Author's Note: This time, I tried a different way of writing.
I hope it's not too hard to read.
I would be glad if you enjoy it!
On this day, a drastic change occurred in the world.
The "Catastrophe"-level monster "Storm Dragon Veldora" was confirmed to have been destroyed.
Although it had been sealed for 300 years, it was a "Catastrophe"-level monster.
While it appears to have been destroyed, there was no guarantee that it wouldn't be reborn as a new threat in another region.
However, 20 days after the report of its destruction, the Western Church declared the complete destruction of "Storm Dragon Veldora."
Nidale Myggen, the Duke, was furious.
"Such a ridiculous thing could happen?!!!"
Recalling the Cardinal's words from just a moment ago, he spat them out in condemnation.
Nicolaus Schuelters, the Cardinal.
Just thinking about him made Nidale angry.
"'The threat of Storm Dragon Veldora has been eliminated. Therefore, the support funds provided by the Church will be terminated as of today.'"
He said this and unilaterally ended the conversation.
He had been summoned unilaterally and made to wait for three hours.
Certainly, the support funds up until now had been very helpful.
The duchy, which was part of the Jura Great Forest, was a key defensive point on the border of the Palmas Kingdom.
However, this was not just a problem for the Palmas Kingdom; it was also a concern for the Western Church, which shared a border with the kingdom.
Even though "Storm Dragon Veldora" had been sealed, it remained a threat.
This was not an exception even for monsters.
In fact, it could be said to be even more threatening to monsters.
The disappearance of this threat meant an increase in monster activity.
There was a need to strengthen the border defenses, but the timing of the cessation of support was problematic.
This was the source of Nidale Myggen's anger.
The Western Church might have its own stance, but it was irrelevant to Nidale.
How to protect his duchy in the future...
He needed money to hire mercenaries.
Adventurers from the Free Guilds were useless when it came to actual emergencies.
The church, which he had relied on, had already rejected him.
The king, his last hope, but... Nidale despaired when he thought of the king's face.
Even while "Storm Dragon Veldora" existed, the king had provided no support.
If the threat was gone, he might think there would be more leeway in the defense budget.
Worse, he might impose more taxes.
Thinking about this, Nidale's face twisted.
In the carriage heading back to his duchy, Nidale was racking his brain to come up with a plan for the future.
His mind was filled with thoughts about monsters, leaving no room for any other threats.
He was not the only one who was deep in thought.
The Palmas Kingdom was a country with its major cities located in the desert. Therefore, any issues could be contained at the borders.
Because of this, the country had a low sense of crisis.
Nidale had thought that the defense budget would increase, but there were other considerations.
However, a smaller country like the Jura Great Forest could not think this way.
They had no one to turn to and had to come up with their own plans...
The kings and ministers of various countries were holding emergency meetings daily to discuss future plans and gather information.
Among them was Beliard, the Duke of the small country of Brumund.
"I called you here for a reason. You've heard about the 'Storm Dragon Veldora' situation, right?"
Without breaking his usual demeanor, Beliard asked the man who had entered the room.
The man was short but had a gaze that could not be underestimated.
"Of course, Duke."
The man responded with few words, in a low, hoarse voice.
"Hmph. As expected of a Guild Master!"
Beliard snorted and continued.
"Then, as a Guild Master, what are your plans?"
"We don't have any specific plans or intentions to take action."
"What? I didn't hear that clearly... You mean you have no plans to take action?"
"Yes. We don't feel the need."
The man called the Guild Master responded calmly.
It seemed as if he didn't understand why Beliard was angry.
Despite his irritation at the man's attitude, Beliard continued without showing it.
More than anything, his efforts could not be called a success...
"If you don't feel the need, you're saying something strange. The destruction of 'Storm Dragon Veldora' means that an increase in monster activity is expected! And yet, you have no plans to take action!?"
"You're the one saying something strange. Planning is the job of the state. We are a free guild, not a service organization."
That was true.
A free guild was not bound by the state's framework.
Compared to state-affiliated artisans, they did not receive the same guarantees for their livelihood.
However, they were given a status similar to that of citizens, and thus had the obligation to pay certain taxes.
For example, a state-affiliated chef would have the status of a citizen and the obligation to pay the corresponding taxes. In return, the state would guarantee their property and status.
On the other hand, a free guild chef would only have a quasi-citizen status, but would pay slightly lower taxes. The taxes they paid would be handled by the free guild, which would guarantee their background.
However, they would need to protect their own property and personal safety.
A state-affiliated chef could have a shop within the walled city and could pass it on to their children.
This was not recognized in the free guild, and they would have shops in free markets near the capital.
Even if they had a shop outside the city walls, they could not pass it on to their children.
This was the root cause of the somewhat deep-seated prejudice against free guilds.
This structure was not unique to the small country of Brumund but was common among most of the surrounding countries.
Thinking about it in reverse, a free guild was an organization that had broken free from the state's framework and had organizational power that could rival a state.
Whether by chance or by design, it was a fact that they operated as if hidden beneath the state.
"Protecting citizens' property is the state's minimum duty, right? Similarly, the guild protects its members. We both have big jobs to do."
