Chapter 351
My Villains Episode 351
59. plateau(11)
‘There is a ritual of consecrating the land, commonly called ‘consecration.’.
As the word suggests, it is a ritual to bless the soil and refers to using mystical powers to increase the fertility of the soil..
Most religions in this world, including the Gwangmyeong Church, exercise this kind of power. No, perhaps only groups that can perform rituals of consecration are recognized as religions..
As long as you farm on the land that has been saved, you will get a good harvest. Thanks to this, even if the population increases, food remains, and if the number of workers increases, production increases even more. It was no wonder that the trend of giving birth to children took root in farmhouses..
It is probably thanks to the ritual of consecration that the population of Middle-earth continues to increase amidst various disasters, wars, thieves, and monsters. Well, the fact that various diseases were not able to shake off their power due to the treatment of priests and the research of alchemists may have played a role..
Anyway, the importance of the ritual of saving land in this agricultural society goes without saying.…….
“They said there was no need..”
“yes? what does that mean?”
“Literally. He said he didn't want to receive congratulations from me..”
In a corner tavern in Longdale, Princess Theodora sighed as she fiddled with her drink. My eyes were slightly open.
“It's because the denominations are different. What the residents here revere is not the entire Gwangmyeong Bridge.
“The Church of Ra El Ganor.” “… … So, the princess is a member of the Calandari Order, so she cannot receive congratulations, or something like that??”
“I think so.”
“under.”
The main goal of Ulkar and the cavalry's expedition this time is to subdue the remnants of the Bloodmane mercenaries. And the secondary goal was to fill the soil..
It's already been a month since the new year dawned, and today is February 2nd. Before spring comes, it is time to strengthen the soil by improving the soil..
In normal times, priests belonging to the diocese and parish would have toured the farmland under their jurisdiction and blessed the land. However, for some reason - it seems that Lionel III or Zacharius had a hand - the headquarters of the Elganor Church summoned all the priests from conflict areas such as the plateau..
Now that I think about it, the priest McBride I met in front of Lianwell about fifteen days ago was the chief priest of this place, Longdale. He'll be arriving in Oakford soon and gaining weight even more..
“Are you serious about that? If you don't receive blessings, you'll ruin a year's farming..”
“It's not just about ruining the year..”
Theodora took a few sips while holding the large tin cup with both hands and continued..
“In a land as desolate as here, if you skip clearing even for a year, not only will the earth's strength decline, but the land may even die..”
“the land is dying?”
Eson, who was eating fried sardines next to Theodora, pretended to know..
“Well, they did row wheat farming on land as barren as a plateau. Without the help of priests, it is natural for the land to dry up..”
“So what happens then? I can't farm forever.?”
“I heard that it is not that clean and the land is worse than a wasteland. It is said that the strength of the land itself can be revived only after several years of repeated fallow periods and soybean planting..”
Theodora nodded in the affirmative..
“That's right. However, if they are going to endure such hardships, they usually choose to abandon the existing farmland and find new land to cultivate it..”
“Finding new land and cultivating it seems like a lot of hard work..”
“Of course. That's why the residents here are refusing my land, despite all the hardships.……
Confire, who had been quietly listening to the story, suddenly narrowed his eyes..
“indeed. At first glance, I heard from some of the vigilantes that the town of Longdale itself seems to have a strong cathedral influence..”
“okay?”
“yes. Infant baptism and funeral are basic, and the sacraments of confirmation and marriage are also mandatory..”
“Of course it's not free.?”
“Of course. They even collected additional donations for houses with windows, saying they could enjoy sunlight, the grace of the Lord, even indoors..”
“……That's amazing. Is this the one I've only heard about? Is it a window or something? It wasn't originally organized like this.?”
“Even considering that it is a remote area and the priest's authority is very strong, it is a bit harsh..”
“But then, wouldn’t the residents rather hate the cathedral and the priest??”
“Well, I guess fear is bigger than hate..”
“ Hmm••••••
Fritz, who was eating rib meat, burst into laughter..
“Anyway, the guys who were ripping it off with their clenched teeth feel guilty when the enemy appears and run away. All the priests in the kingdom are like pigs..”
It was Gidon, the crossbowman, who responded to his sarcasm..
“You ignorant Gelan guy, you're talking nonsense again. Why don't you say something like that in front of Sir Kavar or Okan??”
“Do you think you can't do it? I don't think they are mainstream here anyway, but they would probably like it if you criticized the pigs who are bullying them.?”
“Do you think it will be different from Calandari??”
“Your priest. Warmongers and murderers who commit war and massacre in the name of the Lord. I wondered how those ruthless bastards rose to power, but it was thanks to people like you who were full of shit..”
