Zaccaria was located in the southwest of the Seven Kingdoms of the Realm. If taking the sea into consideration, it was the closest to the mountain springs of Zijno in all of the land. The people of the Kingdom did pray to God, but their faith did not run deep. Some thought this was so because the common people were well off; others thought that it was because of the bustling trade that brought together different cultures. Everything set aside, compared to the Grand Cathedral's in the land, Zaccaria churches were rather simple.
"And that's why I didn't want to come to Zaccaria!"
The archbishop sat on the church podium, while complaining with a disgruntled look. His obese body could not be fully hidden behind the platform, even looking directly toward him you could still his buttocks overflowing from behind the podium.
"This church is so small, it can probably hold no more than two thousand people. This pipe organ is also too small. The daily meals is also a problem! "
Being expelled from Princinopolis took precedence and in the Archbishop reasoning would have preferred going to Santcarillon, instead of the neighboring Zaccaria because of this reason.
"How can this thing even be called a pipe organ! It's sound should be loud enough to shake the church and to reach out into the streets so common people can hear the sermon praising God's Divinity! Without this apparatus, I simply cannot address the people, if you know what we used in Princinopolis, you would know how shabby this Church is! "
The Archbishop said in a tone that carried his anger, while seating in his Holy Seat which he was once so proud of.
"Please be patient about it, have a seat." Francesca said while standing on the right hand side of the Archbishop, with a gracious smile to appease him. "As for the choir part, we have prepared a lot of cute girls. 」
"Ah." Archbishop immediately reveal a joyful expression after hearing this, tossing his tipple chin up and down like mad. " Part of the carol I can personally guide from beginning to end , O-ho-ho. 」
"It would be wonderful. The chorus girls should be very happy. However, please take care of your body, paying attention to keep everyone satisfied."
Francesca wanted to quickly throw the bait out and draw back, but beside the Knights there was someone else puckering his brow, showing a very cold look. Chris could see the entire scene very clearly from the church entrance.
While Chris was in the army under the care of the Holy Kingdom he had already heard of the Archbishop of Princinopolis special "hobby". Now his eyes were carefully looking at Francesca -- Francesca didn't know what to think, she was wearing a very sensational dress which displayed her chest. Even their conversation clearly linked with his knowledge from when he was in the army.
The one standing guard on the other side of the church entrance was Gilbert. Chris was spying on his reaction. He was all dressed in black with a rock hard face, starring inside the church. He seemed rather tense, ready to storm the church if his master Francesca was in any danger.
"Now that we have solved these issues can we return to the military issue?"
At this tme a formidable knight slanted to pull a small table, the general then coughed twice to speak. Chris had once heard the name of the general on the battlefield, but he could not remember it.
"We gathered here in the name of stopping the military forces of the Seven Kingdoms, now it is the time to discuss military issues. The Holy Kingdom has stationed twenty thousand military personnel in Santcarillon, now we cannot afford to relax our vigilance."
"Yes, as soon as you confess to God, let us go to the St . Carillon and finish it quickly, and next."
News has arrived that our army has suffered a crushing defeat, and they are trying desperately to escape Medoccia's generals from Santcarillon.
"I'm a tool for God's voice!" The displeased the Archbishop made this remark. "You rarely have the chance to use my name to gather and send troops for your selfish interests. Your duty is to get back my holy church. Gathered together all the men you can find. And in my name to send troops, all troops, and retake what is mine immediately! "
"Calm down! However --" One of the most senior heads of Gianni Campagna Knights could not help but raise his voice to speak and said: "Even if you really want to send troops to recapture Princinopolis, we also need to deal with the military stronghold of Medoccia, Santcarillon is east by land, with a Holy Kingdom garrison there, we simply can not move. Even bypassing the Gulf southward, the rest of the soldiers will take too long to catch up with the main force!"
"You can't move by sea? From here out by ship, it won't take longer then three days to arrive in Princinopolis." said the Archbishop.
"There is no ship that can transport tens of thousands of troops!"
"No ship has been made yet! With the King of Zaccaria financial resources, several ships can be made and nobody -- well the flagship can be named after me."
Although not everyone sighed, but one can feel the atmosphere of the scene turning into turmoil. Not considering the results of doing this. The Archbishop simply never considered how much money and manpower is needed to build warships that can transport so many people ...
Laying siege to the city of St . Carillon would result in casualties on both sides in the end, bringing together all of the military forces of the Kingdom the meetings were soon started, but the Archbishop's stubborn attachment to go straight back to the Princinopolis case, the Principality Coalition has been unable to reach a consensus.
Formerly a mercenary of the Holy Kingdom army, the many laid back attitudes of the leaders behind the Principality made very clear the effective strength of the coalition. Hearing a humming sound, he turned to look back at the podium to see sitting in a chair a part of the problem, the Archbishop.
- Francesca also intended to send such troops ... Chris thought, but it is also impossible.
In fact all of the kingdoms of the East, had a longer history then the Holy Kingdom. Therefore, these nobles whose dignity is much higher then the strength of their own country, kept refusing to face up to reality. Francesca is young, and she is a woman; Even though she was draped with the exploit of saving the Archbishop, bringing the leaders together in a common goal is not easy at all. Her fame was not enough to unify the views of these countries generals.
"Forget It Forget it! Your faith is not strong enough for these guys!" Archbishop all had herein rose with his Holy Robe fluttering. "You just look at the missing Cathedral, your country and people will not have God's favor. The only ones to worship Dushanda are the people of the Holy Kingdom, but now they have defiled the sermons in the Holy Place of God -- Princinopolis, has yet to be returned! You cannot feel God's anger, and you still go on like this, I'll excommunicate you from the Palkai Faith, you are all heretics!
Heresy -- hearing this term all of the Knights present turned pale.
Faith on the battlefield was nothing but a joke, but these knights and their reaction, although they can kill Chris while looking him in the eyes, for all of those that have been brought up in the Palkai religion, being treated as heretics was worse than the death penalty. Because they are denied even of their place of rest after their death.
In a tense atmosphere, the Archbishop left the altar lurching his fat body.
"... I did not expect the atmosphere to become like this ..."
"We had no intention of blasphemy. However ... "
"What do you wish to do? If you send a small number of troops, by land ..."
