Chapter 552: Chapter 552: 550 Meeting_1

The next morning.

Just after Colin had finished breakfast, his attendant reported that Cardinal Mensai had arrived in Falcon City.

Normally, Colin should have gone to the city gate to welcome him, but their differences were apparent, so he didn’t bother with formalities. He only sent Viscount Benson to receive him and waited in the lounge.

After sitting for a while, the Marquis Garcia, who had also received the news, arrived in the lounge.

Colin rose to greet him.

Marquis Garcia nodded in acknowledgment and said, “You shall handle all negotiations with Mensai soon.”

After observing for a while, Marquis Garcia had recognized Colin’s political talent. Since he was not adept at such matters himself, he had given Colin full authority this time.

“Very well,” Colin agreed immediately, not mincing his words.

They sat for a while before they saw an energetic elderly man with white hair enter the lounge, led by Viscount Benson.

He wore a red priest’s robe that revealed his identity – Cardinal Mensai of the Glorious Church.

“Marquis Garcia, long time no see, I didn’t expect you to have aged so much!”

No sooner had they met than Cardinal Mensai began to mock him.

“Rest assured, Mensai, you will certainly die before me,” replied Marquis Garcia, unyielding.

Seeing this contentious atmosphere, Colin furrowed his brow—

Things were not unfolding as he had expected.

Initially, he thought that since the Church had sent a Cardinal to meet, they might also want to negotiate a reconciliation with the North Territory. However, this Mensai started off aggressively without any intention of negotiations.

It was only then that Colin realized, Marquis Garcia must have anticipated Mensai’s attitude and thus had asked him to take charge of the negotiations.

What he had initially thought was trust now seemed more like passing the buck…

“Are you Count Angler?” Mensai, after rebuking Marquis Garcia, immediately turned his gaze towards Colin.

Colin forced a perfunctory smile, and replied, “Yes.”

Mensai examined Colin from head to toe with a rather rude gaze, and then remarked:

“What a foolhardy young man!”

Colin’s smile instantly faded, and he was certain with no doubt in his mind—this old man was not here to negotiate!

Seeing the situation spiral out of control so quickly, Viscount Benson shrank back, trying his best to make himself inconspicuous to avoid getting dragged into the fracas.

However, Mensai did not seem to intend to spare him. Once seated on the sofa, Mensai asked Benson:

“Viscount Benson, I heard you’ve detained the Bishop of Falcon City?”

Benson’s heart skipped a beat. However, he steeled himself and replied, “That’s right, Cardinal Mensai. I found evidence of Bishop Danny’s corruption, so in order to cleanse the false believers of our Lord and maintain the Church’s reputation, I ordered his temporary detention.

Of course, the final judgment of Bishop Danny is up to you.”

Cardinal Mensai let out a slight smile and said, “The trial of a bishop must be handled with extreme care, and the so-called ‘evidence’ you speak of must be subjected to rigorous examination by the Church, otherwise, a devout believer might be wrongfully accused.

Don’t you agree, Viscount Benson?”

Viscount Benson opened his mouth, but for a moment didn’t know whether to agree or disagree.

But before he could come up with a response, Mensai’s words took another turn, saying:

“However, Viscount Benson, if I remember correctly, the “Glorious Code” explicitly states that a Lord should not enter the church or private residences of church staff without the permission of the Pope, right?

So, how could you barge into Bishop Danny’s private manor and conduct a search?”

Viscount Benson was taken aback at once, hurrying to look at Colin and Marquis Garcia for help.

Just as Colin was about to speak, he noticed that the gaze of Mensai had already turned to him, pressingly asking:

“Marquis Garcia, Count Angler, do you think Viscount Benson should face trial for this?”

Colin now realized this Cardinal was a force to be reckoned with, immediately putting on his guard, and saying:

“Cardinal Mensai, although Viscount Benson’s actions may violate the ‘Glorious Code’, he did it to uphold the glory of the Supreme Lord, and it is forgivable. If Viscount Benson is to be judged, it should be done by the Senate and the Emperor.”

“Of course.” Mensai nodded, “Before we get into what happened between Viscount Benson and Bishop Danny and how to deal with it, let’s talk about the murder of Cardinal Turennes in Winterfell City.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Colin chuckled and shook his head, saying:

“Cardinal Mensai, you are missing the key point. Turennes was killed because he conspired to assassinate Duke St. Hilde, which led her to fall into a coma and she hasn’t woken up until now.

The Northern Army of 200,000 soldiers has come to the Crimson Flame Territory to get an explanation from the Church!”

“An explanation?” Mensai stared at Colin, asking dispassionately, “What kind of an explanation is the North Territory hoping for?”

Colin immediately said: “We have two conditions. First, the mastermind behind this conspiracy, Pope Gregory, must resign. Such a fake believer, a blasphemer, has no qualifications to continue to be Pope!

Second, the North Diocese must be independent!”

“Independent?” Mensai’s pupils contracted slightly, he asked in a deep voice, “Count Angler, can you explain to me what it means for the North Diocese to be independent?”

“That is, the North Diocese, while nominally still under the jurisdiction of the Church, possesses substantial autonomy.

In specifics, the diocese’s finances will be self-sufficient, the diocesan staff will be appointed autonomously, the believers will be managed autonomously… oh, and most importantly, the Archbishop of the North Diocese will be appointed by the Northern Duke.”

“Hahahaha…”

After hearing Colin’s explanation, Mensai suddenly burst into laughter, as if he had heard the world’s most ridiculous thing.

After a while, he calmed down, suppressed his laughter and said:

“Count Angler, do you know what you are saying?”

“Of course.” Colin nodded with a serious face. “That’s the request of the North Territory.”

Mensai stood up and slowly walked to Colin’s side, speaking softly:

“Then would you like to hear the Church’s demands?”

“Please.”

“We also have two conditions. First, hand over the murderer of Cardinal Turennes!” Here Mensai’s gaze harshly swept Marquis Garcia, “Second, the Northern Army withdraws unconditionally from the Crimson Flame Territory.”

Colin laughed and said, “Cardinal Mensai, it seems that our differences are still quite substantial under the present circumstances! However, I believe as the Northern Army gets closer and closer to Holy Mountain, our differences will also lessen accordingly.”

Mensai smiled noncommittally and said, “Is that so? I’ll be waiting to see.”

Upon saying this, he turned and left, saying, “I will report the situation of this meeting to His Holiness the Pope, and I hope you in the North Territory will think it over, so as not to make a decision you will regret for the rest of your life.”

Watching Mensai’s retreating figure disappearing through the door, Colin fell deep in thought.

The Church’s stance was exceptionally hardline, which was somewhat surprising to him.

He wondered if this was merely a negotiation tactic of the Church, or if they were really fearless.