CHAPTER 107: FATE AND CORRUPTION

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Aric’s estate, cool golden light spilling along the hallway as he walked, his footsteps echoing softly against the marble floor.

He carried a glass of water in his left hand, his thumb tapping gently against the cool surface as he approached a large oak door.

His mind was sharp, contemplation heavy upon him. With a steady hand, he pushed the door open, entering the spacious study—now his war room, where the foundation of his ambitions was forged.

Inside, two figures awaited him, standing around a broad table scattered with parchments, maps, and reports.

Viscount Kael, sharp-eyed and wiry, held a small ledger in his hands, his gaze flicking between its pages and the documents before him. Next to him stood Old Man Hitoshi, whose calm expression belied the steely intelligence behind his age-worn features.

Both men straightened and offered a small bow.

"Greetings, Your Highness," they said in unison, nodding as Aric crossed the room. Their eyes held a mix of respect and intrigue, as if they were about to deliver significant news.

Aric returned a brief nod, acknowledging them with a wave of his right hand. He took a slow sip of his water, savoring the clarity of the moment.

"Gentlemen," he said, his voice steady but edged with curiosity, "what’s the situation?"

As he pulled a chair from the table’s side and settled comfortably, the men exchanged a glance. It was Hitoshi who spoke first, his voice soft but layered with meaning.

"Your Highness, we now have full understanding of the Church’s situation," Hitoshi began.

"As you know, it has grown into an institution far removed from the ideals it once stood for. In its origin, the Church embodied purity and protection. Their sacred ’Eternal Flame’ was supposed to be a source of wisdom, unity, and strength, binding the empire’s people to their leaders with shared purpose...you know, the usual sentimental nonsense."

Aric’s fingers drummed against the table as he considered this.

"And now it’s a tool."

Hitoshi’s mouth curled into a slight, almost bitter smile.

"Yes, nothing more than a weapon wielded by those who can pay for it. The sacred flame has dimmed under the weight of greed."

Kael nodded, his eyes narrowing as he added, "The hierarchy within the Church is carefully structured to maintain control and obedience, not faith. Power is concentrated among three branches—the Council of Saints, the Inquisitors of the Sacred Light, and the Guardians of the Flame. Each has its own agenda and ties to different noble houses."

Aric leaned forward, interested. "Go on."

"The Council of Saints," Hitoshi continued, "is comprised of high-ranking clergy who oversee doctrine and interpretation of sacred texts. They’re influential among the nobility, blessing or condemning as suits the highest bidder. They preach morality, yet bend it when the right payment is made. It’s no secret they’ve blessed wars, marriages, and titles solely to curry favor with noble families."

"And the Inquisitors?" Aric asked, his tone edged with disdain.

Viscount Kael raised an eyebrow.

"The Inquisitors of the Sacred Light are ostensibly the keepers of purity, rooting out heresy. Their leader, High Inquisitor Levos, is infamous for his corruption. His inquisitors are more feared than respected, serving as tools of political sabotage. For a large enough bribe, Levos will brand rivals as heretics. He’s amassed a fortune selling ’absolutions’ and pardons for sins."

Aric’s gaze sharpened, a glint of interest flashing in his eyes. "And the Guardians of the Flame?"

Hitoshi and Kael exchanged a look. "They’re more than priests," Kael said.

"The Guardians are a militaristic sect, warrior-monks sworn to protect the Church. But protection has shifted from relics to enforcing the Church’s will. They’re little more than enforcers for the Church’s ambitious allies among the nobility."

The young prince took another slow sip from his glass. "So, they’ve turned sacred duty into political favor and armed mercenary work."

Hitoshi nodded. "Indeed. They now justify wars, enforce oaths, and give blessings selectively, all to uphold the agendas of powerful houses. The Holy Flame has become the very thing it swore to eradicate—corrupt, self-serving, utterly political."

Aric leaned back, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "And yet the people still see them as spiritual leaders?"

Kael let out a dry chuckle. "To the commoners, yes. The illusion remains strong, upheld by years of doctrine and carefully staged charity. But those who deal closely with the Church know its true face."

Aric’s lips curled, his thoughts evident in his expression. "And what of their connections to the noble houses? I want details."

Viscount Kael began.

"House Rothval—staunch supporters of Crown Prince Valen and the Iron Circle—keeps the Church afloat financially. Their generosity is rewarded with public blessings for Valen’s campaigns. These aren’t mere endorsements; they’re ’holy wars,’ lending him divine favor."

Hitoshi nodded, picking up from Kael. "House Vernia funds the Church’s network of informants, aligning itself with Prince Sylas and his Shadow League. Conveniently, the Church brands his enemies as ’dangers to the faith,’ clearing his path. And House Drakov—close to Prince Darius—secretly funds the Church’s libraries, granting access to forbidden texts and artifacts under the pretense of research."

"Indulgences and relics, too, have become commodities," Kael continued.

"For the right price, High Priest Dorim absolves almost any sin, amassing wealth under the guise of spiritual authority. Nobles buy indulgences freely, erasing misdeeds while enriching the Church. They even sell worthless relics as artifacts of the Eternal Flame, tricking the common people into funding their schemes."

Aric’s expression darkened, a faint, cold smile forming on his lips. "The Church, it seems, is no stranger to irony. Preaching purity while profiting from sin."

Hitoshi gave a solemn nod. "Quite so, Your Highness. For all their talk of peace, they’ve also covertly funded wars. Under the guise of safeguarding the empire, they provide warriors to noble houses. These ’Guardians of the Flame’ are mercenaries, used to sabotage rivals and raid estates."

Aric looked at the two men, eyes gleaming with quiet ambition. "And what would it take," he asked slowly, "to gain full control of the Church’s wealth and influence?"

Hitoshi’s eyes sparkled with approval. "Simple, Your Highness: exploit their hunger for funds and loyalty. With loans, donations, and patronage, we can sway key figures within the Church."

Kael leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "We start with those in need. High Inquisitor Levos is deeply in debt to House Rothval. Relieve that debt, and he abandons Valen. Dorim, too, faces troubles despite his fortune. His indulgences have caused... issues with patrons, and he’s been forced into reparations."

"So," Aric murmured, "we buy them out—piece by piece."

Kael nodded, eyes alight.

"Precisely. Once we hold enough leverage, they’ll turn loyal to you and the Ashen Covenant, forsaking the princes they once supported."

"And what of their relics?" Aric’s gaze hardened, voice lowering. "If we expose their so-called relics as frauds, we shatter their hold over the people. Without illusion, their influence crumbles."

Hitoshi’s smile widened with approval. "A wise move. Expose their corruption, and even the common folk may turn away. A well-placed rumor, a few revelations... it wouldn’t take long."

For a moment, Aric fell silent, his gaze drifting across the scattered papers. He thought of the Church’s sermons, their words of humility and sacrifice, and how those same words condemned the helpless while the powerful prospered.

His mind swam with a vision of a future where he—not Valen, Sylas, or Darius—wielded power over both faith and politics.

He looked up, eyes burning with resolve. "Then we will take it all," he declared, voice steady and cold. "We will seize the heart of this empire’s faith, bend it to our will. And when the time is right, the Holy Flame will burn as it once did—but this time, it will be my fire, and I will decide who is blessed and who is condemned."

A slow smile spread across both Kael’s and Hitoshi’s faces. "As you will, Your Highness," they murmured, bowing with newfound fervor.