Tsurugi no Joou to Rakuin no Ko:Volume 2 Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – The False Queen

The Queen's day begins in the morning with the purification of her body.

Queen's palace is located in the heart of the Imperial Capital, with her bedchamber having a ceiling made of glass. The curtains covering her bed did not reflect the sunlight or moonlight. Ever since Silvia took the throne, she had never slept soundly even once.

But then again, the shallow sleep was not only because of the light; when she tried to sleep soundly, she could not escape the pain brought about by her dreams. From the moment she started having prophecies, it would not allow her to sleep soundly, and gradually it became a habit.

"Nourishing nectar of the heavens, sending down the sunlight, bestow upon us happiness..."

As Silvia , who was a shrine maiden, chanted the holy words, the first rays of the morning sun shone in a somber moment.

A maidservant helped dry her hair and body, and gave her a thin robe, then when she turned to go into the water to cleanse herself again she saw a figure standing there. It was a woman with a blue shawl covering her head. She was wearing holy garments embroidered with The Swan Insignia, symbol of the servants of our lord God Dushanda. She is the High Priestess of the Holy Kingdom, with her headquarter in the palace, Lady Luonisica.

"Your Majesty, I humbly offer you my greetings. " Lady Luonisica knelt down on the floor before Silvia, and knowingly asked: "Your Majesty, did you dream a Oracle Decree last night?"

The so-called Oracle Decree, that is Queen's most important prophecy - it showed the Queen being killed by her husband.

"...H'm."

Silvia while not looking at her, replied in a low voice.

Within the palace the air of this woman, was always disturbing and dreading. Her smooth face, seemed to look like melted glass, her beautiful appearance had, since Silvia could remember, never shown any signs of aging. She kept a close eye on her, making Silvia feel like she was being watched at all times.

"You said you haven't dreamed the Royal Consort's face?"

"H'm." Silvia did not tell the truth. However Lady Luonisica's silence made her wonder if her lies had been seen through, a chill filled her heart -- even so, she did not plan on telling the truth.

She couldn't say it, that the man who killed her was together with her sister, the young man Chris. She thought it was unspeakable.

(Why would he ...)

(Although his forehead and hands have a Mark of Stigma, but did he not say that he was a mercenary ... ... ）

The brands are symbols of the gods power, only the three Grand Duke families are supposed to have them. Silvia did not understand, how could this boy named Chris have such a brand.

"Tomorrow this humble servant will bring men associated with the Great House of Epimex for an audience with your majesty, requesting your majesty to carefully look at their appearances."

"Good."

(There will be no results from this. Because that man is already at my sister's side.)

However, Silvia did not know if she could conceal the secret for long.

"Your Majesty has recently accepted the Oracle's blessing as one might expect, we might consider not using anymore drugs..."

Lady Luonisica's words made Silvia hold her shoulders and shake her head:"My throat hurts, no drugs."

The drugs Lady Luonisica refered to, is used to create acute pain. This helps the Oracle prophecy to be rendered in a more vivid manner. The power of the Oracle in Silvia is weak, so she often needed to use this drug. Now she was refusing the drugs under the pretext of a cold, but she would have to use this drug again.

"Your servant understands, please take care of yourself Your Majesty." Lady Luonisica took two steps backward while wearing a false smile." However, Your Majesty, choosing a new Royal Consort is a national priority. Lord Cornelius dying was a very serious problem, The Holy Kingdom must hold the Weneralia Ceremony as soon as possible, please bear this in mind."

"... I know."

Then, when Silvia asked the shine maiden to help her with the purification bath, Lady Luonisica all of a sudden spoke saying:

"This humble servant heard that today Your Majesty will have a Guardian knight guarding you."

"A Guardian knight?"

Silvia stopped and turned again to face Lady Luonisica.

"Yes, this was ordered by the Emperor, apparently Grand Duke Galerius idea. This humble servant could not decline the Emperor's wishes, especially after all that happened not too long ago..."

