Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 178: Coercion

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

Upon hearing Bishop Elvis's sarcasm, Helen unexpectedly felt a bit relieved, sensing that he wouldn't endanger her sister.

Of course, she wasn't naive enough to believe he would simply return Fanny without conditions. If the Church had intended to do so, they would have done it openly. Their secretive approach now indicated there were certain demands she must meet.

She softened her tone and ventured, "So, please send Fanny back. My husband and I will ensure strict discipline over this child. Our entire family will be grateful to the Church and to you personally."

Elvis smiled faintly, "We will certainly return Baroness Fanny safely. However..."

"If the Church has any difficulties, I will do my utmost to assist."

Was he asking for donations? Hopefully, he wouldn't make excessive demands.

Bishop Elvis asked calmly, "Your Highness, what brings you and your husband to visit the Alliance of Horns Bay this time?"

"Just a routine state visit, countries should interact regularly, much like neighbors visiting each other."

"Neighbors? Heh, I'm afraid it's not as simple as a neighborly visit."

Helen furrowed her brow, "I don't understand what you mean."

Elvis's tone suddenly became more intense.

"Your Highness, let me remind you. Your husband's visit to Niceport this time is not a routine state visit but to participate in a conspiracy against the Church!"

"Bishop, you seem to be paranoid!"

"No, we have concrete intelligence. A month ago, the Alliance of Horns Bay secretly issued an invitation to neighboring countries' leaders to come to Niceport for a meeting."

Elvis's voice grew colder.

"It's a clandestine meeting, contrary to the teachings of our Heavenly Father. Its purpose is to discuss how to curb the Church's influence in the Horns Bay region, even to diminish the Church's influence among the people!"

His emotions suddenly heightened.

"Ah! How despicable and filthy! Our witch-hunting movement aims to defend ordinary people from the intrusion of evil forces. This is a just cause, a glorious cause, and the people support us, which proves that our actions are absolutely correct."

"But these mediocre rulers think their authority is being infringed upon. They turn a deaf ear to the people's voices and blind eye to the erosion of evil forces, only sensitive to the power in their hands."

"I can say with absolute certainty that some of them have already fallen. These people either directly engage with forbidden powers or have become lackeys of the witches."

"This is shameful betrayal! This is a vile conspiracy!"

"Your husband, Duke of Eaton, is one of the participants in this conspiracy! And not just a participant but an active supporter, otherwise, he wouldn't have arrived in Niceport ahead of the leaders of other countries."

Bishop Elvis spoke at length, his emotions rising, his breath heavy.

Helen secretly despised, if your Church didn't reach so far, how could it provoke so many countries?

Using the pretext of witch-hunting to seize wealth, suppress dissent, and openly dictate policies to foreign merchants—it was challenging for the Horns Bay countries, which relied on commerce.