Chapter 3
It was not Lifrea's leaders, nor Scholz, who first sensed the "disturbance." It was the ordinary people who lived modestly from day to day.
It was the day Scholz returned to the Holy Capital after a long absence, having gone to oversee the construction of the fortress at Femas.
After finishing dinner and putting their beloved children to bed, Scholz's wife, Oren, let out a sigh and voiced her complaint.
"It feels as though goods have been disappearing from the market since summer began. And the prices, too..."
"Is that so?"
His wife's offhand remark somehow stuck with him.
"Yes. And even the vegetables for sale are a little undersized and not very good quality."
"...I'll look into it discreetly when I go to the central temple tomorrow. I might be able to find out what's causing it."
"I suppose so."
The conversation ended there, but even when it was time for bed, it remained lodged in Scholz like a tiny thorn.
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The next morning, Scholz immediately went to see Sakri.
Regardless of how the higher-ups evaluated him, Sakri was unquestionably capable. He deserved far more recognition. There was probably someone taking credit for Sakri's accomplishments.
However, Scholz had neither the means nor the obligation to call anyone out for it. Even so, he could not help feeling that something was wrong.
As he thought about this, he arrived at Sakri's private room in no time. When he called out, a voice replied, "Come in."
"Excuse me."
Only Sakri and a servant named Munaar were in the room.
"What brings you here, Scholz-dono?"
Looking at Scholz with an expressionless face, Sakri gestured for him to take a seat.
"Actually, there is something I would like your opinion on."
"The shortage of goods at the market, perhaps?"
"How did you know?"
"You only just returned to the Holy Capital yesterday, Scholz-dono. I received your report in writing yesterday, so this cannot be about Femas. I merely inferred that it must concern some change in the Holy Capital."
"...Then this will be quick. What do you think?"
"There are two reasons."
"Two?"
"First, Rudek has halted shipments. The Empire has followed suit."
"...I see. And the other?"
"The weather. I expect a poor harvest from summer into autumn."
"...I was afraid of that. Then what can we do?"
Sakri furrowed his brow ever so slightly before replying hesitantly, "I have already informed Connul-dono, but..."
Scholz could more or less predict Connul's reaction. The man was stingy and proud. He probably did not enjoy being advised by Sakri.
Quite apart from the people's welfare, with tensions running high with Rudek, a food shortage could affect military rations as well.
"Oh, Scholz-dono, could I ask you a favor?"
"What is it?"
"I would like you to advise Connul-dono as well. Since it would be coming from the Holy Knights, his reaction might be different."
"...Very well. I will speak with him as well."
What a warped country this is. Scholz sighed inwardly. Nothing moved freely through the system.
After exchanging a few more words, he left Sakri's room and headed straight for Connul's.
"What do the Holy Knights want?"
Connul received him arrogantly, and Scholz told him of his concerns about the food supply. Naturally, Scholz did not breathe a word of having heard this from Sakri. Even if he did, Connul would only take it badly.
"Hmph. You good-for-nothing freeloaders. Rest assured, I have already settled matters with Lubral. Now hurry up and defeat Rudek's weak soldiers!"
After being berated so one-sidedly, Scholz was driven from the room.
Once outside Connul's room, Scholz let out another deep sigh.
——What on earth is His Holiness thinking?——
The new Pope was an ideal clergyman. Though young, he treated everyone without distinction, regardless of rank, and extended a warm hand to those without homes.
Whenever he had time, he prayed for peace and earned the people's respect.
Scholz respected him as well. But as a ruler...
This was known only to those familiar with the inner workings of the central temple. State affairs had always been handled by the Pope's entourage, but that tendency had become particularly pronounced lately.
The previous Pope had occasionally involved himself in politics, and the Orthodox Council had kept quiet, but now the Orthodox Council was doing whatever it pleased.
The war with Rudek was the same; the previous Pope would never have allowed it.
Things might have been different if the previous Pope were still alive, but unfortunately, he had gone to be with God five years ago.
Then again, he had already been convalescing in a place with clean air because of his advanced age, so perhaps even if he had been alive, nothing could have been done.
For now, Scholz could only trust Connul's words. If matters really were settled with Lubral, there should be no need to worry too much.
There was no food.
When that fact became clear in autumn, even Scholz drew his sword and made to cut Connul down, but Eldward, shocked by this, hurriedly stopped him.