Chapter 551: The Churches of Westmark

With the King’s sixtieth birthday approaching, Kingsford was becoming increasingly crowded.

Carriages bearing noble insignias entered the Royal Capital throughout the day, while merchant caravans arrived carrying expensive fabrics, wines, ornaments, and other goods intended for the celebrations.

Inns were filling rapidly, and even the Adventurer Guild’s hotel had begun receiving inquiries from visitors who had little interest in undertaking missions.

However, it wasn’t only nobles and merchants arriving in the capital.

Religious delegations had also begun making their appearance.

From the windows of his office, Sage Alistair watched a procession of white-robed priests traveling along the main road toward the Royal District. Several attendants carried banners embroidered with a golden sun, while armored escorts accompanied an ornate carriage.

"That’s the third religious procession I’ve seen this morning," Sage remarked, turning toward Lucan, who was reviewing a list of expected guests. "Does the King invite every priest in the Kingdom whenever he celebrates his birthday?"

Lucan chuckled. "Not quite, Guildmaster. But His Majesty’s sixtieth birthday is an important occasion, and the major religious institutions are expected to send representatives."

Boren, standing beside the desk, glanced toward the window.

"I’ve noticed several temples preparing ceremonial offerings as well," Boren added. "Apparently, the celebrations will include blessings and religious observances."

Lucan nodded. "That’s customary for major royal occasions. House Alden has maintained relationships with several religious institutions for generations, particularly the Holy Church."

Sage returned his attention to the procession.

"The Holy Church?"

"The Church devoted to the Goddess of Light," Lucan explained. "It’s one of the most influential religious institutions in Westmark, with temples, monasteries, and charitable establishments throughout the Kingdom."

Sage considered the information.

He had encountered priests and religious travelers before, but running the Adventurer Guild had left him little time to investigate the various faiths practiced throughout the world.

"How influential are we talking?" Sage asked.

Lucan set aside his document.

"Influential enough that even the Great Noble Houses treat its senior clergy with considerable respect. The Holy Church maintains extensive relationships with the Royal Court, and its religious ceremonies are an established part of many important state occasions."

Boren raised an eyebrow. "Does the Church possess political authority?"

"Not in the same manner as the Crown," Lucan answered. "But religious influence can become political influence, particularly when a church possesses the confidence of nobles, commoners, and important officials."

Sage nodded thoughtfully.

A religious institution didn’t necessarily require territorial authority to influence decisions made by powerful people.

Lucan continued, "The Holy Church also operates healing establishments, orphanages, and institutions that provide assistance to communities during difficult periods. Those activities have earned it considerable public respect."

"That’s understandable," Sage remarked. "People tend to remember organizations that help them when they’re struggling."

"Indeed, Guildmaster," Lucan replied. "Although, like any large institution, the Church contains individuals with different priorities and ambitions."

Before Sage could respond, another knock sounded against the office door.

Garen Holtweiss entered moments later, carrying a small stack of commercial documents.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Garen greeted them cheerfully. "I hope I’m not interrupting another discussion about noble politics."

Sage smiled. "Not this time, Garen. We’ve moved on to religion."

Garen paused before laughing. "Religion? Guildmaster, should I be concerned that you’re considering establishing the Church of Adventurers?"

Boren shook his head with an amused expression.

"Please don’t encourage him, Master Holtweiss," Boren replied. "We’re already struggling to manage the institutions he’s established."

Sage laughed before gesturing toward an empty chair.

"Sit down, Garen. Lucan was explaining why half the Kingdom’s priests seem to be arriving in Kingsford."

Garen took his seat.

"Ah, the religious delegations," he remarked. "Yes, several important representatives are expected. Their arrival has certainly created additional commercial opportunities."

Lucan looked toward him with amusement.

"Naturally, you’d find a way to connect religion to business."

Garen spread his hands innocently. "Someone has to supply their accommodation, transportation, ceremonial materials, and provisions, Master Lucan."

Sage chuckled.

"Speaking of religion and commerce, where does the Merchant Faith fit into all this?"

Garen’s expression brightened immediately.

"An excellent question, Guildmaster. The Merchant Faith is somewhat unusual because its religious identity differs from that of conventional churches."

Lucan nodded in agreement.

"Most established churches center their worship upon a particular deity or divine authority," he explained. "The Merchant Faith, however, places its sacred principles upon value, exchange, and the circulation of wealth."

Sage folded his arms.

"So the Merchant Faith isn’t one of the major churches?"

"Not among the Ten Great Churches," Lucan answered. "Although its commercial influence is extraordinary, it occupies a different position from the religious institutions traditionally recognized under that designation."

Sage raised an eyebrow.

"The Ten Great Churches?"

Lucan seemed mildly surprised.

"You haven’t heard of them, Guildmaster?"

Sage shrugged. "I’ve been rather busy building the Adventurer Guild. Apparently, nobody remembered to give me a complete list of the world’s religious organizations."

Garen laughed heartily.

"Then allow us to correct that unfortunate oversight, Guildmaster."

Lucan retrieved a blank sheet of parchment.

