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- Aha, you're awake. - We're talking about Rishe, - Tluassa explained to her, - and about the fact that it is unacceptable to worship her on Anuzish. Let her fly to another planet for this or give up her beliefs.
-- Is that so? -- Fyr said with some sadness in her voice, although she noted Tluassa's honesty, but still wasn't too happy that such a conflict of beliefs had arisen. -- Well, you probably won't buy Amu a ticket to another planet, will you? -- she began with a joke.
-- Tluassa... You probably understand why I was looking for someone with your profile and exactly your beliefs in Karneol, even though I myself formally (but not in my heart) have no faith. My own views are to blame, which say that the planet I walk on should be treated with as much reverence and love as possible, and my status, in which the Church is a good ally to me. Respect for Patriarch Eugene also played a significant role. But different people think differently, and Amamius Okikot has proven himself to me as a person I can trust completely. You may disagree with him, but think about the fact that we are already living in a post-mandate era, and that Amamius has been here all this time, in Margel, has not fled from justice, and therefore has successfully undergone confession, in other words, His Eminence himself found no bad intentions in him. Doesn't this speak in favor of my fiancé?
-- Well, I believe that nothing can be achieved in spreading one's faith through pressure, only through a personal good example, which should undoubtedly be demonstrated to those around you. And also, in the run-up to the future conflict, let's be tolerant of each other? -- the Nozenrotka concluded friendly. -- Good people are now worth their weight in platinum, it is a pity if there is no peace between them, then our country will not see peace in the coming decades... Our enemies will take advantage of this and tear us to pieces.
- Is it over? - Casting a short and distrustful glance at Rishi's follower, Tluassa returns him to Erephir. - I can partially excuse the aliens; they didn't end up here by their own choice, and they really can't buy a ticket back, but the traitors adhere to their base beliefs voluntarily, no matter what you say. If your fiancé worshipped Monogath, but was still a "good person," would that bother you? Well, FOR NOW, he hasn't stabbed you or anyone else in the back, so there's nothing to worry about, right?... Just don't say that "it's different" - Rishi is infinitely worse than Nephiria. She is a direct enemy of our planet who has already caused a great deal of harm; do you understand that? I don't think you do. And if our ancestors had been as lenient and kind as you suggest, the celestials would have long since devastated Anush and left only an apple core.
It's going to be hilarious if Amamius really does have a 5% chance of rolling a new skill each time he changes location, and he's just been lucky so far.
"Risha was the first of the celestial beings to invade Anush, and she was accompanied by an army of her creations," the alien nodded. "Yes, it was a brutal and harsh conflict. Stallia, in her own way, showed us some retrospective of it, if you believe her. It ended with the victorious Arselia and the humanity she led concluding a 'treaty' with Risha, according to which the nomadic goddess no longer claimed the planet's resources, at the cost of a small concession: some of Risha's creations were naturalized and accepted by Anush as their own. I'm not excusing the invader, but I want to show that that conflict is long over, and those who believe in her now are not necessarily traitors who want to repeat that insane, chaotic past."
"If you don't believe my philosophy, believe the testimony that Amamius Okikot, a jack-of-all-trades, bravely and resolutely went with us to Thais in the past and helped fight the Rinzeite corruption... And you are probably well aware of how active this invasion was. Thanks to Amamius's reconnaissance, we found a woman who was killing people, her own people, without trial or investigation, simply because they were unattractive in her opinion, and all of this was sanctioned by the authorities. This woman, known as the Apostle of Fury, was defeated by us, but as a result of the battle, we suffered serious injuries: I'm sure that if we had been surrounded by the fanatical Rinzeites who had gathered at the noise, we would have died there. Amamius Okikot led us along a safe path and saved our lives: if his intentions are against our planet, why would he do that? Wouldn't it be more logical to let us die, thereby weakening the planet's defenses without risking anything?"
