I Was Reincarnated as the Prince in a Villainess Story, so I’ll Use My Cheat Knowledge to Create a Noble Lady Harem and Make Them All Happy - 47

Chapter 47: The Eve of the Holy War

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The grand hall of the royal castle was filled with a tension greater than ever before. An emergency audience with the king had been convened. High-ranking nobles took their designated seats. At the central high seat sat King Ars, and at his right hand was the Crown Prince, Valis.

Gathered were the pillars that sustained the Kingdom of Alveria: Duke Balmuth, the martial lord commanding the northern army; Duke Rozheim, who oversaw commerce and diplomacy; Marquis Agreia, the mediator of domestic politics; and Duke Elfein, most adept in negotiations with the Church.

The heretical magic Valcode had been used in the royal capital of Beltea. The report was concise. In the royal capital of the Beltea Kingdom, the cornered populist faction had invoked the heretical magic Valcode. What manifested along with it was a high-ranking demon—Val Nostia. In the heart of the capital, a large-scale massacre had broken out, engulfing the populace.It was, quite literally, a calamity.

“Your Majesty. Faced with such devastation, we cannot simply sit idle.”

Duke Balmuth’s voice resounded through the chamber. There was not passion, but reason in his words.

“I believe we should act upon three pillars—crossing the southern border with our knights, providing immediate aid, establishing a blockade, and suppressing the chaos.”

Duke Rozheim nodded, adding his agreement.

“I too support direct intervention. Should the innocent masses flee north in great numbers, we would face grave repercussions. Disease, unrest, and the disruption of trade. With the spirit network, maintaining supply lines is feasible, and cutting off the source of the fire would serve our long-term national interest.”

They were not wrong. Both opinions were practical and logically sound. However, as Valis listened, he could not overlook one crucial point.

“Duke Balmuth, Duke Rozheim, I hold the utmost respect for the rationality of your proposals. However… Any military action that crosses sovereign borders will be remembered by other nations as precedent. If we give the impression that our kingdom ‘can cross borders at will,’ building long-term trust will become exceedingly difficult.”

His tone was calm, but his words were clear. Marquis Agreia nodded and followed up.

“First, we should focus on receiving refugees and stabilizing the surrounding areas. We must uphold a humanitarian line through spirit barriers and sanitary support. If we deploy the knights into battle, casualties will be inevitable. Preserving our elite forces is also necessary for the defense of the nation.”

Active intervention or cautious, limited support. Both stances were rooted not in emotion but in sound national strategy. And yet, something was still missing. Valis decided to present the final, critical factor.

“And one more matter. With the use of the heretical magic Valcode this time, what we must observe most closely is… The movements of the Holy Kingdom of Verdia.”

The moment that name was spoken, the air in the room grew noticeably colder.

“If the Holy Kingdom interprets this as a ‘manifestation of a divine enemy’…”

“…Then the Holy War will be declared.”

It was Duke Balmuth who muttered that in a low voice. Valis nodded, then quietly continued.

“I have heard the term Holy War before, but I do not know what it truly entails. What happens when it is invoked, or what follows. Would someone present be able to explain it?”

Then, Duke Elfein, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward.

“In that regard, it would be best to summon Milia. She spent many years studying in the Holy Kingdom and is well-versed in its doctrines and rituals.”

All present agreed, and a messenger was dispatched.

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Before long, Milia entered the hall. Her usual brightness was gone. In its place was a pale face and tightly pressed lips of tension. She stepped before the assembled nobles and, after a quiet bow, began to speak in a firm, unwavering voice.

“To the Holy Kingdom of Verdia, the heretical magic Valcode represents ‘absolute evil.’ Even if it manifests only once, even if on a small scale… The moment its presence is confirmed, the Holy Kingdom will move to enact total annihilation as a matter of national doctrine.”

Valis absorbed the weight of her words in silence. She had once been called a saint in the Holy Kingdom—walking the path of a future candidate for the papacy. For someone like her to speak in such a voice, with such a face..This was no trivial matter.

“The Holy War is a ritual spell, the deepest secret within Divine Arts—the magic of holy miracles. It is performed by the Pontiff and several dozen archbishops. Through it, even ordinary believers who have received no military training gain the skills and strength of warriors. Those already powerful become stronger still.”

There, Milia cast her eyes downward for a moment.

“…However, what is truly terrifying is its impact on the mind. Those who fall under the influence of the Holy War lose their fear of death. They no longer hesitate to kill if it serves their cause.”

The air in the chamber grew heavier still.

“When the battlefield is a city, the casualties among the local population, regardless of faith, become enormous. To those under the Holy War’s blessing, those ‘caught up with the heresy’ are not seen as victims to be saved, but as impurities to be purified.”

Valis asked quietly.

“…Will the Holy War certainly be invoked? Even if, in this case, the manifestation of the heretical magic Valcode was limited?”

Milia shook her head without hesitation.

“Yes. Once the manifestation of Valcode is confirmed, that alone is ‘enough.’ Scale is irrelevant. The Holy Kingdom will begin its preparations.”

Her words were heavy and beyond doubt. However, she continued.

“The invocation of the Holy War requires deliberation within the Papal Court, ceremonial procedures, and the gathering of the religious army. Even at the fastest pace… It would take them two months to prepare for it.”

Valis exhaled slowly. Those “two months” were their only reprieve. Then King Ars spoke.

“I will render the final decision.”

His voice was calm, yet carried an unshakable resolve.

“In light of the turmoil caused by the heretical magic Valcode in the south, and its potential impact upon our kingdom—the influx of refugees, outbreaks of disease, disruption of trade, and destabilization of our borders—Alveria shall proceed with a limited military intervention.”

A murmur rippled through the chamber, but it quickly subsided as all turned to listen.

“Furthermore, dispatch an urgent envoy to the Holy Kingdom of Verdia. Inform them of our intent to intervene militarily, and formally request the dispatch of an inspector to accompany our forces.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I shall command the army personally. Duke Balmuth, you will assist with military affairs. Marquis Agreia, oversee the coordination of the knight orders. Begin preparations at once.”

Valis felt a swell of awe and conviction at his father’s resolve. The Warrior King himself would lead the campaign. That alone was the kingdom’s greatest strength and its greatest deterrent.

Supported by Duke Balmuth, the seasoned general, and Marquis Agreia—the father of Reina and a warrior said to be second only to the king himself—the formation was flawless. Furthermore, the request for a Church inspector was a deliberate move. It demonstrated that Alveria stood with the Holy Kingdom, and to other nations, that Alveria sought no dominion over Beltea. It was a decision that balanced politics, strategy, and morality.

“Valis.”

Called by name, Valis straightened his posture.

“You shall oversee relief operations, the acceptance of refugees, and the restoration that follows our intervention. Duke Rozheim will serve as your deputy.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I humbly accept the charge.”

Then Duke Elfein stepped forward.

“As for the envoy to the Holy Kingdom, I shall take on that duty. I would like my daughter, Milia, to accompany me.”

“Very well. I entrust it to you.”

The council was adjourned. Upon the map lay blue lines for relief routes, red for blockades, and beside them—a long hourglass filled with sand enough to last two months. Time had begun to move. As the meeting ended and silence returned to the corridor, Valis walked with quiet determination, making a solemn vow within his heart.

There is much to be done. But once the decision is made, there is no room for hesitation.

“…Then let’s move. To protect everything we hold dear.”

His gaze turned firmly toward the south.

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