The Holy Man of Another Century Gospel

Chapter 214 Integration
The demon army is arrayed and will not retreat easily. The crisis of the empire and even the continent's destruction has not yet been resolved. Natalia hopes that Eric can take Empress Mia away and seek help from the noble lords or governors who are still watching in the south.

Eric paused for a moment, then said, “I don’t think I’m the right person. On the contrary, Your Highness Natalia, you are the most suitable person.”

He gestured with his eyes to the growing number of Guladian soldiers below the city walls, saying, "This is a real example."

"Your Highness is simply unaware of just how renowned you are now."

Natalia shook her head. "Her Highness, the Holy Maiden, held out in Lutia for nearly two months under the attack of the demons. This news has already spread throughout the continent through the winged people. Now, your words carry more weight than mine."

Eric paused for a moment, then shook his head. "I really don't know."

“You’ll understand once you see for yourself.” Natalia glanced at him and added, “By the way, the Vatican is subtly implying that Your Highness’s steadfastness in Lutia is a choice to accept the Vatican’s will.”

Eric took a breath and quickly turned his head to the side, but Natalia still caught a glimpse of the anger flashing across his face.

"It's alright." When he spoke again, his voice was quite calm. "At least they haven't labeled me a heretic yet."

Natalia's lips curved slightly, as if she wanted to laugh, but she quickly suppressed it.

“Since Archbishop Dorian also left Lutia, I haven’t paid much attention to news from the Vatican.” Eric took a deep breath. “So, if I go south now, I can really fool quite a few people?”

“This is not a false pretense; Your Highness has real achievements that no one can deny,” Natalia said.

"The achievements are not mine alone. If you have to say, they belong to my uncle. I am just one of the more capable knight commanders under him."

Natalia shook her head, offering no comment, but instead said, "Whether it's those who are personally holding out in Lutia or those who can only hear about it from the outside, everyone is more concerned about Her Highness's outstanding performance in the defense."

"Including...what happened a few days ago?" Eric looked at her.

Natalia's expression changed, and she quickly glanced at him, but still said quickly, "If we don't consider that the late emperor who was shot was my only brother, I would praise Your Highness for your quick decision and decisive action, which stabilized and even boosted morale."

Eric noticed that her eyes seemed to be getting wet.

"I apologize to Your Highness, regarding the late Emperor's status as Your Highness's elder brother."

Natalia quickly wiped her eyes and calmly accepted the situation, "I understand that Your Highness simply had no other choice."

The two were silent for a while.

"I agreed."

After a moment, Eric spoke, "I will leave Lutia and seek help elsewhere. Although I believe I am better suited to the battlefield than the negotiating table."

Natalia bowed slightly and thanked him.

"But it would be more appropriate for Your Majesty to stay here."

Eric continued, "Her Majesty ascended the throne amidst turmoil, witnessed by the garrison soldiers, and for them, her presence here holds even greater significance."

He paused, "To put it more bluntly, I don't think a teenager can significantly increase my chances of persuading the provincial governor or noble lord, especially since she's rather willful."

"...She is now Her Majesty the Emperor."

“So she has to stay here even more,” Eric said.

Natalia pursed her lips, remaining silent for a moment.

Eric turned around, walked to the other side of the city wall, and watched the soldiers continuously entering the west gate from outside the city. "Has Memphis himself arrived?"

"Governor Memphis is leading his army outside the city, confronting the demons." Natalia walked over as well, then noticed Eric's gaze shift to her face. "What's wrong?"

Eric simply shook his head.

Natalia and Grand Governor Memphis of Gradia were the spiritual leaders and de facto supreme rulers of the human faction for the ten years from the launch of "Thorns of Souls" until his arrival in this world.

The current situation is not much different from when the server first opened—the demons have reached Lutia and stopped heading south, but the humans are also finding it difficult to drive them away. The two sides have entered a tacit semi-ceasefire state where major battles are not fought but minor battles are frequent.

In this world, the demons have not been able to completely occupy Lutia. To achieve that situation, at least one or two more major wars will be needed, and it is still unknown which side will ultimately take Lutia.

"Speaking of which, did Memphis offer any conditions when he agreed to send troops?" Eric asked.

Natalia's expression turned cold. "After expelling the demons, he wants to make the entire Grandia province independent from the empire and establish the Grandia Kingdom... just like the other independent kingdoms before."

Eric waited a moment, and seeing that she didn't continue, he was surprised, "That's it?"

Natalia looked over. "Isn't this enough?"

“The problem is that compared to the current situation, this is just a more formal title,” Eric pointed out bluntly. “The Empire has long since lost actual control over Grandia.”

Natalia pursed her lips and looked away.

"...Even so, Grandia remains an important part of the Empire. Once the demons retreat, Grandia, the Empire's granary, will be separated from the Empire's territory..."

"To be optimistic, 'the demons retreating' is not something that can be done just by wanting to. It could take five to ten or twenty years. At least Your Highness won't have to worry about the future division of the empire until you turn thirty," Eric said.

"..."

Natalia turned to look at him. "Is Your Highness trying to say that I'm unrealistic?"

