Chapter 332
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
Confrontation with the Central Church ③ (Settlement)
Translator : PolterGlast
At this point, the attitudes of both sides—our camp and the
church's side—were contrasting. I dared to maintain an arrogant attitude, Rosa
also dared to float a smile unsuited to the current atmosphere while only her
eyes looked at them calmly. Parish Head Grace deliberately maintained a
detached attitude, and Carla and Sigurd emitted cold, sharp
glares.
The two on the church's side were trembling with rage,
seemingly at a loss for words.
「You vicious...」
Spitting out those words, the General Archbishop glared at
me with a reproachful gaze. There was not a shred of his initial mild-mannered
impression there.
「In the first place, you people are
too carefree. The gold coins you constantly extort are coins the payers managed
to scrape together as a result of various efforts; they are by no means easy
money.」
「His Majesty the Archduke, that is
quite a harsh way of speaking.」
「Cardinal, I have no intention of
denying alms. My recognition that they are absolutely necessary remains
unchanged.」
「Thank you very much. If that is so,
it is also a fact that our side must exercise self-admonition. I dare to ask
here, but in the event that our churches spread extensively across the new
territory on the Empire side and it becomes possible to
preach our teachings, would you permit us a monopoly on propagation?」
Saying so, the Cardinal showed an expression with some
hidden meaning. This too... he probably wants to make me say something.
「Let's see... From its establishment,
partly because it absorbed numerous nations and expanded its territory
historically, the Empire is a tolerant country regarding religion. And
in the former Roland Kingdom, numerous gods exist, and it would be no
exaggeration to say eight million gods exist. It would probably be harsh to
impose a monotheistic religion like the Kingdom's there.」
「If so, are you saying our God should
also become one of those pillars?」
「I dare to say it, but that would be
up to the church's skill. I forbid exclusive religion or monopoly, but I have
no intention of finding fault if it becomes the overwhelming majority through
the will of the people.」
「Hearing that much is sufficient.
Thank you very much. Your Eminence the General Archbishop, I believe the
direction is visible. His Majesty the Archduke is showing consideration for us
and making concessions. I believe it is our turn to respond...」
「H-How is that a concession!」
The Archbishop was infuriated and snapped at the Cardinal.
In response, the Cardinal let out a heavy sigh and began to speak
dispassionately.
「Do you still not understand? His
Majesty the Archduke is saying that even though it is a foreign country, if we
simply turn a blind eye to trivial matters, he will permit our propagation in
the former Empire territory and give us preferential treatment. Even though
the former Empire territory is already being preached to by different sects, in
the first place. Furthermore, he has permitted even us latecomers to become the
majority in the future depending on our efforts.」
「How is that preferential treatment!」
「Archbishop, can the same be said for
the Fearalt Principality? How about the Istoria Imperial Kingdom?」
「B-But...」
「His Majesty the Archduke has
promised in the treaty with the Empire not to impair the interests of
the territory residents of the former Empire. The very act of building
churches in that land and permitting propagation is a risk for His Majesty the Archduke.
Do you not understand that?」
「Such a thing... in the Kingdom...」
「To be repetitive, the Kingdom
and the Dukedom are different countries. I believe we too must first
change that recognition.」
「Guh...」
Now, time to wrap things up. If this continues, it will end
in a fight.
「As a major premise, the Cardinal's
insight is probably correct. But I too was originally a subject of the Kyle
Kingdom; if the church's side shows a flexible attitude, I will not treat
you coldly.」
「Meaning? If we accept the
preconditions, you will grant us 'profit' too?」
「Cardinal, that is what it means. First, regarding the medicinal herbs for the new experimental
cultivation, they shall basically be wholesaled through the churches in the Dukedom.
Second, at that time, priority will be given to the churches in
the Kingdom, and an appropriate price will be paid. Third, when treating Monster Disease in lands other than the Kingdom,
cooperation will also be sought from the churches in the Kingdom. Fourth, at that time, an appropriate reward money will be paid to
the churches in the Kingdom. Fifth, the
churches in the Dukedom will be recognized as branch agencies of the
churches in the Kingdom, and the dispatch of personnel and supervisors
from the Kingdom will be permitted.」
Hearing this, the General Archbishop and the Archbishop
changed their complexions slightly. Of course, in a good way...
「If you accept these proposals, I
intend to offer all the gold coins behind me as alms to the Central Church as
procedural fees for this. In other words, simply by permitting a little freedom
of movement in another country, three unprecedented streams of income will
enter the Central Church.」
Yes, if churches can expand into the new territory, the
daily income will naturally increase, and regarding the medicinal herbs, royalties
will come in, creating unprecedented new sales channels. And as reward money,
the gold coins piled up behind me will also come in. It shouldn't be a bad
deal.
「May we trust those words?」
「Yeah, I don't mind issuing an
official document as the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom addressed to
the General Archbishop. Of course, administrative fees are a separate
framework, so I will leave that processing to the church's side.」
「I-If that is the case...」
Here for the first time, the General Archbishop and the
Archbishop exchanged glances with each other and nodded.
「Then, it is sudden, but we would
like to work out the details with the person in charge; how about it?」
「Then... Cardinal, I may leave that
point to you?」
「Yes!」
「Then we shall go to offer the Archduke's
alms to God, so please work out the details with the Cardinal.」
In the end, having obtained the immediate sweets (gold
coins) and a firm promise to receive appropriate compensation (royalties), the
General Archbishop and the Archbishop left their seats with satisfied
expressions. As if to say they had no business in an uncomfortable place once
they received what they were getting, they hurriedly left.
