Hearing that Archbishop Raymond was almost at the Volkanov mansion, Ian headed to the audience chamber.
While some people might not care, Archbishop Raymond was a candidate for the next High Archbishop.
Even as the Count of the Empire’s borderlands, Volkanov couldn’t afford to treat him lightly.
‘Now I have to face someone like him in a battle of wits.’
The phrases Ian had seen through the system flashed in his mind.
Raymond would undoubtedly show hostility towards him.
‘Of course, it won’t be because he hates me personally. It’s just to check Piers’ progress. Pires probably thinks tournaments should be allowed.’
In a way, it was a common doctrinal dispute.
Piers argued that banning tournament, which was merely a spectacle, as contrary to doctrine was wrong. Raymond, on the other hand, believed that the doctrine should be upheld.
‘Under normal circumstances, they would just meet and talk it out, but…. The timing isn’t good.’
The current Pope and High Archbishop were conservative. However, the 1st Prince, Piers, brought a new wave to Edenria.
To Raymond, who aimed to become the next High Archbishop, Piers was a significant threat.
‘Although he’s only a cardinal now, Piers is evaluated as the youngest future Archbishop.’
A competitor with different tendencies was expanding his influence.
As Pires grew, conservatives would lose their standing. Raymond felt it was his duty to stop this.
‘To rally the conservatives…. He intends to use tournament as a scapegoat.’
Ian was caught in the middle of their political fight.
But Ian wasn’t going to just take it lying down.
He was also in a desperate situation.
‘I won’t go down easily.’
At that moment.
– Ah!
Neltalion, who had been fidgeting with her hands, looked at Ian in surprise.
– Ian! I forgot it!
‘What did you forget…?’
– My writing practice!
‘Writing practice?’
After obtaining a human body, Neltalion had been practicing writing. Was that what it meant?
‘What writing practice are you talking about?’
– I was copying from a diary! I wanted to show you….
‘It’s okay. Let’s finish this first and then go see it.’
– Really? Then let’s go! I worked hard to write to be helpful to you, Ian!
Ian smiled awkwardly as he patted Neltalion.
Neltalion probably felt that while Eri and the others were helping, Neltalion was doing nothing.
The reason he copied from the diary was that he thought learning to write would be helpful.
‘Adorable.’
Knowing that feeling, he couldn’t help but smile.
The idea that he wasn’t helpful was absurd.
‘I never thought that.’
How could he have managed all he had without Neltalion?
Without Neltalion, he wouldn’t have been able to defeat Igor in the entrance exam or win against strong opponents like Lilith.
‘Even now, that’s the case.’
Neltalion would be a great help in his mind games with the archbishop.
‘You’re very helpful. So don’t worry too much.’
– Really? I’m helpful to you, Ian?
‘Of course.’
– Hehe, I’m glad.
As Ian smiled at Neltalion, he heard a voice.
“Young Master, Archbishop Raymond from Edenria has arrived.”
The moment Shulkin finished speaking, the door opened, and a middle-aged man with blonde hair entered the room.
Accompanied by about four inquisitors, Raymond smiled warmly.
“This sudden visit might be an imposition, but thank you for welcoming me so graciously. I am Raymond Lius, holding the position of archbishop.”
Raymond extended his hand for a handshake.
“You must have had a hard journey. I am Ian Volkanov.”
As they shook hands, Ian felt Raymond’s powerful grip squeezing his hand.
The battle of wits had already begun.
Ian suppressed a smile as he looked at his numb hand.
‘In that case, I should show my side too.’
***
Though he had come for an unpleasant reason, Raymond did not dislike Ian.
In fact, he couldn’t dislike him at all.
‘Ian Volkanov has done nothing wrong. He even dealt with the demons, the enemies of humanity.’
Considering Ian had taken care of something that was practically their own responsibility as children of Eris, the God of Peace, it was impossible to hate him.
Raymond even felt a desire to thank Ian and promise support.
However, politically, Raymond had no choice but to oppose Ian.
‘The winds of change brought by Piers Arcana are likely to cause chaos.’
From the moment he became a cardinal, Piers Arcana had expressed his opinions.
Instead of strictly adhering to principles, Piers advocated a more relaxed interpretation of the doctrine to attract more people to the faith of Eris.
‘A coercive doctrine could foster skepticism. That’s why he proposed spreading the love of the deity instead of rigidly clinging to the doctrine.’
It sounded beautiful when heard.
Raymond himself had wanted to spread the doctrine to more people and guide lost souls.
But the dark side of that plan was the issue.
‘Progressives and conservatives have always clashed.’