Hearing the Guild Master's brazen tone, a vein popped on Beliard's forehead.
He realized that he was being looked down upon.
"Enough nonsense! How many dragon slayers can the free guild provide? How many combat-specialized adventurers? How many can you send to defend this city!!!?"
The Guild Master sighed and said,
"Please don't misunderstand, but we are not a service organization. If it's a mobilization on par with the agreement between the state and the free guild, we can mobilize 10% of our members. If more is needed, it will come at a cost."
The population of the Brumund Kingdom was one million.
The guild had about 7,000 members, excluding their families.
If a mobilization on par with the agreement between the state and the free guild were declared, 10% of the free guild's members (about 700 people) would be placed under state command.
Of course, these were members of the guild and not members of other countries' guilds. Therefore, the guild's affiliation to a specific country was clearly defined.
Additionally, during the period of mobilization, which was determined by the state, the taxes collected would be reduced by 20%.
While it had coercive power, it was not a feasible method when considering taxes.
Especially for the guild, which had to cover the salaries of the mobilized members, it was a natural method.
If all members were mobilized, it would be impossible to respond.
Half of the guild members were non-combatants.
The kingdom was well aware of this.
Therefore, while they would not normally force the issue, this time was different.
Monster activity was increasing.
Certainly, this was a significant reason.
However, the true reason was...
"Enough. Hey, Hues. Are you going to speak honestly?"
The Guild Master, or Hues, was slightly startled to hear his name.
For the first time, he looked directly at Duke Beliard's face.
"If the sealed place of 'Storm Dragon Veldora,' which was once an inviolable area, becomes directly accessible, there is a possibility that the eastern empire will move."
"That's right! Whether it's out of respect for Veldora or concern about the seal breaking, the empire, which had been quiet until now, has shown movement!!! Do you understand? If they pass through that forest, this kingdom will be swallowed up in an instant. Moreover, the Western Church cannot be relied upon!"
"The church won't move... That's right. They have no interest in human conflicts. Their doctrine is the extermination of monsters."
"That's true. If at least one Holy Knight moved, it would show the empire that they cannot act recklessly... Even if the preparations for monsters are gone, it would buy time."
"It's unlikely... From the church's perspective, the collapse of a country is not their concern. They are not there to save everyone who believes in them."
Hues looked at Duke Beliard's face and thought.
He looked exhausted, this guy...
It wasn't surprising, but Duke Beliard had aged significantly over the past few days.
They were actually childhood friends.
Although he was a duke, it would not be good if it were discovered that he got along well with the nobility.
They needed to maintain the appearance of a strained relationship to avoid suspicion.
It was impossible for this small country to overcome this crisis alone.
However, it might also be an unnecessary worry.
While the empire's movements were evident, it was not yet certain that they would attack.
If it were only monsters, they could still come up with a plan.
"The empire hasn't decided to move yet, has it? Regardless, I'll personally investigate.
It would be problematic to expect too much, but I'll assess the current state of the Jura Great Forest and the empire's movements."
"Thank you... I appreciate it."
That's right, the empire hasn't decided to move yet.
If it does, it will be a large-scale military operation. The empire is not so weak that it would move just for a small conflict.
With an army of over a million, they would ravage the surrounding countries.
It would take time to prepare.
At least three years...
While it couldn't be said that there was plenty of time, it would give them some leeway to prepare.
"Anyway, we need to gather information. There's no time. I'm going!"
"Thank you..."
They looked at each other, nodded, and parted ways.
There was a mountain of work to be done.
Cardinal Nicolaus Schuelters smiled slightly as he watched Duke Nidale Myggen leave.
"Deni, that guy!"
He said with a benevolent smile.
Deni, who believed in nothing but the church's money, power, and military.
That was Nicolaus's evaluation of Duke Nidale Myggen.
It wasn't just him.
All those in the church thought the same.
"If you believe in God, you should join the Holy Papal Kingdom of Ruberius and become a believer!"
The Western Church was the state religion of the Holy Papal Kingdom of Ruberius, and only the infallible Pope reigned at the top.
The Holy Papal Kingdom of Ruberius was the headquarters of the Western Church, and its citizens were all believers.
Even if someone professed their faith while belonging to another country, it was only superficial and could not be trusted.
God comes first in everything.
Therefore, there was no need for mercy for those who did not become citizens, no matter what excuses they made.
This was the consensus of Cardinal Nicolaus and those in the Western Church.
Originally, Nicolaus believed that all non-believers should be killed.
However, a person changed his mind and made him reconsider.
That person was "Hinata Sakaguchi" from "this world."
She said,
"It's pointless. Breaking the faith of those who believe in other gods requires enormous energy. It's better to just reach out and accept them. That's more certain!"
"Think of us as a 'just organization' that protects people from monsters. Since there will never be a world without war, we can extend a hand when needed! Monsters are a common enemy of humanity, but humans are not."
"There's no need to deliberately create enemies. The masses are foolish, so they will believe you if you help them in times of need. That's the very essence of religion, isn't it?"
She was a thorough rationalist.
Although she was an atheist, she did not deny religion.