A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

About ten minutes later, Eric raised his voice again, shouting in Latin.

”If you have come to the castle to discuss solutions with the Duke, then please be seated. If you are merely here to scream and vent your frustrations, I will have you thrown out immediately. God grants every person a peaceful heart, but you clearly treat it like filth!”

As his words fell, the hall grew a little quieter. Some eyes focused on Eric, only now noticing that he, too, was a Cultivator.

Most of those who quieted down were young Cultivators and Priests, though of course, there were also some older Bishops.

Of course, quite a few people continued their shrewish hollering; they couldn’t understand Latin.

But soon, after being prompted by those next to them, they too began to quiet down.

”Some people always think the Church’s current problems stem from the Nobility’s wanton disregard for it. The Monarchs and Nobility of Europe believe the Church is nothing but a disorderly mob of common folk gathered under God’s banner. That is why they dare to profane the Church and appoint or dismiss clergy to Divine Offices at will.

But is that really all there is to it? I say the Church’s problem right now isn’t external, but internal—within the Church itself. You are all representatives chosen from the various Parishes of Normandy, but look at your conduct now! Is there any difference between this and a bunch of shrews screaming in the street?

How many among you can read Latin? How many of you can skillfully conduct a mass in Latin? How many still remain celibate? How many have truly fulfilled the duties of your office?”

Eric’s words silenced the last of the clamor and discussion in the hall.

Some of the young Cultivators and Priests showed their approval for Eric’s words, nodding their heads. This was exactly what they wanted to say.

Some of the old Bishops were unimpressed, but given the atmosphere, they didn’t dare say much at that moment.

”If it were just the young, low-ranking Cultivators and Priests, it would be one thing. After all, they are still young. The young have a long future ahead of them; they still have time to repent and make up for their shortcomings.

But what about the Bishops present here today? I must ask you, since taking your office, how many times have you inspected your Parishes? How many sacraments have you presided over?”

Eric stared directly at them, slowly closing the distance.

”Not once!”

Suddenly, a few young Cultivators sitting in the back rows cried out.

”These Bishops just stay in their palaces counting money!”

”That’s right! They even keep mistresses!”

”They even cut our salaries, pocketing the money disbursed by the Church to support their own women!”

Like a stone cast into a lake, this set off a wave of reactions. All the young Cultivators present began to shout, filled with righteous indignation.

The High Level Clergy, such as the Bishops and Abbots, were fewer in number and older than the young Cultivators, so they couldn’t shout them down.

”Yes! In my opinion, if not half, then at least a third of these Bishops are apostates who have violated God’s commandments!” Eric turned his gaze to the Bishops and roared.

”These Bishops should all die!”

”These fools shouldn’t be Bishops and Abbots!”

”...”

”Presumption! We are all Bishops, formally consecrated through God’s baptism and sacred rites! No one but God can strip us of our Divine Office!”

One of the middle-aged Bishops shouted.

”No one but God can strip us of our Divine Office! We want to see the Duke!”

”Yes! We want to see the Duke, not you, you despicable Jester, you clown of a Cultivator!”

”Presumption! A Bishop’s office is inviolable!”

”...”

Eric switched to Norman French.

”Indeed, inviolable. Then let God be the judge.

The Lord says: There must be knowledge in this world, for knowledge comes from God. Yahweh founded the earth in wisdom, set the heavens in place with understanding; by His knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

These are the words of ’Proverbs.’ A Bishop is one who bestows the dew of heaven upon the world. But what could be more absurd than a bestower who is himself ignorant and greedy?

I imagine that when you Bishops were abusing your authority and indulging your desires, carnal lust must have eclipsed the Bible.

Or perhaps... you do not understand the Bible at all! Otherwise, tell me, why do you not know the sacred Latin tongue?

This has been the language of praise for the Lord of Heaven since the first century;

This was the language in which the devout martyrs prayed to the Lord of Heaven during the age of persecution;

This is the language the Church’s countless ancestral Saints used to praise the heavenly Jerusalem!”

Eric then slammed his hand down on the Bible resting on the wooden table before him. After a loud CRACK, the wooden table collapsed with a crash, giving the Bishops in the front row a terrible fright.

”Therefore, whether out of Devotion to the Lord of Heaven or adherence to the first principle a Cultivator must uphold, I must ask the Duke to make a judgment! Otherwise, it is not only the devout lambs of the Lord present here who will object, but the almighty and great Creator in Heaven Himself will not permit it!

At this meeting, the Duke will deliver three things: fairness! Fairness! And goddamn fairness!

