Even mages, long suppressed by the Church, had now stepped into the spotlight and established Mage Associations across the nations with the support of their nobles.
It was not just mages. Many obscure professions that had once existed only underground were gradually entering the public eye as well.
For example, wizards and Arcanists who pursued truth would emerge every so often to preach blasphemous theories: gods were merely powerful beings, not omnipotent entities.
Most of those people were now hiding within the Mage Association. Mage Associations scattered throughout the continent had practically become the stronghold of blasphemers.
There was no helping it. Magical research also pursued truth, after all. To become a great mage, overcoming one's fear of the gods was a prerequisite.
People with similar beliefs were always easily drawn together. It was hardly surprising that blasphemers had infiltrated the Mage Association.
As for the great nobles behind all this, eager to cause trouble for the Church, they simply turned a blind eye.
As for faith in the gods, the tithe was the standard by which it was measured. Clearly, everyone loved gold coins far more than they believed in the gods.
Only free citizens living in cities could pay in full, mainly merchants, craftsmen, artisans...
"The truth does not matter. The problem now is that the Church has overstepped its bounds. We must give them a warning.
Let Count Pierce act freely. The matter of the Blood Moon Horn must not be dragged out too long. Whoever appears among the Rebel Army, kill them without exception.
As for the Church, even if he pokes a hole in the heavens, the kingdom will cover for him.
Things have reached this point. It will be difficult not to offend the Church, so we might as well follow through and cut eighty percent of the taxes sent to them.
Let Archbishop Tyron come up with the excuse himself. It can be used to rebuild the churches in the Southeast Province, or to provide relief for refugees..."
Caesar III declared domineeringly.
It was clear that he was a good leader, one who truly stepped forward when trouble arose.
Perhaps it was precisely this sense of responsibility that inspired everyone's trust. It had allowed the Alpha Kingdom to maintain its political balance even as royal power declined.
Compared to that responsibility, withholding the Church's tax revenue was a trivial matter.
After all, they had been paying lip service for so many years. The taxes sent to the Church had already been dwindling.
At its peak, the Alpha Kingdom had contributed over ten million gold coins each year to the Church through tithes, indulgences, donations from believers... exceeding the kingdom's own fiscal revenue.
By now, that figure had lost two zeros. The remaining hundred-odd thousand gold coins merely showed the outside world that the Alpha Kingdom's Church still submitted to the Church.
They mainly feared pushing the Church too far and provoking a fight to the death. It was, after all, an ancient organization with a legacy spanning tens of thousands of years, and deeper foundations than any kingdom.
Hudson naturally knew nothing of the high-level struggle taking place in the Royal Capital. As a newly risen minor noble, the circles he moved in were simply too low-ranking.
It was no exaggeration to say that most middle and minor nobles did not know that the Church within the kingdom was controlled by the great nobles and had, in substance, already parted ways with the Church.
Even if they happened to notice it, reason would tell them to forget it. There was no black and white in the world of nobles. When one needed to be muddleheaded, one had to be muddleheaded.
Whether it was the nobles involved or the Church, both sides were pretending to be confused over this matter.
Before they were ready to fall out, exposing the truth in advance would benefit no one.
Hudson, who had been high-spirited just moments earlier, had now fallen into a dilemma. Count Pierce's order urging him to hasten the march had once again arrived in his hands.
If that were all, it clearly would not have made him hesitate. It was not the first time he had refused, and Hudson had long grown used to disregarding such demands.
The key was that the count had offered terms. If Hudson could arrive within two days and report the Fifth Army nobles who had slipped away, not only would the count help arrange a baronial title for him, but he could even receive priority in choosing his fief.
The benefits were enormous, but the consequences would be endless as well. Accepting this olive branch would be equivalent to betraying the minor noble faction and joining Count Pierce's camp.
Traitors drew hatred in any world. Hudson was certain that if he took this step, his reputation in noble circles would be ruined, and even the Coslo Family's standing would suffer along with him.
Rejecting the overtures of an earl with real power would likewise have serious consequences.
Perhaps constrained by his previous promises and noble dignity, Count Pierce would not openly target him, but what happened in secret would be difficult to say.
For one thing, Hudson's military merits would be reexamined. The strategic value of preserving the provisions would most likely be ignored, with only his direct enemy kills counted.
Even if he did receive a fief, it would at most be a Knight's Territory. Either the most worthless Knight's Territory or the most troublesome one.
"Uncle Shirudi, Hudson appreciates the count's kindness.
Please inform Count Pierce that I will do my best to increase the marching speed, but with our manpower reduced and so many wounded added to our ranks, I fear we cannot manage thirty li a day.
As for reporting the Fifth Army nobles, I am very sorry, but that would not accord with the spirit of chivalry..."
After hesitating again and again, Hudson ultimately refused despite the pain.
People had to look ahead. Lost military merits could be earned again; lost land could wait for another opportunity; but once one's reputation was gone, it was gone forever.
If he could soar to the heavens in one step, obtain the fiefs of one or two counties, and become a regional lord, then a ruined reputation would be worth it.
But a baron who ruled only a single town was still at the bottom of noble society. It was not worth Hudson selling his principles.
After all, betrayal came either zero times or countless times. Once someone had sold out their companions, they could never be trusted again.
Even if he followed Count Pierce with absolute devotion, he would never truly be accepted. Most likely, once the effect of using him as an example had been achieved, they would find an opportunity to send him off as cannon fodder.
Similar events had played out countless times throughout history. Once traitors lost their value, few met a good end.
"Hudson, you should think this through. Opportunities like this do not come every day..."
Knight Shiludi advised him halfheartedly.
It was clear that he did not want Hudson to accept Count Pierce's purchase, but his position left him no choice but to offer the advice.
Hudson could not be bothered to probe the reason. Human nature had never withstood scrutiny. Other than one's parents, probably few people truly wished for someone else to live better than they did.
This military merit was already enough to make others jealous. If he leaped into becoming a landed baron by selling out his comrades, it would no longer be a matter of mere jealousy.
"Uncle Shirudi, please thank Count Pierce for his kindness on my behalf, but Hudson truly cannot accept such a generous gift!"
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