Chapter 31: Turmoil in the Roman Empire, and the Present State of Affairs

As Priscilla led the imperial knights and departed from the scene of the peasant uprising in the central territory to return to the capital and report, they left behind a trail of numerous corpses and heads counted in baskets. The instigators of the revolt were all central territory farmers, armed with sickles and wooden spikes, shouting demands like, “We want bread, we want work,” while using their villages as bases to attack traveling merchants and the inhabitants of other towns.

Priscilla had just returned to the capital to deliver her report. Under the command of Prince Garson, she was tasked with swiftly resolving this minor rebellion. A mission she accepted and completed with remarkable efficiency.

She cast a spell of night magic that plunged the entire area into darkness not even lanterns could penetrate. Then, she teleported her knights, enhanced with night vision, directly into the center of the village. They ravaged the entire village as effortlessly as one would trample wildflowers at the roadside. The 700-plus households were all slaughtered in the village square, and in their homes, Priscilla found numerous atonement scripts issued by the Diocese.

Perhaps these were the people who had been swayed by those atonement scripts.

Priscilla let out a deep sigh, walking along the cracked stone road, leaning on her staff. It was at this moment that Knight Robert, who was accompanying her, muttered, “When they were rallying earlier, they even shouted slogans demanding the abdication of the Empress in favor of the Regent’s ascension to the throne.”

“Uh…” 

Since the day the speechless little Empress had ordered resources to be diverted to Dreke Port, the people from the central region had begun to harbor resentment towards the Empress.

“Dethroning the Empress” was their rallying cry, while “longing for the Regent’s return” was their fervent hope.

This was somewhat ironic. Just last month, these same people had been grumbling about the various facilities Yang Hao had left behind, and now they were yearning for his return.

Priscilla found herself torn between laughter and tears. She could only sigh again, feeling more troubled by the actions of the Church than this turn of events.

“They’re actually planning to act against the Elven Forest. What exactly are they up to?”

“It’s all about profit. The Elven Kingdom is rich in resources, and more importantly, it’s Harvest Day.”

“Harvest Day… Are they really willing to sacrifice their followers’ lives just to protect that sum of money? To wage war against the elves?”

Priscilla was taken aback. She couldn’t quite grasp the religious leaders’ logic. In her view, the Church of Light’s followers should be a valuable asset to Archbishop Peter. Even if it was for the sake of money, they shouldn’t be treated like trash and thrown against the elves, should they?

Confronted with Priscilla’s astonishment, Knight Robert pondered for a long while before giving a definitive answer.

“The Roman Empire currently has an excess of people, to the extent that many peasants have been abandoned. These people, forsaken by the Empire, the military, the nobility, and the landlords, are left with only two options. Either revolt or turn to the Church as followers. In a sense, the Church doesn’t lack followers. What they need are priests with divine power, not just ordinary believers.”

“I see. So our only hope is either that the elves give the Church a hard time, or that the Church manages to conquer the Elven Forest? Which do you think is more likely?”

“I’d say the latter is a bit more likely.”

“Why? Aren’t the elves a formidable race?” asked the witch.

Knight Robert shook his head, his gaze fixed on the capital city drawing closer. Drawing on his years of military experience, he offered his thoughts.

“True, every elf is an expert archer, able to hit a target a hundred steps away, and their magical strength is indeed powerful. However, the issue with the elves is their alarmingly small population. If our Roman Empire has so many people that we need to thin the numbers to alleviate food shortages, the elves have so few that they can only protect their own small territories. Their longevity is excessively long, often spanning centuries. They don’t have the same need for offspring to inherit their estates or to provide support as humans do. Their population is growing at an incredibly slow rate. And the Church certainly isn’t lacking in people. Factor in the temporary bravery induced by narcotics, along with the Church of Light’s divine magic ideally suited for trench warfare, and it’s difficult to predict whether the elves can withstand the relentless advance of a human wave tactic.”

Knight Robert understood the elves to be a race marked by longevity but plagued by an extremely limited population.

Humans could double their numbers in twenty years.

Elves, on the other hand, would only see a slight increase in their population over the same period.

Each elf was a formidable warrior, a powerful mage, a masterful artisan, an unmatched scholar, and a seer. However, their critical lack of numbers was a glaring weakness.

The adage ‘enough blind blows can fell a master’ held. What more of those frenzied, narcotic-fueled zealots of the Church?

If the Church could indeed advance its bloody human wall deep into the Elven Forest and entrench itself with priests and bishops, it wasn’t inconceivable that the elves might be driven to the brink of mass migration.

The crucial question, however, was whether the Church could genuinely advance that deep into the Elven Forest.

Knight Robert recalled the fate of Kagard County – in the aftermath of that ordeal, the entire county was nearly devoid of fighting men.

With the Regent likely headed to the Elven Kingdom, could the Church truly make significant inroads into the Elven Forest?

He shook his head, internally raising the odds of the Church suffering a harsh defeat.

***

Meanwhile, at Dreke Port within the Roman Empire which was under military jurisdiction, the residents displayed a vigor and affluence distinct from those in the central region of the Empire.

“Thanks to the Empress.”

This was a common phrase of gratitude from nearly every citizen after a satisfying meal. Dreke could be described as the wealthiest city outside of the capital. It was not only the Empire’s sole port open to international trade but also a vital military camp for training the elite units of the military district.

The city’s affluence, might, and loyalty to the Empress drew countless foreign merchant ships. These ships brought substantial wealth and carried away stockpiled goods but failed to deliver the one crucial thing the Roman Empire desperately needed: food.

This shortfall subtly agitated General Dreycar, usually a picture of stoic calm.

