Chapter 25: The War Had Already Begun

The Morning Star rose again, and the doors of the church swung open as the devout Priest Corleon stepped outside.

Outside the church, Yara was chatting with George, though it was mostly one-sided with Yara trying to find topics, while George was somewhat reluctant to engage.

What Corleon said yesterday about the Daniels Family and Rafama had made George feel some aversion toward the Daniels Family.

“Miss Yara.” Corleon greeted her proactively.

“Priest Corleon.” Only then did Yara shift her attention over.

“Priest Corleon.” George breathed a sigh of relief.

“Monk George, the church is now open again; you may go and offer your morning prayers.” Corleon helped George out of the situation.

“Yes, Priest Corleon.” George replied and quickly ran into the church.

“Priest Corleon, has Brother George seemed a bit tired lately?” Yara asked as she watched George’s back.

“Perhaps it’s because last night he buried Rafama, the former captain of the Lori Village guard. He had some connection with Rafama.”

“Rafama is dead?”

“Yes, he is. His corpse was sent to the church, along with a record of his deeds in life.”

“…Is that so.” Yara was a smart woman, and she understood the reason behind George’s change in attitude toward her.

“Miss Yara, what brings you here today?” Corleon held no particular resentment toward the Daniels Family.

Which of these families rose to power cleanly, after all? At least the Daniels Family didn’t indulge in senseless killings and even sheltered some commoners.

“Previously, Priest Corleon asked me to help procure some parchment. I’ve brought it over today,” Yara said.

Though she felt a bit regretful, she quickly composed herself.

“Of course, I’ve also brought some meat and spices for Priest Corleon. They’ve already been processed and can be preserved for a while.” Yara raised her hand to gesture toward the manpower-drawn cart outside the fence, where one large and two small wooden crates sat.

“Meat, you say.” Corleon was a bit surprised.

The church still relied on gruel as its staple food, occasionally having some bread and wild berries. As for meat, Corleon could occasionally catch a few mice in the church.

Only those being trained as Knight’s Squires in noble families could afford meat as a staple.

“Yes, it’s mutton from domesticated sheep, purchased from other lords’ territories—not from the beasts defiled by necromancers,” Yara specifically clarified.

After the necromancer attacks, meat production in York Territory had plummeted drastically.

These bastards didn’t even spare creatures as small as rabbits and mice.

Because of this, York Territory had seen a surge in foreign trade recently, with meat being the primary demand.

And the Flower Church had no merchant connections.

At least, not until now.

“Thank you, Miss Yara. How much gold do these meats and spices cost?” Corleon asked. The payment for the parchment had already been settled in advance.

“No gold needed. This is a gift from the Daniels Family to the church,” Yara replied.

“…The Lord says, ‘What is gained through the value you create is a recognition of you, and is My grace—not that which I bestow freely. You shall not accept it, for it is the sin of greed.’” Corleon grasped the newly made cross as he spoke.

“In truth, it’s not a completely free gift.” Yara understood what Corleon meant.

“Aside from my elder brother and myself, my poor younger siblings haven’t survived past the age of twelve. They were all taken by sudden illness. My youngest brother, Ando, is now eleven. I fear for his twelfth year. I worry he won’t make it to his thirteenth birthday. I cannot bear to lose another brother.”

“So I wish to plead with the priest, let him serve the Lord in the church and gain the Lord’s protection, so he may grow up healthy and reach adulthood at eighteen.”

“And these are my thanks.”

Yara spoke with pleading eyes fixed on Corleon.

“The Lord loves all mankind. This love does not vanish with location. I can perform baptism for him, bless him, but the church’s current environment is not suitable for him to live in.” Corleon refused.

A blessing, yes. Living in the church, no.

Providing short-term shelter was the church’s duty, but having someone serve the Lord in the church would violate the lord’s laws.

Besides, given the church’s current state, anyone not in good health could truly die just from staying here.

“Yes, I understand the church’s difficulties. That’s why I hope that when the church becomes spacious enough to accommodate more attendants, it could take in my Ando. He’s a child eager to hear the Lord’s teachings.” Yara spoke again, her eyes now carrying additional meaning.

Corleon understood what she truly meant.

After a moment of silence, Corleon spoke.

“If he desires to hear the Lord’s teachings, then can he adhere to the Commandments of a monk? He must pray morning and evening, clean the church, and remain steadfast, even if he will leave upon coming of age. As the Lord’s attendant, he must persist every day.”

“Yes. He is a resilient child. He can endure it.” Yara replied.

“Then, when that time comes, bring him to the church. I will baptize him.” Corleon agreed to her request.

“Thank you very much, priest.” Yara gave a deep bow, then continued.

“The new village approved by the lord and spearheaded by the Daniels Family has already been established. The village is named Daniels.”

“There is a lively stream there. Using its power, we rebuilt the mill and constructed a logging site. If the priest has need, the Daniels Family is willing to provide wood and flour products to the church at cost.”

“Moreover, the Daniels Family has its own merchant caravan, which trades across various territories in the north. If the church ever needs anything, we would be happy to help.”

She was seeking protection—caught between fear, excitement, and worry.

Corleon could hear the unease in her words.

The Daniels Family, lacking a powerful warrior to lead them, longed for George, a “free” combatant capable of slaying knights, to help navigate the uncertain future ahead.

“If the need arises.” Corleon did not refuse.

He didn’t want to refuse.

Having achieved her goal, Yara let out a sigh of relief, bowed slightly, and prepared to leave. Before she departed, her eyes lingered regretfully toward the inside of the church.

Corleon watched her go, and coming in from the opposite direction of Yara’s group was Borien.

“That was the young lady from the Daniels Family, wasn’t it?” Borien said. “I remember her. Her father once trained with me, but he failed the trial and had to return home to inherit the family business.”

“He wasn’t very gifted in commerce either, but he had a smart daughter—also very beautiful. Ever since Yara Daniels took over as steward, the Daniels Family finally entered the inner circle of York Territory.” There was a hint of envy in his tone.

His family briefly entered that circle after he became a knight, only to be swiftly pushed out again.

“I was originally planning to propose on Lain’s behalf after returning from Lundex’s territory. Unfortunately…”

“Good morning, Mr. Borien. You’ve come at just the right time. Any earlier and the church would still have been closed.” Corleon showed little interest in these idle dreams.

“Oh, that’s fine. I’m just passing by the church. I’ve got business in York Town.” Borien said, his voice brimming with uncontrollable excitement.

Corleon glanced at him.

He wore brand-new clothes, stood tall with his chest out, and had oiled and neatly combed hair. That tone—his previous despondence—was entirely gone.

Considering that Borien, after losing his knighthood, avoided York Town unless absolutely necessary…

Corleon suddenly felt that the war had, in fact, already begun.

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