Arc-6 Ch-14

 Tea leaves scooped from glass jar into small teapot. Kettle water heats gradually—faint sounds, steam. Looks like calm afternoon tea, but topic perilous. I’m tense; chancellor deftly, cheerfully preps tea. As disguised academy teacher, he taught etiquette.

Royals born served—nay, beings.

High nobles live without cooking, laundry, cleaning. Royal brewing tea for guest—frown-worthy. Perhaps escaped such rigidity by abdicating.

“Brewing bulk seems efficient. But taste-wise, poor. Wrong water alters extraction; time degrades. Fresh, right temp and amount—ultimate luxury.”

Boiling water pours; heated leaves release aroma tickling nose. But drinking now would be unmannerly—and scalding. Wait hundreds seconds for steaming extraction— only then rich flavor and aroma emerges.

Chancellor lids pot, approaches bookshelf—no cheer now. Pulls books, places on table, sits—academy textbooks.

“Mrs. Bartfort, you want Holfort’s dark truth. But again: ready?”

“Yes, resolve unchanged.”

“Not just about you or Mr. Bartfort. Children, grandchildren. Bartfort name drags into kingdom chaos. With Ignorance: peaceful frontier life possible.”

“Too late. Royal-ducal strife since—or Prince Julius breakup. I’m power struggle player. If I was meek, post-breakup I’d enter temple, sever worldly ties.”

“…Don’t want stress pregnant lady. Resolve clear. But tea first.”

White porcelain cup with ornate strainer; pot pours full. White cup, reddish-brown tea—beautiful contrast. Plain vessel calms ironically.

“Safe for pregnancy. Not premium, but proper brew decent. First cup: no sugar or milk.”

I Sip the fresh tea slowly. Throat heat, leaf aroma—feels permeating, nourishing.

Truly non-luxury leaves?

Temp, strength, scent rival royal best. Chancellor smiles sensing awe; cup empty.

“Refill. Add sugar and milk as you like. Matching sweets are ready.”

“No need. Please continue to business.”

“…Fine. First: this is my info personal research , you can even call it hearsay—speculation. Truth may differ.”

“Even chancellor unsure?”

“Truth known to successive kings, temple tops, parties. Many records purged; abdicated me lost access. Queen too is unaware.”

“Lady Mylene is ignorant? Kingdom barely holds by her efforts.”

“She is brilliant, but ultimately Leopart-born. King planned escape her with princess Erica there , in case of ducal war. And risk foreign intervention.”

“Why me?”

“Native, Redgrave-born. Branch of Holfort—your right.”

Why such secrecy?

Bad, but curiosity endless. Chancellor reboils; rude, but urge topic. Teased in kingdom origins talk—torture.

“I will begin. Mrs. Bartfort, do you know about Leah Bartfort?”

“…No.”

Bartfort surname—related to Leon surely.

No title—non-noble.

Bartfort baronage from Leon’s grandfather; before quasi-baron, knight/near-commoner eras.

No branches; direct: father-in-law, Leon/siblings.

Although Leon’s viscountcy drew fake kin swarm.

I know some; but no Leah.

“No such person in Bartfort family. Mistake?”

“No. Leah Bartfort—Holfort’s dark sin symbol.”

Chancellor opens history text; page illustrates six solemnly. Five men, one woman in splendor.

Founding epic; prior pages poetic chaos era.

“I Know the founding story well.”

“Continent: clans small nations, endless war. Six adventurers arrived: Holfort, Marmoria, Field, Seberg, Arclight, Anne. God-guided, quelled chaos. Leader Holfort king; Anne temple saintess. Nation renamed Holfort—present.”

Queen-training drilled; recite blind.

Names aside, common knowledge.

“Yes, known six. Virtuous, strong, wise, blessed—founded nation.”

“But truth hidden? Maybe not heroes?”

　A well-behaved adventurer is truly an impossible existence.

　The Kingdom of Holfart was founded by adventurers, and as such, rights are recognized through a guild system and laws.

　However, in other countries it was considered a lowly profession and was despised as something akin to a criminal.

　It is an unpopular job, just like being a low-ranking soldier, as it is only for thugs who cannot get a regular job and can only rely on physical strength.

　However, it was ironic that the spirit of valuing adventurers was one of the reasons why the Kingdom of Holfart boasted military might superior to other countries.