“This bitch-”
Before anyone around him could stop him, Fritz overturned the table and rushed at Gidon, and Gidon, not to be outdone, jumped up and swung his chair..
“Holy shit - stop, you crazy bastards.!”
“Hey, hold on to my waist!”
“Hey, it's a fight!”
“Henrik, stop you too.!”
The few customers who had already run away in a huff due to the sudden uproar began, and the owner and clerks of the tavern became lost in thought..
Of course, I quickly grabbed the glass and bottle and moved to a table far away..
“……Uh, Lord Phoenics.?”
“What are you doing, princess? Come here
show.”
“No need to stop?”
“That's it. Children grow up fighting..”
It's annoying to dry it every time. We're not going to kill each other, we're just going to fight in moderation..
Theodora exchanged glances with her subordinates, who were always abusive, and her carefree days, and then left her seat with a distraught expression on her face..
“I've felt this before, but all of your subordinates seem to be vicious..”
“It's not like that for everyone, it's because there are a few idiots. But if you actually talk to them, they are all nice..”
“Right... … army.”
Fritz, who immediately shook off his clinging colleague, placed both hands on the ground and launched himself, landing a fist in Gidon's face. Gritting his teeth, Gidon grabbed Fritz by the collar and headbutted him in the nose..
Confire, Dervish, Edon and others tried hard to stop them, and the poacher Cavas was lying on his back as if he had been hit somewhere while trying to stop Fritz. Hairy Henryk was singing an incomprehensible song, and the spearman McCaig and the night watchman Dylan had moved to the bar and were drinking..
While Theodora's mouth was open in a fight where bones were broken and blood was splattered, I filled her glass..
“If I had known this would happen, I would have brought Priest Okan with me..”
“……If it's therapy, I'll give it to you..”
“yes? no. It's a blessing ceremony..
Priest Okan belongs to the Church of Elganor..”
Princess Theodora said, 'What is this?' He looked at me with an expression and opened his mouth..
“If it had been the Okan brothers, the residents of Longdale wouldn't have protested. But he is a monk whose specialty is exorcism..”
“Oh, then you can’t give a blessing??”
“You may be able to do it, but you will exhaust yourself before blessing even 1 hectare. Even priests have specialties..”
“Then what about the princess??”
“I mean me?”
“yes. The princess is good at exorcism, combat, healing, everything..”
“That's it……
As if embarrassed by my sudden compliment, she cleared her throat and choked on cherry brandy..
“I am embarrassed to say it myself, but I am the anointed one. A little different from ordinary priests.”
“Well, I see..”
I shook my head and clicked my tongue..
“Regardless of their different denominations or anything, they are truly ungrateful people. How many people did the princess save when she came here? Are you saying you will receive treatment but not a blessing?.”
“Actually, it's not something you can't understand. I will stay for a while and then leave, and the priests of the Church of Elganor will return someday..”
Theodora raised her drink again. This time, instead of just sipping or quenching, I emptied the large tin cup in one go..
“......Ugh.”
“Eat it slowly.”
“Cheoncheoni - *sigh* I'm drinking slowly..”
I don't think so.
Theodora stuck out her lower lip and continued speaking while blowing her bangs..
“Still, those eyes were a bit too harsh..”
“The look in your eyes?”
“Yes, eyes. Until yesterday, those who were receiving treatment from me and bowing to me, thank you, always behaved as if they had met a green skin on the street..”
“I see..”
“I am also human, Sir. I can't help feeling upset..”
I mean, I say, I say… … . The princess continued to complain..
I didn't pour her a drink because she seemed a bit drunk, and she even tried to take the bottle from me. Of course, the misbehavior was short-lived, and she soon sat down with a sleepy, meek expression..
“So, what will Prince Ulkar do??”
“Oesuk said that she couldn't help it, *sigh*. Anyway, Longdale is a place where commerce is more developed than agriculture, so even if the land dies, it won't be fatal..”
“ okay.”
The riot of the subordinates was slowly subsiding, and Theodora was about to blink her sleepy eyes..
“••••♦•hmm?”
The sound of a string instrument being played came from somewhere..
A sad performance. It was an unfamiliar tune, but I felt like I had heard it somewhere before..
“What is this??”
Like the other subordinates, the dervish frowned and listened to the sound..
“There are people who sing the song of the Nudein in Bielle..”
Nude people?
Out of curiosity, I looked to see where the music was coming from. In a shady corner of the bar, a man was sitting in a narrow corner seat..
Since when was it there??
After the performance, which lasted for some time, ended, the man who had placed the instrument on the table slowly stood up..
A man wearing a triangular hat with white feathers and a tattered cape..
“It's been a while, bloody prosecutor..”
When the man slowly lifted his hat and greeted me, I opened my mouth when I saw his face..
“……Ashur?”
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