The Imperial Capital, the 100th floor of the Tower of Purity.
The God of Human Knights and Mages, the guardian of the Human Empire, the God Emperor, awoke from meditation.
"Your Majesty, you're awake?" His attendant hurried over. The God Emperor's meditation was nothing like a mortal's sleep. Besides restoring his strength, he devoted a great deal of divine consciousness to answering his followers' prayers and keeping an eye on the nobles of every rank across the Empire.
Over the centuries, the God Emperor had descended into the consciousness of merchants, apprentices, and beggars in cities across the Empire more than once, observing the lowest ranks of the Human Race's Mana-Less—their lives, their joys and sorrows.
Afterward, the God Emperor invariably made decisions that benefited ordinary people more. That was why no lord could—or dared to—deceive him.
"How did the preparations go?" the God Emperor asked.
"Everything's ready. He's Child of Zhuoqin, and he's in good health. He's already reached the rank of Intermediate Priest."
"Good. Send him to the training room on the 75th floor."
"Isn't that too high? It might frighten the child." In the Tower of Purity, the higher the floor, the closer it was to the God Emperor.
"Then send him to the room on the 45th floor. And be careful not to let him see me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Something's been strange lately. I feel like I've gained a new batch of followers."
"Your divine power is boundless, Your Majesty. The people's faith in you flows like a mighty river."
"Not followers from the Human Race. They came from the Gallop Plains. The feeling is vague and unfamiliar. I even think they might be a group of Barbarian followers."
"Barbarians... followers?" The attendant found the combination of those words hard to believe. "Who's spreading word of your miracles?"
"I don't know. Probably some hothead."
"How could that be? You pay so much attention to the Gallop Plains, Your Majesty. It's only natural that you have followers there."
"If Night-Kirin City were restored, it wouldn't be strange for me to have any number of followers there. Speaking of which, where's Ben now?"
"He's in Dragon Tooth City. Lord Ben hasn't alerted the local nobles. He's disguised himself as an Intermediate Mage traveling for study."
"He didn't even use a Teleportation Portal. What's the point of that?"
"Lord Ben said he's going on a pilgrimage."
"What a waste of time."
"Your Majesty, there's one more thing." As he spoke, the attendant handed over a note. "This year, the Gray Goose Tribe of the Gallop Plains has... caused quite a bit of trouble with the Dragon Kingdom." By then, the attendant no longer dared to say more. A month ago, he'd helped the Palace Front Department report to the God Emperor, believing the Barbarians simply wouldn't survive the winter. Now it seemed the Palace Front Department hadn't told the whole truth—or had simply judged the situation wrong.
"Out of control?" the God Emperor said casually.
"Um... Dragon Tooth City says their Count Bristle-Wolf can hold them off, but the Palace Front Department... they..."
"What about them? They've just gotten themselves in a mess!
"The Gallop Plains are thousands of miles away. Back when I led an army there in person, I wouldn't have dared claim that I had everything under control. Now that brat Charlton thinks he can control the Gallop Plains from the Imperial Capital with schemes and tricks?
"And he wants to hide behind the Salt and Iron Department? Does he really think that legendary dwarf Sherman has nothing but rocks in his head?"
"Your Majesty sees all."
The note in the attendant's hand floated into the air without a breeze. Flames sprang up halfway through its flight, and by the time it landed, it had turned to ash.
"One was driven by Barbarians to the gates of a key stronghold, where the Count fought hard but got nowhere. The other lost every pair of eyes and ears at the front, and its entire plan went awry. Yet both still reported to me that everything was under control.
"It seems their definition of 'control' has become even more refined."
The attendant remained silent. The God Emperor's position was exalted, but his great-grandson was now the one ruling. Even the God Emperor couldn't easily bypass the Emperor and issue direct reprimands to independent kingdoms or Imperial institutions.
The God Emperor's displeasure was now unmistakable, and the attendant didn't dare try to comfort him.
The God Emperor fell silent for a long time, considering how to turn the situation around.
"Wasn't there another boy from the Kaul Family who went to the Dragon Kingdom?"
