New Faith
The two walked out of the alley and onto the main street of the Royal Capital.
There were many more shops on both sides of the street than when Higashino Makoto last visited, and the pedestrians seemed more relaxed than before.
The cries of vendors, the laughter of children, and the rumble of horse-drawn carriages mingled together, creating a Peace scene of everyday life in the marketplace.
Renner walked beside him, her long golden hair swaying gently in the breeze, her blue eyes gazing ahead.
She wore a simple white dress and no jewelry. If you ignored her extraordinary beauty, she wouldn't even look like a princess.
"Mr. Higashino Makoto, the Re-Estize Kingdom has changed a lot since you left last time."
"For example?"
"For example, slavery."
Her voice was calm.
"My elder brother has issued a decree that, from this day forward, all slave trade is prohibited within the Re-Estize Kingdom. Existing slaves will be redeemed by the state; those who wish to stay will become free citizens. Those who wish to leave will be provided with travel expenses and resettlement allowances."
"Do the nobles agree?"
They disagree, but they dare not object.
The corners of her mouth turned up slightly.
"Because those who opposed it were all on the Eight Fingers' list. They've already been arrested, killed, or exiled."
Higashino Makoto nodded.
"Anything else?"
"The army has also been reformed. Previously, the army was the private army of nobles. Now, the army belongs to the state. Nobles can no longer recruit soldiers privately, and all soldiers' salaries are paid by the state."
Where does the money come from?
"From those confiscated noble territories."
Her tone was calm.
"There was also trade with the Baharuth Empire. After several rounds of negotiations, the Blood Emperor agreed to a ceasefire. Merchants from both countries then resumed their exchanges."
Higashino Makoto glanced at her.
"You seem to know very well."
"Because I participated."
"You were involved?"
"Yes. I drafted most of the policies, and my elder brother was responsible for their implementation."
She paused.
"He's good at dealing with people and has plenty of guts."
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
"You two siblings worked together very well."
"He's alright. He used to be afraid of me, and although he's still afraid now, it's much better than before. At least, he's willing to listen to me now."
The two walked across a stone bridge. The river water beneath the bridge was crystal clear, and several ducks were playing in the water.
Across the bridge is a newly built square, in the center of which stands a statue.
A knight, holding a lance, gazes up at the sky.
Who is this?
"Hero."
Renner's voice was very soft.
"In memory of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Eight Fingers Purge. And in memory of those who were persecuted to death by the Eight Fingers. There are too many names to engrave, so this statue is used instead."
Higashino Makoto looked at the statue.
Who designed it?
"I."
You can also sculpt?
"I can do it all. Even though it was just a sketch, the craftsmen made it according to it."
"Good."
"Thanks."
The two continued walking forward.
On the other side of the square is a newly built building.
The three-story stone building had whitewashed exterior walls, and a line of characters was inscribed above the main entrance:
The Re-Estize Kingdom's First Public School.
"School?"
"Yes, the school."
Renner looked at the building.
"The price is very low. No background or social status is considered; as long as you have talent and are willing to learn, you can come. We teach reading, writing, arithmetic, martial arts, and magic. Those with talent will be recommended to study at the magic academy in the Royal Capital."
Where's the money?
"Payments from the royal family."
"Did your brother and father agree?"
"They agreed. They said it's a good thing."
Higashino Makoto fell silent.
He looked at the white-walled building, and at the children coming and going at the entrance. Some were dressed in fancy clothes, while others wore patched hemp clothes, but they all had the same thirst for knowledge on their faces.
"You did this?"
"It was my suggestion, and my elder brother promoted and approved it."
She paused.
"I just offered an idea."
"The idea is the most important thing."
Renner looked at him, a glint of light flashing in her blue eyes.
"You're right."
The two walked across the square and into a quiet alley.
The alley is lined with residential areas, the walls are covered with vines, flower pots are placed on the windowsills, and a faint fragrance of flowers fills the air.
"Mr. Higashino Makoto, are you aware that a new faith has emerged in the human Re-Estize Kingdom?"
Higashino Makoto paused slightly, showing interest.
Have more players arrived?
What beliefs?
"It's not standardized. Each country uses a different name. Some call him Lord of Salt, some King of Angels, and some Lord of Hosts, but the meaning is largely the same."
Her voice was soft, with a hint of probing.
"The guardian of humanity, the master of angels, symbolizing divine punishment and protection."
Higashino Makoto remained silent.
This undoubtedly points to himself.
"The Holy Kingdom says that the god sent angels to protect their skies. The Dragon Kingdom says that the god dispatched messengers to repel the Orc army. The Baharuth Empire says that the god changed the land, cutting the continent into straits."
She looked at his profile.
"The Re-Estize Kingdom says that the god removed the Eight Fingers and saved the country."
Higashino Makoto remained silent.
"Mr. Higashino Makoto, don't you find this strange?"
What's strange?
"That god, is it you?"
Higashino Makoto glanced at her.
It seems the king has already told them about his affairs, which is not surprising.
"It's me, that's right. Although I don't consider myself a god yet."
"You are so modest."
Her voice was calm, but something flickered in her blue eyes.
"The Lord of Salt, legend says he unleashed divine punishment with a wave of his hand, turning the Orc army into pillars of salt. The King of Angels, legend says he is accompanied by angels and can summon them to fight for him. The Lord of Hosts, legend says he commands a vast army composed of angels and demons."
She paused.
"These legends were all created by you in the Holy Kingdom, the Dragon Kingdom, and the Baharuth Empire."
"Yes, I did it. But this new cult... it's quite interesting."
Do you need my support for the sect's development?
Princess Renner seems eager to prove her worth, likely because she is anxious to join Novas Etier's faction.
But Higashino Makoto shook his head and rejected her suggestion.