The Slane Theocracy is a powerful nation built upon the core belief that humanity stands above all. In every decision it makes, the interests of humanity as a whole come first.
In the Theocracy's eyes, the Kingdom has already rotted from within. It occupies the most fertile lands, lands that should have become a cradle for nurturing strong warriors to defend humanity against other races. Yet what do they see instead?
"Endless infighting between the royal family and the nobility?"
"Criminal organizations multiplying without restraint?"
"Commoners struggling to fill their stomachs?"
…
"When the next war breaks out between the Kingdom and the Empire, deploy the retired Black Scripture."
The Cardinal of Wind spoke calmly, making the Theocracy's position clear. They intended to assist the Empire in swallowing the Kingdom.
Compared to the corrupt and ineffectual Kingdom, the vigorous and reform-driven Empire was far more to their liking.
The Theocracy had once sent the Sunlight Scripture to assassinate the Kingdom's Warrior Captain in order to smooth the way for the Empire's annexation. Unfortunately, that attempt had failed.
"A swift pain is better than prolonged suffering."
The Cardinals nodded. As far as they were concerned, the Empire was worthy of recognition.
The Empire's Bloody Emperor acted decisively and governed with efficiency. Under his rule, the nation was orderly and disciplined. In their eyes, he was a capable and enlightened ruler.
The Kingdom contributed nothing to humanity's future. The Empire did.
"But what about the Dragon Kingdom?"
"In previous years, we dispatched the Sunlight Scripture to assist them. This time, we don't have any spare forces."
The Cardinal of Light frowned slightly. While annexing the Kingdom was important, the situation in the Dragon Kingdom was equally urgent.
The Dragon Kingdom lay at the forefront of human territory, bordering the Beastman Country. War between the two was almost constant.
Every year, the Dragon Kingdom donated a substantial sum to the Theocracy in exchange for military support.
The Theocracy was more than willing to accept. Even without the money, they would not stand by and watch humanity fall. But if there was funding to be had, all the better.
In the past, the Sunlight Scripture had handled the matter. Now it had been wiped out. The Black Scripture existed in name only, and the other four Scriptures were burdened with their own responsibilities. The shortage of forces was a real headache.
"Let the retired Black Scripture assist the Empire first. Once the Kingdom has been annexed, we'll send them to support the Dragon Kingdom."
The Cardinal of Wind shook his head slightly. Seeing the concern on the others' faces, he continued.
"I know you're worried about the Dragon Kingdom falling. There's no need. The Dragon Kingdom's Dragon Queen still has cards she hasn't played."
"And don't forget who her grandfather is. That one may not simply sit back and watch."
The others looked at the composed Cardinal of Wind. After a moment of thought, they nodded.
With threats both internal and external, a choice had to be made. The Dragon Kingdom should be able to endure a while longer. The Kingdom was the more pressing issue.
"If it weren't for the Argland Council State, this wouldn't be so troublesome," the Cardinal of Water muttered with a sigh, a hint of frustration in his voice.
With the Theocracy's strength, conquering the Kingdom outright would be effortless. The matter could be settled cleanly. Why go through the trouble of covertly assisting the Empire?
Because it could not be done.
The Kingdom could be annexed by the Empire, but never by the Theocracy.
If the Theocracy absorbed the Kingdom, it would end up bordering the Argland Council State. That would be disastrous. It was not only a matter of fearing the Platinum Dragon Lord, but also the Theocracy's own internal ideology.
As a nation founded on human supremacy, many among its people openly advocated the eradication of all demi-humans. If they shared a border with the Argland Council State, the outcome would be obvious.
War.
The Theocracy would be pushed by popular sentiment into open conflict with the Argland Council State. That was not something the Cardinals wished to see.
So they could not move against the Kingdom directly. They could only aid the Empire. It was an unfortunate compromise.
One of the inherent drawbacks of being a religious state.
"There is no perfect solution in this world. We can only do what we must and give it our all."
The Cardinal of Darkness shook his head, then turned his gaze to the side.
"Captain of the Black Scripture, step outside. Have Clem come in."
"As you command."
