Reincarnation of a Hunter Chapter 31 - The Diocese of Marseille

 

The pioneer village of Comansville.

 

Builders are surveying the land and discussing construction plans. The village chief, watching them, turns to me with a puzzled expression and asks,

“You’re building a church? Out here in this remote place?”

 

“Yes. A church dedicated to the God of Abundance. Three priests have already agreed to come.”

 

Of course, it won’t just be the priests—about twenty more people, including priest candidates and servants, will join them.

 

“May I ask the reason?”

 

“Nothing complicated. The number of settlers has grown, so we’re building one. I approved it.”

 

Daniel Naesawon, the deputy director of the Papal Inquisition, has begun funding the construction of the church in Comansville with his own money. It’s one of the promises he made to me.

 

But the village chief’s expression darkens as he listens.

 

“It’s a good thing, of course, but I’m worried about the village’s expenses increasing.”

 

“It’s a subsidiary church of the Marseille Diocese. They’ll cover the budget, so don’t worry about it.”

 

This, too, was arranged by Daniel. He pulled some strings with an acquaintance in the Papal Financial Council to secure the funds.

 

Only then does the village chief’s face relax, and he breaks into a wide smile as he catches on to my intentions.

 

“Haha! So this was another thoughtful gesture from you, my lord. Truly, you are a benevolent ruler.”

 

“Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

 

In this world, religion plays a significant role.

 

Since priests also serve as doctors, a pioneer church is essentially a hospital for remote areas.

 

Moreover, attending church weekly will greatly strengthen the unity and bonds among the villagers.

 

‘Watching all those Hollywood movies and American TV shows in my past life is finally paying off.’

 

The portrayal of rural American churches and their relationship with the townspeople in various media showed that they were more than just neighborhood churches—they were the heart of the community.

 

I’m simply borrowing and applying what I learned from that.

 

“Try to gather the villagers around the church if possible. You’ll be taking the position of elder in this pioneer church.”

“Oh my, what an honor!”

The village chief, now granted another title, was overjoyed.

 

Using religion for governance—This tactic was effective not only at the national or territorial level but also in frontier villages like this.

 

I intend to make the Comansville village chief the leader of this entire pioneer settlement. 

 

From what I’ve seen, he’s quite capable, and his loyalty and respect toward me meet my standards.

 

That’s why I’ve already interviewed the priests who will be dispatched once this church is built. 

 

They’ll support the chief both religiously and politically.

 

There’s no better subordinate than a competent person who can be controlled as intended. The soon-to-be-appointed Bishop Daniel will be no different.

 

Once the neighboring lords approve the establishment of the diocese, everything will fall into place.

 

The thought of developing the territory through religious projects without spending a single coin from the budget made me laugh uncontrollably.

 

“Heheheh—”

 

If the village chief’s gaze seemed strange, it must just be my imagination.

 

⚔️ 

 

Rhône-Alpes Lord’s Residence.

 

Countess Karin Rhône-Alpes was reading a letter sent by Eric.

 

“What is this? He’s establishing a Church of the God of Abundance in Marseille?”

 

The head maid approached and read the letter alongside her.

 

“Lord Eric Marseille is truly an unpredictable man. Out of nowhere, the God of Abundance?”

 

The countess suddenly snapped her fingers as if recalling something.

 

“There was that rumor about him receiving the blessing of the God of Abundance!”

 

“We dismissed it as political propaganda. Could it actually be true?”

 

“Nothing else makes sense.”

 

“Well, the Westphalia family introduced the Sun God’s faith into their territory. If he’s pushing for the God of Abundance’s church despite his family’s pressure, there must be a reason.”

 

In Rhône-Alpes, they still mistakenly believed that Eric and the Westphalia family were closely connected.

“But even if he’s blessed, if he sets up a parish for the God of Abundance, the Westphalia family won’t just sit back and do nothing, right?”

“Exactly. Why would Count Marseille take on such a risk?”

“Remember our initial speculation?”

“What? That Count Marseille want to cut ties with Westphalia?”

