Published at 29th of August 2022 02:15:44 PM
“The thing is, I was thinking about how I don't know what's going on with Supheniardvania,” I said.
In response to Ibroix's question, I ask him another question.
The incident that led to the arrest of Bishop Lebios, and that diplomatic visit which became the stage for the conflict between the Royalist Faction and the Papal Faction. My direct involvement was only a small part of it, but since I've heard various predictions about the circumstances from Lucy, I'm somewhat worried about the details.
Lucy seems to have information other than Ibroix, but she belongs to the Magic Division of Rebelis. Ibroix is probably closer to Supheniardvania.
As I expected, it's difficult to get in touch with Gatoga, and I don't know how to contact him, to begin with. Rose is out of the question. He must be in the thick of it right now.
“Hmm. I am a citizen of Rebelis, aren't I?” Ibroix said, smiling.
It's been like this since I first met this old man, but I have a strong feeling that I can't fully trust him. I don't think he's a bad person, but I'd be a little hesitant to call him a genuinely good person.
“But you probably know more than I do,” I said.
“Well, I suppose so,” Ibroix said.
I can't say that I was absolutely refused, but I felt the air said he didn't want to talk for a while. But even so, since I was involved in this incident, I think I have the right to know a little more. As far as I can tell about the situation, I would like to hear as much as I can.
“Now then, where do I start with it all?” Ibroix said.
It seems that he will talk for the time being. With a slightly worried expression, Ibroix slightly adjusted his posture and let out a small sigh.
“Ah, perhaps we should start with Bishop Lebios, yes?” Ibroix said. “He was sent back to the country to be tried. He was stripped of his episcopacy, though he seems to have been spared ex-communication. However…”
“However?” I asked.
Bishop Lebios was my first involvement with Ibroix. No, I should say, Former Bishop. It seems that he was judged fairly. The information here also matches what I heard from Gatoga.
There is no reason to know the details of his punishment. However, I feel that stripping the bishop's rank from a religious point of view is a considerable matter. Although it can be regarded as the better option as long as he's not excommunicated or faces capital punishment.
But apparently, the story doesn't end there.
“Some time after the trial, he died an untimely death,” Ibroix said. “It was rather a tragedy.”
“That's…” I said, at a loss.
An untimely death. Perhaps this word is the most polite euphemism. 8-9 out of 10, I'm certain he was assassinated. All things considered, the timing was too fortunate.
“… You seem to know a lot about this, don't you?” Ibroix said.
“What? I just happened to hear about it here and there,” I said.
However, I am curious about both Ibroix's position and his information network, considering he knows all this while still being in the Kingdom of Rebelis.
He had a vague smile, but I wonder how Ibroix would actually be treated in Supheniardvania. It seems that Lucy and he are close friends.
“What he was doing was the gravest taboo…for both the Papal Faction and the Royalist Faction,” Ibroix said.
“…”
I see.
Does that mean that the taboo committed by Bishop Lebios was unforgivable for everyone?
Naturally, the Royalist Faction couldn't overlook it, and even within the Papal Faction who would have tolerated it, they could only do so on the premise that the Papal Faction quietly endorsed Lebios's actions.
Furthermore, it would be unwise to openly declare that former Bishop Lebios himself was protected by the Papal Faction. That's why, ostensibly, he was deprived of his rank as bishop, destroying his public image, but behind the scenes, he was eliminated. I wonder if that's what happened.
Well, it might sound nice to say that he martyred himself for his religious beliefs, but what he was doing was trafficking people and tampering with corpses using magic. There's no need for me to protect him, and there's no reason to push in here more than necessary.
“However, I still think that asking your aid in this matter was the right answer,” Ibroix said. “If I had called upon the aid of the Knights of the Faith, it may have ended differently.”
“Well, that's for sure…” I said.
Judging from the information from Gatoga and Rose, Former Bishop Levios probably belongs to the Papal Faction.
Had the Knights of the Faith been called in to arrest Lebios, the incident itself might have been covered up, or in the worst case, Ibroix's position and life would have been in danger in vengeance.
Gatoga himself said that he was neutral, but I don't know what kind of beliefs each Knight of the Faith has. That much was certain when I met Rose.
“…By the way, Mr. Beryl, do you know the current state of Supheniardvania?” Ibroix said.
“Umm…it seems that there is a fight going on between the Royalist Faction and the Papal Faction.”
“Hmm,” Ibroix went.
I wondered if I should ask about Ibroix's reaction.
That said, as I told him, all I know is that there seems to be a power struggle going on. Even that information is mostly what I heard from Lucy. You can say that I personally have no first-hand information at all.
It's true that I was at the scene of the incident, but it's not like I can infer any circumstances or hidden facts from there.
“As far as I know, nothing has changed dramatically since then,” Ibroix said. “Or, at least, on the surface.”
With that purposeful annotation at the end, it probably means that there is a lot going on behind the scenes.
As a result, a big incident involving the royal families of a foreign country occurred. If this doesn't matter, when will something matter?
“So you're saying it's already started?” I said.
“Well, yes,” Ibroix said. “It's not the sort of thing you can discuss in public.”
He's right, though.
However, compared to the incident involving the royal family of a neighboring country, the actual commotion was small-scale. Naturally, at the beginning of the incident, there were quite a few rumors about it to my knowledge, but now, it's not that big of a deal so far as it goes inside Baltrain.
Of course, the incident itself was not forgotten. I'm one of the people involved so I might think so, but it had such an impact that I couldn't forget about it even if I wanted to.
“I think that they will make a big move in the near future,” Ibroix said. “It's all a matter of the details.”
“It seems that you are quite optimistic about that, but…” I said.
