“…”
Delun scratched the side of his head for a moment.
Delun hoped that Johanna would find some mental relief, but it seemed unlikely that she would listen to whatever he had to say.
After a brief moment of thought, Delun shrugged and raised his voice lightly.
“There’s something being prepared, but you should ask Luna for the details later.”
“Alright.”
As Delun said, it would be easier for Johanna to ask Luna for a proper explanation rather than herself.
Nodding her head, Johanna turned her body to meet the Emperor first. It was the duty she must fulfill as a noble of the Empire.
Since the original throne was still occupied by Ray, a new audience chamber and throne had been arranged within the Imperial Capital.
Johanna bowed low upon entering the audience chamber.
“I greet Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
The new audience chamber was grand and elegant, fitting the authority of the Empire.
However, the Emperor seated at the highest point of this chamber could not seem to smile happily.
Looking toward Lea, who had lost much of her baby fat during their separation, Johanna spoke.
“Have you been well during my absence?”
“Ah… Sister, are your injuries alright?”
Lea continued to call Johanna “sister.”
Though there was no one around to hear, such informalities were inappropriate for an emperor.
Nevertheless, Johanna replied in a clear voice.
“I apologize for failing to fulfill my duties and responsibilities, thus not being able to properly assist Your Majesty for so long.”
“No, sister, that’s…”
“I’m fine.”
Without waiting for Lea’s permission, Johanna stood up and stretched her limbs.
Demonstrating her flexible body before Lea, Johanna smiled gently.
“I’m truly fine.”
“Ah… Th-That’s fortunate.”
Lea managed to smile with difficulty, following Johanna’s lead.
After exchanging a few more words with Johanna somewhat more comfortably, Lea quickly concluded the audience to allow Johanna some rest.
“Please go back and rest now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will visit again soon.”
With her head bowed, Johanna retreated. Just before the door closed, she looked up and met Lea’s gaze.
Seeing how much Lea had grown after a year and a half, Johanna remembered past memories and smiled brightly.
“You’ve become very mature, Your Majesty.”
“…!”
Bang!
The door of the audience chamber closed.
Lea looked surprised for a moment, then smiled softly.
Even while smiling softly, Lea worried if Johanna was truly alright.
Despite seeing her after only a year and a half…
For some reason, Johanna felt strangely unfamiliar.
*
After the audience concluded,
Johanna went to see Luna.
Luna greeted Johanna with a face and gaze unchanged from 18 months ago.
Without immediately asking about Speira, Johanna posed a broader question.
“How have things been? Were there any major issues on the front lines while I was away?”
“It’s still okay for now.”
“That’s fortunate. Is there anything else?”
“…Recently, I’ve been focusing on establishing the Continental Defense System.”
“Oh, that? You finally started, huh?”
Johanna had a rough idea about the Continental Defense System that Luna had been preparing.
“What… was the name of the building you planned to construct again?”
“White Tower.”
“Ah, right. White Tower.”
The core of the ongoing ‘Continental Defense System’ was the Obelisk of the Royal Magic Tower.
The Empire focused on modifying the exploration functions of the Obelisk, which was originally specialized in exploring space, for terrestrial use.
Additionally, the Empire designed a structure called the ‘White Tower,’ which could synchronize with the Obelisk, planning to build these towers across the continent, including within the Empire itself.
Once the White Towers constructed across the continent synchronized with the Obelisk, it would enable the realization of the Continental Defense System that Luna had envisioned.
Recalling the plan for the Continental Defense System that she had vaguely understood in the past, Johanna asked Luna.
“Is the necessary technology development complete?”
“…Almost.”
The White Tower was designed to scatter massive waves of mana over wide areas.
By dispersing strong and irregular mana waves intermittently, it aimed to explore and warn of potential dangers in the area through interference or reflection effects caused by these waves.
Although it sounded simple at first glance, there were too many variables to consider to achieve proper detection, making its realization quite challenging, as Johanna had heard.
Still, seeing that Luna was almost done, Johanna believed that the necessary data and technology were nearly ready, and she asked again.
“Will it be able to detect all suspicious movements as you mentioned before once completed?”
“It’s not certain yet, but it should be possible.”
It would definitely be able to detect large gatherings like advancing armies.
It could also preemptively detect manifestations of magic, and entities possessing foreign powers might also be detectable once sufficient data is accumulated after the activation of the White Tower.
In addition, various functions were planned to be added to the White Tower in the long term.
It could temporarily activate Gate functionality or project firepower delivered via the Obelisk.
Moreover, when activated as planned, the White Tower could accurately relay specific coordinates across the entire continent.
What could be done using those coordinates was something Johanna already knew well.
