Behind the Shrine for Ancestral Tablets
“Your Majesty, we have received a report from Achilles. Regarding the matter with the chapel, someone wants to join.”
Queen Sisi looked up. She picked up a napkin to the side to wipe her mouth. In an absentminded manner, she inquired, “Is that right? Who is it? Are they reliable? Are they loyal?”
“It is the man with Lord Veirya. A few nights ago, the chapel almost hurt his family; therefore, he is most definitely reliable. Achilles is also confident in his abilities. I believe he can be helpful to us.”
“Someone with Veirya? The man with Veirya?” asked Queen Sisi. Initially puzzled, she revealed a delighted smile. She excitedly said, “Oh, right, right, I remember now. Little Doggy. I remember now. I thought I wouldn’t see Little Doggy again; I never thought I’d get to see Little Doggy again. I’m looking forward to it. Little Doggy’s appearance is a pleasant surprise. I wonder what pleasant surprises he has in store for me this time. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Your Majesty, do you truly plan to go after the chapel this time? They do have influence at the end of the day. If we suddenly create a big wave and eliminate them, it would not be wise, would it?”
“Didn’t you businessmen want me to subdue the chapel before? Why are you changing your stance now?” asked Queen Sisi, glaring at the businessman out of the corner of her eyes. She softly chuckled: “I, of course, want to eliminate the chapel. I’ve said it countless times before; the war has ended. The chapel can’t continue collecting taxes or keeping their knights, yet they adamantly refuse to oblige. There’s nothing left to talk about. I’ve never been one to have much patience. Subsequently, there’s no need for the chapel to exist anymore. I must do this. You just need to provide me with support.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Cognizant of the fact that Queen Sisi wouldn’t listen to what he had to say, the businessman didn’t say any more.
Content, Queen Sisi placed her knife and fork down. She happily gently wiped her pink lips. She looked toward the window and rubbed her hands. She smiled: “Little Doggy, Little Doggy, will you bring me a pleasant surprise this time? I’m looking forward to it… hehe….”
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Current time inside the horse carriage in the North.
“Simply put, the chapel’s financial struggle is not too severe. I don’t know what recent plans they have with their financial struggle they didn’t build a new chapel or renovate an existing one, but it’s a fact that they’re desperately trying to make money, which they’ve pressed even harder for this year. They’re asking all of their believers to make a tribute of one tenth of their income; meanwhile, Her Majesty is asking for one eighth of their income as taxes. The people refused to pay their taxes when they were asked to pay so much. In addition, the chapel’s knights have stopped merchants in their tracks to extort money from them, yet they never spent the money. According to our investigations, the bishop’s daughter is apparently sick…”
“Are you suggesting the money is being allocated to helping him cure his daughter’s illness?”
“Mm, it’s possible, very possible, in fact. The problem is that we don’t have any evidence. Still, that’s not the most important part. The most important part lies with the chapel’s knights. With the chapel’s knights’ numbers, they’re no match for the imperial guards in the imperial capital. Since the war ended, weapons have been strictly regulated in the imperial capital. It’s pretty much impossible for them to buy their knights weapons in the imperial capital. The problem is that the chapel has always been dealing business with the dwarfs.”
“The dwarfs?”
“Correct. The dwarfs have always been experts at forging weapons.”
“That’s not enough to ascertain the chapel is purchasing weapons from the dwarfs, though, is it? Didn’t you say they’ve always been doing business with the dwarfs?”
“Yes. The chapel has always been doing business with them. The main thing they trade is statues of God. The dwarfs possess splendid art skills and materials, thereby making them appropriate candidates to make statues of God. Recently, discussions between Her Majesty and the chapel have fallen apart. They object to her suggestions, while she has also strictly inspected their god statues. No weapons were found. In saying that, the chapel is connected with adventurers. To equip the adventurers, they require weapons.”
“Has the relationship between Her Majesty and the chapel reached the point where they’re aggressively confronting each other?”
What I heard was surprising. The war had just ended. There was no need to start fighting amongst each other so soon, was there? Fights between humans should be left to the end. I wondered if their relationship has already fallen apart.
Achilles gave a very simple, yet convincing reason: “The chapel refused to oblige with Her Majesty’s request to stop collecting taxes and to stop arming themselves. To compound issues, Her Majesty has never been a patient individual.”
Indeed, Queen Sisi did look to be the type that was impatient. She was haughty and a control freak. As the victor of a massive century-long war, she required everyone to submit to her to stroke her ego. The chapel happened to be the first to oppose her. It was no wonder, then, she killed people to deter others.
“In other words, if we’re to take on the chapel, then there are two things to bear in mind: one, the chapel’s financial issue. Two, their trades. The chapel is also affiliated with adventurers and, therefore, will certainly purchase weapons.”
“Their financial issue isn’t your concern, “interjected Achilles. He looked into my eyes and seriously elaborated, “You’re in charge of investigating their goods. The dwarves once fought alongside us. They know me and how we distribute our power. If they choose to help the chapel, they won’t allow us to find out what we want to know, and they’ll oppose us. It’s different for you, though. The dwarves have never seen you. Plus, you’re with Veirya. They should be friendly to you. To be honest, we can’t topple the chapel with their financial issue. However, if you find them preparing weapons and plan to take action, Her Majesty can destroy them in the name of quelling a rebellion.”
“I feel as though you people are using me?”
“It’s not that sinister. Aren’t you angry with the chapel? Luckily for you, you’re getting the chance to destroy them,” said Achilles, looking at my left leg then laughing: “Her Majesty should be very pleased after this matter is dealt with. In turn, our flavouring trade should run a lot more smoothly after. In saying that, we only have half the profits, as the other half goes to Her Majesty. Queen Sisi is a very unreasonable Queen. Sadly, what can we do? Queen Sisi knows how to rule and is incredibly ambitious. It’s just that she feels too young.”
“… Mm, she’s horrifying… I always felt as though she has this odd charm to her, one that attracts people to her with an unstoppable urge despite knowing that she’s very dangerous.”
Surprised Achilles queried, “Why do you think that?”
“Are you telling me that none of you do?!”
“…”
My immediate thoughts: “What, is it just me, alone?! Am I a masochist?!”
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