Well, I... only said 'appropriate'. Royalties are ultimately
up to my discretion, though. It will be fine to shake hands on that area with
the Cardinal.
And the only one remaining in the seat in front was the
Cardinal.
「Fufufu, His Majesty the Archduke,
that was splendid. Thank you very much for saving the church's face at the end.」
「Because I could confirm that there
is a 'person who understands reason' on the church's side too. If so, there is
no need to forcefully escalate matters.」
「The Central Church has probably also
learned a lesson from this incident. With this, His Majesty the Archduke's
evaluation will have risen, for better or worse...」
Saying so, the Cardinal was laughing with a face looking
like he would burst out any moment.
Here, I couldn't help but confirm something that bothered me
during this exchange.
「I hesitate to judge whether that is
a grateful or an ungrateful story. By the way, Cardinal Crevaras, do you
mind if I ask a slightly strange question?」
Yes, in the series of events so far, the Cardinal's stance
somehow didn't sit right with me. From start to finish, his behavior could only
be thought of as favorable to us, no matter how you consider it. Rather, there
were even signs that he was guiding the flow of the conversation so that it
would be easy for me to corner the church. Why would he, belonging to the
organization called the church and in a position reaching its pinnacle, do
that? Because such a thought was within me.
「Yes, whatever you like.」
「Between us and the church, whose
ally should I consider the Cardinal to be?」
「His Majesty the Archduke, that is...」
「Parish Head Grace, I don't
mind. It is a strange question, exactly as you say, directed at me in the
position of Cardinal... but it is also a fact that doubts are harbored toward
my actions.」
Saying so, the Cardinal restrained Parish Head Grace,
who was about to start speaking.
「I am one of those in the mainstream
of the Holy Mage Clan, inheriting Holy Magic as bloodline magic. Therefore, I
have belonged to the church since my youth, but I was disgusted by their money
worship.」
「Haha, that must have been painful
while inside the church.」
「Yes, at that time I was a reckless
youngster who only pursued ideals and didn't hesitate to declare them publicly.
Therefore, I had no allies.」
Saying so, the Cardinal gazed at Parish Head Grace.
「When I was still merely an
apprentice Father like that, there was a time I committed a blunder and fell
into a predicament. At that time, the only one who extended a helping hand to
me was the then Father Grace. I have not forgotten that favor even now.」
Hmm? Parish Head Grace is embarrassed. So he had that
side to him too...
「Cardinal Crevaras has
provided us with information and lent us his strength openly and secretly ever
since then.」
Which means... The information about the Mages
flowing out to the Royal Capital, the destinations of the outflow, the
composition of factions, the power map, etc., which Father Grace (at the
time) brought us long ago... was information from the Cardinal!
As if reading my thoughts, Parish Head Grace nodded
and continued his words.
「It is not just that. Recommending
Lady Rosa to the medical school, the church's attitude changing after
she was announced as a Holy Mage, the Central Church finally yielding
regarding the epidemic response, and recommending her for Honorary Bishop—it is
all thanks to Cardinal Crevaras. Otherwise, things would not have
proceeded this smoothly.」
In other words, the connection in the Royal Capital that
Parish Head Grace spoke of previously was Cardinal Crevaras.
「I see... I didn't know that. Allow
me to express my gratitude anew. And a token of gratitude later... No, would
that be unfitting for the Cardinal's nature?」
「Hahaha, I too have learned a little
worldly wisdom. And the two sides of things. However, I ask you to spare any
concern regarding matters up to now. But, while I am not a money worshipper, I
am still an economic supremacist... I consider it an upfront investment for
now.」
「Oh, that is interesting. What does
the Cardinal desire from here on?」
「The reason the church fell into
money worship is, in the first place, that unlike other clans, they did not
possess inherent territory; no, they could not possess it. It comes down to
that. My goal is to change that foundation, meaning...」
「I acknowledge the Cardinal's
thoughts. But it would be better not to say that right now.」
「Thank you for your concern. Right
now... is it. We will secretly assist the Archduke's hegemonic enterprise. This
is my personal proposal, but eventually, at the dawn when you expand your
territory further than now...」
Eh? What do you mean? I merely meant it would be better not
to say that the Holy Clan has territorial ambitions...
My hegemonic enterprise? Expand my territory? I have no such
intention... The Cardinal closed one eye and restrained me as I was about to
say so.
「We too pride ourselves on being
somewhat familiar with the state of the world. The domain spanning from the
northern frontier of the Empire to the Istoria Imperial Kingdom
will likely change greatly from the current borders going forward. At that
time, His Majesty the Archduke, I would be grateful if you remembered my words.」
I feel like I've been saddled with something outrageous with
that... However, right now I want allies in the church's core too. Probably
Cardinal Crevaras wants to build a cooperative relationship with me as a
business on equal footing.
「Is that really all? Right now there
is still a great possibility it will become an empty promise, but if you are
fine with that...」
Thus, the Cardinal and I shook hands. I felt this was the
greatest harvest of this visit. I was able to give a warning to the church, and
the medicinal herb matter should be fine with my arrangements. And above all,
gaining a cooperator in the Central Church's upper echelons is significant.
I was satisfied with the results exceeding expectations.
※
Later days... Parish Head Grace was appointed by the
Central Church to a newly established position called Frontier Cardinal. And,
taking the position of his superior and overseeing the churches in the southern
frontier of the Kyle Kingdom, including the Westlights Demon
Territory Dukedom, Cardinal Crevaras assumed office.
These two will continue to increase their presence in the future as important figures supporting Takuhir.
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