When I was working as a civil servant, I was found out to be a muscle-brained knight by the princess knight and got sent to the front lines - Episode 195

Episode 195

The ancient capital of Paradis, in the Divina Papal State.

Cardinal Seraphina Lorentzi and her faction, having abandoned the holy city of Sancturia in response to the sudden armed uprising led by Cardinal Sergius Calidius, were desperately working to minimize the internal strife. The one thing Seraphina most wanted to avoid was a large-scale military clash that would drain the nation’s resources, as well as the potential intervention by neighboring countries that could lead to territorial concessions.

Given the proximity of the Azelion continent to the monster-infested regions, the chances of expanding the human territories were slim. The most that could be achieved was the gradual advancement of the front lines by the Tashman Kingdom through the heavy investment of military resources.

What would be the result of this? With the borders of each nation firmly established, international relations would generally stabilize. However, this also led to a situation where each country became more eager to exploit any opportunity to intervene in the affairs of others. The Papal State was no exception to this rule. While the Divina Papal State was a highly authoritative religious leader among the nations of Azelion, its territory was relatively small. Nonetheless, being a religious state, it controlled key transportation hubs and picturesque lands across the continent. It housed numerous historic buildings, artworks, and treasures. These made it a very attractive target for the surrounding nations.

For this reason, Seraphina sought aid from the Tashman Kingdom, which did not share a direct border with the Papal State. She believed that they would not seek territorial gain and that financial or authoritative compensation would suffice. Additionally, She had personal connections to the country. It was where she had once studied. There was also the support of Archbishop Edelmar Solennis, a key ally of hers. These two key points played a role in making this decision. Moreover, the Fourth Saint, Lucretia Alma, was also present there.

Due to these complex international relationships and the need to solidify her support base within the Papal State, both sides found themselves in a stalemate. Both Sergius and Seraphina claimed the papal title, each asserting their legitimacy. But neither could deliver a decisive blow.

Had the proper process for selecting the next Pope been followed, Seraphina would likely have been chosen. Even considering her youth at 26, a more moderate cardinal might have been elected as a temporary measure, but Seraphina would eventually have taken the role. However, Sergius’ uprising had completely upended this. Seraphina, unwilling to see her nation weakened by civil war, had retreated to the ancient capital of Paradis without a fight. It allowed Sergius to seize control of the holy city.

The situation became even more complicated when several neighboring states that shared a border with the Divina Papal State recognized Sergius’ papal ascension. What Sergius had promised these nations in return was unknown, but it surely did not bode well.

Within the Papal State, there was also a significant faction that supported Sergius, particularly those opposed to the Lorentzi family’s two consecutive papal reigns. Although Seraphina was highly popular among the general populace for her youth, fairness, and strength, this alone had not been enough to tip the scales decisively in her favor. The fact that she had avoided making the holy city a battlefield, thereby preventing civilian casualties, had only further endeared her to the public. But the people would likely remain passive until they were directly affected.

Seraphina was also troubled by the uncertain positions of the four Saints. Currently, only one Saint remained within the Divina Papal State, while the other three were active abroad. The Second and Third Saints had quickly declared their neutrality from abroad. The Fourth Saint, Lucretia Alma, was likely on her way from the Tashman Kingdom with Jez. Despite Lucretia’s wild nature, Seraphina was confident that she would ultimately lend her support.

The real problem lay with the First Saint. Although she had declared her neutrality in the current conflict, it was apparently she who had persuaded Sergius to excommunicate Jez Norman. She accused him of endangering the world by causing a dimensional tremor and labeling him as an enemy of the gods, with orders for his elimination. This made the First Saint an enemy in Seraphina’s eyes, but what puzzled her was why the First Saint had taken such drastic action. Seraphina could not understand the motives of the angels or the will of the gods.

Even as she pondered these matters, Seraphina continued to lead the Saint Lucius Knights on the front lines. 

In the plains, about a day’s march from the ancient capital of Paradis. Seraphina’s ten thousand troops had been facing off against an equal force led by a commander of the Calidius faction for the past two weeks. Both sides had entrenched themselves in the plains, locked in a tense standoff.

The forces on both sides were nearly equal, with neither able to gain a decisive advantage. As a result, both sides were engaged in diplomatic efforts to gather more strength, avoiding a full-scale clash. However, it had been nearly two months since Calidius launched his armed rebellion. The envoys Seraphina sent to the Tashman Kingdom should have arrived by now. But even in the best-case scenario, it would take another two to three months for reinforcements to arrive.

Seraphina hoped to drag this out into a war of attrition. But perhaps her thoughts had jinxed her, for now, she could see the enemy forces forming a serious attack formation. Recognizing the situation, Seraphina knew she couldn’t afford to fall behind. She took her place at the front lines. Her white cloak, symbolizing the Pope, was billowing in the wind. Mounted on her steed, she grasped the holy sword, still sheathed, preparing for the charge.

The first large-scale military clash in what would later be known as the “Great Schism” within the Divina Papal State was about to begin. The commanders of both forces finally gave the signal to charge. The war cries echoed across the battlefield, followed by the thunderous sound of hooves and the clash of weapons.

Just as the leading spearmen of both sides were about to meet, a star suddenly fell between the two forces. A massive quake, a deafening roar, and flying debris filled the air, followed by a cloud of dust and soldiers being blown away.

Both armies turned their gaze to the enormous crater that had appeared out of nowhere. In the midst of the two opposing forces, numbering over twenty thousand combined, the dust settled to reveal a man kneeling in the center. He wore an official uniform with an armband marked “Diplomat.” Standing up as if nothing had happened, he dusted off his clothes, cleared his throat, and declared:

“I am Jez Norman, head of the Tashman Kingdom’s diplomatic mission. Both sides, sheathe your swords. I have come to mediate a ceasefire.”

The messenger of peace, sent to end the civil war, had arrived.