Mark arched an eyebrow.
"What kind of step?"
"A military one," Joseph replied without looking away. "I want to propose a mutual defense pact. If Eldia is attacked, your empire would come to our aid, and if anyone decides to march against your lands in the south, Eldia would do the same."
"Mutual defense? Against whom?"
"The Church and the Inquisition," Joseph revealed. "A few months ago, both institutions, together with the kingdom of Eleum, announced the start of what they themselves have dubbed the Great Crusade."
He let out a long sigh.
"Though calling Eleum a kingdom is being generous... For generations they haven't made a single decision without the Church's blessing. Their king is little more than a puppet with a crown."
"And what exactly is this Great Crusade?"
"According to them, a holy war to purify humanity and unite it under the light of the goddess."
Joseph made a vague gesture with his hand, like someone repeating a speech he had heard too many times.
