Ch.563563. The Saint’s Debut (3)

“…So you’re saying the clergy of the Order are in a standoff with Tasha’s guards.”

When Sione’s voice resonated with the same calm, settled atmosphere as when she organized her thoughts while shooting arrows, the rambling soldier quickly collected himself.

“Yes. It seems the Order has been harboring dissatisfaction with our family’s position, and it’s manifesting like this… especially since even the bishop has personally stepped in.”

“Any violent confrontation?”

“There hasn’t been any direct use of force against the guard yet… but it’s been confirmed that they’ve been pushing away or driving off commoners who were around Lady Tasha.”

Hearing the soldier’s report, I quietly turned things over in my mind.

‘Tasha has taken on one more role lately.’

Becoming a focal point for the territory’s people and the poor, and as her next step, she began spreading religious doctrines written in ancient texts recovered from the Demon Realm. From what I’ve heard, she’s been making excellent progress thanks to her efforts.

It seems that provocative elements like a saint and new doctrines would be enough to earn the Order’s enmity.

‘Thanks to that, their donations to the Order must have decreased too.’

Separate from what the Beastkin Special Forces confirmed as non-problematic. If the church’s operating funds and their salaries are running short, they’d naturally move to protect their rice bowls.

It seems they’ve decided to challenge us, thinking they have something to leverage against us.

‘Not a chance.’

It’s not like they have a church as large as the Count’s. And with the Holy Nation preoccupied with news of approaching demons, they obviously don’t have the luxury to worry about a church in this remote territory.

What would we gain by being cautious around them like before? In fact, during the recent territory war, we benefited more from alchemists’ recovery potions than from priests’ help.

“Where is Tasha now?”

“She’s in the reconstruction area of the commercial district.”

“Then let’s hurry and prepare to go there.”

“You mean…”

“The commercial district’s reconstruction area is full of important buildings in our territory. Since our family’s will and the Order’s intentions are clashing there…”

I spoke without hesitation.

“Wouldn’t it be better for me to personally clarify our family’s position before unnecessary trouble arises?”

Since even the bishop has shown his face.

There’s no need to drag this out with posturing—I’ll end it in one go.

* * *

I remember that even Ainel, as head of the County, was followed by numerous guards and servants when he personally came to the slave market to buy me.

‘Back then…’

I thought that kings and nobles were born differently. Because of that damned first experience with such blatant class discrimination, I clicked my tongue at how some people were caged behind iron bars despite committing no crimes, while others lived so naturally in luxury.

Now as head of the family, I was making an official visit to the territory with my knights, just like Ainel whom I first met through those iron bars.

‘Having large numbers certainly feels reassuring.’

You can never dismiss the advantage of numbers. With the Royal Guard and the security forces that control the populace accompanying me now.

I think we can easily sweep away mere priests of the church without me having to exert any effort.

As I led the people forward, the clergy’s behavior that had been causing problems finally came into view through my mana-enhanced sight and hearing.

“You all know what it means! The title of Saint that you’ve bestowed upon that girl!”

“It’s true the girl saved the territory. We could graciously overlook calling her a Saint out of appreciation for her efforts, but what about the words this so-called Saint is spreading among you?”

Not just ordinary priests, but combat priests in their distinctive nimble uniforms as well. And even Holy Knights, armed like regular knights, with their hands resting on their sword hilts, putting on airs.

‘They really came prepared.’

For a small territory church like this, the orthodox view is that they would have at most five high-ranking personnel like Holy Knights. Yet I can already see four here, which suggests the church has made its own preparations.

Of course.

‘Even so.’

The point is that a mere four Holy Knights pose no threat whatsoever to us.

“…Are you saying I’m wrong?”

“I understand you’re quite excited about being revered as a Saint. But Lady Tasha, you’ve never studied theology, nor have you awakened the merciful power of God.”

