Volume 1 Chapter 68-2 Genderbend Female Knight, Ordering The First Papal States Siege
This was too much. Simon also used magic and raised his voice.
"No! The Bible says one-tenth of the crops belong to God!"
"The tithe, yes. That's the problem. It was used to keep the church running, but why do you guys take money and goods now, not crops?"
"Because, in the end, we have to sell what we get to keep the church running. That takes time and work. It's easier for both sides to just give money from the start."
"But farmers have to eat less. Some are starving. If the church says starving is a sin, why are they the ones making people starve?"
Farmers in the Ashreach army shouted in support, one after another. The merchants watching were shocked by the anger. They also had to pay the tithe. Some of them even had it worse than the farmers.
"You are going to speak against God's law!?"
"No, you did change God's law on purpose, and it is a bigger sin!"
Eleonora didn't plan to get rid of the tax. She only wanted to bring up the original holy rule. And if she was going to be judged for that, then the church that twisted the rule first should also be judged.
"Now then, Your Excellency Archbishop. We are followers of the Holy Cross gathered here today. But I have a new friend to show you."
"Friend?"
A group of two thousand Suno soldiers stepped forward, led by Haral. Most of the other Suno troops had been sent back to guard other areas, but there were still enough of them here.
"They follow another religion."
In short, she was saying these men would be set loose in the Holy Capital.
"W–Wait!"
"What's the rush? I only want my friend to see how beautiful the Holy Cross is. Who knows? Maybe they'll become followers too."
Simon wanted to scream that these barbarians should not be let in. But he knew that saying it would only make things worse.
"...I will ask the Cardinal."
"Ask fast. I am a woman with no patience."
* * *
"So, what now?"
A meeting with the Cardinal was set. The topic, of course, was the Ashreach army led by Eleonora. There was nothing to be done—but that didn't mean they could just give in.
"We will not let that barbarian into the Holy Capital, Your Holiness."
"But that means giving up Loriengita."
"That's fine. The country has already fallen."
"No. They're still fighting each other over the throne. If one side wins, they'll ask us again."
"...Is there a chance they reunite?"
"No. Both sides are about equal in power. The Western Clanf is rich because they hold Teanuki and Dolbor, so they can hire many mercenaries. But the Eastern Clanf has strong soldiers."
"Still, if this meeting takes too long, we might have no choice but to meet Ashreach's demands..."
"Yeah, we can't just say sorry. We have to give them something."
Everyone looked around. No one wanted to be the one thrown away.
"Wait, isn't someone perfect for this? That female general hit that guy hard in the debate outside..."
"Archbishop Simon, right? Yeah. He's the right one to throw away."
"Then I suggest: we take away Ashreach's rule over Loriengita and dismiss Archbishop Simon."
""""No objections.""""
* * *
"A lizard cuts its tail to survive, huh?"
"Marshal Eleonora, what do we do now?"
Eleonora shook her head at Prince Arlecchino's question.
"That's enough. It's not like we can make the Pope bow his head."
"Then?"
"All troops! Break formation! We're going home!"
The soldiers shouted and cheered. They were happy. But one man cried with regret and anger.
It was Simon—the ex-Archbishop.
"You... you Ashreach dogs! You wasted twenty years of my life! You, Louis! If you hadn't lost, none of this would've happened!"
Yelling his anger, Simon left the Holy Capital, full of hate.
"Just wait! I'll get my revenge for this!"
According to later historians, this was when the long, bitter conflict between Empress Eleonora and the Maro Papal States truly began. The two sides became enemies—until the day of the [Two Popes Incident].
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