An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

"That means either the Son of God passed on the divine skills to the king, or the Son of God himself is the king."

Mulu continued Lilith's words, then looked at Rouse. As long as it was God's will, the Knights Templar would gladly choose the path of martyrdom. But why, in this battle, did they retreat so readily whenever the fog rose?

Because they are waiting for Routh's confirmation.

That's right, because Ross can see souls, lying is useless to him, so in addition to confirming the souls on the battlefield, he also asked the orc warriors, and finding out the identity of the "Son of God" was also his mission.

As a result, at least no souls of the Age of Gods magician level were found on the battlefield, so it can be confirmed that even without being on the battlefield, the opponent can probably control the fog. And regarding Ross's question...

"No one said anything. It seems that information about my ability has been leaked."

The whole place erupted in excitement. Could there be a betrayer among us? Everyone was suspicious.

"I know who leaked it. It was the Knight Hunter."

Ross's implication was, "Don't be suspicious." However, for the others, the issue was no longer a leak; the military meeting erupted in commotion.

"What! Roth! Did that guy come here? No, wait, you said the information was leaked, so that means... the Knight Hunter is on the side of the Republic, mom!?"

"I'm afraid so."

Mulu's eyes were suddenly filled with astonishment. Bart had once annihilated the Holy Beast Squad, so for Mulu, Bart was the one he most wanted to kill. He also couldn't believe the Republic would actually accept humans.

"Damn it, did that guy smell blood and come running over here?!"

Zeba slammed his fist on the table. He had also lost many of his men in the pursuit of Bart. Lilith felt the same way, and a vein appeared on her forehead.

At the same time, Lilith agreed with what Ross said. If it was the "Knight Hunter", it would not be surprising if he was familiar with Ross's abilities.

"Let's get back to the point. The King is undoubtedly the Son of God. Even if they insist on keeping silent, I can't hide the trembling in my soul when I ask the question—it's the Queen, the Queen of the Mori people, who is the Son of God."

The military meeting suddenly fell silent, not because of surprise, but because of joy.

"Finally, there's good news, Lord Baien. Well done."

"I am only fulfilling my duty, Lord Distarch."

"Ross, you always get mad when people compliment you. Is that a bad habit of yours?"

Mulu's light-hearted jokes made the atmosphere more cheerful.

Finally finding their target, they can now welcome the "Son of God".

Able to fulfill God’s will!

The meeting room was filled with a feeling close to ecstasy, but only Ross closed his eyes again.

"So, the next thing is how to deal with the thick fog."

As Balan had said, the thorny fog barrier remained unresolved. Even on the plains, the situation must be even more severe within the forest.

"The winds of the Holy Dragons, Captain Zeba's 'Liquification', and Vice-Captain Elem's 'Holy Flame' can each disperse ordinary fog to a limited extent, but they are no match for the dense fog controlled by the Son of God."

"How about sending the Holy Dragon Force to bomb from above the fog?"

"We don't even know where the Son of God is! What if we hurt him?"

"That's true, but...Miko-sama is on the same level as Byrne-sama. If it's a bombing that can barely kill the orcs, Miko should be able to survive it on her own, right?"

"Attacking the Son of God is an act of betrayal!"

This wouldn't work, that wouldn't work. Priests and federal officials also joined the discussion, and opinions diverged. However, the Sea of ​​Trees was, after all, a natural fortress that had stood impenetrable for centuries, so reaching a conclusion wasn't so easy.

"Well, I hate to say it, but direct attack is the only option."

The positive offensive method that Balaam refers to is to maintain the status quo.

That meant continuing the battle on the White Battlefield Plains. Even if they couldn't capture the Sea of ​​Trees, as long as they kept fighting, the Republic would naturally tire. The Sea of ​​Trees was their absolute fortress, but also their final dead end.

Compared to the Republic, the Kingdom of God has support from various nations, not just the Odion Federation, and can therefore sustain the fight. If they abandon their previous offensive tactics and adopt a more cautious approach to weakening the enemy, the Republic will undoubtedly be exhausted.

In fact, during the previous battle, there was a delay between the arrival of the Knights and the reappearance of the dense fog. Considering that only ordinary fog was deployed during the battle against the Federation, it can be inferred that the Son of God was most likely resting during that time.

