Chapter 132: 'Anti-Davison” Coalition.

Chapter 132: “Anti-Davison” Coalition.

Princess Hestia, Lady Hestia, or would you prefer Champion of Goddess Aurena, Hestia? Theodore asked me as everybody sat down on the sofa inside his office. The door was closed and the only ones inside the room were privy to my partys secrets.

Just Hestia is fine, I replied, still feeling a bit befuddled to have learned the High Bishop from the temple was the brother of the Lord of Firwood.

Looking like he understood, he nodded. Lady Hestia it is, then. How interesting that somebody of your prestigious status would be this casual, but I suppose the differences between our worlds is something I cannot fathom. I give thanks to Goddess Aurena and God Istari for granting me this chance today.

Uhm, would it be inappropriate if I asked you a question, High Bishop Theodore? meekly, Saori raised her hand like a student.

Of course. Also, you do not need to care for etiquette, Madam Saori. The moment I joined the clergy, I lost most of my privileges as the Son of a Marquess. Technically, if we were to follow the hierarchy rules strictly, Lady Ellaine would outrank me also, Theodore responded, sipping tea made by Tasianna and Manuela.

Saori bowed slightly in thanks. Thank you, High Bishop. My question will be blunt, so please excuse me if it is considered rude. As the brother of Lord Marquess Sirius, it seems you were made aware of our presence and identities, correct? That is why you gave Lady Hestia her current amulet. So, why did you not mention this when we first met? It would have certainly dampened this surprise.

Fair question, I shall answer it, Theodore agreed. The answer is simply because I was High Bishop Theodore when we first met, and that the discussion would be inside the temple. It would go against good judgment to risk leaking Lady Hestias identity as an otherworlder and champion. I do have a safe room with sound-proof runes inside the temple, but I felt any discussion should be held here when I am acting as Lord Marquess Sirius aide and brother. There should be a separation between work and private life, no?

Theodore explained that, despite being the High Bishop, he also frequents his familys castle a lot due to his work as his brothers aide. Thanks to this role, he was made aware of my partys profiles and my role as Aurenas champion, which prompted him to give me an amulet made for white-robed priests, priestesses, and shrine maidens instead of the amulet meant for laity like Tasianna.

Lady Hestia, this does not have anything to do with the discussion for today, but, although I act as my brothers aide today, I do wish to invite you to the temple as the High Bishop. How is your knowledge of the Church of Aurena? he asked me.

Oh, is that so? Well, funnily enough, Goddess Aurena has asked me to learn more about her Church to fulfill my role as her champion, so I would appreciate it if you could show me around a bit, I told him, believing this might be a good chance to get some more information on the Church of Aurena. Until now, Ive only had an outsiders view on them or received second-hand information from their believers.

Wonderful. We shall share knowledge then, yours from your world, and I shall offer you a most extensive schedule on how the church functions. Madam Saori, I have heard much from Lady Ellaine about how you were an educator in your previous life? Perhaps we can exchange notes? My brother has two sons and I wish to provide a proper education for them, Theodore responded with a charismatic smile.

Honestly, was it just me, or was the High Bishop in networking mode? Not only did he manage to rope me in to visit the church with him, but he also piqued Saoris interest. I guess this was the experience and capability of a high-ranking noble. How frightening.

However, let us delay these commitments for later. I currently do not have the time to spare, since my duties as the High Bishop and my brothers aide requires me to work through a mountain of papers. WinterMoon is upon us, which means the temple must prepare for spring prayer and Springs Blessing, not to mention that nobles will be returning to their Firwood demesnes from the capital, Theodore stated at the end of it. In any case, it wouldnt be good for Lady Hestia to visit the temple before springs blessing.

Why? I tilted my head.

Well, he frowned, pausing for a moment before continuing with a sighing. The temple has recently heard from three commoner white-robed priests that a shrine maiden created a commotion in the hunters guild. According to their testament, the shrine maiden had an outfit befitting of a noble ladys or a rich merchants daughter, a red-scaled tail, horns on the side of her head, and blazing crimson hair. She was a talented singer and also displayed the ability to cast [Sacred Field] without a chantDoes that sound familiar, My Lady?

Oh.

Well, that is kinda bad. What am I supposed to do with this black orb in my inventory then? Argh, please dont do anything until I can give it to Aurena.

When questioned, a few grey-robed priests and priestesses have testified that they have seen you in the church, as did I. They were displeased and complained I should have introduced you to them. They even ordered the three commoner priests to search for you and made the grey-priests inform them the moment you came to the temple.

After sipping his tea again, Theodore surprisingly showed a smug face, Well, it certainly was fun to silence them. She has prayed to the Goddess shrine and given her respect to me, the High Bishop. The wandering priestess showed proper etiquette, was enough to shut most of them up. Still, a few loud voices make it impossible for me to enjoy a simple book during my breaks. Clergymen or not, complaining is in a nobles blood.

Youre complaining, right here, right now. Youre complaining about people complaining to you cause Icomplainedto a rude guy who complained about meThis is some next level complainception here.

