Chapter 142： church

After a heart-to-heart conversation with the female consultant, Paul asked her to go back and rest first.

Only he and Austin were left in the room.

Paul turned to the Admiral: "What do you think about wizards and magic?"

Austin replied honestly: "I didn't think they were so bad before, but I thought they were at least arrogant and cold, the kind who dismissed ordinary people. But judging from Ms. Ladi's performance, we treat them The inherent impression is wrong, at least some people are not like this. According to what you said, she voluntarily asked to go with you when she foresaw the danger. After the attack, when the assassin clearly targeted you, she also Did not run away alone, but stayed and fought with you."

"I wish other people thought the same way you do."

"Adults don't have to worry too much. In fact, compared to the south, which has a strong religious atmosphere, our north is relatively 'tolerant' to these legendary things."

"Oh? Let's talk about it specifically."

"According to the old people, even when the witch hunt was carried out, we conducted it here based on the principle of 'presumption of innocence'. If a person is accused of witchcraft activities, it is indeed harmful to others if he is found. Before the direct evidence of the act, even if the court finds that this person is a wizard, he cannot be burned to death, and it cannot be said that there are no unjust cases, but compared to the south, there are very few."

"What about those who are suspected but have no evidence?"

"I don't know about other places. Our side locked them up for 30 years. After a long-term observation, it was confirmed that there was no suspicion of using magic to save themselves before releasing them."

Paul couldn't laugh or cry: "The people here are really 'kind'!"

I don't know if the average age of a person is 30 now, but that's good. After being accused, basically the whole life is spent in it.

"In fact, no witch hunt can last as long as 30 years. Basically, it is released after a few years of closure."

"Is there any record of capturing a real wizard before?"

"Of course the public records are all true. As for the truth, who knows."

Paul was very surprised: "I don't understand, why are the churches, the South and the North treated in such a big way?"

Austin took a sip of water, and slowly and methodically explained Paul's science.

"First of all, as a huge entity, the church has a lot of messy things inside. The contradictions between the central Holy See and the local churches, and the contradictions between various denominations with different ideas are intricate, and it is impossible to explain clearly in a few days and nights. In history, different denominations have fought many civil wars, and local churches have openly defied the Holy See headquarters, and local churches do not agree with each other's practices."

"Secondly, the church has the strongest ruling power in the holy capital area, and radiates its influence to the entire continent from this center. Its influence has been greatly diminished in the fringes of civilization in the Northwest Gulf. And our lords here are brutal and arrogant, and their religious piety is only above the passing line—sorry, I’m not talking about you.”

"Isn't there a saying that goes like this, it depends on the owner to beat a dog, they don't want the people under their rule to be **** casually by a bunch of outsiders to have a barbecue meeting, it's not because of love for the people, more It’s out of maintaining one’s own authority—sorry, I’m not talking about you, so, after a few ‘friendly’ negotiations, the ruling power belongs to the church, but the execution power is firmly held by the lords.”

Paul asked: "Is the Holy See headquarters just sitting idly by? Won't the army be sent to attack us?"

"This is legally the territory of the Aldo Kingdom. They have to pass the test of His Majesty the King first. For the same reason as the lords, His Majesty the King always protects his vassals. For King Aldo and Gaga For a monarch of a great country like Emperor Bella, the Holy See headquarters has always been sensible and tolerant. You have heard of the archbishop dispute during the reign of Rodney XV. At that time, things were so big that there was no compromise in the end. And Even if His Majesty the King left us to fend for ourselves, winter in the northwest would be a nightmare for all armies."

Paul asked again: "But I heard that the Holy See once punished the monarch of a certain country to stand barefoot in the ice and snow for three days and three nights."

Austin replied: "That is the monarch of a small country in the south. There are many small countries in the south of the mainland, and there are many conflicts. The Holy See doesn't need to do anything by itself. It can bring down a royal family by sowing discord."

Paul held his chin in thought: "Based on what you said, I suddenly feel that the church is pretty weak."

He suddenly became angry: "When I first made the guns and cannons, Dean Leonard and Father Anderson came to investigate whether I was studying witchcraft, and threatened me with some kind of tribunal. Show them military secrets like muskets."

"Cough!" Austin coughed, "My lord, with all due respect, considering the strength of the Greiman family at that time, their threats were really not empty words, and your backing down at that time was wise."

Paul agreed with his point of view: "That's right, we only had a few hundred people and a dozen guns at that time."

Austin continued: "All the respect and forbearance are obtained by the strength of His Majesty the King and the lords. In this world, we still have to rely on fists to speak, so..."

"So what?"

"Please allocate more military spending to us!"

…

In the early morning of the next day, Paul, accompanied by Austin and Ladi, went to the shipyard to inspect the newly built sailboat, and chatted along the way.

"I said Ladi Xiaojie, do your former companions in the adventure group know your other identity?"

"They know."

Speaking of this, the female consultant's face showed a touch of emotion.

"But not only did they not denounce me, they continued to take care of me like family. I owe them my life."

Alas, I can't imagine that this female scholar, who looks calm on weekdays, has such a soft heart.

"Then how did they find out?"

"It was also in an accident that I used magic, and they figured it out on the spot."

Austin on the side praised: "Who doesn't want a companion who is willing to risk his identity being exposed in order to save his companion?"

"Your Excellency, the Commander, praised you."

Paul slapped his forehead: "I suddenly remembered, that time in the Port of Flanders Church... Did you do something to me?"

Ladi blushed: "I'm very sorry, my lord, but it was because you had kind thoughts in your own heart and wanted to save the mayor who was unconscious at that time, so you got my suggestion, otherwise I would not succeed .”

"Haha!" Paul rubbed the back of his head shyly, "I didn't expect me to be such a good person."

Everyone walked into the shipyard area while talking. In the distant port, the tall masts of two sailing ships were already in sight.