“Yes.”

Countess Karin burst into loud laughter.

“Ahahaha! Don’t be ridiculous! What kind of insane family would willingly sever their fief? His head would roll before that even happens!”

 

Karin Rhône-Alpes misunderstood Westphalia, who didn’t even have Marseille in their sights. This was the common mindset of the nobility in the Kingdom of France. 

 

Overestimating their own standing while underestimating the weight of the Germania Empire.

 

Large territories of the Germania Empire, like Westphalia, had no interest in small, low-productivity, high-expense fiefs like Marseille. They’d rather use that money to build colonies on other continents.

Such a thing would be unthinkable in the Kingdom of France, where the royal family suppressed military expansion and territorial conflicts among lords.

 

“So, what do you plan to do about Count Marseille’s proposal?”

“We have to accept it. Count Marseille and I are already on the same boat.”

“Then I’ll draft a reply stating that Rhône-Alpes and Ferrand agree to the parish’s establishment.”

“I’ll write it myself. I need to choose my words carefully. Count Marseille isn’t an ordinary opponent, after all.”

 

In any case, Countess Karin Rhône-Alpes decided to accept Eric’s proposal.

During their last secret meeting, they had agreed to a marriage alliance, and Eric had also opened the way for wheat exports to Catalonia.

 

Ultimately, Karin’s agreement to the parish was a light decision based on goodwill.

But the consequences would be anything but light.

 

⚔️ 

 

Yanis Dijon, the minor lord of the Dijon Territory.

He had taken over the administrative duties of the territory in place of his father, Count Dijon, who was bedridden.

Naturally, Eric’s letter had also reached Yanis. 

 

Due to its contents, officials from the administrative department were waiting in his office.

As Yanis read the letter, he cursed inwardly.

 

‘Establishing a parish for the God of Abundance? Is this bastard insane? Sending such a letter to a follower of the Sun God?’

 

Despite his disbelief, he spoke to the officials in a calm, low voice.

“Count Eric of Marseille is proposing the formal establishment of a parish for the God of Abundance, even if only as a formality.”

 

One official stepped forward and replied, “Count Marseille is the son of Count Westphalia, after all. Unless there’s a major issue, it might be best to accommodate this formal request.”

 

“Won’t the Sun Cardinal protest?”

“Our diocese’s Cardinal is in Aachen, isn’t he? There was information that the Cardinal of Aachen and Count Marseille are on good terms.”

 

Hearing this, Lord Yanis seethed inside.

‘Damn it! Are they idiots? No matter how close they are, would anyone just let someone mess with their livelihood?!’

 

But outwardly, Yanis maintained his gentle expression.

“Personal relationships and official matters are different, aren’t they?”

“Then perhaps we should send a letter and an envoy to the Cardinal to seek his opinion.”

“Hmm, that’s a reasonable suggestion. Very well. Proceed as you’ve proposed.”

“Yes, Lord Yanis.”

 

Lord Yanis had carefully cultivated the image of a ‘good man’—one who listened to his vassals and cared deeply for his people. 

 

On the surface, he always wore a benevolent expression and spoke in soft tones.

 

But his true thoughts were far different.

‘Just let the Cardinal protest. I’ll have every last one of your heads!’

 

With a warm gaze that masked his malice, Yanis began drafting the letter to the Cardinal.

 

⚔️ 

 

A few days later, in the office of the Cardinal of the Sun God Church in Aachen.

 

After reading the letter from Lord Yanis, the Cardinal burst into laughter. His bewildered assistant asked what was going on.

 

“Is there something amusing in the letter?”

 

“Hahaha! It’s about that young man, Count Eric Marseille. The one who’s always giving me such entertaining stories.”

 

The assistant’s eyes darkened momentarily—another one of the Cardinal’s tired old jokes.

 

“Uh… anyway, did that young man cause some kind of trouble?”

 

“Indeed! And quite a big one at that. He’s planning to establish a parish of the God of Abundance in his territory.”

