Chapter 107

--- 3rd Person POV ---

--- 22nd of August 1904 ---

With a scuff of ridicule Archbishop Amir of Sulu interjected, "Peacefully? The heathens have no way of wanting to peacefully coexist with us. Have you not been reading the reports young archbishop? Over 34 believers have been founded dead for the past months, and threats have been received by our monks and nuns all over the area. You cannot reason with them for they are not people of better intellect.

The Buddhist, Shinto, and Korean Confucian might have been better compared to these heathens. But those people in Afdeelings? Hmp! They have shunned the grace of the Lord and choose differently."

Archbishop Adam knows those two who have spoken. The younger one is Archbishop Minh Thiện of Davao, currently at the age of 52, one of the youngest Archbishop of the Aylashanism faith. Unlike most archbishops who have been stubborn into accepting coexistence with the Muslims and with the extension other faith outside Christianity. Archbishop Minh Thiện is known to advocate coexistence and cooperation despite the religious inclination, causing him to be insnared by the older generation of Archbishops, even Archbishop Adam have viewed Archbishop Minh Thiện's ideology to be ridiculous.

The other person on the other hand is Archbishop Amir of Sulu, the second oldest individual to currently hold the position of Archbishop at the age of 89. The same with Archbishop Sebastian, Archbishop Amir have been a staunch supporter of expansion of the Aylashanism faith on the surrounding areas. A firm believer that the Aylashanism faith is what should dominate this region in Christian religion.

And basing on Archbishop Adam's opinion, Archbishop Minh Thiện is still too young to understand the severity of what he is suggesting. Archbishop Adam would rather believe Archbishop Amir, this is for a reason that Archbishop Amir have interacted and witnessed firsthand how believers been treated in his area of jurisdiction.

If memory serves Archbishop Adam right, Archbishop Amir have seen the burning of few Aylashanism temple for the past years after a small Muslim rebellion occurred in the area. It was a shocking news for Archbishop Adam as Butuan never experienced rebellion since the founding of the empire.

The Muslim uprising in Sulu causes the death of 58 believers and 10 monks and nuns while a total of 5 minor temples were burn to ashes by the rebels. The damages ensued by the temple causes Archbishop Amir to appeal to Maharaja Siagu XIV to decree the removal of recognition of the Muslim religion in the empire as heretic. But was denied by Maharaja on the grounds of baseless accusation.

But did not stop Archbishop Amir to advocate the renunciation of the Muslim faith and advocated on his sermons the discrimination towards the heathens for not accepting Christ.

And this is evident on the argument made by Archbishop Amir towards the council, making Archbishop Adam to agree on Archbishop Amir's words inwardly. As the presiding archbishop of the council for this year, Archbishop Adam must remain partial and not take sides, especially after taking an oath in front of the relic of the cross of Christ.

"Amir…" A steady and composed voiced echoed throughout the chamber, covering the murmurs and reactions made by the other archbishops after Archbishop Amir finishes his words, "composed yourself and remember where you are."

"I am composed, Ahmad," Archbishop Amir defended, his voice steady but laced with disdain while throwing looks of daggers toward Archbishop Minh Thiện. "The boy just doesn't know what he is proposing. Coexistence with the heathens? Hah! God forgive you and save your soul for such suggestion. Even the previous Archbishop of Davao wouldn't have suggested such an abomination.

We never negotiate with the heathens from the south, Archbishop Minh. You are fortunate that Davao is a safe city under your jurisdiction. But have you tried visiting Sulu or even in Tawau in Sabah? Those heathens have been a threat to us and the authority that the temple has over the lands under the umbrella of the empire."

Archbishop Minh Thiện felt the weight of the senior archbishops' scrutiny and their intimidating gazes. A sense of shame and fear gripped him, causing him to remain silent, lest he further offend the assembly.

Archbishop Amir, noticing Archbishop Minh Thiện's discomfort, scoffed in arrogance, questioning how such a feeble man could have become an archbishop of the Aylashan faith. To Archbishop Amir, Archbishop Minh Thiện's pity towards heretics was an affront to their sacred mission.

The other archbishops shared Archbishop Amir's disappointment, their silent judgments evident in their expressions and murmurs. Despite their practice of patience and temperance, the issue of persecution was deeply personal and non-negotiable.

The collective memory of their faith's history was still raw as it was recorded on their books; the Temple of Butuan had separated from the Catholic Church centuries ago, and its early days were marked by brutal persecution and killings by Catholic priests and devotees.

It had been a dark period for the temple, almost leading to its annihilation despite the support of the Rajah at the time. The memory of those dark days had been seared into the collective consciousness of the Aylashan leadership, and it was a history they were determined never to repeat.