“Even so, everything I’ve said—”

“What matters is that if you make claims using the title of Saint that don’t exist in doctrine, it will inevitably cause serious problems. This—”

In front of Tasha’s guards, who couldn’t advance further against the mounting pressure:

“Could be misinterpreted by listeners and disrupt the sacred doctrine, couldn’t it?”

With gestures full of confidence that their hostility couldn’t reach him, he preached so righteously and boldly. Finally, he even approached right up to the guards’ faces.

With the impression that he was quite impressive in front of the young Tasha:

“Enough! The rightful lord of this territory, Baron Karpel, has arrived! Stop this commotion and make way!”

As we finally reached the front of the crowd, the soldier’s shout broke their pressure.

The priests who had suddenly appeared and approached Tasha threateningly. The territory’s people who resented this. And the people from the Order who were pushing them back.

In front of me—a noble and family head who had arrived with forces from the Royal Guard and security forces—they couldn’t help but know that if they acted out of line, they might suffer for the crime of disrespect.

‘The others don’t matter anyway.’

The Order is no different from us in this regard.

All the movements and intentions of this church are determined by the thoughts of their leader, the bishop.

Rather than dealing with each subordinate one by one, it’s most straightforward and effective to decisively break their highest authority in front of everyone.

“We greet the family head!”

“Ah! Family head!”

Moving past the guards who had been blocking the bishop’s advance, I stood in front of Tasha. She, who had been showing a grumpy attitude, slipped behind me and revealed a look that was clearly readable.

She probably understands the situation and is giving me a look that says to drive them away decisively.

“Ho ho, I greet the Baron family head. I sent a letter hoping to meet you… but I didn’t expect to see you right here in the marketplace.”

“Well, there’s nothing to be surprised about. This is my territory, after all. Moreover, this is the site where we’re rebuilding our territory’s key infrastructure.”

“…That’s right. I seem to have spoken unnecessarily.”

“What’s more puzzling is why the Order’s bishop would bring his people to such a place.”

As I spoke according to Tasha’s wishes, I could feel the bishop’s insides rotting away despite his calm face.

‘A kingdom’s noble and an Order’s bishop.’

Normally, any noble would show a certain degree of courtesy to church officials of bishop rank. So this treatment must be quite displeasing to him.

“Bishop, for what reason have you appeared in our family’s affairs?”

I added more fuel to the fire with my words.

The relationship between the Order and nobles is built on a peace maintained by refraining from excessive interference in each other’s domains and preserving their own territories. So why are you interfering with me?

‘Divine Power?’

It’s an excellent power.

What could be better than the power to heal people? It’s even more perfect since it can purify Magia.

But.

‘It can be replaced.’

Wasn’t there another path?

The Starlight that Sione handles not only repels Magia more intensely than Divine Power.

In battles with demons, once you take a solid hit, you often die without even having time to receive healing. And their healing comes at a price, but potions can resolve the issue to some extent.

Come to think of it, they demand money to use their priests’ healing abilities too. So the difference isn’t that great.

‘And anyway.’

Even if we temporarily distance ourselves from Divine Power due to this conflict.

In the end, whether they like it or not, they’ll have no choice but to cooperate with us to defeat demons, if only to survive.

‘Since it’s come to this, let’s make it more spectacular.’

A dramatic development will remain deeper in everyone’s minds.

If handled well, it could yield twice the power.

So what’s there to fear? I just charged forward, just like when I confronted Ainel.

“I already knew you were displeased with the Baron’s family. Do you think I’m unaware of the Beastkin Special Forces staying in our territory? And your inspection of our poor relief projects?”

“The Beastkin Special Forces? They were merely resting here briefly on their way to the County.”

“Bishop. It’s only natural that I know everything that happens in my territory.”

The soldiers who had been quietly listening to our conversation, the clergy, and even our territory’s people.

Feeling everyone’s focus on my words, I continued.

“You looked at us differently when Tasha, at my request, rallied the territory’s people and gave them encouraging words. That’s why you secretly sent the Beastkin Special Forces every night to where our relief projects were in full swing.”

