Friendly fire
The cardinal was the first to speak.
"We've discussed the matter between us. Though the temple is not a profit oriented organization, we still have our expenses. Previously, it was enough to live off the allotted money sent by the Sovereign, but more and more, we find ourselves in need of more.
"Your business proposal is indeed profitable and it has the benefits of the people in mind. We would love to cooperate with you but I'm afraid 70% percent isn't enough for us to damage our friendships with the palace and the other duchies."
Eliseline thought for a bit and spoke up.
"You might not need to lose your friendship with all the duchies," Eliseline said and glanced at Savine, asking for confirmation.
Savine nodded back. "We've spoken to a representative of Marquis Luckner of the Erst Duchy. He was willing to arrange a meeting with the marquis to discuss the sales of our products. As the manager of the mana stone mines, the marquis has great influence in the business world of the Sovereignty. He is also a smart and liberal man, I believe he will not be opposed to our offer despite our duchy's history.
"With him on our side, there's no need to worry about backlash from the Erst duchy. It's also the most powerful region among the Three Great Duchies. As time passes, the other duchies will get used to the situation."
The bishops frowned.
"Why must you sell the products through a different source?" one asked. "Since you're doing this in the name of the temple, you should also sell it in the name of the temple."
"I thought the Temple was not a profit-oriented organization?" Savine asked.
As a teen, Savine had the right to be unreasonable. Of course, as adults, the bishops had the right to act even more unreasonable as well.
"Impudent girl! Do not interfere in the talks of adults!" the stocky bishop glared at her.
"It's-"
"Eliseline."
Eliseline was about to speak, but Savine stopped her.
"As you're selling my inventions, I have full rights to speak here," she declared tonelessly.
Her words sent ripples across the bishops' faces. The cardinal looked doubtful and sent a glance towards Eliseline and the duke.
"She's right," Eliseline replied. "Savine Lorelei a genius of our duchy who helped us see a light at the end of the tunnel. Savine is the one who made the new type of registrar and also the one who thought of these new inventions."
"Savine? That doesn't sound like a name of the Sovereignty."
It was a completely random thing to say, but the bishop was right. However, Savine was not going to fuss over the details with the bishops.
"Even so, you want to share your inventions with those greedy bunch of merchants? What good did they ever do to the common man?!" the loud voice boomed.
"They provide you your food and your clothes. They sell the papers and books that help educate you and the stones that make your houses. Some sell the information that keep you alert."
"They sell them at outrageous prices!"
"Try dragging a log of wood from Fest to here. Travel for a month and make sure the log's in pristine condition as well. We'll see how much you fume when someone asks you to sell it at its original price."
"…"
It was satisfying, seeing the big man boiling silently.
'Wow, he really looks like he's about to explode.'
Savine shook his head, scoffing.
"Just as you have a duty to recruit commoner mages and give them jobs, the merchants have their own duties to make our lives better and more enjoyable. And truth be told, your duties are much easier compared to the hardships and dangers a merchant goes through. So what if they profit from that? Everyone wants money."
It was somewhat inaccurate, as it wasn't really Marquis Luckner who carried all his wares across the country but the bishop did not yet think of that.
The pope, however, smiled wryly at Savine's words, but did not comment. Instead, his eyes glazed over her, a hint of curiosity in them.
"Let's return to our original topic," the cardinal said. "Even if it is as you say, the matters of Erst duchy do not affect us that deeply. Since we live in the capital, naturally, we care most about the Sovereign's disposition. Even if we can deter the other duchies from bullying you, we can't do anything if His Majesty decides to move."
Savine cocked her head.
"So you're saying that you can only stop the other duchies and can't do anything about His Majesty?"
"Yes. The chances are small, but His Majesty might be tempted enough to demand your inventions. At that point, there's nothing we can do."
"Alright," Savine smiled. "In that case, your share needs to be 30%."
"What!?"
"We offered 70% trusting in your ability to protect us. If you're saying that your abilities are lacking, then why should we overcompensate you for your service?"
Not only the bishops, even the cardinal had an ugly face.
Beside Savine, Eliseline and the duke were making awkward faces.
"Ah, this is a waste of time," Savine said. She wasn't one to lose an advantageous position. She brought out the slip that she received from the palace yesterday. "Let's go talk to the king. I asked for an audience and the paper was accepted. Since we're going to be paying taxes anyway, it's better to try and reach an agreement with the Sovereign."
Eliseline blinked a few times, wondering why Savine changed her stance so quickly. There was even a hint of fear in the duke's eyes wondering if they were going to survive a meeting with the king.
"Moreover, that bishop's been getting on my nerves since the start. Our duchy has come here to essentially give you free money. If you can't at least take it without being an ass about it, then I don't want you to have it."
But it was definitely less noticeable than stifled panic on the bishops' faces.
However, one bishop, the one that was pointed out by Savine, did not just panic. He completely lost his wits.
"Insolent girl!" the loud bishop brought out his Vasa. "Do you think you can leave like that?!"
'What, really?' Savine was taunting him, but she didn't expect him to actually attack her.
"A pig's barking shit!" she cried out valiantly, pulling out her Vasa. "Don't complain when you die by my spell!"
However, things didn't go as Savine quite wanted.
Mana swirled around the stout bishop's Vasa, resulting in an excruciatingly slow spellcasting process. Two seconds passed and Savine didn't even know what he was trying to cast. It all looked like a giant mess to her. It was definitely going to fizzle.
'Ah, shit.'
Savine was willing to wait patiently for the spell to come at her, but if it was not going to come, it would be a bit awkward.
'Goddammit,' she sighed inwardly. 'If you're going to attack someone at least do it properly.'
Her thought were interrupted by a body of water soaking the bishop. From how the man took deep, quick breaths accompanied by his panicked moany gasps, the water seemed to be extremely cold.