The treasury was a mess, but it was quickly sorted out as Mors brought soldiers down from the surface. Isaac had ordered them not to approach, but with the king descending too, they couldnt just stand by when an earthquake struck.

Fortunately, they arrived after the situation had ended, and saw nothing.

If only Edelred and Rosalind keep their mouths shut.

Isaac reflected on his fight. The decisive battle with the green knight was wrapped in hues, likely unseen, but what bothered him was transforming his hand to shatter the space for judgment.

Both seemed out of their minds, but one could never be sure.

And there was another person who posed a problem.

Have you found Sir Cedric?

No

Hesabel responded in a disheartened tone. After the battle, Hesabel had tried to completely subdue him, but lost track of him as the ceiling collapsed during Isaac and the green knights fight. Isaac hadnt been concerned, thinking it would be difficult for Hesabel to overpower Cedric unless he killed him.

Instead, there was writing left in blood on the floor.

Writing?

Isaac looked where Hesabel pointed. The words written in spilled blood seemed like a grim warning.

See you again?

Does it mean he seeks revenge?

Isaac thought it likely, but considering Cedrics attitude, there was a chance it might be directed at Hesabel instead.

It was an unnecessary thought, but Isaac decided to find a way to tame this swordmaster when they met again.

Excluding those already affiliated or deranged, Cedric was the only free swordmaster worth keeping. There would be no need for more swordmasters on the island of Saltain.

Isaac watched as Edelred and Rosalind were carried out.

***

I intend to grant autonomy to Saltain.

Edelred spoke to his courtiers from his bed. The nobles, including Mors, stirred, but Isaac remained silent.

It was the speech he had anticipated. In fact, it was his suggestion.

Saltain and the Kingdom of Elil shared the same language and faith, but being a remote rocky island, it naturally developed a distinct culture and history. Especially after the massacre a few years ago, a straightforward merger was not feasible.

Thus, Isaac proposed a form of peace never seen before in the Kingdom of Elil.

Your Majesty, granting autonomy to Saltain might send the wrong message to the rebels

Thats why I intend to grant it to them as well.

Edelred scanned his courtiers as he continued.

From now on, the Kingdom of Elil will become a confederation.

The Elil Confederation.

Although it sounded contrary to Isaacs suggestions of strong royal authority, controlling the military and religious sectors would suffice for integration. It wasnt ideal, but maintaining the Elil faith while forging peace was the only viable solution.

The king of Elil would be recognized as the agent of Elil, and knights would be loyal only to the king. Autonomous regions would preserve their own cultures and systems.

However, this system was not without flaws.

In the Kingdom of Elil, nobles were likely to be the strongest knights in their areas. Under circumstances where knights and nobles could not be distinctly separated, this system also meant all nobles must be unconditionally loyal to the king.

Naturally, nobles would be displeased.

It contravened the foundational Elil belief that the strong decide everything. If the king failed to maintain charisma, the entire structure would instantly collapse, leading to another war.

Thus, Isaac proposed the Confederation as a bait, essentially changing the logic from the strong decide everything to the king decides everything. The king had to be the absolute ruler, the dictator, the prophet of God, and the state itself. Meanwhile, the nobles in the confederation would suckle on the sweet honey of absolute royal power while maintaining their autonomy.

This could be seen as the birth of a nation-state system ranging from medieval absolute monarchy to fascism.

For Isaac, a modern person, it was not a beautiful country. However, it was the best solution fitting the level of Elil believers.

But there is no perfect paradise anywhere.

Choosing the best method right now was Isaacs proposed approach.

In a world ruled by angels and gods, democracy is nothing but nonsense that belongs in the Salt Council

Edelreds words had a significant impact on the nobles. Unlike Elils logic where the strong possess everything, his words seemed weak. However, the nobles felt relief on one side of their reason.

Is the kingdoms civil war finally ending?

They were as exhausted by the prolonged civil war and conflict as anyone. They couldnt keep playing a game of subtleties forever. Civil war not only endangered lives but also hindered overall exchange, growth, and development.

Then Mors spoke up.

Your Majesty, does this mean youll also stop the war with Georg?

Lianne stood out among other rebels and separatists. She was strong enough to threaten Aldeons position and had significant popular support. She was in a position potent enough to aim for the throne of Elil, and there was a high chance she would not accept the proposal.

We have to make the proposal first. But if I need to show the dignity of a king, I will not hesitate.

The nobles were relieved by Edelreds straightforward words.

It seems we cannot avoid a civil war with Georg after all

Isaac thought bitterly.

Edelred would need to reclaim the Holy Land of Elion to be recognized as the respected Agent of Elil. While Aldeon could be the center of politics and economy, the stature of Elion was entirely different.

Above all, there was a need to receive the oracles that had been interrupted for over a hundred years.

Edelred needed to become the master of the Holy Land. To achieve this, the Georg family would have to relinquish their role as guardians of the Holy Land. A civil war was inevitable. Fortunately, it was somewhat relieving that Rosalind Saltain had chosen a cooperation-like neutrality.

Whatever emotional change she had undergone underground, Rosalind no longer seemed to bear any hostility towards Edelred. The visage of the old woman who had let everything go now appeared like that of an ordinary noblewoman.

Edelred himself seemed to have undergone a significant transformation underground. Now, he displayed a distinct dignity, as if he had evolved from a boy to a king. The near-death experience, witnessing an angel at close quarters, and experiences of compassion and forgiveness had transformed him.

Now, he does resemble the King of Elil a bit.

Ill explain the details later.

Edelred said, sitting up in bed and looking at Isaac.

Holy Grail Knight, please stay a while longer. I have something to discuss.

***

TL Notes