"3rd May, 563. The Church Kingdom was the result of the unification of multiple churches, which includes the lunar church, church of solar, church of darkness, and the church of calamity.
"There are quite a few saint's in the church kingdom, if I remember correctly. The Saint, Riento is the child of the pope was the only natural born saint? He was born a half-ethereal creature, as a 4th chain luminary of the holy mandate. I envy him, he is quite lucky in life.
"The Second Capital St. Senturion of the church kingdom is about the size of the main capital and is mainly filled with adventurers and pirates, since this city is the closest to the nearest port. For some odd reason, that port doesn't have a city of it's own. Quite an inconvenience if I do say so myself. Right, St. Senturion falls under the jurisdiction of the archdiocese of the church of solar.
"Hm, the church of solar is in fact the oldest church ever established, and has the highest amount of land over it's jurisdiction, it's archdiocese nearing the double digits, and it's diocese being near the triple digits. It's quite powerful. It has a lot of political power and strength in the decisions of the church kingdom.
"The Third Capital, Ironspire. Nicknamed The City of Dawn, because of it's innovation on technology and protection from the archdiocese over it. Which is the lunar church, it's a little smaller than St. Senturion. The security here is much tighter, maybe due to the abundance of normal civilians living there.
"The Fourth Capital, Westerlund. Which, by far is the largest out of all the capitals of the church kingdom, a large portion of the capital is under the jurisdiction of the church of calamity, and the rest are under the jurisdiction of the newly established church of darkness.
"I believe it was established during the start of the current era, the machinery era. It has quite a hold over the mandate imprints for the Shaman Mandate.
"Right, back on topic. Westerlund is quite famous for their blacksmiths, and is a hotspot for innovators who think they will be the one to change the fate of humanity with their inventions.
"I should research more and write about the information for the churches next, and the areas they govern. If you would like to read more, i believe by the time one reads this, I should already be applying for the publishment of my book about this." The first page ended of right there.
Riento stared at the piece of paper for a few seconds, a look of confusion spread across his face. He digested the information he had just read, filling some of the gaps in his memories.
"Luminary... Diocese? If I remember correctly, that should be areas a church govern. Then archdiocese should be a larger area. But what are these luminaries?" Forming an answer from his memories, Riento muttered to himself in confusion.
What is a mandate? Weird, this page was made a day before my transmigration here. Well, it's probably a coincidence. Whose the author? Riento looked at the documents In his hands carefully once more.
He didn't find any. With a sigh, Riento reluctantly signed at the back of the paper as he pushed it aside.
"I'll research more about this in the great library later."
Riento started reading and signing the other documents. Emily came in sometimes to give him some southern-bay coffee, which the original Riento somehow liked despite it's sour taste.
Riento signed the last few documents, the tip of the pen flew over the paper, signing it with his signature.
This last document was just about gaining permission to increase the security over the four gates in the city.
He put back the pen, organizing the paperwork. Right after he stretched his fingers, which had gone numb from the continuous signing.
"Finally done." He let out a breath of relief, opening the drawer, he took out two notebooks, stashing them inside the pocket of his jacket, as he stood up. walking towards the window.
The Palace was on elevated land, allowing it to experience the wonderful light of the sun.
The sunset's beautiful. Riento inwardly complimented, as he switched his gaze towards the town.
He had a longing to walk around the town, but now that he had almost been assassinated. The security had to be increased.
Damn assassinations... If it weren't for death's cross I could have already explored the town! He cursed them from the bottom of his heart, clenching his fists lightly.
Finally, he walked out the room. As he told the nearby maid. "Call the finance department to pick up the documents."
"Yes, Saint!" The maid replied, as he hurried down the hall.
Being rich and having political power isn't as good as i thought it was. He lamented, out of all the people he could have transmigrated into, it just had to be the saint! i feel, maybe it would have been better to transmigrate as a commoner instead. maybe i wouldn't have to face assassinations then...
but on second thought, i would have no money... isn't there a middle ground? with a sigh, Riento pinched his glabella in order to ease the uncomfortable feeling.
Riento turned around, as he walked towards the great library. looking at the paintings, and lamps that use ever-lasting orbs of light.
hm, if i remember correctly, these light orbs are quite expensive and a show and testament to how wealthy one is. i guess i'm quite wealthy eh? but now that i'm on the topic, where did riento put his money? f*ck, this is honestly the worst thing to happen. why couldn't i get that memory? what a waste! clearing his throat, he complained inwardly, straightening his clothes.
