Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Volor's face turned pale as he sternly reprimanded the intruder.
"Do you know who I am entertaining right now? He is—"
The man named Hershey was taken aback, thinking Volor was just using the excuse of meeting someone important to dismiss him. He hadn't expected there to actually be someone in the room: a young man with black hair and a beautiful green-haired woman.
Paul raised his hand to stop Volor from revealing his identity. "Volor, I think this Father Hershey must have something important to say. Let's hear him out first."
"Um… My lord, this Hershey surely has nothing important to say. I'll just send him away."
Father Hershey, hearing this, felt wronged and shouted, "I didn't come for trivial matters! Please allow me to explain in detail!"
"Are you… a priest?" Paul asked, now intrigued. He had never seen a priest so poorly dressed.
"Yes, my lord. I am the priest in charge of the nearby Taldor village church." Although he didn't know Paul's status, he figured that since Volor was treating him with such importance, he must be someone significant.
The village church in Northwest Bay was generally overseen by the churches of nearby towns, so this Hershey could be considered Volor's subordinate.
"If you have something important to say, you can speak now," Paul said, bypassing Volor and allowing the man to continue.
Volor had initially wanted to shoo him away, but with Paul's words, he had no choice but to relent, sweat breaking out on his forehead.
At this point, Hershey felt somewhat confused. He had thought of begging for a moment, but with this stranger's intervention, Lord Volor was no longer trying to dismiss him. This man seemed to have considerable authority.
But he couldn't worry too much about that now; his mind returned to the real purpose of coming here today.
Sigh, although hope was slim, he still had to give it a try.
"Lord Volor!" Hershey shifted to a serious tone, "I once again request that you waive the taxes for those unfortunate villagers for the past two years."
"No!" Volor immediately refused, "Hershey, I've told you many times. Regarding taxes, I, at my level, have no authority to decide; I can only execute orders from above."
"Then please go to Sente and present our situation to the Bishop."
"You!" Volor seemed to be furious, waving his sleeves. "You want me to go to Sente City… just for a bunch of lowly farmers? You go yourself."
Hershey straightened his neck. "My lord, I've been, but the gatekeeper wouldn't let me in. When I explained the situation to them, they sent me back to you."
Volor closed his eyes. "Then my answer remains the same; I have no authority to decide this matter."
With a thud, Hershey suddenly knelt down, pleading with a face full of anger, "For the sake of the clothes you're wearing, please save those poor lambs!"
"You!" Volor exploded in rage. Was he being slapped in the face? Was he being insulted as unworthy of being a priest, especially in front of a lord?
In fact, he could go to Sente to plead for the villagers of Taldor, but that would undoubtedly affect his standing in the eyes of his superiors. So he had made up his mind not to do it.
At this point, Paul began to understand the situation. It seemed the villagers of Taldor were unable to pay the so-called tithes to the church, and this Father Hershey was seeking Volor's help, but unfortunately, he was rejected.
Although this was a religious matter, as a secular lord, Paul felt he had a responsibility to help his subjects with their difficulties. So he asked Hershey, "Which village are you from?"
"My lord, I am from the church of Taldor village, but it's the only church for several nearby villages."
"Is the harvest in your area really that poor?"
Hershey looked troubled as he replied, "It's not that the harvest is bad, but the war with Emden in the past two years caused several families to lose their laborers. The elderly, women, and orphans left behind are having a very hard time."
"What did you say?" Paul sensed something was off and suddenly stood up from his seat.
Ladia, who had remained silent since entering the room, said, "If I remember correctly, for anyone who sacrificed their life in the war, the lord should provide substantial compensation to their families. Even if it can't last a lifetime, they wouldn't be in such dire straits just two years later, would they?"
"Uh… this lady…"
The green-haired beauty's sudden question made Hershey feel a little anxious.
He hesitated and said, "The lord indeed provided them compensation, but… that turned out to be the start of a series of misfortunes for them."
"Hmm!" Volor interjected suddenly. "Hershey, let's stop here for today. I will take the time to discuss this matter with you properly."
"No, Volor! Let him continue. I will stay here today to hear this Father Hershey clarify the situation; you be quiet for a moment."
A hint of excitement appeared on Paul's face. "Please, tell me, why did the lord's compensation bring them misfortune?"
"Uh… yes, my lord." Volor had no choice but to fall silent.
Hershey was increasingly surprised by this young man's authority, capable of making the esteemed Volor in front of him fall silent with just one sentence. Who was he?
Could it be that the opportunity to truly rescue the villagers from their plight had finally arrived?
Wait a minute, the young man had black hair, and there was a beautiful green-haired woman beside him. Could it be…
Oh dear, Hershey, how could you have been so clueless? You didn't think of this when you first entered.
Should he reveal the truth now?
The village priest hesitated. Wasn't it said that this lord was the one standing behind them? But his reaction didn't seem like the legendary figure at all.
"My lord… I…"
Just a moment ago, the priest who was full of passion was now deeply conflicted.
"Hershey!" Paul glared at him, "Look me in the eye. What are you so worried about? You requested Volor to waive the taxes, which shows you are a kind person, but you have only kindness and your courage is as small as a mouse?"
"No, my lord."
Stimulated by Paul, the priest raised his head, his eyes widening.
"I will now speak the truth."
He disregarded Volor's furious gestures and spoke to Paul, "If the compensation you provided them was money, perhaps it wouldn't have been so bad. But what you gave them was land—fertile land that could yield crops year after year—which attracted the envy of the greedy."
As Hershey hurriedly explained, Paul heard a familiar yet infuriating story.
However, while it might be the norm for others, this time the victims were the families of the soldiers who had fought bravely and died.
How dare they? How could they dare?
"I understand now, Hershey."
Paul sat back down in his chair with a heavy sigh.
"Volor!"
"Yes, my lord?"
The priest from Frand Harbor rushed forward.
"I will cover the tithes for those people Hershey mentioned."
"Ah, this…"
The priest was taken aback. "How can this be? I will immediately go to Sente to explain the situation and ensure you receive a satisfactory outcome."
"No, that's how it will be."
Paul made the decision in an unquestionable tone and then led Ladia toward the exit, leaving Volor and Hershey staring at each other in shock.
After a moment of silence, an angry voice broke the quiet in the room.
"You're just a rural church priest. Why are you meddling? What if this blows up?"
(End of the Chapter)
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