Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

Princess Eleora, who had returned to Klauchen in the northeast, nodded slightly upon hearing the report from her aide-de-camp, Borsche.

“I’m sorry, Borsche. You must hate missions like this, don’t you?”

The battle-hardened aide-de-camp gave a wry smile and saluted.

“I’ve always told Your Highness that one cannot be selective about missions or carrots. So I can’t very well say I dislike it.”
“Stop confusing me by bringing up stories from my childhood.”

Borsche asked Eleora, who was smiling wryly, with a serious expression.

“But Your Highness, isn’t this a bit insufficient?”
“No, if I make it too obvious, they’ll see right through me.”

Princess Eleora tossed the food procurement plan into the box of processed documents and smiled defiantly.

“Given Lord Black Wolf’s keen nose, he won’t overlook even a move of this magnitude. It should be a piece of cake for him to connect the flow of food supplies with the Rolmund-style logistics system.”

“Your Highness certainly holds him in high regard.”
“That man is the most sophisticated military officer in Miraldia. He’ll be able to read my next move from the slightest hint.”

Borsche nodded in agreement.

“He’s certainly an opponent we can’t let our guard down against. As far as we know, the Demon Lord’s Army has achieved a level of modernization rivaling that of the Rolmund Army.”
“That’s right. They’re far cry from the Senate’s pushover of a knight order.”

After saying that, Princess Eleora let out a wry, self-deprecating laugh.

“But with our forces so thin right now, I can’t quite get a handle on the situation. Though I don’t need to investigate to know it’s dangerous.”

The Magiarms Battalion was plagued by a string of soldiers falling ill, which was hindering their surveillance missions of the governor.
Since the unit was originally unaccustomed to intelligence operations, Princess Eleora had decided not to push her subordinates too hard.

“By the way, is the Reserve Battalion proceeding without being detected?”
“That operation is being conducted in the strictest confidence. We’ve double-disguised the movement of supplies, so I don’t think they’ll notice.”
“I certainly hope so.”

Princess Eleora glanced out the window.

Summer in Miraldia was drawing near.

“It’s going to be a tough season, Borsche.”
“Indeed. This heat is grueling, but we can’t exactly march around half-naked.”

As the heat intensified, the condition of the Rolmund soldiers continued to deteriorate. The foreign climate and constant tension were wearing them down.

And there was a concern even more serious than the climate.

“The gap in diplomatic power is also becoming apparent. While things appear peaceful on the surface, we can no longer count the Northern Governors as allies.”
“Is this a subversion campaign by the Council?”
“That’s right. If this continues, the Northern Governors might openly raise the banner of rebellion.”

Eleora had almost no time left.

Meanwhile, at that time.
The northern Religion City of Ioro Lange is a holy site of the Sonnenlicht Church in Miraldia. Proclamations issued from here by the Sonnenlicht Church carry immense influence.
In the assembly hall within Ioro Lange Cathedral, Father Jucht of the Lüenheit Order bowed deeply.

“Thank you for your attention.”

The priests from the north responded with applause.

Here, after several hours of heated debate and Father Jucht’s impassioned speech, an agreement had finally been reached.
Obenius, the Bishop who leads the Sonnenlicht Church in Miraldia, nodded repeatedly before speaking.

“I, too, was moved by your words, Father Jucht. I apologize for what I said earlier.”

He then placed two sacred texts on the long table in the assembly hall.
The thicker one was Rolmund’s version of the sacred text of the Sonnenlicht Faith, and the thinner one was that of Miraldia’s.
The sacred text that the fugitive slaves had brought to Miraldia was only a fraction of what existed in their homeland.

“I have read the scripture I received from Princess Eleora many times, but it did not move me. How can I preach to everyone a doctrine I do not even believe in myself?”

The ancestors of the northern people needed to unite in this unfamiliar land of refuge. Their enemies were monsters and nature itself. They had no time to squabble among themselves.
As a result, Miraldia’s Sonnenlicht Faith transformed into a denomination that emphasizes horizontal connections.

