''I've been wondering; will you try to intimidate this bishop, or are your suspicions reasonable for... outside eyes?'' Small fumes escaped her mouth as Shigeko talked. It wasn't cold enough for air to come out like this for you or Seyraphal. Do Onis have more body heat?

''Yes and no, unfortunately.'' After your discussion with them about Olin, the road had been silent because you'd been puzzling over how to confront that man properly.
Unity
No easy answers.

''Without any official stance on how to treat Mamonos inside the Allied Kingdoms made by the Patriarch and Matriarch of the Faith, the kings are free to make their laws, and of course, the dukes and barons interpret them for their own needs and ideals. As the bishop of Eichenwald, Belmont isn't in breach of the King's Peace by not making a shrine for your people, but the clear problems with medicines and food in the village are serious neglect he has a moral duty to oversee.''

The word moral holds great weight for all Children of the Parent Gods, especially after the near extinction of the Great Crusade. Hedonism, civil wars, greed... the kingdoms were stuck in a terrible rut of corrupt souls before Demon Lord Damian nearly exterminated mankind. His legacy carved a deep scar on the psyche of every survivor. Monsters are stuck in this in-between phase -from once enemies to genuine adherents of the religion- and it's been going on for nearly 200 years now.

''Laws are the domain of kings; the church aims to guide souls. A bishop's duty is to his community and to investigate the ills of the poor and rich to better advise the local ruler,'' you continue. The girls were attentively listening to you. ''Unfortunately, the division on how to treat Mamonos also extends into the church. Belmont may hold a harsh view of Monsters; combine that with the indifference of Bram, and you've got this nasty isolation going on.'' Or Thibault failing his duty to manage the Mamonos.

''So if the Baron were to order this bishop to do a better job, he'd have to?'' Seyraphal asks.
''Yeah. He could drag his feet about it, concentrate on human communities, channel the church's resources over there, keeping the Mamonos out of sight, out of mind.'' Talking about this with midday coming is fitting. Would Mother Earth, sitting on the throne of justice, bless your heart? ''The appalling situation of the Mamonos' village would be more than enough for the pro-Monster adherents of the Faith to demand his replacement. Unfortunately, it's not a strong enough criticism for me to confront him.''

''Olin's situation is the key.'' You continue, interrupting yourself with a gulp of water from your gourd. ''A ten-year-old boy died falling from one of the church towers. Whatever the circumstances of his death are, taking care of his spirit is a bishop's holiest, most important duty to Father Sky and as we know, Olin showed up in our home.''