Chapter 1527 — A Simple and Straightforward Answer
Blade of Dawn · Page 2 of 5
"Of course, of course," Boris, slightly portly, nodded at once in assent. He knew this "Saint Princess" before him was here to handle the incident in the name of the Church Council, with His Majesty the Emperor's backing on site, so there was naturally no pressure on him to cooperate. "Since the anomaly occurred we have sealed off the entire corridor area. The scene here is still in its original state."
"Good," Verdre nodded, then after a moment's thought, "Also... there is a somewhat presumptuous request—Your Eminence Boris, might I ask you to temporarily withdraw?"
The request was clearly a little beyond the other man's expectations. Even someone as perpetually genial as Boris could not quite keep the odd look off his face. "This... I will need a reason, Your Highness Verdre. This is, after all, the sanctuary of my lord."
"It is precisely out of reverence for the deity, and out of consideration for Your Eminence's own safety," Verdre said gravely, looking Boris in the eye. To ask the Nethershaft Church of the God of Commerce to withdraw within the God of Commerce's own church—the request certainly sounded unreasonable, but her reasoning was sound. "We now suspect that the divine realms of the gods are in an abnormal state, and the investigation to follow may well touch upon 'secrets' in that domain. You are a devout follower of the God of Commerce, and it is precisely because of that connection that it is necessary for you to remain at a distance during the subsequent investigation."
Boris of the Sunpeak Church's expression shifted ever so slightly.
For ordinary low- and mid-ranking priests, faith might be a simple and pure thing. They knew few secrets, and so could embrace the divine will with an untroubled heart. But a high-ranking priest like him could not embrace his faith so purely. Since the founding of the Church Council, high-ranking priests such as himself had been obliged to undergo a certain degree of "training," to understand—within safe limits—the knowledge concerning the Currents and the gods. That training process had screened out a great many "conservative priests" who failed to meet the standard, and those who passed—"progressives" like Boris—had to keep certain principles and "taboos" forever in mind for the rest of their lives as clergy.
"Keep your distance from your god, and the distance will protect your mind," Wright broke the silence in a low voice from the side. The big man, fully two meters tall, cut an imposing figure standing before Boris, but his tone was gentle, his smile warm, and his words carried great persuasiveness. "Worship requires seclusion, whereas 'understanding' is a blade that pierces faith. Your Eminence Boris, unless you are prepared in your heart to face the final trial, it is best not to be curious about our investigative process."
"...I understand," Boris said, his expression shifting twice. He could of course grasp the deeper meaning in Wright's words, and as a rational and clever man with a flexible standard of devotion, it took him only two seconds of weighing to reach the correct conclusion. "I will wait outside. If there is anything you need, call on me at any time."
With that the Sunpeak prelate turned and left the side hall. Only then did Amber finally seize the chance to question Wright. "What did you mean by all that just now? All that mystical hemming and hawing..."
Wright opened his mouth, but before he had worked out how to answer, Gao Yang spoke up from beside him. "It means we suspect Bophar has run afoul of the Lady of Night, and the investigation to come is very likely to turn up something rather shocking. A devout believer probably couldn't take the shock. Considering the God of Commerce's face, the commercial sect's dignity, and Bishop Boris's brain, he'd best not be here gawking."