Chapter 77

Chapter 77

11. War of Faith -8

A public opinion war is far more effective when backed by force.

That doesn't mean beating up citizens while spreading rumors, of course. If a public opinion war is the work of taming the ferocious beast called public sentiment, then force is like a well-made bridle.

Behold.

"⋯⋯Holy knights, go out and settle this disturbance."

With even innocent holy knights being framed as robbers, they chose the desperate measure of drawing their swords to shut my mouth. They intended to quietly dispose of me and brush it off as, "That white-haired holy knight was simply a madman."

But.

"How dare you cause a commotion in this sacred place! I, Holy Knight Natelo, shall discipline you!"

"I merely wish to return stolen property. Why do you respond so harshly?"

"Enough talk—take my blade—urghk!"

One down.

"To speak falsehoods before the church and spread chaos—as a priest, I command you. Holy knights of the order, seize that man!"

"I speak only the truth, so as long as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Holy God watches over me, I shall not fall."

"Silence that mouth—urrk!"

Ten down.

"I know not what you are, but your luck ends here. I, High-Ranking Holy Knight Solito, shall punish you. For the crime of insulting fellow holy knights and lowering the dignity of the Church of the Holy God—gahk!"

"Is desiring dialogue an insult? From beginning to end, I have desired nothing but dialogue."

Once I'd sent even the one with somewhat decent swordsmanship off to dreamland.

"⋯⋯Cease this fighting. I, Savidero, command it in the bishop's name."

Like this.

Even if they didn't want to, they had no choice but to step onto the board I wanted.

What are you going to do ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠if the chess pieces don't get cleared? You have to come yourself.

The one who appeared to stop the fight was a bishop with a goatee who looked to be in his early forties. His face, which resembled a snake and looked treacherous, was twisted mercilessly as if he'd been chewing on bear bile.

Savidero was the representative bishop leading the Serpent-Subduing Young Lord Faction. According to Andersen's explanation, he was⋯⋯ someone with strong safety-first tendencies who fervently supported the Conclave, wasn't he?

I shoved the holy knights sprawled on the ground aside with my foot to make space and spoke.

"Do you call it a fight when one side was unilaterally attacked?"

"⋯⋯That is, ahem."

"But at last, someone in charge has come out. Now, will you hear what I have to say and take custody of the thieves I captured?"

"Yes, I shall listen. First, this is no place for conversation, so let us go inside."

Why should I?

I glanced around. The crowd, entranced by the ongoing commotion and the duel I had staged with every ounce of flair I could muster, was murmuring as they watched. They were, in effect, my wall and my shield.

I smiled brightly and waved to the citizens, and a few women let out little shrieks and stamped their feet. I hadn't expected this level of response⋯⋯ Anyway, it was a bit awkward, but why should I give up such a geographical advantage?

"No. I will converse here."

"⋯⋯⋯⋯"

Bishop Savidero's face grew even more sour.

He clearly wanted to minimize and bury this situation somehow. And to be fair, dragging it out wasn't good for them either. Their own holy knights had turned into robbers, and then they'd sent holy knights to swing swords in defense of those robbers—wasn't that the shape of it?

The citizens weren't fools, so naturally doubt clouded their eyes. If this situation wasn't properly explained, their reputation would suffer greatly. No matter how much power they held, that would sting quite a bit.

"You⋯⋯ holy knight whose name I do not know."

"I am Noah, a holy knight in the direct service of the Saintess. Bishop."

"Ahem, yes. Holy Knight Noah. Given that you have caused such a commotion, you must have come to convey something important. How can you discuss a matter of such gravity before the eyes of the public?"

Savidero tried once more to move the stage inside the building. But I firmly shook my head and refused.

"That would be unacceptable, even for the sake of the citizens."

"What?"

"I stated my purpose from the start. I captured the robbers who attacked the Saintess's carriage, and they had the audacity to steal and wear the arms and armor of holy knights. I said I would return the owner's property to the owner's embrace. But what came back was a blade."

