第１７８４堀：色々情報が出てくる (Part2)
It is absurd to perform such a costly ritual repeatedly.
Moreover, the fact that they have only been able to summon from that remote, impoverished village—the other side must have realized that by now.
So, what was the reason they continued?
Is it because of a proven track record? Or perhaps…
"Well, Kagura is currently investigating those very details. By the way, Nina, does that remote village even have a name?"
"It’s a bit late for that. It has no official name. Likely on purpose. They didn't even bother naming it to ensure people wouldn't gather there or take any interest. That said, since it’s inconvenient to refer to it without one, the locals have a name for it. They call it 'Hate'."
"As in, the 'End of the World'?"
"Likely. Kishua, Sia, and the others were told as much when they stopped by the Adventurer’s Guild—that no one in their right mind would ever go to a place like that."
"So they’re blatantly telling people to stay away from that village."
"Exactly."
Well, if one knew the origins of that village, it’s easy to imagine why they would go to such lengths.
"But, putting us aside, what about your end? I know Tori and the others advanced into the southern wilderness, but did the prisoners break? What about the remaining fools on the enemy side?"
"Ah, there was movement on that front, too. The enemy army ran out of supplies and collapsed. Most of them surrendered to us before a full-scale fratricidal slaughter could begin. We have Baron Siana to thank for that; she managed to persuade them just in the nick of time."
"I see. That’s… good, isn't it?"
"I suppose. That said, we have a troublesome situation with the enemy commander. Or, I suppose I should call him a general. He took his own life. Said something about not being able to face the Church anymore."
"Well, that’s to be expected. He didn't just lose the battle; he literally wiped out his entire army. So, you didn't just leave it at that, did you?"
This man, Yuki, is not the type to give up on an investigation just because the enemy is dead. He is the sort who believes information is more valuable than gold, so he would undoubtedly squeeze the truth out of them by any means necessary.
"Of course not. Though, I’m keeping it quiet from the Ohe side. I’ve had Hifie and Comet helping me out."
"Ah, Hifie is an expert in that regard, isn't she?"
She was the one who made us immortal, after all, and she has certainly made use of corpses in the past.
"Don't say that to her face. She seems somewhat ashamed of it, at least."
"Ha! That’s exactly what that woman deserves."
Well, I am grateful for this long life, but it is also a fact that she has used us like mere hands and feet to be discarded.
"So, did you get the information?"
"I did. It seems the Church is the largest sect among the nations in the north."
"Well, it wouldn't mean much otherwise, would it? Still, isn't it strange that they wield that much influence just from that?"
It is common for a faith to take root in many countries. It simply means they have earned the people’s trust or that their activities have been successful. Hifie is the same. The "Hifie Holy Kingdom" is a name that would make anyone who knows the truth laugh, but those who understand her achievements don't find it funny at all. They know how sacred that name truly is. Well, there is no doubt that woman has done things worthy of that title. But even so, the level of influence required to move the militaries of various nations is beyond the pale.
"Usually, one would think it’s strange, but our 'normal' doesn't always apply over there. Back on Earth, there were many wars sparked by religions of this sort."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, when this kind of religion gets tangled up in politics, it almost always spirals into catastrophe. That said, it is convenient for unifying the collective consciousness."
"I understand the part about unifying consciousness."
By worshipping the same god, a sense of unity is born. Through that, they can set the same goals, coordinate military operations…
"I see. I don't know how they did it, but that’s how they turned the demi-humans into their enemies?"
"That’s how it looks. But as you can imagine, it’s not a simple feat. Word is, it was the work of two people: a Saint and a Saintess."
"A Saint and a Saintess… Rurua?"
"No. While Rurua is surprisingly recognized as a Saintess, she would absolutely reject that kind of fanatical nonsense."
"Rurua would, wouldn't she? So, in other words, this is going to be a headache?"
"Yeah, a massive one. Being able to involve and mobilize major powers—that’s brainwashing-level influence."
Brainwashing, huh…
The kind of cognitive control we were subjected to by the Holy Sword.
…That is indeed a headache.
Saints and Saintesses—it’s a common enough story, but one should know that when religion gets involved, things are bound to get complicated. That kind of tale is all too familiar, after all.