The city’s prosperity was only temporary, after all. The internal food supplies could sustain Dreke’s prosperity for merely another half-year. If the port couldn’t attract significant trade fleets from Isugard and secure grain purchases under the pretense of brewing, then the city would soon be doomed to decay.

‘Cursed drought!’ General Dreycar inwardly cursed. 

However, as he brooded, his anger shifted from the drought to the commoners and eventually settled on the absent Regent, whose whereabouts remained unknown.

If the Regent hadn’t fled and decided not to return, would the Roman Empire have found itself in this predicament?!

‘Cursed drought! Cursed commoners! Cursed Regent!’

Yet, despite his rage, General Dreycar managed to maintain his composure, solemnly opening a letter sent by Prince Garson from the royal court.

In the letter, Prince Garson conveyed the immense pressure he was facing.

He was compelled to label part of the compensation money from the Church as a loan and distribute it to the nobles who supported him. In exchange, he demanded they release grain from their storehouses to alleviate the crisis.

Yet even this measure would only momentarily appease the discontented commoners.

Should Dreke Port continue to struggle to acquire substantial food supplies, peasant revolts would likely soon erupt in the central region.

“Simple peasant uprisings can be suppressed, reducing the number of mouths to feed. But should foreign empires across the sea take notice… that would spell real trouble.”

General Dreycar reflected on this, gesturing for his attendant to come in.

He had to intensify the security at Dreke Port, employing every means to prevent foreign merchants from departing and seeing the central region’s plight.

What Dreycar and Prince Garson hadn’t considered was that Isugard had already been planning to build their own secret port on the continent of Elusia.

So what use was it to merely blockade Dreke Port? 

Without deploying cavalry to search the coastlines for suspicious landings, their efforts were akin to an ostrich burying its head in the sand.

If Yang Hao were here, he would probably be laughing so hard he’d cry.

Regrettably, he was now in the Monster Forest.

Thanks to Teresa’s Serenity spell, he could finally interact normally with Narujia and the others.

This gathering marked the first real assembly of this small team. During their modest night-time gathering around the campfire, everyone sat encircled by the flames. Teresa, asserting her presence, unhesitatingly seated herself on Yang Hao’s lap, as if staking her claim.

‘Aside from her attire and appearance, she doesn’t at all act the part of a nun,’ was a thought that crossed Doctor Joseph’s mind, only to be interrupted by his wife’s sharp pinch to his abdomen, bringing him close to tears.

As Joseph exchanged playful looks with his wife, Teresa, comfortably nestled on Yang Hao’s lap and wrapped in his arms, began with a smile. 

“In any case, we are nearing the Elven Forest. To ensure we don’t give our long-eared forest hosts a bad impression, I’d like to share some information about the elves with everyone,” said the nun.

This was important, so she requested everyone’s earnest attention. They all sat up straight, understanding the significance of the Elven Forest as a pivotal point in their new lives.

With everyone’s undivided attention, Teresa earnestly began her detailed exposition on the elves.

‘She seems to know quite a bit,’ thought Yang Hao, listening attentively with her seated on his lap.

Teresa’s knowledge of the elves was incredibly extensive.

From the ancient human empire Bayerzost’s brotherly covenant with the elves, to the elves’ population structure, customs, preferences, and trade inclinations. Teresa’s insight into elven culture and society was so profound, that it surpassed even the most erudite and seasoned diplomats of the Roman Empire.

Yang Hao thought to himself, ‘She’s certainly not just an ordinary nun.’

At that moment, perhaps getting carried away, the little nun finished her explanation of the essential rules for interacting with elves and began discussing the city of Saint Petersburg, the headquarters of the Church.

“Saint Petersburg is believed to have been a religious city in the south before the Bayerzost Empire sank into the ground. Perhaps it was the grandeur of its construction, or maybe because its residents perished alongside the invading magical beasts during the disaster. Whatever the reason, after sinking more than forty layers underground, Saint Petersburg’s descent stopped. It might be the only remaining surface relic of the once mighty Bayerzost Empire. But the thought of such a place being desecrated by the fanatics of the Church of Light… it almost makes me feel sick.”

Teresa playfully acted out a nauseous expression, then slightly adjusted her position as if feeling uncomfortable. She shifted a bit and leaned her entire body against Yang Hao.

“So, in a sense, the Church’s ability to attract followers with such a grand city is partly because they’ve taken over the ruins of an ancient empire, right? If they had to start from nothing, they wouldn’t be able to draw in nearly as many followers and capable individuals as they do now. But that’s a digression. What we really need to concentrate on are the following important issues,” said Yang Hao.

“First of all, we need to settle in the Elven Kingdom. Whether it’s Narujia or Dr. Joseph, I’m sure you’ve had enough of a nomadic life… What? It’s just me complaining? You’ve gotten used to it? Well, regardless, we need to make a home in the Elven Kingdom. I haven’t gone shopping in months! So, that’s decided then. Secondly, there’s the issue of the injured members of the Ling tribe. Limb regeneration magic is a unique healing spell of the elves. If all goes as planned, your antlers should be able to grow back. However, this will probably cost a significant amount of money. So, our most critical issue, once we safely enter the Elven Kingdom and obtain permission to stay, will be figuring out how to find employment. And thirdly, my man’s identity is… somewhat special. We never know when the elves might suddenly show up. So, um, we all need to be prepared. What kind of preparation? Don’t ask me, I’m just a nun. I have no clue. Just be ready for anything.”

Teresa rambled on, her speech culminating in a statement that left everyone with bittersweet smiles.

Yang Hao felt a bit helpless. Indeed, his identity was quite unique to the elves. 

All he could do was hope the elves would show some leniency. It would be much better not to face too many difficulties due to his special status.