Chapter 79

The Medieval-Modern Man With A Gamer Mindset 79

79. Level Up

Several months had passed since Bishop of Powys Narva and Edelred had joined forces to reform the system.

And so, on February 4, 1213, when the cold had not yet subsided.

After nearly half a year of fierce preparation and repeated compromises, the system reform was finally beginning to see the light of day. Moreover, it was not a mere change in numbers. The serfs near the coastline were the first to truly experience this change.

The serfs would often narrow their eyes at the black smoke rising beyond the lush forest and be startled.

“What’s that smoke?”

“Black smoke… Oh my! It’s a raid!”

The beacon towers installed by the strong will of Bishop Narva were indeed fulfilling their role admirably.

There were cost issues, such as the need to transport fuel and deploy guards, but it was enforced with the argument that it could reduce the scale of damage to the surrounding areas. Even those who had argued about the cost suddenly shut their mouths after seeing the dramatic effect.

This was because the coastal area, which had been exposed to looting due to its distance from the developed Illhenfoot and its distance from the existing garrison, had become much more stable than before.

Of course, this was largely due to the fact that somewhat inhumane treatment and behavior were permitted.

Once news of the raid spread by beacon or alarm, the knights of the surrounding manors could not hide their excitement.

“It seems that the village on the southern coast has been raided. Prepare your armor. We shall go and punish the pagans.”

“Yes, milord!”

“I hope there are many prisoners to rescue…”

Originally, the Church, which serves the Star of Humanity, does not allow fellow humans to be enslaved.

Slavery was strongly criticized as a remnant of the old world, and thus various serious crimes, including human trafficking, were never brought to light. Nevertheless, there were those who willfully misinterpreted the doctrine, and thus the slave trade, which was only a change in name, was rampant.

In fact, the main way for the pagan hordes to make a profit was through this slave trade.

They would capture prisoners in order to sustain their lives beyond the barren sea, and after sacrificing some of them who had little or no commercial value or some who were exceptionally good as offerings to their gods, they would seek out landowners who wanted slaves and sell them.

This was exactly what Bishop of Powys Narva was aiming for.

The knight who had finished preparing to march against the raid looked around at his armed soldiers as he settled himself into the saddle of his horse.

‘I hope to get a few dozen workers for the corvée.’

The price that Bishop Narva promised the knights in exchange for their expedition was exceptionally generous.

[Prisoners rescued shall pay a certain amount of ransom to the knight who risked his life to rescue them from the pagans.]

The ransom could be paid in the form of corvée or bail for the knight, and the Church would act as their advocate to protect their rights against any inappropriate demands.

The ransom varied depending on the person’s circumstances, but in the case of a healthy adult male, it was 3-4 years, in the case of a woman, 5 years, and in the case of a child, they would be protected under the care of the Church and the knight until they came of age, but in return, they would have to serve for 10 years.

Of course, it was also possible for someone with a sound body to take the place of someone else and serve the corvée. If a notary public was needed for the legal contract, the Church would act as the notary.

This was not human trafficking but part of the ransom payment method, and since it was a transaction that aimed to protect the interests and rights of both parties, the Church would definitely intervene in any inhumane treatment beyond this.

Of course, when they had finished paying, they could live as settlers in this land if they wished. The Church would do everything in its power to protect the rights of serfs and citizens-.

-Some criticized it as a very elaborate deception, but the majority of lords and knights expressed admiration and enthusiastic support for the Bishop’s decision.

Among them, the one who had changed his mind most favorably towards Narva was the Earl of Peathstone.

Whenever he met with like-minded vassals, retainers, or other influential people, he would positively assess the extraordinary measures taken by Bishop Narva.

“The former Bishop Barnardo was all about sharing wealth, but he didn’t know how to protect it. But the current Bishop is different. He’s implementing it by promising honor and benefits to the knights and safety and prosperity to the lords.”

“Your Majesty’s words are correct. He has even extended the lives of the serfs who die needlessly. He has a strong heart that cares for others while doing his duty.”

“hahahahaha, Your Royal Highness is also blessed. Sir Edelred was not bad, but wasn’t he a bit lacking in calculation? But now that he has a bishop who is not only devout but also wise in calculation, it’s a good thing, a good thing.”

The pro-Royalist faction led by Earl Peathsun laughing, clinking their glasses of wine.

The important thing is that Narva’s strongly advocated defense system was established smoothly without much opposition. Even conscientious intellectuals and religious people who criticized it as deceptive could not deny that it was the best way to prevent an invasion.

Moreover, it was not just Narva who made concessions.

One of the lords who had been drinking wine happily recalled the fact.

“Well, it seems that the Bishop is not so reckless. He has included a clause to renew his authority.”

“Hmm. In the end, it’s useless without power…”

To be recognized for the right to use the rescued prisoners as they wished, they had to provide appropriate financial support.

