Nirou lamented the fact that he probably wasn't going to be given the chance to sit, since this seemed like it was gonna last quite a while. The priest swung his arm in an exaggerated sweeping motion, apparently indicating that what he was about to say was relevant to the entire world.

"In the beginning, before time started to flow, there was the primordial Chaos." Mediator began his sermon. He seemed to have no intention to stop gesturing at any point. "All that ever was to be and every possibility that ever could be concieved of existed at once. But most importantly, He was there. God saw fit to reach into the well of infinite potential and draw out all of the things in this world, setting them adrift in the flow of time. He created the ground below us, the sky above us, and all the stars in it, by pulling them from the Chaos. He then created all the creatures on this planet, save for Man. Rather than pull us from the Chaos, He sought something greater. Shedding His own blood, He gave rise to the Firstblood, my people, and then all other men to follow. Though it has taken uncountable years for His other children to return to Him, rather than worship the false heathen gods, we have ever been faithful to Him from the Holy Land of Godshearth on the shores of the Godsea."

Nirou was pretty sure he had heard something similar to this before. It's not too out there as far as creation myths go. Was he supposed to take it at face value now because this world had magic? It was still hard to treat it completely seriously. He stole a quick glance at his companions. They wore expressions betraying the fact that they had heard this story a million times. Although in Laska's case you could see a modicum of attention being paid. As if she was alert to anything potentially being different from all the other times she had heard it told. The General on the other hand looked bored out of his mind. Like if he wasn't standing up he'd be liable to fall asleep. But the two of them let this happen, so they must have considered it important enough for Nirou to know. He figured he'd pay close attention if only for that reason.

"For many thousands of years, the Firstblood defended the Holy Land from attacks by heathens of all kinds." the priest continued. "We endured misery and strife, while offering our faith and our blood to Him seeking nothing in return but His love. But we could only last so long. We are but mere men, after all. One thousand and twenty two years ago, we faced our darkest hour. The Holy Land was at war with what is today known as the Desert Kingdom, Gyspent. After great struggle, the Holy Knights had been pushed back to our capital along with all our people holed up behind the city walls. The siege had lasted many moons, and time was running short. The Holy Knights set out for one final offensive, knowing that both the Holy Land and their people would meet their final end were they to fail. But despite their righteous cause and fervorous battling, they were overwhelmed. The heathens' numbers were just too strong."

The man took a pause from his passionate recounting of the tale to point to the statue in front of them. The kneeling knight that also appeared on the stained glass window.

"One brave knight lay dying on the ground as they were overrun, bleeding out. His name was Stalwart. He wished only to protect the Holy Land and his people, but he had nothing left to give. Nothing but his faith and his blood. So he did. Drawing the Holy Sigil in his own blood, he pleaded to God. 'O God, I beseech You! I offer this, my own blood! I will accept whatever You see fit to give me in return! I beg of you, O God!' His desperate plea was without conceit, trusting in God. If He saw fit to provide anything, it would be what Stalwart deserved. The knight was prepared to die, only seeking to use the last of his life in any way he could for the Holy Land and his people."

"This act moved even God Himself!" Mediator raised his hands to the sky for emphasis. "He granted Stalwart a miracle, and the blood disappeared in seven flashes of light. Stalwart died at that moment. But he returned to life, with the blessing he had been bestowed: Self Resurrection! By His will, Stalwart could no longer die by mortal hands! With his endlessly reviving body, Stalwart led the Holy Knights to victory and saved both Godshearth and the Firstblood from the brink of ruin."

By this point the priest was practically fighting back tears at his own story. He was seriously getting into it. Even Nirou thought it was pretty cool, though. He wasn't sure whether he could believe it all, but did that really matter?

"Stalwart's miracle is the point from which we count our years on the current calendar." Mediator continued, calming his passionate speech as he got past the part that needed it. "It changed everything. The covenant that he formed with God holds to this day, and any human can offer their blood with the Holy Sigil and the invocation in the same way Stalwart did to recieve a gift. And His gift is as always according to nothing but His whim. Though those with more faith would surely see better results, you will tend to find. In any case, this ritual of tribute was irrefutable proof of God's existence. None of the heathen gods could respond to their followers, they could offer no gifts. Because they simply didn't exist. It took many centuries, but eventually across the whole of the continent all men became His followers. They learned to use Firstspeech to make the invocation, they learned to read Firstscript to understand the descriptions of the blessings He bestowed them. While I naturally have criticism about the degree to which they show their piety, the fact remains that people from all nations offer their blood to Him now. It's truly a wonderful thing."

