Badlands Saga: Reincarnation in a Different World with Extreme Charisma

Chapter 33 Inner Animal 1

As the region developed, received investments, and even merchants tied to the port began to emerge, the Tanukan territory was thriving.

But, when things are going well, there are always opportunistic types who only show up when the winds are favorable.

“We permit the construction of the house of God in this land.”

That was the arrogant proclamation from the followers of the Aldora faith, who came from beyond the Karakan Mountains.

I wondered how many people in this area, myself included, had actually received the blessing of the Aldora faith. But even if we are from the backwater of the backwater, we understand the importance of religion.

Not only do religious institutions have power, but they are also useful for weddings, funerals, and establishing authority, as well as for comforting the hearts of the people.

That’s why we provided them with a ramshackle hut in the best location in town to use as a church. But soon after their arrival, they started causing trouble.

“Infidels! Leave the land of the children of God!”

To our shock, before even spreading their doctrine to this remote area, the priests began a campaign to drive out the immigrant Makiano tribe.

Though outnumbered, they didn’t resort to violence. Instead, the priests would grab Makiano tribespeople on the street and lecture them endlessly in Tadra.

Even though the Makiano couldn’t understand the language, they could sense the hostility.

It didn’t take more than three days before the priests were all tied up, rolled in mats by the enraged Makiano, and tossed into the wilderness.

They were found by my knights during a patrol, being battered by the desert winds. But even after being rescued, the priests were furious at the “unbelievers” and showed no remorse for their actions.

However, the ones who were even more outraged were the Makiano tribe.

In retaliation, they built a temple dedicated to their ancestor Laokan directly in front of the Aldora church.

Naturally, this became a source of ongoing conflict.

“Makiano honors its ancestors! We have no need for the southern gods!”

“Cursed be the church of the false god! Justice upon the unworthy! Leora!”

Despite the language barrier, these daily exchanges of insults seemed perfectly synchronized.

Just when it seemed that force might be used again, I received a surprising plea from Gul, my former caretaker, who had taken it upon himself to mediate between the Aldora and Arima churches—not to my father, the lord, but to me.

“Fusha-sama, what do you think? Would you be willing to give them a sermon?”

“Isn’t that their domain?”

“Please, I beg you. Even common words would suffice. By having the local dignitary intervene, it can help preserve both parties’ dignity.”

Well, when he put it that way, it made sense. Besides, the Makiano situation was also my responsibility.

It seemed reasonable enough… though I honestly didn’t want to get involved. However, I reluctantly agreed. Accompanied by my guards, Kintman and Isara, as well as my wife Harriett, the top representative from the makiano side, and her aide Urok, I headed between the two churches.

“Hmm? You must be… Fushanklan…”

“The third son of the border lord…?”

“Nice to meet you all. I am Fushanklan, the third son of the Tanukan Border Lord.”

“Ah! Yes! I’ve heard of you!”

“The divine child who subdued the great red dragon, Kuiwaina!”

“We were hoping to greet you in person soon!”

I first greeted the priests of the Aldora faith, but it seemed the situation was somewhat different from what I had been told.

The priests, clad in fine robes that seemed inappropriate for their makeshift church, appeared to be surprisingly humble, contrary to the rumors of their arrogance when dealing with my father, the border lord.

It was unclear where the miscommunication had occurred, but I was relieved that they seemed willing to listen.

Next, I moved on to greet the priests of the Arima faith on the Makiano side.

“Hey, Fu from the wastelands! And Lady Harriett! Please, tell those noisy southern rascals a thing or two today!”

“Those country folk beyond the mountains, we spared them out of our mercy… and yet, they just won’t shut up.”

“I’m here today to listen to both sides.”

“Feel free to listen as much as you like!”

It didn’t seem like there was a genuine barrier to communication. Both sides looked like they could understand if spoken to properly.

Perhaps because so many had gathered in the middle of the road, townsfolk also began to collect, but we weren’t discussing anything shady.

Let’s sit down and hear each other out.

“Urok, can you translate?”

“Sure thing!”

With her lighthearted response, I entrusted the translation to her and positioned myself to listen to both sides.

I stood between the two groups, first turning my attention to the Aldora priests, who had caused the trouble.

“Priests, I’ve heard you’re trying to drive out the Makiano people from my territory?”

“Uh! Um, that is—!”

“…a misunderstanding! Yes! It was a misunderstanding!”

“Indeed! We merely sought to share the teachings and the greatness of Leora!”