“Not virtuous. Grave-robbing, looting, extortion, smuggling—most crimes.”

“Public truth: royal thief descendants slander.”

“But history fudging common. Not royal terror.”

Most Holfort noble ancestors adventurers. Rude grave-robbers offered treasures for status/land.

Beautify looting as tales, worship ancestors—normal. War-merit nobles like Leon are rare.

But real truth: ignored by nobles

"One of the reasons they were able to establish a country was because they were excellent adventurers. As you can see from the royal ship, they were skilled in finding and manipulating several lost items. The reason why a group of less than ten outsiders were able to compete against a small country was because they possessed the military strength to overcome the difference in numbers, and another reason was the existence of Ann."

"The first Saint?"

"She was an excellent adventurer and user of healing magic. Records show that her powers were so powerful that she could even heal the wounds of those on the brink of death. She actively healed people. One time she cured an ill wealthy man and received a large sum of money for his treatment, and another time she helped an injured soldier and took him under her command. The adventurers gathered their forces, and the saint controlled the hearts of the people. By repeating these actions, they became a major force on this continent, accumulating enough power to compete with smaller countries."

“I see. That’s a clever strategy."

Using Lost Items to achieve tremendous victories with a small force, while showcasing mercy through the Saintess’s healing.

Thus, this group of adventurers gained enough power and status to aim for hegemony over the continent.

Indeed, if those who harbor illusions about the royal family or the Saintess were to learn this truth, it would be shocking.

But even if this level of truth were to spread, it’s far from enough to shake the Holfort Kingdom’s dominion.

'‘There were those who made contact with them. A group that worshiped a god. At the time, just as clans fought as nations, religious conflicts were equally fierce.’'

'‘The kingdom remains a polytheistic nation even now. The fact that different gods are worshiped on each floating island is a remnant of that culture.’'

'‘Let me continue. Religious groups would ally with small nations for protection, while in return, they used their teachings to unify the people’s hearts and secure legitimacy for governance. It was an era where such alliances between small nations and religious groups were convenient. The Founding Ancestors were no exception.’'

The history of the temple has been passed down to this day, but the records notably increase around the time the Holfort Kingdom rose to power. For those secretly connected behind the scenes, their mutual existence must have been quite convenient.

Not only the royal family but also the dark underbelly of the temple were involved. Despite being in the warm principal’s office, a cold sweat runs down my back.

'‘The religious group set their sights on Anne, who was adored by the people. As someone who healed the sick and wounded, she enjoyed immense support from the masses. They created the new position of Saintess as a symbol of their organization, proclaiming her as the agent of the god they worshiped. The religious group became the temple, and Anne was appointed as the first Saintess. Even her personal belongings were treated as sacred relics, symbols of the Saintess. That’s how popular she must have been at the time.’'

'‘Hold on. I’ve heard that the Saintess’s Three Sacred Treasures are sacred items of venerable tradition passed down by the temple.’'

'‘Unfortunately, they are nothing more than traditions fabricated by the temple. The Saintess Anne, who was supported by the people, gave the Founding Ancestors a justification for their rule. The Ancestors, in turn, falsely claimed to act on divine will, sapping their enemies’ will to fight and expanding their sphere of influence without bloodshed. Doesn’t it sound familiar?’'

I don’t ask, *What do you mean?* I can’t.

There are too many connections.

Saintess Anne, who healed people and won their hearts. Saintess Olivia, who heals people, protects the nation, and commands overwhelming support.

And the temple that uses the Saintess—just like a mirror, perfectly symmetrical.

This darkness has existed since the founding of the Holfort Kingdom, and it continues even now.

'‘As the nation began to take shape, someone raised an objection to the Founding Ancestors. Leah Bartfort. The lost seventh Founding Ancestor.’'

'‘What!?’'

The unexpected name forces a gasp from me.

Leon’s—the Bartfort family’s—ancestor was one of the Founding Ancestors who built the Holfort Kingdom?

Impossible. It can’t be. Even as I think this, I frantically piece together every memory of Leon from the day we met until now.

I’ve heard this before. Lyon mentioned it once.

"They say the Bartfort family’s ancestor was a companion of the first king. Nobody in the family believes it, though—it’s just a tall tale.’"

