"Ideally, we should form a coalition and march like a bolt of lightning with a large army to bring down Galuamaria.

　The Round Table of the Kingdom of Garleist. From the last seat, the voice of the Cathedral Knight Garrus Gargantia echoed. I'm not sure what to make of that. But even with all the stares from the people around him, his demeanor did not falter.

　At the same time as he was speaking, one of the Guraists asked him what he meant. As if to imply that there is no point in doing so.

　There was a moment of silence as the Cathedral and the Garleist's thoughts intersected.

　This round table is basically only used when there is a joint meeting between the Garlist Kingdom and the Cathedral.

　The Cathedral is an organization under the direct control of the King of Garleist, Amelites Garleist. However, the cathedral has almost become an independent organization, and it is impossible for the King of Garleist to control it at the touch of a finger.

　The cathedral's influence has allowed the surrounding nations to recognize the northwestern part of the continent as their dominant region, and it has been granted privileges in its internal laws, security mechanisms, and even its taxation structure, functioning as a semi-independent country.

　All of this must be due to the fact that the religion of the cathedral is not limited to the Garrists, but has spread to the surrounding countries and has gained a large following. The heraldic religion that people used to be devoted to has been eradicated, to the point where it has fallen into the hands of the old religion.

"The meaning is simple. They, the Old Ones, are now like a flickering little fire.

　Garrus's lips twitched, oblivious to the tension around him. They're like little flickering fires.

　The Cathedral is almost as powerful as an independent country, that's for sure. However, the Garlist Kingdom has not lost all of its influence. On a regular basis, and in the event of an emergency such as this one, the two sides send equal numbers of representatives to meet at the Round Table. This has been the custom for a long time. Whether it works or not is a completely different story.

　This time, the emergency is the fall of Galuamaria at the hands of the heraldry, and the alliance between the Hanging Gardens of Gazalia and the heraldry. It must be a response to that.

　Therefore, today, there are not only those from the two forces of Garrulist and Cathedral surrounding the round table. Many forces, including those belonging to Garuamaria and the surrounding city-states, were trying to wield their tongues in order to maintain their own interests and positions. This, in turn, was turning this conference into a whirlpool of chaos.

　In the midst of this, Garrus's words wavered through the chamber.

"Striking them now with a little force will only add fuel to the fire. It will take a gale to douse it. A gale with a large force.

　As Garrus said this with his eyes wide open, there were few people who outwardly agreed with his words. Regardless of what's on your mind, this is a place of checks and balances, where all sorts of forces are currently plotting against each other.

　To speak lightly would directly lead to the loss of one's own head if one was not careful.

　Therefore, there was only one person who vocally agreed with Garrus' words.

...... You are right, Cathedral Knight Garrus. Even though Garouamalia has fallen, its great walls are still not to be underestimated. The only way to stop the old religion is to crush it with a huge army without any resistance.

　The voice belonged to Buckingham Stanley.

　The voice of Buckingham Stanley came from a prominent Garouamarian family, and his contacts and diplomatic skills still allow him to hold his position. His words are not easy to ignore, especially for those who want to take the rights of Garouamaria into their own hands. In the end, it is possible to dredge up the rights to the trading city of Garou Amalia with his backing.

　However, this is not just a war, it has become a religious war. Therefore, it seems that things are not so simple. An old man opened his eyes and let out a voice.

"...... With all due respect, we are dealing with the old religion. If we bring out too large an army, it could shake the authority of the cathedral. This should be handled as a minor matter.

　A small matter. Garrus almost laughed out loud at the ridiculousness of that statement.

　I understand. The old man who had said it did not sincerely believe that. But there is a front to everything, and I guess that is how the forces to which he belongs see it.

　Still, to think that this is a small matter is a bit too easy. Garrus wrapped his fingertips around the glass on the table and drank the wine down his throat. Well, that was quite a fine thing to be served.

　Galuamaria hadn't been mentioned in history for hundreds of years. Now, it had fallen to the forces of what they called the Old Faith. Not only that, but even the elves that we had included in our forces have formed an alliance with them.

　This is undeniably important. If possible, I would like to send a coalition of the city-states around Garouamalia, or a large army of Garleist and the Cathedral.

　Otherwise, the slightest interference will only increase the fires of the Old Faith. Garrus has a certainty in his heart about that.

　The reason for this was the presence of that knight, and now female swordsman, Kalia Vardnick.

　She is undoubtedly a remarkable woman. She could have been a hero if the times had pushed her back. But now, somehow, she has abandoned her knightly status and is wielding her sword for the forces of the Old Faith. Garrus sat back in his chair deeply, driving the noise of the meeting from his ears.

　So there is something... There's something about that force. Something in that force that would make her want to join, that would make a great man want to take his place.

　What is it? Treasure? I don't think there's anything a knight would be attracted to. Then honor. No way, they must have thrown that out with the nameplate of the old religion. Or is it something that satisfies ambition? There may be some of this.

　But not the one Garrus is looking at. Garrus had a prediction.

　There are more heroes out there than heroes can attract. A woman called a witch, or a man called a traitor. I don't know which. But I'm very curious.



Well, what do you say? I have an idea. I have an idea to seize the antlers and rip off the skin.

　A small, burly man said in a dull voice. I don't remember Garrus very well, but I think he was a representative of one of the surrounding city-states.

　His eyes never lost their color, even though he looked very dull. Rather, they glow with ambition. His thick lips began to open slowly.

"They are not a single piece of iron, the old religion. They are held together only by the authority of two men. The rest are nothing but a bunch of hangers-on.

　Garrus had a pretty good idea what the man was going to say after that. So he was half intrigued, but also revealed a vague feeling that it was not interesting. The expression on his face became distorted.

After this, the old religion will continue to expand its power. They will no longer be able to simply stabilize themselves on the spot. Then let our city-state avenge their heads with deception. Once the snake's head is cut off, its body can be dealt with.

　Garrus stroked his chin. He had a rough idea of the man's intentions. The same was true for those present at the meeting.

I need permission from the cathedral. Permission to send an official letter of friendship to the old church. If we can get that, the heads of Mattia, the witch who rebelled against the cathedral, and Lugis, the great sinner, will be on the chopping block.

　The air in the round table was agitated by his voice. Garrus was shaking his shoulders unhappily until the end.