Silvia took a deep breath. What she was referring to, was the Grand Duke being stabbed in his chest, and the Queen being taken captive. All of this was previously unheard of, so the military had to be more alert.

"This humble servant, to avoid disrupting Her Majesty's thoughts, has accepted this arrangement without consulting you, please forgive me Your Majesty."

For Silvia, Lady Luonisica's frank speech made her feel uncomfortable. These people never consulted the Queen about important matters. And this thing with the Guardian knight right before the day he was about to assume his duties, made it impossible for Silvia to refuse.

(An additional person to monitor me...)

"The Guardian knight will be placed in a room in the northeast of the palace."

"This man will live in the Palace?"

Silvia could not help but feel surprised -- the rooms in the northeast of the palace are among the closest to the Queen's bedchamber on the same row. In the name of being the Guardian knight guarding the Queen, the room would have to be very close by in order for him to protect the Queen. However even bearing that in mind, she could not see how Lady Luonisica could even agree to house a military man inside the center of the palace.

"Yes, this Guardian knight is called Giulio-Geminiani. Because his status is quite special, this humble servant thinks that in this matter the rules can be stretched ."

Lady Luonisica then went to recount the experiences of Giulio, making Silvia feel even more surprised. She did not think that this knight could have learned as a shrine maiden, and unexpectedly passed the tests.

(So then he had learned under the High Priestess, having been admitted into the Theological Academy, so that's how it is... If not for this, then it would have been impossible to be admitted to the palace.)

But Lady Luonisica then made one last statement:

"However, while this man has received vocational education, he wears armor, his body is still unclean, so please Your Majesty must not disclose the messages from your dreams. "

She did not even need to hear her say this. Even with Lady Luonisica it is also so. Since her elder sister escaped from the Imperial Capital, she has not opened wide her heart to anybody. Not once. Whether the people three Grand Duke's, the palace clergy, all of them gathered with the intent to leech on her Oracle power.

She went back to her bedchamber, after the maidservants retreated, she fell down on the bed. Memories of that night, her first walk under the broad sky. Her Sister and her companions watching over her. While being full of painful memories of life, only this period of profound memories could make her feel delightful.

(Someone stands behind my sister.)

(If you can, can you not let my sister live in such a place like me, and to forget of warfare...)

Closing her eyes, the dark face of Chris emerged -- the Oracle prophecy overlapping. In the prophecy, he was holding the baby, the dagger piercing Silvia's chest.

(However, my fate in the end is likely to be to get involved with a companion of my older sister...)

Silvia covered her face in the blanket, trying to fight back the mental and psychic pain.

Sunlight shed from the skylight above the glass dome of the bedchamber, Silvia awoke from her dream. Her whole body was hurting all over. Barely a spot left untouched by pain.

(Drugs were mixed with the purification water...)

She realized this. Probably on Lady Luonisica's instructions –- of the three Grand Dukes one was missing, it made her feel very anxious ... Silvia held no wrath or mood to complain about this matter.

(I should tell her... that my husband to be is in Zaccaria...)

This idea passed from her mind, Silvia casually stroked her hair, letting herself quickly forget the idea.

(If I did so, then he and my sister would be in danger. And I... would be free of the drugs only temporary.)

She seized the lower hem of her clothes, making an effort. The clothes bit by bit split open with a shrill whining sound.

(So long as I endure patiently - I will endure, forever endure ...)

At the other end of the stone door someone suddenly appeared. There were several footsteps, then a Shrine Maiden's voice came:

"Sorry to disturb Your Majesty."

"... Come on in."

Silvia with a melancholy voice answered, feeling unhappiness in her heart.

The stone door with a winged wheel design was pushed open, Silvia almost called out in alarm. Along with the three Shrine Maiden there was one figure wearing armor.

"Your servants and Her Majesty's Guardian knight have arrived."

Silvia could not help but stare at the knight's face, so he instantly blushed, and quickly looked down.