 

“What? Why would he do that? We’re on such good terms wu, even sharing drinks arm in arm.”

 

The Cardinal handed the letter to his assistant.

 

“That’s not the important part. Apparently, he’s also requesting a formal parish establishment in the Dijon territory.”

 

“Formal? If it’s just for show, why not just refuse?”

 

“Would that be good for me? Or not?”

 

After finishing the letter, the assistant fetched a fresh sheet of paper and replied, “Are you teasing me again? Of course, it would be good for you. Hurry up and write a letter refusing him, then pressure him to receive the Sun God’s baptism instead.”

 

“Haha! Do you really think that’s an easy thing for a young man who just came of age? Besides, I see things differently than you.”

 

“Don’t tell me you’re actually considering allowing it?”

 

“That’s right. I’ll permit it.”

 

The assistant recalled the territories of Rhône-Alpes and Ferrand.

 

The Cardinal of Aachen had previously persuaded the counts of those lands to establish religiously free zones, pushing the Sun God Church’s influence to increase its dominance.

 

Originally, a few religions had held majority control, but now multiple faiths were locked in fierce competition.

 

In such an environment, the Sun God Church—with its doctrine favoring the nobility—naturally saw its standing rise effortlessly.

 

“Are you perhaps planning to also set up a Sun God Church in Marseille’s territory? Trying the same religious free zone tactic?”

 

“Hmm, calling it a ‘tactic’ is rather crude. This is the work of spreading divine grace.”

 

The cardinal’s close aide stifled a chuckle. 

 

However, he couldn’t respond too casually, so he dodged the question.

“So, are you planning to send the priests to Marseille? And have the church built at the behest of Count Marseille?”

“Haven’t I received enough from Count Marseille? The church should be built using the diocese’s budget.”

“Well, that’s true. When you think about it, even the affairs of the Palatinate were orchestrated by Count Marseille, and the ‘Pioneer Church’ was also his idea.”

 

The cardinal of Aachen had previously proposed the idea of establishing a ‘Pioneer Church’ to the papal court of the Sun God faith, earning the support of many young priests.

 

With the spectacle of burning dark mages and the added backing of ordinary priests, the cardinal’s foundation grew even stronger.

Once a contender for the next or future papacy, he had now solidified his position as the clear leading candidate.

 

“So, send a letter approving the establishment of the God of Abundance diocese, then have Marseille declared a religious free zone before setting up a Sun God church. Satisfied?”

“Of course, Your Holiness-to-be.”

“What? Hahaha!”

 

The cardinal was pleased with the banter with his aide.

 

‘Eric Marseille. That guy alone is my ticket to soaring higher. I should keep him close from now on. Heheh.’

 

⚔️ 

 

Achoo!

“My lord, have you caught a cold? Please take care of yourself.”

Pascal, the chief of civil affairs, expressed concern for my health. Probably because more work would pile up if I fell ill.

 

“No, someone must be bad-mouthing me. My nose itches, and my ears are tingling.”

“Don’t believe in such superstitions. The God of Prosperity will be displeased.”

T/N: God of Abundance will be changed to God of Prosperity

 

“Alright, alright. By the way, what’s the status of attending the Prosperity God’s papal court?”

 

Pascal’s expression darkened.

“Chamberlain Chloe—no, the chief of foreign affairs—should return soon. This is a serious matter. I’m far too inexperienced for this.”

Chloe was still traveling outside the territory for the marriage alliance negotiations.

 

“She’ll come back eventually.”

“Anyway, Vice Director Daniel of the Internal Affairs Office has agreed to assist with your attendance at the papal court. I’ll inform you once the documents are ready.”

 

No reply had arrived yet from the Dijon territory. But since the Rhône-Alpes and Ferrand territories had already agreed to the diocese’s establishment, all that remained was to visit the papal court and secure the deal.

 

“Are you coming with me?”

“To the papal court? Of course, I am. If I stay behind, work will pile up like a mountain.”

Pascal grinned slyly. For some reason, it looked irritating.

 

‘Should I just leave him behind?’