Although she is a "child of God" who possesses the power to control the sea of ​​trees, it is certain that she is still a flesh and blood body that needs to rest. If the war continues, the spread of the thick fog and the regeneration of the sea of ​​trees will gradually become problematic.

In other words, a protracted war and wave-like attacks are the only way to conquer the sea of ​​trees.

Until now, the sea of ​​trees has been considered inviolable because the labor expended has not yielded commensurate rewards, but this time there is a reason not to give in.

Therefore, the Kingdom of God will not hesitate to adopt a protracted war.

After scanning everyone and confirming that no one objected, Balan nodded deeply in affirmation. Then—

"Very good, then we will adopt a protracted war as our strategy."

He said he would report to his country and looked at Detelf.

"Lord Detelf, please replenish the reduced combat power at any time."

“…As you command.”

Detelf's voice lacked cadence, his face expressionless. Perhaps those emotionless eyes saw a future of his country drained and exhausted.

"Don't worry. I will advise my country and also order the Principality of Uldia to join the war."

"Thank you for your trouble."

I wonder how long it will take to conquer the Sea of ​​Trees.

If the Principality of Urdia, with its fertile land, joins the battle, there might not be much worry about logistical supplies. However, the frontline battles will ultimately be fought by the Federation Army, a military power.

Like a frog in cold water, they will surely gradually lose their military strength, just like the Republic's warrior corps.

For a moment, Detelf considered requesting a mobilization order from the southern magical power, the Grandat Empire...

However, the Empire was a defensive wall against the Demon Kingdom of Igudol, and it probably wouldn't be so easy to deploy it, so Detelf gave up the idea.

At the same time, he also suspected that this war might be a countermeasure to the Federation's increased military strength in recent years, and dark feelings surged in his heart.

Baran summarized the meeting, and the others continued their discussion without paying attention to Detelf, while Ross glanced at Detelf who lowered his head.

In this conference room, the warrior king, who is taller than anyone else, looks particularly short.

After the military meeting, Rolls walked aimlessly on the street.

He was alone. Although Airem insisted on following him, Rouse found a somewhat forced excuse to send him back.

Ross noticed that Airem had been looking at him with a dull, dark gaze lately. He had initially assumed it was because he felt a sense of responsibility, serving as a deputy commander and a division commander, but that didn't seem to be the case.

(…He’s doubting my piety. I don’t know if he was ordered to monitor me, or if he’s acting on his own initiative.)

Knowing this, Rolls did not hide it.

The Pope himself and that terrifying "Oracle Priestess" had originally told him, "You are the vanguard of the Church," and now there is no need to hide it.

Ross can be said to have taken the risk, because now he wants to be alone.

He left the center of the city and leisurely looked out at the street scenes and people's situations.

It is wartime now, and the Federation Army has suffered great damage. Not only the Knights Templar, but two groups of the Knights of the Three Lights have also arrived here. However, [Agris] is shrouded in an unprecedented strange atmosphere.

Whether it was the normally bustling shopping district or the fountain plaza, a popular leisure spot, pedestrians were sparsely populated, creating a desolate scene. Everywhere were figures associated with the Kingdom of God, and those passing by were terrified of them, their mouths tightly shut as they hurried away.

They were supposedly devout believers, so they should have welcomed a visit from someone related to the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, they should have been thrilled to have the privilege of participating in a war to reclaim the Son of God.

"No one can remain indifferent when a loved one dies."

This is a very natural truth.

If the battle against the Republic Warriors could achieve a favorable outcome, or if it was a close fight, and then the situation was dramatically reversed with the arrival of the Knights, the people of [Agris] would surely praise the name of God, be enthusiastic about justice, and revel in the honor of being involved.

However, the reality is that they are forced to be martyred repeatedly just to obtain information...

“Is this the greatest happiness for the majority?”

Rouse had always used this idea to convince himself. Even if he had doubts about the church's practices, no matter how much free will was eliminated, as long as it could bring happiness to the majority, he could close his eyes and cut off a few people.

but……

Suddenly, his eyes met with the little boy hiding behind the building.

“──!”

