Chapter 111 - 111 Religious Trial - Local Court
Steve was guided by someone other than the knight upon arriving at the church. Taken to a place like a courtroom. Naturally similar because it is built for religious trials.
There were people from the Royal Research Institute yesterday in the spectator seats there. Prince Carter, Director, Cyril, and nobles like Viscount Matthews. Steve was stood on the defendant's podium, and came to wait for Bishop Bahlke's appearance.
Others besides Steve were also gathered here as witnesses.
Cyril tried to speak to Steve, but church staff stopped him. Free speech is prohibited inside.
Time passed, Bishop Bahlke appeared. He would serve as the judge.
"Then, regarding the matter where Lord Archibalt was accused as a heretic, we shall begin the trial now."
Bishop Bahlke declared so.
"Defendant Steve Thes Archibalt is charged with openly discussing evolution, which denies that all living beings were created by God. Is that correct?"
The bishop asked Steve.
"That is not open. I gave a lecture at the Royal Research Institute, but that counts as state secrets. It cannot be called open. And rather, I think those who leaked such state secrets are the problem."
"That is incorrect. Investigation has already been done, but Prince Carter's visit to the Royal Research Institute yesterday is official business. If so, it is certainly open. Also, those who leaked state secrets are Prince Carter's associates who worry about blasphemy against God."
At Bishop Bahlke's exposure, Viscount Matthews smiled inwardly. Everything went according to plan.
However, upon hearing the next declaration, that smile vanished.
"Therefore, Defendant Steve Thes Archibalt shall be transferred to the Holy Nation, and made a formal religious trial."
The venue buzzed at that declaration.
Formal religious trial means 100% guilty verdict is confirmed. Furthermore, since there is a possibility of power exercise in the country the defendant belongs to, the purpose is to execute surely, so trial is held in the Holy Nation.
Here, Viscount Matthews' scheme went awry. He was supposed to make Steve and Prince Carter's factions fight, but Steve ended up disappearing.
Also, members of the Royal Research Institute including Cyril could not hide their agitation. The benefits given by Steve were great, and some still wanted to hear Steve's opinion as research was ongoing. If Steve is executed in religious trial, the loss is huge. Besides that, Cyril had a close relationship with him.
As for Prince Carter, it was a surprise situation, and being dragged in, he didn't know how to handle it.
"Prince Carter will appear as a witness, so please trouble yourself to go to the Holy Nation with the defendant from now on."
Bishop Bahlke said so, and made Prince Carter accept going to the Holy Nation without question.
Prince Carter couldn't keep up with his thoughts, and accepted it immediately.
Only one person calm was Steve himself.
If this had no prior signs, it would be surprising, but what was in Steve's mind was Saintess Julia. Whether revelation is truly God's revelation aside, since magic exists in this world and it's magic, she wouldn't bring drugs to Steve without any basis.
That much trust he had in magic.
If so, he thought he would try going to the Holy Nation.
If there was no meeting with the Saintess, he would have broken through here by force.
Since Steve didn't rampage, transfer to Holy Nation was decided smoothly. The two were put in carriages prepared by Fries Holy Church, first heading to the station. Go as far as possible by this, then move by carriage from there.
Regarding clothes, explanation was given by church to attendants to send later. Measures so related parties don't escape, not allowing objection is truly church-like method.
When attendees left court, Viscount Matthews went straight to Bishop Bahlke.
For protest against things different from plan.
"Bishop Bahlke, what is that decision?"
"It's the home country's decision, Viscount. I don't know either, but instruction came from His Holiness the Pope of the home country, transfer Steve Thes Archibalt to the home country. Any charge is fine. So, I just used the charge you conveniently prepared. Well, since you've treated me well usually, I'll cooperate a bit. I'll pin Prince Carter to the home country for a while. If rumors spread that Archibalt was sold during that time, he can't put out the fire himself, won't it burn greatly?"
