Chapter 105: The Art Of The Deal (2)
Seeking enlightenment from the heavens that one can gain by oneself is futile.
–Epicurus
At the unexpected words, the Lily Swordsman blinked as if flustered.
It was clear he couldn’t keep his composure as Her Majesty suddenly changed her stance 180 degrees, as if to understand the position of the Zion Clan.
“Hmm… Yes. If you know that, it’s fortunate. I was briefly worried that the Sword Queen might be someone who could not be reasoned with.”
Certainly, there were a few implicit taboos in the martial world.
Especially, the secret techniques of each sect were treated with due respect, so the taboos regarding them were something any martial artist would adhere to without needing to be told.
To summarize this simply in three lines, it would be as follows.
Peeking at someone else’s training.
Stealing secret techniques. Trading secret techniques of unknown origin for money or other forms of compensation.
Those who violated these three would face cruel punishments, such as having their Elixir Field destroyed or limbs severed, regardless of their affiliation with Orthodox, Unorthodox, or Demonic clans, and neither friends nor family could object.
Of course, if a martial artist of the Unrestrained Realm decided to violate these, there would be few in the martial world who could judge them.
In the case of Her Majesty, her position is very special, hence she would face criticism from surrounding nations.
But this is a story for when the Zion Clan has done nothing wrong.
“Without the principles of the martial world, a martial artist is no different from a beast. No matter how much a ruler of a nation, they cannot be free from the principles of the martial world.”
“Exactly!”
“As one who bears the name of the House of Hanover and Great Britain, I wish to stand before the Ancestral Temple and the Altar of the Soil and Grain without shame1. Can the warriors of the Zion Clan understand this sentiment of mine?”
Perhaps feeling relieved that the situation might be resolved in the desired direction, the Lily Swordsman’s complexion brightened compared to before.
Certainly, he must be under the delusion that he can fully control this matter and has the justification to prevent me from revealing the secret to anyone.
However, having already witnessed a similar scene once at the Debutante Ball, I could guess what would happen next.
That guy, what eventually happened to him.
The foolish criminal who, after being caught for killing his brother, not only mocked the police approaching to arrest him with a Golden Gun2 but also dared to invoke the authority of another dynasty in front of Her Majesty.
After witnessing the series of events that day, I learned two lessons.
“Of course I understand! If you know that, then the Sword Queen should immediately retract her words. If you refuse-”
First.
When Her Majesty’s annoyance or anger reaches its peak, she pretends to concede and throws a bait, so one must be cautious.
And second.
“If I refuse, what will you do?”
“…?”
When the bait dangles before your eyes, if you swallow it and boastfully chatter on.
“It is said that secret techniques should not be traded, but is this not a loyal subject of Great Britain trying to present that knowledge to me?”
You will end up losing without even recovering your principal.
“Moreover, the prohibition on the trading of secret techniques is limited to cases where it is proven that their origin is stolen or leaked. If the Little Heavenly Demon, Sherlock Holmes, stole the secret technique that draws out the true function of the Indulgence Talisman from the Zion Clan, I would not object if you punish the Little Heavenly Demon, Sherlock Holmes.”
If you can prove it, that is.
Her Majesty looked at the apostle with a cold smile filled with mockery.
The moment she uttered the name “Little Heavenly Demon”, the Inquisitor’s eyes briefly turned towards me.
It seems my moniker is bothering him.
Of course, he cannot know where I obtained that secret technique.
In the first place, the method to activate the Indulgence Talisman was not something I learned from a master but something I discovered on my own.
If he wants to find fault somehow, he has no choice but to check if I have mastered Demonic arts.
But since what I have mastered is the Lionheart Method, there is no way it would exhibit signs of Demonic arts training.
Therefore, he cannot harm me in any way.
In the first place, not all martial artists in Europe who use the character ‘demon’ in their moniker have mastered Demonic arts.
“What ludicrousness is that! Prove it or not, how could this person have figured out the method to activate the talisman without torturing other Brothers and Sisters of the Zion Clan! That secret technique is one of the most complex even among the apostolic seats!! Sword Queen, do not further disgrace the authority granted by the Lord to the Pope!!”
Unable to refute, he leans on authority.
Among the older Catholics, there are many with such a mindset, but seeing someone with a face younger than mine say such things made it hard to suppress my laughter.
“Then, shall we ask the person involved to confirm. Little Heavenly Demon, listen.”
“Command me as you will. Her Majesty’s subject is here.”
A smile was about to break out from Her Majesty’s lips at any moment.
As if she couldn’t hold back because this situation was so amusing.
“How did you discover the secret related to the Indulgence Talisman?”
To her question, I pulled out the model answer I had prepared in advance, a lie so perfect it couldn’t be exposed.
“While researching the talismans of the Modern Clan, I heard that the talismans of the Zion Clan were more miraculous, so I bought them for money.”
“Oh ho.”
“Upon researching, I found that the talismans were engraved with formations created by adding mysterious principles and techniques, which were indeed beyond human understanding.”
“And then?”
“In the end, I held on to the talisman for seven days and nights, burning incense and praying.”
“What?!”
In the middle, the Lily Swordsman interrupted with an incredulous expression and shouted, but I continued speaking without concern.
“As the seventh night was drawing to a close, divine wisdom and knowledge from the heavens descended upon me, allowing me to unravel the secret of the talisman. In the name of our Lord, I swear on the Union Jack3 that I have never stolen the secret techniques of the Zion Clan.”
