Enlightened Empire

Chapter 355: Two Masks

Another cloudy morning promised another dire day for Saniya. Before the sun had even come up, an army of messengers had already left the city walls and spread out on the highways all throughout the southern kingdom. Within two days, they would reach all estate capitals in the kingdom, and send Corco’s temporary concessions to Mayu and his supporters.

If Mayu wasn’t too stubborn, the messengers would interrupt his wartime preparations and prevent an immediate war. They would also win some much-needed time for Corco’s staff. With that time, they could improve their political position. On top of that, they could try to come up with better solutions to their many problems, before Mayu and his gang used their newly gained power to do irreversible damage to Saniya.

The most important part to this dance on a knife’s edge was Corco, who, first thing in the morning, prepared to meet with the representative for the Pacha priests in Saniya. All this time, Corco had dealt with the young priest Watachay, apprentice to the old Grand Reader on top of Mount Urquna. Thus, he was greatly surprised when another figure entered his study instead, though it was one he was also quite familiar with.

Over the past few years, Watayi had been one of the priests Corco had hired to map out his kingdom for him. He had also been the one who had complained about the traveling folk and wanted to keep the disappearing Eternal Ice on the map. Later, Watayi had lost his job over these issues. Now, he stood in front of his former boss with a haughty look on his face.

In the presence of his king, the lower-ranked Watayi should have bowed, and he should have introduced himself and greeted his king first. However, the priest did nothing of the sort. Instead, he just walked right up to Corco’s desk and sat in a seat opposite the king. With a provocative look that reeked of a small man with a strong backing, he waited in silence, seemingly in no haste to start the conversation.

“Master Watayi. Please take a seat,” Corco said in a dry voice after he realized that they wouldn’t get anywhere by staring at each other. “What a surprise to see you here.”

“King Corcopaca. Why would this divine man’s appearance be a surprise?” The priest’s smile narrowed just the tiniest bit, as did his eyes. One sentence in, his negotiation partner was already unhappy. However, no matter how unreasonable Watayi was, Corco was eager for a proper deal with the Pacha priests. If they could mend their relationship, many of Saniya’s problems would disappear straight away. Thus, despite his better judgment, he tried to explain himself.

“Well, usually, Apprentice Watachay shows up when the priesthood wants to convey a message to me,” he said. “He’s easy to talk to, and we know each other well. I’m just wondering why he didn’t come here this time.”

Watayi’s sneer deepened, and his next words confirmed Corco’s worst fears.

“Watachay is no apprentice any longer. He has been cast out by the Grand Reader, and has thus been relieved of his previous duties and privileges as part of the Pacha priesthood.”

“I see.” Corco tried to hide the concern in his voice. “May I ask what he has done wrong to deserve such a harsh treatment?”

“King Corcopaca should know very well about Apprentice Watachay’s failings. After all, he has committed his crimes based on King Corcopaca’s insistence. Led astray by a misguided layman, the priest’s mind was poisoned. Once the poor soul tried to spread these lies to other priests, the Grand Reader had no choice but to cast him aside. King Corcopaca’s question is very inappropriate. As the main culprit, King should show more humility, and not pretend ignorance.”

Again, Corco was surprised to see Watayi so aggressive. Not long ago, the priest had been one of Corco’s subordinates, and had often pretended to be meek and submissive in front of him. Now, apparently with the full support of Medala’s priesthood, he had become an entirely different person. This attitude really gave the king a headache. If Watayi was already acting like this now, it really didn’t bode for the rest of their negotiations.

At the same time, Corco was worried about Watachay. The young priest had shared many enlightening conversation with the young king. Together, they had planned to steer the religious development of Medala in a positive direction. They had imagined a future in which the Pacha faith would become an important, positive force in Corco’s ideal kingdom.

Watachay’s sudden and unplanned disappearance could mean nothing good for his well-being. Of course, Corco also knew what Watayi was suggesting with his accusations. The last time he had met Watachay at his new university, the king had suggested that he try to establish a reformist force within the ranks of young Pacha priests.

Although Corco was deeply worried about the fate of someone he considered a friend, he knew that asking Watayi about it wouldn’t have any effect. If anything, his former subordinate would just use the chance to make some more vaguely threatening, snide remarks. Thus, he chose to move on for now and play the host. With any luck, Watayi’s attitude was nothing but the comeuppance of a disgruntled former employee, and not the official stance of all Pacha priests. If he satisfied his vanity a bit, maybe the priest would calm down.

“All right, in that case, I am happy to welcome Priest Watayi, and hope that we will have a positive cooperation,” he said, rather than complain. However, despite his diplomatic words and frank smile, the priest still didn’t look any more cooperative.

Instead, Watayi snorted and said, “Then this priest will hope that King Corcopaca will show more restraint and humility towards the priesthood in the future. Otherwise, the consequences are not what a mere king can bear.”

“Right.” What else was Corco supposed to say to that? “Anyways, can I offer you any refreshments? A cup of tea, or maybe some cake?”

“No need. This priest is busy with many matters, and does not expect this conversation to take up much of his time,” Watayi replied as he pretended to be in a sour mood. Though his acting was poor, and the raised corners of his lips told Corco that he was really enjoying this.

At this point, Corco realized that civility would get him nowhere here, so he simply gave up his previous approach. Watayi had clearly come here with a grudge, so no matter how many concessions the king made for the priest with a lower social standing, it would only inflate Watayi’s ego even more.

