Chapter 3. Were they such a high-ranking person? (4)
Chapter 3. Were they such a high-ranking person? (4)
Arno, having received my recommendation letter, left the duchy immediately.
Well, rather than "left," it was more like he just went back to where he belonged.
He was originally from here, and due to the contributions he made within the territory—mainly relief activities like running an orphanage—he had risen to the position of 'Parish Deputy.' Though it seemed he had never actually been to the central seat of that parish.
"My father said he would like to convey his gratitude to Your Excellency."
Perhaps because it was an official letter, Frida spoke in a somewhat stiff tone.
"Is that so? However, now is not the time for me to be receiving thanks. Brother Arno has only just set out on his path. It would be better to discuss this again later if any 'results' come from my recommendation letter."
Among nobles, if something comes in, something must go out.
Baron Hagen would likely try to show his sincerity to me properly.
Well, I'd be satisfied if I could just confirm his loyalty properly. As long as he doesn't start a rebellion under me, that's fine.
"......."
Even after hearing my answer, Frida stood there, somehow hesitating.
"Is there something else you wish to say?"
"I, I also wanted to express my personal gratitude."
I blinked.
"Gratitude? Regarding Brother Arno receiving my recommendation letter?"
"Yes, I want to thank you personally as well. Uncle Arno is the one who took care of me during my childhood."
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Frida.
It wasn't to cast a suspicious glance, but simply to try and recall as much of Frida's past as I could remember.
So... what was it? Was her family situation a bit complicated? Or not? I'm not sure.
Well, if she says so, then it must be so.
"I also had my own reasons for giving that recommendation letter, so there is no need to think too seriously about it."
I said that nonchalantly and brushed it off.
Frida just gave me a bitter smile.
Well, for me, I was just relieved that someone who might cause trouble for me was gone—
—And then, a month after Brother Arno left.
Hearing the news that Brother Arno had established an orphanage there too, I laughed in disbelief.
This is why I can't understand good people.
*
And six months after Brother Arno left.
Clatter.
I dropped my teacup.
"Lady Rosalyn!"
Frida quickly approached, taking a handkerchief from her maid apron.
But I grabbed Frida's arm tightly and asked,
"What did you just say?"
"Pardon?"
"I mean, could you please repeat what you just said?"
"W-well, that is."
It wasn't bad news.
At least not for Frida and the Hagen family.
Rather than bad, it was actually good—no, it was so good that it could be called a joyous occasion for the family.
Perhaps that was why Frida spoke with an expression that suggested she didn't understand why I was so shocked.
"That my uncle has become the Diocesan Bishop."
"The Diocesan Bishop? How? Why? It's only been half a year!"
Although I didn't have much interest in religion, I knew how high-ranking a Diocesan Bishop was.
Furthermore, the Empire is vast. The reason there wasn't a separate 'diocese' here, even though it was a duchy, was because each diocese within the vast Empire was spread out quite widely. Of course, the fact that the duchy was located at the very edge and had a somewhat small territory for a duchy also played a part.
Yet, a 'Diocesan Bishop' had suddenly popped out of such a small duchy in the corner of the Empire.
"It has only been half a year since my uncle left, but... my uncle has been a member of the clergy for a very long time."
"Ah."
"He has been a member of the clergy ever since I was a baby. Being a brother was just because he wanted to stay there; he was famous for having much higher holy power than the priests of the church..."
Frida blinked.
Did you not know?
It was an expression that forced that question down.
I didn't know.
No, well, I did know.
In that game my friend made, the most decisive reason why the rumor that Rosalyn was a 'villainess' spread was because she had cut off Brother Arno's head.
Of course, at that point, the Empire's religious order had long since fallen into becoming minions of the Demon King, so Rosalyn wasn't really punished.
"My uncle also researched many books, so he was quite famous in many ways, at least within the religious order in the Empire."
"......."
I was silent for a moment, then said,
"He was a Parish Deputy."
"Yes, the position of Parish Deputy literally means 'deputy of the Diocesan Bishop.' Since the Diocesan Bishop could not come here in person, he was the one managing the diocese here 'on behalf of the Diocesan Bishop.' What my uncle said was basically no different from the words of the Diocesan Bishop."
"Was a Parish Deputy such a high-ranking person?"
