Chapter 569: Manpower
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 569: Manpower
"Cooperation?"
Canterbury set down the book in his hand with a hint of surprise. His snowy-white eyebrows twitched as he gave Muen a meaningful look.
"Are you suggesting that the Church should wade into the Empire’s recent... muddy waters?"
"Calling it 'wading into muddy waters' is a bit inappropriate. Since it’s a cooperation, it should naturally be mutually beneficial."
Muen smiled slightly.
"Besides, hasn't the Archbishop already personally entered the fray? Don't tell me the Indra King failed to show up a few days ago because he forgot to blow out the oil lamps at home. Speaking of which, I really must thank you for that, Archbishop."
"Cut the nonsense, kid. Don't think I don't know who wrote that little note to me, forcing me to make such a grueling trip. Besides, the nature of these two matters is entirely different."
"I went to stop the Indra King because he and I are old acquaintances, and for the sake of Belland’s stability. If anyone tries to cause chaos in Belland, as the Archbishop of this region, I will step in to stop them regardless of who they are. That is my duty."
"However, if I help you..."
Canterbury tapped his withered fingers on the tabletop. "The nature of this act would be the Church privately interfering in the Empire's internal politics. Other countries might be fine, but the Empire is extremely averse to the Church meddling in its political affairs. It would certainly face opposition from the Imperial high command and even become a weapon in the hands of those with ulterior motives. You just suffered such a massive setback—are you really going to hand your enemies another blade?"
"...So even the Archbishop knows about my recent failure," Muen’s cheek twitched.
"I’m not blind. Anyone can see the predicament the Campbell family is in, being monitored at every turn. I imagine you wouldn't have come to me if you hadn't run out of cards to play."
Canterbury chuckled. "Of course, for the sake of the Saintess, the Church can provide you with political asylum at any time. As long as your status as an Honorary Holy Knight remains, the Church will absolutely guarantee your safety, no matter how badly you lose this struggle."
"I appreciate the Archbishop's sentiment."
Muen shook his head. "But if I truly chose to retreat, there are countless ways to hide. I could simply crawl back into my teacher’s little nest right now, and no one in this world could touch me."
"But... I have reasons why I cannot back down. If those people are allowed to run wild, who knows what the Empire will become in the future? They still have debts to pay. Moreover, I have one more reason for doing this now than I did before."
Muen lightly brushed his fingers against his lips. The cool, soft sensation lingered. He smiled.
"A very important reason."
"Is that so?"
Canterbury scrutinized Muen more closely, a flash of admiration appearing in his weathered eyes.
"As expected of the knight the Saintess holds in high regard. Having no way to retreat is one thing, but choosing not to retreat when a path exists is quite another. However, no matter how many reasons you have, none of them are reasons for the Church to get involved. So, your words fail to move me."
"I never expected to move the Archbishop, and I understand that the Church cannot simply intervene. Besides..."
The corners of Muen’s mouth curled up. "I never said I wanted the Church to get involved."
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"There are many ways to cooperate. Some are out in the open, while others are in the shadows."
Muen spread his hands. "While the Church cannot support me openly, surely there is no issue if I, in my private capacity, 'hire' some manpower from the Church to assist me covertly? As long as it's done discreetly, who would know that this manpower belongs to the Church?"
"Manpower?"
Canterbury looked puzzled. "The Church is a place for serving the Goddess and guiding the faithful. Where would we have this 'manpower' you speak of?"
"Archbishop, please. I don't believe for a second that the Church doesn't have some secret private forces hidden away in Belland."
Muen’s smile remained. "The idea that the Church is just a place of harmony, peace, and loving prayer might fool a fool, but it won't fool me. After all... though I am only an Honorary Knight, in a sense, I am a member of the Church, am I not?"
"Hmph, so what if you are?"
Seeing that he could no longer hide it, Canterbury spoke plainly, a cold sneer on his face.
"You talk about being a member of the Church? Why don't you just leave the Empire and join us officially? With your talent, a Bishop's seat is practically guaranteed in the future. Isn't that better than being the son of some damn Duke?"
"...Some things aren't so easily changed."
Muen sighed softly and said sincerely:
"However, I believe the deep friendship between the Church and me will certainly not change with time. It will surely become even more..."
"Heh, enough. Don't give me that 'friendship' crap. If it weren't for the fact that you have a bit of a connection with the Saintess, I would have kicked you out long ago."
Canterbury abandoned all his Archbishoply poise, slamming his book onto the table with a stern expression.