Bishop Bahlke doesn't forget benefit provision to Viscount Matthews. He says don't let Prince Carter leave Holy Nation, so work on it during that time.
"That makes sense," the Viscount also agreed.
At the same time Steve's trial ended, unwelcome guests came to Archibalt family townhouse.
Since Archibalt family originally doesn't prepare guard personnel, they easily allow intrusion.
However, why no guard personnel is because they possess overwhelming combat power. Usually Steve is there, but even if not, Nancy is there.
Since giving birth and able to move body, like Daphne, she was instructed by Steve on Ace of Sword's movements. So she became up to equal technique with Daphne.
As domestic single combat power, Steve is there, and next is her.
Thinking to let Isabella sleep until Steve returns, put her in crib, sat in chair beside her watching sleeping face, but sudden intruder changed mother's face to Suit Knights' face.
"Three, huh."
No footsteps echoing in room, but Nancy grasped enemy number from that presence.
That presence came toward her without hesitation.
This is not banditry, definitely movement targeting main person of this house. Aiming straight for children's room was not seeking money.
Nancy drew her sword in the room. Made short by Steve for easy use indoors. There is long sword for outside use, but no use indoors.
And, she looks at ring on left ring finger.
This is magic item gifted from Empire to invalidate mental magic. Unnecessary for Steve, so Nancy received it. With this, if intruder uses magic to control mind, it invalidates and won't be controlled.
When preparations ready, Nancy considers whether to go out hallway to intercept or wait inside. Three intruders approach from hallway, but if one hid presence, Isabella inside might be taken hostage. So, decided to wait inside.
Soon intruders reached children's room, opened door, poured into room vigorously.
"Hmph!"
Nancy flashes sword with spirit. With that one swing, killed two simultaneously. Next strike, cut off right arm holding knife of surviving attacker, use Charm Magic.
Cutting off arm was insurance in case magic didn't work.
Attacker safely fell under Charm Magic, started obeying Nancy's orders.
"Who's orders?"
"The Church."
Attacker answered so while pressing cut area to stop bleeding.
Hearing Church, Nancy clenched her back teeth.
Steve's summons and townhouse attack shouldn't be unrelated. Nancy immediately ordered servants to report this matter to Marquess Mackintosh family and Margrave Sowell family. And, she sat beside Isabella again preparing for next attack.
At same time Nancy repelled attackers, Royal Palace was in uproar. King cancelled all plans and met with Chancellor.
"Did you do something?"
"I haven't done anything, but inadvertently, it's proceeding according to the strategy I proposed."
Hearing that, King let out deep sigh.
"When Carter was summoned to church as witness, I had bad premonition, but it turned out like this."
"I don't know if discourse on evolution is really the problem, or if Lord Archibalt stimulated church with drug matter, but will they ask 'yes' if I say unrelated?"
"That is, Archibalt? Or Church?"
King put hand to forehead.
If misunderstanding Steve was set up in trap, our lives won't exist. Conversely, if Church misunderstands King colluded with Steve, don't know what pressure will come.
And, since don't know who survives, worried about which side to support.
"Which do you think will win?"
King asked Chancellor in light tone as if asking which baseball or soccer team wins.
"In organizational power it's Church, but Lord Archibalt destroyed Empire's Suit Knights alone, so if betting life, I bet on Lord. Also, if Church touches Lord's family, Church surroundings and Holy Nation will be leveled."
"Only wishing Church doesn't act hastily."
"Yes."
At this time attack on Archibalt family hadn't reached Royal Palace yet. So, wish in vain, situation rolling to bad side, King and Chancellor didn't know.
Even no time to consider response to Prince Carter going to Holy Nation with Steve, head troubled with outcome of Steve and Church battle and response.
There news of Archibalt family townhouse attack came flying. Information Nancy told Marquess Mackintosh and Margrave Sowell reached Royal Palace. Attacker confessed sent by Church assassins, and furthermore detaining them.
