Chapter 110 - Chapter 110: The Alex Faction
King William of the Kingdom of Cascade had two sons. The eldest was Carter Gis Cascade, and the second son was Alex Gis Cascade. One of these two was destined to inherit the throne. There was also a daughter, but since she had married into the Lewis family, she had been made to renounce her right of succession. Aside from them, Duke Stuart also held a right of succession, and Alfred, Daphne's husband, held a right of succession as well, though it was quite far down the line; in reality, it would be one of the King's two sons.
If things went normally, the eldest son, Carter, would inherit the throne. However, Carter's faction was already established, and nobles who judged that there was no profit in joining it now had dreams of a turnaround and joined Alex's faction. The nobles forming these factions were not those belonging to the East, West, North, or South factions, but rather nobles around the Royal Capital or nobles who held no lands.
Furthermore, Alex also harbored ambitions to become the King of the rapidly developing Kingdom of Cascade. Before coming of age, the Kingdom of Cascade was an ordinary kingdom, and it was certain that if his older brother became King, he would be granted the status of a Duke, so he had thought that would be fine. However, immediately after coming of age, Steve's activities began, and the Kingdom of Cascade quickly became the number one major power in the region.
Even if it is a Duke, in the Kingdom of Cascade, there had been royal brothers in the past who were given only the title without any land because the territory had not increased, but this time, since state-owned lands had increased significantly, there was no longer such a thing as a Duke without land. However, since the power of a King and a Duke was overwhelmingly different, he decided to aim for the King.
Thus, two factions fighting over the huge interest of the Kingdom of Cascade were formed.
In Alex's faction, meetings had already been held several times to discuss how to make Alex King. And today as well, a meeting of the Alex faction was being held. The location was the detached palace granted to Alex, where the faction's nobles had gathered.
Alex sat at the head of a long table, and they sat in order of rank from there.
Alex looked around at the group and asked if anyone had a specific plan.
"Does anyone have a plan to make me King?"
Upon hearing this, Viscount Matthews raised his hand.
Viscount Matthews was 40 years old. He was of medium build, his face was beginning to wrinkle as expected for his age, and his hair was mixed with gray. He was a noble who lived solely on the salary from the country without holding any land. He was aiming to gain land as a result of his achievements in moving to make Alex King.
"Viscount Matthews, let us hear your plan."
Being nominated by Alex, Viscount Matthews stood up and presented his plan.
"We will set Lord Archibalt, holder of the Dragon Head Medal, against Prince Carter and make them fight."
"Indeed, if Archibalt and my brother fight, Archibalt will win. In that case, I can just sit back and the throne will roll into my lap."
"Exactly."
Viscount Matthews nodded with a particularly villainous face.
"I sense you have some thoughts, but that is too dangerous. I know not what you will do."
"I understand. This Matthews is prepared to take the blame alone if it means Your Highness ascends the throne."
Viscount Matthews said this and looked at the nobles gathered in the room. He thought that if his plan succeeded, Alex would surely evaluate his loyalty more than these nobles who had said nothing.
Of course, at this time, the other nobles were mocking Viscount Matthews in their hearts, thinking it was suicide to mess with Steve. So, no one praised the proposal.
Of course, Viscount Matthews had no loyalty to Alex. What he had was a calculation of the interests he would gain when Alex became King.
For Alex, it was convenient that ambitious people like Viscount Matthews would come up with plans and act on their own by dangling the possibility of gaining interests. If he himself tried to devise a plan to make Archibalt and his brother fight, the risk if it were discovered would be too great, so he would not reach the decision to do it.
"I look forward to the report at the next meeting."
"Leave it to me."
The meeting of that day was adjourned, waiting for the results report from Viscount Matthews.
The next day, Viscount Matthews met with Bishop Bahlke, who was in charge of the Kingdom of Cascade diocese of the Fries Holy Church, at his mansion in the Royal Capital.
Bishop Bahlke was slightly older than Viscount Matthews, with a hideously fat body and an oily face. His head was already bald, with no hair.
The two were sitting opposite each other in the mansion's salon. There was no one else; it was just the two of them.
"Bishop, actually, there is something I wish to bring to your attention."
Viscount Matthews started.
"What could that be, my lord?"
"Regarding Lord Archibalt, holder of our country's Dragon Head Medal, it seems the item he brought to the Royal Research Institute is blasphemous to God. Against the established theory that living beings were created by God, he claims it has been scientifically proven that offspring inherit parental traits, bringing up the concept of evolution."
"How terrible, that is a blasphemy against God, a deed like a demon."
Bishop Bahlke feigned exaggerated surprise.
Viscount Matthews smiled at this. Evolution and doctrine were like water and oil that did not mix. Bishop Bahlke's reaction was as expected. It could not proceed if he affirmed it here.
"Is that not so? As one of the devout believers, I felt I could not remain silent about this. However, with a report from someone of my standing, there is a possibility that Lord Archibalt will refute it and it will be swept under the rug."
"I see."
"Therefore, next week Lord Archibalt is to give a lecture on evolution to Prince Carter at the Royal Research Institute. On the following day, someone claiming to be a relation of His Highness will make a report. Please, we ask that the Fries Holy Church issue a summons to Archibalt."
It was a rather unreasonable request, but Bishop Bahlke did not refuse immediately.
"To move the heart of God, a corresponding offering is required."
Yes, he demanded a price.
"Yes, I am aware. Today, I have prepared a new believer for God. If the number of believers increases, God will surely be pleased. I hope to receive your blessed teaching after this."