A casual conversation with Leon from some time ago, about the distant ancestor of the Bartfort family. It’s common for newly risen nobles, whose history is shallow and who’ve even forgotten their great-grandfather’s name, to embellish their lineage for prestige. 

I had assumed the Bartfalt family was no different and dismissed it, cursing my own carelessness.

The truth was already in front of me. My prejudices and assumptions had simply clouded my eyes.

'‘…My husband mentioned it vaguely once.’'

'Mr. Bartfort did?"

''He said there was a family legend that the Bartfort ancestor was a companion of the Founding Ancestors. When I heard it, I thought it was just a joke or an attempt to inflate their status.’'

'‘…Your judgment was likely correct. It’s fortunate that, being in the frontier, it didn’t attract much attention. If someone of Bartfort blood had made such a claim in the capital, they wouldn’t have enough lives to survive.’''

'‘What kind of person was Leah Bartfort?’'

The Prime Minister pours me more tea and hands it over. I take a sip, but I can’t taste it.

No, my tongue registers the tea as delicious, but my brain has lost the capacity to process flavor.

I’m too absorbed in the Prime Minister’s words to savor the fine tea.

‘'The information on Leah Bartfalt is clearly censored, even in documents accessible only to royalty. Some describe him as a cunning man, others as someone who loved peace—his character is vague. There are even records painting him as a wicked tyrant, likely to solidify the legitimacy of the Founding Ancestors. His existence must have been that inconvenient for the royal family. What is certain is that he was an exceptional adventurer and held a leadership role among the Founding Ancestors. He opposed them and was exiled. And that the one who should have become king of this nation was Leah Bartfort.’'

‘'A leader, yet stripped of his position. For what reason?’'

'‘This is as far as I could uncover. The truth is a secret passed down to each king upon inheriting the throne. It could have been a dispute over shares, the Founding Ancestors harboring rebellious intentions, or Leah condemning their immoral acts. Any number of speculations are possible. But one fact remains: the Bartfort bloodline persists, meaning Leah was not killed—or he successfully escaped. The one who took the throne was the first Holfort king. He gained the throne but bore the sin of usurpation, and the royal family has lived in fear that the truth would one day surface and Leah's descendants would seek revenge.’'

‘'Did my father… Duke Redgrave know this truth?’'

‘'Likely, yes. No matter how many military achievements Mr. Bartfort racked up, it’s hard to imagine the duke would marry his daughter, a lady of a ducal house, to a viscount without some other motive.’'

So this is the darkness the Holfort royal family harbors. Betraying their leader, usurping his position, and ruling as sovereigns.

It’s certainly a scandal, one that could taint the legitimacy of the monarchy.

At the same time, I can vaguely understand my father’s intentions.

What my father desired wasn’t Leon’s abilities. It was the legitimate claim to the throne carried by his bloodline.

The realization that my father harbored such vile calculations makes bile rise in my throat.

Even after my engagement to His Highness Julius was broken and I was despondent, my father and brother’s affection for me was genuine.

But to know that behind their kindness lay such sinister scheming fills me with irritation. If that was the case, it would have been far better if they had just told me from the start.

It’s a political marriage, yes, but I love Leon from the bottom of my heart. To have that love exploited leaves a sour taste.

But even if Leon carries Leah Bartfort’s blood, would that be enough to serve as a cause to overthrow the Holfort royal family?

Leon is certainly an exceptional young man. His cunning and leadership in battle are extraordinary.

Yet it’s also true that there are those in the Holfort Kingdom who surpass him, and the royal family has governed the nation for ages.

No matter how much the Bartfort family claims the throne’s legitimacy, a frontier upstart could never ascend to it.

Even if there was conspiracy in the nation’s founding, it’s too flimsy a reason to topple the Holfort royal family and its rule.

‘'I understand my father’s intentions. But claiming the throne must be yielded because of Lia Bartfort’s bloodline is absurd. My husband harbors no rebellious intent toward the royal family, and even if he claimed to be the true royal line, legitimacy wouldn’t hold. Pardon my bluntness, but aren’t you overthinking this?’'

‘'Indeed, the Bartfort blood alone is insufficient. But what if there were someone who could guarantee that legitimacy?’'

‘Such a person exists?’'

‘'It’s the first Saintess, Anne—and the current Saintess, Miss Olivia.’'

