Chapter 77: The Order of St. George and the Tithe

Lateran Palace, Side Hall

As the highest authority beneath the Pope, Cardinal Camus Blancard squinted his eyes, listening to a bishop report on the previous year's tithe income and expenditures.

According to church regulations, the tithe was typically collected from late autumn to early winter each year. However, by the time the tithes from various noble territories arrived in Bethlehem, it was usually already spring of the following year.

"The tithes sent from the various noble territories are generally consistent, with only minor losses during transport hardly worth mentioning. However, the Duchy of Eric in the northern empire… has once again failed to pay even a single grain," a bishop murmured.

"He refuses to provide manpower for recruitment and now outright refuses to pay the tithe? What? Has Duke Eric completely set his mind against the Church?" Cardinal Blancard slowly opened his eyes, his expression displeased.

For several consecutive years, Duke Eric, the guardian of the northern frontier, had delayed tithe payments, citing military tensions in the north and massive food consumption. In the past two years, he had escalated his defiance—sending absolutely nothing to the Church.

"Perhaps… the Odin Empire's army has indeed been restless lately…" a bishop cautiously explained.

"Albad," Cardinal Blancard suddenly turned his gaze to the archbishop who had just spoken. "Since you took charge of the northern dioceses, heretical activities have significantly increased, and the number of commoners devoted to the Church has steadily declined. Tell me how exactly are you managing the North?"

As soon as Blancard finished speaking, a radiant glow suddenly burst from his body, and the chair beneath him erupted into blazing flames.

The previously dim hall was instantly illuminated by the roaring fire, as if the God of Light himself had descended, casting divine judgment upon the chamber.

"Thud!"

Seeing this spectacle, the bishops present were struck with terror and dropped to their knees in submission.

"Lord Blancard…" The archbishop Albad, his body trembling violently, pressed his forehead uneasily against the cold stone floor.

"Duke Eric's gold… isn't easy to obtain, is it?" Cardinal Blancard's short statement utterly shattered Albad's composure.

A dark yellow liquid gradually seeped through Albad's robes…

"Where is the gold? Write it down." Blancard gestured, and an attendant approached, placing a scroll of parchment and a quill before Albad.

"Please, spare my life, my lord…" Albad pleaded, eyes filled with desperation.

"Write!" The cardinal's voice was firm and cold.

With trembling hands, Albad grasped the quill and slowly scribbled a long list of locations.

"My lord… sentence me to building the statue instead. I am willing to join the commoners in construction…" Albad begged after finishing.

"Cardinal Albad, guilty of blasphemy. He shall be subjected to the coffin punishment and publicly displayed in Saint Peter's Square." Blancard's voice was emotionless. "And send the Holy Church Army to collect the gold."

Albad's eyes widened in horror at the verdict.

The coffin punishment, also known as the iron cage punishment, involved sealing the condemned inside a small metal cage, restricting their movement, and suspending them from a tree or gallows, leaving them at the mercy of crows.

The victim did not die instantly but remained conscious, forced to watch as the crows feasted upon their flesh—a process that could last for days…

"No! You can't do this! I have shed blood for the Church! I have served the Pope! You are just a cardinal! You have no right to judge me! I demand to see His Holiness the Pope!"

"Take him away. Carry out the sentence." Blancard frowned.

Immediately, a group of Holy Church soldiers dragged the screaming Albad from the chamber, leaving behind a trail of yellow liquid on the floor…

"Inform Duke Eric that the tithe is mandated by imperial law, authorized by the Regency Council and His Majesty the Emperor. He must send the tithes at once!" Blancard's voice was low and commanding.

"Yes, my lord…" The remaining cardinals bowed their heads in silent compliance.

Within the Church hierarchy, the Pope was at the top, followed by the cardinals, and then the cardinals overseeing the dioceses of the Norman Empire.

Though Blancard was not the only cardinal, he was the sole individual granted authority by the Pope to oversee Church affairs.

Waving his hand, Blancard dismissed the other bishops and cardinals.

The northern territories of the empire, under Duke Eric, had always been hostile to tithe collection. His repeated defiance of Church decrees was a persistent headache for Blancard.

The northern empire was already heavily influenced by the Odin Empire, and heretics frequently crossed the northern borders, making missionary efforts nearly impossible. On top of that, certain corrupt clergy turned a blind eye to the heretics, further weakening the Church's influence.

But…

Blancard raised his hand, and after a moment, a small flame flickered into existence in his palm.

This was the power he had gained after entering the Bethlehem Star Cave for the fourth time. According to legend, it was a divine gift, a sign of God's approval.

Strengthened by this divine sign, Blancard was now absolutely certain.

The God of Light is the one true deity in this world. All heretics must perish.