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 211

Episode 211

It has been four years since Saint Lucretia Alma left her hometown, the Papal State of Divina, at the age of twelve. Meeting face-to-face with Seraphina Lorentzi like this is naturally the first time in four years. Of course, they had been exchanging personal letters regularly, and they had official communications in their roles as Saint and Archbishop as well.

However, for the past year, they hadn’t been in close contact due to the fluidity of their situations. On Seraphina’s side, she was busy dealing with the passing of the previous Pope and the subsequent political upheavals. On Lucretia’s side, she was caught up in events where some bureaucrat suddenly disappeared from the royal capital and went to the southern frontlines, only to vanish into another world upon returning to the capital. She had been dragged into searching for this person, leaving her no time to settle down.

Archbishop Edelmar Solennis, who was also supporting Lucretia, was investigating the situation in their homeland. But the information he could gather was still limited.

“So? You’re going to give me a proper explanation, right?”  

“Yes, yes, I’ll explain everything, so don’t look so scary.”

It was night, and the entire ancient city of Paradis was enveloped in a festive atmosphere. In one of the cathedral’s rooms, the main members of the Lorentzi faction and the captains of the 11th Legion had gathered. 

Lucretia continued glaring at Seraphina with squinting eyes. She understood this self-proclaimed Pope’s quick adaptability. While many things about her were irritating, this unreadable woman in front of her was quite capable. Annoying as it was.

Alongside Lucretia and Edelmar, representatives from the Divina Church stationed in the Kingdom of Tashman were present, including Jez, Cynthia, Miriam, Victor, and Jamil, who were about to hear the detailed background from Seraphina. 

Meanwhile, Linnea, Ida, and Ole, who were from the northern regions, were in charge of guarding the airship Mandjet/Mesektet in the sky. Some units were off-duty and resting in the city.

Seraphina recounted the past events to the group who were seated as they pleased in the cathedral room. Starting with the death of the late Pope Ignatius II, their escape from the Holy City Sancturia, their siege in the ancient city of Paradis, and their efforts to negotiate with various factions.

After listening, Lucretia spoke up.  

“There’s definitely something off about this. What’s that old hag thinking?”  

“I want to know that too.”

The “old hag” referred to the First Saint, Anastasia Eterna. Although she hadn’t publicly expressed support for Cardinal Sergius Calidius, she was still in the Holy City Sancturia. Her presence there likely influenced many to join the Calidius faction.

“The Lucius Agrippa I know isn’t the type to side with someone like Calidius. Anastasia must have done something to influence him.” 

Edelmar, who had personally crossed weapons with Lucius, gave his thoughts while stroking his chin with folded arms. He had known Lucius for a long time. And considering his personality and history, it was highly unusual for him to side with Calidius on his own.

They had clashed their staves and spears in this recent encounter. But even from that, a refreshing vigor was felt. Edelmar had feared that he might have fallen into evil, but Lucius remained a straightforward and refreshing man. Hearing Edelmar’s words, Seraphina nodded.  

“Yeah, I think so too. Lucius has helped us many times over these past years. I can’t imagine he shares the same ambitions as Calidius. That’s why I’m so confused.”

They shared their current understanding and perceptions with each other. The members of the Kingdom of Tashman, including Jez, quietly listened to the discussion. But in any case, there seemed to be many unnatural situations. When the conversation reached a stopping point, Lucretia asked Seraphina again.  

“So? What are we going to do?”  

“First, we need to talk to the First Saint, Anastasia Eterna. We need to confirm her intentions. I want to avoid unnecessary conflict.”

・　・　・

Through discussions among the Lorentzi faction, Saint Lucretia Alma, Archbishop Edelmar Solennis, and the representatives from the Kingdom of Tashman, a future course of action began to take shape. The top priority was to make contact with the First Saint, Anastasia Eterna. They also needed to reassess the thoughts of the Second Saint Mina Chakrabarti and the Third Saint Camilla Sanchez, who were staying abroad after declaring neutrality.

For Seraphina and Lucretia to reach Anastasia, they needed to infiltrate the Holy City Sancturia. However, the Holy City was currently under martial law, making entry difficult. Therefore, Seraphina requested a series of raids on cities allied with the Calidius faction using the airship Mandjet/Mesektet. 

This would serve as a diversion, drawing enemy forces and attention toward the airship and the cities, allowing a small group to slip into Sancturia and attempt to make contact with the First Saint.

The diversionary unit tasked with making a big impact is the 11th Legion’s flagship, the airship Mandjet/Mesektet. Jamil Al-Faz is appointed as the commander of this diversion unit, with the main forces like Ida and Ole also assigned to this mission. Cynthia, the chief of staff, will be under Jamil’s command as well.

The mission of this diversion unit is to launch air raids on as many cities as possible, indiscriminately, in order to draw the enemy’s attention. 

Meanwhile, the infiltration team will be limited to the bare minimum of five members: Seraphina, Lucretia, Edelmar, Jez, and Victor. After Mandjet/Mesektet begins the diversionary operation, they will travel from the ancient city of Paradis to the Holy City of Sancturia on horseback or on foot.

…Victor Alchemis has smoothly joined the infiltration team. Miriam, naturally, was not pleased. But due to Seraphina’s insistence, he was included. 

Sancturia, being an ancient city with a long history, is equipped with numerous magical devices and artifacts. Even the Cardinals, the Pope, or the Saints do not have full knowledge of all these mechanisms. 

Victor was brought along to handle this situation. But… Seraphina, that alchemist has gone through quite a character change over the past ten years; are you sure this is really okay?