On the other hand, Rolmund’s Sonnenlicht Faith—which serves as a tool of governance for those in power—regards rebellion as its greatest threat. Consequently, it is a denomination that emphasizes vertical connections.
These differences were clearly evident in their interpretations of the scriptures.

Bishop Obenius smiled gently.

“Your words, Lord Jucht, have truly touched my heart. You do not contradict the interpretation of the scriptures, and above all, I can sense the spirit of Miraldia’s Sonnenlicht Faith from your words.”
“I am humbled.”

Without a trace of pride, Father Jucht maintained a modest demeanor.
The other priests, too, all wore serene expressions.
It seemed that everyone present was sensing the comfortable silence that arises among those who share the same philosophy.

Obenius placed one hand on Miraldia’s scriptures and pressed the other to his chest as he solemnly declared:

“I, Obenius Ioro Jupiter III, hereby recognize Priest Jucht’s interpretation of the scriptures as legitimate. In recognition of his contributions to the development of the Sonnenlicht Church and his profound insights, I wish to nominate him as High Priest. Those who object, please stand to indicate your objection.”

No one stood. It was a unanimous decision.
There have been only a handful of High Priests of the Sonnenlicht Church besides Ioro Lange. This was a first, especially in the southern region.
High Priest Jucht bowed deeply.

“I am humbled. I am far too sinful and insignificant a believer to become High Priest, but I will do my utmost to save as many people as possible.”

With that, Obenius smiled as he removed his Bishop hat and robes.

“I have high hopes for you, Father Jucht.”

Though his smile remained unchanged, Obenius began speaking in a tone that was slightly more businesslike than before.

“Well, that was a very pleasant conversation, but let’s leave the discussion of doctrine for now. I will send a messenger to the Council immediately. Father Jucht, could you act as our intermediary?”
“Yes, I’d be happy to.”

High Priest Jucht bowed respectfully to Obenius, Governor of Ioro Lange.

Back in Klauchen, Princess Eleora was addressing her direct-command Magiarms Battalion.

“As I’ve explained, the situation is grave. We have no time left.”

The soldiers’ faces were expressionless, yet the air was thick with tension.

“From a military standpoint, launching an operation here would be the height of folly. Under normal circumstances, we would naturally wait for reinforcements. However, reinforcements won’t arrive until fall.”

The group nodded silently.
But Eleora, her brow furrowed, continued.

“On the other hand, from a political standpoint, this operation is of the utmost importance. If His Imperial Majesty were to pass away under the current circumstances, our position would become extremely precarious.”

Eleora pointed to a map of Miraldia. Though not as accurate as the one in Lüenheit, it was the most detailed map available to the Rolmund Army.

“The outline of the operation is as I explained earlier. If we cancel the operation, we’ll return to Worngang for the time being, but then immediately begin our retreat to Klauchen. If you’re unable to rejoin the main force, head directly to Klauchen.”

Princess Eleora turned to her aide-de-camp, Borsche.

“How many squad members are capable of long-term operational deployment, Borsche?”
“That number has dropped to ninety-seven. Since last night, Snietze has been running a high fever.”
“Ten sick men, then. We’ll need someone to take charge here.”

Princess Eleora paused to think for a moment, then immediately issued her orders.

“Very well. Leave two men behind in Klauchen. Third Lieutenant Eskaja, and Zetoru—you two will be in charge of negotiations with the governor. Ensure the safety of the sick.”
“Yes, ma’am!”

The veteran officers and soldiers saluted.

Nodding in response, Eleora ordered the rest of the group.

“The remaining ninety-five of you will set out with the Reserve Magiarms Battalion and join up with our allied forces at the fortress city of Worngang. Begin preparations immediately!”
“Yes, ma’am!”

Everyone responded to her orders with a salute.