After Daniel, the God of Combat's special envoy, received the Church's reply, he hurried to Raphael's villa as soon as night fell. Raphael was not there. He waited a while, but when Raphael still failed to return, he changed his appearance, took a carriage back to the villa, and asked the butler where Raphael had gone.
The butler was rather bewildered too, since he had not even known his employer had gone out.
Only then did Daniel start to grow anxious. If Raphael was only going out for a day or two, that was fine, but if he was going away for several days, or even a week or two, the Grand Patriarch might come to Backlund himself to ask how the deal was progressing!
After waiting a little longer, Daniel simply wrote a letter and asked Raphael's messenger to deliver it.
A little over ten minutes later, Raphael returned to the villa, having taken Xio home first.
Daniel, who had already seated himself on the sofa, immediately stood up. "Mr. Collins, you're finally back."
Raphael smiled. "It seems you've brought good news."
"Yes." Daniel made no attempt to conceal it. "I didn't expect the Church to agree to your demands."
Raphael smiled. "Your Grand Patriarch knows quality when he sees it."
Daniel immediately said solemnly, "But the Church has several conditions you must agree to."
"Please go ahead."
Daniel said, "First, we can only grant you the position of governor of Gass Island. You cannot establish an independent regime there in any sense, but you may freely dispose of everything the island produces."
Raphael nodded. "No problem, but I'll need to employ the officials there for six months to a year.
"Also, the island will belong to the Feysac Empire in name only. I won't be required to fulfill