"Hmm."
There was nothing to it; Viscount Matthews had prepared a young woman for Bishop Bahlke. This was not the first time; Viscount Matthews and Bishop Bahlke had been connected for some time. Today was also a regular visit.
"Then, shall we use the secret medicine granted by God today and deliver a sermon?"
Bishop Bahlke took out a packet of medicine from his pocket. Though called God's secret medicine, its true nature was drugs. He used drugs to forcibly subdue women and play with them, and Bishop Bahlke preferred young girls, which Viscount Matthews procured for him.
Of course, Viscount Matthews enjoyed it together with Bishop Bahlke and spared no effort. Furthermore, Viscount Matthews purchased and used drugs from the Bishop personally. Having become addicted through habitual use, he could no longer stop.
In the end, Bishop Bahlke decided to accept Viscount Matthews' request.
The church had autonomy; even if Prince Carter's side demanded an investigation saying no such report had been made, the church side had no obligation to disclose evidence.
If the Kingdom of Cascade forced its way to do so, it would become a war with the church, so neither Bishop Bahlke nor Viscount Matthews thought they would go that far.
Bishop Bahlke accepted the fabrication of an information provider with no risk, in exchange for the provision of women from Viscount Matthews and as a regular customer for drugs.
Unaware of such evil schemes, Steve arrived in the Royal Capital as scheduled.
Accompanying him were Cyril, Christina, and Nancy, as well as Arthur and Isabella, and the guard Bella. They stayed at the Archibalt family's townhouse in the Royal Capital.
Steve, as scheduled, explained evolution before Prince Carter and the nobles at the Royal Research Institute together with Cyril. Viscount Matthews was also in attendance, and he was relieved that it was proceeding as planned.
After Steve explained evolution, Prince Carter asked a question.
"Lord Archibalt, does not the idea of evolution contradict God's teachings?"
"How about the idea that God created the mechanism of genetics?"
"Then how do you explain the mutations you speak of? For God's design to suddenly go wrong is not a denial of omnipotence?"
"Researching that is the purpose of scholarship."
Viscount Matthews, hearing this exchange, gave thanks to God. It was exactly the development he desired.
Prince Carter did not ask further questions, but this laid the groundwork that it would not be strange to report Steve to the church.
The next day, Christina went to her family's townhouse, the Mackintosh Marquess house, with Arthur, and Bella accompanied them as a guard; they had already departed. Steve and Nancy, along with Isabella, who were left behind, were discussing going sightseeing in the Royal Capital.
Cyril, on the other hand, was working at the Royal Research Institute.
Just as they were about to leave the townhouse, an envoy from the church came for Steve. He was a knight belonging to the knight corps owned by the church. He was covered in metal armor based on white, which was quite distinctive.
"Lord Archibalt, there is a claim that your thoughts are incompatible with the church's doctrine, and you are requested to appear regarding this matter."
"What is this about?"
"We are not informed of the details."
"What if I refuse?"
"You will be deemed to have admitted to violating the doctrine, and a guilty verdict will be confirmed in a religious trial."
Hearing this, Steve let out a large sigh.
"My, my, to disturb time with family, it seems the so-called God is not satisfied with prayers on holidays alone."
At Steve's sarcasm, the knight showed an annoyed expression.
"One should always pray to God. Prayers are not enough just on holidays."
"Even if I pray, it won't help me."
"God helps those who help themselves. Expecting God's help from the start is a mistake."
"Then I will just pray when I'm in trouble. Well, there's no point in having a religious discussion here. Let's go."
"Then, please follow me."
"I'm going."
Steve waved to Nancy and followed the knight toward the church.
On the way, the knight asked Steve.
"Lord Archibalt, are you blaspheming God?"
"Not really. I just don't want to get involved. I have no intention of complaining about what god you believe in. However, I do not wish for you to force that faith upon me."
"Why? Those who do not believe in God will be cast into hell in the judgment after death."
According to the doctrine of the Fries Holy Church, when a person dies, they receive God's judgment. Based on their deeds in life and their faith in God, they are judged to go to heaven or hell.
Steve, who had died and reincarnated once, knew such things did not exist, but for ordinary people who had no memory of death, it was unavoidable to believe in the afterlife.
So Steve gave up on persuading him.
"Saving all sentient beings. Is not the omniscient and omnipotent God one who saves all living things from suffering?"
"This world is a temporary world, and the afterlife is the original world. It is training to get there."
"And after spending some time in the afterlife, you reincarnate and return here again? Even after training, being sent back to samsara is no good."
"Since humans are not God, they cannot always be in the heavenly realm."
"Well, I won't deny reincarnation."
Although he couldn't say it because he had experienced it, the knight misunderstood that Steve had converted to the Fries Holy Church's doctrine and showed a smile.
"So Lord Archibalt understands as well."
"That part only. I understand why one cannot become God, but the idea of achieving worldly benefits while becoming enlightened as a human is more positive. How many people can believe in God without bread? I think the church's soup kitchen is valued more than God's teachings."
"It is good if that becomes the trigger for the teachings. The trigger may be food, but there are many in the church who, upon encountering God's teachings there, began to pray."
"Oh, it seems we have arrived, and the conversation ends here."
Walking while conversing, they arrived at the huge church in the Royal Capital.
Originally, the church was built near the royal castle, and the surrounding area was a district where nobles lived. There were also several churches for commoners, but Bishop Bahlke was naturally at this church.
"May God's protection be with you."
The knight spoke those words to Steve, who was about to receive judgment.
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