King looked at Chancellor with tired face.
"Move capital without Church?"
"First think means to prove we are unrelated."
"Got me."
King looked up to sky, sought help from God.
Slightly before info reached King, Christina got info from Nancy, troubled how to move.
Surprised Steve summoned to church, but at same time surprised townhouse attacked. However, not just surprised. Investigated who mastermind created this flow, thought must tell Steve.
And at same time thinking how to investigate mastermind, how to protect family.
And with conclusion came, consult brother at Marquess Mackintosh townhouse. Today Marquess at territory, second son Theodore was townhouse highest responsible person.
"As urgent contact from Nancy said, our townhouse was attacked. Window broken and intruded, takes time to block, so is it possible to abandon Archibalt townhouse, and have Nancy and her child protected here? Big Brother Theodore."
"Yeah. Until Lord Archibalt returns, it's fine to be here."
"Thank you. I'll tell Nancy immediately and have her come here. Servants will wait at home until instructed."
Seeing Christina decide and give orders, Theodore admired strong sister. Face has traces of old days, but action already childhood gone, no longer weak sister only to be protected.
While Christina waiting for Nancy's arrival, news Steve transferred to Holy Nation came flying.
Meet with intelligence agent who brought info with Theodore. Bella also permitted to attend, was in same room.
"Lord Archibalt has been transferred to Holy Nation."
"Is that true?"
"Currently moving to station. Go as far as steam locomotive can, from there move to Holy Nation by carriage. Prince Carter is also accompanying."
Hearing this, Christina immediately made decision.
"Bella, immediately chase Lord Steve to station. Might meet while waiting for departure. If meet, tell townhouse attacked by Church."
"Understood, Lady."
Bella borrowed horse from Marquess Mackintosh family, aimed for station.
Station came into view, just steam locomotive to East departing, horse runs parallel. And, told about attack and family safe.
Slightly before Bella came to station. Steve as criminal, wrists bound with rope, put on steam locomotive. Steve's transfer done by knight who came to townhouse, Prince Carter also together. Prince Carter's guards also three together on steam locomotive.
Luggage like change of clothes sent later, forced movement schedule imposed. That much Church wants to transfer Steve to Holy Nation quickly.
Sitting facing each other, Prince Carter spoke to Steve. Also, knight sat beside Steve.
"Well trapped, Lord Archibalt. Do you know who trapped you?"
"Too many leads, can't narrow down culprit. Did Prince's associates really get accused?"
"Shouldn't be so. I am devout believer, but won't accuse you for that. Having many enemies is troubling too."
"I thought I was kind to people."
Knight silently listened to Steve and Prince Carter exchange. Not told what evolution is, didn't know if it goes against God's teaching.
Steve had thing to ask knight, after talk with Prince spoke to knight.
"By the way, Sir Knight."
"Call me Eton."
"Eton, I don't know what religious trial is, but how am I judged?"
"I only heard it, but drink judgment water, if criminal then die."
"Just like witch hunt."
"No different from finding demons or witches disguised as people."
From Eton's talk, Steve thought if drink water given in religious trial, 100% die. Because with water attribute magic, can't make liquid killing only criminals. If magic can't even make ramen soup, such magic doesn't exist.
Or, possibility of God's secret medicine Fries Holy Church holds. However, Steve thought no such secret medicine. If there was, such trials should be held more widely. If Church, to show God's glory, should use willingly, but not doing so is fake.
However, Eton believed in that existence from heart.
"Even now if Lord prays to God, might be saved."
"Yeah. If saved, let's try believing in God."
Speaking thus, steam locomotive started moving.
Suddenly, Steve looks out window, Bella on horse running parallel. And, noticed Steve, approached.
Bella's shouting voice enters ears.
"Steve, house attacked by Church. But, everyone safe."
Hearing that, Steve's face changes. Carter later recounted this, stated thought demon descended.
[Author's Note]
Thank you always for typo reports.