Chapter : 49

Here is the account I heard from Captain Konrad’s uncle.

He had accidentally discovered a pagan temple of the barbarians in the Arhen Mountains, immediately called soldiers to destroy it, killed those who resisted, and plundered the place.

In particular, he had smashed a sacred statue and urinated on it to insult it, an act that was practically begging to be cursed.

Thanks to this, everyone who heard the story was utterly dumbfounded.

“He was just asking to be cursed.”

“Are they not madmen? Human lord? What a cursed lot.”

“He is your kinsman… Captain Konrad.”

“Ah-! Right? Ahem.”

Captain Konrad was naturally among them.

“Meeeeee-! Even if they are pagans, to satisfy one’s greed in such a way! Merrr-!”

“For the first time, I agree with this goat beastman. No matter the god, if you act so recklessly, you will surely pay the price. Canton councilman….”

Bishop Marco and Magician Agpiel both lashed out at the Canton councilman.

Even if they were pagans, to dare steal and desecrate a sacred object. This was an act of extreme audacity.

“He should have told the diocese and offered the plundered goods! Merrrr. This greedy dwarf.”

Of course, one of them was a bit off the mark(?).

“I-I am sorry, Lord Margrave.”

“Enough. What's done is done. Can it be helped? If you are truly sorry, you can repent now and I can give you a chance for penance before the citizens of Canton, you know?”

“Hiiik! No, Your Excellency. Please spare my life.”

His reaction was amusing, and I thought about teasing him a little more, but I stopped, thinking he might faint.

I turned my head and looked at Magician Agpiel.

“Is there any way to resolve this? I want to solve this problem quickly.”

To think I had spent so much time unintentionally entangled in this incident.

I was getting tired of it.

To have to pour such effort into a place that wasn't even my domain!

It was fortunate that this Canton federation would be a reliable force if they became my allies; if they were insignificant, I might have just passed them by.

“Well, fortunately, it doesn’t seem to be a difficult curse to resolve.”

“Oh-! What is the method?”

“To return the stolen sacred objects to their original place.”

“Will that really be enough?”

I felt a sense of futility at Magician Agpiel’s response as he shrugged his shoulders.

The solution was simpler than I had thought. If it was this easy, then why on earth had that stupid Canton Council let things get this out of hand-!

As if understanding my feelings, Agpiel chuckled and said.

“It is both easy and difficult. Just look at that greedy Canton councilman and you’ll understand. It is difficult for a man blinded by greed to think of such things.”

“Ah, that is true.”

“By the way, that usually solves it, but… if it doesn’t, we’ll have to find another way.”

“Another way, you say?”

“That's right.”

As he spoke, Magician Agpiel casually glanced at the Canton council member and then dusted off his hands.

Hmm. So what he meant was that there was no other option but to burn him to death, right?

‘What a fiery method.’

Of course, I had no intention of doing so.

If I did it that way, I might be able to fill this Canton Council with my people and bring it under my influence, as the notification window said, but….

‘If I did that, the aftermath would be unmanageable.’

My power was still insufficient.

At a time when I couldn't even overwhelm the surrounding lords, making a move on the Canton federation was no different from making an enemy of an even greater power.

The King, the Duke of Bourgogne, the Holy Emperor of the Empire, the Electors of the western Empire, and so on.

So, that was an absolute no.

“I must hope that it will be resolved by that method.”

“Haha. As expected, you are cautious, unlike a young noble. A good attitude.”

There was nothing better than having an associate who was also wise. Magician Agpiel smiled with a satisfied expression.

“Well then, it seems the situation is roughly sorted out?”

“Meeeeee~. That’s right, mer.”

“Then, Canton councilman, please bring the plundered sacred objects now.”

At that, the Canton council member moved his greedy dwarven jowls and asked.

“P-perhaps. Is there no other way but that, Your Excellency?”

“…Why, is it a waste?”

I blurted out, dumbfounded.

To be greedy even in this situation. He really seemed crazy enough to want to die. After I had tried so hard to take care of him.

“N-no, Your Excellency.”

“Then stop talking nonsense and immediately have your people return the sacred objects the council members stole.”

“Y-yes, I understand.”

The Canton council member was startled by my cold tone and moved quickly.

He must have read the killing intent in my voice.

I added one more word to the back of the dwarf's head.

“Ah-! And we need funds for the expedition. You all should contribute on your own and show sufficient sincerity(?).”

If I was going to do the work for them, there had to be a price. I intended to scrape them clean.

* * *

“Oh-!”

“Indeed.”

I could see why the Canton council member had been reluctant. A sacred object so finely crafted with gold and jewels.

It was a treasure that would inevitably stir greed in anyone who saw it.

Look at him now.

“Mehehehet. Beautiful. Can’t we just swipe this? Mer!”

The heart-shaped pupils in that goat beastman’s square eyes.

He was saying things that would get him in big trouble if any other bishop heard.

“This is a pagan object, Bishop Marco…?”

“Me-mehet…! You are to act as if you didn't hear that, meeee~.”

What an incorrigible greedy fellow.

I shook my head and looked at the assembled Canton council members, asking.

“Is this all of it?”

“Y-yes, Your Excellency.”

“That's right-!”

“If you lie, the consequences will be truly unmanageable. It would be best to confess now if you have more. There won't be a second chance. I must go to the Holy See immediately after this. For your information, I intend to report this matter directly to the Holy See.”

I growled, speaking in a threatening tone.

It was just a way of establishing discipline.