--So what, Lady Luonisica said was right... The knight has his hair bundled at the back of his head, neat hair white like snow with slight traces of silver. His beauty and White Rose insignia giving a very good impression. In the Theological Academy nobody discovered that he was a boy, Silvia did not believe at first, but seeing him now she did not feel surprised about it.

The knight walked past the old Shrine Maiden, came up to the bed and knelt on the ground. When he bowed his head, the hair on his head was touching the ground as well.

"Revered Queen, able to understand destiny through and through, and all of the Gods' will, I request to be allowed into Your Majesty's holy grace."

The knight meticulously uttered the Holy Words. His voice sounding like a glass pearl, transparent and clear

"...You are permitted to be in my presence."

Silvia made a brief response and tried to motion him to stand up. However the knight's forehead was still pressing on the floor, his ears red at the base didn't move the entire time -- what's going on...

"Go ahead, raise your head."

"Yes... No, I fear... That... Your servant," he paused for a moment then continued, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty just woke up, and did not change clothes..."

Silvia did not understand what he meant at first, thought only to find, here is her bedchamber, and she had just woke up, so she looked to examine her clothes.

In fact, Silvia did not for a long time realize what the problem was. After all since she was a child there had always been many people entering and leaving her bedchambers. But they were all Shrine Maidens or other servants of God. And now although this knight looks like a girl, excluding the Emperor he was the first "man" to enter her bedchamber.

This time Silvia suddenly became embarrassed, hurriedly pulled the hem on her collar and the blankets, covering all parts below the neck.

"T-This you don't have to mind... starting today you will be working as a guard inside the Palace, don't mind the little details."

Silvia despite being aware that her voice was slightly pitched, could not suppress it. The knight then looked up, gazing into Silvia eyes but inexplicably showing sadness.

(Sadness – no it's not right, pity? Why does this person look at me like this ... ）

Silvia was astonished, she suppressed the remaining pain to open her mouth to say to the knight:

"Name?"

"This humble servant is your vassal of lower nobility from Geriou - son of Geminiani, Giulio."

"I heard that you were recommended by the Emperor and Lord Galerius... You've seen my father?"

"Yes. However because of the Emperor's slight illness, this humble servant couldn't stay for long in his presence, but received instructions to come here directly to protect the Queen."

--According to what this man is saying, he is a spy sent by the Grand Duke faction... It's been a long time since Silvia has seen her own father Emperor Tiberius-Nyross, but she still remembered those cunning lynx eyes. As for the the king's brother, Galerius-Nyross, Silvia also rarely needed to meet him. This man is also seeking to expand the power and influence of the Grand Duke, both he and the Emperor are not concerned with her safety. This Guardian knight they sent her, his purpose is only to contain Lady Luonisica and her group in the shrine, while he gives information on the Queen to the Royal Consort's.

"The rest of you step outside, I have something to ask Giulio."

The three Shrine Maidens did not know what to do, their faces were filled with doubts, hesitating to leave the two of them alone. But Silvia glared at them once, and they left in a panic after nodding. Silvia had found that, because of the pain in her body, both her attitude and way of speaking appeared very intolerant. It seemed like the medicine was really useful.

Silvia switched her view back to Giulio, his eyes could not help but form tears -- What is this? Is this man really a spy... she could not help but suspect this until now - however it seemed like he might even be hesitant of plucking out a flower, a spy...

"I ask you, before you received this task, what were you doing?"

This question makes Giulio's face a little disappointed, as if he wanted to hear that his previous work was not a problem.

"This humble servant originally served as a swordsmanship adviser at Elleweleos township, in His Highness's Crown forces."

He was previously a swordsmanship adviser, responsible for training the Palace Guards as well as the Holy Kingdom troops. It was a very important position, and didn't think that young people like him could take up the post. She then remembered, the swordsmanship instructor for the Emperor was a very bold and uninhibited man, leaving most of the work to his disciples as he went and traveled the world, Giulio is probably one of that man's disciples.