"⋯⋯⋯⋯"

"How bewildered the citizens must have been? Those who serve the same Holy God ended up clashing blades with one another. There must surely have been a misunderstanding. But if that misunderstanding is not resolved, the citizens will come to believe that our church is in discord."

I put on the most loyal and virtuous expression I could manage and called out. As a bonus, I worked the 『Azure Wind Wanderer』 just slightly to make my hair flutter naturally.

"Bishop Savidero! Please resolve this misunderstanding so that the citizens gathered here may rest easy!"

"⋯⋯Th-this."

"And I formally demand this. If a mere band of thieves came to possess holy knight armor, there must surely have been corruption involved! Promise to investigate and punish those responsible!"

"Tch⋯⋯"

In other words, air out all the dirty laundry here and now. Savidero.

For a mere holy knight to publicly snipe at one of the twelve bishops who control the Church of the Holy God is absurd. It's like a new hire at a major corporation stabbing a board director.

But I'm not a normal holy knight, am I? If I were going to do holy knight work here for a thousand years, that'd be one thing, but this is just a temporary identity I'll use for a week and throw away. So I can slam into them without reservation. In fact, I have to.

Because the more that goatee trembles, the more steeply my fame will soar.

"Ah, Bishop Savidero. Let me ask, just to confirm."

Step, step—

I pulled the helmet off one of the tightly bound robber-knights and lifted it with one hand. Half his face was swollen from being struck by the 『Claw』, but it was still recognizable.

"Their skills were abysmal and their attitude hardly befitted those devoted to the clergy, so I was certain the carriage attackers were a band of thieves. But such matters are best examined thoroughly."

"⋯⋯⋯⋯"

"As Bishop Savidero, you must know the appearances of the holy knights in this area. If you recognize this face, please state it clearly. Is this man a holy knight, or a thief?"

"⋯⋯⋯⋯!!"

Wriggle, wriggle!

The holy knight dangling from my grip twisted his body like a caterpillar. But that didn't loosen the strength in my hand.

Well? Isn't he your subordinate? Savidero.

If you say he's a thief here, you become the kind of man who ruthlessly throws his own subordinates away. If you say he's a holy knight, that's also quite troublesome. It'd be admitting you were behind the attack on the Saintess's carriage.

This was exactly why I'd come to this city—the one Bishop Savidero was in charge of—and nowhere else. Because the roots of the carriage attackers were here.

As for how I, a stranger, figured that out⋯⋯

[Noah Won : Their appearances are roughly like this. Do you know whose men they are?]

[Andersen : They're Bishop Savidero's holy knights.]

It was thanks to having a mafia-style Saintess on my side who had memorized the faces of most people affiliated with the Church of the Holy God.

At that, Savidero wore an expression that said he'd strangle me to death if he could. If the holy knights hadn't been utterly wrecked by my hands, he probably would have actually given such an order.

This is why a public opinion war is effective when backed by force.

"⋯⋯A face I do not recall. A robber, yes."

"Then why did you send holy knights to detain me instead of granting me a reward?!"

"Th-that is. Because your identity was not certain⋯⋯"

"You doubted my identity even after seeing the Saintess's crest engraved on this carriage?! Or was my attire in violation of regulations? If there is anything lacking, I shall correct it, so please instruct me, Bishop!"

"⋯⋯Th-this!"

After that, I thoroughly beat Bishop Savidero with my tongue.

If he'd been a crafty, seasoned man whose silver tongue was well-oiled, I would have used a different tactic⋯⋯ but this was easier. The more I cut the bishop down, the higher my own standing rose.

It was in the midst of that.

[────.]

Ssssss—

I felt a strange sensation, as if someone was looking up at me from below. The gaze was persistent and covert, as if circling around Bishop Savidero.

But I didn't stop dealing damage. In fact, because I felt that gaze, I couldn't stop. I had to keep doggedly harrying Bishop Savidero, who was trying to end the conversation and flee.

[-> Download Slot 1 : 『The Gaze of ■■■■』 (Downloading⋯⋯ 28%)]

Because I was certain this would be useful.

"Why do you not open your mouth? You must quickly explain a reason I can accept—"

"Aaaah!"

And so.