The Prime Minister’s face twists, wearing the expression of someone who has made a grave mistake. Indeed, as the academy’s principal, he allowed Olivia, a special scholarship student, to enroll in the upper class.

But would that alone make a usurpation of the throne possible?

'‘Let me return to the story. After exiling Leah, the Founding Ancestors tried to build the nation’s system as they saw fit. But just then, a great obstacle appeared.’'

'‘Did a coalition of other small nations attack? Or perhaps a plague or famine?’'

'‘A far greater threat. The temple’s Saintess, Anne, began to denounce the sins of the Founding Ancestors.’'

I almost think, 'Is that all?'—but then I stop myself. The founding ancestors secured the legitimacy of their actions through the temple.

It was precisely because they had obtained the righteous cause from the first Saintess Anne, who was the agent of the god they worshipped, that their deeds were justified.

But what if that same Saintess were to condemn their actions and treat them as sinners?

They would fall from the leaders of the nation to criminals in an instant; if mishandled, civil war might even break out.

"Why did such a situation come about?"

"That, too, remains unclear—no, rather there are too many possible reasons. To begin with, Anne was not a person of pure and innocent character. On the contrary, she possessed the fiery temperament befitting a female adventurer. She was dissatisfied with being forcibly installed as Saintess. She felt a sense of crisis that she would be the next to be banished after Leah. She found it unpleasant to be made a religious figure rather than a ruler of the country. There are even somewhat sentimental and rare theories that Leah and Anne were lovers. In any case, the records concerning Anne, just like those of Leah, have many missing portions."

From the perspective of the founding ancestors, they likely intended to eliminate the troublesome leader who stood in their way and thereafter build the nation exactly as they pleased.

Yet ironically, they ended up having the fangs turned against them by Anne, the very woman they had appointed as Saintess solely to secure their own righteous cause.

Saintess Anne, chosen by god and acting as god's agent—precisely because she represented the will of god were their actions justified.

And now that very blade was turning back to wound their own bodies. Should they oppose Saintess Anne, everything they had done until now would be utterly denied.

"As a result, Anne abandoned her position as Saintess and vanished. Her whereabouts remain unknown. There are tales among the common folk that she took her own life to admonish her companions' actions, or that she lived on for the sake of the people, but the truth remains shrouded in mystery. Of the sacred relics that the temple certified as belonging to the Saintess—the Saintess's staff, the holy necklace, and the holy bracelet—the latter two scattered and their existence remained unknown until recent years. Because of the actions of the founding ancestors, this country harbors a great contradiction."

They banished a leader exceptionally gifted in ability, and the Saintess who granted them righteous cause disappeared.

Should such people be entrusted with the nation?

Most would answer no.

A ruthless person who senses danger to their life will be overthrown from below by their subordinates; one who lacks righteous cause will be deserted because of their deeds.

The Holfort Kingdom—this country was stained with original sin and falsehood from the very beginning.

This is the truth that the royal family desperately concealed, the true face of the kingdom as it is.

"The founding ancestors and the temple installed Anne's younger sister Mary as the new Saintess. The current foundation of the temple was built by the second-generation Saintess, Mary. The fact that Anne went missing and the sacred relics were scattered was convenient for the temple. The Saintess is certified not by bloodline but by the temple—if so, they need only appoint as Saintess a woman who would be a puppet convenient for the temple. Because the sacred relics are incomplete, she cannot be treated as a complete Saintess; no matter how loudly the Saintess herself raises her voice, real authority remains in the hands of the temple, and she cannot interfere. The royal family has the temple guarantee the legitimacy of the throne, and in return the royal family pays large donations to the temple, warming the pockets of the priests. A situation convenient for both sides was established and continued for a long time."

"...It is rotten."

"Indeed. Though they say it is to maintain the country, to live without ever facing the original sin—it is truly difficult for correct things to be done in a country with such a distorted origin. The current state of the kingdom makes that clear."

"Is that why you told me this story—because the ducal house not only inherits the blood of the royal family, but also the blood of the second-generation Saintess Mary?"

"If the child of a sinner were unconditionally treated as a sinner, then no one in this world would be without sin. Even I am a minor member of the royal family, so it may sound like an excuse. Yet these are my true feelings, without falsehood."

The prime minister's words were sincere.