"No sense to do so."
"If we send troops to Princinopolis by land, how long would it take to reach it?"
"By land, in about five days. "
"But if our actions are found out by the Holy Kingdom army in Santcarillon, should it takes more then seven days, we will be attacked from behind. "
"We can only spend two days ... capture Princinopolis in two days ..."
"Right now the Holy Kingdom army stationed in Princinopolis numbers around ten thousand. And if the southern garrison sends support, fighting them is easier said then done. "
While the knights had nothing else to add, a girl's voice suddenly broke in:
"If it was only a thousand troops by sea, then there would be no problems."
Everyone turned to look in silence while listening to Francesca. Their faces were all filled with surprise.
"Princess Francesca, what are you talking about?"
"Thousands of troops by sea... how many times would we have to move back and forth to get a large force? We might as well go by land, bull riding is still faster."
Lord-General Lucignani threw such a joke, in the surrounding, contemptuous laughter could also be heard.
"No such thing, just the Order of the Silver Egg will be the vanguard and go by sea first. You will take the land route and protect the Archbishop on the road to Princinopolis."
Francesca's statement made the people around dumbstruck.
"You are going to use one thousand troops to take Princinopolis?"
"Of course, that's what I mean. "
"That's not going to work, your Highness, you cannot bring such an odd strategy to fruition!"
"The battle of Santcarillon was just to rescue the archbishop, but to regain the cathedral and fight ten thousand enemy troops, our reinforcements sent by land will simply be too late to support you."
"This is the will of the Archbishop under God, you have other ways of doing it?"
Francesca with a smile on her face interrupted the Knight that tried to speak:
"Gentlemen generals with great fanfare you will march on Santcarillon for appearances, but also careful of spies, on hearing the news, the Kingdom Army troops will not be able to depart from Santcarillon."
Several generals turned their heads around to listen.
"First when you reach the entrance of the southern tip of the peninsula, wait to hear a message from the Order of the Silver Egg of our arrival in Princinopolis, if our army banners did not arrive at Princinopolis, urge the troops to retreat. So you do not have your escape route blocked behind you by the Holy Kingdom army."
"Ah." "Oh, I see..." "that is so that at least we do not suffer a crushing defeat in battle."
Several generals have nodded in agreement. Gilbert saw all of this from the door, but had no reaction, it was probably already the norm -- it seemed like Chris was the only person that was flustered.
"However Your Highness, if you are unable to take Princinopolis and the cathedral, aren't you going to be isolated and helpless? "
"Of this point, I am of course aware."
Again there was a general outcry.
"We don't mind, and we might be able to persuade the Archbishop of this. However the Archbishop may feel he needs to take command of the troops to call them to action in his name."
Francesca said this is for her to deal with, and with the consent of everyone they agreed to dissolve the meeting.
After all the generals departed, only the three members of the Order of the Silver Egg were left, Chris couldn't resist asking Francesca:
"What is with this combat methods, ah? You really plan on doing this?!" In the church, only the loud voice from Chris echoed in the empty space.
"I would like to come out of the war as the victor. " Francesca shrugged her shoulders. Such reactions made Chris suddenly unable to react.
If you calm down, and think from the Generals' point of view, Francesca is indeed correct. Because if the vanguard does not take Princinopolis, then the Principality Coalition will take loses from the Holy Kingdom forces, behind them the troops at the Santcarillon garrison, in front the Princinopolis garrison, they will be caught in a crossfire.
"After we take Princinopolis, just the Order of the Silver Egg alone has to defend the Holy City, even if I am good that is nearly impossible. That is why I need them to confidently come by land with additional troops." Fran said.
"What if you cannot capture it--"
Francesca reached her slender forefinger and pasted it onto Chris's lips, blocking Chris's mouth. Chris blushed and hurriedly backed away.
"Listen, about what to do if we lose, it is always the Commander's duty to think of something, you should not think about it."
Chris couldn't help but swallow a sigh of relief after listening – indeed. This is not something a soldier can decide. They can only believe in the commander, or don't believe in commander.
"Say Chris, the same type of battle, the same stringent conditions, had you not been done this many times?"
After this sentence, Chris had nothing left to say.
While he was in the Holy Kingdom army, he participated in the campaign at Princinopolis against Raiders -- that was at the time the largest battle he participated in -- Chris was part of an suicide assault, and through the bodies of his colleagues, he opened the gate from inside. However a whole year has passed since then, he cannot really believe in his capacity as a member of the Order of the Silver Egg, that they will worry about losing this battle.
-- I had no such thoughts when I was ordered to participate in the assault ... what... did I begin to fear death? When did I become so soft...
Francesca smiled and shook her head.
"It's not that you have changed, but you are no longer a man standing alone on the battlefield."
She said as she moved her gaze to Gilbert. While the Black Knight shrugged and otherwise said nothing.
- I ... I am no longer by himself? So, I become weak...
At this time, he could hear the sound of footsteps coming from behind him.
"Fran, I brought you a change of clothes."
Chris turned to look and the owner of the voice - is Minerva. She stopped in the middle of the church with benches on either side, then quickly looked away.
She deliberately went around the long way, bypassing Chris she walked near the church wall to Francesca, and while pouting , said: "Just because Paola has other things to do, do not treat me like a servant!"
"Ah? Who else do you think can go into my room get me new clothes -- Thank you by the way, now please help me change into them. We can use the confessional for me to change."
"I told you not to treat me like a servant, and you still do! Besides, why in a place like this--"
"If Meena does not want to, then Chris, come along and help me change clothes."
"You're kidding me!"
Minerva's right hand picked the clothes, her left hooked Francesca's arm, pulling her into the confessional.
- Minerva ... From that day she did not even look at me ...
--Because she dreamed of being as I kill predicted ... ...
--If genuine then sending troops to Princinopolis, in that case the prophecy ...
At this point in time Chris became aware--Originally, I was not alone... Is such a thing...
--So I am afraid to go to the battlefield. Because Minerva might be killed by the blade of an enemy at any time, and my blade within reach ...
Chris looked up at Minerva and Francesca to see them going inside the wooden confessional. He knew that he was thinking about something very foolish. He is a man who lived as a mercenary his entire life, and he may not be able to live without the sword.
