King
Chapter 43 - 43 42 The Decent Hudson_1

43: Chapter 42, The Decent Hudson_1 43: Chapter 42, The Decent Hudson_1 Even the magicians, who were continuously oppressed by the Church, are now stepping onto the front stage, establishing Wizard’s Associations under the support of the nobles of various countries.

It’s not just the magicians; many unpopular professions that were originally only found underground are now gradually coming into public view.

For example, wizards and arcanists who pursue truth preach about heretical theories every few days: Divine spirits are just powerful creatures, not omnipotent.

These people are now mostly hidden in the Wizard’s Association.

Wizard’s Associations spread across the continent are fast becoming the headquarters for heretics.

There’s nothing that can be done about it, who else can claim that the pursuit of magic research also seeks the truth?

To become a great magician, overcoming fear of divine spirits is a prerequisite.

People with the same ideas often come together easily.

It’s not surprising that the Association of Wizards has been infiltrated by heretics.

As for the major nobles who are promoting all this behind the scenes, perhaps out of a desire to cause trouble for the Church, they simply let things be.

As for the belief in divine spirits, tithing is the standard of measure.

It’s clear that everyone’s love for gold coins far exceeds their faith in divine spirits.

Only the freemen living in cities can pay in full, composed mainly of merchants, craftsmen, artisans…

“The truth of the matter doesn’t matter, the problem now is that the Church has overstepped its bounds, and we must give them a warning.

Let Earl Piers do whatever he wants, the matter of the Blood Moon Horn should not be dragged on for too long.

No matter who appears in the ranks of the rebel army, they must all be killed without mercy.

As for the Church, even if they were to turn the world upside down, the Kingdom would still shield them.

Things have come to this stage, it’s hard not to offend the Church.

So why not go with the wind and cut down 80% of the taxes paid to the Church?

As for an excuse, let Archbishop Tyron figure it out, it could be for the reconstruction of the Southeastern Provincial Church, or it could be for relief of refugees…”

Caesar III spoke dominantly.

It’s clear that he is a good leader, capable of stepping up when things go wrong.

Perhaps it is indeed this sense of responsibility that convinces everyone, allowing the Alpha Kingdom to still maintain political balance even when the power of the Royal Family is declining.

In comparison to this responsibility, withholding the Church’s taxes is a minor matter.

After all, having kept up this pretense for so many years, the tax paid to the Church has become less and less.

During the peak period, the Alpha Kingdom contributed to the Church a tithe, penance rolls, and believer donations…

totalling more than ten million gold coins, exceeding the Kingdom’s own fiscal revenue.

As things are now progressing, this number has been cut down by two zeros.

The remaining tens of thousands of gold coins are merely a signal to the outside world that the Alpha Kingdom Church remains subject to the Church.

The main concern is that if the Church is pressed too hard, it could end up a situation where both the fish and the net are broken.

After all, the Church is an ancient organization with a heritage of tens of thousands of years, and its foundation is deeper than any kingdom.

…

Naturally, Hudson was unaware of the high-level games being played in the capital.

As a rising small noble, the circles he interacts with are simply too low.

Without any understatement, most middle and small nobles do not know that the church in the country is controlled by major nobles and has already gone separate ways with the Church.

Even if they intuitively notice this, reason will tell them to forget it.

There is no black and white in the world of nobles, confusion is a must at times.

Regardless of whether they are the involved nobles, or the Church, everyone is pretending to be confused on this issue.

Until the time comes to confront each other, prematurely tearing open the window paper is not good for either side.

Hudson, who was just in high spirits before, has now fallen into a dilemma.

The order from Earl Piers urging him to speed up his march once again arrived.

If it were only these issues, they clearly wouldn’t be enough to make him hesitate.

It’s not the first time he’s refused, Hudson is used to not giving in.

The problem lies in the conditions they offered.

If they could arrive within two days, and report on the nobles of the Fifth Army abandoning their posts, they would not only help him manoeuvre the rank of Baron, but also allow him to choose his territory first.

The benefits are enormous, but so are the lurking dangers.

Accepting this olive branch is equivalent to betraying the small noble camp and switching to Earl Piers.

A traitor is always most hated in any world.

Hudson is sure that once he takes this step, his reputation among the nobles will tank, even the reputation of the Koslow Clan will be affected.

Refusing the solicitation of a powerful Count has equally serious consequences.

Perhaps due to the previous promises, and the dignity of a noble, Earl Piers will not target him openly, but it’s uncertain what would happen behind closed doors.

Putting everything else aside, Hudson’s military merits will have to be re-evaluated.

The strategic significance of preserving provisions will likely be ignored, only the pure enemy killings will be calculated.

Even if he obtains the territory, it would only be of a knight’s standard.

Either the worst knight’s territory or the most desperately sought-after knight’s territory.

“Uncle Hiludi, I appreciate the kind intentions of His Excellency the Earl.

Please tell His Excellency the Earl, I will try my best to speed up the march, but now that we are short-handed and have gained a lot of wounded, I’m afraid we can’t go thirty miles a day.

As for reporting the nobles of the Fifth Army, I’m sorry, that doesn’t fit the chivalrous spirit…”

After much hesitation, Hudson finally made the painful decision to refuse.

People should look forward.

If one loses military merits, they can re-establish them; if one loses territory, there will always be a next opportunity; but if one loses their reputation, it is lost forever.

If one could leap to the sky in one step, gain a territory of one or two provinces, and become a local lord, it wouldn’t matter if one’s reputation was poor.

Being merely the master of a town and a baron, still at the bottom of the noble’s circle, is not worth Hudson selling his principles.

After all, betrayal only occurs zero or countless times.

Once betrayed a companion, one can never be trusted again.

Even if he serves Earl Piers faithfully, he won’t truly be accepted.

Most likely, after the effect of paying with gold bones comes into effect, an opportunity will be found to turn him into cannon fodder.

Similar events have played out countless times in history.

Traitors rarely end well once they become useless.

“Hudson, think about it well.

Such opportunities…

they don’t come everyday…”

Knight Hiludi tried to persuade him, even though he was lying to himself.

It is obvious that he does not want Hudson to accept Earl Piers’ acquisition, but due to his status, he had to speak up and persuade him.

As for the reason, Hudson is not interested in probing.

Human nature is something that has never stood the test of time.

Except for parents, there are few people who hope that you will do better than they do.

This military contribution was enough to make people jealous.

If he were to instantly become one of the top-ranking nobles by betraying his teammates, it would be more complicated than just provoking jealousy.

“Uncle Hiludi, thank Earl Piers for his kind intentions for me, but I really can’t accept this tremendous gift!”