"Don't get me wrong, but I don't keep random people around... You have proven yourself on the Neferian front, Amamius has proven himself on another, and if you don't believe me that backstabbing is not only alien to him but even offensive to his nature... Do you want me to share some character traits with you, with his permission?" She glanced at Ama, wondering how he felt about this strange discussion. "As a small additional consideration, how do you feel about Her Highness Ayano, Tluassa? At the competition in Moon Park, she seemed to deliberately look at everyone, talked to everyone, and Amamius, again, earned her approval, and it seems to me that she is a very perceptive person. I thank you for your vigilance; in general, I am glad that someone is keeping an eye on my perceptions and judgments, but... Think about what I just said."
- I'm disappointed. With such a right-wing pillar, in the event of a real crisis, you can't count on Margel and Welfern for anything good. The conflict is resolved because the abomination that invaded us thousands of years ago promised not to do anything like that again? How wonderful and charming! Why should a member of one sect's unwillingness to help members of another sect excuse him? Isn't that illogical? And is it logical to keep the Empress, a follower of Rishi, close by? What prevents her from snapping her fingers right now and... for example, blowing up her follower so that all of Karneol, and perhaps the entire capital, goes underground? Do you think that's impossible? Then you're also naive, and everything you say is just opinions, and people are prone to making mistakes. A knife held to your throat doesn't become any safer because of the words of a princess or any other authority figure.
Author
a look at Ama, and how he felt about this strange discussion
A mixture of irritation and fatigue was visible on the face of the vile traitor.
—Ah, so it's the tournament prize. —the Kredian realized. —It's not something you'd easily forget seeing on the street... I should ask Bubenos about it. It's a shame I didn't think to ask where they were staying, but maybe Anpan-brother knows...Author
- Not a Kredian.
—I would ask him to describe his appearance, but I wouldn't want to waste your time by asking before I understand the situation. Thank you, Sir Crag!
Suddenly, he remembers the original purpose of his visit: —Oh yes, what was I coming for... You probably remember that last summer you explained to me how the Rune of Contemplation on the Blade works. You even gave me visual examples, heh-heh... At the time, that was enough for me, but now, in light of new events, a new question has arisen: can I decide who will be "worthy" to wield this sword? Maybe there are some runic words... Or, for example, will I have to resort to your help? Or maybe it wasn't even intended that way and I wasted my time reading the book?..
- I'm disappointed. With such a staunch supporter in the face of a real crisis, we can't count on Margel and Welfern for anything good. Is the conflict resolved simply because the abomination that invaded us thousands of years ago promised not to do anything like that again? How wonderful and charming! Why should the unwillingness of a member of one sect to assist members of another sect excuse him? Isn't that illogical? And is it logical to keep the Empress's follower of Rishi close at hand? What prevents her from snapping her fingers right now and... for example, blowing up her follower so that all of Karneol, and perhaps even the entire capital, is buried underground? Do you think that's impossible? Then you're also naive, and everything you say is just opinions, and people are prone to making mistakes. A knife held to your throat doesn't become any safer because of the words of a princess or any other authority figure.
-- Let's give the person a chance to wake up, -- said the redhead, leading Tluassu to the sofas.
-- And now, tell me, why did you consider him a threat and a knife at your throat, rather than the countless other followers of various sects? Is he really the only one in Margel? I doubt it. As for the possibility and impossibility, you're saying this to someone who seriously believes that Monogat could remotely plan to blow up the city with a spell, since there are no protective barriers right now... A portal plus a powerful stream of miasma or any other energy from the most powerful lich – nothing will remain of the city, and objectively, we cannot prevent this. That's the problem. People are vulnerable and live in a complex, multidimensional world with an unpredictable nature and many other actors, some of whom are super-entities. Did you expect to fight a saint yesterday? Hardly. And this is literally your scenario, when all of Karneol almost perished, without any fantasies or embellishments. And tell me, did I not try hard enough in that battle, that you lost faith in me? A real crisis was right in front of your eyes, and although I didn't single-handedly defeat the singularity, it seems I didn't deserve your skepticism.
-- If this still doesn't convince you, I'll say this: I know for sure that the time is not far off when we can almost not be afraid of a celestial threat, -- she said more quietly. -- And this breach in the defense will be eliminated, just as Patriarch Eugene, by appealing to Anuzish, prevented the Rinzeite curses from taking effect.