It was not an obligation, but close to a semi-compulsory recommendation, in the form of sharing part of the cost necessary to maintain the defense system. Of course, the lords who did not know the background just thought it was a desperate struggle by the young Bishop.

Only one person, Earl Peathsun, looked at them with a faint smile.

‘To establish a branch of the Knights Templar. That was the purpose.’

Bishop Narva made significant concessions to Earl Peathsun, who had considerable power, but it was also a warning.

He would give them the opportunity to influence the Knights Templar, an order that followed only the will of the Church, so they should cooperate obediently. If they did, Barasta would become the safest place, and the Bishop himself would contribute to maintaining the stability of Barasta.

‘The funds to support the Knights Templar can also be considered as [financial support]. Bishop, I don’t know anything else about you, but I trust your determination to take responsibility for the safety of the Grand Duchy for the time being. ‘

Bishop Narva had not yet revealed his intention to establish a branch of the Knights Templar.

However, since there were reports of people from the Church appearing periodically near Barasta, his intentions were clear. Soon, the Bishop would use the funds he had saved to lobby and strongly advocate for the establishment of a branch of the Knights Templar.

There would be no public backlash now that the invasion of the pagans had become apparent.

In some ways, it was a decision that would provoke the vassals, but Bishop Narva was surprisingly meticulous in finding a gap.

‘Come to think of it, it’s a pity. The ability to count and calculate, it’s definitely an excellent ability as a monarch.’

Earl Peathsun smiled bleakly and shook his glass.

‘None of the vassals would want to serve him as their lord.’

***

Of course, the success of the system reform over the past six months was naturally accompanied by numerous sacrifices.

Scratch-scratch-.

The only sound that could be heard was the scratching of the quill’s tip on the paper in the grim office.

Karina, who had been blinking her eyes, gulped and slowly opened her lips.

“Excuse me, Your Grace.”

“Yes, Lady Karina. I’m listening.”

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At that moment, all eyes in the office turned to Karina.

However, Karina forcibly ignored their gazes and spokes.

“I’ll go get some water…”

Obsidian, said to have the sharpest cutting power in the world.

Bishop Narva’s eyes were just like that.

His eyes, which were smooth but contained a sharpness that could cut flesh with a single stroke, stared straight at Karina for a long time. The atmosphere was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

But Karina was no ordinary woman either.

Karina met Narva’s gaze head-on, never backing down. In the end, it was Narva who broke the grim silence first.

“Edwina. Bring some water.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“No, I will go.”

“You cannot exert yourself with a handmaid present. Edwina, quickly.”

“No!!! Seriously!!!”

Karina eventually screamed, unable to hold back.

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“You will spill the ink.”

“….!”

“You do not wish to rewrite it.”

“I will go back. I will go back!!!”

“You must have heard that the coast is being raided periodically. If you force your return to the mainland, you could be taken prisoner.”

Narva calmly stated reasons one by one, suppressing Karina’s anger.

Meanwhile, Edwina, like a competent handmaid, had already brought a pitcher and was pouring clear water into a glass.

“Here is the water you were looking for.”

“….”

Thud.

Karina plopped down in her chair and began to whine.

“It’s no fun, it’s no fun~.”

“Hohoho. It seems our princess is very bored. It is understandable.”

Bishop Ganista, who had been pretending to clean his glasses, spoke cheerfully at the sight.

To Narva, even that was intolerable.

“Bishop, you have been cleaning your lenses for over ten minutes. I will buy you a new one. It is uncomfortable for me to see my grandfather-like figure so uncomfortable.”

“Hohoho… I am also uncomfortable because I cannot spank my grandson-like subordinate as much as I want. If he were not like a grandson but a real grandson, I would have pulled out a tree root and swung it at him. “

However, even His Grace would admit this.

Bishop Ganista’s last words momentarily focused everyone in the office.

“Now that the invasion of the infidel raiders has actually taken place, it is time to carry out a more important mission than looking at this stick.”

“Stick?”

“That is not important, Your Grace. Handmaid Edwina. This is a matter of the Church, so outsiders must withdraw.”

“…I understand.”

It was the moment when Bishop Ganista, who had always been friendly, suddenly turned authoritative.

It was an important story. Edwina quickly picked up the pitcher and left the office.

Only then did Bishop Ganista take off the gloves on his hands and reveal the back of his hand.

It was the bright blue holy cross, revealing the stigmata.

“The second stage miracle of Lux Stella’s devotion.”

“Huh? Your Grace, you are not even at the second stage of devotion yet?”

Bishop Ganista’s solemn tone and Karina’s bewilderment.

Narva carefully put down the quill and narrowed his eyebrows.

“I trust you are not changing the subject because you do not want to sit on your butt and have fun.”

“I just felt that Your Grace was sufficiently blessed with the Holy Light and wanted to help you manifest the second stage.”

And Bishop Ganista.

“Of course, there is that reason as well.”

Sworn to the oath of honesty.