Ross felt as if he were being pierced by an icy blade and couldn't help but stop. A boy, perhaps not even ten years old, glared at the most powerful man in the church. Hatred and rage burned in his eyes, as if to say, "You are the root of all evil."

Soon after, a woman who looked like the boy's mother appeared and hurriedly took the boy away...

For a long time, Rolls stood there, unable to move a step.

The boy's hatred and anger, perhaps due to his father's death in battle, left a deep impression on Rouse's mind.

At the same time, Laws thought of his child, Sharon.

And I also recall the time I spent with my family before leaving for the Kingdom of God.

He stood there for a long, long time.

The night before the troops set out for the Republic.

The Byrne family had dinner together to celebrate their departure, as retrieving the "Son of God" was a mission of immense honor.

However, with the discovery of a new "Son of God" and Ross taking on the task of retrieving the "Son of God", although they should be filled with joy, the Byrne family's meal time is filled with tension.

The reason is clear.

That was a conversation between Rouse and Sharon not long ago.

──It would be nice if there was a gentle demon king.

The Demon King is both an enemy and a nemesis, and Rouse approves of Sharon's tender wish.

However, that wasn't how a devout church member should think. Naturally, Royce's wife, Lycoris, and mother, Deborah, were furious. They lamented their mistakes in raising Sharon and criticized Royce, the honorable leader of the White Light Knights, for being so unbelievable.

Even if she had doubts, Sharon would have apologized immediately. And Ross would have "dropped the argument," "closed his mind," and pretended to repent.

But Rouse knew the truth...

Laus had a strong aversion to the gods who wanted humans to fight and the witches who had no human heart, which made him act on impulse at this time.

As a result, Rouse refused to take back his words, and Sharon did not see the need to repent.

In this way, it was normal for Lycoris and Deborah to see something unbelievable, and their eyes looked as if they were seeing strangers or even heretics.

After that, Lycoris and Deborah never mentioned what happened that day again, as if they were desperately trying to avoid a terrible taboo, or as if they wanted to pretend that nothing had happened.

"Husband, it's so wonderful to finally be able to welcome your compatriots."

"But the Son of God has been captured by those bastards, right? How pitiful... Royce, you shouldn't have to rely on others to rescue the Son of God. You are also the Son of God, so you will surely be able to reassure the Son of God quickly."

Lycoris and Debbie wore mask-like smiles on their faces, and their words seemed to lack emotion.

Ross also seemed a little uncomfortable in front of the two people, and only responded with brief answers such as "yes" and "hmm".

Even in the strange atmosphere, Sharon was still trying to maintain a cheerful expression, but he suddenly put down his cutlery. A clanging sound was heard, and everyone's attention naturally focused on him.

Sharon's expression changed, she lowered her head, and her two little hands trembled as they clutched her pants.

"……Father."

"What's wrong, Sharon?"

Hearing his son's barely squeezed out voice, Ross suppressed his inner hesitation and asked quietly.

From the corner of his eye, he could see Lycoris and Deborah exchange glances. Perhaps they had sensed something from Sharon's expression, and they were about to speak first, preventing Sharon from speaking.

So Ross rushed in front of Lycoris and the others and urged his son to speak.

"Sharon, what's wrong? Is there something you want to ask me?"

Sharon looked up slightly and saw the increasingly cold eyes of Lycoris and the others. He seemed a little afraid. However, when Sharon realized that Ross was looking at him, as if encouraging him to speak out, he opened his eyes wide and spoke:

"Father... is it a sin to live in peace with the orcs?"

He looked at Ross with eyes that contained both strength and sadness, and you couldn't tell that he was just an eight-year-old child.

"Sharon! You said that again!"

Likolis's emotions instantly lost control. She pushed the chair over and stood up, raising her hand to strike out at Sharon, but her hand was grabbed by Ross, who had also stood up.

"Sit down, Lykolis."

"Husband, do you understand? Sharon—"

"I told you to sit down."

Seeing Ross's unyielding aura, Lycoris gritted her teeth in indignation but returned to her seat. Ross glanced at Deborah, only to see her eyes were chillingly cold.

Royce ignored her, kneeling beside Sharon and looking him in the eye.