At least the worst that could happen was his own death, and even if he died, Grieg could take his position after him and maintain the family. However, Lubella’s declaration basically spoke of the possible annihilation of the entire Steelwall family.
“W-what do you mean by that?” The Count managed to open his mouth to speak again. His voice cracked and displayed how panicked he was. Lubella and Weig looked at the Count pitifully.
“Don’t worry too much. Nothing has been set in stone yet.” Lubella tried to assure him, but the Count didn’t feel comforted by her words at all. After all, it was as if they told a heavily injured person hanging onto the edge of a cliff that they were thinking about dropping him. The only thing that gave the Count some breathing room was the fact that the Saintess was amiable toward them.
“Haa! Can I ask how this happened?” the Count asked.
“Someone lended a huge helping hand in destroying the temple inside Steelwall this time—a man named Glen Zenard. Like Sir Zich, he has the Karuwiman Honorary Knight title. It seems he had made a formal call to action to the Pope.”
This was the first time the Count had heard of Glen Zenard’s name.
“It seems like that man is certain that the Steelwall family is working for the Bellids.”
“That’s utter nonsense!”
The Count could no longer suppress his anger and ended up shouting. Even though he was being rude, Lubella and Weig understood his circumstances and didn’t criticize him for it.
“…Please excuse me.”
“It’s all right. Anyway, because of that, there’s now a call for a meeting between high-ranking priests to decide whether the Steelwall Estate really is a supporter of the Bellids and if we should deploy our military forces after excommunicating Steelwall.”
“Lady Lubella, I assure you that we’ve never joined hands with the Bellids!”
“Don’t worry. I believe you since Sir Zich trusts you.”
Count Steelwall felt relieved with Lubella’s reply, but he couldn’t help feeling bitter in the corner of his mind. Even though Zich had been discriminated against in the Steelwall family and basically kicked out, he was now someone that was essential for Steelwall’s survival.
“However, Sir Zenard probably put that proposal forward with a solid backing, since it’s not a light matter to excommunicate a high-ranking noble and exercise military forces against them.”
“Normally, it’s impossible for that to happen.” As Weig said, many countries did not look favorably towards the Karuwimans pointing their swords at nobles as a religious organization.
However, this did not make the Count relieved; instead, he said in a melancholic tone, “…This isn’t a normal situation.” If one thing went wrong, the Karuwimans might really join forces with the Pinne Estate and attack them.
Weig said, “First of all, we plan to vote against the proposal. Since Sir Zich vouched for you, I’m sure the rumor about you being a Bellid follower is at least wrong regardless of the verity of the other rumors.” However, in other words, if Zich hadn’t vouched for them, Weig might have pointed his sword toward the Steelwall Estate. Count Steelwall was familiar with the rumors about Weig’s mercilessness and cruelty towards the Bellids, so he felt a chill run down his back.
“Sir Zich will also accompany us this time.”
“…That guy will also be going?”
“Yes, Sir Zich is famous among the Karuwimans. He even met the Pope once before as well.”
Count Steelwall’s eyes widened in surprise. Even though Zich was a Karuwiman Honorary Knight, he hadn’t expected Zich to have also met the Pope.
“Considering all the achievements he made, the other high-ranking priests won’t be able to easily intervene and refute his words. It’ll probably be impossible for us to directly exert military force against the Steelwall Estate, so sir, please don’t be so worried.”
Count Steelwall replied, “Sir, it would be great if that really turned out to be true.”
After this, they exchanged some small talk, and Lubella and Weig left. However, the Count did not get up to leave. Even though there was a mountain of documents waiting for him, he couldn’t even think of dealing with those right now.
“…The Karuwimans won’t come and attack us, right?” Count Steelwall threw his question at Trell who was standing behind him like always.
“Yes, that’s what we need to hope for,” Trell sighed. Even with all his experience, he couldn’t help but feel fatigued at all the incidents that kept appearing. However, as someone who supported and advised the Count, he couldn’t stop thinking.
“Sir, we need to think of a counterplan.”
“Have you thought of one?” the Count asked hopefully. Was there a counterplan to address this disastrous situation?
Trell couldn’t immediately reply because he wasn’t sure if his plan was feasible, and it was a plan that would be extremely difficult for the Count and his family to accept.
“…It’s to make Sir Zich the next successor of Steelwall.”
“…What?” The Count couldn’t believe his ears. However, he wasn’t foolish and could soon understand why Trell brought this topic up. “…If a Karuwiman Honorary Knight becomes the successor, it would at least stop the Karuwimans from attacking us.”
“Yes, since the Honorary Knight they appointed will be the next successor. The Pinne Estate and Flaud Estate will also be more cautious about their actions as well.” They wouldn’t stop their attacks because they received damage from the Horus Gorge. However, it was also true that their justification to attack the Steelwall Estate based on Steelwall’s connection to the Bellids would be greatly weakened.
“…I’ll seriously contemplate it.” No matter how much he hated Zich, Count Steelwall had to employ all possible means to prevent Steelwall’s collapse. He couldn’t let his personal emotions hinder his decision.
“Of course, if the Karuwimans don’t participate in this war, it won’t be necessary. The biggest problem is whether or not the young master will accept it even if we try to give him the position as the next successor.” Zich had continuously spoken about how uninterested he was in Steelwall’s next successor position. Would he really take the position if the Count wanted him to?
The Count sighed. He began to regret chasing Zich out from the Steelwall Estate for the first time.
* * *
Zich headed towards the general meeting area where the Pope was with Lubella and Weig. Since every second was precious right now, they rode their horses nonstop. Lubella usually moved around in a carriage, but she also rode a horse. She could skillfully ride a horse, but since her stamina was lacking compared to the other two, by the time they arrived, she looked extremely fatigued. However, even this was amazing since most priests didn’t train their bodies at all. After experiencing that terrifying incident in Portia, Lubella did basic physical training without resting a day. The successful results she showed in the march this time were also thanks to her training.
“We’re not late,” Lubella said with a weary voice.
Weig’s eyes gleamed with pride as he looked at her. “Lady Lubella, your training paid off.”
Lubella chuckled and said with bloodshot eyes, “Fufufu, I’m the type of person who keeps their word.”
Zich looked up at the grand temple, Yuras, in front of them. A very important meeting was going to take place there soon. The corners of Zich’s lips curved into a smile as he looked forward to Glen’s showmanship.
‘Let’s see how hard he acts out his play for us.’ Zich would finally be able to see Glen’s hilarious expression when watching his carefully planned stage crumble.