He entered, looking around the vast size of the library before his gaze setting down onto Luke, the librarian.
"Luke, do you know where books about mandates and mandate imprints are?" Riento asked with a smile, as he greeted him with a bow.
Luke returned the bow, thinking for a moment before he responded in a warm tone. "The 5th section down the carpet on your left. It should be on the right bookshelf. Have a fun time reading, Saint!"
Luke adjusted his gold-rimmed spectacles, watching riento with interest. before he went back to sit down and continue reading the book he was holding.
"Yes, thanks Luke." Riento sincerely thanked him, before walking off to where the books he was looking for was.
Mandates, Mandates, Mandates... Is it some sort of power system? Do I need one to be able to accumulate mana? Contemplating, Riento finally formed a plausable answer to his questions.
He looked around the right bookshelf, reading each and every title. "History of the church kingdom... Hm..."
His hand hovered over each and every book before it finally landed on the right book. "All about mandates and mandate imprints."
Riento looked at the book with skepticism. "Is this really the book? Why doesn't it have a lot of pages?" He commented, looking at the 50-paged book in his hands.
Flipping the book open to page 1, Riento began to read.
"Mandates are paths one takes to deepen their connection to the non-existential world to influence an authority and concept, it is the path to divinity. Living beings have chains that prevent them from connecting to the non-existential world.
"When one breaks that chain using a mandate imprint, they begin to influence an authority connected to the mandate they chose. And they are classified as a 1st chain, the more chains one breaks, the higher their chain is. The highest chain known to humanity is the 5th chain.
"No one knows if there exists a 6th chain. mandates are the natural way to gain power, unlike routes.
"There are 16 known mandates, The Shaman Mandate, Holy Mandate, Singer Mandate, Mystery Mandate, War Mandate, Seduction Mandate, Filth Mandate, Scholar Mandate, Secrets Mandate, Arcanic Magician Mandate, Calamity Mandate, Fate Mandate, Dream Mandate, Death Mandate, Techno Mandate, and Enforcer Mandate. They each govern an authority and concept.
"The shaman, holy, war, and mystery mandates are strictly under the control of the churches of the church kingdom. It is unknown if the church kingdom also has the mandate imprints of other mandates.
"The royal family of the neighboring kingdom of the church kingdom holds the enforcer Mandate.
"This information might be outdated, as this was made during the 6th year of the Linyuan Calendar or one might know better as the era of steam.
"The secret organizations known as of now are the cult of apocalypse, secrets order, and the performists organization.
"The cult of the apocalypse holds the Seduction Mandate Imprint, the secrets order holds the Mystery Mandate Imprint, and the performists organization holds the Singer Mandate Imprint.
"I don't know how the Seduction Mandate can be correlated to the Cult of Apocalypse. for the Performists Organization, I can still see how it is connected to the Singer Mandate.
"those who have mandate imprints or have supernatural abilities are called luminaries. and those who have broken past the 4th chain are called Coteries."
———
The mana gathered into Riento's eyes disappated as he closed the book. he had unknowingly fallen into a 'trance' yet again while reading a book.
with a sigh, he scratched the back of his head as he silently said interesting... that's what mandate is? hm, it didn't dive deeper on what the non-existential world really is and what mandate imprints are... this world is too different from what i thought.
now i need a mandate imprint to gather mana? wait, hold. is it really the only way?damn it! i don't have enough knowledge! Performists Organization, hm... i wonder how many members they have at their disposal. now, about the Cult of Apocalypse, i can see why the author has no idea why that is connected to the Seduction mandate. is it like that pathway from a certain novel? hm.
groaning, he ruffled his hair in annoyance at the fact that everything still didn't make any sense.
he pushed the book back into the bookshelf, walking back to the counter, he thought of a problem. hm, what should i do about the spy? what ways and plans could i do to reveal their existence? f*ck this is hard, being a leader and strategist is hard. how can those main characters that get transmigrated do these? i mean it's fiction—hold on, is it fiction?
he had skeptical look on his face, before returning to normal as he asked luke in a curious tone. "Luke, how long did i read?"
Luke stood up, bowing with his hand to his chest as he replied earnestly. "about 2 hours, you came in at 5:31pm, and you came back at 7:29pm. Saint, you should rest. your still injured remember?"
Luke gestured to Riento's broken arm, which was still numb from whatever the physician and priest rubbed on it.
