Although the Tri-King Summit was still in progress, with today's agenda focusing on aiding the "restoration" of Cheslan after making great strides on the air quality act, the citizens of Nolan were far more captivated by the opening ceremony of the Joint Conference of the Twelve Churches, held at the Stargazer's Tower outside the city.
No one alive today had ever heard of all twelve Orthodox Churches convening together. Even for those indifferent to the political implications, the sheer spectacle was enough to capture the public's attention.
Jenkins had risen at the crack of dawn to ensure he reached the city outskirts in ti. According to the conference schedule, he was the third to speak during the opening ceremony, so being late was not an option.
Given the deeply religious atmosphere of the event, Dolores, as the heir to the kingdom, could not possibly attend. Hathaway and Briny had also received notes from Marquis Mikhail and Earl Hersha, respectively, instructing them not to accompany Jenkins. After all, Jenkins had not yet ascended the throne, and it was best for his entire circle not to appear at such a sensitive occasion.
As a result, only Alexia ended up accompanying Jenkins to the Stargazer's Tower on the outskirts of the city, the sanctuary for the followers of the Universal Star Church.
It seed most of the attendees had spent the night at the church, as Jenkins found that the majority had already arrived. As the archbishop of the Nolan diocese for the Legacy Sage Church, Bishop Parrold was naturally among the representatives.
The old man anxiously summoned a nun from his church to help Jenkins smooth out the wrinkles on his clothes from the carriage ride. He then repeatedly asked if Jenkins had morized his speech, appearing even more nervous than the man who was about to speak in front of everyone.
When the opening ceremony officially began at half-past eight, Jenkins, who had secretly been a little tense, suddenly felt a wave of calm. He stood at the very back of the audience, his hands hanging naturally at his sides as he took in the scene before him, understanding that this gathering was the hope of this epoch.
His inner peace allowed him to deliver his speech with greater composure. Perhaps it was because he had "rehearsed" his address on cooperation and visions of the future with the musicians the previous day, but he felt much more at ease speaking today.
He didn't shout slogans about unity. Instead, drawing on his knowledge of this world's history, he earnestly explained why the temporary cooperation of disparate faiths was essential in this era. Though his speech was brief, lasting less than twenty minutes, it still earned a round of applause from the audience.
When Jenkins returned to his seat, Alexia thoughtfully offered him a water flask and said with a smile that he was far better at such things than he let on.
"I spent nearly a week preparing for this speech," Jenkins remarked with a sigh, then lowered his voice to tell her about the previous night's events, especially the need to awaken the Four King Souls. Alexia was currently engrossed in her research on the Difference Engine and her analysis of Jenkins's experience channeling a saint. She had not studied the Four King Souls, so she simply listened to his account without offering any advice.
However, the petite lady did know the reason Hathaway had arrived at the opera house even faster than Jenkins.
"Last week, Hathaway asked if there was a way to move quickly within the city. I gave her a sowhat dangerous thod. I never expected she would use it for this."
"A dangerous thod?"
"Yes, using a Mysterious Object."
Seeing Jenkins's expression darken, she quickly explained:
"Don't worry, it's a Mysterious Object you know—A-11-2-3301, the 'Malicious Coachman,' the very one that took to Ruen. I knew you'd be upset, but Hathaway insisted on knowing, so I gave her a Sin Coin, the 'Mottled Silver Coin.' She won't have to pay any other price. I knew you would be unhappy, which is why I'm telling you. If you want to punish ..."
She leaned close to Jenkins's ear and whispered sothing. Jenkins's pupils dilated, and he composed his features, trying to conceal his reaction. But the cat, tucked away inside his formal suit, could feel the young writer's heart begin to race.
"Stay away from Mysterious Objects. Those things aren't safe."
Jenkins was still displeased. He said, his voice tinged with worry, "You all should avoid them for the rest of your lives. Even with a Sin Coin, things tainted by sin are extrely dangerous."
"I understand. I won't agree next ti, no matter what she says. I was wrong this ti. I promise you, I won't actively seek out a Mysterious Object again. Yes, I promise."
She tilted her head again and whispered sothing private in his ear. Chocolate, perched on Jenkins's shoulder, looked down on him with a hint of disdain, for Jenkins was blushing.
"Actually, I'm more interested in how you summoned the coachman."
An idea suddenly struck Jenkins. Perhaps Mr. Pisco really had foreseen everything.
"When the coachman took to Ruen last winter, I paid extra to learn its summoning thod. No, it's nothing like the evil rituals the cultists use. I know of a nobleman who used a live sacrifice—offering a boy who had broken the nine traveler's precepts—to summon the coachman.