--Why would father and Galerius send such an important figure to be my Guardian knight? Is there some secret in the palace that they want to learn of...

"... I have Dushanda's blessing and can foresee any life-threatening danger, so I do not need any Guardian knight. You know of this, do you not?"

Silvia asked something that was already known. This person was once a Shrine Maiden that served in the royal court, he must know of this matter.

"Your servant knows." Giulio said while placing his hand to his chest, face filled with grief. "But Your Majesty, when you have to make contact and obtain that knowledge, your body will be filled with pain."

This sentence made Silvia's whole body heat up just a bit, eyes focused on Giulio.

"Your servant, working as a Guardian knight, hopes to stay close to Her Majesty and ,even if only a little bit, share the pain."

(Sharing - my pain?)

(This man... What is he talking about?)

She had never heard anything like this, not to mention the phrase just now was said from a warrior's mouth ...

"Your humble servant will from now on live in the palace, and in the future during the Holy Patrol, Your Holy Majesty will on occasion share the company of your humble servant, if Your Majesty would please grant this.' Giulio knelled and touched his forehead to the ground in an expression of deep respect. "This humble servant will be inseparable from Your Majesty and shall never once complain."

Silvia's brain was filled with confusing thoughts.

The so-called Holy Patrol, was the Queen visiting the places of the Kingdom, to determine whether a natural disaster, rebellion or criminal activity was going to happen. This time around, due to the deterioration of her health, it was suspended. But the three houses still went before the Emperor to call for Silvia to resume this activity.

(This is a man my father sent... I must not neglect to take precautions.)

Silvia secretly told herself, and clamped down on her clothes and bedding. She nodded and managed to squeeze out in a small voice, to respond: "I understand, you can stand down. "

However, Giulio heard the words but did not do so, still kneeling, he stared up at Silvia. His gaze deeply puncturing Silvia's heart, making her unable to look him in the eyes -- Why, why does this man seem to want to see me cry...

"What's wrong? Did I not ask you to stand down?"

"Your Highness... what can one do?"

"What, What can one do?"

"This humble servant would like to ask, Your Highness who is now in pain, is there nothing this humble servant can do to help?"

Silvia could not help but swallow a deep breath, she had been discovered by him, that there was suffering throughout her body. He found out... Why? How does he know? Does he know that the Queen because of her Oracle powers, must live in pain all day -- impossible, even if he went to the Theological Academy, they would not have told the Shrine Maidens such a thing...

-- Did he notice my pain, just by looking at my reactions...

Silvia looked away, her sight moving to her own lap, and said while trembling: "You, what nonsense are you speaking... Stand down!"

Giulio deeply saluted. In his action, Silvia seemed to see his tears dripping onto the floor. Then, when he turned toward the door, Silvia unknowingly stopped him: "... Giulio."

"Yes!"

That face turned like a storm, Silvia could not stand this brilliant expression and retreated.

(Not good, could it be that I wish to say something to him... )

Silvia quickly shook her head, disposing of the idea that came to her mind.

"Nothing ... if something happens I will call for you."

"This humble servant will attend at any moment!"

Giulio's voice was filled with joy, so hyper that it made Silvia puzzled.

She watched Giulio's back as he left and closed the decorated stone door. Silvia then buried her face in the bed. Before long, she found her body in pain, this Knight inexplicably left doubts in her mind.

(This is a man my father sent... I must not neglect to take precautions.)

Silvia constantly reminded herself in her mind.

◊ ◊ ◊

Wind swept over the city walls, above the purple banners of the Holy Kingdom army making it sound like harp-like burst of noise. Beneath the walls of groups of wagons, coaches and soldiers constantly traveling back and forth, a rusty smell filling the air.

Galerius slightly lifted his sight, hills overlooking the river and on the other side the beautiful streets-cape of the Holy Capital. Here is the Holy Capital perimeter defensive positions - Hadrianous military fortress. There are now tens of thousands of Holy Kingdom armed forces, laid out for the Kingdom wartime alert.

