Chapter 120: Childhood Friend – Meeting
In a meeting room decorated with ancient scriptures at the Grand Cathedral, eighteen elderly men sat around a large round table. All of them were men wearing white priestly robes.
“Then, regarding the war between the Kingdoms of Belita and Astin, as per the words of the Saintessess, the royal family should abstain from involvement. Shall we move on to the next topic?”
They were the fourteen high priests and four cardinals who constituted the core of the Monastic Church.
The person wearing a bright yellow shawl was the high priest, and the person wearing a dark purple shawl was the cardinal. Among them, only Cardinal Mihaer was wearing a shabby priest’s uniform without any decoration.
“This time it is the Aster Kingdom, but there has been no noteworthy news here at the moment, except that the king recently tried to arrange for Prince Pablo de Klaus to meet the princess of the Kingdom of Eisel. However, the plan was aborted due to the prince’s stubborn refusal.”
The elderly men nodded in agreement, and the matter concerning the Northern Kingdom was swiftly passed over.
The next high priest in turn distributed a stack of documents.
From the mention of the Kingdom of Eisel, it was clear that they were discussing matters in the continent in a clockwise manner. “The political situation in the Kingdom of Eisel is going through some urgency. Despite the selection of the first prince, Vivian de Isadora, as the successor last year, there is a strong opposition faction led by the second prince, Oscar de Isadora. However, this faction is so powerful… there is a chance that there might be disturbances around the throne soon”
Surprisingly, he seemed to know everything about the political situation in the distant Magic Kingdom, located in the east of the continent. But those present were not surprised at all, as this was the Grand Cathedral. The Cross Church was responsible for all communications in the continent.
The priests could converse regardless of distance using holy power, collecting information from all cOrunrs of the continent and sending it to the Grand Cathedral (the headquarters of the Cross Church).
With the stories exchanged by the nobles also reaching the ears of the communicating priests, the Grand Cathedral was undoubtedly the greatest information institution on the continent.
“Are there any specific matters mentioned by Cardinal Fidelio?” The question came from Cardinal Mihaer.
It was an equal round table, and his manner of speech was youthful, but he seemed to be inquiring as if seated at the head. However, the other three Cardinals did not seem to have any issue with his attitude, as the high priest politely replied, “He only passed on information and didn’t make any further mention.”
“…Please caution Cardinal Fidelio. He has been stationed in the Kingdom of Eisel for almost 20 years. With the numerous nobles there who have become friendly toward him… there is a concern he might get entangled in political strife and face rebellion”
“Understood. I will relay that message.”
“Thank you. If there are no further matters to share, let’s move on.”
“Next is the Kingdom of Conrad. After Prince Eric de Yeriel voluntarily declared as heir, there haven’t been significant changes, but a recent incident has stirred the entire kingdom. It’s reported that the grandson of Duke Tertan was assassinated.”
“Again?”
The Cardinal in the purple shawl interjected with a surprised expression, “Is this another case of a high noble’s heir being assassinated? Wasn’t it Lord Gilbert Forte in the Belita Kingdom last year?”
“That’s correct. But this time, it seems to be not an accidental event. According to the information from Rutina Church, it was attributed to a former guardian knight who served Prince Leo de Yeriel around a decade ago.”
“When did this happen?”
“That… occurred late last autumn.”
Awkward silence filled the room.
Rutina Church. The church in Conrad Kingdom’s capital had persistently shown lukewarm interest in the affairs of the Grand Cathedral. This was mainly due to Bishop Berg sent to Conrad Kingdom…
The seventeen elderly men cleared their throats, attempting to dispel the awkward atmosphere.
“…Bishop Berg usually embarks on a pilgrimage around this time. Perhaps that’s why the message got delayed. Now, let’s move on to the next item. It’s the turn of the Kingdom of Orun, right?”
The mood noticeably brightened at Mihaer’s words, but it was more relief at the issue being overlooked rather than something resolved.
It was a well-known public secret that there was not a good relationship between Cardinals Berg and Mihaer.
Although not personal animosity, they had engaged in a heated debate sixteen years ago following the [Mantras of the Lay Priests] causing a significant rift within the Grand Cathedral once again.
As both were among the greatest theologians alive, there was no clear winner in that debate. But not long after, Bishop Berg, who had just become the youngest Cardinal, was sent far away to Conrad Kingdom.
He was elegantly chased out of the Grand Cathedral.
“Yes, it is said that the Akine tournament will be held in the Kingdom of Orun this year. As expected, the first prince, Prince Aeton de Lognum, has been designated as the heir, and there seems to be no conflict unlike the Kingdom of Eisel. The opening date of Akine has not yet been revealed, but it is speculated that it will be held on the birthday of the twin princes.”
The ambassador in charge of the Kingdom of Orun organized the documents as he spoke. Cardinal Mihaer asked, “What happened to the incident we talked about last time? The elimination of the gang organization in Nevis.”
“Oh, that doesn’t seem to have been a big deal. Since then, there has been a massacre even in the gang organizations engaged in illegal weapons trade… According to the report from the Nevis Church, it seems to be the work of the Marquis Guidan.”
“Even though such incidents occurred consecutively, there was no separate report?”
Cardinal Mihaer’s gaze sharpened. In the church, in cases of mass murder or serial killings, an urgent report was always expected. The priest, flustered by Mihaer’s questioning, rummaged through the documents again to explain further.
“That… According to the report from the Nevis Church, it was believed that nobles would engage in conflict over the gangsters. Towards late autumn, a large number of top members of a gang organization called Theovik Family, engaged in weapons trade, were dispatched, and they were ambushed, with wagons carrying weapons secretly sent to the Marquis Guidan’s territory. If you remember, the Marquis Guidan was under pressure from the princes. Based on this situation, the Nevis Church concluded that tensions were escalating due to the upcoming heir designation ceremony.”
