“I never dreamed that Lady Saint and Prince Harold-denka would come.”
Archbishop Reginald Sancroft, the head of the Dehauvalz branch of the Baltian Church in the Royal Capital, bows with a cheerful expression, placing his hand on his chest.
In other words, he’s Lloyd’s father.
“Thank you for taking the time to see us.”
I extend my right hand and shake hands with Archbishop Sancroft.
Hmm… I thought he’d have more delicate and beautiful hands since he’s a cleric, but surprisingly, his skin is thick and rough.
That alone tells me that he’s more than just an archbishop.
“Then, please, this way.”
We follow Archbishop Sancroft as he leads us through the church.
By the way, the reason I brought Christia with me today instead of Sandra or Monica is that what I’m about to ask the Archbishop is also related to her.
“So… what brings you here today?”
Archbishop Sancroft asks as soon as we’re led to a reception room and sit down on the sofa.
His manner is gentle, but he gets straight to the point. Those rough hands aren’t just for show.
“Yes. Actually…”
I propose what I’ve been thinking about for the past week since I went to the Casino.
“…Free treatment for the residents, you say?”
“Yes.”
In this world, the Baltian Church is responsible for treating injuries and illnesses.
For this reason, one of the conditions for becoming a cleric is “whether or not you can use Healing Magic,” and in fact, even the Holy Knight Carla, despite her appearance, has Healing Skills.
“While we do provide treatment to residents as a charitable endeavor, treatment fees are also a major source of income for the church. We cannot simply stop doing that.”
“Yeah, I figured.”
No, I knew that, okay?
As Archbishop Sancroft said, it’s also a source of income, but it’s also one of the reasons why the Baltian Church has followers all over the world and wields tremendous influence.
“I’m afraid I can’t do anything about this, Prince Harold-sama. Besides, if we made it free, residents would flock to the church even for minor injuries and illnesses that don’t require treatment, and we wouldn’t be able to attend to those who truly need it.”
“Yeah, I figured.”
No, no, I completely agree with what Christia is saying.
As she pointed out, it’s not as simple as just making it free.
I think the Barthian Holy Kingdom and the church are doing a good job of balancing things out.
But.
“Even so, it’s also true that there are people with illnesses and injuries who could be saved if treated, but who die because they can’t receive treatment at the church.”
“That may be so, but…”
To be honest, I don’t even want to say things like this to Christia or Archbishop Sancroft.
Because it’s not the Barthian Holy Kingdom or the church that should be saving such people, but the kingdom.
I mean, right? The kingdom could subsidize the costs so that only people who can’t afford treatment can receive it, or they could open a free clinic on a limited basis, even just once a week. There are plenty of ways to do it.
But the Dehauvalz Kingdom… no, most countries don’t do that, and leave the treatment entirely to the Barthian Holy Kingdom and the church.
“So, for example…”
I lean closer to the two of them and whisper in their ears.
“…If that’s the case, I think it’s possible, at least in this church.”
“Of course, I don’t think it’s possible to do this anywhere else, and the fundamental problem is that our kingdom… no, it’s impossible with the current king. Let’s hope for the next king.”
“Fufu, you’re very frank, aren’t you?”
“There’s no point in sugarcoating it.”
I shrug and joke with Christia, who laughs cheerfully.
Really, we need the next king (but not me) to do their best.
“Well then, since we’ve come to an agreement, I’ll prepare right away.”
“Yes. In that case…”
I stand up and shake hands with Archbishop Sancroft for the second time.
◇
“I’m glad it went well.”
Christia smiles as we leave the church.
“Yeah. It’s all thanks to you being here.”
“Fufu, that’s not true.”
She’s being modest, but if I had negotiated alone, he definitely wouldn’t have accepted the proposal.
Because… Archbishop Sancroft, upon learning of the existence of the Sacred Water Jar Aquarius, would surely try to obtain it himself.
In the “Save the Slums!” Scenario, one of the main scenarios of Engage Hazard, Archbishop Sancroft schemes to obtain the Sacred Water Jar Aquarius as one of the event bosses.
If something like that existed, it could undermine the dignity of the Baltian Church.
Therefore, he uses priests and followers to try to steal it from the original owner of the Sacred Water Jar Aquarius.
“Christia-san, I’ll definitely make it up to you.”
“Fufu, I’ll be waiting with anticipation.”
With that, Christia gave me a joyful Saint’s smile.
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