Religious Threat

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

A while later, Steward Philip led two clergy members into the reception room.

Father Anderson, whom he had already met, was familiar, but Dean Leonard was a stranger to Paul. He was an elderly man with a Mediterranean hairstyle, giving off a rather conservative vibe.

Paul smiled and asked, "What brings you two to my place?"

"Earl, you dared to confront pirates and achieved victory in battle, protecting the Lord's lambs. We've come to express our gratitude to you," Father Anderson said.

"Haha, it's my duty. Is that all?"

The two clergy members exchanged glances, seeming hesitant. Eventually, Dean Leonard, the elder, spoke up first, "Earl, we are here to investigate something. Could we have the steward step out for a moment?"

"Alright, what matter brings two clergy members here to investigate?" He waved his hand, dismissing Philip from the reception room.

"According to our information, you used something in your battle against pirates that appears to be sorcery. Could you explain?" Dean Leonard asked.

"Sorcery? What sorcery? I've never heard of such a thing," Paul said, puzzled.

"Earl, we mean devices capable of causing explosions or launching projectiles that can harm people."

"Oh, you mean the firearms recently equipped by my army."

"Could we see these devices?"

Paul immediately refused, "Absolutely not. These are military secrets; I can't allow them to be inspected casually."

Seeing the refusal, Dean Leonard's expression grew serious, "Earl, it is our duty as clergy to monitor signs of sorcery within our jurisdiction. I advise you to cooperate. If it's merely ordinary weapons, we will naturally clear you of suspicion. However, if you refuse to cooperate, things could escalate to the Inquisition Tribunal of the Archdiocese, which would not bode well for anyone. You surely understand their temperament; their investigations could unjustly affect innocents."

"Are you threatening a lord? This is outrageous," Paul said, quite displeased with this turn of events.

Father Anderson, looking concerned, said, "Please forgive us. While we serve the Lord, we are also your subjects. We wouldn't want things to become so confrontational if it weren't for our duty. There have been precedents where a lord tempted by evil sorcerers brought disaster upon his entire domain. If that were to happen, it would harm not only yourself but also innocent people."

He was deeply worried that this young Earl might stubbornly resist them, leading to trouble with the Inquisition Tribunal.

Paul gritted his teeth in frustration and hesitation.

After a moment of deadlock, he finally compromised. The "Religious Tribunal" mentioned by the other side was no joke. The Tribunal of the North Aldor Kingdom's Archdiocese was manageable, as the King would not likely let them freely investigate nobles under his command. However, if this escalated to the Vatican headquarters, it would be a different story.

"Very well, in that case, I'll show you to prove my innocence. But I have a question: if it's proven that my new weapons have nothing to do with dark sorcery, would you be willing to keep the specific details of these weapons confidential? They are military secrets, essential tools we use to deal with pirates."

"We swear in the name of the Lord that we will not disclose them to anyone," Dean Leonard assured.

"Even to His Holiness the Pope?"

Father Anderson fell silent, but after a brief hesitation, Dean Leonard replied, "Yes, even to His Holiness the Pope. Furthermore, if anyone asks about this in the future, we can testify on behalf of Earl Paul."

Upon hearing the elder's promise, Father Anderson also nodded in agreement.

So Philip was summoned and asked to fetch Paul's personal flintlock pistol and two bottles of gunpowder from his study.

After Philip returned with the items, Paul invited the two clergy members to the small garden outside the reception room. He wanted to demonstrate the pistol to them and instructed Philip to inform the military officers in the hall that they need not be alarmed by the gunfire.

Carefully loading the ammunition, Paul aimed the pistol at a tree and, under the watchful eyes of the clergy, pulled the trigger.

With a loud "bang," the targeted tree shook, startling the birds perched on it into flight.

Dean Leonard and Father Anderson clearly saw the bullet hole in the trunk and both gasped in awe. They hadn't expected such power from a small-sized weapon like this crossbow.

Anderson glanced at his mentor, and the old dean nodded. "Indeed, I felt no abnormal fluctuations."

Anderson asked, "May we examine this 'firearm' closely?"

"Alright, here you go. This device is called a firearm. Another type capable of causing explosive harm to people is called a grenade. Both rely on this magical powder that burns intensely." Paul shook the other bottle of gunpowder. "Grenades are too dangerous, so I won't demonstrate them."

Anderson took the pistol in both hands and touched it to a gray-white stone for a moment.

"The demon stone showed no abnormal reactions, my lord. Please forgive our intrusion." The clergy confirmed that the firearm had nothing to do with sorcery.

However, Anderson didn't immediately return the firearm to Paul. He examined this novel item with fascination. The pistol's structure was simple, and combined with Paul's recent demonstration, it was easy to infer its workings. The key lay in that magical powder capable of intense combustion. But since it was classified as a military secret, he refrained from asking further.

This single-handed firearm was specially crafted for Paul, with the woodworker putting great effort into carving exquisite patterns on the handle, making it a piece of art in its own right.

Dean Leonard cleared his throat. "Anderson, please return it to the lord."

"Oh, sorry." Anderson blushed, complimenting, "It's truly ingenious, my lord."

"Hehe, indeed, I invented it. But we just agreed, details of this weapon should not be disclosed to anyone else." The admiration from the clergy eased some of Paul's earlier displeasure.

"Of course. Now that things are clear, we won't disturb you further, my lord." The two clergy members rose to take their leave.

But then, unexpectedly, the lord spoke up, "Gentlemen, don't rush off just yet."

Leonard and Anderson sensed trouble in his tone. "Is there something else you wish to instruct us, my lord?"

"How did you both know about this new weapon I invented? And how did you know I used it in battle against pirates?"

"This... this..." Father Anderson stammered.

Paul's voice turned cold, "Should I report this to the Northern Archdiocese? Seems like some people publicly claim to be servants of God but privately engage in spying activities."

"This is a misunderstanding, my lord. It was your soldiers in the confessional..."

Dean Leonard immediately cut in, shouting, "Anderson!!!"

Father Anderson covered his mouth in shock, falling silent.

Dean Leonard, somewhat embarrassed, said, "I apologize, my lord. It is our duty to maintain the confidentiality of confessions. Please do not pursue this further."

"Very well, let's leave it at that." Paul agreed outwardly but internally was far from convinced.

"Then, we'll take our leave."

The two clergy members hurriedly departed.

(End of Chapter)