“……”

“This time is the same. During the territory war, when the inside was overturned by Magia, for some reason, I couldn’t hear about any of the Order’s achievements or efforts that should have naturally reached me. I could hardly see priests diligently treating the injured. Isn’t that strange? Especially when the church was standing intact.”

“That is—”

“But one thing is certain, Bishop. When Magia was about to engulf the territory during your absence, Tasha saved the territory.”

Aggressive tone and unilateral speech that gave no time to respond.

But this was enough.

‘It’s the truth anyway.’

Whether because the church was small or they were occupied with other matters. When Magia was erupting everywhere, there was no response from the clergy. Seeing the territory’s people who had already turned the place into chaos and were trying to enter the lord’s castle.

There’s no room for excuses.

I even heard in passing from Baron Vener that our church had been strangely uncooperative after the Special Forces left and during the territory war. So there’s no need to say more.

‘And the territory’s people too.’

Most people were saved not by the church’s salvation, but by a girl who appeared when they were trembling in anxiety—our Tasha.

Even if some say they were saved by the clergy’s help, their testimonies would be buried under the opinions of the majority who weren’t.

‘The reaction isn’t bad.’

As I thought, perhaps they found something in my words.

The hearts of the territory’s people began to lean more toward me.

Mob psychology. In the end, people are naturally drawn to and agree with those at the top who speak plausibly. Especially when I’ve tied in the actual dangers they experienced, they can’t help but be drawn in.

“What could be wrong with such a child trying to raise up the collapsed territory together with my people?”

“……”

“You mentioned Tasha’s title of Saint. Tasha has never directly called herself a Saint. Everyone simply calls her that out of high regard for her merit in saving everyone.”

“……”

“Of course, Tasha hasn’t awakened the Order’s Divine Power, nor has she properly studied theology. But just as your Order’s doctrine states, she is instilling hope in our territory’s people, so shouldn’t you be nurturing her rather than confronting her like this?”

This goes against the aesthetics that the Order values so much.

“Your doctrine also seems to say to embrace and nurture such goodness. I really don’t understand what displeases you so much that you’re acting so aggressively.”

“……”

The bishop closed his mouth.

It was the expected reaction.

He would have nothing to say.

“In that sense, let me ask you this. Even if it’s a different religion, do you, as a bishop, think that a religion based on such universal overcoming and hope should be rejected?”

“That—”

I immediately seized the timing from the bishop who was about to open his mouth.

“You said you came out like this because you were afraid the Order’s doctrine might be damaged. Well, if it’s a completely different religion, then there’s no need to worry about the Order’s doctrine being misinterpreted.”

By now, the hearts of the territory’s people had tilted more toward me than the Order.

Starting with the benefits they received from the poor relief projects and cooperation with the mercenary guild, the goodwill we slowly built up was cemented by Tasha’s dedication.

That light is now shining most brilliantly.

“Then there’s nothing strange about a new Saint appearing.”

“…Baron, aren’t your words going too far? I can clearly see you’ll regret this. I don’t understand why you’re going to such lengths.”

With the properly heated bishop behind me, I signaled to Tasha.

The quick-witted Tasha, exactly as I had thought, began to emit the Divine Power dwelling within her, as if she had just properly awakened it.

“That’s…!”

It’s different from the Order’s.

A power far from brilliant golden light.

From Tasha’s body rose a mist-like energy that held beautiful moonlight like Sione’s hair.

‘When did she practice using Divine Power to this extent?’

I was just thinking of asking her to use a weak Divine Power.

I was momentarily surprised that she could handle more spectacular and formal Divine Power than I expected.

After seeing the truly spectacular reactions of the territory’s people and our family’s soldiers, who were watching with their jaws dropped:

“…Seeing this, I have my answer. Yes, since it’s come to this, I’ll say it here. If I must choose between the Order and Tasha,”

I simply spoke again.

“I choose to believe in the new god who has cared for and saved our territory’s people more than the Order—Tasha.”

Since it’s come to this.

Unfortunately, there will be no place for you to stand tall in our territory from now on.