Faith-Born Recklessness

The Bain Kingdom was once a kingdom that vied for the top position among kingdoms in national power. In many areas, such as territorial size and population, it bore a fairly close resemblance to the Polia Kingdom, but the circumstances of such a kingdom were bound to plummet after the Great War.

Since it had waged war on the side of the Doicheun Empire, it had had to experience many of the pains of war. It had had to lose millions of reinforcements sent to the battlefield, and afterward, it faced a situation where it had to pay an enormous war indemnity, so the entire nation had no choice but to struggle.

In the midst of such a situation, something suddenly came into being, and that was the Rat Religion. They appeared abruptly, and at the same time, spread exponentially. For those who had lost many children, there was no hope. And the ones who comforted their hearts were the clergy of the Rat Religion.

Born around the time the Great War ended in the latter half of 1916, and now, in 1918, entering its third year, their scale had become far too enormous. Their influence, having become an ultra-massive religious organization spanning multiple nations rather than just one, could not help but be immense.

The fact that this kind of expansion was possible right away could also be said to be because the nations were struggling to properly restore themselves. The war had just ended. At the same time, reconstruction projects and colonial incidents erupted one after another, becoming opportunities for them, and they had gained the fortune to grow until now.

However, even their momentum had no choice but to gradually slow. The side effects of having grown too quickly began to show everywhere. Since there were many believers in the Rat Religion, all kinds of people were gathered together. Because of that, there were many times when they took unexpected actions.

One could tell just by looking at a few incidents. Starting with recklessly occupying buildings that served other people’s gods, driving out members of noble families could be considered one such example. Various other things were happening as well, and all of these things were, in truth, being carried out without the Central Order knowing anything about them.

Even they were bewildered by the insults they had been hearing recently. Meanwhile, in the midst of this, after hearing about what had happened in the Polia Kingdom, they had no choice but to sink into worry.

“It seems the king of the Polia Kingdom is determined to drive our Rat Religion out of his country.”

“In that country’s perception, we have already become a considerably evil axis of wickedness.”

“Perhaps advancing into that place was impossible from the start. Even using the method of a gift offensive had little effect, did it not?”

“How about abandoning that country instead? The situation in other countries is also not ordinary right now.”

“That is right. From the noble family incident that happened before, we judge that it could truly become dangerous.”

The faces of the high-ranking clergy of the Rat Religion were full of worry. The situation these days was truly not ordinary. Perhaps they should have stopped expanding long ago and focused only on internal affairs.

However, the scale of the Rat Religion had already become global, making it too late to do that. On top of that, proper management itself was almost impossible, so it may already have been too late. But that did not mean there was no opportunity at all. For them, there was one hidden opportunity.

“Did they say it is still far off?”

“They say they are hurrying now.”

“Hmm, if it only succeeds, we will be able to become an existence with a presence incomparable to what we have had until now.”

“Yes, that is why it absolutely must succeed.”

“If it succeeds, we will be able to expand our religious influence incomparably more than now.”

The one who called himself the Pope, as well as all the high-ranking clergy, thought there was still an opportunity left. What they were thinking of was none other than trying to reproduce something called “divine power,” which was said to have existed in the world in the past before suddenly disappearing.

This would raise a question. How could they reproduce divine power? Moreover, they were merely a newborn religious organization that had existed for only three years. It was impossible for such people to carry out such a grand plan, but this was all because there was help from outside.

‘It was fortunate that we received their help.’

Pope Bain thought that if he had not met them, the Rat Religion would not have been able to achieve this much growth. In truth, its expansion might have ended here in the Bain Kingdom. But while receiving their help, he expanded the religious influence, and before he knew it, it had grown into a massive religious organization that encompassed the world.

‘It really is possible, isn’t it?’

They had told him. They would let him reproduce the power of divine power. If it succeeded according to plan, they themselves would be able to use divine power directly. If that happened, many people would say they had witnessed a miracle, and even more people would follow them.