As he was lost in thought, Minerva's voice suddenly drifted out:
" ... Hey, Fran ... T-This dress is what is the matter, why do you want to replace the clothes!"
"Meena do you not want to try them on?" I think they will look great on you!"
"Who is going to wear this kind of clothes!"
From inside the confessional such a conversation could be heard. Chris inexplicably felt embarrassed, and turned around to leave the church.
"Princess Fran did not say you could go. 」
Gilbert deep voice, pierced Chris's ears, so he stopped.
"...Doesn't matter, I mean, Well the meeting has ended. Moreover, they are changing their clothes..."
"The military meeting to be chaired by Princess Fran hasn't started yet! Right now only our work as guards has finished. You can also learn the habits of Princess Fran."
Gilbert seemed troubled. Chris cocked his head, failing to understand -- this is ... What does it mean?
This time the confessional door opened, Francesca and Minerva walked out of it. Chris looked at both of them -- Frances was wearing very colorful clothes already nothing like the clothes of a knight commander, but now the dress she wore was more like the clothes of a noble woman, it could even be called gaudy, making him feel like rushing out of the church right now.
"This ... What is this about ..." Chris said.
"Looks good, right?"
"This ... Looks good--not! "
"I am going to go into a separate military conference with the Archbishop next. I heard he likes to make women wear clothes like these - Gill, do not bother coming all right. "
Minerva was shocked to hear this. Francesca waved her hand and softly walked in the direction the Archbishop went beside the altar.
"Fran, stop!"
By the time Minerva recovered and tried to catch up, the door had been fiercely closed shut in front of Minerva.
"I'll teach you to stop, Fran--Gilbert, you let go of me ... Fran, your brains have burned out!" Minerva cried out.
"<Woman> This identity is a weapon for Princess Fran, you should have already recognized this, do not bother her. "
"Even if this is the case - you, why are you so calm, ah!"
Gilbert did not answer, he turned toward opposite to the door Francesca entered, climbed the stairs and begun moving on that floor.
"Hey! Gilbert!"
"Meena, don't scream inside the church, I can now go see where Princess Fran is staying."
Gilbert went to the pipe organ and opened a trap-door. A brass cover could be seen on the floor.
"The Archbishop's room is below. The voices can pass through the brass cover. If anything happens, we can jump from the main pipe."
Gilbert gave the explanation leaving Chris and Minerva speechless --nevertheless they approached to better understand the situation.
"You ... have investigated this place before?"
"Of course I listened to Princess Fran saying that she wants to use this method to persuaded the Archbishop."
With that said, Gilbert affixed his ears to the brass cover. It was a very strange appearance, but Chris also being worried about Francesca's safety had followed suit.
"Chris, you are not allowed to stick so close, so go over there. " said Minerva.
"This ...Where do you want me to go? This is very narrow. "
"You be quiet, so I can listen to the situation below."
Gilbert elbowed Chris, Chris also focused his attention on the sounds coming from bellow. The whistling flow of air came from the ventilation pipe into the room.
『... I didn't expect, Oh, a beautiful woman like you becoming a Knight commander, what a pity. I don't know what the people will think of King Zaccaria. Obviously there are many ways to make it so you didn't have join the army. 』
『I, your servant[2-3 1] personally would have to dedicate their body and their all to the army. 』
『Ah, what are you saying, you are going to regain the Holy Land and as well as it's people, on the battlefield? "
『Of course, as well as the Archbishop Seat. 』
『All right, all right. The day when we retake the Cathedral, you can become my Knight Patron of the Church, okay? However, at that time you will stay at my side and attend to all of my important needs. 』
『I, your servant would be honored!』
Chris could feel his body cramping up; Although Minerva did not take this dialogue seriously, but she also thought this conversation was really disgusting. Hearing the voice of the Archbishop, was as if it was oil and moist flab infecting one's own ears.
『As long as you like, when I stay in Zaccariesco, you can stay with me to serve me. I can help you make a special blessing ceremony. Military meeting ended, so now I can bare along with a special ceremony to reward you, oh. 』
Buzzing ~ ~ a shrill sound of metal distorting was heard and Chris looked up quickly... It was Minerva stroking her forehead with her hands -- She managed to clutch the brass tube with such astonishing strength that it deformed, making a loud noise.
"Minerva, calm down, or they will hear it!" said Chris.
"Don't tell me to calm down, if that pig even dares to touch Fran!"
『--Ah, later, this is what you ... 』
『Ha-Ha, You don't need to be afraid, it's just a blessing ceremony with the help of a secret kiss, you can depend on it.』
The brass pipe in Minerva's hands was beginning to cut her.
『Later, prior to this, let's discuss the issues of sending the army.』
『What, you still have more to say on the army matter? Why do you wish to lead the vanguard? Me leading the entire army would be better.』
『I, Your servant personally wants to go inside Princinopolis and claim the next seat, so a proper vanguard to take Princinopolis. Moreover, after the battle, the cathedral altar and prayer rooms are likely to be dirty, someone will have to go first to clean up. I, your servant personally believe that the Holy Kingdom tarnished the Holy Church. 』
『Ho, ho-ho, you are a sweetheart, almost like a newly married bride -- OK, OK, I got it, get it done right. 』
『What about you going in my bedroom and waiting for me, this is not a problem, right?』
『Yes, I, your servant personally will be sure to go. 』
"Say now, these clothes are good, but my preference is like this ..."
『Have to sit down, can not continue ~ ~』
Minerva flushed and turned to go out of the outlet, Chris also quickly stood up. Now this is not a matter of the degree where they can sit back and watch. But Gilbert's hand pulled Minerva by the shoulder to stop her. Not have much room here, Chris could not move.
"What you're doing, Fran is about to get the pig to-"
"Princess Fran can get out of this. You were just about to waste her entire effort!"
"How can you say such a thing!"
Minerva was right. That fierce-looking dangling vulgar man, just reached out and touched Francesca making everyone panic. She even passed her anger onto Gilbert -- why does Francesca have to suffer such treatment! Is this battle that important to you... But just when she was about to go in, she became aware. Gilbert had the long sword in the scabbard hanging on his waist, his hand shaking on the handle of the sword -- he is in fact suppressing his anger.
