Chapter 331
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
Confrontation with the Central Church ② (True Colors Revealed)
Translator : PolterGlast
At the pinnacle of the church that had taken root throughout
the entire Kyle Kingdom, General Archbishop Miser and Archbishop Greedy
were in a privileged class that even those of the restoration faction couldn't
reach in a sense. They were arrogant without flinching even if their opponent
was the King of a nation, thinking of themselves as special existences.
Therefore, it was business as usual for them even in front
of Takuhir. Moreover, towards a youngster, the second son of a Baron
house without even a peerage, who had rapidly risen merely by riding luck and
the current of the times, they couldn't even muster the consideration to curry
favor.
To them, Takuhir was merely recognized as a
good-natured, ignorant person from whom gold coins could be squeezed—to put it
nicely, a sponsor who wouldn't complain even if treated somewhat roughly.
「Then, from here on, as the Archduke
of the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom, I have a consultation and
confirmation for you.」
「「Huh?」」
Even when Takuhir's tone, wording, and attitude
clearly changed, what floated on the faces of the General Archbishop and the
Archbishop was simple displeasure.
「Let's talk about the case where I,
representing our country—no, representing our country's new territory—『grant permission for the
construction of churches』 as the Central Church.」
「Permission, you say? Just what are
you thinking...」
「Archbishop, have you grown senile?
As King, I have not yet granted that permission to you or Parish Head Grace.」
「What was that?」
「We are about to talk about that now.
Whether I grant permission for construction or not, there are points that must
be confirmed in advance. This visit is for that purpose. If I grant permission
for construction, how many sacred orbs does the church plan to arrange for the
new territory?」
「Wh-! That is a different story. No,
in the first place, where did you...」
「To be so insolent to us who serve
God—no... why would you say such a thing...」
「Oh...」
Their reactions varied among the three. Until now, they had
been dealing with Takuhir condescendingly 'as a mere Duke' of the Kyle
Kingdom, but that would no longer do.
And bombshell remarks were brought forth in succession.
While they had been buoyed by the bait, Takuhir's suddenly transformed
attitude and the content of his questions seemed to have a greater impact the
higher their rank. The General Archbishop and Archbishop wore expressions
indistinguishable between anger and impatience.
「It's only natural. I receive
treatment equivalent to royalty in this country. Then, wouldn't it be strange
if I didn't know the behind-the-scenes circumstances of the founding passed down
only to royalty, the secret matters surrounding the church?」
「...」
Staring at them at a loss for words, Takuhir floated
a cold smile and drove them further into a corner.
「You should have been fully aware of
my position, no matter how much the church deviates from the logic of politics.
Much less, the church in this country frequently intervenes in politics.」
「Th-that is...」
「I won't let you say it isn't.
General Archbishop and Archbishop, I dare to confirm with you. Was your
attitude until just now the proper courtesy toward the King of a nation? Even
for a church unfamiliar with secular matters, did you think that would be
forgiven?」
「No, such a thing is...」
「General Archbishop, is that the
etiquette of the Central Church! Anyone would understand that an attitude
lacking the courtesy and sincerity to respect a King is, in the first place, an
expression of hostility from the church's side.」
If these words of Takuhir's were heard by Anne,
Claire, Miseri, Yoltia,
Yuka, and others who knew his true nature well, they might find it a
little strange. From his original self, blaming an opponent using power and
status as a shield was 'unlike him'.
At the same time, they might notice. That Takuhir
himself was daringly using a way of speaking unlike him as a weapon of
negotiation, that he himself felt a sense of incongruity with it, and that his
voice was trembling slightly, just enough for his close relatives to perhaps
notice.
When he got angry and spoke while clad in power, it was
strictly for the sake of his comrades. There
were cases in the past where he became truly angry and spoke without reserve
only when the dignity of his comrades—not
himself—was insulted or they were treated unreasonably.
Normally, the treatment he received this time would be a
trivial matter not worth mentioning to him, something he would laugh off and
overlook. For Takuhir, who originally lived as a commoner, he didn't
even like being called King. Let alone having any pride as a King.
However, when confronting the formidable enemy known as the
church, confronting them normally would get nowhere; after arriving at that
thought, he was making an effort to completely become an actor.