Frida's eyes blinked once more.
Again, it was an expression that swallowed the question, 'You didn't know?'
"Um... Lady Rosalyn."
As I let go of Frida powerlessly, she asked cautiously.
"Did you not know that the Diocesan Bishop had been having health problems for quite a long time? They were already looking for candidates, and that's why all the other Parish Deputies and famous clergy members within the diocese had gone to the center of the diocese. Only my uncle remained here for various reasons."
"......."
I see.
My father—that is, the Duke of this duchy—had just passed away. He must have thought he couldn't leave his post.
"So, wasn't that why you sent him away... before it was too late? Even by taking over the orphanage run by the monastery somehow? That's why our family also wanted to express our great gratitude this time..."
I stared at Frida quietly, then slowly straightened my body.
Then, I crossed one leg leisurely and snapped my fan open.
"Hu, hufufu......."
I laughed with the most relaxed expression I could muster.
"W-well, of course, I was thinking that far ahead."
No, I didn't think of that at all.
It wasn't in my head to begin with. All I knew by my standards was the changed Empire five years later.
"My uncle was also very happy and said that he would soon be able to do something beneficial for the duchy."
No.
There's no need to do that.
Don't.
I felt my back getting damp with sweat.
The religious orders of the Empire and the Kingdom are subtly divided, but basically, they are people who follow the Pope.
And that Pope is in the damn Kingdom. Isn't that obvious? The country with the Saintess and the Hero is the Kingdom.
In other words, if the Demon King were to purge someone, the first people he would strike would be the church people.
I had intended to clear out 'influential church members' from within as much as possible. Of course, with a reasonable excuse that wouldn't make the church angry. There was the advantage that if Brother Arno went deep into the religious order, it would be good for grasping trends, but basically, it was to make them judge that 'we are a place completely detached from the religious order.'
Because that was the system in the game!
From the Kingdom's perspective, or more precisely, when playing as the Hero, the fewer clergy members around the Hero, the more the Pope and the Kingdom suspected the Hero. Conversely, the more priests the Hero had, the less suspicion there was and the more support they received. Because every single priest follows the Pope.
Naturally, the opposite would be the same, wouldn't it?
I thought of a position where the Kingdom would moderately dislike us, but we could somehow avoid the Demon King's gaze—
"Hu, hufu, hufufufu......."
"Lady Rosalyn?"
"Ah, it's nothing, Frida. I was just laughing while thinking about the bright future of our duchy that lies ahead."
"Is that so......."
Frida just blinked at my words.
"Yes, that's it. Of course, that's it, hmm."
Let's just say it's that.
Yeah, let's just say it's that. That's better.
*
Bang!
"Hieek!?"
As Erna kicked the door open with great force, the knights who had been sprawled out inside the training ground jumped up in a panic.
Knights of noble birth who had just been wiped out while training with Leana and Inge.
"Rejoice, Order of the Blood Roses!"
Erna shouted vigorously.
"Today, Her Excellency says we are going on our first operation!"
"......."
Naturally, the young ladies, including Vice-Captain Inge, were not happy at all.
Instead, they just stared blankly, alternating their gaze between Erna and me with expressions that said they didn't know what that meant.
"There is a place we must all go together," I said.
Even though I had washed my body before coming out, sweat was already running down my back.
Half a year since Brother Arno—no, the Diocesan Bishop—left.
During that time, the Order's skills had reached a level where one could say they had "at least the basics." Of course, if they went to war, they would immediately become prisoners and end up in a state of bearing twelve children each, but at least they could take down a few low-level monsters.
The plan to spend about a year weighing this and that is completely scrapped.
During the remaining four years or so, this territory must become wealthy and strong.
Not just becoming strong through military power, but so that even while locking everything up tight, those inside won't starve to death.
It had to become a territory with plenty of artifacts to reliably block the swarming monsters.
"You are confident that you can accomplish whatever I ask you to do, right?"
I said, glaring sharply at the Order.
You naturally should be.
Otherwise, I'm going to die.
Either my throat gets slit by the Demon King, or my stomach gets stabbed by the Hero. It'll be one of the two. Furthermore, considering that the game my friend made was essentially an 'adult game' at its core, I might suffer something even more terrible than that.
So, do you understand?
People are going to die, you know!?