CHAPTER 1032: CHAPTER 1032: REWARDS AND PUNISHMENT

There may be more, but they haven’t realized it was connected. This may be merely the testing stage.

With everything that’s going on, they discussed more about the possibilities for a while and shared information about events they thought may be related to all these war preparations.

"Oh, and one more thing. About the Sacred Tree," Pope Elsevier began, and Alwin’s face was immediately filled with embarrassment at it being called sacred.

Pope Elsevier used a spell to open the windows.

The Sacred Tree was visible from here. It had become the tallest tree in the kingdom, visible in all the flat areas nearby that did not have a mountain obstructing the view.

"If you look closer, I believe you can see all the people lined up below it," Pope Elsevier said.

They were still on the highest floor of the castle, so it was still visible.

’All of those are people?!’ Arabella eyed what looked like a black line.

Her eyes could not see it clearly since it was in the Alba estate, and her continued late nights recently affected her vision.

{Alwin.} She glanced at Alwin, and he understood what she wanted.

Alwin enhanced her eyesight so she could see clearly.

The view immediately became more focused and clear.

There were a lot of poor-looking, injured people lining up near the Sacred Tree as the guards assigned by Sebastian distributed fruits from it.

Arabella focused on the scenario and realized that the people eating the fruits had their wounds healed. Small wounds healed completely, while bigger ones stopped bleeding and began to close. Though it was not completely healed, at least the severity lessened, and the pain likely did as well.

"What of it?" Alwin asked the Pope, since it was his tree after all.

"The Dragon God already has tons of worshippers in Valeria. And the elves refuse the worship of those who do not truly respect the Elf Goddess to worship Her alongside them. Her existence is only a legend to humans as well. I believe you or the Elven King longs for praise and worship from random people," Pope Elsevier said.

"Of course, we don’t," Alwin immediately said.

"That’s perfect then. I believe our Creator deserves the worship of His own people. I’d like to take this chance to convert the people of Crux as believers of Our Creator," Pope Elsevier declared.

He meant the Creator of the Human Race.

"I think that’s not for me to decide," Alwin glanced at Arabella and Ferdinand.

Crux was now a vassal state of Valeria.

Ferdinand was the Emperor, and Arabella was the one who first spoke with Princess Serafina for the deal here.

"Of course, that’s only if Your Majesties agree. But I think this will also benefit you and the reformation the new rulers wanted," Pope Elsevier added.

"What exactly do you mean to do?" Ferdinand inquired.

"Punishments and rewards come hand in hand. The people here already believe they have received the wrath of the gods and thus were punished. I’d like to officially declare the Sacred Tree as a gift from the gods for the ailing people," Pope Elsevier said. "I will then bless it with divine magic that will boost its healing effects. It needs to be redone at least once a year, but at least, more people will benefit from it. We from the temple will also go around various parts of Crux to heal as many of the people we can and share values and teachings of the temple."

"Meaning you’ll have major influence over a Valerian territory and have free access to it at least once a year, and the newly reformed people fully believing and trusting in you?" Ferdinand said.

"Hahaha. I think a small territory like this won’t bother you much, don’t you think? Some Valerian territories also have believers of the temple, and it didn’t affect your reign over Valeria," Pope Elsevier pointed out. He did not deny that those were indeed among his goals.

The Pope then added, "But think about it, the people here are still so set in their beliefs that it would still take years to change them. I have already tried to change Crux’s ways several times in the past, but they reverted eventually because no one from the inside tried to change it. Now, someone from the royalty and a lot of nobles wanted the change themselves, so this is likely to work. With the teachings of the temple, it would be faster to change their values and beliefs into better ones. This aligns with the reformation of Crux you wanted. In a year, you can get a more peaceful vassal state and already begin getting a return on your investment here. And I believe, our God deserves more worshippers from his own creations."

[He does have a point. They are the creation of the God of Humans, so they should worship Him. Territories in Eliora worship their Creator and respect the Pope to some extent, but not to the point that he could meddle in politics or do whatever he wanted to do. They would surely use their access here to spy on us, but we do have free access to Medius as well. And their spies don’t really do any harm, so we’re letting them be. Since they will also heal, it lessens the burden on our magicians as well...]

Ferdinand seriously thought about it, then glanced at Arabella and asked, "What would you like to do?"

"Eh? Me?" Arabella was surprised to suddenly be the one to decide for this.

"You were the one who was approached by them," Ferdinand said.

Arabella glanced at Raymond, and he nodded as well. They didn’t mind her making the decision.

"If all of you see the benefit in this, I think it should be fine. But only if His Eminence and King Alvis are alright with it too," Arabella said.

"I’m fine with it," Alwin said.

"Alvis would be fine with anything as long as it doesn’t harm the tree. It was from Alwin’s blood, after all. Officially announcing it as a gift from the gods would rather please him," Raymond chuckled.

"Maybe, we should ask him," Arabella said.

"I’ll ask him," Alwin volunteered.