-- You are also welcome to consult with someone about this, if my authority, and even the authority of the princess, is not enough...
—This... makes this quest a bit more complicated. I somehow assumed it would be more logical to consult the master who inscribed the rune, but are you saying that this symbol was created on commission, and I can only learn its meaning this way?
– Now, tell me, why him, and not the countless other followers of various sects, did you consider a threat and a dagger pointed at our backs? Is he truly the only one in Margel? I find that hard to believe.
– ...Erephir, in your attempts to defend your betrothed, you seem to be deliberately trying to reach the bottom and then break through it. Otherwise, such childish arguments coming from an adult cannot be explained. The answer is simple – because the enemy is right in front of my eyes. It's like catching a criminal preparing to attack the Empress, and I justify him by saying that there are many others in the country who are dissatisfied with her for one reason or another. Author
And tell me, did I not try hard enough in that battle, is that why you lost faith in me? A real crisis was unfolding before your eyes, and although I didn't single-handedly overcome the singularity, it seems I didn't deserve your skepticism.
– Firstly, the ability to wield a sword and command people in no way justifies your shortsightedness, naivety, and favoritism. Secondly, this battle, to put it simply, was "meaningless" – even if we had all perished there, it would not have had any impact on our planet. The existence of heretics is far more dangerous to Anuzish than the whims of natural entities. Author
– If even this doesn't convince you, I'll say this: I know for sure that the time is not far off when the celestial threat can be almost completely disregarded, – she said more quietly. – And this breach in the defense will be eliminated, just as Patriarch Eugene, by appealing to Anuzish, prevented the Rinzeite curses from taking effect.
– Great! Let's write a petition to the imperial government to pardon every criminal, simply because there will be a time when these people will die and the threat from them will no longer need to be feared. Nonsense, absurdity, utter rubbish! Author
– You are also free to consult with someone about this, if my authority, or even the authority of the princess, is not enough...
– I don't need your permission. Matters of the Church are outside your or the princess's jurisdiction, that's one; right now, by covering up a heretic, you are acting against the interests of Carneol himself, that's two.
- ... Erephir, in your attempts to protect your fiancé, it is as if you are deliberately trying to hit rock bottom and then break through it; otherwise, such childish arguments coming from an adult would not be characteristic. The answer is simple — because the enemy stands before my eyes. It is as if you caught a criminal preparing an attack on the Empress, and I justified him by saying that there are many others in the country who are dissatisfied with her for one reason or another.
Erephir continued to speak calmly and without attempting "disappointment," although she was somewhat tired after everything (especially after the sleepless nights).
-- Forgive me, but that is not the case. Just yesterday when I hired you, you already saw who was part of my circle of acquaintances; he was right there at the Tournaments. You did not raise this issue then. And I cannot accept such a comparison; Amamius is not preparing an attack on anyone. To me, it looks as though a person who previously worked successfully in Carneo and who has proven himself is found to be an easy target under pressure, while real criminals walk the city as if nothing happened, for if you meet such a person on the street (and I do not believe you haven't), you will not be able to accuse him of anything; he will simply run away. I understand your reasoning and your straightforward approach; you found yourselves alone and you decided to try and effect a conversion... Which is, in general, what is expected of a priestess of Anuzish; it is your job and I cannot condemn you for it, I can only praise you. But in the end, it did not work, and my ally ends up under attack simply by virtue of being my ally. Not because he is unworthy of trust, but on the contrary, because he proved to be worthy. I find no justice in that.
-- Moreover, I will point out once again that he is not running away from the Church. He wished to marry me — and such events are conducted specifically with your permission and in no other way. Or do you think a Grand Master of the order under the Empress would go to some illegal heretical little churches on the outskirts to resolve his life's matter? We all understood what we were doing when we gave each other a promise, and how we will fulfill it will not be decided secretly in the corridors; it is a public matter.Author
- Firstly, the ability to swing a sword and command people in no way justifies your lack of foresight, naivety, and favoritism. Secondly, this battle, to put it simply, was "about nothing" — even if we had all laid down our lives there, it would have had no impact on our planet. The existence of heretics is far more dangerous for Anuzish than the whims of entities natural to her.