Even if Raymond, a conservative, agreed with Piers’ plan, there would still be some residual opposition.
And they would threaten progress once again.
‘If the competition intensifies…. We might repeat the mistakes of the past.’
Raymond knew the pain of wars fought over doctrinal interpretations from history, even though he hadn’t personally experienced the religious wars.
Having had a troubled childhood due to the demons, he understood the need to avoid meaningless conflicts.
That’s why.
‘No matter what happens, there must be a balance between conservatives and progressives. To rally the faltering conservatives, I must stop this fighting tournament.’
Opposing Ian Volkanov’s plan was essential.
It was unfortunate to use him as a scapegoat, but it was unavoidable.
Despite his resolve, Raymond knew Ian was a formidable opponent.
“I have told you multiple times, my opinion remains unchanged. I will not cancel the tournament.”
“Do you understand that it goes against the doctrines of the Erisian Church?”
“Eris forbids meaningless conflict, yes. But isn’t that referring to fights that leave mutual wounds and sorrow? That tournament does not fall into that category.”
Taking a deep breath, Ian continued.
“This is an imperial event created to honor the feats of my ancestor, Alex Volkanov, a hero of the Empire. Even if Edenria is a close ally, asking to cancel an event that commemorates a historic figure of the Empire seems unreasonable.”
“Hmm…”
They had been talking for over thirty minutes with no progress.
Ian’s resolve to carry out the tournament remained firm.
Raymond was left with no choice but to use his final prepared argument.
“You seem unaware of why the Colosseum disappeared. Even consensual fights plant the seeds of war in the hearts of spectators. That is why Eris forbids meaningless conflicts. We barely have enough strength to fight the demons, so there’s no need for the children of God to fight each other.”
“Seeds of war?”
“Yes. I understand your intentions, but if you proceed with the tournament, it will be considered an act against the doctrine. You will face the consequences accordingly.”
Leaving his stern words, Raymond locked eyes with Ian.
“Make the right decision. Eris is waiting for your choice.”
‘Waiting for my decision? How absurd,’
Ian suppressed a laugh at Raymond’s words.
He understood the message. They were telling him to reconsider and act according to the doctrine.
Even if he logically explained his position, Raymond would continue to insist that it was against the doctrine and ask him to reconsider.
Raymond would maintain that stance until he got the answer he wanted.
‘In the end, I have to use this.’
Closing his eyes, Ian brought his hands together in prayer.
“What are you doing in the middle of a conversation?”
Raymond tilted his head in confusion at the strange sight.
“Solved.”
“What?”
“I resolved it through prayer with the concerned party. They said to do as we wish with the tournament.”
“What are you talking about! Do as you wish! Are you mocking us? Do you think just because you prayed once, God would listen to you?”
“Why not? Does that mean you think there is no God?”
“Ah, no, but…”
“When I prayed, I was told not to worry and proceed as planned. The matter is resolved with the concerned party, so why are you dictating what we do?”
“What on earth…”
Raymond’s pupils trembled at Ian’s bold declaration.
What confidence could allow him to say such a thing?
‘One should only attempt what they can handle. What is this nonsense!’
Even after decades in the Erisian Church, Raymond had never experienced receiving divine will.
The idea that a single prayer could bring a divine word was an outrageous claim.
Especially in front of a high-ranking archbishop like himself and four inquisitors from Edenria.
‘How can he be so brazen as to tell a lie that will be discovered so soon?’
Born with extraordinary abilities, inquisitors could see the divine aura and punish those who defiled the name of God.
They had another significant ability.
‘They are priests who can sense divine presence.’
And there were four of them present.
‘I, too, having served as an inquisitor, can discern such things.’
While Raymond might not know the exact message, he could determine if it was genuinely from the deity.
‘To lie in front of us…’
It was unacceptable. With his resolve firmed, Raymond summoned his divine power.
He could see it.
“Gasp…”
“What in the world is this…”
The inquisitors, who had already discerned it, were aghast.
And.
‘How? Could it be that God truly answered his prayer!’
An enormous divine aura surrounded Ian.
Though slightly different from the Goddess of Peace, Eris, it was undoubtedly a divine presence.
So that meant.
‘He truly received the will of God. Does this mean Eris also supports him?’
Realizing that the path he had stubbornly clung to was wrong, Raymond lowered his head.
The disappointment of seeing all his efforts come to naught was indescribable.
Ian, seeing Raymond’s despair after his previous aggression, felt a pang of pity.
‘It is rather unfortunate.’
Raymond had likely summoned his divine power to discern the divine presence, witnessing the tremendous aura around Ian.