「K-K-K-King.」
「Calm down, Archbishop. I am not a
chicken.」
「This is not something to be spoken
of carelessly in a place like this! To protect this secret matter, how much
have we...」
Whether he
had finally realized his own position or was simply shocked by the nature of
the question, the Archbishop was clearly panicked. Seeing that, Takuhir almost burst out laughing
unintentionally.
In a place like this? What a joke. If there was a more
"appropriate" place for this conversation, he certainly wanted to
hear about it.
In the end... "There
is no appropriate place to touch upon it"
= "we won't let you touch upon it".
He understood that's what it meant.
「Paying respect to the long-standing
efforts and agony of the church, I promise this conversation remains only here.
So, to repeat, what do you plan to do about the sacred orbs? Even though they
were originally lacking in number, if you include the territories of the lord
nobles who disappeared in the great war the year before last, and those who
disappeared in the rebellion five years ago, you must have secured a
considerable number, right?」
「...」
The matter for which Takuhir dared to choose the
banquet venue instead of a meeting room and obtained permission from the Old
Raccoon was this. As an attack—no, a verbal attack method against the church,
it was to obtain permission to speak the facts hidden in history, and out of
the information learned through the Old Raccoon, to speak only the content
related to the church towards the church's upper echelons.
And just as Takuhir predicted, the effect was
tremendous. The General Archbishop and Archbishop lost their words and could
only remain silent. Just how much of the truth did the Archduke know? Thinking
so, there was even a possibility that a single reaction could stir up a
hornet's nest.
「Hmm, that's purely speculative, but
even if I were to concede for the sake of argument, saying that 『the numbers were insufficient to
begin with』 is quite
an improper way of putting it.」
Instead of the Archbishop, who could say nothing and merely
opened and closed his mouth, the Cardinal asked back this time. Thinking back,
his attitude hadn't changed from the beginning. He treated Takuhir and
the others with courtesy, his words had no hidden sides, and one could even
feel sincerity.
「Is that so? The original number was
250. On the premise that 3 officially crossed over to the Fearalt
Principality, the Istoria Imperial Kingdom, and the Roland
Kingdom respectively, and several were unofficially stolen, there were 250
noble houses in the Kingdom, you know. There's no way it's enough, is
there?」
「To think you knew that much! My,
my... I underestimated you.」
The Cardinal sighed and turned back with a face of resolved
determination. A smile was even floating on that expression.
「As expected of one who climbed all
the way to His Majesty the Archduke. For now, let us state it as such. However,
do you think we will admit to that?」
「Did I wish for such a thing? I have
absolutely no intention of dwelling on the church's secrets. However, will the Mage
aptitude confirmation ritual become possible from here on not only on the
former Kingdom territory side, but also in the former Empire territory? That is the point I care about, and if it's
impossible, there wouldn't even be any meaning in constructing churches, would
there?」
「Regarding that point, from my
position, allow me to only say it is 『possible』. However, I cannot speak about the details.」
「Even if it becomes possible in the
new territory, if it instead becomes impossible in the old territory, it would
be a disaster...」
「Please rest assured on that point.
Even from my position, I can state that 『that will not happen』.」
The Cardinal's story somehow had a hidden meaning. The way
he used words was unnatural... no, as if he was intentionally trying to convey
something.
『Ah! Could it be, that's what it is?』
Takuhir couldn't
help but verify his unexpected deduction.
「I see, even a Cardinal, near the
highest rank in the Central Church, hesitates to answer. In that case, from
here on, I have no choice but to ask the Archbishop or General Archbishop, who
rank higher than the Cardinal.」
When Takuhir grinned and looked at them, they showed
an attitude that was clearly sulking. By contrast, only the Cardinal was
smiling brightly.
「Archduke, why do you worry about
that? The Cardinal also clearly stated that the same response as before would
be possible on the Kingdom territory side of the Demon Territory
Dukedom, did he not?」
『Oh, so the General Archbishop
finally makes his appearance here.
The facade of a fake good person has crumbled, his eyes have become sharp,
and it feels like he's revealed his true nature.』
「General Archbishop, what are you
hiding at this late stage? And may I understand that your actions thus far
represent the church's courtesy and understanding toward the Westlights
Demon Territory Dukedom? You people don't seem to understand that I am the
one who can cut you off, do you?」
「Wh-what a terrifying thing to say...