“I wanted to congratulate Your Highness on obtaining an ultra-long-term interest-free loan without spending much money,” Eric said calmly. “I remember Memphis is over sixty years old; he might not even live to see the day the demons are banished.”

Natalia stared at him for a while, then suddenly laughed.

"...I really don't know whether to hope that the demons will be driven out first, or that Memphis will die of old age first."

This was the first time Natalia had smiled since returning to Lutia.

Eric felt as if they were back on the Black Ice Wall, chatting and enjoying the snow together, but he knew even more clearly that there was a rift between them that might never be healed.

He added, "Both will come. The former requires everyone's efforts, while the latter can only be addressed by praying to Yera whenever we have time."

Natalia glanced at him. "Is this a prayer or a curse?"

“It’s just another way of saying it.” Eric clasped his hands together. “‘I pray that the empire’s territory will last forever, and that no one can divide it…’ That’s it.”

Natalia almost laughed again.

For the next short while, neither of them spoke, only watching the soldiers who kept coming from outside the city through the disappearing woods.

"Your Highness!"

A soldier rushed up the city wall, and both princes turned around at the same time.

“They’re looking for me,” Natalia said.

Eric's gaze lingered on the Kieran city insignia on the soldier's body, and he thought of a crucial question.

After the soldier finished reporting the situation and left, he spoke up: "In name, the military commander of Lutia can mobilize all the imperial troops, especially those that have already arrived in Lutia."

Natalia immediately understood what he meant: "Memphis will not relinquish command of his army."

Eric raised an eyebrow.

“However, he trusts Duke Edgar and is willing to negotiate with him on the battle,” Natalia continued. “After all, Duke Edgar has been holding out in Lutia and fighting against the demons for nearly two months, so he is very experienced.”

“But command must be unified, at least nominally,” Eric continued, “otherwise it will confuse those receiving orders.”

Natalia looked at him, "Your Highness means..."

“It’s not just Memphis. Other reinforcements are arriving in Lutia one after another. Some people trust Marshal Edgar, while others don’t. There are too many places where disputes will arise, such as the deployment of offensive and defensive forces and the allocation of resources inside and outside the city. I suggest that a wartime military committee be established to consult and make decisions, so that military orders can only come from the committee.”

Eric continued, "The best way to maximize the capabilities of all parties is to incorporate the forces resisting the demons into the Military Council, allocate combat power, and coordinate resources."

Natalia listened in silence for a while, then sighed silently.

"Your Highness's suggestion makes a lot of sense."

Eric looked at her. "Is there something you're not feeling well about, Your Highness?"

Natalia pursed her lips. "I just can't see the Emperor's place in it." "If the Emperor could command everyone, there would be no need for the Military Council," Eric reminded her.

“I understand.” Natalia quickly composed herself. “That’s why I said Your Highness’s suggestion makes a lot of sense, and I believe Memphis wouldn’t refuse.”

Eric nodded. "He brought a lot of people, so let him be the chairman of the military committee. If we can't reach an agreement, we'll give him the decision-making power."

“He will be very pleased,” Natalia said, then looked at him. “Will Your Highness and Your Highness’s Knights join the Military Council?”

Eric thought for a moment, “Since His Highness wants me to go and persuade the other lords on the continent, I certainly cannot stay in Lutia. I will take some knights with me for self-defense and to bolster our reputation, and most of them will be left to Marshal Edgar. There is no need to leave my place alone.”

He continued, "Among the remaining garrison, some are from the Lutia city defense forces and the palace guards. They belong to His Majesty the Emperor's forces. However, Her Majesty the Empress is not knowledgeable in military affairs, so Your Highness Natalia should join the committee on her behalf."

Natalia glanced at him but did not comment.

"Memphis should be heading into the city by evening, then we can discuss the specific plan for forming a military committee."

Eric nodded.

After finishing their business for the time being, the two remained silent for a while, each gazing at different places below the city, neither mentioning going down.

“Your Highness must have suffered a lot coming all the way from the Black Ice Wall,” Eric said, referring to the letter he received more than ten days ago. “Just looking at those words made me worry for Your Highness.”

"When I think back on it, I still feel a little scared."

Natalia glanced to the side. "When we were crossing the Qifeng Mountains, there were several times when I thought I was going to die on the mountain."

Why did you choose that route?

"Lost..."

Eric pursed his lips. "Actually, in the days immediately following the fall of the northern pass, and even before the demons launched their full-scale attack, Your Highness had the opportunity to return to Lutia from there."

“I dare not take the risk.” Natalia raised her gaze slightly. “I don’t want to go through all the trouble of leaving the North only to be captured by the demons outside Lutia City.”

“Your Highness acted decisively enough. If you had lingered on the other side of the pass for half a day longer, the winged people might have discovered you.” Eric shook his head and said, “That would have saved you from all the dangers along the way.”

Natalia's gaze finally settled on his profile, noticing his swollen eye sockets, his rough jawline accentuated by a wispy beard, and a thin scar running from his sideburn to his chin.

