TL: Rui88
It was the duty of a lord to inspect his domain regularly.
Count Paul Grayman of Alda was fulfilling his obligation.
In fact, as the administrative system beca more and more perfect, Paul no longer needed to use this ancient obligation to maintain his rule. This was just a small excuse to convince himself to temporarily escape from the drudgery of paperwork.
He rode a white horse, followed by twelve attendants on gray horses, leisurely proceeding along the country road.
After several years of construction, even this kind of dirt road in the countryside had been hardened to a certain extent. It was no longer the kind of bumpy road purely trodden out by human feet. Walking on it, Paul’s heart was filled with a sense of accomplishnt.
Looking at the袅袅 smoke in front of him, Paul asked, “Is that Totor Village ahead?”
“Yes, Count, Totor Village is ahead. The village chief there must have already prepared to welco you.”
His guard, Eglam, answered.
Totor Village was the destination of their journey today.
Paul stroked his chin, “I rember there is a Father Hershey in this village who is content with poverty. We should pay him a visit on the way.”
So information surfaced in his mind, which he had asked Cecil to investigate and report back to him so ti ago.
Priests presiding over country churches were a large group, accounting for about sixty to seventy percent of the clergy in the Northwest Bay, with a monthly inco generally less than one silver coin.
The Church of the Lord of Light did not forbid lower-ranking priests from marrying. Supporting a family on this level of inco, while also maintaining their relatively high social status, was sowhat of a stretch.
And in today’s Northwest Bay, where prices were rising due to economic developnt, the problem they faced was becoming more and more prominent.
The Church’s industries had a solid foundation to begin with. Riding the tailwind of economic developnt, the Church’s wealth was also accumulating in large quantities. But those with the power to distribute this wealth were the upper echelons of the Church. They were obviously not like Paul, able to promptly increase the pay for the grassroots workers according to the latest situation.
After all, it had been this way for thousands of years. Economic booms like the one in Northwest Bay in recent years were extrely rare in history, or even nonexistent.
What’s more, the pursuit of material things was not in line with the Church’s proclaid tone…at least on the surface.
Perhaps this could be an entry point for his long-held wish.
……
“Wow…!”
Along with the brilliant glow of flas, bursts of children’s gasps and cheers rang out again.
“Thank the Lord of Light.”
Father Herson felt very gratified in his heart, sincerely praising the god he served, and cast a grateful look at the group of outsiders standing in the distance.
They were four n and one woman. One of the young n was performing a fire magic trick for the children.
A few days ago, two of the n had co to ask for lodging first, one older and one younger, claiming to be a group of traveling magicians. They hoped to stay here for a few days to wait for their companions who had fallen behind for so reason.
Hershey agreed to their request and did not charge them any fees. Instead, he had them perform magic for the children in the church for a few days as paynt.
Hershey’s church doubled as a nursery when the adults in the village went to work in the fields.
But entertainnt in the countryside was too scarce. Bards and circuses all liked to go to the big cities. The arrival of this magician troupe was undoubtedly an unexpected delight.
Therefore, for the past few days, the church, which should have been quiet and solemn, had beco a rather lively place. Even people from nearby villages ca by to watch the magic show.
And just now, the companions they had been waiting for had arrived to et them, two n and a woman.
Hershey felt a little regretful. This ant that the magicians would be leaving soon. Perhaps they would set off tomorrow.
……
“Ordennel, we didn’t co here to entertain children.”
Watching Nathan, who was performing “fire magic” with all his might, Mariana whispered to the person beside her in a cold tone.
She, Nathan, and Edward, who had split up from Ordennel and his student, had received a ssage a short while ago that Ordennel had found a clue about Barnett but needed their assistance, so they imdiately set off to the designated eting point.
“Oh, oh, calm down, esteed Lady Redfla.”
Ordennel chuckled. “We should wait patiently like a hunter for the prey to fall into the trap. Believe , our prey will definitely arrive today.”
“Hmph, what a waste of ti! Speaking of which…” Mariana asked with so curiosity, “Who is this prey you speak of?”
When they first t, Ordennel had briefly explained the purpose of inviting them. He and Denson needed to “extract” so things from a person’s head, but casting a spell in an uncontrolled place was very likely to lead to so bad situations, so they needed so powerful companions to assist them so they could retreat in one piece.
Ordennel answered with a smile, “A very challenging target!”
“Very challenging?”
“The lord here.”
Before Ordennel’s words had faded, he saw Mariana’s whole body tremble violently.
“You… what did you say?”
The red-flad witch looked at Ordennel with an incredulous face, her voice trembling slightly. “The lord? Is it Paul… Count Grayman?”
Ordennel was also a little shocked in his heart. It was the first ti he had seen this expression on the red-flad witch’s face.
Could she be afraid? Impossible.
He nodded, “You’ve also inquired about his na? Yes, it is indeed this lord.”
“You’re mad!” To his surprise, Mariana’s following words were full of sharpness and accusation. “How dare you make a move on the local ruler?”
“What? You also have monts of fear?”
Ordennel was very strange. Mariana’s reaction was very inconsistent with her usual image.
“Are you trying to get us killed?” Mariana said coldly. “I must remind you, the lord is definitely followed by a large number of guards, and we are in an unfamiliar place. There is no need to put ourselves in danger just to find Barnett.”
“Danger? It’s not that serious.” Ordennel shook his head. “According to the information I’ve gathered, this Count Grayman is not a person who cares for pomp. When inspecting his own castle’s vicinity, he won’t bring too many people, at least not so many that five powerful spellcasters can’t handle.”
Mariana said with a resolute attitude, “If Paul… Lord Grayman is hard by your spell in any way, the entire Northwest Bay will hunt us down. In short, I do not agree to such a risky action. Leave this place, imdiately, right now!”
Ordennel frowned and spread his hands, “If you don’t participate, then Denson and I will have to act on our own. I have already set up in this church for many days and spent a lot of precious materials. I’m just waiting for the mont the spell is cast. Wouldn’t it be a complete waste to cancel it now?”
“You!” Mariana seed both shocked and angry, yet for a mont, she couldn’t speak.
The two of them were at a standoff, the atmosphere tense.
“Alright.”
After a long ti, Mariana seed to have compromised. “Since you insist, we will cooperate with you.”
Her tone returned to its previous calmness.
Ordennel felt that there was a hint of an unclear aning in the other’s gaze.
Never mind, as long as the other party was willing to cooperate with him.
It’s been so long since the last update, I’m really sorry.
Reviews
All reviews (0)