After settling Daphne in, Kroya promptly arranged for Jamie, who was in the Gray Sand Desert, and Ryan, who was away negotiating business deals, to meet with the Elves who would soon arrive.
Border trade-trade between two races was practically an inexhaustible Magic Crystal Deposit. So many merchants wanted to trade with the Elves, yet could only resort to clandestine smuggling.
They were willing to risk being discovered by Elven guards and hung from trees to dry out just to do business. That alone showed how profitable it was.
Now that such an opportunity lay before him, he naturally had to seize it.
While he was thinking, the Tower Spirit reported:
"Master."
"There is a message from the Church of the Goddess of Love. They hope to cooperate with you by providing security for your border trading site."
Kroya was a little surprised. "Just them? Haven't the other Churches sent any messages?"
He had long expected those Churches to jump at this opportunity, but he hadn't imagined that only the Church of the Goddess of Love would approach him. What were all the others doing?
"Uh... their message explained that. Since the border trade permit was issued jointly by the Elven Royal Court and the Grand Wisdom Palace, only the Church to which the Pope belongs sent representatives."
"..."
"They really aren't afraid of causing an internal split." Kroya clicked his tongue in wonder. "Even if the Pope did this, wouldn't the earthly saints under the Pope impeach them?
"They all serve gods. What makes any of them nobler than the others?"
The Tower Spirit immediately displayed an image before Kroya-the headquarters of the Seven Gods Grand Cathedral. Magnificent fiery clouds belonging to the Goddess of Love shrouded the sky over the entire Church.
"..."
Well, that settled it. They