Paladin of the Dead God - Chapter 106



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Episode 106 Salt Council (2)

Since then, Isaac has continued to learn how to extort more donations from merchants as a church in addition to taxes, how to sell indulgences, items that can be produced and sold exclusively at the church’s monasteries, and how to get tax exemption by disguising taxes that should be paid to the empire as expenses for the church. I learned about things like that.

By alternating between crazy and plausible sounds, Isaac was able to feel how well-established the corruption in the church was. The system was so sophisticated that Bishop Juan looked like a branch leader at the top of the Golden Idol rather than a Bishop of the Code of Light.

Of course, the reason Juan taught these things was with the intention of paying everything back to the higher-ups.

“Is there any reason to extort money like this?”

“Uh huh, to this extent? Do you know how much money was spent to guarantee Sir Isaac the status of a Holy Grail Knight, the position of abbot of the Isacrea estate, and to quell the dissatisfaction within the church about the award of the title?”

Isaac was surprised by Juan’s words.

“Are there many complaints about me in the church? I thought there would be no such thing as being promoted to sainthood… … .”

“There are many mouths in the church. There are many cases where people line up because they want to become adults even though they have no ability. And all the bishops were anxious to raise their people into saints. So, Isaac, no matter what you do, there are people who keep you in check.”

Isaac had a rough idea of ​​the political situation of the church.

There is a common opinion that a saint should be canonized as a counterpart to the emperor, but each bishop has different opinions on who should be canonized. I kept putting it off because I wanted to nominate my line as an adult… … Isaac appeared.

A being with no particular connections, ties, or affiliations, but whose abilities and achievements are guaranteed.

So we could see that Isaac’s elevation to adulthood was done in a hurry.

And that Bishop Juan actively pushed for it.

“It looks like you spent a lot of money to protect me.”

“I heard quite a bit.”

Juan’s face distorted.

Isaac thought he was a miser because he gave him little support except for debt forgiveness, but he was spending a lot of money behind the scenes to protect Isaac.

“But it must be difficult because my elevation to adulthood has been delayed.”

“That too. However, it is not common to secure territory under the direct control of the church, so it is not a big loss.”

Juan looked back at Isaac with a wry smile.

“So, I must place you, ‘my person,’ in that rare territory. “You have to learn how to extort money and pay me back.”

Isaac felt the small amount of gratitude he felt quickly waning. In the end, he meant to teach Isaac about corruption, corruption, and bribery in order to quickly get the money back.

But it wasn’t that bad.

In any case, it didn’t matter how much money it would cost if he could establish a link with Juan, one of the highest levels of the church. Because this kind of connection wasn’t something I could make if I wanted to.

It was rather convenient if the problem could be solved with money.

Juan glanced at Isaac, who was somewhat convinced, and spoke in a soothing and kind tone.

“Of course, if you are a Holy Grail Knight who is as innocent and full of good faith as you, you might get tired of me being like a miser. Are you going to school blind? “It seemed like they were calling someone like me that way.”

“ah… … Is that possible? “Some bastards dare to criticize the bishop.”

This is exactly what I heard from Gebel.

But Isaac remained silent, pretending it was his first time hearing it.

“But because there are people like me in the church, countless people belonging to the Code of Light Church can make a living.”

Bishop Juan said while glaring at the priests and paladins around him.

“Think about it. The only people here are good at praying or using swords. They may be good at fucking, but they have no talent for punishment. If the Code of Light does not answer their prayers, half of them will starve to death or become bandits within a month. What about the orphans, poor guests, and employees that the monastery takes care of?”

Surprisingly, do you tend to pay labor costs regularly?

The moment Isaac thought that, Bishop Juan spoke.

“Of course, many of them are volunteers, but just feeding and putting them to sleep costs a lot of money! “It’s not all free!”

“… … .”

Isaac remembered his time at the monastery. Even Abbot Yevhar, who performed powerful miracles, was unable to fully feed the monastery. However, if the abbot had been Bishop Juan, at least Isaac would not have had to catch and eat the rat.

Of course, as a priest, the abbot is a better person.

However, the high-ranking people leading the organization will also need capabilities like Bishop Juan.

“Do you really think that the denomination operates solely on donations? Absolutely not. Since you are also a lord, you should know by now. “Once you lead a group of a certain size, the ability to attract money becomes more important than your original ability, no matter what the purpose of the group is.”

Juan was saying, ‘When fighting evil people like the Immortal Church, this level of corruption is a necessary evil!’

Isaac supplemented Juan’s words a little further.

“… … And we just get a portion of that effort in return.”

“That’s accurate.”

Juan seemed to like Isaac’s words and answered with a smile.

“I already knew that you had outstanding abilities as a Holy Grail Knight, but when I saw you take over the territory with just a few words, I realized that you were also like me. I know you’re talented. But from now on, you will need more money than you earn honestly.”

“yes. “Bishop.”

“That’s great. “If you show enough sincerity, it will be possible for you not only to become a mere Grail Knight, but to even become a bishop.”

“A bishop. How dare I stand side by side with Bishop Juan… … .”

“ha ha ha! “If not you, who would I hand over my position to?”

While they were exchanging well-wishes, Juan and Isaac’s horse stopped at the dock. Unlike the poor appearance of Norden Port, there were quite a few ships anchored at the dock.

The haggard-looking sailors looked down at Isaac.

Then Isaac remembered the Salt Council.

‘Now that I think about it, why did Bishop Juan invite me here to give a lecture to make money?’

When Isaac looked at Juan, he showed his yellow teeth and grinned.

“This is the most important lecture. “I will teach you how to extort money from heretics.”