"Yes, thank you for your concern, Luke. Have a good evening and a good night." Riento greeted Luke with a bow, as he went on his way out the library.
Luke stared at riento with a smile, watching him leave before continuing to read his book.
Riento gently closed the door behind him, as he reined in his thoughts, continuing to hypothesize.
are mandates really the only way to grow stronger? damn it, only if there is a book about the ways to grow stronger here! i wonder if alchemy exists here? i wonder how it is used here...
mandates seem eerily similar to the power system of that novel... hm, tomorrow or when i have free time i should look for other ways to grow stronger. i don't wanna rely on just mandates. sighing, he fixed his hair before a servant walked up to him.
"hello, saint! uhm, sir dominic the treasurer pf the finance department is calling you over for some clarification on the documents you signed earlier."
Riento scanned the servant's face before smiling, as he asked in a warm tone. "lead the way, matthias."
The Original Saint Riento had somewhat memorized the names of the people working in the second capital. atleast, that's what the fragmented memories showed the transmigrator.
"Yes, Saint!" Matthias enthusiaticly replied.
as Matthias started walking, he showed his appreciation to Riento, subconsciously. "Saint, thank you for remembering my name! I've always wanted to meet you ever since i got the chance to work here two months ago!"
"it's not that important, it's what i should do as a saint." Riento acknowledged his appreciation, his lips curled upwards. he added. "well, it's nice to meet you matthias."
as the servant happily led Riento to the finance departments main office, Riento thought with epiphany. right, these lamps. are they filled with phosphorescent pearls? electricity is out of the question, maybe mana could also be used. hm, maybe gas?
right, if this world is truly like earth, it should have gas and oil. could have my transmigration seniors monopolized this? hm, could have one of them become an emperor like roselle?
surely not, right? the author of the secret of the cores didn't mention that. then, am i really sure my transmigration isn't an elaborate plan by a deceased deity to revive? heh, surely not. right?
Riento felt a pang of nervousness, not sure whether his transmigration had to do with the original riento or some powerful being thst could manipulate the laws of the universe.
"saint, here we are. i am not authorized to go in, so you will have to go in alone." Matthias bowed, as he opened the door for Riento.
"thank you." he thanked matthias for opening the door, as he walked through. the door closing right behind him.
as soon as Riento entered, he greeted everyone. "Good Evening, Everyone."
The Tithe Coordinator Charles was the first to greet back. "Good Evening, Saint Riento." the man had a shaved beard with a few wrinkles here and there, a few strands of white hair on his slicked back hair. he had a pair of brown eyes, and had a kind air. he wore a simple black suit.
he soon went back to writing.
followed by Disbursement Officer Laurel, who looked youthful for her age despite working here for a few decades now. She had blonde hair, with a pair of ashen colored pupils. even though she gave off an unapproachable demeanor, she was quite warm and energetic. "Good Evening, Saint!"
she smiled, subtly bowing before going back to managing the approved funds. she wore the same brown knee-high skirt and the same brown jacket and ash colored shirt underneath she had always worn for the past 10 years which always responded whenever someone questioned her. "this is fashion, you know?!"
and the Budget Officer Matthew soon folowed her. "Good Evening, Saint." he had quite a rugged and rough look, long black hair that was turning white in some places, even though it looked unkempt, he actually took good care for his hair. a kempt beard, rimless glasses
he looked the most professional. even though he only wore the most simplest out of all of them with a white collared shirt, a gray jacket, and black trouser.
Matthew returned to allocating the money.
The Record Keeper Vernouth, brazenly greeted in a Shaurel accent. "Good Eve'ning, Saint' Riento! have you been well?"
Vernouth bowed, his casual outfit wrinkling. he soon went back to writing down records.
The Relic Appraiser Orpheus, Luminary Resource Allocator Rosamund, Security Fund Controller Helena, and Trade Liaison Sable all soon followed with their greeting.
Riento greeted the rest of them with a bow, as he walked towards the desk of the treasurer, Dominic Duvall.
who wore a scholarly look with his brown hair, brown eyes, few wrinkles, a shaved beard.
Dominic adjusted his glasses, as he greeted Riento in a tired tone. "Good Evening, Saint."
he grabbed a document by his side as he showed it to riento, "Please Explain, why you decide to approve the allocation of more budget to the slums."
hm? why is he asking me that? shouldn't it be obvious that a church and a holy kingdom should prioritize those in need? eh, don't tell me they don't do that here... Riento stared at dominic with a smile as he contemplated his words.