Ch.426Easy and Simple Negotiation Methods

“It’s been a while, Cardinal Paulus. Seeing you in good health, it seems you’ve been having pleasant dreams lately. The future of the Church of Menes shines as brightly as a full moon.”

“…Priest Stardolf.”

Paulus greeted Lacy with a calm demeanor.

The difference in his expression and tone compared to how he treated me was quite stark, suggesting he didn’t particularly care for Lacy.

Without Archbishop Gwinel’s message, a meeting might not have been possible at all.

“Please call me Acting Cardinal. Since Cardinal Drexler has stepped down due to health issues, I’ll be fulfilling his duties until a successor is determined.”

However, Lacy didn’t seem to mind Paulus’s cold attitude at all, merely raising the corner of her mouth slightly as she delivered the news of Drexler’s retirement.

“…That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

It must have been quite shocking news, as Paulus swallowed hard and stroked his mustache for a while.

“To think Drexler’s illness was severe enough for him to step down… then it wouldn’t be strange if he ‘died’ anytime now, would it?”

“Surely not. Now that he’s free from his burdensome duties and can rest properly, he should be able to enjoy a long and peaceful retirement.”

A sharp tension flowed between the two.

On the surface, they seemed concerned about Drexler’s health, but in reality, they were discussing whether he would live or die.

Of course, while Lacy had confined him, she had no intention whatsoever of killing him.

After all, politically ousting an opponent with differing opinions and actually killing them are matters of completely different dimensions.

“Hmm… that’s a relief then.”

Satisfied with Lacy’s answer, Paulus let out a light sigh.

Though they might be officially opposed as cardinals, having known each other for a long time, it seemed he didn’t wish for Drexler’s death.

—-

Seated on the sofa in the cardinal’s office, Lacy began to lay out the main discussion.

About the heretics who had infiltrated Holon, the classified information that the leader of the Council of Dream Utopia was the heretic Eljur, and criticism of the current situation in the Holy State.

While Lacy conversed with the cardinal, I observed him carefully, wondering if I could find any signs of corruption.

It was my firm belief that no middle-aged man with a long mustache could be in his right mind.

Of course, I hadn’t found any particular evidence even by the time Lacy began arguing for the necessity of the united diocese.

“Division inevitably leads to weakness and confusion, while unity of purpose is the first step toward victory. In fact, the imperial dioceses have achieved the remarkable feat of eradicating witches and their followers by uniting their intentions. You must be well aware of this, Cardinal?”

Lacy placed her interlocked hands on the table and leaned her face a bit closer toward the cardinal.

“Regrettably, we couldn’t find the traitor who informed the witch about the dispatch of the Secret Martyrdom Apostolate, leading them to their deaths. But what’s strange is that since then, there have been consistent requests from the Holy State to divide the imperial dioceses again. I wonder who that serves? With your wisdom, Cardinal, perhaps you could provide me with an answer.”

Of course, Paulus was not weak enough to be intimidated by the questioning of a girl fifty years his junior.

He leisurely savored the tea before him and instead reprimanded Lacy.

“Well, I don’t know about that… but I can see that the Church of Elpinel hasn’t changed at all since the Religious War era. To face external enemies, all churches must unite under the name of Elpinel. Do you know how many people have died because of that dogmatic ideology?”

“And the Holy State, unified albeit imperfectly, has protected hundreds of times more people. Unlike now, when you’re so preoccupied with power games that you can’t even control your own slums.”

Paulus’s words must have greatly irritated Lacy, as her response contained a hint of sharp emotion.

Well… to be honest, the Religious War was indeed the fault of the Church of Elpinel.

From what I’ve heard before, the Great Celestial Religion, which had reached the height of its power with the establishment of the Empire, tried to integrate all gods as subordinate deities of Elpinel within their doctrine.

After repeated alliances and divisions that grew increasingly larger, it eventually culminated in all churches viewing each other as enemies, engaging in a struggle of all against all.

Though Lacy wouldn’t admit it, even I could see that it was the responsibility of the Church of Elpinel.