While he wasn’t really worried about the disgruntled Watayi, he was deeply troubled over the reason the high priests had sent someone like him to represent them. Maybe he had simply been picked because he had been working for Corco before and could thus bridge the gap between the two sides, but in that case, the high priests had made a poor choice.

“So what exactly brings you here then?” the king tried again to start a conversation, though his tone was now a lot less friendly.

“This priest has simply come to bring a warning to King, a warning that has also been extended to all people in this city doomed to damnation in the eternal abyss. Turn back now and repent your crimes against the Divines, or face their wrath.”

You’re trying really hard to make me facepalm.

Despite the priest’s theatrical nonsense, Corco was still willing to play nice, though Watayi was really taxing his patience by now.

“I understand your concern,” he lied. “And I also understand the good intentions of the priests. Everyone is very grateful for the effort the Pacha priesthood has put into saving Saniya. Not once in my life have I seen so many priests in one place as I have on my streets these days. There weren’t even that many priests in Arguna during the Succession War.”

For once, Corco tried to be subtle, rather than direct. Not only had he hinted at the obviously over the top attack the priests were launching on his city, his mention of Arguna also hinted at more malicious intentions. During the Succession War, the Pacha priests had been eager to gain political power within the Silver Palace, which had almost cost them everything by supporting Pachacutec’s group.

After all, Pacha’s father Caelestis and his ancestor Viribus had long planned to remove the Pacha faith from the city and replace it with another, one more willing to play along with their megalomaniac games. Thus, Corco’s mention of Arguna was both an objection to the ambitions of the priests, as well as a warning about their recent alignment with his uncle Pachacutec. However, if Watayi understood Corco’s complaint, he certainly didn’t show it.

“Yes, the high priests are greatly concerned about Saniya,” he simply said. “By itself, the fact that more Pacha priests have traveled to Saniya than to Arguna should show King how dire the situation is.”

I understand,” Corco repeated, now already frowning. “As king, I am responsible for the well-being of my people, and want to do whatever I can to ensure their continued prosperity and happiness. However, I am not responsible for the well-being of their souls. I have listened to the priests of the street, but I don’t understand their problem. All their complaints seem to be about spiritual issues, all things that I am not responsible for. What am I supposed to do to save the souls of the people in the city? That’s your job, right? Or am I supposed to step into your field and do your work for you?”

“If King does not understand, he should have listened better,” Watayi said with the same dismissive tone he had used the whole time.

How the fuck do I do that, you dumb fuck? Open my ears more? I can’t do more than listen!

Again, Corco tried to calm down. He thought back to his childhood, when his Pacha faith had given him solace through lonely days in the palace. He also thought to the years after he had gained his new knowledge, which had challenged his faith so much, and how he had finally found an answer to his religious questions that he could live with.

He remembered that not all priests were like the one in front of him. Most of them simply wanted to help people find meaning and purpose in their lives, or provide solace for the hopeless. Somehow, helped by his thoughts, Corco managed to not explode in Watayi’s face. Somehow, he managed to pretend for a while longer.

“Very true,” he lied again. “However, this king is slow of mind. If Priest Watayi could point this king in the right direction and point out his failings, there would be a chance for reconciliation, would there not?”

“Reconciliation? That is impossible,” Watayi said, as his sneer turned into a nasty grin. “There will only be submission. For you, King Corcopaca, there is only one path to go, only one way to save your precious city. King Corcopaca needs to travel to Arguna, and step atop the Moonlight Ziggurat, where the high priests will be awaiting you. There, you will bow and kneel. In front of the priests and nobles of Medala, you will apologize for your failings as a Pacha adherent, as a king, and as a son. From now on, your staff of advisors will contain priests appointed by the Pachayawna, who will monitor your actions and guarantee that no more sinful behavior can occur under your rule.”

“Don’t fuck with me!” Finally, Corco’s mask fell and his real self burst out. “What, just because you had a nasty breakup, you’ve come back to take revenge on your old boss? I’ve met the Pachayawna. I’ve met most high priests. They’re not stupid enough to suggest shit like that. I know only one priest dumb enough to think this nasty brand of blackmail will work, and that is you. Okay, good. You’ve had your fun, and you managed to make me angry. Are we done now with the games? We both know I will never agree to this crap, so how about you cut the bullshit and tell me what the priests really want, so we can try to find some common ground.”

“Hahahaah!”

Up on his high horse, the priest laughed like a madman. Rather than get angry at the insults, which was what Corco had expected, he bent back and forth as he howled in laughter. Clearly, he was over the moon that their positions were finally reversed, and the power was going to his head.

“King Corcopaca, there is no common ground. Do not believe that you stand above others just because of a few shallow wins on the battlefield. What you want, even what the high priests want, does not matter any more. I am the man in charge of negotiations! My word is the will of the Divines! Do not believe there will be any progress made today. I have not come here to talk! I have come here for only one purpose. I will watch you suffer, as you witness the destruction of your rotten city! Your people will see your evil, and they will tear you apart as I watch on! You should have never offended me! This is the result! How dare you force a holy man like me to work for you, a mere king! How dare you force me to work with nonbelievers, as equals! How dare you not respect me! This is what you get! Now squirm and watch your kingdom crumble!”

Finally, both men had dropped their masks.