Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 403: Unfolding the Map

TL: Etude

In a routine meeting of the Administration Council in April 1994 of the Sacred Calendar, Cecil, in charge of the Department of Intelligence, introduced the latest situation in Horn Bay to everyone.

“Everyone must remember the incident that happened last year when the Archbishop’s envoy was thrown down from the second floor in Fort Ness. This infuriated Archbishop Elvis of Horn Bay, who sternly demanded the Horn Bay Alliance hand over the so-called culprit. However, he did not get a satisfactory response, with Fort Ness dragging its feet in handing over the person. Additionally, the handling of the current Bishop of Ness, Angelo, ended inconclusively due to resistance from the Alliance Council. However, it’s not just the Alliance; coastal nations generally expressed support for Angelo remaining in his bishopric.”

Paul asked Cecil, “What about the increase in religious taxes?”

Cecil replied, “Each state only symbolically increased them a bit, but far from the amount expected by Archbishop Elvis.”

“Is the Horn Bay Church just going to let this go?”

“Of course not. The Archbishop, in collaboration with Collins and other inland states, continuously issued announcements criticizing the coastal countries and even threatened to excommunicate their rulers.”

Ford, the steward, stroked his beard and said, “It seems the conflict is getting deeper.”

Cecil nodded, “That’s one way to put it.”

There was a burst of low laughter among those present, as they all knew about the eldest son of the Foster family buying weapons in the Northwest Bay last year. If a war were to break out, Northwest Bay would stand to profit.

Only Ladi Sertia looked solemn, coughing heavily, “Gentlemen, war is not a laughing matter.”

The laughter ceased, and everyone suddenly remembered that this beautiful lady’s homeland was Horn Bay, leading to an awkward silence.

“Ahem...” Cecil continued, “The rulers of the coastal nations have generally relaxed their arrests of witches. Due to the long-term high-pressure policies causing significant impact on the normal trade environment, rulers, supported by strong public opinion, have forced their local churches to make concessions.” He thought this would be good news to comfort Lady Sertia.

Indeed, the frown on Ladi’s face relaxed a bit.

“Moreover, stimulated by the previous high-pressure measures of the local churches, a new religious movement is rapidly spreading among the coastal states.”

“A new religious movement?” Paul’s interest was piqued, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes,” Cecil nodded. “Many people are calling for a reinterpretation of doctrine. Although these heretics... uh, new sect followers are still in a phase of disorganized viewpoints, they share a common opposition to the Church’s excessive interference in secular life.”

Paul, stroking his chin, mused, “Interesting.”

He looked around and asked, “What do you think Archbishop Elvis will do about this?”

“He definitely won’t let it go easily,” Ladi affirmed. “I heard of the Archbishop’s reputation when I was in Horn Bay. For such a ‘devout’ person, heretics are often more detestable than witches and pagans. But... hmph, the Horn Bay Church will sooner or later reap what they have sown.” ŔaΝȪᛒÈṢ

Ladi’s face showed a rare expression of indignation, which was unusual for her, who rarely showed emotions.

“If things escalate too much, I think the Papacy will eventually intervene,” analyzed Ford.

“Once the war in Horn Bay begins, it will inevitably affect our trade with the East.”

Paul was startled; the steward was right. The Northwest Bay’s goods were largely shipped to Horn Bay, and then the Horn Bay merchants acted as middlemen, reselling them to the East. If war broke out there, it would no longer serve as a central hub.

After a moment of thought, he said, “Then we will transport our goods to the East ourselves. Without middlemen making a profit, wouldn’t that be better?”

“Exactly.”

Steward Ford agreed, having long wanted to suggest this. He added, “However, our merchant fleets are not familiar with the route to the East. We need to send a special exploration fleet to chart the seas and survey ports.”

“You’re right, immediately notify Austin to start preparations! Oh, first, have him come to Lakeheart Town.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Ah?” Paul suddenly remembered something.

“Gentlemen, besides exploring the East, we can also explore the West.”

The West? The others were puzzled. What was there to the west besides vast oceans? At most, some desolate islands or, if lucky, tribes still in the tribal era.

In fact, most present believed the Kingdom of Ordo to be at the very edge of the western world.

Ladi, however, seemed to understand Paul’s meaning. As a scholar, she had been exposed to many novel ideas, “Lord’s meaning... to verify that theory?”

“Ha ha, exactly!” Paul picked up a pen and paper, drawing a circle.

“Hasn’t someone proposed that the earth is a sphere? Let’s verify it. If it’s true, we’ll send two exploration teams, one east and one west. If the earth is indeed spherical, they should both be able to return to Ordo after circumnavigating.”

“This...” The others felt a sense of absurdity. The Count of Alda believing in such heretical nonsense?

Some had heard of the spherical earth theory, but it was more a novelty than a believable concept. If the earth were a sphere, wouldn’t people living on it fall off, or rather, fall ‘up’? How strange.

“Um... Lord Grayman.”

Steward Ford tried to advise.

“I’ve made up my mind. East and West! East and West!”

Paul’s tone left no room for doubt.

Well, he was the lord, and the others had no choice but to comply. What the lord decided, everyone had to obey.