From that day onward, stories began to spread through the world about the Saintess's holy knight—the one who had single-handedly faced dozens of holy knights and sternly rebuked a bishop while discoursing on the proper conduct of a clergyman.

The Grand Assembly Hall of the Church of the Holy God.

This place, which should have been where the Pope and the Saintess led discussions on the church's affairs, had long since become the twelve bishops' private playground, crushed under their authority.

The meetings that had once discussed the people's welfare had likewise transformed into something closer to merchant dealings—how much tribute to offer and how to extract divine gifts. Today's scheduled meeting was also meant to coordinate the interests of the approaching Conclave, but.

Due to a suddenly added variable, they were forced to insert a new agenda item.

"⋯⋯So, in the end, you framed the holy knights as robbers and punished them. Bishop Savidero. Men who were merely loyal."

"What could I have done?! That insolent brat was shouting threats in front of everyone!"

"Though we may belong to different factions, we all bear the name of bishops of the same Church of the Holy God. Have you considered that Bishop Savidero's conduct also erodes the authority of the other bishops? For the sake of the church, you should have moved with greater caution."

"Are you trying to pick at my faults now that you see an opportunity?! And this was originally Bishop Bento, your—"

Tap.

The white-haired elder who had been speaking calmly—Bishop Bento, leader of the Moon-Shadow Faction—tapped the table with his finger as Bishop Savidero's voice rose. It was a light gesture and didn't make much sound, but.

Every bishop gathered here knew what would happen if one continued to act recklessly after that warning had passed, so Bishop Savidero could only suppress his fury, his body trembling.

"I-I meant that it was unjust."

"I understand. That white-haired holy knight seems somewhat lacking in his study of tradition and law, but his martial prowess was outstanding. Bishop Savidero must have found that ability too valuable to strike harshly."

"⋯⋯Y-yes. Yes."

"And⋯⋯ the Saintess has also been diligently handling church affairs lately, which is most welcome news. I hear that those who follow the Saintess have increased greatly⋯⋯"

As Bishop Bento opened with that, Bishop Seldicto—a man whose build seemed three times that of others—fanned himself briskly and spoke.

"Our Binder Faction looked into it, and it's truly remarkable! Those who believe in the Holy God and the Saintess are distributing grain everywhere, and the price is far below market value. The citizens are singing and practically worshipping them!"

"It is most admirable, but as far as I know, the Saintess does not have much wealth. I worry she may be overextending herself for the citizens' sake."

"That's the strange part! There's clearly no source for it anywhere, yet she keeps distributing it as if stamping out bread from thin air, and it just keeps going! Ha, truly. The world is saying the Holy God has finally shone its light upon us—I nearly believed it myself!"

"⋯⋯⋯⋯"

Bishop Bento's smile deepened.

The Saintess and the Holy-God Faction were swelling their ranks. That much was understandable. Once the Conclave passed, one of the three gods of this other world would ascend to the position of chief deity, and the Holy-God Faction would collapse.

So their final thrashing before withering away was already within expectations. But⋯⋯ the thrashing was excessive. The Holy-God Faction was releasing massive amounts of food of unknown origin to the public.

The domestic merchant guilds were all tightly gripped in the bishops' hands—so where in the world had they procured it from?

The strange points didn't end there.

"I hear robbers appeared, daring to plunder the Saintess's storehouse, and soldiers in attire never seen before defeated them. Isn't that also peculiar? Haha!"

"It seems the Holy God, moved by the Saintess's virtuous heart, has sent down a heavenly host."

Personnel.

Elite personnel capable of slaughtering every single saboteur the bishops had dispatched had appeared "before anyone knew it." The Saintess's final struggle had no visible cause and effect. Everything had appeared suddenly.

And at the head of it all was the white-haired holy knight, Noah.

Bishop Bento moved the meeting forward.

"What of the others? Do any of you know anything about this holy knight who caused the disturbance? And if anyone knows how the Saintess found and recruited such talent, I ask that you share your wisdom for the sake of the church."

Speak of this holy knight called Noah. And investigate and report why the Saintess is causing a commotion at this time, what her purpose is, and what her methods are.