Seeing the one Archbishop Amir is talking, Archbishop Adam cannot help it but felt a sense of ease and calm knowing that the one he is seeking to start speaking have voiced his opinion. Archbishop Ahmad of Maguindanao, the oldest member of the council at the age of 92, and have been staying in the Temple of Chandra, the temple that they are all currently having their meeting.

With years of experience and being the member of the council, despite not being the presiding archbishop of the year, Archbishop Adam have no qualms on passing the reign to Archbishop Ahmad himself. As what Archbishop Adam have remembered, Archbishop Ahmad is more composed and calmer compared to Archbishop Sebastian and Amir.

Archbishop Adam, sensing the need to regain control of the discussion, raised his hand for silence. "Brothers, let us not forget that our strength lies in our unity and our ability to adapt. Minh Thiện's suggestion, while controversial, is born out of a desire for peace. We must consider all options to protect our people."

Archbishop Sebastian, his voice calm but firm, interjected. "Peace is our ultimate goal, but not at the cost of our faith and believers. We cannot afford to show weakness in the face of persecution. Our response must be measured and resolute."

Archbishop Minh Thiện, emboldened by Archbishop Adam's support, spoke up once more. "I understand the gravity of our history, and I do not propose compromise lightly. But we must find a way to protect our believers without igniting further violence. Perhaps we can explore a middle path, one that ensures the safety of our followers while seeking dialogue with those who oppose us."

The room fell silent, the archbishops weighing Minh Thiện's words. It was a delicate balance they sought to achieve: to uphold their faith and protect their followers without descending into further conflict. The challenge was immense, but so too was their resolve.

Archbishop Adam nodded slowly. "We will form a special council to explore this middle path. Archbishop Minh Thiện, you will be part of this council. Your perspective, though different, is valuable. We need fresh ideas if we are to navigate these treacherous waters. But while this is ongoing, few members of the Order of Butuan shall accompany our priests and nuns while ministering to the people.

We do not want another incident like this to happen, not to mention that the wedding of the Yuvraj is at hand already. Peace within and outside the temple shall be secure at all cost."

Archbishop Amir's expression remained stern, but he did not object. The council needed every voice, even those he disagreed with. As the meeting progressed, the archbishops worked towards a plan that would blend strength with diplomacy, hoping to find a solution that honored their faith and safeguarded their people.

As the council came to a close, the majority of archbishops attending the meeting started to leave the chamber one after another, leaving only 4 individuals still seating on their respective chairs. These are Archbishop Adam of Sooraj, Archbishop Sebastian of Cebu, Archbishop Amir of Sulu, and Archbishop Ahmad of Maguindanao, all are seating on their respective chair.

Archbishop Amir still pissed on the suggestion made by Archbishop Minh Thiện could not help but grumbles in discontent. Although he supported the revision made by Archbishop Adam, the anger towards the idiocrasy of Archbishop Minh Thiện into believing that those heretics would choose coexistence after killing believers of their faith.

Archbishop Sebastian on the other hand decided to remain on the room to show support for Archbishop Adam, his close junior as both came from the same convent. As the youngest of the most senior members of the archbishops, Archbishop Sebastian is more familiar to Archbishop Amir and Ahmad than Archbishop Adam's familiarity over the later.

While Archbishop Ahmad, seated calmly on his chair decided to shut his eyes and focus more on his meditation, waiting for someone to break the silence within the group. As the man who have seen almost everything, Archbishop Ahmad is no new to tackling the issue with the persecution of believers on heathen lands. As during his clerical years, he has seen quite a number of believers and monks being persecuted in areas predominantly practices other faith.

Thus, upon hearing the issue during this year's sudden council, Archbishop Ahmad were the calmest and composed individual in the entire group.

Not being able to bare his frustration, Archbishop Amir broke the silence, "Tell me Adam, why did you suddenly sided with Minh Thiện despite knowing full well that those heathens will not accept any coexistence proposal."

This is what been bothering Archbishop Amir since the meeting ended. After years of observing Archbishop Adam and being the archbishop to handle the holiest temple in the Empire. Archbishop Amir is beyond shock upon hearing that the one handling the most sacred temple in the empire is going along with the proposal of a junior who have known little about the mind and character of those heretics.

Archbishop Adam folded his hands and took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding to Archbishop Amir. He understood the older archbishop's frustration and shared many of his concerns, but he also believed in the necessity of exploring all possible solutions to protect their faith and their people.

"Brother," Archbishop Adam began, his voice calm and measured, "I understand your anger and your fear. I do not take lightly the lives that have been lost or the threats that continue to loom over our monks and nuns, not to mention the believers. But we must be strategic in our approach. Confrontation and aggression will only lead to further bloodshed.

