Ch.71Church Territory Disposition (1)

“Has the King of Caroling accepted our proposal to end the war?”

“Yes. He was slightly displeased about the rather extreme method of execution, but he said that if we continue the previous negotiations, he would consider the matter settled.”

“Negotiations, huh…”

Previous negotiations—that must mean exchanging funds for recognition from the Kingdom of Rotaring.

It feels a bit unpleasant to give money to the enemy despite winning, but perhaps it doesn’t matter since Aras also said it was merely a simple walk rather than a real war.

Since they willingly handed over their nobles to me in the first place, I should be grateful enough to accept the Caroling King’s terms.

Above all, we have more than enough money—maritime trade, fertile farmland, reparations from Caroling, funds extracted from the rebellious nobles’ guts—we’re practically drowning in wealth.

“Ugh, urk…”

What’s wrong with this one now?

Just then, the Caroling envoy who had overheard my mutterings suddenly began trembling and sharply lowered his head, as if he shouldn’t show me his expression.

‘Perhaps I went a bit too far…?’

I already had a certain reputation from holding public executions with the guillotine, but after the incident known as the “Pig Slaughterhouse,” people’s perception of me changed dramatically both domestically and abroad.

This Caroling envoy is a prime example.

Until recently, he had carried himself with a straight back, acting as if he held equal status with me as Caroling’s representative. Now, he’s excessively bowing his head and waist. Whenever our eyes meet, he startles and frantically avoids my gaze.

Hmm… Being feared is certainly better than being ridiculed, but what is this unsettling feeling?

“Very well, tell the King of Caroling that we shall continue our previous negotiations. My war for honor ends here.”

“I… understand… Your Majesty.”

The Caroling envoy visibly relaxes at my response, wiping his brow in relief. His reaction is like someone who narrowly escaped death.

Goodness… Anyone watching would think I was about to eat you alive.

Still, I can’t say it doesn’t feel somewhat satisfying.

……….

“Your Majesty, the civil war in the Holy Empire is intensifying. Our informants dispatched to the Empire report that apart from the Crusade faction, both the Imperial and anti-Imperial factions have staked everything on this war.”

“…Hmm.”

In this era without the concept of total war, conflict means nobles from both sides throwing soldiers’ lives like chips until one side runs out first and loses the pot.

If the betting becomes too extreme and threatens to uproot a family’s fortune, common sense dictates folding with minimal losses.

But… those bastards have long passed the timing to fold.

The losing side faces death in every sense—politically, socially, historically, and biologically. With folding literally meaning death, their only remaining option is to bet everything they have until the very end.

“This must be quite favorable for Rotaring.”

“Indeed it is, Your Majesty.”

The more they fight, the more Rotaring benefits.

While civilian commerce has completely halted due to the threat of plunder from frequent battles, the Empire—whether Imperial or anti-Imperial faction—has become incapable of self-sufficiency due to its oversized military and devastated territories, forcing them to frantically purchase supplies from neighboring countries.

Every faction within the Empire now routinely sends heavily guarded carriages to import weapons, food, and other necessities from foreign countries.

Previously, when the anti-Imperial and Imperial factions I met in Dijon were causing a commotion trying to kill each other, they quickly settled down when I threatened to cut off all trade with whoever caused the conflict to spread to our territory.

Of course, it’s not all positive.

“How is the security situation in the villages near the border?”

“There has been a sharp increase in people who cannot speak Burgon, and most of them are completely destitute.”

The most serious problem is, naturally, refugees.

Rotaring, with no chemical fertilizers and most of its territory covered in lush nature, simply cannot accommodate so many refugees. The same goes for other countries as well.

We could use these refugees to cultivate undeveloped wilderness, but such work cannot be completed in just a year. Slash-and-burn agriculture might be possible, but we need the timber for factories, so that’s out of the question.

It will take a long time to create stable farmland that can reliably produce crops, and until then, we must feed, clothe, and shelter these refugees. We’d also need tools for cultivation.

“For now, expel everyone who is illiterate.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Above all, we have plenty of simple labor domestically, so there’s no reason to use foreign labor that can’t even communicate.