“For now, regarding the Polia Kingdom, let us end it with only voices of denunciation. If we pointlessly clash with them, the situation will only become more complicated.”

“Let us do that. Looking at the report, even if we directly entered their country, it was not a country where we could do anything.”

“Then, let us decide on that. As for the matter of the noble family members who were driven from their mansion, first, in the name of the Rat Religion Central Order, we will formally apologize and compensate them…”

At some point, the Rat Religion’s Central Order was continuing their conversation. Within that appearance, it showed that their way of thinking was not as closed-minded as one might have expected. Of course, just because their thoughts were like this did not mean the incident would be easily resolved.

There were already many within the Rat Religion who believed from the marrow of their bones that only the god Rat would save the world and bestow happiness. And many were greatly angered by what had happened in the Polia Kingdom.

They thought they could not overlook this. They thought the Polia Kingdom had declared war on them, who served the god Rat. Because they thought that way, they resolved to punish it independently.

At some point, people who headed toward the Polia Kingdom appeared, but the leadership knew absolutely nothing about this fact.

August 10.

The commotion over the Rat Religion, which had been noisy for a time, vanished as if it had never happened. It was ordinary daily life that had returned, and people were spending their days as always. Amid this, various events were held, and the event currently underway was something like a festival for children.

The Child Labor Prohibition Act had already been implemented in 1916, and because of it, many children had been able to escape the shackles of labor. Of course, child labor was still rampant in foreign countries, but in the Polia Kingdom at least, it had almost disappeared.

Only a few years had passed, but it was settling in to a certain degree. Many children had started going to school and studying, and as if they had been thirsty for learning, they were absorbing knowledge. Meanwhile, various events were also held, and among them were festivals for children.

They were held from time to time, centered on the capital and in various places throughout the country, and now the time had come for such a children’s festival to be held in the capital as well. Centered around a park, many clowns were walking around and entertaining the children.

In the vacant lot, amusement rides were also being operated, though in a temporary form. Because of this, the children’s laughter did not cease. Meanwhile, what drew the most attention at this festival was none other than the delicious lunch prepared by the Royal Welfare Foundation.

Since it was an event personally attended and hosted by none other than the queen, one could say that a large crowd had gathered. Because it was an activity after a long while, Adrina was in a good mood. She had had to stay only in the royal palace for a while due to matters such as terrorism by the Dairam people, so it had also been a long time since she had gone out.

And beside her was none other than Princess Helena. Adrina had deliberately brought her outside. Seeing her continue to look gloomy, she had brought her out so she could at least refresh her mind by going outside.

Meanwhile, the sight of the two beauties, one with platinum-blond hair and the other with red hair, could not help but stand out far too much.

“How can they be so beautiful?”

“I know. As expected of the queen.”

“And what about the person beside her? That person is Princess Helena, right?”

“That is right. I heard she is eighteen this year. I wonder if she will keep staying here?”

“From what I heard, she is going to become His Majesty’s consort.”

“Really? I heard she would soon return to the Doicheun Empire.”

Various stories came out and people whispered among themselves, but they were speaking from a little distance away, far enough that the words could not be heard. Even so, from their visible expressions and atmosphere alone, Princess Helena was able to realize what kinds of words were being exchanged.

‘It is already August.’

Once this year passed, she would have no choice but to immediately return to her home country. Her future, as someone who had not even become a consort, was obvious. It would probably become as her Imperial Father had said. Since she knew he was someone who would absolutely do what he said, she could not help but feel impatient. That was why, only a short while ago, she had gathered her courage again and asked to be accepted.

‘He told me to wait a little longer, didn’t he…’

She let out a hollow laugh at herself for placing hope in those words. She thought he was truly a heartless person. Of course, it was not that she did not understand his feelings. He was living far too well. Queen Adrina, who was beside her, was beautiful, and with the birth of an adorable daughter, they showed what a happy royal family looked like.

‘He must be worried that the queen will be upset, right?’

Because that fact existed, she could not help but feel even more envious. Who in the world would consider his wife’s feelings when taking in a consort? He was truly a warm-hearted person. The moment she thought that, she heard the laughter of children nearby, going kya-ha-ha~.