Surely there wouldn't be anyone who hid something and didn't bring it in a situation like this?

But there was.

“Uh! Your Excellency. I just remembered!”

“M-me too. Come to think of it, I think I left two statues under my bed.”

And quite a few dwarf council members at that.

“……”

They all scattered in a fluster, sweating profusely.

They were probably going back to their mansions to retrieve the sacred objects they had stashed away.

‘As expected of greedy dwarves…. Good grief.’

I looked at them and sighed inwardly.

“Captain Konrad. You must have had a hard time.”

“A-ahem. It's not like everyone is like that….”

Captain Konrad’s face was beet red, as if he knew his excuse wouldn't hold water, even though he tried to make one.

“Yes, yes. I understand. I suppose not everyone is like that. So, are the soldiers' preparations complete?”

“No, really, human lord….”

“I said I believe you.”

“Ugh…. I have prepared men who are tight-lipped. The knights are also stepping forward, so it should be over quickly.”

“Good. Then let’s depart when all the dwarves have returned.”

* * *

There was a rather minor(?) commotion, but the preparations were finally complete.

I took the guide provided by the Canton Council and headed for the Arhen Mountains with the army.

The amount of goods these dwarves had plundered was so great that the sacred objects filled a whole cart.

Thanks to that, a question arose in my mind.

“Are there usually this many items in a pagan temple, Magician Agpiel?”

“Hmm? Let me see. The items look like they're from the ancient empire era…. It's difficult for a temple to have this many items. The temples from the ancient empire era are mostly forgotten, so their treasures tend to disappear along with them.”

As expected.

Even to my eyes, this quantity was absurd.

That meant someone had been continuously managing that temple….

“Wait, didn’t you say they discovered the barbarians’ temple, killed them, and plundered it?”

“Oh-? Come to think of it, I believe so.”

“Good heavens, nothing is ever simple. If they plundered the temple, then the surrounding barbarian tribes must be furious.”

I clicked my tongue and sent a soldier to fetch the dwarf guide.

The guide, who came running and sweating profusely, suddenly crawled over and grabbed my hand with a look of honor.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Excellency.”

“……”

“Ah, I apologize. Ahem. Everyone said Your Excellency is spiritually powerful, so I couldn't help myself….”

“Yes, that can happen.”

“For what reason have I been summoned…?”

At the sharp glares from those around him, the guide slyly pulled his hand back and asked cautiously.

“I heard that there were originally barbarians at the temple. Is that true?”

“Yes, that is correct. They were typical barbarians living in the Arhen Mountains. They wore animal skins and had blue paint tattooed on their bodies.”

“Hmm….”

From the description, they sounded like the Picts, a barbarian tribe living in the Arhen Mountains of [Pangea Universalise].

They were one of the event forces that often appeared in an event called 'The Pictish Invasion.'

And sure enough.

“They sound like the Picts.”

“Oh, you know them well, Agpiel?”

“A very belligerent and strong tribe. They are an ancient people who have survived since the ancient empire era without being destroyed. I didn't know they would be guarding a temple here.”

“Then they must be furious?”

“Wouldn't that be likely?”

As expected, it seemed these damned dwarf councilmen had stirred up a hornet's nest.

Why on earth would they attack and plunder someone else’s perfectly fine temple? I had a bad feeling that this wouldn't end easily.

“Still, it's a relief. The Picts are more reasonable than you'd think.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. It's not for nothing that they've maintained their power since the ancient empire era. They know when to back down if they're at a disadvantage. If we show a reasonable amount of sincerity, they will likely cooperate.”

“What if they don’t back down?”

Agpiel replied as if it were a silly question.

“Then we fight. What other choice is there? Isn't that why we brought the army?”

“Uh, um…. That is true.”

As expected.

The people in the world of [Pangea Universalise], sage or not, were certainly fiery.

I was left speechless.

Still, it was a relief to know there was an easy way to resolve this.

If there were no particular problems, it would surely be resolved well.

If there were no problems, that is.

….

…….

…….

Is what I thought.

But a problem erupted.

The first meeting wasn't so bad.

The Picts were a barbarian tribe and they were furious, but they weren't thoughtless.

As soon as they saw the army armed with spears, swords, and armor, they hurried to engage in dialogue.

A choice worthy of a race that had survived since the ancient empire!

The condition they set was a single one.

Execute the ringleader who insulted their temple!

Of course, I was not one to grant that.

The ringleaders were the members of the Canton Council, and executing them would cause a huge problem.

I proposed a massive compensation, including the return of the sacred objects, excluding the punishment of the ringleaders.

They thought about it for a moment and eventually accepted my proposal.

The compensation was too great to refuse!

‘As expected, money is always right.’

Anyway, up to this point, everything had been going smoothly.

If we could just return the sacred objects ‘without any trouble,’ it would be over.

But then….

-Clang!

-Snap!

The porters carrying the sacred objects from behind accidentally dropped one.

The statue of the goddess, the most sacred object to the Picts.

“……?”

“Uh oh?”

And of all places, right in front of the goddess’s high priestess.

-Tiriring!

[You have destroyed the sacred statue of the Pictish goddess. This is the most serious insult of all to the Picts. Be aware. The contingency of history is always at hand.]

[Notification : Your standing with the Picts has decreased.]

[Notification : Your standing with the Holy See has increased.]

[Notification : Title acquired!]

[True Paladin : Deus Vult! God wills it! Burn the pagans!]

“Damn it!!!!!!!”