episode_0024

There are many reasons for conflicts to arise.

With a hundred people, there are a hundred different thoughts, so it’s unfortunate that unless the whole of humanity is connected by nerves, it’s difficult to unify opinions.

Naturally, there are many ways to end conflicts. However, most of them boil down to one solution.

Even after debating day and night for three days, if a conclusion that doesn’t come out can be easily found in a matter of minutes, why bother going around in circles?

The loser has no say. Therefore, the stronger one is right.

It was a sight to see when several people gathered and started making a fuss.

“It’s over, damn bastard.”

“Ugh…”

“Alright, stop! That’s enough! By this, our village has learned that the egg comes before the chicken! If anyone has objections, come forward and prove it.”

“There are none! None!”

“Wow!!”

Fortunately, I know how to avoid getting caught up in such unnecessary conflicts. Modern memory surprisingly came in handy at times like this.

There is one truth that those who have not risked their family’s honor and life, and jumped into the frontline for filial piety, cannot help but know.

One of the reasons why Volle did not force me to make a vow was precisely because of that.

In my newly built reputation, there was also a sense of honor that did not easily engage in fights with others. The power of the results created by countless trial and error data was truly effective.

“Radiant Sword Raven, may I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“I have been living a secluded life for five years now. However, due to differences in thoughts, I have had too many arguments. How can I avoid fighting with others?”

On the way to Filah, there were also people who approached me after hearing about my temperament and asked me such questions.

Since it’s not like my mouth will wear out from speaking, I showed them the Radiant Sword under the table and then gave them the answer.

“You must not argue with fools.”

“But I don’t think that way.”

“Then you are right.”

Of course, they didn’t seem to understand my intention.

But it’s not something I can blame them for. There was a big gap between a world where you could run away with a few flicks of your fingers and a world where you had to go straight into the fire if you played with fire.

The point is that many knights, even aspiring seedlings, enjoyed fighting each other. If there wasn’t such joy in risking your life, how could you endure it?

As a result, small fights among knights would escalate and blood would be shed… and suddenly, there were cases where looting would start out of the blue. There’s no need to understand that mindset.

Rather than being defeated by logic in a fight with priests, they would resort to looting to prove that they were stronger.

Suddenly, I felt like eating some meat today, so I quickly gathered ingredients for dinner from a nearby farm.

As a reward for fighting hard, I needed to prepare a gift for myself, so I encouraged voluntary protection fees.

But there was no point in robbing poor farmers, as it would only yield dust. So, I had to find a more appropriate target, and everyone knew who that target was.

Seeing knights who were destroying churches or even playing Tetris with them, it was clear why they were foaming at the mouth and forcing vows everywhere.

In the northern region where Volle is located, there is no point in trying to suppress violence while mingling with barbarians. Since the barbarians made a vow, they would be willing to wait for two days if asked.

However, the southern region of the Empire has relatively good public order, and since it borders the Papal States, there are no open looters among the heretics. In other words, looting here is not much different from knights looting a monastery.

“I’ve heard that you have a temperament that avoids conflict and loves peace. Wouldn’t it be perfect if you made a vow?”

“Hmm…”

“If you make the vow now, the church will also bless you. It seems like you are about to embark on a long journey, so how about receiving a blessing?”

“Umm…”

With the ability to defeat the bandits who invade a village along the way, and the strength to disperse the bandits encountered, I, who arrived in Filah, would be one of the elements that would make the church once again delusional about the damage.

Without needing to look far for the reason, it was clear that the expression on the face of the subdeacon, who had been smiling brightly, was gradually crumbling with anxiety.

I silently tapped on my calculator for a moment.

If I were to ask if there were any disadvantages to making a vow, there were. It would greatly restrict private duels and looting.

But that didn’t necessarily mean it would be a problem. It’s not like I usually engage in those activities.

So personally, even if I made a vow, it didn’t really matter.

Of course, making a vow didn’t only have disadvantages. If I were to tell the knights to stop fighting, they would listen.

First of all, there was the effect of raising the favorability of people with the characteristics of priests and faithfulness. It could also give the impression that I wouldn’t engage in theft right off the bat.

Most importantly, to go to the Holy See, you need something to guarantee your status, and participating in this event serves as that means.

“Well, there’s no harm in it.”

“Thank you! Then, would you please come to the church tomorrow to grace the occasion? The vow ceremony will be held after the council ends.”

After hearing my response, the subdeacon repeatedly urged me to see him at the church tomorrow, and with a cheerful expression, he called out that he was leaving.

I glanced at the spot where the subdeacon had left, thinking that Lycia might be feeling bored alone in the room, so I went upstairs.

*****

“I heard that there will be a council today, and they will also have a vow ceremony there.”

“Are you going to make a vow too, Sir Knight?”

“Yes. What about you?”

After waking up the next day, I prepared to leave immediately. I asked Lycia, who was rubbing her eyes and yawning, if she wanted to come with me.

“I want to go too. I’ve never seen a council before.”

“Alright, then get ready to go.”

Although we could rest at the inn, since she said she wanted to go, it wouldn’t hurt to bring her along.

After feeding the girl breakfast, we set off to the streets together. Unlike the day before, people were starting their mornings energetically.

People were gathered at the stalls, and the voices of children running on the streets and merchants performing their acts could be heard from all directions.

The square where a fight had broken out the day before was now clean as if nothing had happened, except for some minor scratches on the wall that hinted at something happening.

Although it was my first time in Filah, finding the church wasn’t difficult as it wasn’t necessary to stop passersby to ask for directions.

All we had to do was follow the sound of the bell ringing from the distant steeple. And I wasn’t the only one making my way to the church like this.

“Ugh… this is so annoying.”

“What can we do? If we don’t do it, it will cause trouble. If it’s not a big deal for you, then don’t go.”

“Alright, alright. Do I have to live in this world full of troubles? Ugh!”

Finally, we arrived at the front of the church, greeted by a wall of people that seemed to be made up of wailing voices.

Lycia spoke up as she looked at the crowd.

“There are quite a lot of people here.”

I nodded silently.

“Do you think there will be a place for us to go in?”

“Just wait here for a moment.”

Although it was not uncommon for a council where nearby clergy gathered to be held, it was still a bit overwhelming, even considering that.

However, I couldn’t prioritize myself over the knights who came to make a pledge, so I was able to justify pushing my way in by using the internal consensus.

“Grab on tight.”

“Oops….”

Afraid of letting go while holding hands, Licia mounted her horse.

After pushing through for a while, I was able to successfully arrive at the front row where the council was clearly visible. With so many people around, it was natural that there were no chairs available.

I set down the girl who had been looking around the church.

Compared to Volle’s, it was definitely a large church. Murals depicting the figures of saints lined the walls and pillars, showing off the considerable wealth that must have been poured into the building.

And beneath the ceiling that made one wonder how it was being supported with the technology of this era, priests in white robes gathered in groups of three or five. Fortunately, they each had their own chair.

“Peace between the church and the world! Thanks to all of your efforts, we have finally found a way to achieve it.”

“It was made possible by the knights who pledged to wield their swords not for personal gain, but for the just cause bestowed upon them by the Europa god, as well as the faithful believers. However, there are still those who do not empathize with such righteousness. How should we deal with those who even mock our efforts?”

“Today, we will announce the results of our long discussions far and wide. By doing so, we will be able to take a step forward towards true peace!”

A priest-like figure shouted loudly at us, gathered in front of him.

And as the final bell rang throughout the church, signaling the start of the council, the priests all took their seats.