"Lord Galerius, I apologize, you must be busy."

Galerius looked back in the direction of the sound. A tall figure was coming from the observation deck towards him. This man has a boxy face, a pair of sharp eyes, body armor outside covered with a purple cape. He is a Royal Consort-Lucius.

Lucius has four attendants behind him. Four attendants dressed in light armor, wearing only a breastplate, sword tied around the waist. They patted their scabbard, while respectful saluting Galerius.

"It is the first time I see you wearing armor like this, it really doesn't suit you." Galerius grunted with ridicule.

"Isn't it also valid for Lord Galerius as well? Your body is no longer suitable to wearing this kind of armor."

Lucius choked on his laughter, Galerius inspected himself revealing a wry-smile under his purple shawl. He had once more put on his armor, after many decades. The three Grand Duke Houses, in order to increase their prestige, had always had their Grand Dukes serve as generals in the army, it was almost an obligation. But in fact during the last few years, because Cornelius was specialized in military strategy, almost all the work in this area was left to him.

"At present I'm not able to wear it?" Galerius unconsciously sighed.

"It's merely a ceremony to assume command, why wear one so heavy?" Lucius asked.

"It's not just the ceremony, I just thought the general should look like this, that it would raise the morale."

Galerius said this in spite of Lucius attendants being present, he made no secret of his discontent. In fact the negative comments regarding the general succession had already got out, so there was no need to fear anything.

"In fact, don't you think that doing it like this is also clever?" Lucius frowned slightly.

"Yeah, it was clever. But I am very cold in this thing. "

At this time, Lucius moved his line of sight underneath the city walls. Galerius also looked in the same direction. An army appeared on the stairs extending out of a corridor. In front of this mammoth army, a man wearing armor, awe-inspiring and wrapped in embroidered logo, everything looked very elegant. This person's age is the same as Galerius and should be a little less than fifty. The color of his cape is also purple.

This man in the purple cape looked somewhat similar to Cornelius, however their temperament was impossible to discern.

(If Cornelius had lived more then three decades, he might have looked like this...)

What Galerius imagined was not a pleasant thought.

"Ah, this guy hasn't yet accepted his orders, and already he has his flag up."

Lucius said mockingly.

"With such a large group of servants in the back, he should not think himself as a Royal Consort, right? "

"Exactly."

Galerius was not pleased how his whisper echoed – this time, his line of sight moved to the man on the right below his eyes and on the stairs. The man had a proud smile on his face, then saluted, he only reluctantly nodded in response.

Dirogne Epimex, he is the father of the Royal Consort Cornelius who was killed.

"I heard, this guy because of his previous acts of debauchery, has been driven out of the Epimex home?"

Hearing Galerius ask, Lucius nodded: "Even his title of a knight and manor were confiscated. In recent years because of the war sweeping the land, he was allowed an opportunity to take a small number of Knights and vent his anger on the battlefield. I heard that when he was the lord of Blaufous it wasn't exaggerated, for any woman in the fiefdom, or entering the city to not enter his grasp."

Galerius heard a snort of disdain, "It was the first time one of the three Grand Duke Houses was so loathed. I really think Cornelius died too soon..."

"Seeing the father of Cornelius I can really appreciate why the subject of family was so taboo with him." Lucius laughed along.

However, what Cornelius thought in the past does not matter anymore, because if the seat of Royal Consort is vacant, then it will be filled for the time being by the first rank relative - if the father is alive, then he will take the seat - he will also take the leadership of the House.

So Dirogne had won and became the patriarch in an important position, he became the Grand Duke of the House and began to display his arrogance.

"I heard this of that man's outrageous practices, he even gives the Senate a headache -- he seems to have went to them and asked for titles and the like."

"Oh? I also heard that he asked for the Imperial Capital to be moved." Lucius tone sounded like he was enjoying himself.