“I'm a follower of the Suphine Faith, but I'm not from Supheniardvania, you know,” Ibroix said.
“Haa…” I sighed.
It is a remark that makes it hard to believe he's a follower of the state religion of a neighboring country. This old man is a real piece of work.
I feel like he's conveniently using his title as a Bishop of the Suphine Faith and ostensibly being a Citizen of the Rebelis Kingdom.
“However, even if he was a citizen of Supheniardvania and reached episcopacy, he could not avoid punishment. I think I can be happy about this in and of itself,” Ibroix concluded.
It seems this was the end of the information about Former Bishop Lebios.
I've actually seen his criminal deeds, so I don't have that much different of an opinion. However, Rose also seemed to believe in Former Bishop Levios and the Pope.
I'm certain that there was some kind of information manipulation, but even without that, condemnation could not be avoided. From the perspective that the judiciary system is working correctly, I certainly feel that as a citizen I should be happy.
Come to think of it, when I was invited by His Majesty Gladio for dinner at the royal palace, there was almost no mention of such things.
One could argue that it was just a place for gratitude and not a place to talk about such dark matters, but on the other hand, I think it would have been difficult to say something in front of someone like me who is not involved in politics. Or, more simply, was it at the stage where you couldn't talk about it yet?
This Old Man has the confidence to keep his mouth shut, but I still don't have the confidence to stay calm after hearing about a problem between nations.
Well, it can't be helped if I can't ask about this and that. I feel that the risk of having information is far greater. I can only leave that kind of discussion to Alexia and Henblitz.
“Also, if there is anything you know about the goings-on of the Knights of the Faith, I would like you to tell me,” I said.
“Hmm,” Ibroix said. “Is there anyone in particular who you are acquainted with?”
“Well… yes, something like that,” I said.
And right now, what worries me most is Rose and her treatment in the aftermath.
As far as this is concerned, I can't even rely on Alexia and Lucy, so it's painful. As for Rose, it's a secret between me and Gatoga.
When I say secrets, you might imagine something bad, but in reality, it's even more dangerous than it appears on the surface.
After all, Lebios was at the center of the Papal Faction that was aiming to overthrow the Royalist Faction, and Rose was key to this violent incident. Her position as the Vice-Captain of the Knights of the Faith also adds to the danger.
However, it is frustrating for those who know the situation, that it is so difficult to gather information openly.
That's why I had no choice but to vaguely answer Ibroix's question. No, to be precise, I don't think it's a problem to tell him that she was an acquaintance of mine. You never know where and what kind of information will be leaked, so it's best to be cautious.
“I haven't received much information about the Knights of the Faith,” Ibroix said. “But, I have heard that some of the top ranks have been changed.”
“For example, the Vice-Captain?” I said.
“Hou. Very specific, hm?” Ibroix said.
“It's just a guess. It seems pretty obvious,” I said.
“I see,” Ibroix said.
I dodge Ibroix's pursuit. He nodded vaguely, though it was questionable whether I succeeded.
The fact that he didn't deny it means that Rose has almost certainly stepped down from the position of Vice-Captain. Since it has changed so much, I wonder if someone was newly appointed as Vice-Captain again?
The image of Gatoga in agony comes to mind. From Hinnis to Rose, and then to this new Vice-Captain, it's had three names in such a short period of time.
But from there, no one knows, huh?
There was no way I could ask Ibroix about where Rose was going. If I think about it honestly, it will be a scenario where Rose will step down from Vice-Captain due to her injury and then retire.
Where is she now and what is she doing? I worry, but she's also a strong girl. She might be troubled if an Old Man like me worries about her from a distance.
I hope she has a new purpose in her new life.
“Is there anything else? It's about time for the afternoon prayer,” Ibroix said.
“No, I'm fine,” I said. “Sorry for taking up so much of your time.”
“I don't mind,” Ibroix said. “I'd like to keep in touch with you in your own way.”
“Hahaha…” I chuckled.
Now that the conversation is settling down, I was once more struck by Ibroix's gentle yet suspicious smile.
Hmm. He has a close connection with Lucy, so I don't think he's a bad person, but I'd like to refrain from going deeper than necessary. It would be a bit of a problem if I acted unreasonably like before.
“Come to think of it, how is Ms. Miu doing?” Ibroix said.
“Ah,” I said. “She's fine. She's studying hard at the Magician's Academy.”
“I see. That's good to hear,” Ibroix said.
Finally, I updated her about Miu and that ends our talk.
However, it seems even Ibroix knew about Miu, too, didn't he? I haven't told him directly, but I guess Lucy has passed some information around here.
""
Well, he knew about Lucy's house, and he seemed to be an acquaintance with Ms. Halwi. It wouldn't be strange for him to know about Miu, who had been freeloading with them for a while.
However, if possible, I don't want Miu to get too close to him.
I'm a little hesitant to put my full trust in Ibroix. What's even worse is that Ibroix himself seems to know how he's seen and acts accordingly.
Since I came to Baltrain, I've gotten to know a lot more people.
Until now, I should have spent my time in Biden Village just socializing with everyone there and with the children of my disciples, but that will no longer be the case. Or rather, it's already happened.
If it's just me, it's fine, but I want to avoid Miu getting involved in unnecessary incidents and troubles. No, I'm not going to go so far as to say that Ibroix is a bad person.
“Let's go through the front,” Ibroix said. “If you need anything else, come to the church. If something comes up that you wish to make repentance for, then I will listen to your confession.”
“Haha, I just pray it doesn't come to that,” I said.
We both left our seats and went to the entrance of the church.
So far, I don't have any particular regrets. As I said, I just pray for a future where I don't have to worry about the confession room
Chapter end
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