Of course, once fully operational, numerous new technologies would be applied, likely causing various problems, but Johanna believed that with the Empire’s concentrated efforts, they could handle them.
“So, the Continental Defense System just needs to be completed now?”
“…There’s resistance.”
“Resistance? From whom?”
“The strongest opposition is coming from Nord.”
“Nord…? The country in the north?”
“Yes.”
Nord was a small nation located at the northeastern edge of the Empire’s center.
Known for producing large quantities of good minerals, its terrain was mostly rugged mountains.
Being a small nation with difficult terrain, it did not have a large population and wasn’t a powerful country.
Upon hearing that Nord was resisting, Johanna muttered briefly.
“They’re being defiant.”
Actually, Nord wasn’t opposing without reason.
While Nord produced many valuable minerals, due to its location at the edge of the continent and its harsh terrain, it didn’t hold significant strategic value.
Additionally, since it was situated behind the front lines, it wouldn’t face any ‘immediate threats’ from the ongoing great war.
However, if a White Tower were to be built in Nord’s territory, the probability of Nord being exposed to even stronger dangers would increase drastically.
The White Tower would be the most critical strategic facility in future wars and would naturally become the top priority target for enemies.
Nord did not wish for its safety to be sacrificed further for the sake of the Empire or other nations’ security.
The higher-ups in Nord believed they had already provided enough materials to their allies to help with the current great war, and this belief wasn’t entirely wrong.
Furthermore, the White Tower was… surveillance equipment.
A device capable of tracking and monitoring every existence on the continent, not just enemy movements.
It was equipment intended to expand the influence of the Empire, or rather Luna’s influence, across the entire continent, and there weren’t many people happy about placing such equipment on their land.
For these reasons, Nord strongly opposed the construction of the White Tower within its territory.
However, despite all this, Johanna muttered in disbelief.
“What makes them think they can defy us?”
“…”
Eighteen months ago.
Johanna barely escaped after encountering Speira in an underground facility.
Afterwards, she secluded herself in the Obelisk for a year and a half, leading to much gossip spreading across the continent regarding that incident.
Naturally, much of the gossip was negative.
Rumors circulated that the Empire had exaggerated and packaged Johanna’s capabilities and reputation, only to suffer humiliation this time.
Thus, the Empire’s authority, or the fear it inspired, was damaged.
While only a handful of fools doubted Luna’s abilities, it was undeniable that there was a growing trend to view the Empire as weaker than before.
Luna didn’t bring up such trivial matters in front of Johanna.
“…The Sacred Country has been encouraging them.”
With the Empire’s image weakened compared to the past and the encouragement from the Sacred Country, Nord was acting quite aggressively.
Other forces were also gauging the situation, considering whether to jump on Nord’s bandwagon.
Johanna responded calmly.
“We need to crush them.”
“Yes.”
“How do you plan to do it?”
“Heresy.”
“…?”
Johanna tilted her head slightly to the side but quickly understood the situation after listening to Luna’s explanation.
Nord was famously known for worshipping ‘another entity’ instead of El-Lam in a distant past.
Of course, there were no proper records left regarding this, only famous oral traditions.
Currently, Nord, like the other nations on the continent, prioritized the teachings of the Holy Church.
However, it was still a region infamous for worshipping heresy in the distant past.
Using the pretext that the high-ranking officials of Nord were trying to worship heresy during this critical period determining the continent’s fate, crushing them would be entirely plausible.
Do we have evidence? If needed, evidence can be fabricated.
Whether through legitimate or illegitimate means, it was necessary to suppress the forces opposing the construction of the White Tower now.
“Do you plan to destroy Nord using the pretext that they worshipped heresy?”
“Using that pretext, I’ll send troops to Nord…”
Luna pulled out an old book from the drawer and placed it on the table.
“…to secure clues about the transcendent entity they worshipped in the past and attempt contact.”
“…?”
“…We’ll stage the situation to appear that way.”
“Why…?”
“To move Speira.”
“Ah…!”
Johanna roughly understood Luna’s plan.
Although it was uncertain if Speira would take the bait, there was no harm in trying.
Nodding lightly, Johanna listened as Luna moved her lips.
“…We still need more time to proceed with the plan.”
“Understood. I’ll wait.”
“…Go see Zeppelin. We need to develop new armaments suitable for your power.”
“Okay.”
Johanna stood up from her seat.
As Johanna was about to leave, Luna added one more thing.
“…Call Delun for me.”
“Delun? Got it.”
“…”
After Johanna left, Luna quietly glanced down at the preserved forbidden text.
This time… perhaps the sacrifice of someone trustworthy might be necessary.
Luna maintained silence until she heard the door opening and turned her head.
“…Delun.”