However, what they saw was not the divine presence of Eris.
Eris had never spoken to the Pope, let alone to someone who seldom prayed like Ian.
The divine aura around Ian was from a different source entirely.
– Ian, do whatever you want! I will support you!
The Ancient God Neltalion. With it by his side, Ian had nothing to fear, no matter how many inquisitors were present.
***
Despite traveling a long distance, Raymond had gained nothing.
Having witnessed the divine aura with his own eyes, he left hastily. Stopping the tournament was no longer possible.
‘It is now impossible to quell the progressives’ momentum.’
Initially, he thought Ian was spouting nonsense.
But Ian was truly receiving divine will. Raymond had seen the immense divine aura himself.
From that moment, Raymond knew there was nothing more he could do.
‘Truly, God has chosen Ian Volkanov. Despite my stubbornness and absurdity, I have failed.’
The emptiness rising within made Raymond sigh repeatedly.
It was astonishing, and at the same time, he felt a pang of envy.
From a troubled childhood, he had prayed endlessly to the deity, but Eris had never responded to his calls.
Of course, he did not doubt her existence, as he felt divine power surge with every prayer.
What I wanted was…’
A simple wish for the deity to speak to him just once.
‘Yet the one receiving God’s love was not me….’
Raymond sighed deeply. Despite dedicating his entire life, he was not the one favored by God.
He looked up at the sky.
‘It’s annoyingly clear.’
The bright, clear sky, oblivious to his burning insides, sent rays of sunshine piercing his eyes.
Lowering his head against the glare, he fiddled with the shabby necklace around his neck.
A necklace made of rough tree bark, hanging from a frayed string.
When he first stepped into the Erisian Church and went on a volunteer mission, the children in the slums made something for him.
Watching the children, who were so hungry their bones were visible, as he handed out bread, one child asked him.
“Sir Raymond… Can I also become a person who gives like you when I grow up?”
“Of course! If you offer a sincere prayer to Lady Eris, she will light the way for you.”
He was grateful for being able to care for the children who had lost their families to the demons.
For being able to extend a helping hand to these children.
For being able to give hope to someone despite his own unfortunate past.
Raymond never forgot that the reason he was able to leave behind a childhood spent wandering after losing his family to the demons and extend warm love to others was because he believed in Eris.
That’s why.
“This too… must be Lady Eris’ will…”
Despite experiencing such a miserable failure, his faith remained unshaken.
“Archbishop, are you alright?”
“We have done all we could. That is enough.”
“In the end, we did not achieve our goal.”
“We did not achieve our goal… That is not true.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Raymond lifted his head and looked at the sky.
The sunlight that he had found so unpleasant until just now now felt warm, like the embrace of the divine.
“Hasn’t the path we must follow appeared before us?”
“The path we must follow…”
“I hereby withdraw my intentions towards Ian Volkanov.”
Raymond, smiling, looked at the inquisitors following him and spoke.
“Ian Volkanov, who has inherited the will of God, and we are now as one. Therefore…”
Edenria would promise Ian Volkanov its unwavering support.
***
After finishing his conversation with Archbishop Raymond, Ian headed straight to his room.
‘I don’t know what’s what, but… it must be a good thing.’
Raymond had hastily risen and left after confirming the divine nature.
Though he hadn’t managed to get Raymond to retract his interference with the tournament.
Having confirmed his divine nature, there would be no more interference by invoking doctrine.
‘The best thing would be to get the conservatives on Raymond’s side to support me too… but even if that doesn’t happen, as the tournament grows, Edenria won’t be able to say anything.’
For now, since it’s just been established, they can meddle, but as it grows and nobles begin to invest seriously, even Edenria won’t be able to do much.
Having resolved a troublesome issue, Ian headed to his room.
‘I’ve done enough, so let’s rest a bit.’
The vassals were diligently handling matters, so unless something major happened, he could afford to rest.
And he needed to go and get the paper Neltalion had left behind.
Clunk!
With these thoughts, as he opened the door, Ian saw it.
“I-Ian…”
“Mother… why would you…”
Leticia, who had never come to his room before, was standing there with tears in her eyes.
Why did she come to his room that she had never visited before? And why was she crying?
Sadly, Leticia did not answer Ian’s questions.
Instead, something else revealed the reason.
Swish!
A paper fell powerlessly from Leticia’s hand.
Carried by the wind, it drifted to Ian’s feet, and written on it were the words.
– I may have been a child who should not have been born. –
(TLN: Ok, so Neltalion’s gender question is getting weirder, this chapter I used “he”/”it” as it was before, but it seems it’s a “she” now… So that might change. Again…)