“Hmm. Now you’re trying to lecture me. You left the Holy State on your own and returned after nearly three years—what could you possibly know about the current state of affairs?”

“At least more than you—”

Oh, she’s about to cross the line.

“—Lacy. Did we come all this way just to argue?”

I reached out to stop Lacy.

Coming here to negotiate but engaging in heated arguments with an aggressive attitude was unlike her.

Since I’m not a religious person, I’m not sure, but was the matter of responsibility for the Religious War such a sensitive topic that Lacy couldn’t help but react so strongly?

“…!”

Lacy glared at me sharply for a moment, but then, as if suddenly coming to her senses, she sighed deeply and made the sign of the cross.

“…I apologize for my rudeness. I’m sorry for my rash words.”

“Hmm… no need. I too went too far.”

Paulus glanced at me with an intrigued look, then nodded, accepting Lacy’s apology.

Good. Now that the heated atmosphere has cooled down appropriately, we can start the real negotiation…

“By the way, there are three people seated here, yet we haven’t heard Lord Median’s opinion at all. What do you think, sir? Which is right: unifying different people for efficiency, or maintaining equal relationships while respecting each other’s differences?”

…or not.

The arrow of conversation suddenly turned toward me.

And it carried a very sensitive and significant issue.

Honestly, I wanted to ask why he was asking me such a thing… but I couldn’t do that.

So what should I answer…?

After a moment’s consideration, I decided to just give a general response.

“Well… let me see. As an imperial noble, I can only answer from the Empire’s perspective. For me, for the Empire, the most important thing is strengthening our forces to counter threats from monsters, other races, and villains. If all churches lead the charge to drive out humanity’s enemies with one heart and mind, there’s no need to intervene… but if they prioritize their own gain over humanity, we can’t just leave them be. Does that answer your question?”

In other words, if you have the energy for power struggles, focus on defeating villains and monsters first.

“Excellent. Truly heroic spirit. I’m impressed.”

Paulus nodded with a broad smile.

I couldn’t tell if it was mere flattery or sincere praise.

“You’re too kind. Now… shall we get to the main point? Of course, the main negotiator isn’t me but the Acting Cardinal of the Church of Elpinel, Elmaine Stardolf, who is here with us.”

“I think that would be best.”

I concluded my conversation with him while giving Lacy a slight boost.

Having restrained her somewhat forcefully earlier, I needed to restore her authority to some extent.

It was just a formality… but still better than ignoring it.

—-

Lacy moistened her throat with a sip of tea, then explained her demands and what she would offer in return.

Her demands were simple.

To allow the continued existence of the Imperial United Diocese, and to advocate for her at the hearing… or at least remain silent.

To permit the Church of Elpinel and the Church of Ausrine to join the alliance of Kranus-Imela-Menes, and to assist in stabilizing the Holy State.

And in return…

“I will forfeit my eligibility as a candidate for sainthood and fully support the Church of Menes’s candidate. I’ll ensure she ascends to the position of saint after all the turmoil has ended.”

She was completely closing the path to becoming the saint, the highest leader of the Holy State.

“…A few years ago, this might have been a groundbreaking condition. But… things are different now. Aren’t you placing too much value on the position of the Church of Elpinel’s saint candidate, especially one that has been suspended due to pressure from other churches? Even if you don’t support our church’s candidate and pursue sainthood yourself, which of the cardinals would agree to it?”

It was a fair point in a way.

Before reinstating her candidacy for sainthood, Lacy had to worry about the hearing first.

The probability of her being chosen as a saint now was similar to my chances of becoming empress.

In other words, zero.

“Well, that remains to be seen. What do you think would happen if I willingly disbanded the united diocese and approached forces opposed to the Church of Menes?”

Of course, Lacy had a plan.

Whether to call it a plan or a threat, I wasn’t sure.

“That’s…”

“Currently, only our two churches have produced saint candidates. The Church of Menes, which has grown in power, and the Church of Elpinel, which has weakened considerably. Which candidate would the cardinals of other churches favor… I hardly need to spell it out, do I?”

Paulus nodded with a stern expression.

It was the moment when the behind-the-scenes negotiation had successfully concluded.