Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 403: Unfolding the Map

TL: Etude

In a routine meeting of the Administration Council in April 1994 of the Sacred Calendar, Cecil, in charge of the Department of Intelligence, introduced the latest situation in Horn Bay to everyone.

“Everyone must remember the incident that happened last year when the Archbishop’s envoy was thrown down from the second floor in Fort Ness. This infuriated Archbishop Elvis of Horn Bay, who sternly demanded the Horn Bay Alliance hand over the so-called culprit. However, he did not get a satisfactory response, with Fort Ness dragging its feet in handing over the person. Additionally, the handling of the current Bishop of Ness, Angelo, ended inconclusively due to resistance from the Alliance Council. However, it’s not just the Alliance; coastal nations generally expressed support for Angelo remaining in his bishopric.”

Paul asked Cecil, “What about the increase in religious taxes?”

Cecil replied, “Each state only symbolically increased them a bit, but far from the amount expected by Archbishop Elvis.”

“Is the Horn Bay Church just going to let this go?”

“Of course not. The Archbishop, in collaboration with Collins and other inland states, continuously issued announcements criticizing the coastal countries and even threatened to excommunicate their rulers.”

Ford, the steward, stroked his beard and said, “It seems the conflict is getting deeper.”

Cecil nodded, “That’s one way to put it.”

There was a burst of low laughter among those present, as they all knew about the eldest son of the Foster family buying weapons in the Northwest Bay last year. If a war were to break out, Northwest Bay would stand to profit.

Only Ladi Sertia looked solemn, coughing heavily, “Gentlemen, war is not a laughing matter.”

The laughter ceased, and everyone suddenly remembered that this beautiful lady’s homeland was Horn Bay, leading to an awkward silence.

“Ahem…” Cecil continued, “The rulers of the coastal nations have generally relaxed their arrests of witches. Due to the long-term high-pressure policies causing significant impact on the normal trade environment, rulers, supported by strong public opinion, have forced their local churches to make concessions.” He thought this would be good news to comfort Lady Sertia.

Indeed, the frown on Ladi’s face relaxed a bit.

“Moreover, stimulated by the previous high-pressure measures of the local churches, a new religious movement is rapidly spreading among the coastal states.”

“A new religious movement?” Paul’s interest was piqued, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes,” Cecil nodded. “Many people are calling for a reinterpretation of doctrine. Although these heretics… uh, new sect followers are still in a phase of disorganized viewpoints, they share a common opposition to the Church’s excessive interference in secular life.”

Paul, stroking his chin, mused, “Interesting.”

He looked around and asked, “What do you think Archbishop Elvis will do about this?”

“He definitely won’t let it go easily,” Ladi affirmed. “I heard of the Archbishop’s reputation when I was in Horn Bay. For such a ‘devout’ person, heretics are often more detestable than witches and pagans. But… hmph, the Horn Bay Church will sooner or later reap what they have sown.” Ŕ𝓪ΝȪᛒÈṢ

Ladi’s face showed a rare expression of indignation, which was unusual for her, who rarely showed emotions.

“If things escalate too much, I think the Papacy will eventually intervene,” analyzed Ford.

“The Horn Bay region’s offerings are one of the main sources of income for the Papacy, and they would definitely not allow Horn Bay to remain in chaos for long.”

Ford’s words reminded Cecil of something.

Hansel suddenly interjected, “Lord Grayman, you should prepare. As Northwest Bay continues to prosper, the Papacy might strengthen its influence here.”

Paul frowned, “What? I made my lands prosperous to fill the bellies of my people, not to pay tribute to those gluttonous clerics.” He spoke without restraint among his own people.

Hansel spread his hands, “Perhaps the Papal authorities don’t see it that way.”

“Do you have any good strategies?”

Hansel spoke in a lower voice, “The current Bishop of Northwest Bay, Leonard, has been in poor health since being imprisoned by Marltz Kent during the Usurper War. Recently, there are rumors that this elderly gentleman is about to be called by the Lord. This could be an opportunity. If you wish to seize it, you should prepare now.”