Divine punishment will fall upon you for such godless deeds!」
「Oh? Divine punishment this time. You
say quite interesting things. While receiving alms in the name of God, if you
see a profit, you also sell the information of devout believers; I think that
is an atrocity worthy of divine punishment, how about it?」
「Insulting us is a godless act. I
absolutely cannot overlook this!」
「Hahaha, Archbishop, I won't let you
play dumb. I too am one of those whose information was sold. I can even name
the individuals who carried out the fact that the Central Church leaked information
to both the restoration faction and the royalist faction, you know? Think
carefully about which of us is being insulted!」
「Th-that is... some apostates...」
「If you know, if you call them
apostates, why don't you punish them? I have no choice but to understand that
the church was also sipping sweet nectar through the executors. Therefore, you
are equally guilty. Listen well, it's not that I overlooked those things until
now. I merely chose not to reprimand you.」
「Y-You think you can... reprimand the
church?」
「Hahaha, before answering that, shall
I ask one more thing about divine punishment? In the Istoria Imperial
Kingdom, the church, descendants of the Holy Clan, abused the techniques of
the first King Kyle and birthed Mages as a vanguard to attack the
Kingdom, but... will divine punishment not fall upon them?」
Saying so, Takuhir dared to laugh with a villainous
face. Of course, because their answer was easily predicted. Takuhir had
obtained the circumstances of the birth of Mages in the Imperial
Kingdom and those facts from the Mages who transferred over.
「What are you saying, divine
punishment has fallen! By the apostles embodying God's will, the enemy
ringleader Castro received God's judgment and perished, and the soldiers
suffered damage that could be called annihilation, did they not?」
「Fufufu, what a half-hearted divine
punishment.」
「Why do you laugh, insolent fool!」
「Archbishop, it's because your heads
are full of flowers—no, you've gone senile soaking in a bath of gold coins. Castro
is alive. Moreover, he is leading rebel forces to establish a nation that
raises the standard of revolt against the Imperial Kingdom, and is
moving with the intention of hijacking the Imperial Kingdom.」
「Wh-! What!」
「Hard to believe... that can't be...」
「I see...」
「Why doesn't God give him divine
punishment? Why did God save him from a predicament? He is currently advancing
his army with momentum to grasp the entirety of the Imperial Kingdom,
and will bare his fangs at us again, you know.」
「...」
「To begin with, the churches in the 3
countries are branch agencies of the Central Church, which is the Holy Clan; if
so, why do you not reprimand them? Why are you leaving them be?」
「That is... our feelings are the
same... However, it is another country where circumstances differ from within
the Kingdom. And the ones moving the foreign church now, despite
possessing Holy bloodlines, are people born and raised in a foreign land. As a
major premise, we have no means to act in another country...」
These words the Archbishop said in desperation; this was
exactly the phrase Takuhir desired. From here, the war of words enters
the second act.
The moment I heard the words of the Archbishop I had eagerly
awaited and worked hard to induce, the corners of my mouth unintentionally
rose. Because he had finally said the words he shouldn't have said to me, who
had clearly stated I would behave as a Archduke. With this, I got his pledge!
「Oh, judging from the Archbishop's
words, you cannot impose sanctions 『because it is another country』, and have no choice but to stay silent sucking your thumbs?
Where did God's authority go?」
I say so myself, but wars like crusades with territorial
ambitions to impose sanctions or correct mistakes are absolutely out of the
question.
「General Archbishop, can you not
answer, just like the Archbishop? Can you not deny God's authority? If you
maintain silence just like the Archbishop, I will understand the circumstances
to be exactly as the Archbishop explained. Is that fine?」
「...」
The two were silent again... Should I just call them the
'Silencers' (Damarinzu)? No, could it be they are weak to being attacked?
Because they have always approached negotiations from a position of strength
until now? Or is it because there was no one who resolutely pointed out their
faults and stood in their way?
「His Majesty the Archduke, while we
are embarrassing ourselves, please tell us. What would the 『reprimand for the church』 you mentioned earlier entail?」
Saying so, the Cardinal closed one eye so that only we could
understand. To me, it felt like he was implicitly saying, 『Please, let them have it.』 Yeah... he's quite an interesting guy.
