Chapter 78 - Seventy-Eight ... Brothers in Faith

Chapter 78: Chapter Seventy-Eight ... Brothers in Faith

Chapter Seventy-Eight ... Brothers in Faith

Of course, Agphiel, listening beside them, could only let out a hollow laugh.

"What? Reverence for the faith? Why not just say you received a miracle and can’t control your strength? Heh heh."

"Now, now, Master Agphiel. We’re in the middle of a conversation. What if he hears you?"

"You’re so faithful, he’ll forgive you, won’t he? Go on, ask him."

Jan’s face reddened at Agphiel’s teasing. In truth, even he had found what he’d said terribly embarrassing.

"Phew."

Fortunately, Agphiel’s teasing didn’t last long, because the envoy had finished his prayer and was getting to his feet.

"Every time I follow in your faithful footsteps, my lord, I learn so much."

"Ah, ha ha..."

"I hear your steadfast faith has worked another miracle. They say you cured the plague in the canton with holy water made by prayer and consecration?"

Jan stared at him in disbelief.

How did such strange rumors keep spreading like this? Bewildered, Jan waved his hand.

"That’s a misunderstanding, envoy. I only isolated the sick and prescribed medicine, the way one treats any plague. I’m afraid someone might overhear."

Of course, the envoy, already blinded by admiration, didn’t seem to take his words in at all.

If anything, he took them as modesty.

"Heh heh. So modest, as always. Truly a model for all."

’Heavens. This is going to drive me mad.’

Whether or not he knew what Jan was feeling, the envoy only wore a contented smile.

’What a truly admirable man. If only all nobles would conduct themselves so well in the name of the faith.’

It seemed he was piling up quite a misunderstanding.

The banquet was gradually drawing to a close. Jan was sweating to fend off the local notables who kept approaching him, along with mercenary captains who had heard the rumors from somewhere and wanted to hold his hand.

Franklin seemed to dislike even that sight, for he kept downing strong drink and snapping at those around him.

"Tsk, tsk. At that rate, whatever goodwill he had will run off in fright. That’s the problem with young nobles."

"Franklin, you mean? He’s probably sulking because the envoy he brought along isn’t paying him any attention."

"That’s no excuse to behave like that. Resentment always builds up from small things like this. And once enough of it builds up, it comes back as a great disaster later on."

Jan smiled wryly as Agphiel clicked his tongue. It seemed Agphiel’s opinion of Franklin had sunk to the very bottom.

’Still, I’d say that’s about average for a noble.’

At least he wasn’t drunkenly shouting for a duel. By the standards of most nobles Jan had known, that showed considerable self-restraint.

And just as he was thinking so...

The doors of the banquet hall flew open, and a messenger with a grim face came running in.

Jan looked up.

The messenger hurried over to Bardo at the head of the hall and whispered to him.

Judging by how Bardo’s face grew graver by the moment, some problem had broken out.

’What is it?’

Jan wasn’t the only one who saw it. Sensing something amiss, Franklin suddenly sprang to his feet.

"Bardo. Has something happened?"

"Ah, n-no. Please, just enjoy yourselves."

"Now, now, don’t be like that. Tell me. I’ll help you, without any thought of gain. We’re brothers in faith, aren’t we? Isn’t that right, everyone?"

"Ha ha ha! That’s right!"

"Hoo! Hoo!"

He could at least have gone over quietly to ask. What was he doing, inviting criticism like that? Jan’s mouth fell open at Franklin’s hot-blooded display.

"R-really, it’s fine..."

"Now, now. Just tell me."

"Since Franklin is offering like this, why not tell him? How faithful it is, to help one’s brothers in faith."

With even the Papal See’s envoy stepping in, Franklin grew all the more pleased with himself. With things going this way, Bardo finally sighed and had no choice but to explain.

"W-well. Bandits have raided the domain."

"Bandits?"

"Ha ha ha, those fellows must be out of their minds!"

The nobles and mercenary captains in attendance murmured and laughed heartily. What unlucky, unfortunate bandits.

Of all the domains to raid, they had picked one where such a great army had gathered.

"How many are there?"

"About a hundred, they say. But really, it’s fine. The militia will be more than enough..."

"Now, now. No."

Franklin cut Bardo off.

He had no intention of letting this chance slip by.

If he built up some renown before reaching the Papal See, surely he could push past that insolent Lupton and become supreme commander of the crusade. That was why he meant to step in, whatever Bardo said.

"Insolent bandits daring to invade a noble house’s lands! This cannot be overlooked."

"B-but there’s really no need..."

"Now, now. How could I ignore my neighbor’s troubles as a brother in faith? Leave it to me. Isn’t that right, gentlemen?"

"That’s right, my lord!"

The mercenary captains around him shouted. They had a good deal of drink in them, and it was only a band of petty bandits, so they meant to take this chance to catch Franklin’s eye.

Emboldened by the cheering, Franklin looked at Jan and asked.

"Well, Lupton, what do you think?"

"Hm, I think the same. If brothers in faith can help one another, it’s best that they do. Admirable of you, Franklin."

Jan’s answer seemed to please him. Franklin went on with a satisfied look.

"Heh... That puts me in a very good mood. Then I’ll head out first. What do you say, will you join me?"

"Hm..."

Was there any need for Jan to go too?

He had already earned more than enough goodwill with the Papal See, and the soldiers Franklin had brought looked very strong.

They were all heavily armored infantry and mounted cavalry. And the mercenary companies he’d brought were nothing to sneer at either.

’He’ll manage well enough on his own.’

Jan wasn’t the only one who thought so.

"There’s no need for you to step in."

"I know."

"Good. I was worried you might go out of rivalry."

"Hardly."

At Agphiel’s words, Jan gave a small smile and offered Franklin a vague excuse.

"If our forces get mixed together carelessly, it’ll only cause confusion, won’t it?"

"So you mean you won’t be joining me, Lupton?"

"That’s right. If you mean to go, then go. I have few men and hardly any riders, so I’ll stay and guard the envoy and our host."

"Ohh, my lord."

At that, the Papal See’s envoy was even more pleased.

A very humble man, who didn’t act rashly and was willing to leave the glory to others.

The more the envoy saw of him, the more he liked him.

Franklin, on the other hand, was not pleased by what he saw.

"Hmph. Very well. Then I’ll go myself."

Franklin swept out of the banquet hall in a chill huff, taking his vassals with him.

The mercenary captains poured out after him, and the hall suddenly grew quiet.