Isaac approached Delia with a logic similar to the one he used with Juan.

Bishop Juan has decided to dispatch 3 priests and 5 paladins here.

Delia, who was preparing to leave Issacrea, was startled by this news.

In reality, priests capable of performing miracles hold immense status and influence. If these were priests sent by Bishop Juan, it was certain that they could perform genuine miracles.

Although she had expected that priests and paladins would be sent to the newly established monastery, she hadnt anticipated such a large number. It was a number suitable for dispatch to a major city like Seor.

Why so many? Has another angel come here?

They probably want to firmly establish this place as a monastery territory.

Delia frowned deeply and muttered curses about Juan under her breath. While her faith in the Codex of Light was beyond question, it didnt necessarily extend to reverence for the priestly hierarchy.

To Delia, Juans actions seemed transparent.

So, the idea is to solidify influence over the territory while the Paladin is away on his noble quest? To sideline Isaac? That sounds like something that greedy old man would do.

Delia realized that leaving things as they were wasnt an option. She was already aware of Isaacs ambitions. Whether or not he joined the Emperors faction immediately, having a territory would pose a fundamentally different issue if he ever did join the Emperors forces.

Lord Issacrea, is there anything the territory needs? A new domain like this must have many needs.

Delia was well aware of what a new lord would most need.

If necessary, I can offer a substantial loan under very favorable terms.

Under the Emperors patronage, Delia possessed significant wealth.

However, she had no intention of simply handing over money to Isaac. Giving money would end the matter, but creating debt allowed for ongoing influence under that pretext.

Delia didnt mind if Isaac was unable to repay the loan. It was enough for him to remain under her influence. In fact, she preferred that he couldnt repay it.

I have no need for a loan.

Isaac, who seemed well aware of her thoughts, promptly refused. Delia, knowing he had almost no money aside from what was needed to rebuild the monastery, looked at him in surprise.

However, Isaac spoke like a seasoned merchant.

Instead, exempt Issacrea from taxes for a while so that it can properly establish itself. Then, the domain can sustain itself with its own strength.

All territories in the Empire are naturally subject to taxation. However, taxation at that time involved a chain where serfs collected taxes and passed them to their lord, who then took a portion and passed it up the hierarchy. Tax rates and regulations varied wildly from one domain to another.

Since Isaac had effectively received the territory from Duchess Delia Lyon, the authority to collect taxes rested with her. At Isaacs request for a tax exemption, Delia felt as though shed been struck, yet she couldnt help but laugh at the absurdity.

Its something Id never expected to hear from a Paladin.

Isaacs proposal wasnt novel. Delia, as a grand lord, often heard pleas for tax reductions or exemptions. What made it remarkable was that it came not from a minor lord or merchant but from a Paladin.

Normally, the Codex of Lights church, which operates on donations, enjoys wealth comparable to the royal family without paying taxes, as they have no essential expenditures for running the Empire. Therefore, the church typically desires money itself, not concerned with taxes they dont pay.

Delia could sense from Isaacs tax talk that he was already a prepared lord.

The position of Isacrea makes it difficult to apply standard tax rates. However, its impossible to fully exempt you from taxes, as paying them is a duty of Imperial citizens.

Even for a monastery territory?

Its still a territory granted by the Emperors representative, me.

Very well. Then, could you at least exempt us from mineral and trade taxes for a while? These are the main sources of income for Isacrea, and exemption would allow us to find a way forward.

Isaac quickly offered a compromise.

Once again, Delia felt that Isaac was a prepared ruler.

From her perspective, she had to concede something comparable to the priests and paladins to Isaac. However, completely exempting him from taxes would almost declare the land as church territory.

Since Isacreas main income was from mining, exempting just the mineral and trade taxes could firmly demonstrate the lands ownership by the Empire.

Since Isacreas main source of income was from the coal mining industry, exempting it from mineral and trade taxes alone could definitively show that the land belonged to the Empire.

By naturally securing a concession from Delia, Isaac managed to secure his share of benefits while providing her with a reason to agree.

That should be acceptable. Lets see, I will grant an exemption from the related taxes for the next three years. We can adjust the other conditions later.

After all, in two years, the Dawn Army would be formed. By then, religious fervor would be rampant, and Isaac was confident that he could negotiate even better terms than now.

Agreed.

I will send my secretary to draft a document detailing this agreement. Its best to have these things in writing.

With both parties satisfied with the transaction, Delia prepared to depart. Holding the reins of her horse, ready to leave, she suddenly asked Isaac a question.

Lord Isaac Issacrea, may I ask your age?

19 years old.

Isaac deliberately overstated his age, not wanting to seem too young.

Ah, older than you look. Are you seeing someone?

Isaac froze for a moment at Delias question, prompting her to burst into laughter.

No, I wasnt implying that. Even if youre handsome, Im not considering you for courtship. Why would I, at my age? But my daughters would surely fancy you at first sight.

With a wink, she spurred her horse forward.

Visit the capital sometime! My daughters, cute like me, are of marriageable age and waiting!

Delia, not outdone in stature by her accompanying knights, rode off with a hearty laugh. Isaac could only offer a half-hearted farewell.

***

Good. The tax exemption went smoother than expected.