"The Ten Great Churches are the most widely recognized major religious institutions devoted to powerful divine authorities. Their influence extends across numerous nations, although their relative importance differs depending upon the region."

Sage leaned forward with interest.

"And the Holy Church is one of them?"

"Correct," Lucan replied. "The Holy Church worships the Goddess of Light, whose teachings emphasize compassion, purification, guidance, and protection."

Garen nodded.

"Her priests are particularly respected for their healing abilities and their work assisting communities afflicted by disease, disasters, and other misfortunes."

Sage considered that explanation.

Healing magic was valuable throughout the world, particularly among Warriors who regularly risked their lives fighting monsters.

An organization possessing experienced healers would naturally command considerable respect.

"What about the others?" Sage asked.

Lucan continued, "There are churches devoted to divine authorities associated with war, death, nature, and justice, among others. Each possesses its own traditions, teachings, and institutions."

Sage looked intrigued.

"A Church devoted to death? That sounds rather ominous."

Lucan smiled slightly.

"Not necessarily, Guildmaster. Death is an unavoidable part of existence. Certain religious traditions concern themselves with funerary rites, the proper treatment of the deceased, and beliefs surrounding what follows mortal life."

Garen nodded thoughtfully.

"Some of those institutions also maintain burial grounds and provide important services to communities that might otherwise struggle to honor their dead."

Sage acknowledged the explanation.

"And the Church associated with war?"

"That one naturally attracts considerable attention from Warriors and military organizations," Lucan replied. "Although its teachings encompass more than simply encouraging people to fight."

Boren looked interested.

"I imagine the Church associated with nature maintains stronger influence in agricultural regions."

"Frequently," Lucan confirmed. "Religious traditions connected to forests, harvests, and the natural world are particularly significant in certain territories."

Sage glanced toward the map of Westmark.

It was becoming clear that religious influence, much like noble authority, varied considerably between regions.

Some communities might possess longstanding relationships with the Holy Church, while others maintained stronger connections to different religious institutions.

"Do these churches cooperate?" Sage asked.

"Sometimes," Lucan answered. "They may work together during disasters or participate in important ceremonies. However, differences in doctrine, political interests, and historical grievances can also produce disagreements."

Garen added, "And those disagreements aren’t always religious. Temples require resources, institutions compete for influence, and wealthy patrons occasionally favor one church over another."

Sage sighed.

"So even the churches have politics."

Lucan chuckled. "Guildmaster, wherever people gather around institutions possessing wealth and influence, politics eventually follows."

Sage shook his head.

He was beginning to suspect that managing the Adventurer Guild would become considerably more complicated once its branches extended throughout Westmark.

Nevertheless, he had no intention of involving the Guild unnecessarily in religious disputes.

"Our position should be straightforward," Sage stated. "Adventurers come from different backgrounds, and I’m not interested in telling them which gods they should worship."

Boren nodded approvingly.

"That would be consistent with our existing approach, Guildmaster. We accept Adventurers based upon their qualifications and conduct, not their religious affiliations."

Lucan looked pleased.

"A sensible policy, Guildmaster. Although I’d recommend maintaining respectful relationships with the major churches whenever possible."

Garen agreed.

"Especially those providing healing services. Cooperation between religious healers and Adventurers could benefit both sides."

Sage considered that suggestion.

The Guild already maintained medical facilities, but experienced healers were always valuable. Establishing professional relationships with reputable religious institutions might help improve treatment for injured Adventurers.

"That’s worth exploring," Sage admitted. "Provided nobody expects us to surrender control of our facilities."

Lucan smiled. "I doubt every church would demand such an arrangement, Guildmaster."

Their discussion continued as Lucan explained that representatives from several major churches would attend the King’s birthday celebrations.

Some would participate in formal blessings, while others would use the occasion to strengthen relationships with the Royal Family and influential noble households.

For Sage, the gathering represented another opportunity to understand institutions whose influence extended beyond the Kingdom’s borders.

By late afternoon, the three men had finished reviewing the expected delegations.

Garen departed to attend a commercial appointment, while Lucan remained to discuss preparations for the upcoming meeting with House Auremont.

However, before their conversation could progress, hurried footsteps sounded outside the office.

Boren opened the door to find Marcelline waiting with a newly delivered report.

"Guildmaster, we’ve received word from the Royal District," Marcelline explained. "A particularly important religious delegation has just entered Kingsford."

Sage looked up.

"Another one?"

Marcelline nodded.

"This one is considerably larger than the previous processions. Apparently, several companies of armored escorts are accompanying the visitors."

Lucan immediately became attentive.

"Which church?" he asked.

Marcelline glanced at the report.

"The Holy Church, Master Lucan."

Lucan’s expression changed slightly.

"That would explain the escort."

Sage raised an eyebrow.

"Someone important?"

Lucan nodded slowly.

"Very important, Guildmaster. According to the reports, the Holy Church has sent one of its senior representatives to attend His Majesty’s birthday celebration."

Sage turned toward the window, where the distant sounds of ceremonial bells were beginning to echo across Kingsford.

Lucan continued, his expression unusually serious. "And judging by the size of that delegation, Guildmaster, whoever they’ve sent possesses considerably more authority than an ordinary priest."