At this time, they were no longer listening on the brass pipe, footsteps sounded inside the Church -- and then came a girl's voice:
"Princess Fran! Princess Fran, are you here? Sorry, I'm late! You told me to go to your room and get your clothes, but I couldn't find them! I has no choice but to come to you--"
It was Paola's voice. Chris and Minerva turned to look at each other, then the altar door open again, coupled with the roar of the Archbishop--
"Whoa ah ah ah ah ah -?"
The sound of rolling followed by a fat body slamming and shaking the ground could be heard.
"ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah! I am sorry! I am sorry! I am sorry! I am sorry! -- "
Paola high-pitched cries echoed; a little while after the chaos, through the pipe organ parts, there came a strange mechanical sound, and now they can no longer stay in this room -- Minerva changed from a look of shock, to reveal a pleasant face, then brushed aside Gilbert's hand.
Gilbert shrugged and sighed, then followed Minerva out of the room. Chris looked at them like this and feeling that the danger passed, felt at easy and revealed a smile.
◊ ◊ ◊
"Chris, Meena, you both love worrying too much. "
Francesca at the garrison siting at the same table for dinner spoke so, and then laughed out loud.
"The Duke's daughter body will only be given to the man I love."
"Who is the man Princess Fran loves?" Paola asks while putting soup into her bowl.
"I haven't found any man worth of having my virginity, so at present I'm still single, alone on the battlefield trying to climb back and forth. " Francesca blurted out the words while deliberately facing the direction of the door, soldiers could be heard outside.
They did not dine in the Castle, but in a room inside the camp. Gathered at the door were the soldiers of the Order of the Silver Egg already here as an impenetrable wall keeping other outside. They listened to the dialogue inside and at the same time were relieved. This was loud enough that even Chris heard it all.
It was of course because news of the Archbishop laying his hands on Francesca were spread around.
"Chastity, virginity! Why do we arrive at this topic now all of a sudden!"
Paola flushed red, almost dropping the soup bowl in her hands. The imminent peril at the time was to preserve the princess's chastity, other than the people involved nobody else seemed to have an absolute understanding of what has happened from beginning to end. Francesca smiled, looked at her and didn't tell her anything.
"I do not know exactly what you had planned, but you really don't have too much vigilance of it!" Minerva from start to finish, said in a straight face, angrily biting the bread in her hands.
"I did not lower my vigilance, I did it to lure him in. I opened the gates."
"Even worse!"
"I had this planned out with Gilbert."
While hearing the topic of the conversation switching over to him, the silent guard captain only gave a brief glance.
"Only Gilbert believed that I can simultaneously preserve the operational plan I have proposed, and my virginity."
The most difficult part to accept is that, Francesca actually put the plan toghether with the intent to seduce the Archbishop and informed Gilbert in advance, Gilbert with a surprisingly calm expresion discussed the whole plan together with his master.
"If there is sufficient trust between each other, something can be said about it. 」
Francesca said and she pointedly glanced at Chris, and then looked to Minerva's lower body. Chris froze for a moment, then Francesca's attention was immediately moved to the top part of the same target.
- If you have enough trust between each other ...
--But ... She refused to tell me anything ... Something about her dream ...
At this time Minerva and Chris line of sight came into contact. She was holding a piece of cheese that slipped out through her fingers. Then she quickly stood up, her cheeks flushed red.
"Meena? Did you finish eating?"
Ignoring Paola's question, Minerva turned around and headed toward the door.
"Huh?" "Ah!" "Wah-wah ......"
Minerva abruptly opened the door,the Order of the Silver Egg officers and soldiers wall collapsed instantly pilling up on the ground, throwing dust into the air. Minerva cut through the swarm of men in the corridor, hearing her footsteps in the distance Chris could not help but stand up. "Minerva!" He ran out the door but by this time all of the soldiers had gotten back up. "Hey, Hey, Chris, that... did anything alarming happen with the princess?"
"That ... I heard the Archbishop wanted ... is that true?"
"The lips do not chirp ~ ~ right?"
"Ah, hey! Chris!"
Chris did not answer half a sentence, he pushed a group of people that were still on the ground, and he hurried after Minerva.
He ran down the stairs and to the entrance of the garrison caught up with the back of that red hair.
"Minerva! Wait!"
As the same time as hearing his voice, the red hair suddenly flared from the wind fully covering his entire sight, then falling down - Minerva suddenly squatted on the floor.
It was already dark now, outside the barracks wall usually street prostitutes were waiting for clients, but there were no other people.
"...Minerva..."
When Chris called again, hearing the sound of her name, her shoulders shook up all of a sudden ...
"Fran said, you will take it seriously ... "
"Hey..."
"T-There are some things that you simply - simply do not know ... "
Minerva was holding her shoulders, her murmur sounding somewhat helpless.
"So can you please stop always asking ... "
"But..."
Chris came out chasing after Minerva on pure impulse, he himself had no idea what he wanted to say to her.
If Minerva did not have a foresight in her dreams, that told him, the reason was that he was not sufficiently trusted, this thought really makes him feel sad. But now he looked at Minerva unable to comfort her pain and sorrow away, no way of helping. This made himself feel truly deplorable.
"If your dreams make you so sad, even if not all of it, but if you can say a part little by little to me..."
"You fool, you showing a little compassion is kind of boring!" Minerva still didn't turn around. "I'm not like Fran, I can't talk about that sort of thing!"
--That sort of thing?
Chris thought ......The hard to tell thing that Minerva is hiding is not really something that makes her feel uncomfortable about, but is -- that she was embarrassed of it?
--Yes, Women that travel the battlefield on a daily basis, may bump into some embarrassing circumstances...
"T-That... Minerva, what about that dream..." Chris shouldn't have blurted out his speculations, but couldn't stop his mouth from moving: "This, this would not be... With virginity or... Something like that?"
Minerva turned and stood up at the same time, with a fierce expression and red hair shaking hard on Chris's face, "You, you--you idiot--"
Then she hit Chris with a heavy blow that he mercilessly hit the barracks wall.
For the next two full days, every-time Minerva saw Chris she refused to talk.