"The most contemptible, is that he thinks he has the right to be granted an audience with Her Majesty the Queen, and therefore continues to request it." said Galerius.

When Cornelius was chosen as the Royal Consort, Dirogne had unexpectedly told himself the wicked idea that he had the right to the queen, and envied his son, Galerius also heard about this. From this point of view, Lucius's judgment was right. Because he was awarded the post of general, he will be driven far off to the battlefield.

"It would be best if this man could die on the battlefield..."

"But having said that!" Lucius then proceed to say:"You don't see it in him, actually he is on a battlefield already. Cornelius also knew this, so he went to several important battles on the front-line so as not to deal with his own father. Dissatisfied with having only one thousand troops at his disposal, but had a set of brilliant military exploits. Eventually ascending to the rank of general, actually the military is not completely opposed."

"Like this he's trying to take back the title?"

"The vassals there do not speak of it, but I have heard that even in the garrison in the Queen's own territory, he still plundered from the residents, kidnapping their daughters, therefore he cannot bring back the title."

In any case, it is imperative that as soon as possible Dirogne is expelled from the Holy Capital, which is the consensus between the two Royal Consort.

"One hears that the general's seat for the punitive expedition to the south is still important as ever right?" Galerius asked.

"He is simply a mad dog, as long as there is blood in where he has to go, but I do fancy the idea."

At this time, the crisp sound of armor banging was coming closer and closer, they then heard a rude sounding voice: "The two Royal Consort Highness! You have personally come to Harianous fortress, I really appreciate it."

Dirogne already came up from under the stairs. Behind him there was an entourage carrying a banner of the Epimex family, plus more than a dozen other people have come to the wall.

"I didn't think I'd be holding command of the army on this day."

Dirogne laughed loudly from the bottom of his heart. He was very different from Galerius and company who did not exercise their bodies, the armor looked just as natural as skin on him.

"Since I got the position of General, I would definitely take some heads from the Dukes of the Seven Kingdoms in the east, and hang them on the walls of Hadrianous, as sacrificial offering so His Majesty can appreciate!"

Lucius tried to hide a smile, but his mouth did not obey and still went slightly upward. Galerius frowned, and just now thought now to mitigate the damage, his forehead and the back of his hands suddenly sent out pain - is was the resonance between the Mark of Stigma. He looked at Dirogne, and could not help but stare. On Dirogne forehead clearly appears a the blue light mark.

「Dirogne! Do not casually display your Mark of Stigma!」

Galerius shouted angrily, Dirogne was the only one from his entourage that wasn't frightened. But the person exposed an unapologetic and disdainful smile, hand covering his forehead:"Oh, this was really rude. I smelled the scent of the battlefield, it was simply too stimulating -- then again Your Royal Consort Highness..." Dirogne narrowed his eyes:"You should you also address me as general right? My men are present, so that you address me properly, you can teach me later how to lead the troops under my command."

"You have not even officially accepted the orders!"

"How I said that is also as the head of Epimex House, at least the two Royal Consort Highnesses can speak more then a few words?"

Galerius listened, feeling more and more unhappy about it. Dirogne is simply asserting his and the Royal Consort's status, with no enemy in sight, releasing the Mark of Stigma, made Galerius think he was extremely disrespectful.

"Truly lord-general Dirogne, you should not act in this manner, don't you believe so?" Lucius spoke up - because Dirogne is older then him, he kept the honorifics. But surely this had not been his intention. "Are you not supposed to put all your thoughts on your duty in Santcarillon? I have heard military information pointing out that the Principality Coalition army has been gathered in Zaccariesco, preparing to move northward yet again. Since the Emperor wishes to take the heads of the leaders of the Seven Kingdoms in the East, if you do not behave like a general of the vanguard army, we will feel very troubled."

"I certainly know how to do this."

Dirogne's face held a playful smile, his hand going to his chest, he gave a slight bow.

"We might as well resume the ceremony. Even if I didn't have a chance to see Her Majesty the Queen, at least the two Royal Consorts can give me some encouragement and praise."