"Yes. He's Bert Kaul, a High Paladin, and a distant nephew of Lord Ben."
"Have him keep an eye on things at the front. Don't let the Barbarians take advantage of the Dragons' distraction and dig up the wolf's den."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
At the same time, in the Mirror Hall of the Dragon Kingdom, the King was holding a secret meeting with several National Pillars.
"What the hell is the Palace Front Department doing?" said Gorkesh Red-Dragon, a legendary Priest.
"They must have their eyes on the Gallop Plains. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths," said Benite Wyvern, a legendary Mage.
"If they're capable, let them send their own people. The Empire's crawling with spies and planted agents—call them all in and let them fight the Barbarians to the death! Instead, they're making our Dragons hold the line while they come in to reap the rewards. They're nothing but parasites!"
"If the Emperor has nothing but vermin around him, how can he possibly govern the country?" McLaren Blue Dragon added.
"All right, National Pillars. I understand how you feel.
"But given the circumstances, there's very little we can do.
"Count Bristle-Wolf really did stand by and watch his subordinate's Viscount's territory fall. And now we're watching Bristle-Wolf himself get into trouble.
"But you all know that old wolf Caspian. He can't see anything beyond the food bowl right in front of him. He won't ask for help on his own. He even withdrew the request for support he'd previously made to Lord McLaren.
"So how do we deal with the Barbarian problem without giving those parasites in the Palace Front Department an excuse to make trouble?" Dragon King Dusen Whiteowl had put his finger on the crux of the matter.
"I think..."
"Lord Benite, please go on."
"Isn't there a Dragon Knights unit from the Temple Alliance stationed in Dragon Tooth City? Why not send them to the Northwest Territory under the pretext of escorting Dragon Tooth City's High Priest as he spreads blessings?"
"Oh?"
The Dragon Knights were a provincial special unit of the Temple Alliance, stationed on the front lines of the Dragon Kingdom to provide support. Their mounts were low-level magical beasts that looked much like the triceratops of Landen's old world.
"Their mission would be to escort, not to fight. We'd have the High Priest travel through the entire Northwest Territory, spreading the holy decrees of the gods."
"If they encounter Barbarians, they can wipe them out along the way."
"If the old wolf wants to repay us, he can give up the priest's post in Bristle-Wolf City." Benite smiled as he spoke. Count Bristle-Wolf was stingy. Trading a priesthood in Bristle-Wolf City for a powerful cavalry unit was well worth it, but it would still make the Count wince for a long time. Just thinking about it amused Benite.
"Fine. What should we do with the two territories?" The Kingdom had settled the plan with a single word. Now they needed to discuss the fate of Baron Gallop's Territory and Viscount Rothe's Territory.
"Hark of Baron Gallop's Territory did succeed in reporting the Barbarian threat. The people of his territory fled into the Great Forest, so he did manage to save his Territory Residents."
"If they've lost too many people, we can help make up the numbers."
"Rothe brought this on himself. Viscount Rothe colluded with the Barbarians, so he deserved to die. But his territory guards Korniko Pass, a critical position. That's why the Palace Front Department had its eye on it." Gorkesh Red-Dragon was deeply disgusted by Viscount Rothe's actions.
"How about we find a girl from one of our families to marry into the Gallop Family?"
"You mean...?"
"We raise the Gallop Family to viscount rank, then send someone to keep an eye on them."
"Mm, that'll work."
"Sounds good. As it happens, I have a girl in mind who'd be a good fit." McLaren suddenly thought of a suitable candidate.
"Then it's settled. Thank you all for your suggestions, National Pillars." King Dusen was very pleased. The small meeting had been highly efficient. As for what Count Bristle-Wolf would think when he heard...
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
"It's hard to imagine how upset Old Bristle-Wolf will be when he finds out he has to give up the priest's post in Bristle-Wolf City."
"Then how about we have him build another church?"
"You might as well ask him to give up his life."
"Hahahaha!"
The meeting ended in a cheerful mood, with phrases like "jostling at the trough" and "guarding the food" occasionally popping up around the room.