Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 373: Regency (3)

'I went to the church to converse with God, to ask him to grant me guidance and I kneel to the Lord as I pray to him. A prayer that has been answered.'

'Oh? What is the prayer?' josei

'For anyone to enter the church so I could converse to alleviate my boredom' the Bishop said, his mouth forms a curved smile.

Arial almost chuckle. This Bishop is witty.

'And am I that anyone?' 

'I suppose so; don't you think? I pray to God Above and here you are.'

'Hah, and here I am.'

'Fine, Paul. I will entertain you. Considering I too have nothing to do at the moment and we are the only one in this church, I find no reason to reject fine companionship. What is it you like to converse about?' Arial said. 

Arial also have nothing to do and conversing with Paul would be interesting.

'How about your recent decision to grant the regency to a woman? A bold decision if I have to say so myself. I heard the Papnoticon soldiers is not too happy with your decision. The Vernian church is also not too happy on your decision.' 

And then he quoted on one passage in the Book of Light

'Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says. Let them not meddle in their husband business for they will invite chaos. Let them not meddle in the state business for they will bring downfall to all that is proposed. And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.'

Arial almost laugh.

'Oh, you have heard it. News spread fast.' 

'It was like a wildfire if I have to liken it to something. The crier is loud enough and enthusiastic enough' Paul said.

'And what of it?' Arial asked

'Does the church disapprove?' Arial said.

'They do, my lord. Vernian church is fanning their face with their hand by such a scandalous decision. If not for the backing of the Supreme Papnoticon in the Holy Cities the Vernian church might have sent their delegation asking you to rescind your orders.' 

'Why the discrimination?' Arial said.

Arial then added

'The Great Warrior of Light Levitia discriminate no race and the Church take on that policy to honor Levitia deed yet woman is discriminated against. I would not say the Church policy on race is one that embraced by all the people of the continent but still that is leap in humanity. To not hate someone solely by their race. I could find no idea more thought provoking, more compassionate, closer to the vision of a perfect world. On the other hand, I could never understand the hate that churches have against woman.' Arial said

'It is rich coming from the very same man that fans the flames of superior race of the Caelum speech' Paul said

Arial just smiles sheepishly. Then Paul continues.

'Men are superior to woman. Women have half the wit, half the strength.' Paul said reciting the argument most Vernian Priest always say in their sermon. Arial chuckle.

'I see enough in this world to believe otherwise' Arial said but Arial discerning eyes did not leave Paul attention. 

'Well that is the church opinion. What of yours?' Arial asked Paul

'My opinion my lord? Isn't the church opinion is my opinion?' 

'Hmmm, I refuse to believe that.' Paul looks at the duke and sighed.

Even among the priest and Bishop the Duke is known to be a staunch supporter of the church but the council member all knew that the Duke care not about religion and only maintain his amiable relation with the church because of the influence it holds. 

And truthfully Paul wants to know what his lord believes. Paul himself is not really that enthusiastic about the church policy on many things. 

He believes in the God of Light but his belief in the church has dwindled after all these years. And the Duke picked up on that.

'Alas, it seems nothing escapes my lord. Not all the Church opinion is my opinion. The church policy on woman is rather harsh if I have to say so myself. It is almost tragic considering how Lucellian faith started.' 

'Oh? Tragic? How do you mean?' Arial said curious. And the Bishop smile. 

'Have I got your attention? Truly the Duchess did not disappoint.' Paul had heard from the Duchess that the Duke is a very curious man. 

He likes to have his curiosity sated if he is provoked. He could listen to you for hours if he is curious and have interest enough. 

And from what the Duchess told Paul the Duke has an obsession with Levitia collecting any book that have the Great Hero trace.

'The duchess says something about me?' 

'That she did. As you know we rarely talk and I so like to talk to you. So, I ask the Duchess of the things you would find interesting and how to capture your attention' 

���For whatever reason?' Arial asked. 

'To preach of course.' Paul reply. Arial laughed. 

'I have contributed enough to your church, building monastery and churches all over Arrandy, gold presented to the Holy Cities that could feed a city for a month and you doubt my sincerity to the church? This is absurd. '

'I never doubted your sincerity my lord, it is your piety that I doubt.' Paul said

'So you will preach to me?'

'I will.'

'You will find me a hard man to preach towards.'

'And you will find me a very persuading man' 

'Anyway,' Arial said changing the topic of the conversation 'what do you mean by a tragic history?' 

The Bishop knew from hearsay that the Duke is very curious of thing he didn't know so that is the reason why Paul said it, that long shameful past of the church. 

'Well, it is an obscure story and not many churches recognize this…to be accurate all the churches denounce this story but one. The Order of the Truth once crying from village to village, cities to cities telling this story of how one-woman death becomes the beginning of the church. They are also called Nasranian'

Nasranian, Arial mused. One of the Thirteen Tribes other than the Arakians.

'Ah, come on Paul. Stop building the suspense and tell me. You are not Silas so speak clearly without too long delay. God knows I have enough drama in my life' the bishop chuckle. 

'Then I need to start from the beginning of the story.'

'Fine' Arial reply

'I will tell you the story of the prophet' 

'Yes' Arial said nodding his head. 

'As you know, no one knows the Prophet name. He lives during what he himself call the Age of Beginning, when men fear the dark, and Gods, devil, demons, evil things, dark things roamed the earth wreaking havoc and misery. The giants and dragon warred each other creating continents and deep sea, titans eat humans and destroy Kingdom by a swish of their hands, dragons burn cities and villages to ashes, faeries and fay play with our destiny and fates, Orc ruled the vast Plains, the merman and their sea monster terrorize the Dark Sea, eating anything that dare sail their waters

'It is the age when the Elves read the stars and converse with the forest spirits, an age where Gods dole out divine punishment everyday as we become the toys of cruel fate and twisted destiny. Men were the weakest, uncivilized and disorganized among all the creatures and races that live on Merdgard. Killing, pillaging, raping, all manner of sins was allowed in absence of any great moral code to lead them out of the darkness.' 

'Merdgard?' Arial asked.