The Heavenly Father personally whispered with starlight, so what excuse could they have to harm me?
“Indeed!”
-Thud!
Her Majesty exclaimed with a majestic sound of approval.
“Truly, you are a loyal subject of mine! Every word from your mouth proves your innocence and is flawless! Little Heavenly Demon, your birth and upbringing in this country is a testament to the Heavenly Father’s watch over Great Britain! This is indeed a great blessing for Great Britain! Scribe, record this!!”
Her Majesty and I, like long-time partners, took turns spouting ridiculous lies.
And amidst the sound of the masked scribes’ pens hidden among the ball attendees.
“Blasphemy!!!!”
Finally unable to contain his anger, the Inquisitor’s furious voice rang out.
I looked at him with a rather mysterious face, channeling my inner power into my tongue.
“Blasphemy, you say.”
The prepared final blow. I opened my mouth and delivered it.
“Interesting.”
What do you plan to do out of anger?
“So, where’s the evidence?”
What can you do?
“……”
The Zion Clan priest, who finally condemned me in a fit of emotion.
He could only stare at me silently without saying a word.
I spoke with what I thought was the most innocent and harmless expression.
“Since we’re on the topic, this is England, not Rome.”
“……”
“And the blasphemy law in England stipulates punishment only for serious blasphemy against the Anglican faith.”
He remained silent, unable to offer any rebuttal.
In the past, the Vatican had never expressed significant opposition when artists like Handel testified that they completed their works through divine inspiration.
Many martial artists who contributed to the development of Kung-Fu also claimed that new enlightenment came from the heavens, but even then, the Zion Clan remained silent.
Unless someone advocated heretical doctrines and claimed them as wisdom from the heavens, there was no excuse or need to attack or engage in direct Sword Dialogue.
In that sense, the statement I just made was something that couldn’t help but irritate them.
‘Because the doctrine regarding the Indulgence Talisman is not a core doctrine of the Zion Clan.’
I did not deny the Holy Trinity.
Nor did I insist that some strange heretical teaching came down to me from the heavens.
I merely shared with them the spiritual experience that my prayers were answered, allowing me to uncover the secret of the Indulgence Talisman engraved with mysterious formations.
Of course, the reality is different, but even if I claimed that I realized the method to break the seal of the Indulgence Talisman through holy inspiration from the heavens in the name of our Lord, they would be unable to refute it.
This person can’t just kneel on the floor, close his eyes, then stand up and suddenly say, ‘I communed with our Lord, and He condemned you as a heretic. Take my sword!’ and slit my throat.
[…Hey. You’re not really thinking of selling the method to activate the talisman to the Sword Queen, are you?]
As expected, he quickly whispered to me through a Direct Message.
[Sell it? How irreverent. This is the only answer I can give you right now.]
[What, if you were thinking of negotiating, you should have said so!]
He didn’t seem completely oblivious, as there was a hint of relief in his urgent voice coming through the Direct Message.
His tone also returned to what it was before he openly expressed his emotions.
‘I’m glad he’s not someone who can’t be reasoned with at all. It seems I can proceed as planned.’
However, anyone who immediately sets conditions here is an irredeemable amateur.
It would be foolish to sell off a prime deal, with big players like Her Majesty, the Zion Clan, and other martial artists from all over the world betting on it, at a low price.
This is an auction where I set the time limit and the winning bid. There is no need to rush.
For now, let’s make him anxious.
[If you don’t leave the palace immediately, I plan to recite the Vatican’s proud apostolic seat formulas and the method to decipher the formations engraved on the talisman in front of not only the Sword Queen but all the martial arts masters gathered here with a Lion Preaching4
[You seem like someone with no business ethics.]
[That’s not something people who charge several times the talisman’s price under the guise of Exorcism rituals should say.]
Perhaps he was holding back from unleashing a torrent of vulgar curses, as the Lily Swordsman repeatedly wiped his dry face.
[This guy never loses a word.]
[You’re too kind.]
A conversation exchanged in the blink of an eye.
After confirming each other’s intentions faster than moving our lips, the priest let out a short groan.
“Ha…”
A look of final determination on his face.
“I spoke rashly in my excitement. I’ve almost falsely accused an innocent person. It is my wish that you can accept my apology.”
He raised his head and spoke to me and the Sword Queen.
“Alright. Let’s just address the important points. We have no excuse to stop you from handing over the information about the seal of the Indulgence Talisman to the Sword Queen.”
“It’s fortunate that you know that.”
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
The Lily Swordsman dared to interrupt, but Her Majesty, the person involved, just smiled with a magnanimous expression.
It seemed she thought it was okay to display magnanimity since she had already gained the upper hand.
“You there, Little Heavenly Demon, or whatever this Brother’s name is. As a request, I hope you remember just this one thing.”
Now then, let’s see how the Vatican will respond.
- TL/N: Soil and grain was a common Chinese political term in the Sinosphere for the state. Shejitan, the altars of soil and grain, were constructed alongside ancestral altars. Chinese monarchs of the Ming and Qing dynasties performed ceremonies of soil and grain to affirm their sovereignty at the Beijing Shejitan ️
- TL/N: An item granted by a Monarch that grants them immunity ️
- TL/N: The British Flag ️
- TL/N: Lion Preaching -> originally martial art known as Lion Roar that uses the power of sound to damage enemies. ️