In the study of the Fischer family manor, Christine was reporting a series of situations to Byrne, with Andre pushing her wheelchair from behind.
The main focus of her report today was about the current state of affairs concerning the Fischer family and the Dawn Church.
Christine, in the wheelchair, held a stack of docunts and spoke calmly:
"First is the situation of the Dawn Church, the current total number of Blood Receivers is three hundred thirteen, the number of Daybreakers is two hundred one, and Proselytes amount to one hundred twelve."
"Those Blood Receivers who have reached the 3rd and 4th Rank amount to a total of seventy-seven, but for the rest of the Blood Receivers, reaching the 3rd Rank is largely a matter of ti, as the first three ranks don't require any inherent talent to be achieved."
She paused montarily before continuing her report:
"Currently, the subordinate forces of the Dawn Church primarily include 'Black Tide', 'Dagger Brotherhood', 'Sea God Cult', and 'Purgers'."
"Among them, the 'Purgers' are the most unique."
"After our recent adjustnts, the number of 'Purgers' responsible for internal inquiries has increased from three to twenty-three, still under the original captain's charge, and they will report directly to you and in the future."
Although Chris was the nominal head of the Fischer family, he had no interest in managing family affairs, and everyone had grown used to treating him like a silent and cold blade.
"They will be granted special privileges, as long as we authorize them ahead of their investigations, they can issue any command to all non-Fischer family direct mbers within the Dawn Church, though they must provide explanations afterward."
Byrne, standing in the study with his hands clasped behind his back, nodded and said calmly, "Such privileges are necessary; without them, they would be hamstrung and unable to uncover anything."
After pondering for a mont, Christine added, "Actually, I have a suggestion."
"That is to allow these 'Purgers' to give their subordinates the status of followers of the Fischer family, considering them as mbers of the peripheral followers of the Fischer family."
Byrne thought for a while and then nodded, "That's not unreasonable."
Christine nodded and continued:
"Then, there are the peripheral followers who are unaware of the core secrets."
"There are a total of seventy-five families of Extraordinary nobility on the East Coast that follow the Fischer family, comprising four viscount families, seventeen baronial families, and fifty-four knight clans."
"In addition to the Extraordinary nobility, there are thirty-nine other forces following the Fischer family, mostly rchant families, but what makes them special is two covert organizations that have submitted to us."
Christine paused before saying, "The two covert organizations are 'Zero Sorcerer Association' and 'Rust', both of which were discovered by Black Tide, and their strongest Extraordinary Exponents are only at the mid-level Transmutation."
Byrne nodded, aware of the two small covert organizations; the forr trafficked Extraordinary materials and ran a black market in Fein City, while the latter conducted bounty hunter business at Phelps Port.
Christine flipped to the next page and continued, "Excluding the professional army of four thousand, there are currently five hundred seventy-five individuals following the Fischer family, where one hundred fifty-two are Extraordinary Exponents."
Those individuals following the Fischer family ca from all sorts of professions, and as peripheral followers, they were generally treated the sa as Blood Receivers from the 1st to the 3rd Rank.
So of them, upon selection and after three years of observation and testing, could beco Proselytes and be absorbed by the Dawn Church.
The current Fischer family and the Dawn Church have beco undeniable juggernauts of the East Coast, even holding a record in the distant Lorne Empire.
Byrne felt that when compared to the topmost clans, not all of the prominent families in Cyart were necessarily stronger than the current foundation of the Fischer family.
After a brief silence, Christine said, "By the way, there's sothing that needs your presence... it's Rishia's funeral."
Byrne was taken aback for a mont, then nodded gently.
He was very familiar with that dragon descendant woman who had embarked on the Path of Divine Sacrifice.
If not for her bloodline, Rishia might have been the best choice to beco a Priest of the church; she had even fully mastered the 3rd Rank of the Path of Divine Sacrifice two years ago.
But today, he had suddenly learned of her death.
Having already experienced the death of acquaintances too many tis, Byrne still nodded with a touch of emotion.
"It's indeed that age..."
