“I’ve ordered my men to kill anyone claiming to be the archbishop, as the man himself couldn’t possibly be on the battlefield. There’s no reason anyone should complain if I kill you now, but”—I glared at him as he looked back defiantly—“I’ll let you live this time. If you die here, your followers will forget about your blunder and instead turn their hatred on me. And people blinded by hate are exhausting. As the loser of this battle, you’re going to apologize to His Majesty for your misdeeds. You don’t have to die, and I don’t have to be the subject of hatred; we both benefit.” The archbishop gnashed his teeth in rage—his was definitely not the face of a pious servant of the gods. “Furthermore, I have one other reason not to kill you.” This one might be an even bigger reason. “You never meant to kill me. At most, you just went into this battle hoping to teach me a lesson and cripple my authority. And so I’ll let you live, too.” “I see. Thank you for your leniency.” “Next time you come to battle, come with the intent to kill me. And if I see you on the battlefield, I’ll give you a taste of my sword.” The archbishop’s men helped him onto his horse, and he withdrew. “That was very generous of you.” I knew Kelara wasn’t actually speaking her mind. I had enough political instinct for that. “He himself knows it’d be better for Orsent Cathedral if he died rather than live in the disgrace of defeat. But he can’t do that.” Cammit lacked the courage to oppose me unto death—perhaps because he wasn’t a warrior, or maybe because there was no one to take his place yet. I won this round, Archbishop Cammit. “Now my—I mean, His Majesty’s and my—authority has been established. The capital area, aside from the cathedral vicinity, will largely come to my side.” Finally, I can wield my might as regent for all to see.
Chapter 32
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