I will persuade the Duke to set limits on the office of Bishop, using examinations to ensure that the most intelligent and most devout ascend to the position. For I am mindful that at this moment, the Lord of Heaven is with us!”

”The Lord of Heaven is with us!”

”The Lord of Heaven is with us!”

The young Priests around them instantly began to shout along excitedly.

”We will never agree! If this happens, the Church will not give the Duke a single penny! We want to see the Duke!” a Bishop yelled.

But he was soon drowned out by the cheers of the young Priests.

”The Duke is a man who truly embraces God. He is willing to forsake all for his Devotion to the Lord of Heaven, and the Lord of Heaven will grant him everything. My young brothers, the decision has been made.

You may all now proceed to the main hall. The Duke has prepared five loaves and two fish for each of you. The power of the Lord will dispel all hunger and desire!

Any Bishops who object are free to wait here, but all that awaits you is the Duke’s wrath and condemnation!”

”The Lord of Heaven is with us!”

”The Lord of Heaven is with us!”

The young Cultivators cheered, cursing the group of Bishops beside them, then filed out of the council hall one after another.

Soon, only the curses of the Bishops remained in the council hall.

”I’ll have the Bishop chop you, you Jester, to pieces!”

”We will petition the Pope to have you, this arrogant Cultivator, excommunicated!”

However, some of the more worried Bishops were unwilling to linger and left along with the young men.

Eric closed the hall doors and slowly approached them. His tall stature, combined with his frightening actions just moments before, made the Bishops back away in fear.

”Wh-what do you think you’re doing? We are Bishops! Protected by God... If you... you will surely suffer in Hell...”

”No, I think you misunderstand, my lord Bishops. I am on your side. The council hall was so clamorous just now; my heart ached to see it. That group of disrespectful Priests and Cultivators dared to profane you, my lord Bishops, in such a way! It is the height of impiety!”

”What?” Eric’s words left the Bishops bewildered.

”That arrogant pack of young Cultivators is utterly unworthy of representing the Church of Normandy. As the Duke’s representative, how could I allow them to linger in this sacred council hall?

Their words are not fit for the Duke’s ears, which is why I was forced to resort to this crude tactic. See? Isn’t the hall much quieter now?

The Duke needs your votes, not theirs. Let’s just give those arrogant young Priests some face. After all, if they aren’t properly placated, you lords will have problems too, won’t you? The winds blowing from Cluny these past few years have been quite troublesome.”

Eric spread his hands, smiling amicably.

”But... was everything you said earlier false?”

”It is a painful matter to speak of. That arrogant group of Nobility and citizens, relying on their ability to provide the Duke with funds, has acted with impunity, demanding compensation.

They demand the Duke portion out a number of Divine Offices. The Duke urgently needs to deal with his detestable brother, so he can only submit to them...

You know as well as I do that the Duke’s brother, just like the old Duke, is more than happy to leave Divine Offices vacant so they can enjoy the income that rightfully belongs to the Church.

Therefore, to show the Duke’s sincerity toward you Bishops, he has reached a compromise. He has promised to appoint clergy to Divine Offices by means of examination. This way, there will be no more vacancies in the future.

Rest assured, my lords, your positions will not change before you return to the embrace of the Lord of Heaven. Furthermore, two-thirds of the examinations for Divine Office will be administered and graded by you, my lords...”

「Twenty minutes later...」

Eric looked at the now-empty council hall and breathed a sigh of relief.

’Finally, it’s all taken care of.’

Eric cracked his neck and walked out of the hall, planning to rest for a while.

But he had only taken a few steps before he stopped.

He turned his head. A bald, middle-aged man was standing behind him.

His name was Gamaliel. He wore a small, square-topped yellow cap—a symbol of the Jews, which they were forced to wear to distinguish them from Christians.

”How much did it cost to hire those hooligans to cause a scene?” Eric asked.

”My lord’s command, how could we dare speak of price? That you came to us, my lord, that you think us worthy, is our greatest reward.”

”Speak. What do you want?”

”I have heard of the Duke’s recent troubles. Normandy is our home as well, and we wish to share the Duke’s burden. If you are willing, my lord, the Jewish Community is prepared to immediately offer 10,000 pounds in gold for the war effort.”

”What’s the interest?”

”No, this is a gift from us... As for a loan, we are willing to offer five thousand pounds.”

”The millennium of the Lord’s incarnation is approaching. Times have been difficult for you lately, haven’t they?”

”We only wish that in the future, my lord, when you are in need, you will always remember us.” Gamaliel knelt, not directly affirming Eric’s statement.

Eric patted his shoulder without replying and walked off into the distance.

”Have it delivered tomorrow evening.”