The priest of Bane before Lynn was not quite what he had anticipated. However, such priests were not uncommon in Santir Castle, which served as the stronghold of Bane's followers. Here, numerous noble families maintained intricate ties with the Church of Bane. The priests understood the significance of power networks; they refrained from displaying the brutality they exhibited while waging wars or collecting taxes in the countryside, instead opting to present a façade of friendliness.
As for any underlying conspiracies, that was another matter entirely.
This priest was clearly astute: no one would be foolish enough to don plate armor and wield a mace when visiting the home of noble ladies. Especially as a priest of Bane, visiting the territory of the followers of Orcas, any transgression could lead to dire consequences.
Evidently, he was not there to provoke conflict and understood his position well. Upon seeing Lynn, he greeted him with a friendly nod and smile, offering acknowledgment rather than ignoring him.
"I would like to introduce you: this is my cousin, Lynn. This gentleman is Finn, a priest of the Church of the Dark Master—he has come on behalf of Baron Casario to present me with some gifts and engage in discussions regarding religious matters."
Though Gissasa's words were somewhat veiled, they carried an urgent desire to convey something. Lynn, not lacking in perception, quickly grasped her meaning. "Has Baron Casario proposed to you?"
"Let's not speak of things that have yet to occur; I do not want the entire manor to believe I am on the verge of marriage." Miss Gissasa narrowed her eyes with a smile, her words dripping with insincerity. "Marriage is not a trivial matter; there is much for us to discuss."
Lynn nodded in agreement, yet he registered the lady's request to circulate news of her impending marriage within the manor.
It was little wonder Gissasa was so anxious; she had reached the age of twenty without a single proposal, and whispers circulated that the daughters of the Reani family possessed some peculiar flaw that precluded them from matrimony. Miss Gissasa was eager to dispel such rumors, which was why she emphasized to Lynn that she indeed had suitors.
"However, the gift from the baron is quite the intriguing little creature. Take it to show your brothers; perhaps they could discover something through it."
In an apparent attempt to silence the rumors, Gissasa handed Lynn a cage. Upon receiving it, he peered inside to find a most peculiar being.
It resembled an upside-down octopus with tentacles, yet its plump body bore short legs and tiny wings, reminiscent of a small chick adorned with appendages. From various angles, this creature was undeniably bizarre, yet Gissasa held it with a delightful air.
Perhaps the strange quirks attributed to the daughters of the Reani family were not mere gossip.
"I will showcase it to others… if only I knew what it is," Lynn remarked.
"This is an *Aetheric Curiosity Egg*, purportedly a creation of the mages of Naeseryl," Finn the priest interjected. "While its combat abilities are quite weak, it possesses certain unique traits related to anti-magic and wild magic. The baron is aware of the Reani family's keen interest in the study of various creatures, hence it was presented as a gift."
You could simply state that our family is intrigued by the creation of various undead beings… Lynn nodded in agreement with Finn's polite discourse, yet he was at a loss for words regarding the name 'Curiosity Egg'—whoever named this magical creature had certainly chosen an odd moniker.
He extended his hand into the cage to prod the curious egg, hoping to amuse Miss Gissasa. However, the creature seemed displeased, igniting with blue-purple flames that singed Lynn's fingertips.
"This little thing…"
Lynn cursed under his breath, but Finn merely chuckled and silently extended his hand, assisting Lynn in healing the minor burn on his finger.
"Thank you for your help… Are you here to persuade Miss Gissasa to convert to the Church of the Dark Master in order to unite with the baron?"
As Gissasa had articulated, marriage was indeed fraught with complications, and what lay before them was a prime example. It was well-known that Santir Castle belonged to Bane, while their family were followers of Orcas; the implications of sending a priest to discuss matters prior to a proposal were all too clear.
It was undoubtedly a matter of conversion.
Unable to restrain his curiosity, Lynn inquired further, but Finn shook his head. "Mr. Lynn, please do not misunderstand; I am not here to preach within your household. I merely wish to explore some historical issues. For instance, we were just discussing the failures of the Reani family in Imburt and the underlying reasons behind them. Many have researched this in Santir Castle, but gaining firsthand accounts would be profoundly beneficial to me."
Of course, Finn was not foolish enough to declare himself a missionary: even the most arrogant priests understood the folly of attempting to preach in another cult's stronghold. However, by framing his presence as a historical inquiry, he revealed his stance: as a faction inclined toward discussions on the nature of power, Bane's followers invariably attributed the failures in history to a lack of authority.
This was their modus operandi.
"The research you speak of is merely foggy speculation. You do not truly comprehend the situation in Imburt: King Thain IV is a base scoundrel; while my uncle was alive, he was as submissive as a dog. When my uncle sought to eliminate his lover, he was willing to act on the matter himself. Yet, after my uncle's death, this dog began to bite…"
The speaker was Miss Relya, her expression filled with indignation. However, her ire did not seem directed at King Thain IV, but rather appeared more akin to jealousy over her sister receiving attention, causing her to lash out. Finn, unperturbed, continued to explain patiently.
"Ultimately, it was Duke Reani's failure to properly arrange his power succession that led to his downfall. While he lived, all power resided with him. Yet upon his death, the authority to decree laws fell to the king, and command of the army was assumed by his subordinate, Mohiris. His relatives obtained only the most prestigious titles and considerable wealth, yet history has shown that, in the face of power, wealth and status are of little consequence. In collusion, Thain IV and Mohiris rendered the Reani family unable to resist."
Indeed…
"My uncle worked diligently; he understood the weight of power, yet he was powerless to change his fate. This has always been the case in Imburt: when a ruler dies, chaos ensues; such is our tradition."
Miss Gissasa echoed Finn's sentiments, though she still harbored some discontent regarding the affairs of Imburt. Finn opened his mouth to continue, but at that moment, Lynn interjected.
"This tradition exists merely because power is not sufficiently centralized. If a comprehensive system could be established to ensure power remains concentrated, how could such problems arise?"
Finn's eyes brightened, and he turned to face Lynn. Lynn offered him a friendly smile, exuding warmth and openness.
His intent in speaking was to capture the attention of his interlocutor: the opportunity to align himself with the Church of Bane was a chance he had long awaited.