What does that mean?

　I raise an eyebrow in doubt.
　I don't understand why they suddenly say they have the same interests, but I have no idea.
　In fact, I haven't even asked you what your purpose is.

What? It's easy to say.

So....

"I am the usurper of this country. And you will help me do it. "The demon hunter.

....

　Usurpation?
　So you're suggesting that the Mullerians are going to take over the Empire?

The Empire is not long in coming.

Gee, your eminence, that's....

Shut up, Marin. I am speaking to our guest. You are in no position to interfere.

Ugh....

　The Archbishop stops Marin, who was about to say something, with high pressure.
　This place is the imperial capital. It is the center of the Draukos Empire and the place where the court resides. The Archbishop is in the middle of such an empire, and yet he simply says something like "the empire is not long enough".
　It was not just a criticism, but as if he was speaking plainly of the facts.

''What do you mean the empire can't last...?''

''Just as you said, Demonslayer. The Empire is the strongest empire on the continent, with the largest territory. The number of troops it can hold, the amount of production, the number of people it can produce, the number of people it can hold - it's a huge empire that's many times greater than the surrounding countries.

No, so...

But the fire is spreading in all directions. Your country, Grandizia. The country of the West, the Kingdom of Orvance and the North and East are also engaged in a series of disputes with other countries. As a result, farming communities, deprived of their young people by repeated wars, will see their production decrease further. Repeated wars will require huge military expenditures and higher taxes.

....

'Less production, more taxes - this is the equivalent of telling the people of the empire to die. The decline is still gradual for now, but if it is repeated, the empire will lose its power. And in place of the empire that has lost its power, there will be a war of nations trying to gain control of the continent next.

....

"I will save my country before that happens. In accordance with the doctrine, I hereby proclaim the founding of the Kingdom of St. Muller. And you will help me do it. Demonslayer.

....

　Well.
　It's not that difficult to talk about, and I can understand it. The empire is already that exhausted.
　It is in a state of exhaustion, but yet it is straining to repeat the war with the surrounding countries. Certainly, if one hears that, one can understand why the Archbishop said that the Empire is not long.
　But.
　What do you expect me to do for that?

''Your Eminence, such thoughts...!　This Hemmel, being the hands and feet of His Eminence, I intend to support its founding with all my might!

Hmm. Unu, O Hemmel, be the young man who will be the next St. Mullerian nation.

Thank you, your eminence!

　The young man next to me, who was smiling and laughing, bowed his head to the Archbishop so. I didn't know it, but apparently his name is Hemmel.
　And then the Archbishop looked at me.
　It was as if he was pressing me to make a decision.
　But I don't think I have a weak heart that would be frightened by such a look that doesn't kill or anything.

"So, let me ask you something.

What is it, demon hunter?

What kind of country is St. Mullerian, anyway?

"A nation whose faith has been confirmed by the great St. Muller.

So you're saying that everyone in the country is a Mullerian?

　I ask, raising my eyebrows.
　By that theory, I'm a complete non-religious person. And I don't believe in God, not just in Mullerianism.
　However, the Archbishop nodded hawkishly.

''The empire is dying for one reason only ... because the empire is a capitalist country.

"Capitalism?

He who has assets, he who has money, is the greatest. Hence, money comes from the lower classes to the upper classes. The poor peasants can't even make it through the winter, and the nobles splurge on the money they collect from them. And everyone who lives in the empire plots to rule for money alone.

....

'The poor infant cannot live, while the old man, about to live a natural life, clings to the doctor with the power of money. The strong take from the weak, and the weak die on the streets of the slums. The poor turn to crime for what little money they have because they cannot live without money... In a country like this, try raising taxes. It is only to squeeze more out of the weak.

....

　Listen to the words of the Archbishop in silence.
　Because of the money, people fight. Because of the money, people compete. Because of money, people have the advantage; because of money, people look down on others.
　The strong exploit the weak, and the weak take from the weaker. And the weaker ones will have to die because they have no money.
　Those words may indeed sound like words of concern for the country, though.

