NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20: Religious Threat
TL: Etude
A while later, Butler Philip led two clergymen into the drawing room.
Father Anderson was someone he had met before, but he had no recollection of Dean Leonard, an elderly man with a Mediterranean hairstyle, who gave off an exceedingly old-fashioned aura.
Paul asked with a smile, “What brings you two to my place?”
“Count, you dared to confront the pirates and achieved victory in battle, protecting the Lord’s flock. We are here to express our gratitude,” they said.
“Ha, that’s my duty. Is that all?”
The clergymen exchanged glances, hesitating slightly. Finally, the older Dean Leonard spoke up, “Count, we are here to investigate a matter. Could we ask your butler to leave us for a moment?”
“Alright, what matter requires the presence of two clergymen for investigation?” Paul waved his hand, signaling Philip to leave the drawing room.
“We have learned that you used something akin to sorcery in your battle against the pirates. Could you explain this?”
“Sorcery? What sorcery? I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Paul replied, puzzled.
“Count, it’s those things that can explode or shoot projectiles causing injury or death.”
“Oh, you mean the latest firearms equipped by my military.”
“Can we see these items?”
Paul flatly refused, “That’s not possible. These are military secrets, not to be casually shown to others.”
Seeing his refusal, Dean Leonard’s expression turned stern, “Count, monitoring for signs of witchcraft in our jurisdiction is a natural duty of us clergymen. I advise you to cooperate with us. If it’s just ordinary weapons, we will clear your name. But if you refuse to cooperate, and the matter escalates to the Inquisition of the General Diocese, it will be troublesome. It won’t be good for anyone. Those people’s temperament, as you must know, is quite severe. If they come down to investigate, it could harm the innocent.”
“Are you threatening a lord? This is outrageous!” Paul was indignant, unable to believe they would resort to such tactics.
Father Anderson, looking worried, said, “Please forgive us, Count. Although we are servants of the Lord, we are also your subjects. We wouldn’t have insisted if it weren’t for our duty. There have been precedents where lords were seduced by evil sorcerers, bringing disaster to their entire domain. Not only would it harm you, but it could also affect the innocent populace.”
He was genuinely concerned that the young count might stubbornly resist them to the end, potentially drawing the attention of the Inquisition, which would spell trouble.
Paul bit his lip in frustration, wrestling with his thoughts.
After a standoff, he finally relented. The “Religious Tribunal” they mentioned was no trifle. The tribunal in the northern diocese of the Kingdom of Ordo was one thing; the king would not likely let them investigate his nobles unrestrainedly for the sake of his own prestige. However, if the matter reached the Church headquarters, it was a different story.
“Fine then. To prove my innocence, I will show them to you. But may I ask, if it is proven that my new weapon has nothing to do with black sorcery, would you two be willing to keep the details of the weapon confidential? After all, it is a military secret, our means to fight against pirates.”
“We swear in the name of the Lord, we will not reveal it to anyone.”
“Even to the Pope himself?”
Father Anderson fell silent upon hearing this, but Dean Leonard hesitated briefly before responding, “Yes, even to the Pope. Moreover, if someone inquires about this matter in the future, we can vouch for you, Count.”
Hearing the dean’s promise, Father Anderson also nodded in agreement.
Then, Paul called Philip to bring his wheellock pistol and two bottles of gunpowder from his study for self-defense.
After Philip fetched the items, Paul invited the two clergymen to the small garden outside the drawing room to demonstrate the firearms and instructed the butler to inform the officers meeting in the hall not to panic if they heard gunshots.
He slowly loaded the ammunition and, holding the gun with both hands, aimed at a tree. With the clergymen watching, he pulled the trigger.
A loud “bang” echoed, causing the targeted tree to shake and the birds perched on it to fly away in panic.
Dean Leonard and Father Anderson clearly saw the bullet hole in the tree trunk and gasped in amazement at the power of this hand-crossbow-sized device.
Father Anderson looked to his mentor, Dean Leonard, who nodded, “Indeed, I felt no unusual energy emanations.”
“May we take a closer look at this ‘firearm’?” Father Anderson asked.
“Alright, here you go. This device is called a gun, and another type that explodes and causes injuries is called a hand grenade. Both work based on this powder that burns violently,” Paul explained, shaking the other powder bottle. “Hand grenades are too dangerous, so I won’t demonstrate them.”
Father Anderson took the gun carefully and brought it close to a white-gray stone, observing it for a moment.
“There’s no abnormal reaction from the Demon Detection Stone. Count, please accept our apologies,” the clergymen confirmed, finding no relation between the gun and witchcraft.
Father Anderson, however, didn’t immediately return the gun to Paul. He turned it over in his hands, marveling at this novel object. The structure of the gun was simple, and combining it with the Count’s demonstration, its working principle was easily deduced. The key lay in the remarkable powder that burned intensely. But since it was declared a military secret, he refrained from inquiring further.
This particular single-handed gun was custom-made for Paul, with exquisite patterns carved into the handle by a skilled woodworker, making it highly artistic.
Dean Leonard coughed to remind him, “Anderson, return it to the Count.”
“Oh, sorry. Did you invent this, Count? It’s truly ingenious,” Anderson said, blushing slightly with admiration as he handed back the gun.
“Heh, indeed I did. But remember, we agreed not to divulge the details of these weapons,” Paul’s irritation was somewhat eased by their admiration.
“Of course, now that the situation is clear, we won’t disturb you further,” the clergymen stood to leave.
But then, Paul suddenly said, “Wait, don’t hurry off.”
Sensing something in his tone, Dean Leonard and Father Anderson asked, “Is there anything else you wish to instruct us, Count?”
“How did you two learn about this new weapon I invented? And how did you know I used it against the pirates?”
Father Anderson stuttered, unable to respond.
Paul’s tone grew colder, “Should I perhaps report to the Northern Diocese? Maybe some people are masquerading as servants of God while engaging in espionage.”
“Injustice! Count, it was your soldiers in the confessional…”
Dean Leonard quickly interrupted, “Anderson!!!”
Father Anderson immediately clamped his mouth shut, remaining silent.
Dean Leonard, slightly embarrassed, said, “I’m sorry, Count. Keeping the confessions confidential is our duty. Please don’t pursue this matter further.”
“Fine, let’s leave it at that (as if),” Paul agreed outwardly but was clearly not convinced.
“We will take our leave now,” the clergymen hurriedly departed.
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