The priest chuckles a bit imagining all the people making tributes. For Nirou's part, he was skeptical. Even he had made two tributes by this point, but he wouldn't consider himself a follower of this religion. He gave blood sure, and he made the invocation, yes. But it was just for the gift. He hadn't believed in any of this stuff. And most people that made tributes were probably the same. It was done purely out of practical purposes. He knew perfectly well that if this method worked in his own world, everybody would be doing it there too. If it was as simple as giving blood to be a follower of this god, did being a follower really have any meaning? He looked to the General, who was still spacing out. Here was a guy that still worshipped the old gods, but made tributes and even supposedly got two six star gifts. There just wasn't any consistency.

"That circle on the front wall is supposed to represent the Holy Sigil." Laska speaks up, apparently tired of just listening. "As I mentioned before, many nations want to control the knowledge of the ritual of tribute, so the image of the Sigil can't be displayed out in the open."

"Yes, that's quite right." Mediator follows up. "While the Church would prefer as many people as possible making tributes to Him, we understand the realities of politics. In order to keep friendly relations with all nations, we do not use the image of the Sigil outside of the Holy Land. This allows each nation to share the knowledge as much as they see fit. But I must stress that the hope of the Church is that one day every single living person makes tributes to Him. In time it will come, I believe it."

"Talking the part perfectly, Mediator." the General rouses from his boredom to make a remark. "As if your ambition wasn't clear enough from your rings. Five already, you'll be a Head Priest in no time at this rate. Just two more to go. Quite impressive for your age."

The man's persistent smile faltered slightly once again. Nirou was sure it was at being called out on his worldly desires. Surely working one's way up through the ranks of a religious organization such as this wasn't done quickly unless you had a strong reason. Those ranks were usually stuffed full of old folks.

"I simply do my utmost, General." the priest replies, reapplying his smile. "And the higher I go, the more good I can do. Besides, you should be quite glad that I'm of high enough standing to be the one here right now. I can't imagine many in the Church that would go along with your whims so readily. I'm flexible enough to recognize the opportunity you can provide and willing to work towards it. Perhaps a little appreciation on your end is warranted, hmm?"

"Of course, of course. I wouldn't be able to pull this off without you." Shilan admits. "The Firstblood are prized across the continent for their silver tongues. Any nation you find would be eager to hire one as a diplomat."

It was a very strange reluctant partnership the two seemed to have formed. They gave the impression of two men that got along very well with most people, but couldn't stand each other.

"Uh, Priest?" Nirou spoke up, not sure what it was appropriate to address the man as. "Do you mind if I ask a question?"

"Anything my boy, anything at all. I will always happily inform those seeking knowledge that the Church can provide. And please, call me Brother if you will."

"Well, I was just kind of wondering how the Beastmen fit into this." Nirou asked. From the moment he had heard about this group, something had just struck him as strange. And every additional bit he learned seemed to compund that concern. "They haven't been communicated with, but they are intelligent, right? To be able to cross the ocean and make their attacks and all. Does that mean they could also theoretically make tributes? And would you guys want them to? Since you seem to want everybody to do it. I'm just kind of confused at how things are supposed to work, since back in my world humans are the only sapient creatures."

Laska's minor interest from before gives way to a figurative deluge of curiosity. Her eyebrows raise and her ears perk up as she leans forward to hear what the holy man has to say on this topic. Apparently it's something she's never tried to bring up herself. The General just makes a sort of confused face, as if it was an odd thing to ever bother wondering. But the priest lets his smile slip for the third time today. And this time it stays off while he begins to speak.

"The Beastmen are nothing more than animals, created with all the rest of them." Mediator insists, more aggressively than at any other point in this meeting. "They are smart enough to make some simple boats, but that doesn't make them equal to humans. They did not rise from His blood. They can't tribute any more than your pet cat could. I'll forgive you as an otherworlder, since your ignorance is understandable, but you would do well to cease childish attempts to poke holes in His creation. It's very disrespectful."

Nirou was a bit taken back by how badly the priest reacted. He thought he'd have come across as genuinely curious, not caused offense. He hung his head down and didn't say anything more.

"Well, as long as you try to keep that in mind for the future." the man put his smile back on one more time. "Try not to take it to heart if I seem a bit harsh, I'll still answer any question you come to me for."

"That's alright Mediator, we'll call it here for now. I just wanted the two of them to meet you." the General motions at the others to leave. "Keep up the good work on your end. I'll meet with you again after I get back from my next excursion."

"Of course General, good luck to you as well."

The man kept his smile on and waved the group off as they left. Stepping far enough away from him saw him disappear once more, but he shortly faded back into view as his barrier seemed to wear off. He was still waving as the massive doors of the cathedral shut behind them.