Chapter 316.
"But have things reached a point where you need priests? I heard the Crow Tribe and Butterfly Tribe are guarding the Demon’s Territory," I asked while looking at the documents, as we headed to the Great Temple in the carriage.
Duke Asteria replied, rubbing his eyes as if it were tiring just thinking about it, "Despite the fact that the two tribes have stepped up, the Demon’s Territory is wide. Moreover, the core forces of the two tribes aren’t enough to cover the frontlines, since they’re out chasing fast-moving great demons."
The imperial army had only been able to properly prevent the flood of demons that had occurred when the Turtle Carrying A Mountain moved south in the past because the demons had been led in the direction of Warrant.
In other words, it was necessary to narrow the frontlines. However, this time, because the troops had been withdrawn for the war, they couldn’t be moved in that way. As a result, we had no choice but to carry out multiple guerrilla attacks, and our side had sustained great damage.
"It seems we’ll need a lot of priests,” I said in agreement.
Duke Asteria nodded. "That’s why we’re going to the Great Temple."
If one asked which location in the empire had the largest number of paladins, most people would name St. Percival. However, if one asked which location had the largest number of priests, eight out of ten would point to the Great Temple of the capital.
This was somewhat related to the history of the empire. To put it simply, the previous emperor, the Blood Emperor, had restricted the movements of the temple’s forces and kept his political enemy, Cardinal Fernando, close by his side to control him.
"As far as I know, Grandfather isn’t on the temple’s side, or to be exact, not on good terms with Cardinal Fernando." I called Duke Asteria ‘Grandfather’ because I was now alone with him.
Duke Asteria also shrugged with a satisfied look, seemingly liking the name I called him. "We’re not exactly on bad terms. If I had to describe it, I’d call it an estranged relationship."
"Estranged? Hasn’t Grandfather been pro-emperor since the current emperor’s reign began?”
Cardinal Fernando represented the hard-liners in the temple, who were hostile to the emperor as well as the imperial family itself. As such, it was natural that he would have a relationship with Duke Asteria.
"I have participated in pro-imperial activities, but I have also pushed in the opposite direction a lot. And most of all, in the Empire, it’s a headache to not at least keep up pretenses with the temple,” the duke said.
Indeed, I understood what he meant. It was said that Duke Asteria maintained a good relationship with the temple, going back and forth between the emperor’s and the nobles’ factions as necessary.
"Indeed, despite the fact that the temple’s prime has passed with the advent of the Demon King, the temple has been firmly established as a state religion since the Holy Kingdom, the predecessor of the empire,” I said.
As the Holy Kingdom had been divided into the Empire, the Imperial State, and the Republic, the country that had received most of the forces of the Holy Kingdom’s temple was the Empire.
For reference, the Imperial State had been founded on the legitimacy of the Holy royal family rather than the temple forces, and the Republic had put forward the ideology of the knights who supported the success of the Holy Kingdom.
Therefore, the early Empire had still been named the Holy Empire, but now it was just called the Empire after the decline of the temple.
Duke Asteria nodded. "Because of that, the hard-line members of the temple have very strong pride."
"But the problem is that they also have a strong influence,” I replied.
Religion wasn’t something that disappeared just because it was suppressed. Despite the ruthless oppression of the Blood Emperor, it still had great potential to influence the Empire’s politics. However, that was only potential, and it couldn’t be wielded directly in reality.
"So we need to placate that old-fashioned Cardinal Fernando, who can’t forget the glory of the past,” Duke Asteria grumbled. That was because he was on his way to say some apologetic words to that old-fashioned man.
"By the way, how are you planning to receive the support of the priests from Cardinal Fernando?" I asked. I wondered if he would threaten Cardinal Fernando with the fact that we knew he was a member of the Twelve Zodiacs.
But the duke’s answer was the opposite. "First, since I have the Pagan Priest of the moderate faction on my side, I should take conciliatory measures using him as a mediator."
‘Pagan Priest’ probably referred to Ruin, a priest who was also a platinum plate adventurer in addition to being a bishop.
"Instead of grabbing his weaknesses?” I asked, not having expected that approach.
Duke Asteria grinned. "Didn’t you tell me this yourself? The problem is that he has a strong influence. Certainly, it would be okay to threaten the cardinal using his past activities, which you told me about. But then I would have no choice but to kill the cardinal."
"Oh, I see. I didn’t think far enough ahead,” I said.
Cardinal Fernando was still a strong figure with enormous influence. On top of that, because he had the religion at his back, it was difficult to approach him recklessly. Even if we threatened him in the current state of affairs, he might give in right away, but it was unwise in the long term.
No matter how much injustice was committed, religion wasn’t the domain of reason, but rather of faith. Many people would follow the cardinal simply because he claimed that it was for God and for the temple. In that case, it would be natural for Duke Asteria to be put in a difficult spot, since the opponents would risk their lives against him.
"This makes Cardinal Fernando our worst enemy among the Twelve Zodiacs,” I remarked.
My great-grandfather, Sagittarius, might be the strongest of the Twelve Zodiacs, but he wasn’t the most difficult enemy to deal with. To catch Galak Blade, Zendia Blade and Doomstone Blade had stepped up. No matter how strong my great-grandfather was, he wouldn’t be able to deal with both my grandfather and father at the same time.
However, Cardinal Fernando used the public as a weapon, wielding their absolute faith.
"It means no one can attack the cardinal ’openly’."
It would be the same even if my father arrived. Unlike in the past, when he had been an ordinary tribe member, he was now the chief. As such, he had no choice but to be bound by the need for justification.
