Archbishop John paused slightly, as if observing Murphy’s reaction.
"Twelve years ago, when I first set foot here," he began, his voice taking on a nostalgic tone, "this place was still the Duval Territory. War was on the horizon, and fear gripped the hearts of the people. I saw you then—a silent but resolute shadow, always at Miss Duval’s side."
"After the war, everything needed to be rebuilt from scratch, and the Duval Territory seed to have lost all hope. And yet, a decade has passed, and you have endowed this barren Northern Territory with a power and wealth that has caught the attention of the entire Kingdom."
His gaze grew sharper. "The Church Court does not ignore secular accomplishnts, Governor. A stable order, a prosperous territory, and a devout populace—all these things are in accordance with the teachings of Oriane. However, without the right guidance, power and wealth can beco a source of calamity, or a target for the covetous and ambitious."
"The Tower of Secret Silver’s declaration has turned that Plane Waymark into the eye of a storm. The Eastern Territory borders this storm, and the stance of its lords, the Peric Clan, is unclear. As for the Northern Territory—especially the Monte Territory, with its unique workshops and craftsmanship—I fear that in their eyes, you are a valuable counterweight, one worth winning over, or at the very least, one that cannot be ignored."
Murphy listened in silence. A mont after the Archbishop finished, he finally spoke, his voice calm and steady:
"Archbishop, the prosperity of the Monte Territory is built upon the diligence of its people, technological innovation, and stable order. The teachings of the God of Truth are a vital cornerstone in maintaining that order. As Governor, my foremost duty is to safeguard the peace of the territory and the lives of my people."
Archbishop John’s gray eyes narrowed slightly. He showed no displeasure, instead looking as if he had expected this all along.
"Safeguarding peace is precisely what the Church Court seeks to do. The ’new order’ pursued by the heretics of the Tower of Secret Silver will inevitably bring chaos, sacrifice, and the utter subversion of our current faith’s foundations. That is no path to peace."
"lfield, I am not ordering you from on high. I saw with my own eyes how you lifted this land from destitution, and I understand how dearly you hold it. It is for that very reason I must remind you: when the storm arrives, trying to stand apart from it is often the most dangerous course of action."
Murphy replied evenly, "I understand the Church Court’s position. The Monte Territory will not stand idly by in the face of any act that seeks to undermine the stability of the Northern Territory or threaten the safety of my people."
"As for the Peric Clan, an envoy of theirs is indeed due to arrive shortly to discuss the mineral trade. Business dealings are, of course, a matter of mutual gain. However, the Monte Territory will cautiously evaluate any proposal for cooperation that extends beyond the bounds of normal comrce. Our bottom line is that it must not harm the interests of our territory or the Kingdom."
Archbishop John gave Murphy a long, searching look, as if trying to glean more information from his impassive face.
"Caution is a virtue, Governor," he said slowly, his voice regaining its earlier calm. "Especially at a ti like this, the Church Court expects the Monte Territory to play its due role in maintaining peace in the Northern Territory and the purity of our faith."
Murphy’s tone remained perfectly even. "Archbishop, you represent the will of the Church Court, and you have pointed out the potential threats and the coming storm. The Monte Territory will consider its own path and defend its bottom line. However..."
He paused, his gaze eting the Archbishop’s unflinchingly.
"Facing a storm requires strength; defending a bottom line requires backing. The Monte Territory may have its modest assets and humble technologies, but our foundations are ultimately shallow. The Church Court expects its allies to play a part in the storm; likewise, those allies need to see tangible support and recognition from the Church Court."
"’Strength, backing...’" the Archbishop repeated the words softly. "There is no need to be so modest, Governor. Though the events at the Tayr Palace celebration occurred far away in the Southern Territory, the details were not entirely lost. When faced with the oppressive power and sudden assault of an Official Wizard, you and Lord Fernandez reacted almost simultaneously. That piercing Sword Qi you unleashed... even in reports sent from so far away, it was enough for any discerning eye to see that within the realm of Great Knights—the mortal realm—you have reached a truly astonishing depth."
He watched Murphy intently. "If I’m not mistaken, your current strength has likely touched upon, or perhaps even reached, what is considered the limit for a Great Knight. That power is the culmination of your innate talent and bitter training, and it is one of the Monte Territory’s strongest foundations. However..."
The Archbishop’s tone shifted, adopting a note of profound, almost pitying, regret. "A mortal body has its fetters. For a Great Knight, reaching the peak often ans the end of their Path. Life Energy decays slowly with the passing years, and reflexes dull with age. Even for soone as powerful as you, taking another step forward is nigh impossible. This is the gulf between mortal strength and true Extraordinary power—a gap that seems within reach, yet is as vast as the horizon."
Murphy listened in silence, offering no rebuttal.
Archbishop John continued, "The Church Court has stood for a thousand years and has witnessed countless heroes and champions hesitate before this gulf, sigh in resignation, and ultimately wither away with age. But for His devout and *useful* servants, the God of Truth has not entirely closed the door of hope."
"The Holy Hall Pharmacy, its traditions stretching back to antiquity, holds ancient formulas rarely seen in the mortal world. Among them is a secret potion known as Starlight Healing. It cannot allow a mortal to cross into the Extraordinary in a single leap, but it can, to a certain extent, break the shackles that limit one’s Life Energy, nourish one’s Origin, slow the decline from their peak, and even grant a body that has reached its mortal limits a sliver of a chance to continue being tempered and strengthened."
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