And I do not want us to start a confrontation with these heretics that might endanger our nation's future path to take. Besides, the age of crusade has already come to an end. Waging war in the name of God came out of fashion for the past hundred years, and I don't even see it coming once again with the employment of professional military officers of the empire."

Archbishop Amir's expression hardened, but he remained silent, allowing Adam to continue.

"Minh Thiện's proposal may seem naive to you, but it offers a potential path that we have not fully explored. Diplomacy does not mean surrendering our faith or our values. It means seeking a way to coexist that does not require constant conflict. Our history is filled with examples of how stubbornness and refusal to adapt have led to unnecessary suffering.

I do not want the faith to suddenly vanish and be replaced with another. Islam might be a threat to us and I cannot deny that, but that doesn't mean that we shall remain in silence. But before we would even consider retaliation, diplomacy must still be considered for the better good of the people."

Archbishop Sebastian, always the mediator, nodded in agreement. "Adam is right, Amir. Our goal must be to protect our people and our faith. If there is even a small chance that dialogue can prevent further persecution, we owe it to our followers to explore that option. Minh Thiện's youth brings a fresh perspective, and we should not dismiss it outright."

Archbishop Ahmad, who had been silently listening with his eyes closed, now opened them and spoke with the wisdom of his many years. "Our faith has endured through many trials because we have been able to adapt while remaining true to our core beliefs. The persecution we face now is indeed severe, but we must consider all avenues of resolution. The council's decision to form a special committee to explore this 'middle path' is a wise one. We must balance strength with wisdom."

Archbishop Amir's grumbles subsided slightly, though he was far from convinced. "And what if this 'middle path' fails? What if more of our people die because we hesitated to act decisively?"

Adam leaned forward, his eyes meeting Amir's with a steady resolve. "If it fails, we will be no worse off than we are now. But if it succeeds, even partially, we could save countless lives and build a foundation for a more stable future for our faith. We will always have the option to take more forceful measures if diplomacy does not yield results. But let us not rush to that end without first exhausting all other possibilities.

Besides, if ever we really failed to protect our believers upon our faith expansion in the lands of those heretics. The maharaja and the empire are here to step in on our behalf. As the defender of faith and the chosen family of God, it is their duty also to preserve and defend the faith in the eyes of troubles."

The tension in the room lingered, but there was a sense of begrudging acceptance in the air. Archbishop Amir, though still skeptical, saw the logic in Adam's words. The council had made its decision, and as much as he disagreed with it, he knew that unity among the archbishops was crucial.

"I pray that you are right, Adam," Archbishop Amir said finally, his voice heavy with resignation. "For the sake of our people, I hope that this path does not lead to further suffering."

Archbishop Adam offered a reassuring smile. "We all hope for that, Brother. We all want what is best for our faith and our followers. Let us move forward with caution, wisdom, and above all, unity."

Sensing that the extension of the gather is already at the end, Archbishop Sebastian decided to take his leave first, followed by Archbishop Ahmad while being assisted by lower ranking priest to avoid having Archbishop Ahmad tripped. A few seconds after Archbishop Ahmad left the chamber, Archbishop Amir decided to follow suit but before leaving, he first paused near Archbishop Adam and stares at him which was answered by Archbishop Adam with the same stare.

The silent exchange between Archbishop Amir and Archbishop Adam was loaded with unspoken words and mutual respect, despite their differences. After a moment, Archbishop Amir turned and walked out of the chamber, his robes flowing behind him. The room grew quiet as Adam found himself alone, the heavy oak doors closing with a soft thud.

Archbishop Adam exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the day's deliberations bearing down on him. He walked slowly to the window, looking out over the sprawling city below. The sun had dipped lower, casting long shadows and painting the sky with hues of orange and purple. The view was a momentary solace amidst the turmoil of their discussions.

The task ahead was monumental. Balancing diplomacy with protection, peace with strength, was no easy feat. Adam knew that their faith had survived centuries of challenges, but this new wave of persecution required a nuanced approach. The safety of their followers depended on their ability to adapt without compromising their core beliefs.

As he stood there, lost in thought, a soft knock on the door pulled him back to the present. A young priest entered, bowing respectfully. "Your Excellency, a message has arrived for you."

Archbishop Adam took the sealed envelope, noting the official crest of the Maharaja. Breaking the seal, he quickly scanned the contents. The Maharaja had been informed of the council's discussions and expressed his support for their decisions, emphasizing the importance of unity and the need for a multifaceted approach to the crisis.

Feeling a renewed sense of purpose, Adam turned back to the window. The city of Butuan had always been a beacon of faith and resilience. Its people looked to their leaders for guidance, and it was their duty to rise to the occasion.

He took a moment to offer a silent prayer, asking for wisdom and strength to navigate the turbulent times ahead. With a final glance at the setting sun, he resolved to begin the formation of the special council immediately. The journey would be difficult, but with faith and determination, they would find a way to protect their people and their beliefs.

