Unlike the world they left behind, here the church did not have any tithes or church taxes. All the priests' upkeep relied entirely on voluntary donations from local residents and authorities. However, the local church had a monopoly on banking and usury! Indeed, no one besides the churchmen had the right to lend money or engage in similar activities within human territories.
Considering that the Church of Light was associated with the god of light, Demur, in honor of whom the local luminary was named, there was a small exception to this rule — banking and financial activities were only carried out from sunrise to sunset. During nighttime, banks of other races could operate in human territories, naturally closed during daylight hours.
Alexander was thoroughly displeased with both how the conversation had started and how the priest was looking at him. They hadn't broken any rules. They hadn't touched the church's interests in any way. So why was this crafty man looking at him so sourly? A chill ran down his spine.
"If I had known you wanted to see me, Bright One, I would have come earlier."
"A commendable aspiration. But since you didn't come, let's talk now."
The bishop gestured invitingly with his hand and walked ahead, showing the way. The men climbed up to the third floor and found themselves in a cozy furnished office.
"You are newcomers here. But you've already managed to earn a certain reputation. You defeated the squads that invaded the kingdom and obtained the baron's permission for free settlement."
All of this was listed with such a face, as if the priest was naming terrible crimes, and he even felt disgusted talking about them.
"Thank you, Bright One!" Alexander decided to play the fool until the end.
"And tell me, son of light, what are your plans?"
"Right now, our main goal is to build houses for ourselves before the cold sets in. Lately, we have endured many hardships, and my people don't even have the bare necessities."
"A warm push, internet, and coffee!"
His answer clearly did not please the bishop.
"And where is your spiritual mentor on the path of light?"
...
"He perished while crossing the mountains," Alexander blurted out the first thing that came to his mind to fill the awkward pause. Only now did he realize they had overlooked that!
Leaving the church half an hour later, the vampire was mentally exhausted from the heavy and tense conversation. An urgent general meeting would have to be convened. Urgently!
Baron Savoyardi paced nervously around the bedroom. The damn boy had decided to attack the army on the road. Fool! And he was their duke! How could he explain that the size of the army meant nothing? Everything they could muster under their banners would be crushed by Orodians in half an hour, and then they would trample their bodies and move on!
And the main thing, how confident these strange strangers were!
Steps from wall to wall brought no comfort.
There were even paladin squads there! The baron grabbed his head. Almighty, why did you cloud my mind! Why did I even start advising the duke! Right now, we would have had a normal army, not this pathetic remnant. It would have been great if the Orodians died laughing at him! But the enemy would not bring them such joy.
A cautious knock came at the door.
"Come in!" the baron snapped irritably.
"I see you can't sleep either, brother?"
"You won't sleep here. The boy showed up drunk again. The duke wants to go to the road and meet the army there! Merchants are besieging us with questions about when the road will be free! Idiots all around!"
His stepbrother merely nodded, listening to the baron's revelations.
"And did you notice how calm the newcomers were?" he decided to change the subject of conversation once his interlocutor had vented.
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