The leisurely holidays always pass quickly, and before they have time to complete all the arrangements, Salian takes Yulia and Chieko on the journey back to school. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 info Li'er stayed in Heixingen for the time being because of the chaotic relationship.

Recently, the Mars Mountains have been very unpeaceful, because the Pope has been promoting the "certificate of atonement" here, which has caused great dissatisfaction among the people, and perhaps the slightest spark may erupt into a huge repercussion. They had to carefully traverse the area, using the teleportation circle of the Westport Republic to return to August's Academy.

Since Miss Lil was no longer able to attend classes, the Advanced Space-Time Magic class was now equivalent to Professor Scottino tutoring Salian one-on-one. In Professor Marveley's politics class, New Mark also continued to learn about the new trends of thought in the world today.

One day, in Professor Marviley's office, Salian finally saw the professor's new book, On the Monarch. After a month of voracious reading every night, Salian's eyes were broadened again. He had many discussions with his professors, and Malvili was very pleased to meet such a studious aristocratic student. The famous scholar was often frustrated by not being treated well by the rulers of his city-state.

Through a period of intensive study, Salian completely abstained from the constraints of theology and ethics, understood the method of scientific research and politics, and made a qualitative leap in his understanding of the rights of the state.

Professor Marviley's central thesis is that "for the sake of a noble end, it is not necessary to care about the means employed", which Salian originally did, and now has a theoretical basis and a concrete method. Salian relates, especially when state power depends on perfect laws and strong armies, and that's what the Divine Grace Empire lacks. On the other hand, Salian, who has been loyal to the empire for generations, has a noble character and a glorious tradition, but he has a different view of the teaching that human nature is extremely egoistic. His spiritual foundation was a strong patriotism and Tutonian nationalism.

On an autumn evening, Salian hosted a dinner for Professor Marvili at his hotel on Sana Island to ask him what he thought about the current politics of the empire. Of course, it was after three rounds of wine and a beautiful woman.

"Hehe, dear Duke of New Mark, your Divine Grace Empire may seem powerful on the outside, but in fact it is extremely pitiful. There is no strong government inside, but there is a strong enemy outside. The current system is completely contrary to today's mainstream. Although the wine is in the stomach and the beauty is in the arms, the professor's thinking is still clear.

"So is there any way to reverse it?"

"The easiest and most convenient way is to rely on the existing resources of your empire, put the edifice of the empire on the two foundations of the citizens and the small lords, and rely on them to exercise the public power of the state!"

A short sentence made Sarian pause. After some thought, Salian finally formed his own idea, that is, "in the troubled times of the Divine Grace Empire, it is necessary to achieve great changes and create a new empire by fighting for the dominance of the country." ”

Seeing Salian's determined eyes, Professor Malvili was also pleased, and he continued.

"Hehe, Your Excellency, practice is the best teacher to test the truth. I was able to write this book because of the experience I have accumulated over the years of what I have seen and heard. ”

"It's true that this kind of experience is not available to everyone. Salian said with some regret.

"How can a person of Your Excellency's status not have a chance? For example, the largest city in our Western Continent, the Holy Capital, you haven't been to yet, right? It is a materialistic world, a place where the surface is bright and beautiful, but in fact it is extremely dark. ”

"Oh, Professor Malvili, don't you say I almost forgot, I happen to have something to do in the Holy Capital. On second thought, Salian could indeed make a trip to the Holy Capital to learn about the political ecology there, and by the way, make his "Soulless" Knights a legitimate organization.

"Be careful in that intertwined place, and be prepared before you go!"

"Yes, I understand. Salian replied happily.

In the days that followed, Salian invited Miss Lantony, who was familiar with Itkanlia and the Holy Capital, to give her a good introduction to the forces in the current political game of the Holy Capital.

"Your Excellency, dear duke, it's only been two months, and your heart is not satisfied with the status quo again, hehe. ”

"Time is running out, the reason why I came to study at the August Academy is to better serve the Empire, and I am leaving the Academy now for the Empire, so there is no conflict at all. "With a powerful weapon of thought, Salian will not be swayed by any external force.

"Okay, then let me give you a good introduction to the situation in the Holy Capital today. ”

Along with Salian were Chieko and Hilda, both of whom were adventurous personalities, and of course they were eager to go to the Holy Capital when they heard that Salian wanted to go to the Holy Capital.

Anyone else. Makminus still left Sebastian safest to protect Salian, and Salian left Yulia as Miss Lola's companion. Teresa insisted on living in seclusion, and even Salian could hardly see her.

Just listen to Lantony say unhurriedly.