“Eric… His Highness faced no less danger in Lutia than I did.”

Eric looked over, met her gaze, and smiled.

"I am a warrior."

Before dusk, the two descended the city wall. As they passed Natalia's warhorse, Eric glanced at it again and realized that it seemed to be a Lille warhorse.

"Your Highness, did you also ride a horse all the way from Grandia to here?"

“I’ve gotten used to riding horses.” Natalia stroked her mount as she passed by. “Especially this Lille warhorse.”

“Memphis is quite generous,” Eric remarked casually. “Are his cavalry also equipped with Lille warhorses?”

"Hmm? I didn't notice that."

"—That's not the case, Your Highness."

Eric turned his head and saw an old man in armor riding out of the city gate. "I equipped the most elite knights with Lille warhorses. The next level of knights will naturally have to ride a lower-grade horse. Otherwise, even with the wealth of Grandia, we can't afford to support them."

Even though he had never seen him in person in this world, Eric could hardly forget the old man's face.

"Governor Memphis".

Eric bowed slightly in greeting.

"Your Highnesses." Memphis dismounted and bowed to them, then focused his gaze on Eric's face.

“Your Highness, I’ve wanted to see you for a long time. Edgar has truly raised an extraordinary nephew.”

The old man came over and shook his hand. He was over sixty years old, but still energetic and strong. Eric suddenly remembered what he had said to Natalia on the city wall.

It seems we'll have to wait a long time before Memphis dies of old age...

However, having said he had long wanted to see him, when they actually met, Memphis only exchanged a few words with him before heading off to see Edgar.

Eric happened to be planning to propose the formation of a military committee to them, so he followed them into the tent. After a few pleasantries, the two men immediately got down to business.

"We must drive the demons out of Lutia as soon as possible. Edgar, do you have a plan?"

“I need to understand the army the governor brought, as well as the situation on the other side of Lutia. All the winged people have flown away. I hope you can bring at least one slightly brave winged person.”

"What are you talking about? The winged soldiers I brought are all trained warriors."

The two began to discuss the matter, and the question of who would be in command of the army that was united in resisting the demons was an unavoidable topic.

Eric then suggested that he form his own military committee, and Natalia added that she wanted Eric to go south to seek help, indicating that more and more reinforcements would arrive later.

"The Holy Maiden is going south to seek reinforcements?... Hmm, the Holy Maiden who rose to fame during the defense of the capital, and the Grand Princess who voluntarily guarded the border long before the appearance of the Demon Clan, there are no more suitable candidates than you two." Meng Feisi said, looking at the two of them.

Eric glanced at Natalia, who opened her mouth but didn't refute him.

As for the suggestion to form a military council, Memphis agreed after a brief consideration, asking only one question: "If Her Majesty the Queen objects to the orders of the military council, whose opinion should I follow?"

"Her Majesty the Queen will not interfere with the Military Council's decisions, Governor Memphis."

Eric looked at him and responded bluntly to his probing, “The formation of the committee is merely a measure to unify military command during wartime. No one’s power will and should not extend to places that were originally inaccessible, as always.”

“Hmm…” Memphis murmured, the sound emanating from his throat like a low growl from some wild beast, “This is Her Highness the Holy Maiden’s decision, is Her Majesty the Empress aware of it?”

“I will convey this to His Majesty,” Natalia said, “and ensure that she truly understands the role of the Military Council.”

Memphis nodded, refocusing his attention on the military committee itself.

The integration of military power required the re-establishment of a framework based on mutual trust. The bewildered empress was invited to observe, and Natalia explained things to her. Memphis was appointed as the chairman of the military council, and then the division of functions and defense zones began.

Because of Natalia's decision, the Emperor's troops have not yet been drawn from the garrison, meaning that the current military council consists only of Edgar and Memphis.

After the negotiations were nearly complete, they were put into concrete written record to eliminate any ambiguity. Natalia proposed that an authorization ceremony be held outside the west city tomorrow to formally launch the military council.

After the impromptu consultation meeting ended, Natalia escorted the Queen back to her private tent. When she came out, she found Eric waiting for her outside.

"Your Highness wishes to accompany me south to seek reinforcements?"

Natalia glanced back at the tent, nodded, and walked a short distance before saying, "His Highness Eric is right; Her Majesty the Queen should remain in Lutia."

Eric looked at her.

"And I can't play any more role by staying here."

Natalia continued, "The military matters are left to the Military Council. At least until the demons retreat, we don't need to worry too much about other things... To be precise, I'm powerless to fight for anything else right now."

“Once Your Highness returns to Lutia with the allied forces providing support, the power will be back in your hands,” Eric said.

Natalia looked at him. "But those were the reinforcements we brought back together. Doesn't Your Highness mind?"

Eric calmly looked back: "In areas where I'm not so good at something, if someone else steps forward, and it's someone I trust, I usually choose to fully support her."

Natalia smiled.

"I hope our journey can take us far enough."

Even before the journey began, she had already started praying in her heart:
I hope the journey home won't come too soon.

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[The Setting Sun Chapter - End]

(End of this chapter)