In early September, High Castle still retained some of August’s heat, which dissipated along with the rolling floodwaters.
From along the Honey River, two branches split off downstream.
One branch, the Kolo River, heads west to Langsande County, while another, the Silver Mantis River, crosses Reif County and rejoins the Nao’an River.
At the junction of Si’an Mountain and King’s Path lies a protruding flat-topped hill that people call Angel Plateau.
On Angel Plateau, by the banks of the Silver Mantis River, stands the capital of Shangruifo County, the location of the Shangruifo District’s cathedral — High Castle.
A series of red-roofed buildings, ten-story square white stone towers, tree-lined avenues with carriages parked, and ubiquitous crucifixes.
Among them, the golden crucifix on the church dome shines the brightest.
Although more than half of Shangruifo County has been submerged by floods, there is no sign of tension on the streets of High Castle.
The people of High Castle do not fear the flood, not only because High Castle stands on a high platform by the river bend, but also because the upstream Tree Hedge Dam diverts the floodwaters in other directions.
On the cobbled streets of High Castle, citizens continue to chat and discuss matters, monks still rush around clutching their scriptures, and vendors still push their carts through the lanes.
The only difference is outside High Castle; the number of ragged refugees and displaced persons is growing.
He closed the stained glass window, shutting out the dying struggle of the summer cicadas.
Priest Boned, the secretary of High Castle Church, listened carefully for a moment to ensure he would not disturb High Castle Bishop Banifus in the prayer room, then lightly knocked on the door.
Banifus’ gentle and kind voice came from within the door.
Holding the scroll in his hands, Boned waited patiently at the door for nearly ten minutes without complaint.
A contented sigh was heard from within, followed by a rustling sound.
The door opened, and a young nun emerged from the room, her auburn locks clinging to her flushed face with sweat.
The nun nodded shyly and kindly at Boned, and Boned kindly pointed to her red lips, reminding her of the white stain still at the corner of her mouth.
Once the nun had left, Boned immediately entered the prayer room and carefully closed the door.
The prayer room was not large, with only two small windows, and the dim candlelight made everything look blurred, even the large holy image in the center of the room appeared eerie.
High Castle Archbishop Banifus stood in front of Miseria’s holy image, still savoring the peace and relief in his heart from the prayer.
Banifus appeared to be in his forties, yet his hair was a short crop of white; he kept no beard, only a bluish shadow around his mouth.
The archbishop wore the simplest linen robe, with no decorative patterns; his chest bore not a silver crucifix chain like other bishops but an oak crucifix strung on a thin cord.
Perhaps from handling it too much, the base of the oak crucifix had been smoothed to resemble a drop of water.
"How is it?" Banifus wore a gentle smile.
"Your Excellency Banifus, news from Feiliu Castle: Dean Juanuo, after church trials, now faces four heresy judgments and ninety-one charges of other beliefs, yet Dean Juanuo has not appeared.
However, if he hides in his stronghold in Kasha County, no one can act against him unless they wish to incite a civil war within the papacy and the monastery."
"Alas, it’s truly improper for an abbot to face so many accusations; why can’t they just sit down and discuss it? Banifus shook his head slightly, appearing compassionate and empathetic.
"I’m afraid the conflict between the two distinguished gentlemen is not something that can be resolved by simply sitting down to talk.
If Mr. Constans agreed to Mr. Juanuo’s demands, countless priests would point fingers and scold him.
His family would be utterly disgraced locally, their reputation ruined, and subject to derision; at least in his hands, he would not let Juanuo’s proposal pass," Boned chuckled bitterly, shaking his head.
Juanuo’s proposals are actually quite simple.
First, to revoke the special privileges of certain Imperial Nobility in the Thousand River Valley, treating everyone equally regardless of whether they’re from Thousand River Valley, with no commercial exemptions or pardons.
Second, to allow priests from Thousand River Valley to be promoted to the bishop level; so far, no one from Thousand River Valley has reached the rank above Priest.
Third, to designate Saint Shelley’s martyrdom site in Shelley City as one of the pilgrimage sites to facilitate pilgrimages by Thousand River Valley People.
But, regardless of which one, it involves a large number of interests of both Imperial Nobility and priests.
As for Juanuo’s response, he mobilized Public Register Farmers and refugees, who spontaneously went up the mountains to hold holy services, even began secretly assassinating nobles and Armed Farmers.
This led to a large number of farmlands being abandoned, and the refugees spontaneously established camps in the mountains, reclaiming new fields.
Anyway, as long as these refugees do not engage in open conflict, and do not really harm the lives of bishop-level nobles, the papacy is unlikely to take action.
After all, the monastery is also part of the church; within the monastery system, Juanuo is a monk of quite high status.
The cardinals in Holy Seat City also fear another major schism between the Northern and Southern Church like centuries ago.
"Sigh, Mr. Constans, they’re all men of the cloth, why are they always concerned with family matters? I don’t have such worldly desires."
After sighing for a while, Banifus continued to ask, "Are our rabbits still healthy?"
"Of the three litters of rabbits we’ve raised, one was flooded and we haven’t established contact yet.
One has already been successfully harvested and will be sent to High Castle shortly.
Another has run down the mountain and eaten all the grass in a village, except for one small sprout that survived."
"Oh, that’s truly unfortunate, so, so, so unfortunate." Banifus made the sign of the cross on his forehead, "Since that’s the case, let the children go to the Children’s Crusade."
"When will the new rabbit meat arrive? Soon, I’ll be hosting an esteemed guest, and the rabbit meat will make a fine dish."
"It will certainly arrive tomorrow."
"Hmm, get a barrel of blue-blood grape wine from the warehouse as well; it’s from last year and very fresh, the taste is different from the regular blue-blood grape wine." Banifus seemed to savor the blue-blood grape wine already, his face showing an expression of delight.
But Boned stood quietly by, awaiting Banifus’ reply.
"Well then, once these rebel gifts from the Secret Faction are sent to me, why shouldn’t I accept them with pleasure?" Banifus thought for a moment.
"In that case, send the child to the Children’s Crusade."
"As you wish, Your Excellency."
Banifus searched for the white paper, quickly penned a few lines, signed his name, and handed it to Boned.
"Take my letter, have Quincy carry my banner, and let everyone know that His Honorable Banifus is personally leading the crusade to exterminate these rebel bandits!"