...

「The next day.」

Matthew arrived at the castle in the morning, bringing news.

It was a classic case of "speak of the devil."

Just yesterday, Fang Zhen had mentioned the Tade Church’s Cardinal at the dinner table, and today, that very Cardinal from the Tade Church had already arrived in the Ashton Territory.

Fang Zhen had to meet with this Cardinal.

The Cardinal was rather reserved. He didn’t come directly to Ashton Castle, but instead, through Matthew, invited Fang Zhen to meet at the Tade Church in the Ashton Territory.

At noon, Fang Zhen arrived at the church with his retinue. Upon entering, he saw the Cardinal.

Within the Tade Church, the Pope stands at the apex of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, possessing the highest religious authority.

The Pope has the authority to issue doctrine, appoint Bishops, and preside over important religious ceremonies.

Next are the Cardinals, who serve as the Pope’s key advisors and assistants.

An Archbishop manages an archdiocese, which oversees multiple dioceses. Within their jurisdiction, the Archbishop holds significant religious authority, responsible for supervising the work of Bishops and other clergy and presiding over major religious ceremonies and events. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

A Bishop is responsible for managing a diocese. The Bishop has the authority to appoint Priests, administer sacraments, and manage the religious affairs and property of the diocese.

The Bishop is the religious leader of the diocese, responsible for the pastoral care and teaching of the faithful within it.

A Priest is a clergyman within a diocese specifically responsible for conducting religious rites and providing pastoral care to the faithful.

Deacons assist Priests in conducting religious ceremonies and with parish administration.

This Cardinal’s name was Connor.

Cardinal Connor was nearly sixty years old. He was gaunt, his face so thin that it made his eyes seem very large. His expression was stern, and he didn’t seem to smile much. He looked every bit the part.

When Fang Zhen entered the church, Cardinal Connor had just finished his prayers. After Fang Zhen came in, the church was cleared of people.

After they met, Fang Zhen and Connor exchanged slight nods. They sat in the front pews of the church to discuss the matter of the Tade Church proselytizing within the territory.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Connor got straight to the point.

"Lord Fang Zhen, I have learned a certain amount about you, though only through letters from the Parish Priest of the Ashton Territory and the Order Knight, Agatha. It seems you hold a certain reverence for the divine."

"I have come here to discuss a matter with you. For the Tade Church to gain the right to build churches and spread its teachings in your territory, we also hope that, if possible, you yourself will bathe in the light of the divine," Cardinal Connor said, getting straight to the point.

Fang Zhen smiled faintly and said, "A Martial Artist like myself shouldn’t blaspheme the Divine Spirit. However, I do have a certain respect for the church. I will permit the Tade Church to proselytize in my territory. As for taxes within the territory, I am also willing to allow the faithful to donate a tenth of their income, in accordance with church regulations."

"In return, however, I expect the church to cooperate with the territory’s daily operations and to support me when extreme events occur."

"Furthermore, the Tade Church must maintain stability in its parishes and, at a higher level, influence the high-ranking nobles of Zambein to accept my presence and formally acknowledge my status as a Duke."

"As for myself, I have already dedicated my life to the Martial Arts. As the saying goes, one cannot serve two masters. I must focus my will and devote myself to the endless path of Martial Arts, leaving no energy to add to the glory of the divine."

With this, Fang Zhen was, in effect, bargaining with Cardinal Connor.

The current terms of negotiation were as follows: Connor offered the church’s support and recognition, but the condition was that Fang Zhen must also join the church.

Fang Zhen would never agree to that.

’First of all, I’m an atheist. It’s not that I don’t believe Extraordinary beings exist in this world, but in my eyes, such beings are merely special products born from a sufficient collection of certain objective conditions.’

’Rather than believing in a particular god, I’m more interested in finding the objective conditions that allow one to become Extraordinary.’

’In the future, I might even find a path to godhood myself. Why on earth would I join some god’s church now?’

’Besides, if beings like gods truly exist, who knows what kind of shackles you’ll be burdened with after pledging your faith?’

In any case, Fang Zhen kept such matters of faith at a respectable distance.

His attitude was the same as that of Confucius: respect ghosts and spirits, but keep them at a distance.

Fang Zhen’s counteroffer was that a tenth of the territory’s tax revenue could be given to the Tade Church, but within the region, the church had to assist him with public welfare, not the other way around.

Furthermore, he wanted a degree of control over the church’s military, the Order Army.

Connor thought for a moment before speaking. "Will you not reconsider my proposal? Why must you be so insistent? If you were to bathe in the light of the divine, you would find yourself with many more advantageous options in numerous matters."

Fang Zhen smiled and said, "You could call it a family tradition. Sword Saint Augustus never joined any religion, so neither should I."

Connor fell silent for a moment.

At this, Fang Zhen continued, "As for my domain, I hope to have a Cardinal who will take responsibility, cooperate with me, and be someone I can trust."

Connor nodded. "That is only reasonable. Normally, a territory the size of the former Tarrenno and Balenzuo Duchies would require one Cardinal, with two Archbishops under him to lead the dioceses and maintain a good relationship with you."