The temple's bells tolled, signaling the end of the day and the beginning of evening prayers. Archbishop Adam left the chamber, his steps echoing in the hallowed halls. As he made his way to the sanctuary, he felt the presence of those who had come before him, their spirits guiding him towards a future where their faith would not just survive, but flourish.

In the sanctuary, the faithful had already gathered, their voices rising in unified prayer. Adam joined them, his voice blending with theirs. Together, they prayed for peace, for strength, and for the wisdom to navigate the challenges that lay ahead.

On the other side of the globe, at the Russian Empire's capital city Saint Petersburg, Empress Dowager Maria Feodorovna can be seen pleasantly enjoying her relaxation in the Anichkov Palace garden. But despite the relaxation that Empress Dowager Maria Feodorovna been doing, inwardly, she was in disarray.

It has been months since Empress Dowager Maria Feodorovna receives the final letter from her friend, Yuvraj Siagu of Butuan. And since receiving the final letter, paranoia and fear struck her the most during the first few months as the thought of having her family be wiped out in the near future after fighting with the Japanese did not settle well on her mind.

Empress Dowager Maria could still remember how far she extended her influence into the court of Russia just to sway her own son, Tsar Nicholas II into not waging war with the Japanese, especially that Japan is under the sphere of Butuan's influence. But her sway and reason were never heard as her son remains stubborn and idiotic for believing the spiritualist on his side, Gregory Rasputin.

She could still recall the day the man named Grigori Rasputin enters the court of the Russian Empire, 2 years ago. A spiritual man, according to others, but in the eyes of Empress Dowager Maria and her confidants and servants, the man is nothing but a devil spawn.

Empress Dowager Maria detested Rasputin and even vocally scrutinizes the man for claiming to be the messenger of God but is full of lust and malice. Despite witnessing Rasputin performing some divination and guidance towards lower nobles, Empress Dowager Maria view this as an act of sorcery and the work of the devil. As she was not able to see the reflection of God on Rasputin himself. Besides, she was not surprise to see this act of Rasputin as she was already warned by Yuvraj Siagu regarding this façade the man have.

It was a good thing that Empress Dowager Maria manages to pull her granddaughters to her side and become weary of Rasputin. Even Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna and Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia became two of the most vocal critique of Rasputin and have even sided with Empress Dowager Maria herself.

But despite the growing displeasure of the Russian nobles towards Rasputin, Empress Dowager Maria's son, Tsar Nicholas II, remains delusional and enamor into believing that Rasputin could cure their son and her own grandson. Which made Empress Dowager Maria be disappointed and ensnare her own son and daughter-in-law because of this.

The last straw for Empress Dowager Maria to finally give up on her son is when her own son listens to Rasputin into waging war with the Japanese instead of listening to her. The anger Empress Dowager Maria felt at that time were so severe that she distances herself from the court and have refused to be in the same room as her own son. She even continuously refuses to received her own son's visit, except for her lovely granddaughters.

And then, in an unexpected news she received a couple months ago, Grigori Rasputin was found dead and decapitated on his own quarters at the Winter Palace. It was a joyous occasion for Empress Dowager Maria, knowing that the worm on the court is now finally being removed. Although she was not really aware on who made the killing but Empress Dowager Maria is thankful towards the killer of Rasputin himself.

Although last night, Empress Dowager Maria received an anonymous letter with the content of stating that the killing of Rasputin is the last chance he is giving to save the Russian Monarchy, the rest in now on their hands. Receiving such letter made Empress Dowager Maria delighted and be at ease, completely discerning that it was her friend, Yuvraj Siagu of Butuan, whom have sent someone to kill Rasputin.

Yuvraj Siagu of Butuan, if there is someone whom Empress Dowager Maria trusted the most than her own family, that she is willing to wage her own life for that person's favor. It would be the current heir and regent of Butuan Empire, Yuvraj Siagu Alexie of Butuan. In Empress Dowager Maria's mind, Yuvraj Siagu is the true messenger of the Lord and is blessed with foresight and is emulating the aura of God.

But while Empress Dowager Maria is having her relaxation at the garden of Anichkov Palace, her brother-in-law, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia suddenly arrived with concern looks on his face tailing behind him is his wife, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia.

"Ah. Sergei, what brings you here in such unannounced visit?" Empress Dowager Maria inquired as she takes her stand to welcome her unannounced visitor.

Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich paused for a moment, glancing at his wife before meeting the Empress Dowager's eyes. "Sister," he began, his voice heavy with the weight of the news he carried, "It is about your son, Nicholas."

Empress Dowager Maria Feodorovna's heart tightened. She gestured for them to sit, her mind racing. "What has happened?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.