But had the duke said ‘you’ just now? That meant he knew I was the one who had escorted him while wearing a mask when he announced the currency reform. There’s really nothing he doesn’t know, I thought, dumbfounded.
Duke Asteria frowned and put his chin on his hand as if he really had a headache. "Sometimes faith is even worse in that it shows madness beyond justification. It would be foolish to make religion an enemy.”
"I agree. Then, what’s the card you prepared as a conciliatory measure?" I asked.
"Well, I’ve prepared donations to start, but it’s hard to say anything for certain because it’ll need to change depending on the situation."
"Is that so?"
"If you didn’t dispose of the golden goddess statue you stole when you were working as Lupin, do you have any intention of giving it to me? I can give you a price five times its appraised value."
Five times the appraised value of the golden goddess statue was enough to buy a fairly decent small plot of land. Considering the historical value and religious meaning of the golden goddess statue, it could be worth even more.
I was surprised by Duke Asteria’s offer, but at the same time, I was in a difficult spot. I said, "That’s... The golden goddess statue no longer exists. It was completely destroyed during an experiment."
Although the golden goddess statue had turned into the Holy Sword, I couldn’t return it to its original form because I had already been recognized as its master.
"Oh, is that so? Then that’s too bad." The duke smacked his lips as if he were disappointed, but gave up quietly at my answer.
"It may not be a substitute, but I have the original holy scriptures that were lost in the era of the Holy Kingdom. But they won’t be of much use, right?” I asked. They had been found in a half-destroyed castle while fighting Arietta, who had been in the process of being taken over by the existence of the reverse world.
Duke Asteria’s eyes widened. "What? You have such a thing? Where did you get it?"
"Someone I know gave it to me, saying they didn’t need it,” I said. Personally, since I wasn’t religious at all, it was just a book that put me to sleep.
Even if I wanted to sell it, one had to be fluent in the ancient language and theology to understand its value, but there were very few people who were knowledgeable in theology while also being proficient in the ancient language.
"Huh, even the people you know are unique. To think you have the holy scriptures that were believed to have been lost at least 400 years ago... and not only that, but to have the original, no less.” Duke Asteria looked dumbfounded. He asked, "Can you perhaps give them to me now?"
I shook my head. "It’s not possible right now."
My mana hadn’t recovered yet, so it was impossible to open my pocket space. Calling Tristan or Agravain could allow me to do so, but I was reluctant to call them while they were secretly escorting people.
"Is that so?"
"Ah, but since I’ve memorized all the contents, should I write down the first ten pages? If it’s the cardinal, he’ll realize the value,” I suggested.
Duke Asteria was surprised and said admiringly, "How many pages are there of the holy scriptures for you to have memorized them all?"
I shrugged, scrawling ancient words on some of the blank paper available in the carriage. "It’s roughly 1,789 pages long. But the holy scriptures were written in big letters, so it wasn’t that much."
Since I was writing down the contents anyway, I thought I would also draw the patterns on the borders of each page, but it ended up looking like some strange graffiti.
"That’s amazing. But what’s that worm? Is it part of an ancient word?” the duke asked.
"Khmm! I drew the border patterns of the holy scriptures." I coughed dryly and glanced at Duke Asteria.
The duke laughed pleasantly. "Ahahaha! I guess you don’t have too much drawing skill."
"But I’m one of the best at drawing in my hometown! Here it is. This should be enough as negotiating material,” I said.
"Hahaha! Are you upset? I should buy you something delicious after our work is done!” Duke Asteria found it so funny that he was clutching his stomach while laughing. I looked at the duke sourly.
Just then, the carriage stopped, and the huge Great Temple could be seen outside the window.
"Ahaha, it’s been a while since I last laughed like this. If there’s a price you want for the original, including this copy, tell me anytime and I’ll give you anything,” Duke Asteria said as he got off the wagon with a smile. I followed behind him.
A guide from the Great Temple who appeared to be a high priest welcomed Duke Asteria. "I’ve been waiting for you. Cardo is in the reception room. I will guide you."
The duke and I entered the Great Temple, following the pious-looking High Priest.
Anyway, the way he said he’d give me anything, it sounded as if he would even give me the position of duke. But of course, that was nonsense.
* * *
Vibrio took off her black mask as she arrived at a shabby house, located in a deserted back alley in the slums. "It’s been a while, everyone,” she said in greeting.
Ten people in black masks were gathered in the area.
"It’s a relief that you seem to have recovered from your troubles, Paladin Vibrio."
"Thank you, Fox No. 4. I’m ashamed to have shown such a shameful side as your leader."
"No, everyone understands Paladin Vibrio’s feelings. We’re thankful for the fact that you’ve come back like this."
Vibrio smiled at the masked person’s answer. At that time, a masked person asked in a slightly blunt tone, "But is it true that the evil known as Lupin might be related to Duke Asteria?"
Vibrio nodded. "It’s still an assumption. But we can be half-certain."
"But wouldn’t it still be very dangerous to touch Duke Asteria? The opponent is a monster whom even the Blood Emperor couldn’t do anything about,” the masked person said, voicing their concerns.
Vibrio nodded, saying, "I understand. It’s natural to be worried. So I prepared something.” She took out a small bag, then scattered the powder inside it onto the ground.
"Paladin Vibrio?"
"Ugh! What’s this?!"
The powder Vibrio had scattered gave off a musk-like scent and wrapped around the masked people. She smiled with eyes that didn’t contain a hint of life and intoned, "You must all obey that great person’s will. This is his will.”
The life left the eyes of the masked people one after another as they failed to resist the musk-like magic. Soon, they stopped resisting and prostrated themselves toward Vibrio’s back.
There, Libra stood smiling beneath a half white and half black mask.
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