At this, the bishops exchanged meaningful glances among their respective factions. They were rivals as well as collaborators, so recklessly revealing everything one knew could also be harmful.

But Bishop Savidero, representative of the Serpent-Subduing Young Lord Faction, didn't think that deeply.

In his view, it was better to deal with this holy knight called Noah by any means necessary. Partly because he wanted to repay the grudge of being humiliated on the main road⋯⋯ but more than anything.

[Serpent-Subduing Young Lord : If you want this to work, cut that bastard down first, you primitive! It's driving me insane—I forced a message through using a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠secret art, but your talent is so pathetic you can't understand a thing. Still, you can at least grasp the feeling, right?]

Intuition.

It was because of an intuition, as if someone was hissing whispers into his ear.

"Do you remember the rumor that the Saintess excavated ruins and obtained divine gifts? It seems to be true. A few holy knights barely escaped from that commotion, and according to what they reported⋯⋯ what was loaded in the carriage was a tremendous secret manual."

[Serpent-Subduing Young Lord : Damn it, talk around it a little, you thick-skulled primitive. The other bishops are skirting the danger, and what are you doing?]

"A secret manual?"

"They said it was surely a divine gift. The grain being released to the public now, and the soldiers who sprang from bare ground⋯⋯ wouldn't it all make sense if they were divine gifts? Come to think of it, that damned white-haired holy knight's shield also looked like an extraordinary object."

"Is that so. This is a blessing for the church. If the Saintess has received so many divine gifts, the church will also prosper. But⋯⋯ the amount of divine gifts is proportional to the amount of tribute that must be offered, so I suspect the Saintess may come to harm."

As Bishop Bento opened with that, the three naturally continued.

"When it comes to the experience of receiving divine gifts! Are we not superior to the Saintess? Hahaha! Learning is the filling of each other's deficiencies, so we ought to teach her how to properly manage them!"

"Since it could be dangerous, yes. Until her basic education is complete, it would be best for the bishops to safeguard the divine gifts the Saintess has excavated."

"It is truly heartwarming to see such consideration for one another. I also agree. The Saintess is destined for great things, so helping her catch her breath when she rushes ahead so impatiently is the calling of us elders."

Let's take them. Let's seize the divine gifts and crush her spirit.

A consensus formed in an instant.

At this, one of the bishops said that the Saintess's power was currently swelling rapidly—and that poking at it carelessly might create trouble. But.

The three bishops who led their respective factions and spearheaded dealings with the gods laughed without concern. They knew what kind of beings the gods were. The gods' dealings were greedy.

No god existed who gave everything away freely out of benevolence. Even divine gifts buried in relics carried strict restrictions on their use. So no matter how vast a ruin the Saintess had excavated, there would be limits.

Not only were there limits on use, but she would have no capacity to excavate more. So the tide wouldn't suddenly turn.

It wasn't as if the Holy God would suddenly go mad and start scattering divine gifts at the cost of its own existence. She'd apparently picked up a few relics by chance⋯⋯ what more could possibly come of it?

So if they could just break this momentum once, it would be smooth sailing. They'd be at peace without a single tremor until the Conclave.

"How about summoning Holy Knight Noah for disciplinary proceedings?"

"His identity is unknown and his methods seem unsavory. I suspect ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he may have briefly clouded the Saintess's judgment with that face of his. Should we not verify him ourselves?"

"Let us hold a confirmation hearing! And if flaws are found, we shall counsel him to withdraw from the clergy!"

[Serpent-Subduing Young Lord : Honestly, just round up all the bastards who received divine gifts and strike them all at once, killing them even by force, seems like the best option⋯⋯ Sigh, fine. You can't hear me anyway. I didn't expect anything.]

And so, Holy Knight Noah's hearing was decided.

And all of that deliberation⋯⋯

"⋯⋯⋯⋯"

The Pope merely watched with a grave expression.

"Hoo."

I tidied my bangs a little. Soon I would enter the hearing chamber. A place with not a single ally, packed with twelve enemies. But though I was tense, I wasn't worried.

I didn't come here to get my joints broken—

I came here to break theirs.