Snapped out of his thoughts, the Captain of the Black Scripture lowered his head in response, then turned and quickly left the conference chamber.
"The future of the Theocracy rests on you."
The words from behind made his steps falter.
He stood there for a few seconds, then silently continued toward the door.
…
In the corridor, the Captain of the Black Scripture let out a quiet sigh. The Cardinals' trust left him with complicated feelings, and a faint sense of shame.
But the moment he thought of the Three Supreme Beings, that emotion quickly faded.
"I'll do what I can to beg the Three Supreme Beings to spare the Theocracy. I'm sorry."
With that thought, he headed toward where Clementine was.
He knew the Cardinals intended to test her, so he needed to warn Clementine to be ready and, above all, not to slip up.
"Click, click…"
A soft sound of something being turned came from the far end of the corridor. He did not even need to look to know who it was.
Very few were allowed into the chamber behind him, or even into this hallway. Besides the Cardinals, only God-kin like himself had that privilege.
And among those, there was only one person who was not in the meeting right now.
The strongest of the Black Scripture, and the strongest in the Slane Theocracy, one of the God-kin: [Zesshi Zetsumei - Certain Death].
She looked like a girl of around fifteen. Her hair was split cleanly into black and white, while her eyes were the opposite, their colors reversed.
"Well?" Zesshi Zetsumei said, idly fiddling with a cube without looking up. "You're already here. Why not just go in?"
The Captain of the Black Scripture gave a soft laugh as he looked at the girl before him, centuries old and yet still wearing a child's face.
He knew exactly why. Everyone knew Zesshi Zetsumei hated attending meetings.
"You won't need to move for now. You know they won't send you out unless there's absolutely no other choice."
He spoke quickly. Zesshi Zetsumei's main role was to remain in the Theocracy as its deterrent. She rarely left.
"Fine. Then tell me about something else."
Zesshi Zetsumei stopped. The cube in her hands had not even been turned into a single completed face. She lifted her head and looked at him.
"That unknown powerhouse who wiped out the Black Scripture… compared to me, how strong are they?"
"No chance. You'd die."
The Captain of the Black Scripture answered without hesitation, then spread his hands.
"If they hadn't been distracted by [Downfall of Castle and Country], I wouldn't have made it back alive."
"Oh? You're that sure?"
Zesshi Zetsumei sounded genuinely surprised. He truly believed she would die. He was not lying.
"You'll understand once you've seen it. That kind of power is already in the domain of the gods."
The Captain of the Black Scripture nodded. Zesshi Zetsumei was indeed strong enough to crush him, but he was certain that if she faced the Three Supreme Beings, she would have no chance of winning.
That was the most honest thought in his heart.
"Then that's… wonderful."
Zesshi Zetsumei smiled in a way that looked almost cute, then reached out and patted her stomach.
"If I mated with someone like that, the child would definitely be strong, wouldn't it?"
The Captain of the Black Scripture's mouth twitched.
For all her age, Zesshi Zetsumei had never even been in love, let alone married.
It was not that no one had pursued her. It was simply that none of them could meet the most basic and most important condition.
They had to be stronger than her.
He had always believed that requirement alone was impossible to satisfy.
He was certain of it. Even he, a fellow God-kin, was nothing more than a toy that happened to last a little longer in her eyes.
As a mixed-blood descendant of the Six Great Gods and the Eight Greed Kings, Zesshi Zetsumei was simply too powerful.
A True Dragon Lord would meet her standard, and humans and dragons could indeed produce offspring. The Dragon Kingdom's king, for instance, was the child of the Brightness Dragon Lord and a human.
But the woman before him did not like True Dragon Lords in the slightest. If anything, she wanted to kill them all.
Zesshi Zetsumei's hatred for dragons and elves was no secret.
"I have things to do. I'm leaving."
Not wanting to stay with her any longer, the Captain of the Black Scripture said it and hurried off.
Behind him, Zesshi Zetsumei narrowed her eyes. She did not call after him, only watched as his figure slowly disappeared.
"Feels like he's a bit different lately."
"Oh well. Maybe he's hit puberty."