'Therefore I will create a society of absolute equality. No one will starve in the name of Lord St. Muller. We will load labor equally and pay taxes equally. We will distribute food equally and give medical care equally. That will be the ideal place to be born in this world.

....

"And one day, my country will envelop this continent in the light of St. Muller. It is this country, where all are equal, that will be the dominant force on this continent under St. Muller. Then none of my children will be hungry. None of them will ever be poor.

....

　Well, that sounds like a utopia.
　No one wants to be poor. No one wants to be poor, no one wants to starve.
　Certainly, for those who have lost the ability to think, it's an utopia where they can just continue to receive shelter.

"Demonslayer.

'Oh...'

If you help me, my country will be more expansive. With your demons at the head of the line, the knights of the temple will conquer the nations. And to a new land, I give you the blessing of St. Muller. Then my St. Muller's kingdom shall exist forever.

....

　Such were the words of the Archbishop, "As expected, Your Eminence! Hemmel was the only one who said that, and both me and my brother Ray had a reluctant look on their faces. Even Marin, standing next to me, was holding his head as if he had a headache.
　Indeed, it's probably an idealistic place.
　For you guys.

I'm not a very educated person, to be honest. Well, I'm sure Drake and Jessica here are a lot smarter than I am.

Master Noah, no!

So maybe I'm wrong. But now that I've listened to you, I have a new perspective.

Ho.....

We can't help you build your own country.

　He glared at the Archbishop with a glare.
　This guy said how he would create a peaceful country. But that's an outright lie.
　He just wants to replace those who rule and those who are ruled - he just wants to replace them.

"Equal food, equal money, equal work, equal health care ... that's fine. If there's a world where no one starves, so be it.

Then.....

Then who's going to manage it?　Who's going to give it to you?

....

You say it like you're doing the people a favor. I could see right through you.

　Did you think that this kind of vitriol would convince me?
　You think I'm going to help you build the worst country ever built?

You would rule it.

....

"You'll be on top of this country. You will rule it all. You will feed it, you will provide it with health care, you will put it in the hardest job you can find, and you will do it all at once. I know a country like that. It's a ... dictatorship.

Well it seems I can't work with you, my dear.

　Huh, I let out a big sigh.
　You didn't think you'd be fooled by this story in the first place.

'Hemmel, get that thing ready.

Ha, your eminence.

　The Archbishop ordered something to be prepared for Hemmel, yes, the Archbishop.
　With that, Hemmel walked into the space behind the Archbishop. The place where the curtain was hung is apparently connected to the back.
　What in the world was the purpose of this - so I waited a little while, thinking.

'Oh, hey!　What the hell was that!

Just get your ass over here!

Ugh!

　That voice is one I've heard before.
　And the purpose of my journey here--.

'Oraa!'

'Guh!　d*mn it...!

　The figure must have been kicked out by Hemmel, the figure.
　He wore a piercing headdress as if he were a slave, his arms were bound, and he was much more gaunt and thin.
　The figure of my father - Noel Whitefield.

'Father!

Noah?

Hemmel, get ready.

Ha. Your Eminence.

　Hemmel drew a dagger from his bosom in a flowing motion.
　He pulled out a dagger from his pocket and placed the tip of it against his father's throat.

"Father!　d*mn........!

Well, demon hunter. Come to me, demon hunter, and I will spare your life. Help me, and I will spare this man's life.

Oh, you...

　The Pope looked at me with his infinitely condescending eyes.
　Then he said, "I will not give you an answer.

"I don't want an answer, but don't wait too long. But don't make him wait too long, for there are only two pieces left. There are only two pieces left to play.

....

　It is.
　That's the word.
　If you disobey him now, I'll kill my dad.
　And then he told me that the other two people in the house-- my mom and my brother-- were waiting for me.

　That's what they told me.