“…I see. Nevertheless, please continue to be vigilant and do not let your guard down. Those who believe in evil spirits have not yet been eradicated. It is not yet a time to relax.”
“Understood. I will convey to the Nevis Church not to slacken in their investigation.”
“And you just mentioned that a large weapon caravan was attacked. How large was it? What exactly happened?”
As Cardinal Mihaer questioned in detail, the other cardinals thought his obsession had flared up again.
Cardinal Mihaer, well-versed in ‘Ancient Theology,’ had a tendency to emphasize the threat of the evil god.
However, since there hadn’t been any major issues for a thousand years since Saintess Azra, his concerns seemed somewhat excessive.
Although there were occasional records of minor incidents caused by followers of the evil god, they were quickly suppressed, and it was uncertain whether these were truly acts of the evil god or just the actions of misguided believers.
Mihaer, gripped by his obsession, asked gravely.
“Are you saying there were no survivors from the caravan guarded by 400 men? Is that even possible?”
“If Marquis Guidan mobilized his knights, it would have been simple…”
“That doesn’t make sense. Didn’t you just say that the nobles opposing the Marquis are watching and waiting? If the Marquis had acted so openly, they would have taken action. The fact that they haven’t means they aren’t certain the Marquis was involved. If he had used knights, they would have definitely noticed… Wait a moment.”
Cardinal Mihaer’s expression grew more serious. He had just thought of something else.
“…Marquis Guidan is a non-believer, isn’t he?”
There was a notorious incident in the Marquis’ past where his only son was kicked to death by a blessed pony.
It was a well-known example cited by many theologians to illustrate the inscrutability of the divine will, and it had stayed in the cardinal’s memory.
“Yes, that is correct.”
“…Send the crusaders to the Nevis Church. This might be a sign of a terrible disaster.”
“A disaster, you say…?”
“There may be an apostle of the evil god. In the worst case, Marquis Guidan could be the apostle…”
Oh dear, here we go again.
When Cardinal Mihaer stood up abruptly, declaring, “This is no time to waste. I must see the Saintess,” the cardinals and the high priest could not help but chuckle.
An apostle of the evil god?
Cardinal Mihaer was the only one who took such legends so seriously and remained so vigilant.
In fact, the church’s campaign to drive out barbarian tribes worshipping false gods had begun thirty years ago at Cardinal Mihaer’s insistence.
However, despite annihilating numerous barbarian tribes, there had been no appearance of an apostle.
There were occasionally some priests who used strange tricks, but they were powerless against the holy spells of the church, and so Cardinal Mihaer faced considerable criticism.
Even so, he never wavered in his beliefs, earning him the reputation of a “great clergyman, but somewhat senile.”
Though no one dared to say it aloud, given that he had been a cardinal for nearly forty years…
Regardless, the cardinals followed Cardinal Mihaer, and as expected, received a rather mundane response from the Saintess.
“No one has sent down an oracle. Only Vinar has spoken, and it is the same as last time. The three rivers placed by the main deity are flowing naturally…”
“Is that so? Then that’s a relief. It seems it’s not a major issue. I apologize for the fuss.”
“Oh, there was one more thing.”
The Saintess said to Mihaer, who was about to breathe a sigh of relief.
“He told me not to leave the capital church no matter what happens until this autumn. He said there is something you must do at that time.”
“Autumn?”
“Yes. I have no idea what it means. The only thing you have to do in autumn is… well, aside from conducting ceremonies for apprentices, there’s nothing else…”
It’s useless, truly useless.
The cardinals clicked their tongues, and Cardinal Mihaer spoke.
“…Then would it be alright to dispatch the crusaders to the Orun Kingdom? I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Do so. The god did not tell us to send them, but he did not tell us not to either. This is a matter for us to decide.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
After bowing respectfully and leaving the Saintess’s room, Cardinal Mihaer swiftly organized the crusaders for departure.
Since there was no oracle and the other cardinals opposed it, it was decided to send only half.
However, some priests experienced in dealing with barbarians were included due to his insistence.
“I hope this isn’t a big deal…”
Cardinal Mihaer sighed.
The main deity was not merciful. Mihaer, well-versed in ‘Ancient Theology,’ knew this better than anyone.
Naturally.
Although it seemed as if the path had been paved for something better, this was a retrospective view, and the process was often too difficult for the people of the time to endure.
For example, the great massacre…
History records it in just a few brief lines, but for those involved, it must have been a tremendous tragedy.
Even so, Cardinal Mihaer felt reassured as he watched the 150 crusaders march out, brandishing the symbol of the Holy Church.
The apostles of the evil god.
He knew that the apostles recorded in history were not particularly extraordinary.
Their power grew extremely slowly, and even after sacrificing thousands as offerings, they couldn’t withstand the combined attack of merely 200 crusaders, priests, and knights.
The record of the apostle who served the evil god Oriax was the worst and most representative case.
Aside from the gods dealt with by the legendary Todler Arkiunen and High Saint Azra, which bordered more on mythology than history, the most powerful apostle was only that strong. Thus, the forces departing from the Holy Church now should be more than enough to subdue Marquis Guidan, even if he were an apostle.
The departure ceremony ended simply.
Cardinal Mihaer returned to his office, keenly aware of the kingdom’s current state of affairs. He also postponed his plan to make a pilgrimage to Count Simon’s estate…
The book he had borrowed to read in the carriage was returned to the library.
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