“‘Status Open'”
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[Name] Toma Rocksfall
[Race] Human
[Details] Male, 8 years old, Healthy
[Title] Apostle of Deuro
[Rank] S
[Attribute] None
[Blessing] Supreme Craftsman
[Level] 101
[Skills] Craftsmanship Basics Lv.3, Quality Enhancement Lv.2, Dexterity Lv.2, Appraisal Lv.1
[Life] 310 (620)
[Stamina] 425 (850)
[Mana] 460 (920)
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When I activated my status, Lord Dardale leaned in to take a look. For several seconds, he remained utterly still, his gaze fixed on my stats. His eyes, framed by drooping lids from age, seemed to pierce through to the truth of my status. A creeping anxiety swirled in the depths of my heart—what if he saw through my façade?
“Hohoho.”
The sudden laughter startled me, causing my shoulders to jerk involuntarily. Whether or not he noticed my reaction, Lord Dardale slowly stood up. What is he planning?
“My greetings to the Apostle,” he said.
Lord Dardale knelt on one knee and bowed his head to the floor. This was the highest form of courtesy, reserved for the most esteemed individuals.
“Ehhhh…”
Following his lead, the temple knights and handmaidens standing behind him also bowed. But wait, isn’t Lord Dardale a cardinal? Cardinals are close advisors to the pope and oversee the temple knights. And yet, such a high-ranking figure is kneeling before a mere child like me?
“……”
“Toma.”
My father’s voice pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts.
“…Yes?”
Ah, he’s telling me not to leave them bowing indefinitely.
“Lord Dardale, everyone, please rise.”
I motioned for Lord Dardale to take his seat again. Now, the real discussion begins. I braced myself.
“To the Apostle—”
“Please stop calling me ‘Apostle.’ Just call me Toma.”
“…Very well, Lord Toma.”
“You don’t need to call me ‘Lord,’ either.”
“My apologies, but I must insist.”
“I see…”
“Shall we proceed with the matter at hand?”
“…Go ahead.”
“First, we wish to bring Lord Toma to the Holy See, but we understand this is not possible. Is that correct?”
“I have a mission to brew and spread Deuro’s sacred liquor. For the time being, I cannot leave the Ashwood Territory.”
“Understood.”
I had been worried they might try to take me by force, but they seemed to accept my reasoning.
“May I ask something of Lord Rocksfall?”
“Of me? What is it?”
“We would like to expand the temple in this territory.”
Expand the temple? Because of me?
“And we wish to station temple knights here.”
“Hmm… that is…”
My father governs Ashwood Territory, and a permanent deployment of armed forces outside his command would encroach on his authority. Lord Dardale was likely bowing as a sign of awareness of this.
For a large domain, a dozen or two temple knights might not be a problem. But in our small territory, with only about thirty soldiers in the lord’s army, even a modest force of temple knights could pose a significant issue.
If the knights were stationed temporarily, it wouldn’t be as problematic. But if they stayed for the duration of my time here, it could easily mean several years. That could disrupt my father’s governance.
In this kingdom, a lord is expected to protect their people and land. Allowing another armed group to intervene might suggest the lord is incapable of fulfilling their duties.
“If we cannot bring Lord Toma to the Holy See, we cannot simply do nothing. Please allow us to assign temple knights as your guards. I swear on my honor that we will not impose on Lord Rocksfall beyond this. Please consider this.”
My father furrowed his brow, deep in thought.
“I will consider allowing temple knights to station here. If the details can be agreed upon, I will accept.”
“Thank you.”
“But this is not a confirmation.”
“I am certain Lord Rocksfall shares concern for Lord Toma’s safety. I trust we will come to an agreement.”
He spoke with a confidence that hinted at experience in negotiation—or perhaps simply the wisdom of age.
Through the subsequent discussions, several decisions were reached:
First, my status as an Apostle would be formally recognized by the Nilgnide Church’s pope. Normally, a ceremony would take place at the Holy See, but under the circumstances, a certificate would be sent instead.
Next, the expansion of the temple in Ashwood Territory was approved without issue. Since the temple bordered the forest, clearing some trees would allow for expansion without displacing any villagers.
As for the stationing of temple knights, it was agreed that up to fifteen knights could be stationed permanently. A guardhouse would be built in a corner of the lord’s estate for this purpose.
Lord Dardale also proposed providing subsidies from the temple to expand the territory’s army, but my father declined. However, he did promise to strengthen the army as it was already under consideration.
Lastly, I brought up the matter of sake koji. Entrusting such a request to a powerful figure like Lord Dardale, in addition to Father Daigo, would likely expedite its spread to temples nationwide.
And finally…