My thod is a bit more expensive, but it requires no sacrifice or offering. Are you looking for the coachman as well? But wouldn't your unicorn be more convenient?"
"A unicorn can't go underground, nor can it pass through earth and rock."
Jenkins's tone was dead serious.
"Are you hoping the coachman can take you to the Difference Engine? But he can only take passengers to places they've been before. I had briefly traveled in Ruen, so he was able to take there."
"No, I'm not looking for the Difference Engine, and I doubt I could face it right now anyway. I'm looking for another machine."
He paused, his gaze fixed ahead on the old bishop, who was loudly extolling the grandeur of the conference.
"I'm looking for another machine, one that understands the Difference Engine."
Like most conferences in this world, a series of long, tedious speeches preceded any discussion of actual substance. Even a conference of the churches was no exception. With twelve factions participating, each church sent a representative to speak, effectively wasting the entire morning.
The afternoon was reserved for the formal etings, which on the first day were held at the Stargazers' church. The Stargazers had specially opened their grand hall and a few internal eting rooms for the occasion.
Jenkins attended the first closed-door eting of the afternoon, the topic of which was the exchange of lists of demigods and Saints from each of the twelve churches to facilitate unified coordination.
This topic had been deliberately chosen to start the conference because it had largely been settled in private beforehand. All that remained were the fine details and the signing of agreents, making it easy to reach a consensus and thus create the impression of a major breakthrough on the very first day.
As for which faction would take the lead in the joint efforts of the twelve churches, or the specific strategies for negotiating with the Believers of Lies, those matters were to be discussed later.
Unlike the Tri-King Summit, the churches' joint conference permitted no outsiders and certainly did not invite reporters. Though nosy newspaper publishers had sent their people to wait at the gates of the Universal Star Church, the guards on duty ensured that not even a mouse would slip through.
The negotiations here would be far more arduous than those between the three kingdoms. After all, it was difficult to say which carried more weight: national animosities or conflicts of faith. But the participants in these talks were mostly ordinary mbers of the churches; the precious power of Enchanters would not be squandered at a negotiating table.
Thus, Jenkins's participation was largely symbolic. On account of his status as a Saint, he attended the morning's opening ceremony and the first eting of the afternoon before departing with Alexia.
His original plan was to summon the coachman imdiately and test his theory, but before they could leave the grounds of the Universal Star Church, they were intercepted by Mr. Smith, the Keeper of Secrets, who was waiting by the gate.
He led the pair to the Evergreen Forest, and there, beneath the colossal tree, they found Miss Bevanna and another gentleman who looked very familiar. It took Jenkins a mont to place him: it was Mr. Donas Yassen of the Bel Diran Curia, known as the "Left Hand of the Sanctuary." But if Jenkins recalled correctly, this man's primary duty was to protect the Curia; he was a demigod stationed in Bel Diran year-round. Even if Nolan had requested more reinforcents from the capital, it made no sense for him to be sent.
"Saint Williatte, good day. The Curia sent to deliver so news."
He glanced at the Keeper of Secrets and Miss Bevanna, who both nodded and turned to leave. Alexia looked at Jenkins, then followed Miss Bevanna, leaving them for the mont. Only when he was certain that just the two of them remained in the clearing beneath the giant tree did Mr. Yassen speak, his words carrying the distinct accent of the Bel Diran region.
"Last night in Nolan, one of the Believers of Lies appeared again, and we have ample proof that he has obtained the Dragon Soul. You learned of the legend of the Four King Souls from Carl back in Bel Diran, so you should understand what this ans."
"A Savior's qualification?"
Jenkins replied calmly, his eyes not on Mr. Yassen but on the inverted shadow hanging beneath the tree.
"Yes. We are not certain if last night's Believer of Lies was one of the individuals we know, or soone new. However, the witnesses lean toward it being Mr. Candle. That white cat of his is simply too conspicuous."
On his shoulder, Chocolate let out a soft "ow" and swept the tip of his tail across Jenkins's neck.
"As you are likely aware, many among the Believers of Lies possess a Savior's qualification, so their actions do not surprise us. However, the only sign displayed last night was that of the Dragon Soul. This implies that the Believers of Lies are also still on their path and have not yet reached the end. For this reason, Bevanna made an urgent report to Bel Diran."
"So, the Curia's intention is to capture Mr. Candle and force him to reveal his secrets?"
"Of course not. They are our partners in this endeavor, for now. Why would you think such a thing?" Mr. Yassen asked, looking genuinely surprised.
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