Filtering refugees based on literacy should at least prevent losses.

Among commoners, those who are literate are extremely rare, and most of them are likely to possess other knowledge as well.

Common people who aren’t nobles rarely learn to read unless they need it for daily life. Those who learned out of necessity—to keep ledgers or read books—are likely to be highly skilled individuals.

……….

“Your Majesty, I heard you were looking for me.”

“Armand, welcome.”

Having roughly determined our policy toward the Empire, I summoned Armand to discuss my next plan: church reform.

Without the cooperation of Armand, who oversees all churches in the Kingdom of Rotaring as the Grand Diocese of Dijon, reforming the church would be extremely difficult.

“I need your help with the church reforms I’m planning.”

“Reforms… you say?”

“Yes, haven’t you always mentioned the need for reform?”

Of course, Armand wouldn’t refuse.

Even before siding with Jeanne, he was someone who recognized the problems and tried to prevent church corruption. He would welcome reform rather than oppose it.

“But… the timing is too precarious. If we attempt church reform now, while a crusade is underway, the crusade faction might—”

“No, that’s precisely why we must do it now.”

Armand fears the crusade faction’s blade might turn toward us, but they already have their hands full with the chaotic Empire, so they’re likely to turn a blind eye even if we push boundaries a bit.

Moreover, the letter I received from the Holy See earlier seemed more like a careful protest designed not to offend me.

We must maximize this opportunity where the major event of the crusade overshadows smaller incidents.

“Is that so…?”

“Yes, don’t worry. First, what’s the current state of church territories?”

“Well… I can’t explain everything in detail verbally, but except for the areas that Jeanne swept through, they continue to enjoy unchanged prosperity.”

“Prosperity, you say…”

That “prosperity” likely doesn’t refer to prosperity in its purest sense. Above all, shouldn’t the church, which should be frugal, avoid prosperity?

“Have they learned nothing from Jeanne or the Empire’s situation?”

“Indeed. They express boundless trust in Your Majesty.”

“Well… I’m pleased to have their faith.”

In other words, trusting in Rotaring’s powerful army, the domestic churches continue their usual practices.

I had hoped the churches might change after witnessing Jeanne and the Empire, but it seems the time for self-correction has long passed.

“Then I must act according to their faith. We need to appropriately distribute the lands belonging to the church.”

“Appropriately…?”

“From now on, church territories will be limited to only those lands necessary for cultivating crops to make wine and bread needed by the church.”

“…?”

Armand frowns with confusion at my words.

That’s understandable. What I’m saying is exactly identical to the current legal definition of church territories.

It’s natural to be puzzled when I speak of reform but seemingly propose no changes.

“Armand, do the churches adhere well to the definition of church territories?”

“Well… one could say they do. They possess many fertile farmlands under the pretext of needing them for wine and bread.”

“No, that’s not right. They aren’t complying with the law. Church territories are limited to lands for cultivating crops to make wine and bread needed by the church… meaning churches should not own farmland for crops they don’t need or cannot consume entirely themselves.”

“That’s…!”

Armand’s eyes widen in surprise at my words.

It’s certainly an expansive interpretation, but… isn’t it somewhat reasonable?

[The churches are breaking the law.]

[Well… they are corrupt, but they’re still operating within the legal framework. We need to reform the church by amending the law.]

[No, churches should only own crops they can consume themselves. This is clearly mentioned in the law.]

‘Jeanne, really…’

How did she come up with such an idea?

It’s clearly a stretch, but not entirely unreasonable.

Moreover, reinterpreting existing law like this carries less political burden than completely amending it.

“Am I wrong? On what grounds do churches own crops they cannot consume entirely themselves? They have been breaking the law all along.”

“…One could see it that way.”

“So, to resolve this, we must divide the excessive church lands and distribute them to farmers. We will pay compensation, of course.”

As I mentioned earlier, Rotaring currently has an abundance of funds.

I’ll confiscate everything with compensation, make it my direct territory, and then lease it to farmers.

Of course, while I call it tenancy, since I, the ruler of the nation, am the landlord, it’s essentially no different from independent farming.

Ah, how wonderful to promote independent farming and church reform simultaneously.