Isaacs exemption from mineral and trade taxes was intended not only to maximize income but also to avoid detection.

He planned to secretly sell off parts of the angel while redeveloping the coal mines. Fragments of an angel could be used to create valuable artifacts imbued with miraculous powers, attracting eager buyers. He also wanted to keep whatever happened within the domain as hidden as possible.

Tax records were, in this regard, the easiest means for speculation and scrutiny.

Its not for nothing that the FBI looks into the tax records of drug organizations

While such investigative techniques might not exist in this world yet, if the flow of goods out of the domain were tracked, it could raise suspicions.

With this, Isaac had laid the foundational groundwork for veiling Isacrea.

His next task was to send letters to the connections he made in Soer.

Why do I have to do this?

The inquisitor, Isolde, looked at Isaac incredulously.

Isaac shrugged and replied.

Well, you agreed to monitor me, right?

Shouldnt I stay here to keep an eye on you then, rather than run errands like delivering letters?

Isaac grinned and tapped two letters in his hand.

To explain, this letter is for Caitlin, the Seor branch head of the Golden Idol Guild. While the Golden Idol Guild may be friendly donors to the Codex of Light and faithful contributors, their adherence to other faiths hasnt changed. Doesnt it concern you that Im sending a letter to such people, considering the content and recipient?

It does concern me.

Isolde reluctantly admitted.

She was staying to ascertain if Isaac harbored any heretical beliefs, so it was appropriate for her to be informed if he was contacting other faiths. Isaac tapped on the second letter.

This letter is for Jacquette, a scoundrel we met in Seor. A former leader of the Barbarian gang who once sought to kill me, but

Yes?

has now reformed and is leading a virtuous life. However, the fact that she was a defector from the Barbarians, and still leads a group of Barbarians, hasnt changed. Im sending a letter to such a person. Doesnt that concern you?

Certainly it does.

So, would you rather stay by my side observing mundane administrative tasks, or monitor and verify the suspicious actions of a dubious knight?

Isaacs logic was flawless, leaving Isolde no choice but to agree to the errand of delivering the letters. Even if she inspected the letters now, she would eventually have to go to Seor to meet and investigate the recipients.

Before leaving, Isolde asked Isaac.

May I read the letters?

If an inquisitor wishes to inspect the letters, how could I, a servant of the Codex of Light, refuse? Do as you please. However, if you respect etiquette, I assume youll seek the recipients permission before reading.

Giving her the choice implied that reading them without permission would be a shameful act.

Isolde sighed heavily.

Normally, in an investigation, permission would not be sought; the letters would simply be taken and read. However, these letters were not hidden or sneaked away; Isaac had handed them directly to Isolde.

This complicated her feelings.

Since Ill meet them anyway, Ill ask them. But Ill read them even if they refuse.

Isaac was not worried by Isoldes declaration.

He wouldnt have entrusted her with the letters if their contents were dangerous to reveal.

Maybe the curiosity will make her hurry back. Will it take about a week?

It had taken nearly ten days for Isaac to travel from Seor to Isacrea, considering the groups size and encounters like troll attacks. However, as Isolde was alone and motivated, a week seemed sufficient.

Besides, if the content was harmless enough to risk detection, it was better to openly allow inspection than to create suspicion by using intermediaries like Zihilrat or Hesabel.

With a week bought, something is bound to happen in the meantime.

The last reason Isaac sent Isolde away.

He was waiting for someone.

While Isaac was fully capable of avoiding her scrutiny, the person he awaited might not be. Surely, they would seize the opportunity of the inquisitors absence.

Isaac decided to wait and see how to proceed with Isacrea.

***

Night.

A man was climbing a mountain.

He flinched at the remnants of a fierce battle in the valley but continued past the debris toward a cave.

The cave led directly to the abandoned mine. Soon, the man stood before the angel, sealed by the priests of the Codex of Light.

The sight of the angel, encased in numerous seals and golden threads, elicited a sigh from the man. The angel appeared trapped by the golden threads. Attempting to approach, the heat emanating from the threads forced him to recoil.

I never expected that among those who came with the central nobles, there would be a heretic.

A voice echoed from the darkness of the cave. Startled, the man attempted to draw his sword but fumbled and dropped it. Hurriedly picking it up, he looked up to hear a mocking voice.

Eidan Bearverk, was it? The merchant from the northern consortium.

With grey hair and a beard, Eidan Bearverk glared at Isaac with anxious eyes.

Isaac remembered him.

Though many had left with Delia and Juan, a few remained in the village, including the priests and paladins left by Juan, Isolde, and Eidan.

Eidan, who had been the loudest about securing money or territory over the church and the emperors power struggle, had a scholarly air unlike other nobles, leaving a deep impression on Isaac with his sharp remarks.

Why are you here? To take back the angelic fragment as compensation for the money you couldnt collect?

Isaac feigned guessing his motive.

Eidan bit the bait.

If I could get an angelic fragment, it would more than compensate for the losses

No, thats not it.

Isaac immediately denied it, his smile shining through the darkness.

He produced something from his pocket. Eidans eyes flickered intensely.

What Isaac revealed was the very white slab created by Lisfen Hendrake and reviewed by Kalsen Miller.

Is this what youre looking for?