Zaccaria was located in the southwest of the Seven Kingdoms of the Realm. If taking the sea into consideration, it was the closest to the mountain springs of Zijno in all of the land. The people of the Kingdom did pray to God, but their faith did not run deep. Some thought this was so because the common people were well off; others thought that it was because of the bustling trade that brought together different cultures. Everything set aside, compared to the Grand Cathedral's in the land, Zaccaria churches were rather simple.
"And that's why I didn't want to come to Zaccaria!"
The archbishop sat on the church podium, while complaining with a disgruntled look. His obese body could not be fully hidden behind the platform, even looking directly toward him you could still his buttocks overflowing from behind the podium.
"This church is so small, it can probably hold no more than two thousand people. This pipe organ is also too small. The daily meals is also a problem! "
Being expelled from Princinopolis took precedence and in the Archbishop reasoning would have preferred going to Santcarillon, instead of the neighboring Zaccaria because of this reason.
"How can this thing even be called a pipe organ! It's sound should be loud enough to shake the church and to reach out into the streets so common people can hear the sermon praising God's Divinity! Without this apparatus, I simply cannot address the people, if you know what we used in Princinopolis, you would know how shabby this Church is! "
The Archbishop said in a tone that carried his anger, while seating in his Holy Seat which he was once so proud of.
"Please be patient about it, have a seat." Francesca said while standing on the right hand side of the Archbishop, with a gracious smile to appease him. "As for the choir part, we have prepared a lot of cute girls. 」
"Ah." Archbishop immediately reveal a joyful expression after hearing this, tossing his tipple chin up and down like mad. " Part of the carol I can personally guide from beginning to end , O-ho-ho. 」
"It would be wonderful. The chorus girls should be very happy. However, please take care of your body, paying attention to keep everyone satisfied."
Francesca wanted to quickly throw the bait out and draw back, but beside the Knights there was someone else puckering his brow, showing a very cold look. Chris could see the entire scene very clearly from the church entrance.
While Chris was in the army under the care of the Holy Kingdom he had already heard of the Archbishop of Princinopolis special "hobby". Now his eyes were carefully looking at Francesca -- Francesca didn't know what to think, she was wearing a very sensational dress which displayed her chest. Even their conversation clearly linked with his knowledge from when he was in the army.
The one standing guard on the other side of the church entrance was Gilbert. Chris was spying on his reaction. He was all dressed in black with a rock hard face, starring inside the church. He seemed rather tense, ready to storm the church if his master Francesca was in any danger.
"Now that we have solved these issues can we return to the military issue?"
At this tme a formidable knight slanted to pull a small table, the general then coughed twice to speak. Chris had once heard the name of the general on the battlefield, but he could not remember it.
"We gathered here in the name of stopping the military forces of the Seven Kingdoms, now it is the time to discuss military issues. The Holy Kingdom has stationed twenty thousand military personnel in Santcarillon, now we cannot afford to relax our vigilance."
"Yes, as soon as you confess to God, let us go to the St . Carillon and finish it quickly, and next."
News has arrived that our army has suffered a crushing defeat, and they are trying desperately to escape Medoccia's generals from Santcarillon.
"I'm a tool for God's voice!" The displeased the Archbishop made this remark. "You rarely have the chance to use my name to gather and send troops for your selfish interests. Your duty is to get back my holy church. Gathered together all the men you can find. And in my name to send troops, all troops, and retake what is mine immediately! "
"Calm down! However --" One of the most senior heads of Gianni Campagna Knights could not help but raise his voice to speak and said: "Even if you really want to send troops to recapture Princinopolis, we also need to deal with the military stronghold of Medoccia, Santcarillon is east by land, with a Holy Kingdom garrison there, we simply can not move. Even bypassing the Gulf southward, the rest of the soldiers will take too long to catch up with the main force!"
"You can't move by sea? From here out by ship, it won't take longer then three days to arrive in Princinopolis." said the Archbishop.
"There is no ship that can transport tens of thousands of troops!"
"No ship has been made yet! With the King of Zaccaria financial resources, several ships can be made and nobody -- well the flagship can be named after me."
Although not everyone sighed, but one can feel the atmosphere of the scene turning into turmoil. Not considering the results of doing this. The Archbishop simply never considered how much money and manpower is needed to build warships that can transport so many people ...
Laying siege to the city of St . Carillon would result in casualties on both sides in the end, bringing together all of the military forces of the Kingdom the meetings were soon started, but the Archbishop's stubborn attachment to go straight back to the Princinopolis case, the Principality Coalition has been unable to reach a consensus.
Formerly a mercenary of the Holy Kingdom army, the many laid back attitudes of the leaders behind the Principality made very clear the effective strength of the coalition. Hearing a humming sound, he turned to look back at the podium to see sitting in a chair a part of the problem, the Archbishop.
- Francesca also intended to send such troops ... Chris thought, but it is also impossible.
In fact all of the kingdoms of the East, had a longer history then the Holy Kingdom. Therefore, these nobles whose dignity is much higher then the strength of their own country, kept refusing to face up to reality. Francesca is young, and she is a woman; Even though she was draped with the exploit of saving the Archbishop, bringing the leaders together in a common goal is not easy at all. Her fame was not enough to unify the views of these countries generals.
"Forget It Forget it! Your faith is not strong enough for these guys!" Archbishop all had herein rose with his Holy Robe fluttering. "You just look at the missing Cathedral, your country and people will not have God's favor. The only ones to worship Dushanda are the people of the Holy Kingdom, but now they have defiled the sermons in the Holy Place of God -- Princinopolis, has yet to be returned! You cannot feel God's anger, and you still go on like this, I'll excommunicate you from the Palkai Faith, you are all heretics!
Heresy -- hearing this term all of the Knights present turned pale.
Faith on the battlefield was nothing but a joke, but these knights and their reaction, although they can kill Chris while looking him in the eyes, for all of those that have been brought up in the Palkai religion, being treated as heretics was worse than the death penalty. Because they are denied even of their place of rest after their death.
In a tense atmosphere, the Archbishop left the altar lurching his fat body.
"... I did not expect the atmosphere to become like this ..."
"We had no intention of blasphemy. However ... "
"What do you wish to do? If you send a small number of troops, by land ..."