"I'll put it bluntly: as long as your loyalties still lie with the Empire, don't even think about talking cooperation with me! As an Archbishop managing so many people every day, I am not so easily swayed!"
"..."
In the silent room, only the incense smoke curled lazily.
Muen looked at Archbishop Canterbury, who had spoken with such finality, and his eyelid twitched instinctively.
Although the Archbishop looked cold and serious, if one read between the lines... wasn't there a hint of deeper meaning in his words?
As for what that meaning was...
"I have an account in the Holy City," Muen said suddenly.
"An account? What does your having an account have to do with me?" Archbishop Canterbury continued to sneer, his face full of disdain.
"This account was opened in the name of Liya... no, in the name of the Saintess. Therefore, aside from your Pope, no one has the ability or the authority to investigate the flow of funds in that account. And I doubt the Pope would be so bored as to do so."
"...Of course. His Holiness is occupied with a myriad of affairs; he naturally wouldn't care about such trivialities."
Canterbury said impatiently, "So, what exactly is your point?"
"I plan to allocate a portion of those funds to aid in the construction of a cathedral. In your name, of course, Archbishop."
Muen crossed his fingers and rested his chin on them, watching Canterbury with composure as he spoke slowly:
"Once this business in the Empire is over, a brand-new cathedral will rise in Belland. A cathedral named after Canterbury."
"..."
Archbishop Canterbury froze. He quickly sat up a bit straighter, also crossing his hands under his chin, and said solemnly:
"A cathedral?"
"Yes. I hear this Belland Cathedral has a history of three hundred years. Doesn't it seem a bit old and cramped now? It’s hardly a fitting place to serve the Goddess properly, is it?"
"You have a point."
"And since I'm not very familiar with the construction of churches, the arduous task of supervising the build would have to fall... on your shoulders, Archbishop."
"On my shoulders?"
"Exactly. I only provide the gold. How it's built is up to you."
Muen felt a rare pang of stinginess in his chest, but he maintained his smile.
"Of course, as you know, the Campbell family is currently in the eye of the storm. If we are left alone without the help of kind-hearted people and our status plummets, then those funds... I naturally wouldn't be able to produce them."
"Is that so?"
Archbishop Canterbury closed his eyes, looking deeply conflicted as he muttered to himself:
"Getting involved in conflict behind the scenes is truly against our wishes. But... if it is for the sake of better serving the Goddess, such a small sacrifice seems unavoidable. Alas, our hearts are as bright as the light, yet darkness follows us like a shadow. A sin, a sin... I hope the Goddess can forgive us."
...This old fox. His skin is even thicker than Pink Bear's.
Muen cursed inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged as he replied:
"Indeed. It is all for the sake of better serving the Goddess. The Goddess will not blame you for a small sacrifice."
"Then... it can't be helped."
Canterbury let out a long sigh toward the ceiling, then suddenly slapped the table and called out in a deep voice:
"Sister Theresa, Father Cooper."
"Present."
Two figures emerged from the darkness, as if they had been waiting there all along.
"Take your people and accompany the Honorary Holy Knight on this trip."
Canterbury stroked his beard and instructed:
"Remember, for today, you have no connection to the Church. Do not reveal your identities under any circumstances."
"Understood."
The voices from the darkness were steady, instilling a profound sense of security.
*
"Is the furnace lit?"
"It's burning, sir."
"Good. Let's go."
At the Dion Mansion, Steward Arno led several carriages that Wei'er had just sent over. They bypassed the garden-like private courtyard and arrived at a secluded area.
In the center of the clearing stood a massive metal furnace, two stories high, belching thick black smoke.
Roaring flames burned within, and a large amount of ash had accumulated at the bottom. One could faintly see glowing red liquid metal, dust drifting with the flames, and some precious items that remained even after being scorched.
Over the years, countless things that could harm the Dion family—whether evidence, stolen goods, secret documents, or... people—had been cast into this roaring furnace, becoming part of the foundation of this illustrious family.
And now, new items were to be added to that foundation.
"Are we really just throwing these things in?"
Someone looked at the carriages with a hint of reluctance. "These were sent by the Princess. There must be plenty of good stuff in there."
"Shut up. This is the Marquis's order. Just do it!" the steward barked.
"But... surely a quick look wouldn't hurt? They're going to be burned anyway. The Marquis won't know."
The steward's subordinate grumbled.
"This..."
Hearing this, the steward's eyes flickered.
True. They're all going to be burned anyway. One look... just one look shouldn't be a problem.