It seemed he too harbored regret and indignation toward the deeds of his ancestors, in his own way. I also have thoughts regarding my own ancestors.

For the current Holfort Kingdom, the descendants of the Saintess refer to those who inherit the blood of the second-generation Saintess Mary, not the descendants of the first Saintess Anne.

If one traces the family tree of the Redgrave ducal house, it inherits not only the blood of the Holfort royal family but also the blood of Mary.

From the perspective of the descendants of Leah, who should have become king, it must be utterly infuriating.

The usurpers of the throne and the descendants of the girl who became Saintess only as a substitute strut about as if they own the place—a scene surely filled with humiliation and burning resentment.

I think of Leon and his family, far away in the Bartfort territory.

What sort of faces would they make if they learned this truth?

I would be happy if they continued to treat me the same as always. Leon surely would not blame me. I could not imagine that man, who mutters so early on about wanting to retire, actively desiring the throne. Even now, a man who finds the work of a lord troublesome could never manage to be king.

Even if they learned of their ancestor's achievements, he would doubtless continue diligently doing farm work as before.

Even if the current Bartfort house were raised up, things would not go as Father wishes.

I am grateful that Father connected Leon and me.

Yet no matter how much Father desires it, the royal family will not step down simply because they are descendants of Leah Bartfort, nor will the nobles quietly obey.

It is impossible for the Redgrave ducal house to inherit the throne.

"I understand the truth of history. However, it is impossible for Father to ascend the throne. No matter how legitimate the Bartfort house may be as descendants of the rightful king, at present they are merely feudal lord nobles with the rank of viscount, and there is virtually no possibility that the Holfort royal family would fall into crisis for that reason alone."

"That is true. The blood of Bartfort alone would indeed be insufficient. However—what if there existed someone who could provide a righteous cause?"

There is no one in this country who can criticize the legitimacy of the Holfort royal family.

No matter how much of the truth of history one knows, there is no one with the righteous cause to install a remote feudal lord noble as king.

Unless the first Saintess were to be resurrected, that is.

My thoughts stop there, and a certain suspicion gradually takes shape in my mind.

Indeed, as long as the royal family and the temple remain closely connected, as long as they are in collusion, the legitimacy of the Holfort royal family will continue to be guaranteed.

Yet the high priest who rules the temple is, after all, merely one who conducts affairs in place of the Saintess.

At present, the Holfort Kingdom has a Saintess.

A master of exceptional healing magic.

Possessed of clear intellect and outstanding martial prowess.

She who recovered the scattered sacred relics of the Saintess and dons them.

The guardian Saintess who twice repelled the invasion of the Fanoss Principality.

Now an existence more widely known than the king and worshipped by the people.

"...It can't be."

"I more or less understand what you are imagining. Why the ducal house seeks her—that is the truth I must convey."

The prime minister's mustache moved, and the truth was spoken. There was a part of me that did not want to accept it, yet somewhere I was convinced. Why a commoner girl was selected as a special scholarship student at the royal academy.

Why she possesses such qualities.

Why she so powerfully attracts people.

Why the royal family could not reprimand the prince who favored a commoner over a ducal lady.

All of it wove together into a single answer.

"Miss Olivia is a descendant of the first Saintess Anne."

┳⁠━━━━⁠━⁠⁠━⁠━⁠━━━⁠┳

Authors Note

┻━⁠━━━━⁠━━⁠━━━⁠┻

The astonishing truth of the Holfort Kingdom. (Those who have read the original novels or the Marie route already know this.)

So, Angie has learned the truth about the kingdom's founding.

The information Lucas possesses is, after all, what the royal family conveniently altered or censored, so it differs considerably from the truth told in the original work and the Marie route.

Things like Anne being in love with Leah, or Mary being a terrible woman, seem from the perspective of later generations hardly believable as truth, so they are treated as rare theories or tall tales.

The story Leon tells about his ancestor comes from the conversation in chapter 13, which was posted almost a year ago.

The next chapter is planned to to disclose Lucas's perspective, describing how the kingdom arc progressed.

Addendum: The illustration for this chapter was drawn by Yamada Otonari-sama at the request of the commissioner. Thank you very much.

Yamada Otonari-sama: Skeb

I would be encouraged for the future if you share your thoughts and impressions.