"The current struggle for power within the Holy See has reached a fever pitch, because Pope Sixloe IV is seriously ill and has heard that his life is not long in coming. There are three people who are recognized as having a chance to run for the next pope. ”

"First, the Archbishop Armand de Péles of the Kingdom of François is the throne of Armand de Pélece, who is now living in the Holy Capital in order to become Pope. ”

"The second is the current Vice-Chancellor of the Holy See, Alex Borhafa, who was born in the Church on the Murasen Peninsula, has an archdiocese in Castia, and is a distant relative of Her Majesty Lydia. ”

"The third is the figure of the family of the local consuls of the Holy Capital, Cardinal Guido Foyaza, who is the head of the Holy Capital and has great power. ”

"Then, dear Miss Lantony, if I want to make my Order legitimate, I must bet on the right treasure, that is, to establish relations with the next Pope. Which of these three has the highest chance of being elected?"

"In terms of connections, Guido Foaza is the wealthy Alex Borja in terms of money, and Armand de Price is in terms of status. ”

"Each has its own merits, it seems that you are also very concerned about the Holy Capital!"

"Of course, it is also about the business of Mullasen and our family, and we must keep abreast of the dynamics of the Holy See. I've also put together a list of their details and pros and cons for you to take a look at. Although I myself am more inclined to Alex Borhafa. ”

In this way, after only two months in the academy, Salian left Sana once again with Chieko and Hilda. Salian also had a large bill of exchange borrowed from Miss Lantony and Miss Lola, and the collateral was his own Heshingen Castle, which of course could not shake the foundation of the election, but it should still be possible to fish in troubled waters.

The transportation from Sana to the Holy Capital was very easy, and on the morning of the third day of departure, Salian woke up from a dream of hugging left and right, and saw the shadow of the outer harbor of the Holy Capital through the window of the passenger ship's room.

"We're here, Chieko, Sylda, I'm a mercenary from now on, be careful not to reveal your identity, none of the Itkanians here are reliable. ”

The Holy See's holy capital, located on a slightly raised plateau in the central plain of Itcanlia, close to the mouth of the Tibo River, was one of the only two cities in the Western continent with a population of more than one million at that time, and the other was the old capital of the ancient empire at the easternmost point of the Western continent, "Severus".

"His Majesty Pope Sixlow IV now lives in the city's 'Castle of Light', and since he is terminally ill, we need not go to see him, just pay attention to the most promising successors. ”

"In addition to the three candidates mentioned by Lantony, there should be some dark horses, right?!"

Miss Chieko, who grew up in the centralized court of the East since she was a child, knows this kind of palace fighting farce all too well, and perhaps the most unfavored prince can become the next emperor.

"Hehe, so we're going to find first-hand information. ”

"Hilda, who is your organization's commissioner in the Holy Capital?"

"Oops, let me think about it...... Haha, I remember, it's Cezela. She was personally assigned by Judith. Said to be the most suitable person. ”

"Ah, it's the 'Dream Weaver Witch', that's great, I value this girl very much, take us to her. I don't think you even remember the contact code, do you?"

"Hehe, how is it possible, I'm very concerned about my organization, I've been running around for the whole summer, Dad!" the Black Dragon Girl retorted firmly.

However, she did not disappoint Salian, and when they knocked on the twentieth black wooden door at midnight, the three of them finally found Cezella, which was much faster than the day and night that the Duke of New Mark had expected.

"Hehe, I really didn't expect you to come here, Your Excellency, this mask of yours is really ingenious, I have always been known as the witch who is the best at observing words and feelings, and I can't even see through it. ”

"Oh, dear Miss Cezella, please keep this little secret. ”

"Of course, I'm the witch with the most secrets!Your Excellency must have some special purpose for coming here at this time, right?!"

"Yes, I want to see who will become the next Pope, and it is best to have a good relationship with this person before he takes the throne, you know that I am semi-hostile to the 'Evangelical Society of Salvation' as Duke of New Mark, and it would be good for you if I could reverse this situation. ”

"Well, your idea is wise, and indeed the safer you are, the safer we are. ”

"Miss Judith has placed you here to monitor the Holy See's every move, right?!"

"Yes, because I have the strongest intelligence detection ability, and now there is a crazy power struggle going on in the Holy Capital City, countless gold coins and territories are changing hands every day, and the ugliest exchange of interests is being staged in the so-called purest 'Holy Light Castle'. ”

The "Dream Weaver Witch" Sizella, who is good at spiritual magic and illusion magic, and has also obtained the true transmission of Itkanlia's swordsmanship, is indeed a rare spy master.

"Before I came, I heard that there are three people who are the most likely to become the next pope. ”

"Yes, but according to the latest information I know, there are only two people who are the most promising, Cardinal Price of François and Lieutenant Justice Borja. Cardinal Guido Foazza has withdrawn from the race because of the numerous scandals that have been exposed. ”

"Oh, that's great, our goal is a little simpler. Salian's heart lightened slightly.

"However, the remaining two guys are the most scheming, sinister and vicious people, and neither of them is easy to deal with!"

"Haha, that's what I'm here to learn, dear Cezela. ”