After a heart-to-heart conversation with Female Advisor, Paul asked her to go back and rest first.
He and Austin were the only two people left in the room.
Paul turned to Navy Commander: "What are your views on wizards and magic?"
Austin answered honestly, "I didn't think they were that bad before, but I thought they were at least arrogant and cold-blooded and disdainful of ordinary people. But judging from Ms. Laddie's performance, we don't think much of them. The inherent impression is wrong, at least for some people. According to your statement, she took the initiative to accompany you when she foreseeed the danger. After the attack, when the assassin was clearly targeting you, she did not escape alone, but stayed to fight with you."
"I wish other people thought like you."
"Adults, don't worry too much. In fact, compared to the south, which has a strong religious atmosphere, we in the north are relatively 'tolerant' of these legendary things."
"Oh? Let's hear it in detail."
"According to the old people, even when Witch Hunt was carried out, we here were based on the principle of 'Presumption of Innocence'. If a person is accused of witchcraft activities, before direct evidence is found that the person has indeed harmed others, even if the court determines that the person is a witch, he cannot be burned to death. It cannot be said that there are no unjust cases, but there are very few cases compared to the south."
"What to do with those who are suspected but have no evidence?"
"I don't know about other places, but here we lock them up for 30 years. After long-term observation, we confirm that they are not suspected of using magic to save themselves before releasing them."
Paul couldn't laugh or cry, "The people here are really 'merciful'!"
I don't know if the average age of people nowadays is 30 years old or not. This is great. After being accused, you will basically be stuck in it for the rest of your life.
"In fact, no Witch Hunt can last as long as 30 years. Basically, they are released after being locked up for a few years."
"Has there been any record of catching a real wizard before?"
"Of course the public records say it's true. As for the truth, who knows."
Paul is very strange. "I don't understand, why are Church, the south and the north treated in such a big way?"
Austin took a sip of water and began to popularize science for Paul slowly and methodically.
"First of all, Church is a huge entity, and there are a lot of internal messes. The conflicts between Central Holy See and local Church, and the conflicts between various sects with different ideas, are complicated and complicated. It can't be explained in a few days or nights. Different sects have fought many civil wars in history, and local Church openly defied Holy See Headquarters. It has also happened frequently, and local Church and local Church do not agree with each other's practices."
"Secondly, Church has the strongest ruling power in the Holy City area, and radiates its influence to the entire continent from this center. At the fringes of civilization like our Northwest Bay, its influence has been greatly reduced. And our lords here are barbaric and tyrannical, and their religious piety is only above the passing line - I'm sorry, I'm not talking about you."
"Isn't there a saying that it's up to the owner to beat a dog? They don't want the people under their rule to be casually tied up by a bunch of outsiders for a barbecue party. It's not out of love for the people, but more out of maintaining their own authority - I'm sorry, I'm not talking about you either. So, after several 'friendly and cordial' negotiations, the decision-making power belongs to Church, but the execution power is firmly in the hands of the lords."
Paul asked, "Holy See Headquarters just sit back and do nothing? Won't you send troops to conquer us?"
"This is legally the territory of the Auldo Kingdom. They have to pass the His Majesty the King level first. For the same reason as the lords, His Majesty the King always protects his vassals. For big country monarchs like King Aldo and Gabella Emperor, Holy See Headquarters has always been sensible and tolerant. You have heard about Archbishop Dispute when Rodney XV was in power. Things were so big at that time that we finally compromised. Moreover, even if His Majesty the King left us to fend for ourselves, the winter in the northwest would be a nightmare for all armies."
Paul asked again, "But I have heard that Holy See once punished the monarch of a certain country to stand barefoot in the ice and snow for three days and three nights."
Austin replied, "That is the king of a small country in the south. There are many small countries in the south of the mainland and there are many conflicts. Holy See can bring down a country Royal Family just by sowing discord without taking action himself."
Paul held his chin in thought, "According to what you said, I suddenly feel that Church is quite weak."
He suddenly became angry. "When I just made the musket Artillery, Dean Leonard and Father Anderson came to investigate whether I was studying witchcraft. They actually threatened me with some kind of tribunal. I was actually frightened by them, and even showed them military secrets like the musket."
"Ahem!" Austin coughed, "Your Majesty, with all due respect, given Greiman Family's strength at that time, their threats were not empty words. Your concession at that time was wise."
Paul agreed with his point of view, "That's right, we only had a few hundred people and a dozen guns at that time."
Austin continued, "All respect and tolerance are earned by His Majesty the King and the major lords with their strength. In this world, we still have to rely on our fists to speak, so..."
"So what?"
"Please allocate more military funds to us!"
Early the next morning, Paul, accompanied by Austin and Laddie, went to the shipyard to inspect the newly built sailboat, walking and chatting along the way.
"Miss Laddie, do your former adventure group companions know your other identity?"
"They know."
Having said this, a look of emotion appeared on Female Advisor's face.
"But not only did they not report me, they continued to take care of me like a family member. I owe them a lifetime debt."
Alas, I never expected that this female scholar, who usually looks calm and calm, could be so soft inside.
"Then how did they find out?"
"It was also in an unexpected accident that I used magic, and they judged it on the spot."
Austin on the side praised, "Who wouldn't want a companion who is willing to risk his or her identity in order to save his companions?"
"Commander-sama, thank you very much."
Paul slapped his forehead. "I suddenly remembered that time at Franklin Harbor church... did you do something to me?"
Laddie's face turned red. "I'm very sorry, my lord, but it was because you had kind thoughts and wanted to save the mayor who was unconscious at the time, so you hit my Suggestion Spell, otherwise I wouldn't have succeeded."
"Haha!" Paul rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, "I didn't expect that I was such a good person."
While everyone was talking, they walked into the shipyard area. In the distant port, the tall masts of two sailboats were clearly visible.
Based on readers' suggestions, a book club group has been opened: 689596595, welcome to join.