Civil Servant in Romance Fantasy - Chapter 352
“His Majesty recognizes that the north has its own unique culture. He respects and embraces the beliefs of the north. Therefore, as his humble subject, I am merely returning what rightfully belongs to the north, in accordance with His Majesty’s gracious will.”
The shaman smiled broadly at those words. The presentation of the sacred water had now transcended mere religious favor and was imbued with the Emperor’s political intent to embrace the north. Barandy was generously providing the tribe with reasons to surrender, leaving them no choice but to accept.
“However, the delivery of the sacred water will take place after you have formally received your title.”
Of course, the bestowal of a title was also one of the reasons they should surrender. They had to strike while the iron was hot.
Moreover, the bestowal of a title was a gift with the magical power to make even enemies laugh. When given in a positive atmosphere, it could transform a supportive relationship into a bond of unity. Indeed, the smiling shaman seemed to freeze in shock at the mention of a title.
“As I mentioned earlier, His Majesty respects the culture of the north. This means that Barandy, the sole shaman of the north, will be held in high regard by the chieftain.”
Yes, he would be held in high regard. The shaman would symbolize the vast tolerance of the Empire and the shared faith of the nomadic people scattered throughout the north. For the Empire to smoothly control the north, the shaman had to become a prominent figure in the Empire.
I discreetly retrieved the seal that had been nestled in my pocket. As I suddenly reached into my pocket, the guards behind the shaman tensed up, but they relaxed when they saw that it was not a dagger but a seal.
“This is His Majesty’s token of trust for Barandy, the newly appointed marquis.”
“…Marquis?”
I smiled slightly at his bewildered response.
With all due respect to Count Kaitana, the Imperial lackey, the title of marquis was perfect for the Barandy family. It was symbolic and had historical significance. However, its actual power was limited, making it impossible to overwhelm the other tribes by force.
‘Perfect.’
If the strongest tribe were to become marquis, they could crush the other counts by force and become the de facto ruler of the north. The possibility of a third Khagan emerging had to be minimized, which was unacceptable.
That’s why Barandy was the perfect choice. They needed to create a marquis with honor, not power.
“Congratulations on becoming the thirteenth marquis of the Empire. Well, now you outrank me.”
The shaman—no, Marquis Barandy—still stared at the seal with a blank expression.
***
The stormy negotiations had come to an end.
“If you are on the front lines, you never know when you might be caught in the fighting. First, seek refuge in a safe place, and when the war is over, come to the capital. His Majesty will formally bestow the title upon you.”
Even after the negotiations had concluded, the envoy’s words still lingered in his mind.
‘What a shitty life.’
I felt like laughing. My life had been an utter mess since the nomads were defeated in the last war, since my father passed away. But now a light had appeared in that life.
‘It’s the will of heaven.’
The envoy said that the Emperor of the Empire wanted to embrace the nomads with compassion and tolerance because he was following the will of heaven.
The will of heaven, the will of the sky.
‘…Sky.’
As that word came to mind, I couldn’t hold back my laughter any longer. The priest who served the eternal blue sky had survived by the will of heaven. Moreover, he had been guaranteed a life of wealth and honor, not a humiliating surrender.
It was mind-boggling. I had thought that my faith was hopeless and had no future, but had that god been watching over the only remaining priest?
“Chief.”
As I continued to chuckle, Shadi, who had been present at the negotiations as an escort, carefully opened her mouth.
“Was that really a holy relic?”
It was a short question, but it conveyed the confusion Shadi must have felt. It was only natural for the Imperials to bring a holy relic that was no longer in the grasslands.
I smiled at Shadi and replied,
“I don’t know.”
“…What?”
“I said I don’t know.”
Shadi’s body stiffened at my confident answer.
But what could I do? I really didn’t know.
‘How would I know?’
I had never seen a holy relic in person, and I had never felt the power of a god since my father passed away.
Wasn’t it even stranger for a priest who had never received a response from his god to recognize a holy relic in the first place? A priest is not omnipotent.
“Oh, Father! Surrendering without knowing if it’s a holy relic-”
I shook my head at Shadi, who was just opening her mouth to let out a torrent of complaints. She immediately shut her mouth, but her eyes were still full of doubt and dissatisfaction.
“Shadi.”
“…What.”
“What matters is not whether it’s a holy relic or not.”
I quickly added, seeing that Shadi was about to yell again.
“What matters is believing that it’s a holy relic.”
I don’t know if that sword is a holy relic or not. However, the envoy of the Empire said it was a holy relic, and he spoke of embracing the pagans, mentioning the Emperor. It was as if the Emperor himself was guaranteeing that the sword was a holy relic.
If so, it didn’t matter if it wasn’t a real holy relic. The Emperor of the Empire, the only priest, would say it was a holy relic.
‘What does the truth matter?’
When the strongest empire on the continent and the person in charge of the faith say it’s true, does the truth matter?
Even if it did matter, would it be more important than the peace of the grasslands and the safety of the tribe?
‘The liquor tastes good.’
I gulped down the mare’s milk酒 in my right hand.
I’ll drink myself to death today.