Chapter 375 — Gathering in the Shadows
Blade of Dawn · Page 2 of 3
A farmwife of little learning could hardly comprehend the notion of a shaken faith or a departure from the Holy Light; she could only guess at Wright's present state through her own understanding. And Wright, hearing those words of concern, fell silent for a time.
After a moment, the only pastor in the territory shook his head slightly: "I'm fine. I think I can still preside. Go and tell everyone—this week's service will be held as usual."
"Really?" The farmwife looked him up and down. "Pastor, don't push yourself. You may be strong, but no strength holds up against sickness."
"Thank you for your concern," Wright smiled, as though he had set down some burden. "It's only some... small trouble. No need to worry."
To these ordinary common folk, faith in the Holy Light held no such complex or lofty meaning; what they sought in praying at the church was never any perception of transcendent power. All they wanted was a measure of peace of mind—a moment of quiet in their busy lives.
Whatever the power of faith might mean in the eyes of the clergy, in the eyes of these ordinary people its greatest use was simply as a spiritual anchor.
Perhaps, as a pastor, Wright had lost the ability to feel the Holy Light and to wield divine arts—but at least he still had the power to let these people enjoy half a day's peace.
In the reception hall of Count Horsman's domain—adorned with sumptuous gold and silver ornaments, laid with thick velvet carpets, and brightly lit by magic crystal lamps—Count Karlov Horsman sat in his favorite high-backed chair, listening to the most trusted intelligence advisor at his side relay information. A rather complicated expression came over his face, mingled with a trace of contempt and a greater measure of bewilderment.
The count set down a ruby ornament he had been toying with and said with a strange smile: "Revoke all noble privileges within the territory—even the Cecil family's own privilege of governing its domain—and then set up a Government Hall, letting a pack of lowborn people run the territory?"
"Yes, that is what the spies who successfully entered the Twenty-Fifth Production and Construction Brigade observed. We have always been in the dark about how Cecil Territory operates internally, but through the efforts of those excellent spies we have finally grasped some of the truth," said Green, gaunt and gloomy, with black hair and a hooked nose, unhurriedly from beside Count Horsman. "And it is said that even the Kande region, recently incorporated into the Cecil family, has established a second-tier Government Hall. The Government Hall holds great power—even the territory's taxation and land reclamation are controlled by its clerks and departmental officials."
Count Horsman frowned: "Is this a front? In truth these so-called officials are all Cecils, aren't they?"
"It seems not," Green shook his head. "The spies say the Government Hall has many officials with real authority—positions such as agriculture director, mining director, commerce director—all held by people outside the Cecil family. Though these people are also loyal to the Cecil family, the power in their hands is genuine; even the knights of the territory must submit to the control of these department heads..."
"...It seems that ancient hero who came back to life is... somewhat defective in his thinking," Count Horsman said with a faint, ambiguous smile. "And not only has he revoked his own vassals' privileges, but he has even made those noble knights and ladies of the Kande region swear allegiance to his barbarous new policies?"