When she first came here, she had wondered, What is this? She had learned that this country was the first in the world to implement the Child Labor Prohibition Act, and she had also learned that various events were held for children. It made her think anew that His Majesty’s kind heart was directed toward young children as well.

‘Seeing that, I feel like I somehow understand.’

The sight of children running around happily was something that made even herself, an adult(?), feel good. While thinking that she seemed to understand what kind of world His Majesty dreamed of, she also felt inside that she wanted to be able to feel it together with him too.

“How does it feel to leave the royal palace?”

“Ah, it feels good.”

Princess Helena, who answered Queen Adrina when she spoke to her, gave an awkward smile. Toward her, Adrina smiled and said.

“I agree. I had been staying only inside the royal palace for a while, so it felt so suffocating. When I think about this, I feel I have changed a lot too.”

“Changed?”

“Yes. When I was an imperial princess, I always went only to similar places and stayed only in similar places. To me, the imperial palace was always like a prison. So I had naturally grown used to it, but now even just staying only in the royal palace like this makes me feel stifled.”

In truth, the reason she had been able to come to the Polia Kingdom to meet Ian was also because her elder brother, Emperor Jedic, had permitted it to a certain extent. If not for that, she would likely have been unable to leave the territory of the Magnia Empire and would have had to live there for her entire life.

Meanwhile, Princess Helena seemed to mull over Queen Adrina’s words, then nodded.

“I agree. I had always thought the imperial palace was like a prison too.”

“This place is a little stifling too, isn’t it?”

“No. It is not stifling.”

“You have to keep staying in the royal palace, just like the imperial palace. It has to be stifling and uncomfortable.”

“I am living well without any discomfort. The queen treats me well, and so do the Queen Mother and Princess Charlotte.”

“I am glad you said that. But it must be stifling in another sense too.”

“….. Ha, I do not understand His Majesty’s heart.”

At the sight of Helena letting out a short sigh and shaking her head as if she did not understand, Adrina gently held her hand. Helena looked a little surprised by this action, and Adrina patted her hand as if telling her it would be all right, then said.

“Do not worry too much. His Majesty will not send you back like this.”

“It would be a good thing if that were true, but is it all right for Your Majesty to say such a thing?”

“What is wrong with it?”

“Even so, I would become a consort, would I not?”

“I cannot monopolize His Majesty all by myself.”

Princess Helena could not help but look at Queen Adrina with a strange gaze. To her, it was a statement she could not understand. Any woman would want to monopolize her own man. From the start, there was no woman who would yield him to someone else. Thinking that, she felt there must be some reason.

‘If she means she wants to say she would accept me as a consort, could it perhaps be because she wants a prince?’

The only flaw one could say the royal family had was that there was no prince. With Princess Karina’s birth, a royal descendant had appeared, but the problem was that there was no prince who would become king. Previously, Queen Adrina had apologized to Ian after giving birth to a daughter.

As a person of this era, failing to give birth to a boy could only be considered a “sin.” So that must be why she said she could not monopolize him. A consort had to enter the palace and conceive a prince, and she was thinking that Princess Helena was clearly the right person for that.

“If I simply keep waiting like this, His Majesty will…”

Princess Helena, who had been speaking, had no choice but to stop when someone suddenly revealed himself. The royal guards stationed around them also flinched and were flustered at that sight. If he had been an enemy, they would have rushed in to subdue him at once, but the person who appeared was not an enemy.

“Um, what is the matter?”

“Ene…my.”

“Enemy?”

At the words of the one wearing a white mask with a smiling expression, Adrina could not help but widen her eyes. She knew who this person was. He was someone who often appeared in the royal palace, and from what she had heard, he was only known as a superhuman who had reached the realm of Expert. Such a person had now appeared and said there was an enemy.

“Are you saying there is an enemy here right now?”

“They are… coming.”

Within the sight of him speaking as if stammering, something was rapidly approaching this place.