***

As Juan and Isaac and their group approached one of the anchored ships, the sailors turned their heads. Even though he made eye contact with the bishop, he looked blank. That alone was enough to tell that they were members of the Salt Council.

But at this moment, the sailors were experiencing an intense internal conflict.

It’s clear that a high-looking priest has arrived, but should I respond or not? Even though they were of different faiths, they were worried that if they ignored the ‘priest’, they would get into trouble at sea. However, at the same time, he was concerned about whether he would be treated unfairly again for recklessly talking to a priest of a heretical religion.

The reason the Salt Council sailors fell into an internal conflict that left them stranded was because they had lost the correct doctrine. There is no logic in picking up your own superstitions without a clear basis. Sailors wandering in unpredictable seas often have to rely on uncertain luck rather than elaborate order.

Therefore, they anxiously waited for the bishop to speak first.

“Who is in charge here?”

The young priest who was leading Bishop Juan’s horse at the front of the line shouted loudly. Then, as if he had been waiting, an older-looking sailor hurriedly ran forward among the crew.

“uh… … “What’s going on, priest?”

Again, it was not Bishop Juan who responded, but the young priest next to him.

“this guy! This is Bishop Juan Riard, Bishop of the Code of Light! “I’m not in a position to dare talk to a sailor, so call the captain of this ship!”

Juan just sat on his horse and remained silent, just like when Isaac first saw him. Isaac asked Juan secretly and quietly.

“Now that I think about it, when you came to Hendrak’s territory before, you used that priest to deliver the message on your behalf. Is there some reason?”

“of course. I am the Bishop of the Code of Light. Every single word I say is worth a thousand pounds. In order not to consume my ‘words’ cheaply, it is natural to borrow someone else’s tongue. The only people who can hear my words directly are those who have proven themselves worthy. “Like you.”

‘He’s really crazy.’

Isaac stuck out his tongue as he watched the madness of putting a price on his own tongue.

Meanwhile, as the sailors looked sideways and hesitated in confusion, Juan whispered something to the young priest. The young priest immediately conveyed his words.

“I already knew that you are members of the Salt Council. “The order ruled by light generously accepts everyone, so don’t worry, I didn’t come with the intention of kicking you out.”

“I-I understand. Bishop, no, priest… … ?”

The sailor looked back and forth as if he didn’t know whether he should talk to the priest or the bishop, and then he said to the young priest:

“I’ll call someone to entertain you right away. You, run to the captain’s cabin right now. That guy over there must be drunk and falling asleep, so throw some sea water on him. “And dress properly.”

“yes? Oh, yes, I understand!”

The sailor who was pointed out rushed away in a hurry. While on the way to pick up the captain, the sailor who was dealing with the bishop spoke to the priest in a friendly manner.

“I think the story will progress a little faster if you tell me what it is. Captain, you’ve been so drunk since last night that you’re probably not feeling well. “There is no need for you to talk in vain with your insignificant subordinates. I will organize it and pass it on to you.”

Isaac watched the sailor closely, noting that his reaction was quite quick. He was definitely of higher rank than the other sailors, and it felt like he had dealt with people like Bishop Juan.

Before the young priest could answer, Isaac stepped forward and asked.

“What’s your name?”

The sailor turned to Isaac.

“This is Hyannis Nikos. That one… … “Are you Isaac, the Holy Grail Knight?”

Isaac was a little surprised that even the members of the Salt Council recognized him. Isaac nodded his head and his gaze sharpened. Isaac was curious to try activating the Eye of Chaos, but he didn’t see the need to take such a risk with the Bishop by his side.

“Anyway, the Bishop and the Holy Grail Knight, what brought you to this village port? … ? “Has a demon appeared that needs to be defeated?”

A smile appeared on Bishop Juan’s lips at his words. The young priest shouted on his behalf.

“Accurate!”

Isaac looked back at Juan with startled eyes.

“We have received intelligence that an evil heretical monster has appeared in the waters off Norden Port. Monsters that threaten the safety of believers must be defeated immediately, so we seek the cooperation of the Salt Council.”

***

The monster of Norden Port. It was something Isaac had never heard of. But there was something to point out.

‘Are you sure you’re referring to it as a monster?’

If so, Bishop Juan was committing a tremendous insolence.

The reason he was now calling it a ‘monster’ was because there was a high probability that it was an angel of the Salt Council living in the North Sea.

When the God of the Salt Council was sealed beneath the salt desert, it was not only the believers who lost their connection with the afterlife. Angels who were carrying out their missions on earth suddenly became stranded on earth.

However, the earth is not a suitable environment for angels to live. Their geometric and bizarre shapes that did not fit common sense were because their original forms were designed for the afterlife. So the salt council’s angels also spent most of their time on the surface, waiting for their god to return someday.

‘I also had business with that angel, but is he already awake at this point?’

Isaac planned to tell the angel some of the secrets of the Salt Council’s doctrine and gain the Salt Council’s cooperation in return. He had even thought about how to wake him up. However, it was unexpected that the angel was already awake.

“Boo, I called you!”

At that time, I saw someone rushing down from the boat in a hurry. As Hyannis said, a man soaked in water, as if he had been splashed with sea water, came down wearing a large, ill-fitting captain’s coat. The captain looked around at the Bishop and his companions with a puzzled expression, as if he couldn’t understand the situation, and then made eye contact with Isaac.

Isaac and the captain’s bodies stiffened at the same time.

‘Aidan?’

The one who came down wearing a captain’s uniform was Aidan Verbeck, a believer whom Isaac had dispatched first to carry out the work of the Salt Council.