Archbishop John paused slightly, as if observing Murphy's reaction.
"Twelve years ago, when I first set foot here," he began, his voice taking on a nostalgic tone, "this place was still the Duval Territory. War was on the horizon, and fear gripped the hearts of the people. I saw you then—a silent but resolute shadow, always at Miss Duval's side."
"After the war, everything needed to be rebuilt from scratch, and the Duval Territory seemed to have lost all hope. And yet, a decade has passed, and you have endowed this barren Northern Territory with a power and wealth that has caught the attention of the entire Kingdom."
His gaze grew sharper. "The Church Court does not ignore secular accomplishments, Governor. A stable order, a prosperous territory, and a devout populace—all these things are in accordance with the teachings of Oriane. However, without the right guidance, power and wealth can become a source of calamity, or a target for the covetous and ambitious."
