Chapter 730: Before and After 3
After entering Nemesis, Luke and the Continental Alliance troops took the former palace of Libiya Kingdom in their command instead of the destroyed Imperial Palace.
Luke had imposed a new military law in the capital.
1. The general command of the Continental Alliance forces promised to do what was best to ensure stability and reconstruction of Nemesis and to ensure the basic livelihood of the residents, and the following.
2. Night curfew was implemented for the purpose of reconstruction of the capital and security.
3. Take measures to recover and destroy all the military weapons in the palace.
4. Looting and Riots that could cause confusion are strictly prohibited.
5. Food and daily necessities are distributed at designated locations.
6. Those who stick food and other goods in large quant.i.ties without permission are subject to punishment regardless of their status.
7. It is recommended that the knights and the soldiers of the Baroque Empire, who are left behind, should surrender immediately and move under the command of the Continental Alliance.
8. In spite of the recommendations, the remnants of the Imperial Army who resist will be immediately subdued.
The people of Nemesis were extremely terrified when the 1st squad of the Continental Alliance entered and issued the decree.
It was because conquerors would often hara.s.s the people, and it was read in histories.
But it changed their mind as they saw the new command looking after the people instead of slaughtering them.
In particular, those who were dissatisfied with Rudolf or who were exploited by him welcomed the new ruling with open hands.
The hearts of the people opened up when Reina came over.
“The Holy Pope of the Holy Empire has come!”
“Holy Pope, Long Live!”
“Cheers!”
Despite the fact that there was no welcoming or with the ban of people in order to prevent any confusion, people still came onto the streets and greeted the pope.
“Pope, thank you for freeing us from the mad tyrant!”
“You are a true angel!”
With the welcoming crown, Philip and his troops, who were in charge of Nemesis’s security, had to work extra hard to maintain order.
And thankfully, no unpleasant thing happened.
Reina waved her hand at the people of Nemesis, who were welcoming her, and spoke to Philip who was escorting her carriage.
“Count Philip, His Majesty isn’t hurt anywhere, right? And Karen too…”
Her worrisome question brought a grim answer from Philip.
“Holiness, how many times should I tell you. You did contact him directly when coming here, right?”
“I can’t stop worrying. Maybe he is seriously injured, but is acting all fine to rea.s.sure me or something…”
“Well, he would do that… But it is really fine, so you don’t have to worry.”
Philip, who answered, sat up.
It was because he was feeling envious while looking at Reina, not frustrated.
By the time Luke returned from his Southern Continent expedition, Philip had married Anna, whom he was dating.
As they were dating for a long time already, the two were very affectionate.
But his wife seemed too thick.
The other knights or soldiers, who had women or wives, would usually give amulets or charms for their husbands who were entering the battlefield, but Anna didn’t give Philip any of it.
“You are a Sword Master. Besides, Your Majesty is also partic.i.p.ating in the war, so there is no chance of losing, right?”
Having said that, she seemed to regard Philip’s departure as if he was going up a mountain to bring back water and didn’t even see him off.
And when he entered Nemesis, he communicated with her, she seemed pleased and made a request.
“Honey, don’t forget to get me souvenirs when you come back. In particular, in Nemesis central square, in an old man’s shop named Zepet. It’s a doll shop. If it’s still in business, get me a souvenir there…”
Because of the request, he bought a bunch of souvenirs at the lodge and was complaining to himself.
‘Really, she believes me too much.’
Because of that, she was too optimistic and it made Philip sad.
‘Should I pretend to be hurt next time?’
By the time Philip was thinking, the carriage reached the front of the Old Libiya Palace.
And ahead were Luke and Karen who were informed before.
Reina, who was worried, ran to the two of them once the carriage stopped.
“Welcome, you must have…”
“Ahh, Karen! You are alright!”
Luke had his arms opened wide, but unfortunately, Reina ran for Karen and hugged her.
Luke glared at the Saint Guards, which smiled at him, and approached Reina.
“I was constantly informing you to make sure you weren’t worried… I guess you aren’t much worried about me?”
“As if I wouldn’t! I am rotting inside because of what you do. Last I heard from Karen, she said you did something reckless! Jumping into a Gigant to defeat a giant fire tornado!”
‘I specifically told her not to told you that!’
As Luke glared at her, Karen stuck out her tongue.
Luke couldn’t help but frown after seeing his daughter, who was melting in the hugs and kisses of Reina.
“Well, I am glad that you seem fine.”
“I too thank G.o.d for seeing you in good shape.”
Luke and Reina were getting affectionate to each other.
Jo Mimi and Princess Ja-hye, who were seeing it from the other side, were confused.
“Who is she?”
“I heard that she is the Holy Pope of the Arthenia Empire, the largest nation in Rhodesia… How come they seem so close.”
As the two of them were feeling anxious, Erwin sneaked up to them and answered, “That is Queen Reina.”
At her words, both Jo Mimi and Princess Ja-hye were shocked.
“Huh? She is? I was told that she was taking care of her sick mother at home…”
“Oh my G.o.d, and you believed that? You are too naïve.”
When Erwin spoke back with a sly smile, the two women tapped their foreheads.
However, they couldn’t help but be angry as they were deceived.
Usually, there were one or two circ.u.mstances where the families lied.
And the Song Empire and Yemaek too did such things.
Besides, the most important one was…
‘She is such a strong opponent…!’
‘There was a reason why His Majesty didn’t look at us!’
A beautiful woman with warm and kind eyes.
The gentle dignity and sacred energy that exudes from her body were enough to make any woman feel defeated, even Jo Mimi and Ja-hye, who were always proud of their beauty.
Reina approached the two women who were feeling discouraged.
“Your Majesty, these are?”
“These are the allied envoys from across the sea. They helped me a lot with this plan.”
“Really?”
Luke didn’t give out a detailed explanation, but Reina knew for what purpose they had come.
It was her woman’s intuition that gave her the answer.
‘I guess they were sent to marry him.’
Well, was there any woman who wouldn’t fall for Luke’s charm?
Even though she had fallen for him, she knew about Luke’s charm, seeing Erwin and Zegal Soha longing for him.
Rather than being jealous, Reina expressed her grat.i.tude.
“Thank you for helping him. Please look after him in the future too.”
As she politely thanked them, Jo Mimi and Ja-hye too bowed to her as it felt like they should.
“Ye-yes! Until my bones turn to dust!”
“I will do my very best!”
Erwin watched them from a distance and smiled.
It was because she remembered receiving Reina’s permission at the Symphonia founding along with Zegal Soha.
‘Woohoo! At that time, Zegal Soha nor I did that…’
As Erwin was laughing at them, Jo Mimi and Princess Ja-hye asked, “Umm, can I call you sister?”
“Me too. When I look at the pope, I got remembered of my sister who is married!”
“Hehe, please do call me that.”
When Reina approved their request, the smile on Erwin’s face disappeared. It was because she never expected the two of them to act like that.
Karen sighed low as she watched Erwin stiffen.
‘Cheer up, teacher. It is a long way, but it isn’t so difficult.’
Karen, who was her disciple in the lost future, knew how deeply in love Erwin was with her father.
Even after her father’s death, neither Erwin nor Zegal Soha gave up on loving him, and they were more of a mother than a teacher to her.
Therefore, she wished for the hearts and feelings of the two women to be rewarded.