"No sense to do so."
"If we send troops to Princinopolis by land, how long would it take to reach it?"
"By land, in about five days. "
"But if our actions are found out by the Holy Kingdom army in Santcarillon, should it takes more then seven days, we will be attacked from behind. "
"We can only spend two days ... capture Princinopolis in two days ..."
"Right now the Holy Kingdom army stationed in Princinopolis numbers around ten thousand. And if the southern garrison sends support, fighting them is easier said then done. "
While the knights had nothing else to add, a girl's voice suddenly broke in:
"If it was only a thousand troops by sea, then there would be no problems."
Everyone turned to look in silence while listening to Francesca. Their faces were all filled with surprise.
"Princess Francesca, what are you talking about?"
"Thousands of troops by sea... how many times would we have to move back and forth to get a large force? We might as well go by land, bull riding is still faster."
Lord-General Lucignani threw such a joke, in the surrounding, contemptuous laughter could also be heard.
"No such thing, just the Order of the Silver Egg will be the vanguard and go by sea first. You will take the land route and protect the Archbishop on the road to Princinopolis."
Francesca's statement made the people around dumbstruck.
"You are going to use one thousand troops to take Princinopolis?"
"Of course, that's what I mean. "
"That's not going to work, your Highness, you cannot bring such an odd strategy to fruition!"
"The battle of Santcarillon was just to rescue the archbishop, but to regain the cathedral and fight ten thousand enemy troops, our reinforcements sent by land will simply be too late to support you."
"This is the will of the Archbishop under God, you have other ways of doing it?"
Francesca with a smile on her face interrupted the Knight that tried to speak:
"Gentlemen generals with great fanfare you will march on Santcarillon for appearances, but also careful of spies, on hearing the news, the Kingdom Army troops will not be able to depart from Santcarillon."
Several generals turned their heads around to listen.
"First when you reach the entrance of the southern tip of the peninsula, wait to hear a message from the Order of the Silver Egg of our arrival in Princinopolis, if our army banners did not arrive at Princinopolis, urge the troops to retreat. So you do not have your escape route blocked behind you by the Holy Kingdom army."
"Ah." "Oh, I see..." "that is so that at least we do not suffer a crushing defeat in battle."
Several generals have nodded in agreement. Gilbert saw all of this from the door, but had no reaction, it was probably already the norm -- it seemed like Chris was the only person that was flustered.
"However Your Highness, if you are unable to take Princinopolis and the cathedral, aren't you going to be isolated and helpless? "
"Of this point, I am of course aware."
Again there was a general outcry.
"We don't mind, and we might be able to persuade the Archbishop of this. However the Archbishop may feel he needs to take command of the troops to call them to action in his name."
Francesca said this is for her to deal with, and with the consent of everyone they agreed to dissolve the meeting.
After all the generals departed, only the three members of the Order of the Silver Egg were left, Chris couldn't resist asking Francesca:
"What is with this combat methods, ah? You really plan on doing this?!" In the church, only the loud voice from Chris echoed in the empty space.
"I would like to come out of the war as the victor. " Francesca shrugged her shoulders. Such reactions made Chris suddenly unable to react.
If you calm down, and think from the Generals' point of view, Francesca is indeed correct. Because if the vanguard does not take Princinopolis, then the Principality Coalition will take loses from the Holy Kingdom forces, behind them the troops at the Santcarillon garrison, in front the Princinopolis garrison, they will be caught in a crossfire.
"After we take Princinopolis, just the Order of the Silver Egg alone has to defend the Holy City, even if I am good that is nearly impossible. That is why I need them to confidently come by land with additional troops." Fran said.
"What if you cannot capture it--"
Francesca reached her slender forefinger and pasted it onto Chris's lips, blocking Chris's mouth. Chris blushed and hurriedly backed away.
"Listen, about what to do if we lose, it is always the Commander's duty to think of something, you should not think about it."
Chris couldn't help but swallow a sigh of relief after listening – indeed. This is not something a soldier can decide. They can only believe in the commander, or don't believe in commander.
"Say Chris, the same type of battle, the same stringent conditions, had you not been done this many times?"
After this sentence, Chris had nothing left to say.
While he was in the Holy Kingdom army, he participated in the campaign at Princinopolis against Raiders -- that was at the time the largest battle he participated in -- Chris was part of an suicide assault, and through the bodies of his colleagues, he opened the gate from inside. However a whole year has passed since then, he cannot really believe in his capacity as a member of the Order of the Silver Egg, that they will worry about losing this battle.
-- I had no such thoughts when I was ordered to participate in the assault ... what... did I begin to fear death? When did I become so soft...
Francesca smiled and shook her head.
"It's not that you have changed, but you are no longer a man standing alone on the battlefield."
She said as she moved her gaze to Gilbert. While the Black Knight shrugged and otherwise said nothing.
- I ... I am no longer by himself? So, I become weak...
At this time, he could hear the sound of footsteps coming from behind him.
"Fran, I brought you a change of clothes."
Chris turned to look and the owner of the voice - is Minerva. She stopped in the middle of the church with benches on either side, then quickly looked away.
She deliberately went around the long way, bypassing Chris she walked near the church wall to Francesca, and while pouting , said: "Just because Paola has other things to do, do not treat me like a servant!"
"Ah? Who else do you think can go into my room get me new clothes -- Thank you by the way, now please help me change into them. We can use the confessional for me to change."
"I told you not to treat me like a servant, and you still do! Besides, why in a place like this--"
"If Meena does not want to, then Chris, come along and help me change clothes."
"You're kidding me!"
Minerva's right hand picked the clothes, her left hooked Francesca's arm, pulling her into the confessional.
- Minerva ... From that day she did not even look at me ...
--Because she dreamed of being as I kill predicted ... ...
--If genuine then sending troops to Princinopolis, in that case the prophecy ...
At this point in time Chris became aware--Originally, I was not alone... Is such a thing...
--So I am afraid to go to the battlefield. Because Minerva might be killed by the blade of an enemy at any time, and my blade within reach ...
Chris looked up at Minerva and Francesca to see them going inside the wooden confessional. He knew that he was thinking about something very foolish. He is a man who lived as a mercenary his entire life, and he may not be able to live without the sword.
