Chapter 887 — New Rules

"Supporting the operation of the Church within the Empire is the duty of the Augustus family; sheltering the Empire's people is our inborn responsibility," Matilda said, nodding slightly to the gorgeously robed old man and speaking in a tone that was courteous and respectful yet always measured. "The Church of the God of War is the strongest church in Typhon, and you hold great influence over tens of thousands of Typhonians—our sovereign wishes to see you, as always, rightly influence the faithful and keep them on the right path."

A calm smile on his face, Malm Duniter nodded slightly: "That too is the duty and responsibility the Lord has laid upon me."

Beneath the solemn, imposing iron spire, the Great War Cathedral was brightly lit; thick white candles blazed in their niches like stars, illuminating this sacred hall belonging to the God of War. The annual Festival of the God of War was drawing near—the grandest religious holiday of this nation where the faith of the God of War was the dominant creed. Matilda, as representative of the royal family, had by tradition brought gifts and a letter written in the Emperor's own hand, and now this perfunctory, ceremonial visit had run its course.

Once all the formalities were concluded, Matilda let out a small breath of relief. She glanced at the solemn, oppressive hall, saw that the bishops and priests present had departed in due order, then drew back her gaze and nodded to the War God's Pope before her. "This year's festival should be grander than in years past—the economy is on the rise, wealthy citizens now have more wealth to spend on the celebrations, and many from the surrounding countryside have gathered in Aldernan as well."

"A prosperity that can be foreseen," Malm Duniter nodded. "The Church will keep good order; we will not permit anything that would embarrass the royal family."

Matilda looked at the old pope before her and smiled faintly: "Of course. My father and I both trust you on that point—you have always been a friend to the Augustus family."

"Personal friendship, I know, personal friendship," Malm Duniter's ever-stern face softened after a smile from the woman before him. The burly old man, who had once served as a chaplain with the army, smiled, a hint of banter in his tone. "You would not come to accept my baptism, after all."

"No member of the Augustus family has accepted baptism from any other church either," Matilda said with a smile, spreading her hands. "I believe that is what preserves the royal family's balance on religious matters—we have more than one church."

"...Royan has used that same line on me for many years, and now it is your turn to say the same thing," Malm said with a helpless glance at Matilda, then changed the subject. "Let us not talk of that. Matilda, before you go back, will you tell me what you saw and heard in Cecil?"

"Of course, I still have some time," Matilda nodded, but then gave the old pope before her a slightly puzzled look. "But why have you suddenly taken an interest in my experiences in Cecil? It has been nearly half a year since I returned, and you have never much concerned yourself with matters outside the Church."

"...Even the most indoor-bound man will hear thunder now and then," Malm said slowly. "And lately there is more and more about Cecil in the cities of Xuanque; news of every kind has even reached the Great Cathedral. Even without caring to, I have heard and seen it."

"I suppose so..." Matilda said with a touch of feeling. "An age of economic exchange... the flow of information has become different from what it once was."

"Yet barely more than a year ago, things were the exact opposite of today," Malm shook his head. "We and Cecil were at daggers drawn; almost everyone believed we stood on the brink of war. Countless war priests made ready; here at the Great Cathedral we even lit the incense and oils consecrated to the God of War ahead of time—and then peace came, all at once."

"Do you regret it?" Matilda asked, looking at the War God's Pope before her, quite seriously.

Malm glanced at this "Pearl of the Empire," and suddenly a smile bloomed across his aged but still vigorous face.

"Your Highness, I am a servant of the God of War, but a servant of the God of War is no war maniac—we serve the order and fairness of war, not the constant expectation that the world be filled with it. Of course, I myself am indeed of the war party, but I admit that a prosperous and stable situation is better for the people. It is only that this sudden 'peace' did catch people off guard... I was somewhat taken aback, and many bishops and priests who had made ready for war were taken aback as well."

"Understandable—the priests of the God of War have always been an important part of the Imperial army, and the present 'peace' has indeed exceeded everyone's expectations..." Matilda nodded slightly, speaking with understanding and agreement, but then she thought for a few seconds and slowly shook her head. "Only, in my view, the term 'peace' is not accurate."

The burly pope could not help raising an eyebrow: "Oh?"

"We have merely avoided a war of bloodshed, but a war without bloodshed may yet continue," Matilda said gravely. "This is the judgment of the Council and the Royal Advisory Board—we will contend with the Cecilites for markets; we will contend with them for influence and voice on the continent; we will compete with them in literacy rates, in city size, in investment and achievement in technology. We have sheathed our swords, but begun a more comprehensive competition—economic, political, technological... and all of it ultimately points to national interest.

"My Imperial Father told me that this too is a war—a war with no swords, no need for blood, no clash of arms to be heard, yet one that never rests for a single second. It is only that this war has been named peace, and all that people can see on its surface is prosperity—at least until the two great beasts have fought to a decision."

Malm Duniter listened quietly to Matilda's words, his deep brown eyes full of heavy contemplation. He seemed to be pondering, yet no expression showed on his face.

A moment later, he placed his hands once more over his chest and murmured the name of the God of War, his heart gradually settling back into calm.

"You should be able to understand what I am saying." Matilda looked at the venerable old man before her. Though the Augustus family had always kept its distance from all gods, in private dealings this admirable elder had been a friend of the Augustus family for many years, and she herself had received no small amount of his kindness during her childhood. For that reason she was willing to speak a little more freely with him; she knew that although he appeared stern and rigid, he was in truth a man of nimble thought and exceptional understanding, one who would grasp her meaning at once.

"War has in fact never ceased—only its form and its scope have changed," she said at last with a nod, by way of summation.

"That gives one pause," Malm Dunite nodded after a moment of silence, and spoke in a grave tone. "It is an angle I had never considered."

Matilda allowed herself a faint smile. "I hope you do not mind my voicing such weighty thoughts before you."

Malm Dunite laughed, his expression carrying a trace of the fond indulgence an elder shows a younger. "Of course not."