“I agree with Sir Hansel’s suggestion.”

Steward Ford concurred.

“I agree as well.”

“I agree.”

Director of the Department of Public Safety, Russ Hayden, and others also expressed their opinions.

The idea of controlling a regional bishop was indeed thrilling.

“This…” Unlike the ‘cold-blooded’ ones present, Paul’s initial reaction to Hansel’s suggestion was a bit sad. He had a good impression of the elderly Bishop Leonard, and it would indeed be a pity if he were to be called by the Lord.

“Let me think about this…”

If he were to intervene in the bishops’ struggle, whom should he support? Currently, there were only two high-ranking religious figures in the Northwest Bay with whom he had good relations: Anderson, who succeeded Leonard as the head of the North Shore Monastery, and Morrison, the vice-principal of the monastery, whom Paul had rescued from the Church during his crackdown on the Shark Gang pirates in Port Fran. Morrison, with a less-than-glorious past as a thief and under Paul’s control, seemed a more suitable candidate.

The North Shore Monastery, though remote, was an important cradle for clergy across the Northwest Bay, giving it a special status.

However, Anderson was relatively inexperienced, having been promoted to head of the monastery by his teacher, Leonard, and was somewhat unorthodox, spending his days interacting with plants and flowers. He was more of a scholar than a monk.

Morrison, on the other hand, was more worldly and adept at handling secular affairs. He efficiently managed the daily operations of the North Shore Monastery. He seemed a good choice for support, though it was uncertain if he could be controlled after becoming a bishop.

Then, Hansel added, “We could also seek help from His Majesty the King. There was an agreement between the royal family and the Papacy…”

The royal family? Yes, that was another force he could leverage. He had invested heavily in maintaining relations with the royal family during the rebellion war. According to Hansel’s information from Crystal Shine, his image was quite favorable among the bigwigs there.

“Lord Grayman, I have another point to consider,” said the old Ford suddenly.

“Once the war in Horn Bay begins, it will inevitably affect our trade with the East.”

Paul was startled; the steward was right. The Northwest Bay’s goods were largely shipped to Horn Bay, and then the Horn Bay merchants acted as middlemen, reselling them to the East. If war broke out there, it would no longer serve as a central hub.

After a moment of thought, he said, “Then we will transport our goods to the East ourselves. Without middlemen making a profit, wouldn’t that be better?”

“Exactly.”

Steward Ford agreed, having long wanted to suggest this. He added, “However, our merchant fleets are not familiar with the route to the East. We need to send a special exploration fleet to chart the seas and survey ports.”

“You’re right, immediately notify Austin to start preparations! Oh, first, have him come to Lakeheart Town.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Ah?” Paul suddenly remembered something.

“Gentlemen, besides exploring the East, we can also explore the West.”

The West? The others were puzzled. What was there to the west besides vast oceans? At most, some desolate islands or, if lucky, tribes still in the tribal era.

In fact, most present believed the Kingdom of Ordo to be at the very edge of the western world.

Ladi, however, seemed to understand Paul’s meaning. As a scholar, she had been exposed to many novel ideas, “Lord’s meaning… to verify that theory?”

“Ha ha, exactly!” Paul picked up a pen and paper, drawing a circle.

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“Hasn’t someone proposed that the earth is a sphere? Let’s verify it. If it’s true, we’ll send two exploration teams, one east and one west. If the earth is indeed spherical, they should both be able to return to Ordo after circumnavigating.”

“This…” The others felt a sense of absurdity. The Count of Alda believing in such heretical nonsense?

Some had heard of the spherical earth theory, but it was more a novelty than a believable concept. If the earth were a sphere, wouldn’t people living on it fall off, or rather, fall ‘up’? How strange.

“Um… Lord Grayman.”

Steward Ford tried to advise.

“I’ve made up my mind. East and West! East and West!”

Paul’s tone left no room for doubt.

Well, he was the lord, and the others had no choice but to comply. What the lord decided, everyone had to obey.