Chapter 120: Tacit Understanding
"Alright, alright, I promise. Before she is married off, I absolutely won’t touch her. I guarantee that when she marries, her value won’t be reduced because something is missing."
Ishus shook his head, sighed, and sat in the seat in front of Clement.
"However, the reason you had her come out today—was it because you wanted her to marry that Monk?"
"I don’t think someone like him, without sufficient martial strength or noble lineage, is worth your bet."
Ishus tapped a spoon and fork against each other.
"Who can say what the future holds? Just like last year, we never imagined that a small Church could become today’s Church of the Sanctuary."
Clement sat in the main seat and clapped his hands.
Soon, real Servants came out, cleared away the leftover food on the table, and served a plate of aromatic roasted meat.
"This dish, made with an abundance of Precious Spices—he ate it and frowned. Clearly, he’s not someone who enjoys appearances."
Clement said.
"Oh, my father. Who would want to eat something like that?"
Ishus shook his head repeatedly.
"Fool. Sometimes, food is not about eating—it’s about value. Only in that way can we highlight our distinction."
Clement scolded.
"I think maybe it’s not as deep as you imagine. Maybe he just thinks the stuff tastes terrible."
Ishus tore off a piece of roasted meat and took a bite.
"If you used this to entertain him, maybe he’d be quite happy."
He chewed as he spoke.
Seeing Ishus like that, Clement shook his head.
"He has no interest in women either. A person who can restrain his own desires is one who will resort to any means and still be clever. In the end, he will definitely grasp power within the Church."
Clement said.
"The Church needs to disguise itself—as a benevolent figure. But how can one survive in this society relying solely on kindness?"
"Look at Yara, that unfortunate woman."
"The Church also needs to do things that do not align with benevolence. And to do those things, one must have a person like him."
"Such a person is not someone we can afford to offend. So we need to get on his good side."
"So you had Sarah go over, just to test him out?"
Ishus asked.
"Of course. Do you think everyone is like you, a fool who can be swayed by a woman climbing into bed and whispering in the wind?"
Clement said mockingly.
"That was only because her family offered a high enough price—not because she was good in bed."
Ishus looked at Clement.
"Though she really was quite fierce. Would you like to try?"
"Heh."
Clement sneered and continued,
"It wasn’t just to test. It was also to make him think that we fear him, that we fear the Church. That we are willing to offer our daughters to show our devotion."
"It’s simply to display our attitude."
"Including that Premium Honey Wine?"
Ishus asked.
"Yes, including that Honey Wine."
Clement nodded.
"Is it necessary to go this far? After all, they are just the Church. The Lord of this land is still the Lord."
Ishus asked.
"Fool! Look at that madman Wolf, look at that guy Piero, and look at how unrestrained the Church is."
Clement’s face flushed with anger and he cursed.
"The Lord is almost seventy now—how much longer can he live?"
"And the Lord has a legitimate heir, doesn’t he? Didn’t you read the intelligence from the Rat Path that cost thousands of gold coins? Cicero from the Church is suspected to be the Lord’s legitimate heir."
"No, not just suspected. That woman Mary—though desperate for a man—needs only a guy with a stick."
"Yet she went as far as stealing the Lord’s heir. That proves the heir’s charm."
"And that Cicero—didn’t your younger brother tell you when he returned? Mysterious, handsome, and recklessly free."
Ishus’s expression grew solemn.
"If your guess is correct, then the Church is essentially an extension of the Lord’s will and power?"
"Looks like you’re not entirely a fool."
Clement’s reddened face gradually eased.
"I just haven’t had time to read the Rat Path’s intel."
"So you had time to spend on women instead?"
"So now, do we all just kneel before the Church like this?"
Ishus shifted the topic to the real matter.
"Of course. What can we do? Our family has even been driven out of the Village."
Clement sneered.
"But, Ishus, remember—violent invasion works, but violence isn’t the only form of invasion."
Marl, with his Warriors, spent half a month sweeping through the York Territory, clearing out many hidden Werewolves, and only flattened two or three small Bandit Camps.
Incidentally, he visited a Local Gentry household each day. The next day after his visit, that Gentry Family would send some items to the Church.
Every household did the same.
Church of the Sanctuary, Hall.
"They’re showing us their tacit understanding."
Marl stood behind Corleon and said.
"Even the newly established Villages in the North are like this. The Adams Family is the same."
Corleon didn’t turn around and said,
"Ignore these things. I had you take the Warriors to clean up the remaining evil in the Territory, and to buy some food from them. You don’t need to concern yourself with anything else."
"Yes."
Marl bowed slightly and responded.
"Prepare yourself. The day after tomorrow, you may enter Marquis Demitri’s Territory."
Corleon said.
"Yes. After I lead the Warriors there, is it only to clear out those Werewolves?"
Marl asked excitedly.
"No, not just that."
Corleon turned around and looked at Marl.
"Zezel, Darks—those two names—you’re not unfamiliar with them, right?"
Corleon asked.
"Yes. The two of them studied under our teacher with me. Only—"
Marl nodded, but didn’t finish the sentence.
After all, they were the ones who started the rebellion. And though the Church of the Sanctuary he was currently in may not know its exact position due to limited vision and intelligence, it was evident that being able to reach this level was surely related to the Lord.
So Marl didn’t say much more.
"They’ve now crossed Marquis Demitri’s Territory and occupied land in the Principality of Corlay, establishing their own nation."
"The Cross Painted in Blood Theocracy."
Corleon said.
"The Cross Painted in Blood Theocracy?"
Marl was surprised.
Both because they founded a nation—and because of the Cross Painted in Blood.
The Cross, after all, was the emblem of the Church of the Sanctuary.
"Yes. They, too, revere the Lord’s nation. There are no Nobles there—only Priests guiding the lost."
Corleon nodded.
"Are you hoping I’ll go there and help them?"
Marl asked tentatively.
"No."
Corleon shook his head.
"Their founding ideology doesn’t suit this era."
"I want you to bring them a copy of the Church’s Scriptures."
"And tell them—even though they belong to the Theocracy, and are not the Church—this is still the Lord’s Sanctuary, the holy land of those who faithfully believe in the Lord. If they are willing, they may send people to study at the Church’s Monastery."