Merchant Noble is out (1/3 chapters for today)
Battle with Count Shinri
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After finishing the battle with the Warden Household, the Church army returned to the royal capital for a brief rest and then immediately set out to suppress the rebellion of Count Shinri occurring in the eastern part of the kingdom.
“Push, push! Kill the heretics!!” (??)
While the Church army had no chance against the Warden Household, they were engaged in fierce battles with Count Shinri. Unlike the previous battle, this would be fought on flat ground, so the quality of soldiers could be overwhelmingly covered by their numbers. Even the amateur forces of believers were sufficient as combat power, and the elite holy knight order was able to demonstrate their strength.
However, Count Shinri’s side was also desperate. The army included women and children, and the local residents who believed in the Nature Faith were fully mobilized.
“Chief Priest! The Church army is being pushed back.” (??)
“Do not worry. This is not like the Warden Household. This is a battle on the plains. In the end, the difference in manpower will decide the outcome. We can permanently deploy troops from all over the kingdom. We will surely win. Do not make a fuss just because we are at a slight disadvantage. Just sit back and relax.” (Zenon)
Days had passed since both armies clashed, and no decisive conclusion was reached, causing the holy knights to become anxious. They worried that it might turn into a repeat of the struggle with the Warden Household. However, Zenon remained calm. He understood the difference between the Warden Household and Count Shinri.
“I report! Two towns within Count Shinri’s territory have expressed their allegiance to the Church.” (Soldier)
“Oh.” (Zenon)
The holy knights voiced their admiration at the occurrence of betrayal from the enemy. As things progressed according to his expectations, Zenon began to explain proudly.
“I told you so. Even though they are lords of Nature Faith, there are believers among the inhabitants. There is no reason for them to resist the Church. As time goes on, more towns and villages like this will increase. We can simply wait comfortably until then.” (Zenon)
Count Shinri’s territory was a plain, unlike the Warden Household. Furthermore, many believers lived in the count’s domain. Just because they had struggled against the Warden Household did not mean there was a need to fear this time. They could simply wait for the tide to turn in their favor.
While Zenon was lounging with a relaxed expression, the door to the room opened with a loud shout scolding the guard soldier. A fearsome face headed straight toward Zenon.
Zenon hurriedly stood up. He staggered slightly just by standing up, so flustered was he.
“Ugh. H-High Priest! What brings you to the battlefield?” (Zenon)
“Chief Priest!! I have heard the story. You seem to have made a deal with the Warden Household.” (Cyan)
The fact that he referred to the treaty with the baron as a ‘deal’ conveyed that he did not think highly of the agreement.
This is exactly why I did not report to this old man. Who was the fool that leaked this secret?
While Zenon cursed internally, he maintained a forced smile on the surface.
“The Warden household has promised to apologize to the church and eliminate the heretics, so we no longer have a reason to attack them and have merely sheathed our swords.” (Zenon)
“Shut up!!” (Cyan)
Cyan was furious. His anger did not seem to stem from Zenon’s explanation. No matter how Zenon tried to excuse himself, Cyan was surely enraged. With a flushed face, Cyan forcefully began to speak.
“He has allied himself with the heretics. In other words, he is likely part of the devil’s faction. If he were like this count and openly declared himself a heretic, it would be understandable. However, it is outrageous that, as a believer, he should be one who reveres God while harboring demons! It does not matter if he apologizes! Immediately excommunicate him and purify his territory!” (Cyan)
This stubborn fool. This is the reason we cannot win against the Warden Household. Why does he not understand that?
Zenon tried to calm him down. It would be a major disaster if the precious treaty were to be annulled.
“High Priest, please calm down. We have already made a treaty with the Warden Household, so the Church cannot unilaterally break it. It would shake the faith of the believers.” (Zenon)
“Chief Priest Zenon, it was a mistake to entrust this to you. From now on, I will take over all the political and military authority that you have been responsible for. You will go to a local monastery and relearn what it means to serve God.” (Cyan)
It seemed Cyan felt that Zenon was supporting the Warden Household. Cyan finally dismissed Zenon from his position as High Priest.
Everything Zenon had worked so hard to build up began to collapse with a loud noise. Having worked for the Church since childhood, he had finally seen the Church become a major power. To be dismissed at this point was an exceedingly cruel reality.
“High Priest, please allow me to keep this position.” (Zenon)
“If the Chief Priest does everything himself, it will become a burden. At the very least, how about leaving this battle to Zenon?” (??)
While desperately trying to suppress the furious Cyan, the surrounding holy knights simultaneously defended Zenon. Although Zenon had not been able to defeat the Warden Household, he had some military knowledge. At the very least, he knew more about fighting than a High Priest who locked himself away in the Church and only conducted worship daily. For the holy knights, it was better for Zenon to continue commanding as before so that they could demonstrate their strength.
“W-With me gone, the Church will face a terrible situation.” (Zenon)
Having been plunged into despair, Zenon murmured in a small voice like a rambling.
This battle is not the only issue. Politically, the position of the Church that Zenon has built up until now cannot possibly be controlled by the amateur Cyan.
“Hm? Did you say something?” (Cyan)
“No, it is nothing…” (Zenon)
What can an old man who has only conducted worship do?
While Zenon cursed internally, he could not retort. As the High Priest, Cyan was an absolute figure among the Church members. He could only bow his head and listen to orders. Zenon walked out of the Church in the town that had become the command center.
“Please wait, High Priest!” (??)
A few holy knights were chasing after him.
“I have been dismissed. I am no longer the Chief Priest. This is goodbye for all of you.” (Zenon)
“That cannot be. If the Chief Priest is gone, who will command the battle? The High Priest will not be able to do it.” (??)
“Hey. Do not speak so loudly.” (??)
Zenon admonished the holy knight who tried to criticize Cyan.
“Listen. We can win this war. We have believers volunteering from all over the kingdom and even towns within the territory are coming to obey us. The conclusion will soon be reached. But be careful. The High Priest is a fanatic. You never know what kind of orders may be given. Do not get too close to the High Priest.” (Zenon)
Zenon felt grateful to the holy knights who expressed that they needed him. Then, in the end, he gave them sincere and conscientious advice.
After parting ways with the holy knights, Zenon headed toward the chapel that had become a field hospital. As in the last battle, Marie was leading the sisters to treat the injured soldiers. He needed to greet the saint, Marie.
“Saintess.” (Zenon)
“Chief Priest. What happened?” (Marie)
“Actually, I have incurred the wrath of the High Priest.” (Zenon)
Zenon explained to Marie. He told her that he had been dismissed as High Priest, that he would be dispatched to a local church, and that he would have to leave here.
Finally, he offered Marie some advice. Recently, she had been wearing a troubled expression, and he was worried about her. If it was just physical fatigue, she could recover by resting. However, if she held any distrust toward the church or had doubts, her relationship with the High Priest would become troublesome. He needed to warn her while he was still here.
“Saintess. As Chief Priest, I have responded sincerely to your doubts. However, you must not do the same with the High Priest. According to him, even having doubts about the holy teachings is a sin. Be very careful not to go against his nerves. Sometimes it is important to turn a blind eye.” (Zenon)
“Yes. Thank you for your advice.” (Marie)
Marie nodded as if she understood Zenon’s serious advice.
However, in stark contrast to her casual nod, her serious expression seemed to hold a core, as if she possessed an unwavering heart. Zenon left the chapel with a sense of foreboding, feeling that this was all he could do.
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