Rishia lost thirty years of her life due to the sacrifice, so naturally, she passed away now in her middle age.
"I still rember when that child was younger, she was responsible for cleaning the sacred object for a long ti."
He paused before asking,
"How did she pass away?"
Christine said calmly, "She passed away naturally in her sleep."
"Alright, I understand."
At Byrne's age, he inwardly felt that dying peacefully in one's sleep was quite a good thing.
He looked at his own reflection in the mirror, old and wrinkled, his hair snow-white. He looked like he could be in his eighties or nineties, obviously not long for this world.
However, his daughter Lilian, who had also sacrificed decades of her life, might even pass away before him...
Byrne took a deep breath.
Alas.
He had to admit sothing, that given Lilian's lifespan, it was very difficult for her to reach the 5th Rank...
Christine put down the docunt she was holding and continued, "One last thing, Moore has completed his promotion ceremony."
Byrne nodded and said,
"Alright, I understand. Go and tell Lilian to prepare for the sacrifice."
——
The somber weather hung over the funeral, the heavy clouds seeming to draw the falling raindrops together, making the earth appear even colder under the helpless, grey sky as if mourning for the lost life.
People dressed in black gathered quietly around the cetery, their faces filled with sadness and pain.
The funeral proceeded slowly and solemnly, with the wind gently blowing through the branches as if lanting the passing of the deceased, and the distant church bell tolling in silence for the soul of the departed.
The grief felt even heavier under the overcast skies.
Many people attended Rishia's funeral. Although she was a cold-natured Daybreaker, her heroic sacrifice to save her family was still vividly rembered by the Fischer family and even frequently recounted in sermons.
Darren stared silently at the scenes of sorrow and then looked at his sister, Lilian.
She probably did not have much ti left either.
The sister whom he swore to protect with all his heart was destined to die before him, and the great Lord of the Lost was about to take her away.
He took a deep breath, still sowhat unwilling to accept this fact deep inside.
"Lord Darren."
The slightly shorter Moore, leader of the Dagger Brotherhood, approached and took off his hat to greet Darren.
Darren nodded lightly and said,
"Moore, congratulations on reaching the 4th Rank... Perhaps you have a chance to step onto the 5th Rank and not go like she did."
"Really? It's not certain."
Moore shook his head calmly, very clear about his own situation.
In fact, everyone knew that, reaching the 4th Rank at this age, it was very difficult to aspire to the 5th Rank, they were virtually racing against ti, night and day.
The 4th Rank of the Path of World Order is nad "Arbiter."
Its image in the Spirit Realm is that of a male judge holding a gavel, draped in black, red, and white.
After becoming an "Arbiter," one's physical condition improves by 90, and Spiritual Power increases by 110.
The two extraordinary powers granted to an "Arbiter" are "Sin Reading" and "Sentencing."
The ability of "Sin Reading" enables the Arbiter to instantly know what sins the target has committed by simply looking at them, with absolute accuracy, and the more Spiritual Power consud, the more will be known.
As for the second extraordinary power, "Sentencing," it involves wielding the magic word spell, based on the enormity of the sins, to execute various mystical domain punishnts.
For instance, depriving the target of a certain extraordinary power, forbidding flight or invisibility, or sealing a Mysterious rare artifact, and even taking away the target's senses or life is quite possible.
However, the more grave the sin for which the "Arbiter" tes out punishnt, the more Spiritual Power it consus.
The stronger the power of the target receiving the penalty, the more Consecution power is spent in execution.
The biggest weakness of the "Arbiter," without a doubt, lies in dealing with those who are truly good; their extraordinary powers are virtually ineffective against such individuals.
Yet, for the "Arbiter" to confront those who are exceedingly wicked, the task becos much easier.
"Being able to beco an 'Arbiter,' I am already very content,"
Moore took a deep breath and said calmly, "I dare not hope for more."
Karl silently observed the funeral. A few days ago, he felt the death of Rishia and knew that his mark existed on her soul.
"You will co back."
No need to fear death, for those who believe in , in the afterlife will still be gathered around .
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