Merchant Noble is out (2/4 chapters for today)
Warden Household’s Response
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The nobles were thrown into chaos by the decree issued from the royal capital to purge heretics.
They must provide soldiers, funds, and permission for operations within their territories to the church’s army. This was a considerable burden. However, any resistance would mean making enemies of both the kingdom and the church.
If some nobles united to fight against the weakened kingdom, it would be a good fight. However, they couldn’t afford to make the church an enemy, as it would turn almost all the people in their territories, who were devout believers, against them. But that would still be a minor offense. If they were excommunicated, it would be the end of their conquest. They would be abandoned by their subordinates and even their families and would be killed in an instant.
An emergency meeting was also being held in the Warden territory.
The attendees were Yanna, Tyr, Arc, and Minerva. It wasa confidential meeting for only the Warden Household.
“There are two paths. Follow the decree to purge heretics or ignore it. First, what do you think would happen if we comply?” (Arc)
The four calmly analyzed the situation.
What would happen if they complied:
- They would sever ties with the Sheeb Order, losing the indispensable information network essential for both merchants and lords forever.
- They would have to allow the church’s army to operate within their territory. Allowing foreign troops free rein within their lands is terrifying.
“…Looking at it like this, I don’t want to comply. Even for the sole reason of cutting ties with the Order, I think we shouldn’t comply.” (Yanna)
“If ignoring it were an option, every noble in the kingdom would ignore it. There are just too many disadvantages to ignoring it.” (Minerva)
What would happen if they ignored it:
- They would make an enemy of the church, which would lead to backlash from the devout believers in their territory.
- They would make an enemy of the kingdom, resulting in a loss of relations with Casablanca.
“Making enemies of both the kingdom and the church would be extremely harsh.” (Tyr)
“All the students and teachers coming to the university from other regions might return to their home countries.” (Yanna)
“The question is, how many fervent believers are there in Mikanda.” (Minerva)
Arc and the others feared the backlash from the believers.
Almost all people living in the Laplace Kingdom were believers. Even Arc and the others were believers. However, like many people, Arc and his companions follow the faith mainly out of custom and rarely attend worship. They were ‘ordinary’ believers. Such people wouldn’t be particularly concerned even if their lord were excommunicated.
The problem was with the fervent believers. A significant number of believers faithfully attend weekly services and utter words of prayer daily. For such people, the words of God and the church were absolute, and they would happily try to kill an excommunicated person as a servant of the devil. If Arc and his companions were excommunicated, they would have to live in constant fear of attacks from such people. There was the troublesome risk that there may be believers among unsuspecting groups like maids and cooks.
The degree of faith varies greatly depending on occupation and social class.
- ‘Ordinary’ believers are many among… Merchants, craftsmen, adventurers, soldiers (many craftsmen also follow the nature faith).
- ‘Fervent’ believers are many among… Nobles and other upper classes, farmers, knights.
“If excommunicated, there could be uprisings in the First Town, which has people gathered from all over at the university, and in the Second Town, which is mainly farmers.” (Yanna)
“The farmers in the Second Town are grateful to Arc, so they should be fine. When I saw them last year, even the church was abandoned there, so rural that religion barely reached.” (Minerva)
“Conversely, the Third and Fourth Towns, with mainly adventurers and craftsmen, should be safe.” (Tyr)
The discussion among the four started in the morning and lasted until night.
However, it could be said that their conclusion was predetermined. They had grown up watching their father act as a merchant since they were born. The main reason their father could acquire a noble rank as a merchant was due to his vast information network. Receiving information from the Sheeb Order, buying low, and selling high. The Warden Household depended on information as their lifeline. This discussion was a time for the four to solidify their resolve.
And around the time the date was about to change, Arc reached a conclusion.
“Alright. The Warden Household will disregard the decree to purge heretics. Tyr-niisan, please check our defense. Minerva and Yanna-neesan, compile a list of fervent believers in each city. I’ll contact the Sheeb Order myself.” (Arc)
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