“That’s all well and good, but the Makiano have their own god and their own path. If you’re operating here, please refrain from unnecessary interference.”

When I stated this clearly, they exchanged bewildered glances, as if they had never expected to hear such words.

“However… all gods besides Leora are surely impostors, aren’t they?”

“Indeed, indeed! This world was created entirely by Leora…”

Well, it seems that Leora is revered as the creator god, so it’s understandable they’d want to say that. However, if they intend to operate in this town, they need to take a step back.

“Leora created this world, and the Makiano world was created by Laokan. What harm is there in recognizing that separation?”

“Wait! Living in the righteous world is the path to happiness for all! Serving false and evil gods leads to judgment in the afterlife!”

“The judgment of Leora will fall upon His people, and Laokan’s judgment upon His.”

“That won’t do!”

“To meet again in the same place is true happiness!”

I put my arm around Harriett’s shoulders and faced the heated priests.

“My wife Harriett serves the Makiano god, but… I was born in the wasteland, so I will not be summoned to the same place as her. But that is fine. Everyone should go where they wish; being unable to go to the place they long for and dying in confusion is painful.”

“Yes! Then let your wife also serve leora! If she does, she will surely be called to the same heavenly realm as you, Lord Fushanklan!”

The priests probably meant well, but in a land where more people speak Makiano than Tadra, that approach simply won’t work.

Choosing one side would create a decisive rift.

In this town, where no overwhelming leader exists and cultures have mixed by chance, clarity is essential to avoid conflict and bloodshed.

What we need most right now is a preparatory period to acknowledge each other as neighbors.

To buy that time, I was ready to spin any amount of sophistry.

“Tanukan is a land of in-betweens. Between mountains and grasslands, between wastelands and oceans, and between Tadra and Makiano. It cannot simply settle on one side… It’s crucial to accept both for what they are.”

So, I continued.

“Whether it’s Aldora or Laokan, people should be free to rely on whatever they wish. As long as the person can smile at the end, they can choose the god they pray to. Surely, my wife and I, if guided, can meet in the appropriate place, even if our chosen deities differ.”

“To be free… How could one speak of faith like that…”

“In any case, I urge you, priests, to refrain from forcing faith upon the people here. Next time you are treated to hospitality, you cannot assume that the Makiano will be accommodating.”

“…”

Turning my back to the silent priests, I faced the religious figures of Makiano.

“Urok, translate this into Ariima now.”

“Got it!”

But even before I said anything, the Makiano side seemed to be in agreement.

With much brighter faces than before, the priests patted my shoulder.

“Ah, the people of the Wasteland, you’ve said everything we wanted to say! Yes, yes, Makiano is Makiano, and the people of the Wasteland are the people of the Wasteland. That’s perfectly fine.”

Well, they could be considered the victims this time, after all.

While exerting power or building churches right across from other religious establishments can raise some issues…

Regardless, with the growing number of Makiano people, they would certainly need their own religious facilities.

Especially the Arima faith, which is more like a gathering place for the Laokan family than a religion.

It’s not meant for anyone other than Laokan’s descendants, and they don’t recruit outsiders or impose their rules on them. Personally, it’s a religion that’s hard to criticize.

So today’s exchange was partly meant to reassure them.

“Thank you for your understanding. Just, if possible, it would help if you could avoid too much conflict.”

“Isn’t that up to them?”

Well, that’s true.

Having said what I needed to, I exchanged glances with Grandpa Gul and left the church.

I don’t know how the Aldora faith will respond from now on, but for us, it doesn’t matter whether there’s a church in Tanukan or not.

My gentle father is already feeling quite irritated by the priests’ actions.

As long as there are no delicate disputes with the different ethnic groups, it doesn’t matter if we get complaints from the distant Aldora headquarters, or if they get scared and leave.

At least that’s what I thought…

Surprisingly, it seems the Aldora church in Tanukan has changed their stance.

Since that day of discussion, they haven’t forced anything on the people, haven’t begged for donations, and haven’t been harsh on the Makiano.

I don’t know what prompted this change of heart, but over the years, the church eventually took down the Aldora sign…

It became a true house of prayer for Tanukan, where knights, landowners, and even Makiano, among other ethnicities, freely came and went.

◆◆◆

The Son of God, Fushanklan, has come to the house of prayer.

Having been taught the path of the wicked priest, I tremble greatly.

He spoke to the prist thus:

Wife, though our paths diverge, it shall be well.

Better to die and be lost than to lose sight of my path and not move forward.

In this narrow space, one cannot establish a path to govern.