-- You said that we would not survive crises with me, but the facts say that we already have: heretics, the cursed dragons that destroy cities, and the whims of natural entities; we have had it all. Favoritism? Perhaps. But then I can easily counter that in this case you are judging by the cover, seeing a certain "red flag," but not taking into account the entire multifaceted nature of the human soul. Are you aware of this man's past, his present, and where he strives to go? I see his real aspirations toward those ideals that we all share: both you and I; I see it because I spent time getting to know this person, rather than hacking away blindly.Author
- Great! Let's write a petition to the empire's government so that they justify every criminal, simply because there will come a time when these people die and the threat from them will no longer be feared. Nonsense, absurdity, a non sequitur!
-- Are you afraid for security or are you administering justice? I told you about security, and about justice as I see it, I told you as well...Author
- I do not need your permission. The affairs of the Church are beyond your or the princess's authority; that is one. Now, by covering for a heretic, you are acting also against the interests of Carneo itself; that is two.
-- Indeed, it is not needed, and it was not permission, merely a reminder. I am not engaged in covering anyone up; as I already explained, this is a public matter. And I do not think that anything I undertake is directed against Carneo; neither the patriarch thought so in his time, nor did Her Majesty ever think so, and history itself has shown the same.
-- Let us do this: I am ready to appeal to an authority for you at any time convenient for you (starting, preferably, tomorrow), to clarify this issue. Moreover, if you have such abilities, I can right now take any oath that Amamius Okikot will not harm our order. I think that from this conversation, you have at least become convinced of my intentions, even if you cannot agree with the arguments.
Obviously, in her heart, the Grand Master did not feel she ought to justify herself to a subordinate, but while maintaining her dignity, she did so anyway, as she had sufficient hope in Tluassa and in the relationship with the Church in general, and furthermore, she wanted Amamius to have no problems, for she had no less hope in the latter.
- Appealing to emotions, beating around the bush, and using pompous grandiloquence – the number of spoken lines doesn't strengthen your position; quite the opposite. Neither I nor anyone else who shares my views will care about this person's past, just as we won't care about your oath, because in the context of what's happening, it has no meaning. You can't prevent potential harm with these beautiful words. Even if you were to slit your own throat like the islanders, it wouldn't change the situation. I won't wait – let him publicly renounce his antagonist's faith today, or I'll raise this issue among my colleagues, and it will be resolved in a completely different way. Heroist
—This... makes this quest a bit more complicated. I somehow assumed that it would be more logical to turn to the master who inscribed the rune, but are you saying that this symbol was created on commission, and I can only learn its meaning in this way?
- I'm saying that whoever commissioned it is in charge.
– So, if your initial idea was precisely this, then what’s the problem? Didn’t I tell you that no one is running around the Church, that you are giving me ultimatums? But your demand regarding today, considering his and my condition (and his condition is not easy *because* he was solving our, Carneola’s, problems), sounds absurd, no offense, such situations cannot be resolved on the fly.
-- So, if your idea from the very beginning was exactly this, then what's the question? Didn't I tell you that no one is running around the Church, that you are giving me ultimatums? But your demand regarding today, given his and my condition (and his condition is not easy because he was solving our, Carneola's, problems), sounds absurd, no offense, such situations cannot be resolved on the fly.
- I am not imposing anything on you, nor was I obliged to explain anything. There is a problem that needs to be solved, but from tomorrow, the methods for solving it may be completely different. - Getting up from the Carneolian couch, the priestess headed towards the exit. - I suppose that your curiosity regarding this matter has been fully satisfied.
Added after 58 seconds Heroist
—Okay, thanks then. Well, I won't bother you anymore. And have a good day!
In reality, he didn't quite understand, but it didn't matter right now, so there was no point in wasting anyone's time.
—...I'll have to stop by "Aconia" on the way, do you mind? —he asks Sanya. —Luckily, it's right in the next building.
Ment