Dirogne blatantly ridiculed the two Royal Consorts with every word.

"At present I'm the leader of a few thousand troops, there are still more to be gathered, you should go to the courtyard and wait!"

Galerius could not endure answering. Dirogne saluted and then traced back his steps. But right before the stair he turned around.

"By the way, the two Royal Consort Highness are not of the opinion that the Principality Coalition is going to fight at Santcarillon, are you?"

Galerius furrowed his brow. Lucius cocked his head in wonder at Dirogne's question -- besides attacking Santcarillon, could the Principality Coalition have other plans? There are Seven Kingdoms in the coalition, if one of them fell into enemy hands then the rest would also be vulnerable...

"Look here. I have received an interesting report, it said that the Zaccaria vixen is not going to take part in the northern expedition."

"I have also heard this." Galerius replied unhappily.

Zaccaria vixen - Francesca-de-Zaccaria, she could not be ignored even when Cornelius was alive. She is the leader of the Order of the Silver Egg, and active on the battlefield, to that extent, her not taking part in the northern expedition was something to be concerned about, but they also had a reason to protect Zaccariesco -- Her Majesty's own sister, Minerva, was there.

In the battle of Santcarillon, Cornelius succeeded in luring Minerva out, and the other side knows that Minerva is a goal of the Three Grand Duke Houses, in addition he received a surprising report saying that Lady Luonisica had sent assassins to kill Minerva, all of this considered, that female vixen doing nothing but maintaining guard was understandable -- but if Dirogne did not know all of this, Galerius and Lucius were not going to tell him.

"This vixen is very persuasive, while the Duke Of Zaccaria watched his baby daughter ride all the time into battlefields, he might not want to let her sit at home now; this not being an offensive expedition, I suppose the vixen might have been left to defend Zaccaria."

"That so? I find that very strange." Dirogne drew back in order to set out, rather then telling the Royal Consort's his thoughts.

"What is it?"

"I heard this expedition by the Principality Coalition is led by the Archbishop. But that guy has only room for church matters in his head, and I would like to know how he could have agreed with this expedition, the only reason I can come up with , is that that vixen who saved his life persuaded him."

"... I can understand that, so?"

"Your two Highnesses have heard of the Archbishop's interests right?" Dirogne grinned, then continued: "I'm thinking that, if the Archbishop decided on his own to gather the army and attack Santcarillon, then the renowned beauty of the East, the vixen of Zaccaria, would have been at his side."

"Ah..." Galerius listened and everything made sense -- the degree of the Archbishops lust in the Holy Capital had reached his ears. And this would have been a great excuse to put that Francesca-de-Zaccaria at his side, a truly great opportunity. He would definitely not miss this chance. But even so, this vixen might have a reason to stay behind in Zaccariesco.

"So I would like the two Royal Consorts to take not of the movements in Zaccariesco -- having said that..." Dirogne laughed mockingly. "Isn't sending an octopus to gather intelligence your area of expertise Galerius?"

"Then I'll be seeing you." Dirogne left leaving these words behind, he turned down the stairs with a standard-bearer.

"... It seems there is more to this man then just his vulgarity."

Lucius muttered after he heard the footsteps moving away.

"He is much worse." said Galerius in a displeased tone: "Do you know what the power of his stigma is?"

"No, I don't know that. No matter what power he has, we will put him to good use on the battlefield. "However, if his power is similar to that of Cornelius, then the people might become afraid."

--In any case, this guy must not be taken lightly ...

Dirogne's final warning to the two Royal Consorts left him thinking. Although his tone was unpleasant, this issue cannot be ignored -- Francesca-de-Zaccaria and the Order of the Silver Egg, why would they stay behind in Zaccariesco...

(I need to check on this matter -- to ... The Principality Coalition goal is not necessarily Santcarillon.)

Dirogne raised the seeds of doubt inside Galerius.

Translator's notes & references

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