You ponder the new information. However, you will soon need to rest.

So, your "disguise", fortunately, continues to work.

"It's good that these devices are not so worn out yet and function normally..." - you think.

It is already evening, so you walk along the corridors of the palace in the direction of your room.

Portraits on the walls...

Luxurious furniture made of rare types of wood...

Curtains on the windows made of expensive fabric...

Gilded candelabra...

The lackeys walking towards you bow with an expression of servility on their faces...

You ponder what you heard from Princess Sapphire and Queen Cynthia.

Secret intentions regarding the democratization of the political system of the Kingdom of Utrecht...

Are these sincere intentions or just a cover for some deeply hidden motives?

In your pre-war past, and in your current “post-apocalyptic” life, you have repeatedly encountered facts of plausible lies, sophisticated intrigues and betrayals.

Therefore, you are clearly not going to unconditionally believe the “democratization projects” you have heard.

Of course, you promised to help.

But this does not mean that you will mindlessly follow someone’s orders.

You will act very carefully.

And if you understand that someone has tried to manipulate you, you will react adequately.

You enter your room and begin to get ready for bed…

Suddenly you hear a knock on the door.

You carefully open the door and see a short, thin man with a bald spot, who is dressed in a modest black frock coat. He looks about 50 years old or a little older.

His face has many wrinkles (on the forehead, around the eyes). In his hands is a thick book with a black cover (on the spine of the book you notice a gold cross and the letters: "Holy Scripture"). His gray eyes look at you and he bows to you politely.

"Hello, sir Francis... I am pastor Ambrose. In accordance with the decree of our monarch and by virtue of the blessing of the presbyter of the local religious community, I am one of those who are engaged in spreading the true faith among the pilgrims who have recently arrived in New Rotterdam... I would like to talk to you about Divine Grace. And you should also offer a prayer to the Lord God before going to bed..." - the voice of the pastor is quiet and ingratiating.

You say to yourself, mentally: "Oh... I'll have to spend time on local "customs"... Probably religious proselytism is important for the local authorities..."

Out loud you say: "Please come in, Pastor Ambrose... I would be happy to talk to you..."

Ambrose comes inside. You sit down in a chair, your interlocutor sits on a chair near the table and begins to expound to you a verbose theses reflecting his religious-mystical worldview.

As a man of science, these thought structures based on unproven speculation, logical contradictions and ancient prejudices are alien to you.

However, you show tact and politely listen to your interlocutor for a whole hour.

You even, at the end of this conversation, took part in a joint prayer...

At least you showed the appropriate gestures and said the words.

Of course, you think completely different in mind than what Pastor Ambrose wanted…

“Perhaps. I can ask him a little about the details of local life?” you suggest.

You begin to ask tactful questions and you learn a few things.

“The life of the subjects of the Kingdom of Utrecht is based on the Holy Scripture. Serfs work, nobles rule. The fate of each is predetermined by the Will of the Lord God! This guarantees peace and quiet… The estates are immutable and everyone does what is predetermined for him. Our pious king generously donates wealth to spread the true faith…” the pastor answers you.

“Are there representatives of other religions on the territory of the kingdom?” you ask.

“Misguided… Yes, they are – but they are much fewer than those who are true believers… The merciful royal power allows the misguided to live… But they are subject to increased taxes. True Faith is the foundation of the kingdom. I have heard that the recently annexed territories (like Axeman-City) have problems - there are too many lost souls there. However, I am sure that soon, under the influence of the wise policy of King James II, the vast majority of local inhabitants will accept the Light of the Grace of the Lord God! " - in the words of your interlocutor there is a strong religious conviction.

"How does the king rule? Are there any legislative branchs of power?" - you ask.

"I don't quite understand your words... Power is one and comes from the Will of the Lord God. The monarch rules wisely. The monarch is predestined to be at the top of power - after all, he is the Chosen One by virtue of the Divine Plan. If you mean whether the nobles help the king - then I can answer positively. The Supreme Noble Assembly meets once a year and votes on proposals that are submitted to the monarch for consideration. The king has the right to either show mercy and accept these proposals, or reject them. Also, the participants of the Supreme Noble Assembly appoint minor officials - magistrates, who manage city quarters or small villages. Of course, the feudal lords-overlords who own a specific settlement have priority rights. But the magistrates perform a certain auxiliary function and ensure the proper order of tax collection…” - Pastor Ambrose’s words sound somewhat surprised (he clearly did not expect that you would be interested in such topics).

“Ahem… I see… That’s what “equality of the nobility” means… Only the nobility has the right to vote and at least somehow influence politics. However, the Supreme Assembly of the Nobility has only advisory powers and the monarch can easily ignore it…” - you ponder the words of your interlocutor.

“Does slavery exist in the kingdom?” - you ask.

“Only as a punishment for dangerous criminals… Private **** trade and private slavery were banned under the father of the current monarch…” - Ambrose answers you.

“Serfs… What does this status mean?” - you ask.

“It is obvious that you have come from far away, sir… Serfs are representatives of the plebs. Serfs may have small personal property, but they are obliged to serve the family of their suzerain. Each serf lives on some land, in some settlement... And who owns this land or settlement? Of course, the local nobleman! This is absolutely obvious... Such is the Divine Order! "- your interlocutor speaks in an absolutely confident tone.

"But there are also rich serfs? Is their status the same? Are there no reforms planned in connection with gradual socio-economic changes?" - you ask.

"There are such persons... Although there are few of them... Merchants... They also belong to the plebs. In recent decades, some of them have become rich. But all this is unimportant... Only the immutable truth, which is set forth in the Holy Scripture, is important. A merciful God created this world and predetermined everything - all events and the destinies of all people. Therefore, there is nothing more absurd than being a serf, then sinfully become proud and start dreaming of some other destiny…” - Pastor Ambrose is a little discouraged by your questions.

You decide to quickly end the conversation so as not to compromise yourself with too bold questions.

You politely say goodbye to Pastor Ambrose and go to bed.

And you almost manage to fall asleep in about an hour…

However, suddenly you feel the door creaking in the darkness of the room!

Someone wants to pay you a night visit?