Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 143: The Church

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

After a heart-to-heart conversation with the female advisor, Paul asked her to go back and rest.

Only him and Austin remained in the room.

Paul turned to the Navy Commander. "What's your opinion on wizards and magic?"

Austin honestly replied, "I didn't think they were all that bad before, but I thought they were all arrogant and cold, looking down on ordinary people. But judging from Miss Ladia's behavior, our inherent impression of them is wrong, at least for some of them. According to what you said, she actively volunteered to accompany you knowing the danger. After the ambush, when the assassins clearly targeted you, she didn't run away alone but stayed to fight alongside you."

"I wish others thought like you."

"Sir, don't worry too much. Compared to the heavily religious South, we in the North are relatively 'tolerant' of these legendary things."

"Oh? Tell me more."

"According to the elders, even during the witch-hunting movement, we operate on the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty' here. If someone is accused of witchcraft, even if the court deems them a wizard before finding direct evidence of harmful actions, they cannot be burned to death. There may be wrongful convictions, but compared to the South, there are far fewer."

"How are those suspected but unproven individuals handled?"

"I don't know about other places, but here, we lock them up for 30 years. After long-term observation to confirm that there is no suspicion of using magic to escape, then they are released."

Paul sighed helplessly, "We are truly 'merciful' here! Now, if a person accused is over 30, who knows, their whole life basically goes down the drain."

"In fact, no witch-hunting movement has lasted for 30 years. Basically, after a few years of imprisonment, they are all released."

"Have there been any records of catching real wizards before?"

"Public records naturally claim they're true, as for the truth, who knows."

Paul was puzzled, "I don't understand, why is there such a big difference in the way the Church handles things between the North and the South?"

Austin took a sip of water and began to explain patiently.

"Firstly, as a huge entity, the Church has plenty of internal chaos. The conflicts between the central papacy and local churches, and the differences in beliefs between various denominations, are complex and impossible to explain in a few days and nights. Historically, different denominations have fought several civil wars, and instances of local churches openly defying the central papacy are also frequent. Local churches don't always agree with each other's practices either."

"Secondly, the Church's strongest ruling power is in the Holy City area, and it radiates its influence throughout the continent from there. By the time it reaches remote areas like our Northwest Gulf, its influence has greatly diminished. Moreover, our lords here are rough and arrogant, with religious piety just above the passing mark—I'm sorry, I'm not talking about you."

"There's a saying, isn't there? Dogs behave according to their owners. They don't want their subjects to be easily rounded up by a bunch of outsiders for a barbecue, not out of love for their subjects, but more out of maintaining their own authority—I'm sorry, I'm not talking about you either. So, after a few 'friendly and amiable' negotiations, the Church has the right to make rulings, but the execution is firmly in the hands of the lords."

Paul asked, "Doesn't the central papacy do anything about this? Won't they send troops to conquer us?"

"Legally, this place belongs to the Kingdom of Aldor. They need to pass through His Majesty the King's barriers first. Based on the same reasons as the lords, His Majesty the King always protects his vassals. The headquarters of the Holy See has always been rational and tolerant towards monarchs of great nations like the King of Aldor and the Emperor of Gabella. Have you heard about the dispute between King Rodney XV and the Archbishop during his reign? It caused quite a stir, but in the end, they compromised. Even if His Majesty the King lets us fend for ourselves, winters in the northwest are nightmares for all armies."

Paul asked again, "But I heard that the Holy See once punished a certain monarch by making him stand barefoot in the ice and snow for three days and nights."

Austin replied, "That was a monarch of a small southern country. There are many small countries in the southern part of the continent, full of contradictions. The Holy See doesn't even need to act directly; they can undermine and destroy a royal family through manipulation."

Paul pondered with his chin resting on his hand, "So, according to you, I suddenly feel the Church is quite weak."

He suddenly became indignant, "When I first created firearms and cannons, Dean Leonard and Father Anderson came to investigate whether I was studying witchcraft. They actually threatened me with an inquisition, and I was scared enough to show them military secrets like firearms."

"Ahem!" Austin coughed, "Lord Earl, forgive me for speaking frankly. Given the power of the Grayman family at that time, their threats were not mere words. Your concession at that time was wise."

Paul agreed with his point, "True, we only had a few hundred people and a dozen guns back then."

Austin continued, "All respect and tolerance are earned by His Majesty the King and the major lords through strength. In the end, this world still speaks through fists, so..."

"So what?"

"Please allocate more military funds to us!"

...

The next morning, Paul, accompanied by Austin and Lady Ladia, went to the shipyard to inspect the newly built sailboat, chatting all the way.

"I say, Miss Ladia, did your former adventuring companions know your other identity?"

"They knew."

Speaking of this, the female consultant's face showed a touch of emotion.

"But not only did they not betray me, they continued to take care of me like family. I owe them a lifetime of gratitude."

Ah, who would have thought that this female scholar, who usually appeared calm and composed, had such a soft heart.

"How did they find out?"

"It was also during an accident. I used magic and they immediately figured it out."

Austin praised from the side, "Who wouldn't want companions who willingly risk exposure to save others?"

"Commander, you overpraise me."

Paul suddenly remembered, "I just remembered something from the church in Frand... Did you do something to me?"

Lady Ladia blushed, "I apologize deeply, my lord. But you acted out of kindness, wanting to save the unconscious mayor at the time, so you fell under my suggestion spell. Otherwise, I wouldn't have succeeded."

"Haha!" Paul awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, "I didn't realize I was such a good person."

The group continued chatting as they walked into the shipyard area. In the distance at the harbor, two sailboats with tall masts stood prominently.

(End of the Chapter)

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