I’m currently sitting at a table that still had traces of oil on it. I looked at the so-called Bishop in front of me. Despite being bald and not reflecting light or shining, my eyes were still spinning. I reconfigured my thoughts, while looking at him. But to be honest, I didn’t really have any thoughts to reconfigure. I’m completely oblivious to the power struggle in this kingdom. After all, I’m a newcomer here. I’m clueless as to what’s occurring between the chapel, the military and the merchants. I’m uninformed as to what this chapel has done and wants. It’s impossible to negotiate in this negotiation scenario, so I intend to express deep sympathy and apologies, and then I’m powerless thereafter.
That’s all I can do. Making promises when I’m completely oblivious might offend the two factions. The only thing I know at the moment is that the military should be fine. It appears that the leader of the military is Veirya’s little fanboy. He doesn’t dare to say anything in her presence. With regards to the merchants, that man has expressed friendliness, but he hasn’t made anything apparent. Veirya has completely offended the chapel; or rather, the conclusion derived from the relationship between Angelina and Veirya is that the military and chapel aren’t on friendly terms.
As for adventurers, I know even less about them. It seems that they belong to the Queen, and she seems to be trying to eliminate them, at the moment. However, I don’t know why the Queen chose that method.
‘Was it the military’s idea or the chapel’s idea? What’s the significance of the military and chapel then? What are they thinking?’
I don’t know the answers to any of those questions; neither do I know what the significance of this is in the North.
‘What’s their aim behind competing for this place? There are no famous rich people here, and there’s certainly no terrain advantage to be found. If the chapel wants to run this place, what is it that they see?’
Whatever the case may be, our stance has been established based off Veirya’s decision, which is to not join hands with the chapel. By the looks of things, Veirya has a deep grudge with the chapel. Well, not exactly, but perhaps it would be better to describe it as her not approving of their behaviour. That’s why she’s extremely dissatisfied with her mother, who serves the chapel. Putting that together, there’s absolutely no way Veirya will accept any deal with the chapel.
Subsequently, all I can do is do my best to avoid the requests made by the chapel. The issue is that Veirya has killed someone from their side, so I’m at a disadvantage due to being in the wrong.
The Bishop spoke up. He wiped his eyes. His eyes were so small that I, virtually, couldn’t see them, but I guessed he was wiping away his tears. He sighed, “I never thought our beloved child would die an untimely death after the war already ended. Sir, God will resent us. We will be excoriated by God.”
“I don’t know about God’s criticisms, but my conscience is, indeed, feeling condemned. It’s a fact that he didn’t do anything wrong. However, we’re both responsible. My fault lies in failing to stop Veirya, but as a knight, they failed to manage themselves appropriately, leading to conflict between themselves and the townsfolk, so they’re to blame, too.”
The fault lies entirely with Veirya… But I can’t acknowledge that. I must get rid of their advantage so that they can’t leverage the incident to suggest unreasonable demands.
The Bishop frowned. I knew that he definitely didn’t want to acknowledge it, but I don’t care. After all, there’s no chance I’d acknowledge it was entirely our fault, regardless of what he says. Additionally, your people butted heads with our townsfolk. That’s the root of the incident. Moreover, as the Lord of this place, I naturally have to speak up on behalf of my people.
“You can see how violent heretics are. We didn’t start threatening them, but they barbarically killed our child. However, you need not worry, Sir, as we do not intend to pursue the matter, for we aren’t heretics. God’s message to us was for us to change these heretics through education. We want to display God’s generosity to them, so we don’t intend to pursue anything. Nonetheless, we need to express our intentions this time. Our intention is to construct a missionary here so that our followers can convey God’s generosity here. What do you think?”
I gave a small nod. They must be intending to do what they did at that city, with somebody on the street speaking of it or whatever. I don’t support that sort of preaching stuff, but this is probably their bottom line. If we refuse their bottom line, we’re bound to come into conflict.
I looked at him and responded in a serious tone, “I can accept that, but I have several things I must make clear. The people here aren’t under your protection. The people here have their own beliefs. I can’t accept you using forceful means to harm the townsfolk, and you cannot insult their belief. You said that you were trying to change them via education and not force, so I hope you can do just that. Secondly, you’re only a chapel. The lives of the people here are not to be disturbed, and you are not to interfere with Lord Veirya’s commands. Those are my only two conditions. Can you accept them?”
Truthfully, I reckon that the chapel can’t accept those two conditions. If they can, I don’t think what previously happened would’ve happened in the first place. Therefore, the two conditions I mentioned were to actually make clear our stance. If the chapel agreed, we wouldn’t have anything to lose. If they didn’t agree, either we find a way to drive them away, or we continue talks later.
Nothing bad comes out of it for us if we drag it out.
“We can.” The Bishop nodded then went on, “As we said, our aim is to convert them through education. We would not use force on our own people no matter what the case is. Since you have agreed, let us now find a location to construct a chapel. After that, I shall report to you.”
“Ah… Uhm, All right.”
The fact that they accepted it so easily surprised me, and I found it impossible to trust them. The Bishop seemed to know what I was thinking. With a smile, he suggested, “As that is the case, let us sign a document, then. Otherwise, you would not be able to explain the situation to Lord Veirya, either, right?”
“Uhm, that’s a good idea.”
I nodded. I felt that was a good idea. It’s always good to have something on hand. However, you must be careful whenever the other party takes the initiative to ask you to sign something.
But then, the Bishop brought over a blank sheet of paper. With a smile, he said, “In that case, let us have you write down the conditions, liabilities and obligations of our two parties. That way, you will not have to feel so suspicious, right?”
“Uhm…”
‘This… should be fine… right?’
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