Theodore explained that the priests werent able to find me in the last two weeks, so theyve begun to think I left the town, but the High Bishop still believes I should stay away from the church for now. Coincidentally, doesnt this coincide with the time I stayed in Ellaines mansion to train her and with the Quest in Rashan Village? I met those priests in the hunters guild on the 17th and today was the 30th of WinterSun. It has been nearly two weeks, huh?

I think this is enough small talk. When I said I didnt have much time, I meant it. Let us begin, shall we, Lady Ellaine, Lady Hestia?

I lost against my brother for the right to become Marquess Sirius, but I am a greifnoble still. If I didnt have the ability, my brothers first wife, Lady Marquess Sirius, would have forbidden me from coming to the castle outside of special events. That woman despises me and is only enduring my presence in her home simply because I am capable. Capable enough that my brothers efficiency as a fief lord would decrease if I left.

I agreed. The small glimpse I felt during the Binding Festival, where he invoked [Prayer] was proof enough for me. There was a single person who provided most of the mana and they stood in the center, right where the High Bishop was.

Most of the clergymen who support House Chezaic and Davison belong to the weaker faction. They treat the residents of the town and a few merchants Davison introduced them to. With your capabilities, you should be able to outperform them, Lady Hestia. This will attract the attention of Davison without question. However, I have heard reports that you arent taking white grace money, so I would ask you to do so in the future.

Healing for free; for most people, getting something for free was far more desirable than having to pay. It was the same thing for the white grace.

While I bow to you for your generosity, with your ability to heal people, you could heal the entire town for free if you wanted. However, what will the temple do then? While I can survive by offering free white graces of any tier, those below me cannot. They will rely on donations and the money their family sends to them, slowing down their growth.

Besides, Lady Hestia, we need the money. Youve seen how much we spent on our equipment and potions. Think of it as a source of side-income you do not have to overcharge them even, Saori agreed.

Urgh, this doesnt feel like the right thing, but if everybody in this world is doing it, then shouldnt I adapt? If I tell everybody Im using [Minor Heal], I can set the price to 500 Davi only. Thats enough, I guess.

Giving up, I agreed. It wasnt philanthropic, but it wouldnt be right for me to destabilize other peoples income.

Thank you. You do not have to fulfill it, but it would help you nonetheless, Theodore said.

Then it is my time to speak, with the High Bishops idea done, Ellaine spoke up. Lady Hestia, in a few days, nobles without further business at the capital will slowly return to their demesnes to prepare for spring, which includes nobles like my brother and myself. Most of these nobles will be students of the royal academy, as the school year begins on the first day of SpringSun. Two of those students will be Lord Arcanuess Chezaics daughters.

Lady Ellaine, you arent intending to attend their tea party?! Manuela burst out, anxiousness and panic seeping from her voice.

Manuela, we are before Lord Theodore, Ellaine reprimanded Manuela before continuing. Yes, Manuela, I am. Lady Hestia, the tea party is annually hosted by the Chezaic twins for all noble daughters still attending the academy in Firwood. I used to attend the tea party before I relinquished my right to become my houses heir. I want you to accept their invitation and bring Miss Saori as your attendant in order to allow her to search House Chezaics mansion for evidence. I shall accompany you, as you lack experience in this setting.

Having nothing to disagree with, I accepted her proposal. I was a bit worried why Manuela raised her voice, but Ellaine herself didnt want to say,so I let it go for now. Although, I had a bad feeling.

Lord Theodore- Ellaine wanted to say but she was interrupted by the High Bishop who read her mind.

I understand, I can support you with that. Rumors must align, so send your spymaster over to me once he is free. I will make sure the entire noble district will learn of Lady Hestias presence.

Since I will reveal my identity anyway with Theodores task, making my name known amongst the nobles wont be a detriment. And, honestly, I will inevitably make mine and my partys name known once we begin Saoris restaurant and begin taking more Quests. An idol shouldnt shy away from making her name known.

As we all took some time to finalize the plan and what my party will be doing, Theodore said something surprising, Good, once you have the evidence, send them to me. Not only will my brother support your decision, but also Lord Duke Greenveil. House Chezaic, no matter how many supporters they have, will be unable to defend themselves once the Duke himself orders for their detainment.

Duke Greenveil? Jeez, Marquess family or not, but is House Sirius that influential that you can bring the Lord of this Dukedom into action that easily? Shouldnt he be busy with his fief or his discussion with the royal family? I said, flabbergasted at how casually he said it. I mean, a duke was like a king inside his dukedom, so calling him for something House Sirius can handle by themselves was just weird. I mean, it wasnt a war or something.

Of course, we can. The first wife of Lord Duke Greenveil is the second child of my parents. Shes my older sister. Theodore dropped that bomb with such a perfect poker face, I actually thought he was joking for a moment.

What?

We have a blood bond with House Greenveil; as well, there is the fact that we are considered one of House Greenveils arms. Marquess houses often have deep ties to the ducal houses, similar to how the royal family has deep ties with ducal houses. Nothing is surprising about it, Lady Hestia. It is a result of our fathers efforts to improve our houses prestige.

This guy is just a bundle of surprises, huh? What the hell is this day?

And so, the Anti-Davison alliance was formed.