Volume 7 Chapter 7 (1/2)

Four days had passed since I founded my religion.

Simply declaring I founded a religion and doing nothing else was meaningless. The [Divine Revelation] surely had a wondrous effect, but that alone wasn't enough.

And so, for the past four days, the Dwarf Smiths had been building a church. Even though it would formally be known as a church, I also intended to use it as an assembly hall for large-scale events.

By the way, it hasn't been said enough because I had Rorono, but the Dwarf Smiths were truly fantastic.

As B rank monsters, they were already rare enough that most Demon Lords wouldn't be able to make them without expending original medals.

To top it off, their craftsmanship was one of the finest among all monsters. Using the golems as heavy machinery, they could do construction work faster than a group of humans could ever hope.

All that being said, to kickstart my new religion, I had enlisted the help of not only my monsters but the humans as well.

”Procell-sama, I've finished that thing you asked. Oh boy, it was hard. I dare say no one else but us, the Curtrude Company, would have been able to finish this task in time. Anyway, as you requested, our workers, after working day and night, have produced 500 copies of your second draft.”

”You have my thanks, Conanna.”

I had asked the Curtrude Company for its cooperation in this endeavor.

Considering that it was the leading trading company in Avalon and that its leader, Conanna, has answered each expectation I had for him, I was confident in asking them for help.

”I must confess I was surprised when you said you wanted to make so many high-quality books and then distribute them for free. But then again, it is you, Procell-sama.”

”These texts are vital, after all. Word of mouth just isn't enough for this.”

What I requested of the Curtrude Company was the production of holy books for my religion.

The main teaching of my religion could be summed up to humans and demi-humans getting along, but having only that much was just too lacking. For that reason, I commissioned the help of a poet to pad things out… err, rather, to rewrite my initial draft to appeal more to the people.

And now, we had produced a large number of copies of that book consisting of 20 or so pages.

The plan was to distribute these books for free to potential believers.

Seeing as paper was expensive, it was only natural to assume that books would be even more so.

Even so, I had decided to distribute the holy books for free in order to ensure, even if by only a little bit more, that my doctrine would be spread and that it would be spread correctly.

A little bit of investment for such a cause was not an issue, especially considering our gold reserves.

”Yeah, it's a good book.”

I said so while holding a copy of the holy book.

The leather it had for cover had a slight luster to it. It also looked sturdy and its overall craftsmanship was great.

Furthermore, they had only begun on the production of the book three days ago when the manuscript for it had just been finished. Even if the Curtrude Company commissioned multiple workshops, to be able to produce 500 copies in such a short time was a tremendous accomplishment.

”The ample budget surely helped. Early tomorrow morning, all of the 500 copies should be delivered.”

Thank goodness. They made it just in time.

It was scheduled that we were to hold the very first worshipping event tomorrow. We might not have enough for every individual that would attend, but we might just have enough for each family.

”If you can keep up this quality, I would like to order a thousand more copies. Don't worry, I won't say something like deliver them right away and all at once. Just deliver what you've finished once a week. I'll pay in advance; the cost doesn't matter. Also, I'll provide a bonus for your workers.”

Hard work needed to be compensated fairly.

That was my policy.

”Much appreciated, but I don't really mind being paid later.”

”Wouldn't an advance payment be more helpful?”

”Fufu. It certainly would be helpful, but I'd rather receive it after I've formally entered the religion you're going to found.”

”I guess I shouldn't be surprised you've heard about it.”

I planned on offering anyone who would become a believer of my religion tax incentives.

Furthermore, I also planned on giving people who worked in agriculture priority on the usage of our water systems. Free fertilizers and other stuff too.

I had reservations on this blatant baiting, but it was necessary.

I knew I wouldn't gain many true believers this way, but I had a plan to turn anyone enticed by these methods into one later.

”Alright. From tomorrow onwards, my religion is going to accept believers. Let us do our dealings after that.”

”Yes, let's.”

”Are you sure though? Worshipping me would pretty much mean that you and your Curtrude Company would be severing its ties to the Rigdolg Faith.”

The Rigdolg Faith was the world's largest religion wherein the [Black] Demon Lord reigned as its god.

In all likelihood, its believers wouldn't accept anyone believing in faiths other than their own.

Upon hearing me, Conanna smiled.

”Oh, I'm sure. Even from before, I have greatly respected you, Procell-sama. Moreover, your teachings align with what we merchants have believed. Whether they be human or demi-human, so long as they can give us profits, they are welcome. Your teachings suit us much better than that human supremacy ideology of the Rigdolg Faith.”

As to be expected of a first-rate merchant, he had already carefully thought it through. As calculated as it was though, this decision was still a gamble.

On the other hand, as Avalon's commerce grows, so too would his profits.

”I'm so glad you came to Avalon. Conanna, as thanks for your decision to stay, I hereby approve your proposal of establishing an orphanage. I shall see to it that it is built quickly too. I was surprised though. You've always struck me as a merchant who thought of nothing else but profit, and yet here you are doing something selfless.”

Conanna surprisingly was a very considerate person.

A day after I announced I was going to found my religion, he proposed to establish an orphanage in the church.

There were many adventurers here in Avalon. They made a living by going into the [Time] Demon Lord's dungeon which was very nearby. Unfortunately, risks of death came hand in hand with their occupation.

When such things happen, it wasn't an uncommon story for them to leave behind some family members.

The existence of orphans had always been a concern.

In order for them to survive, they would resort to rummaging the garbage and even pickpocketing. This in turn caused public order to deteriorate. Capturing these orphans, on the other hand, wasn't really a solution.

Adventurer associations did exist, but they didn't offer much help to the matter.

And so, in order to protect public order while also luring more adventurers to Avalon, establishing an orphanage seemed like a good move.

Should these orphans grow properly and make a family of their own, it would greatly benefit Avalon in the long run.

”You give me too much credit. This too is just a business venture. If those children are given proper education and grow into adults that have honest jobs, they would become valued customers for my company. This is just me shoving the responsibility to Avalon.”

So the person himself said, but I knew better.

I had found out was that he has been employing as much orphaned children as possible into his company, and has been treating them fairly.

There were also other good deeds he has been doing behind the scenes. It was enough to make me wonder if he had been orphaned and enslaved when he was a child.

I guess a person just isn't what they seem to appear on the surface.

”I'd also like to ask you to take care of the interior design of the church. Please have it ready by tomorrow.”

”Yes, arrangements for that has already been taken care of. Nothing but the highest quality furnishings that would help produce an atmosphere of holiness. My Curtrude Company has gathered the greatest craftsmen to produce this event, so please look forward to it.”

Even though the Dwarf Smiths might be able to make even better things, they were outmatched when it came to theming and such things.

Like this, it would serve as a valuable group activity between my monsters and the humans.

After talking about two or three other points, Conanna and I parted.

There were other important things to prepare, after all.

◇

I then returned to the carriage placed near the First Tree.

In the kitchen, Aura was busy making some kind of dubious medicine while humming.

Meanwhile, in a large room within the carriage, Ruru listened and then criticized the Ocean Singers on their song over and over again. The citizens of Avalon weren't supposed to hear their song yet, so they practiced it here.

”No, that won't do, you have to put more emotion into it. There's not enough love, love I say! You have to make them love everyone and cherish peace and harmony. Here, listen to me and the feelings I put in.”

Ruru then gave a sample.

Just listening to her song was enough to make one kinder.

”Okay, now, from the third verse! We only have until tomorrow! Everyone, do your best!”