As he was lost in thought, Minerva's voice suddenly drifted out:
" ... Hey, Fran ... T-This dress is what is the matter, why do you want to replace the clothes!"
"Meena do you not want to try them on?" I think they will look great on you!"
"Who is going to wear this kind of clothes!"
From inside the confessional such a conversation could be heard. Chris inexplicably felt embarrassed, and turned around to leave the church.
"Princess Fran did not say you could go. 」
Gilbert deep voice, pierced Chris's ears, so he stopped.
"...Doesn't matter, I mean, Well the meeting has ended. Moreover, they are changing their clothes..."
"The military meeting to be chaired by Princess Fran hasn't started yet! Right now only our work as guards has finished. You can also learn the habits of Princess Fran."
Gilbert seemed troubled. Chris cocked his head, failing to understand -- this is ... What does it mean?
This time the confessional door opened, Francesca and Minerva walked out of it. Chris looked at both of them -- Frances was wearing very colorful clothes already nothing like the clothes of a knight commander, but now the dress she wore was more like the clothes of a noble woman, it could even be called gaudy, making him feel like rushing out of the church right now.
"This ... What is this about ..." Chris said.
"Looks good, right?"
"This ... Looks good--not! "
"I am going to go into a separate military conference with the Archbishop next. I heard he likes to make women wear clothes like these - Gill, do not bother coming all right. "
Minerva was shocked to hear this. Francesca waved her hand and softly walked in the direction the Archbishop went beside the altar.
"Fran, stop!"
By the time Minerva recovered and tried to catch up, the door had been fiercely closed shut in front of Minerva.
"I'll teach you to stop, Fran--Gilbert, you let go of me ... Fran, your brains have burned out!" Minerva cried out.
"<Woman> This identity is a weapon for Princess Fran, you should have already recognized this, do not bother her. "
"Even if this is the case - you, why are you so calm, ah!"
Gilbert did not answer, he turned toward opposite to the door Francesca entered, climbed the stairs and begun moving on that floor.
"Hey! Gilbert!"
"Meena, don't scream inside the church, I can now go see where Princess Fran is staying."
Gilbert went to the pipe organ and opened a trap-door. A brass cover could be seen on the floor.
"The Archbishop's room is below. The voices can pass through the brass cover. If anything happens, we can jump from the main pipe."
Gilbert gave the explanation leaving Chris and Minerva speechless --nevertheless they approached to better understand the situation.
"You ... have investigated this place before?"
"Of course I listened to Princess Fran saying that she wants to use this method to persuaded the Archbishop."
With that said, Gilbert affixed his ears to the brass cover. It was a very strange appearance, but Chris also being worried about Francesca's safety had followed suit.
"Chris, you are not allowed to stick so close, so go over there. " said Minerva.
"This ...Where do you want me to go? This is very narrow. "
"You be quiet, so I can listen to the situation below."
Gilbert elbowed Chris, Chris also focused his attention on the sounds coming from bellow. The whistling flow of air came from the ventilation pipe into the room.
『... I didn't expect, Oh, a beautiful woman like you becoming a Knight commander, what a pity. I don't know what the people will think of King Zaccaria. Obviously there are many ways to make it so you didn't have join the army. 』
『I, your servant[2-3 1] personally would have to dedicate their body and their all to the army. 』
『Ah, what are you saying, you are going to regain the Holy Land and as well as it's people, on the battlefield? "
『Of course, as well as the Archbishop Seat. 』
『All right, all right. The day when we retake the Cathedral, you can become my Knight Patron of the Church, okay? However, at that time you will stay at my side and attend to all of my important needs. 』
『I, your servant would be honored!』
Chris could feel his body cramping up; Although Minerva did not take this dialogue seriously, but she also thought this conversation was really disgusting. Hearing the voice of the Archbishop, was as if it was oil and moist flab infecting one's own ears.
『As long as you like, when I stay in Zaccariesco, you can stay with me to serve me. I can help you make a special blessing ceremony. Military meeting ended, so now I can bare along with a special ceremony to reward you, oh. 』
Buzzing ~ ~ a shrill sound of metal distorting was heard and Chris looked up quickly... It was Minerva stroking her forehead with her hands -- She managed to clutch the brass tube with such astonishing strength that it deformed, making a loud noise.
"Minerva, calm down, or they will hear it!" said Chris.
"Don't tell me to calm down, if that pig even dares to touch Fran!"
『--Ah, later, this is what you ... 』
『Ha-Ha, You don't need to be afraid, it's just a blessing ceremony with the help of a secret kiss, you can depend on it.』
The brass pipe in Minerva's hands was beginning to cut her.
『Later, prior to this, let's discuss the issues of sending the army.』
『What, you still have more to say on the army matter? Why do you wish to lead the vanguard? Me leading the entire army would be better.』
『I, Your servant personally wants to go inside Princinopolis and claim the next seat, so a proper vanguard to take Princinopolis. Moreover, after the battle, the cathedral altar and prayer rooms are likely to be dirty, someone will have to go first to clean up. I, your servant personally believe that the Holy Kingdom tarnished the Holy Church. 』
『Ho, ho-ho, you are a sweetheart, almost like a newly married bride -- OK, OK, I got it, get it done right. 』
『What about you going in my bedroom and waiting for me, this is not a problem, right?』
『Yes, I, your servant personally will be sure to go. 』
"Say now, these clothes are good, but my preference is like this ..."
『Have to sit down, can not continue ~ ~』
Minerva flushed and turned to go out of the outlet, Chris also quickly stood up. Now this is not a matter of the degree where they can sit back and watch. But Gilbert's hand pulled Minerva by the shoulder to stop her. Not have much room here, Chris could not move.
"What you're doing, Fran is about to get the pig to-"
"Princess Fran can get out of this. You were just about to waste her entire effort!"
"How can you say such a thing!"
Minerva was right. That fierce-looking dangling vulgar man, just reached out and touched Francesca making everyone panic. She even passed her anger onto Gilbert -- why does Francesca have to suffer such treatment! Is this battle that important to you... But just when she was about to go in, she became aware. Gilbert had the long sword in the scabbard hanging on his waist, his hand shaking on the handle of the sword -- he is in fact suppressing his anger.