「I'll say just this. I have no
intention of acting on personal grudges or immediate gold coins. My goal is the
tranquility of the Demon Territory Dukedom and the people living there,
and I move only to realize that. I will decisively eliminate any obstacles to
that. Without leaving a trace.」
「D-Don't tell me you are saying you
will eliminate us... the church, from the new territory?」
「Don't misunderstand, General
Archbishop, I haven't even given permission to enter the new territory in the
first place. If I eliminate you, it will naturally be from the entirety of the Westlights
Demon Territory Dukedom, including the former Kyle Kingdom side. If
that is decided, I will crush all churches within the Dukedom.」
「W-W-What a terrifying thing! It's a
god-fearing act. It's not something that can be forgiven!」
「It's not like we are abolishing God.
I have no intention of laying a hand on the people working there either. I will
merely crush the system known as the church.」
「Wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-what!」
「Is there any meaning if the country
perishes and only the church remains? A God that prioritizes the church's
authority and profit over the territory residents—I don't need such a God.
However, even a somewhat greedy miserly God who demands rewards (gold coins) at
every turn, as long as he protects the territory residents, I will welcome him
from the bottom of my heart.」
「...」
「Your Eminence the General
Archbishop, Lord Archbishop, it seems we have lost. I believe we on the
church's side should gracefully apologize and make our best efforts to meet His
Majesty the Archduke's expectations here.」
Oh? Looking at the flow so far, this Cardinal seems to
understand reason to a certain extent. His response to me has been consistent
from the beginning as well.
「Crevaras, what are you telling us to do?」
「Archbishop, as a major premise, we
are not trusted by His Majesty the Archduke. Of course, that is only natural.
Therefore, our only option is to first listen to his requests and strive to
accommodate them.」
Receiving the Cardinal's words, the three facing me stared
at me intently. I judged that I should convey my demands here.
「I only have 3 demands. First, I
would like churches accompanied by sacred orbs in the territories of each house
in the new territory, but at the very least, Kusanagi and the Falmus
territory—these two locations cannot be omitted. If possible, about four more
locations.」
「Acknowledged.」
「Second, I want to conduct
experimental cultivation of the medicinal herbs hidden by the church. The
location is the candidate site for the Demon Territory revival project.」
「Th-that is...」
「S-such a thing...」
「Demon Territory revival? Candidate site?」
「I want to share a secret matter with
everyone from my side too. In accordance with the clauses of the ceasefire
treaty with the Empire, we must attempt to revive the Demon Territory
in the new territory. At that time, we want to transplant and multiply the
original species of medicinal herbs currently only found in the Demon
Territory beyond Teigoon in the candidate site.」
「His Majesty the Archduke, I apologize
for interrupting your story. Incidentally... the medicinal herbs multiplied
through cultivation, would you wholesale them to us?」
「If I can get your consent on these
three points, I intend to make concessions in various aspects. First, the
deployment of the number of sacred orbs previously stated in the new territory.
Second, permission to cultivate the medicinal herbs in the new territory.
Third, ensuring the independence of the churches within the Dukedom.
That's about it.」
「Th-there is no way we can do that!
The second and third points in particular are nothing but outrageous acts
threatening the foundation of the church!」
「Then the negotiations have broken
down. From here on, we will eliminate the churches within the Dukedom.
This is what the General Archbishop and I just agreed upon.」
「I have agreed to no such thing!」
「We mutually convinced each other
that the negotiations have broken down. Have we not agreed on that point? Or
does the church side have lingering attachments regarding this point?」
「The ones with lingering attachments
would be the Dukedom side, wouldn't it? If that happens, you won't be
able to conduct Mage aptitude confirmations from here on. Because we
will issue that proclamation throughout the Kingdom.」
「Hahaha, General Archbishop, this is
starting to feel like a negotiation and it's fun. Incidentally, do you think I
am an idiot who would come here without taking even that level of
countermeasures?」
「...」
「When it's inconvenient, you clam up
completely? I'll tell you. Even now, I am making arrangements to connect with
the churches that were in the Empire and the former Roland Kingdom.
Of course, with the Fearalt Principality side as well.」
「Do you think we, let alone His
Majesty the King who governs the Kyle Kingdom, would silently overlook
that?」
「Oh... Archbishop. What a perfectly
timed question. In the first place, I just heard from your own mouth that you
couldn't interfere with the church in the Imperial Kingdom because it is
another country. We are also an independent foreign nation different from the Kyle
Kingdom, you know?」
「Ah...」
Here they realized that in the process leading up to this
argument, they had already given me a pledge. And just how optimistic and
delusional they had been...
Now then, it's about time to bring this to a landing point.
The path for that has been set!
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