Volume 1 Chapter 68 Genderbend Female Knight, Ordering The First Papal States Siege
"So, what does the letter say?"
"The King of the Western Clanf Kingdom offers a blank peace treaty. The King of the Eastern Clanf Kingdom says he'll agree to peace—if we return Madalaz."
"Tell the Eastern Clanf to try attacking Elunbai. They'll back off."
"Are you serious?"
"Not really. But we have to act like we are. No one wants to fight the army that crushed Parisess."
It had been a week since Parisess fell into ruin. After settling down in Seryuima, which became a foothold, a fast horse brought news. Letters came from the late Emperor Raimont's sons—the kings of both Clanf Kingdoms.
At first, Eleonora refused to get involved, saying she'd handle military matters, not politics. But when Prince Arlecchino asked her to at least co-sign the replies, she gave in. Oddly, her men brought the letters to her before even reporting to the prince, as if they'd already decided she was in charge.
The prince also shared his opinions, but when Eleonora offered revisions, he approved them without a second thought.
Feeling like dark clouds hung over Ashreach's future, Eleonora made a final decision.
"Surround the Papal States. They're one of the main culprits. Drag them to the negotiation table."
"But going against the Pope..."
"The Papal States supported the Kingdom of Ashreach when the ruler changed. That was a huge move. They should be held responsible. Prince Louis is already dead. Emperor Raimont killed himself. The Loriengita Empire is gone. It's fallen into civil war. They can't stop us."
She spoke firmly and ended the talk with a sharp tone, then gave her command.
"From now on, we surround the Maro Papal States. Repeat that!"
"Yes! The Ashreach army will surround the Maro Papal States!"
Eleonora gave her order, then walked off with the wind blowing through her hair, thinking about what came next.
The goal was simple: force the Papal States to admit that Prince Louis's claim to the throne was invalid. After that, demand some form of compensation. Even a small amount was enough—just enough to prove the church made a mistake.
* * *
At the camp, under the Kamitafira family's banner, her grandfather Adalbert held a necklace in both hands, staring at it.
It was gold, with big diamonds in the center. Around them were rubies and sapphires, arranged in pairs.
"Grandfather, I'm back."
"Lady Eleonora."
"Is that a trophy? I didn't know you liked jewelry, Grandfather."
"No... I was going to give it to Brigitta for her wedding."
Brigitta—Eleonora's cousin—was marrying into a rural village. The necklace was too fancy for farmers. If sold, it could support three generations with ease.
"I should have brought something too. Should I give this dagger?"
"Are you telling me to kill myself?"
"No. I'm telling them to use it on anyone who tries to steal."
Eleonora spun the dagger in her fingers like a toy, then tucked it into her pocket.
Looking around at the soldiers—Huskarls and some young villagers—she saw them smiling, trading bits of loot they liked: jewelry, chain mail, helmets taken from treasure vaults.
For the soldiers, it was real income. When they got back to town, merchants would swarm to buy jewelry. Rich knights would buy the armor and helmets. Even if it was stolen, the economy kept moving—except for the ones who lost their stuff.
"Next is the Maro Papal States. They've done something stupid. I won't use force. I'll just surround them and scare them."
"Is that okay?"
"It'd be worse to leave this unresolved."
Eleonora wasn't hostile to religion, but she wasn't clueless either. In this era, power came from two things: the crown and the church.
If the church hated you, things wouldn't go well. That's how much power they had. That's why she knew they had to admit they were wrong—otherwise, something like this would happen again.
For example, they might stir up the Eastern Clanf Kingdom—the last chunk of the broken empire.
Now, people saw the Ashreach army as the one that destroyed the empire. Clear military strength was the fastest way to get anything done, even in another world.
* * *
"What's that?"
"Soldiers? Which army are they from?"
The merchants and travelers looked nervous as the Ashreach army circled the Holy Capital. The local guards, outnumbered, stayed still but looked like they still believed they wouldn't be attacked.
"We are the army of the Kingdom of Ashreach! We fought for the throne of Loriengita—and won! We crushed the empire and ended it!"
A voice, boosted with magic, rang out like metal—loud and clear. Everyone paused, waiting to see what would happen next.
Bishop Simon turned pale. He knew the voice.
(No way... They really destroyed the empire?)
"The late Third Prince said it himself! The church gave the Kingdom of Ashreach its kingly authority! What does that mean? That the authority given by God was sold off by the church?"
"Someone shut that girl up! Right now!"
"We can't, Your Excellency! There are too many soldiers—"
"Then why are we paying so much to hire Süetzerland mercenaries!"
Eleonora kept speaking, not holding back.
"These days, the church says if you pay money, your sins are forgiven! The church says we are God's chosen ones! But is it true?"
Before anyone could answer, she went on.
"The Bible says this! In heaven, you can't take riches. Only a pure heart is worth anything! So leave your wealth for your family, still living here in the world!"
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