Chapter 320: Chapter 277: The Right to Protect and Educate: The Sword and the Cross Walk Together
As the standard confidant in everyone’s mind, Byron, despite his gradual prosperity, remained respectful toward the Newman Family.
Even though he received the official letter at night, he replied immediately.
He bade farewell to his sister, boarded The Golden Deer—the undisputed fastest vessel on the Seven Seas—and set out with his team at once.
Sitting in his captain’s quarters, he admired the contract he had just signed, utterly unconcerned by Major Newman’s stern reprimand.
First, give Teresa a taste of sweetness, then slowly boil her like a frog, little by little letting her fall into decadence in Financial Street.
No woman can resist the temptation of online shopping and discount coupons, absolutely none!
Having successfully pulled Sister Teresa, the Nun with the authority to manage the Church’s Merit Repository, onto his War Chariot through the cloud Financial Street, Byron felt he could take even bigger strides in the future.
Not to mention the influence of the Church on the York Family, just the Merit Repository controlled by The Great Cathedral of the Holy Mother’s Mercy itself is a treasure.
Just thinking about it, one would know that Indulgence Certificates that can be bought with money are most likely adulterated goods.
Just as no one would exchange Gold for rubble, no one would trade merit for wealth.
If one day I can support Teresa, who’s full of promise, to rise in position and incite her to traffic the Church’s Merit Repository, wouldn’t our Financial Street soar to great heights?
After all, Buddha’s lamp oil might be consumed, but the Creator’s Merit Repository should not be touched? That’s not how it works.
In life, there are three solid bonds: studying together, shouldering arms together, and sharing spoils together. Grasping her Achilles’ heel isn’t a big deal; sturdy ties of interest are what’s most secure.
Then, having Teresa step in to help Mr. Wednesday resolve some minor official issue would be a small effort.
Only with the mutual protection of Church and state can one sit steadily and go far.
Although Byron had planned well, he did not expect an uncontrolled accident to arrive so quickly.
Just as The Golden Deer reached Royal Port, he suddenly received an urgent message from Quasi-Sword Saint Herman.
The moment he saw that firsthand Intelligence, he couldn’t help but frown deeply.
A joint assassination on the May Wind and contention for the Right to Protect?
The Kingdom of Castile, which got itself into trouble and let other nations take the blame, has quite idyllic dreams.
It turned out that Teresa, having received the Blood Brew · Cinderella, regrew her arm in just one hour and revived on the spot, fully healed.
After making arrangements with Armed Priest Brendan, she immediately contacted the main body of the Tribunal to request rejoining their ranks.
Incidentally, she obtained a significant piece of news that could change the colonial landscape:
"The Blood Scourge, which has lasted for nearly half a month, has alarmed high-level officials in the homelands of various nations.
"Faced with the massive amount of money vanishing from trade routes daily, no noble could remain calm. They all sent letters urging their first and second-tier teams, operating deep within the Celestial Orbital Belt, to return for defense.
"Many elite adventuring teams have already begun their return voyage.
"Furthermore, even Saints from the Council of the Divine Presence of St. Peter’s Cathedral have raised concerns about this matter, escalating it significantly."
This was not good news for Byron, who had been making small moves, taking advantage of the Blood Scourge.
I don’t have much time left. Once those experts rush back, any action I take will be greatly hindered.
Moreover, no one would believe that a mere Blood Scourge could forever block the path of the Colonizers.
The Right to Protect that follows is even more deadly.
With peak teams returning to assist, the "main culprit," the Kingdom of Castile, made a request to the Church.
"Whoever resolves the Blood Scourge first will be granted the Right to Protect over the Bantaan Archipelago and the New Continent."
Essentially, it was a right granted by the Church to a secular power, allowing it to undertake the protection of the Church’s missionary activities in non-ecclesiastical countries.
According to Herman’s account, these rights mainly included:
"The secular power recommends suitable candidates for colonial Archbishops, Bishops, and Priests to the Church;
"Recommend lower-ranking Clergy to the Bishops; possess the ability to transfer, promote, or dismiss Clergy at all levels; and decide their jurisdiction (essentially, the King would lead the local Church);
"Within the King’s territory, the Royal Family may authorize or directly construct Cathedrals, churches, Monasteries, hospitals, schools, etc.;
"Exercise the judicial authority of the Church, able to adjudicate any legal conflict between the Church and secular authorities, as well as among Clergy;
"Clergy traveling between the colonies and the Silver Continent must register with the government of the nation holding the Right to Protect, and can only travel between the two places on ships of that nation;
"Collect tithes and other ecclesiastical taxes within the colonies on behalf of the Church;
"In return, the Church can obtain substantial state subsidies for its activities, Clergy salaries are paid by the King, and renowned Clergy may also serve as colonial officials..."
The ultimate purpose of this series of measures was to let the sword and the Cross walk together, grasping both military conquest and spiritual conquest—both hands must be strong.
The former aimed for power, territory, and Wealth, while the latter sought to win the natives’ belief in the Creator and strengthen the Silver Law.
The more Byron thought about it, the uglier his expression became.
In other words, Governor Velazquez of Havana’s idea of ’leading the vassals with the help of the Church’ is about to come true.
Obviously, he wasn’t the only one who thought this way; it had long been premeditated by the high ranks of the Kingdom of Castile.