At this time, they were no longer listening on the brass pipe, footsteps sounded inside the Church -- and then came a girl's voice:
"Princess Fran! Princess Fran, are you here? Sorry, I'm late! You told me to go to your room and get your clothes, but I couldn't find them! I has no choice but to come to you--"
It was Paola's voice. Chris and Minerva turned to look at each other, then the altar door open again, coupled with the roar of the Archbishop--
"Whoa ah ah ah ah ah -?"
The sound of rolling followed by a fat body slamming and shaking the ground could be heard.
"ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah! I am sorry! I am sorry! I am sorry! I am sorry! -- "
Paola high-pitched cries echoed; a little while after the chaos, through the pipe organ parts, there came a strange mechanical sound, and now they can no longer stay in this room -- Minerva changed from a look of shock, to reveal a pleasant face, then brushed aside Gilbert's hand.
Gilbert shrugged and sighed, then followed Minerva out of the room. Chris looked at them like this and feeling that the danger passed, felt at easy and revealed a smile.
◊ ◊ ◊
"Chris, Meena, you both love worrying too much. "
Francesca at the garrison siting at the same table for dinner spoke so, and then laughed out loud.
"The Duke's daughter body will only be given to the man I love."
"Who is the man Princess Fran loves?" Paola asks while putting soup into her bowl.
"I haven't found any man worth of having my virginity, so at present I'm still single, alone on the battlefield trying to climb back and forth. " Francesca blurted out the words while deliberately facing the direction of the door, soldiers could be heard outside.
They did not dine in the Castle, but in a room inside the camp. Gathered at the door were the soldiers of the Order of the Silver Egg already here as an impenetrable wall keeping other outside. They listened to the dialogue inside and at the same time were relieved. This was loud enough that even Chris heard it all.
It was of course because news of the Archbishop laying his hands on Francesca were spread around.
"Chastity, virginity! Why do we arrive at this topic now all of a sudden!"
Paola flushed red, almost dropping the soup bowl in her hands. The imminent peril at the time was to preserve the princess's chastity, other than the people involved nobody else seemed to have an absolute understanding of what has happened from beginning to end. Francesca smiled, looked at her and didn't tell her anything.
"I do not know exactly what you had planned, but you really don't have too much vigilance of it!" Minerva from start to finish, said in a straight face, angrily biting the bread in her hands.
"I did not lower my vigilance, I did it to lure him in. I opened the gates."
"Even worse!"
"I had this planned out with Gilbert."
While hearing the topic of the conversation switching over to him, the silent guard captain only gave a brief glance.
"Only Gilbert believed that I can simultaneously preserve the operational plan I have proposed, and my virginity."
The most difficult part to accept is that, Francesca actually put the plan toghether with the intent to seduce the Archbishop and informed Gilbert in advance, Gilbert with a surprisingly calm expresion discussed the whole plan together with his master.
"If there is sufficient trust between each other, something can be said about it. 」
Francesca said and she pointedly glanced at Chris, and then looked to Minerva's lower body. Chris froze for a moment, then Francesca's attention was immediately moved to the top part of the same target.
- If you have enough trust between each other ...
--But ... She refused to tell me anything ... Something about her dream ...
At this time Minerva and Chris line of sight came into contact. She was holding a piece of cheese that slipped out through her fingers. Then she quickly stood up, her cheeks flushed red.
"Meena? Did you finish eating?"
Ignoring Paola's question, Minerva turned around and headed toward the door.
"Huh?" "Ah!" "Wah-wah ......"
Minerva abruptly opened the door,the Order of the Silver Egg officers and soldiers wall collapsed instantly pilling up on the ground, throwing dust into the air. Minerva cut through the swarm of men in the corridor, hearing her footsteps in the distance Chris could not help but stand up. "Minerva!" He ran out the door but by this time all of the soldiers had gotten back up. "Hey, Hey, Chris, that... did anything alarming happen with the princess?"
"That ... I heard the Archbishop wanted ... is that true?"
"The lips do not chirp ~ ~ right?"
"Ah, hey! Chris!"
Chris did not answer half a sentence, he pushed a group of people that were still on the ground, and he hurried after Minerva.
He ran down the stairs and to the entrance of the garrison caught up with the back of that red hair.
"Minerva! Wait!"
As the same time as hearing his voice, the red hair suddenly flared from the wind fully covering his entire sight, then falling down - Minerva suddenly squatted on the floor.
It was already dark now, outside the barracks wall usually street prostitutes were waiting for clients, but there were no other people.
"...Minerva..."
When Chris called again, hearing the sound of her name, her shoulders shook up all of a sudden ...
"Fran said, you will take it seriously ... "
"Hey..."
"T-There are some things that you simply - simply do not know ... "
Minerva was holding her shoulders, her murmur sounding somewhat helpless.
"So can you please stop always asking ... "
"But..."
Chris came out chasing after Minerva on pure impulse, he himself had no idea what he wanted to say to her.
If Minerva did not have a foresight in her dreams, that told him, the reason was that he was not sufficiently trusted, this thought really makes him feel sad. But now he looked at Minerva unable to comfort her pain and sorrow away, no way of helping. This made himself feel truly deplorable.
"If your dreams make you so sad, even if not all of it, but if you can say a part little by little to me..."
"You fool, you showing a little compassion is kind of boring!" Minerva still didn't turn around. "I'm not like Fran, I can't talk about that sort of thing!"
--That sort of thing?
Chris thought ......The hard to tell thing that Minerva is hiding is not really something that makes her feel uncomfortable about, but is -- that she was embarrassed of it?
--Yes, Women that travel the battlefield on a daily basis, may bump into some embarrassing circumstances...
"T-That... Minerva, what about that dream..." Chris shouldn't have blurted out his speculations, but couldn't stop his mouth from moving: "This, this would not be... With virginity or... Something like that?"
Minerva turned and stood up at the same time, with a fierce expression and red hair shaking hard on Chris's face, "You, you--you idiot--"
Then she hit Chris with a heavy blow that he mercilessly hit the barracks wall.
For the next two full days, every-time Minerva saw Chris she refused to talk.
