Wizard From Afar

Only one week later, the visiting mission is ready to go.

This time Loren arranged the next work a little, and completed the transfer of power with Charlotte-it seems that this kind of thing often happens-during the Duke's absence, the female count of the Scarlet Castle will lead the round table The parliament exercises the power of the duke on its behalf.

Except for the Fiend hunting maneuver, Brandon’s letterhead, and the power to declare war and form alliances, all Duchy affairs are governed by her.

Because of the long-term “dereliction of duty” of the Duke of Byrne, the Round Table Council seems to have gradually become accustomed to this situation-no longer need to make it as grand as a banquet, all the transfer of power is covered. The complete procedure, the bureaucratic system established by the round table council and imitating the empire is becoming more and more perfect, ensuring that everything can still function normally when he is away.

The Torino wizard Academy, which stands up from the ground, travels back and forth between the Scarlet Blood Castle Palace and its own territory, the Duchy Court, which is no different from the Sky Palace, and the tax collectors who enter and exit between the Union and the Chamber of Commerce, The endless fire of the dwarf factory in the wilderness, more and more open roads to the Scarlet Blood Castle...

Three years may not be enough for the Byrners to immediately experience the taste of unity, but three years The Crimson Castle people have been able to perceive that the city they live in is changing from the richest and most prosperous territory to the political and wealth core of Duchy.

They still don’t know what happened, but when more and more outsiders poured into the town, the city of Red Blood Castle was no longer limited to a small "fairy tale" castle. When urban areas appear, and new city walls on the periphery rise...

The life that I was used to for three generations will no longer exist.

Outside the gate of the palace, several carriages stopped one after another on the neat and tidy street, flanked by fully armed Knight guards, two disguised hunters, Fiend, mixed in, only passing cars Lucien knew their identities.

Apart from this, there are two wizards who were ordered to accompany them-the purpose is to do "cultural exchange" with the elves, and act as a clerk and ceremonial officer when necessary.

The whole mission has only 30 people. The small scale is not like a duke, especially the honor guard of the Lord Byrne, which is similar to the larger caravan; Ling Sylvie Ke Deacon was dumbfounded and unbelievable.

"I don’t know what the elves in the other parts of the ancient wood forest are like, but the eastern settlements, especially the elves in the Morning Star Forest, are very combative, proud and extremely sensitive-if we really prepare a Legion scale The mission, they would certainly not think that we are here to'friendly exchange', but to start a war."

This is the explanation given by Loren, apart from this as long as we enter the ancient wood forest, even if there is one The complete Legion is just a prey to be slaughtered in front of the elven war dancers.

even more how Right now, the Eastern Elves and Lothar Duchy are on good terms. Even a few years ago, several settlements began to believe in the Holy Cross, with their own "church" and "church"; At least in the initial communication, you don't need to worry about misunderstanding anymore, just think about how to learn about the Azores ship from the elves.

Under the description of the black hair wizard, Sylvik deacon feels that this "going out" is like tailor-made for the Duke of Byrne-a long trip, see you Old friend, inquire about something, and then come back.

Well, it is well-documented and reasonable.

Compared with those envoys in the history of the empire who had important missions, and even their lives were in danger, it was simply a trifling matter!

"didn't expect, we will say goodbye just after we met."

Outside the palace, the little priest who came here specially-the current Byrne bishop-Weber It's still the black priest's clothes that are a little shabby and washed to a pale white. A light smile reveals a little bit of reluctance, hands clasped together:

"I will pray to the Holy Cross for you, I wish you This long journey has a smooth wind, waiting for you to return safely, Loren."

The black hair wizard chuckled lightly.

In my impression, I don’t seem to have ever really "good luck" and returned "safely".

"Anyway, thank you in advance-although I am not sure, the Holy Cross will really bless a wizard." Loren shrugged self-deprecatingly:

"Then...I Master Byrne bishop, who is in charge of the Duchy Church, is in control, have you figured out what you are going to do next?"

The indifferent Webber nodded his head and smiled still.

"I want to cleanse the whole church." The calm voice, but firmly.

Loren looked at him quietly, neither mocking nor refuting.

"To be honest, I was psychologically prepared when I took office-I know a little bit about the corruption of the church. Convergent clergy; in comparison, Byrne’s situation can be imagined."

Weber's expression gradually became serious: "But when I actually saw it, I knew I was too Naive... all kinds of corruption are far beyond expectations. It's horrible to see!"

"This is no longer a problem of a certain priest and region, but a common phenomenon—from the church in the Scarlet Blood Castle to the various The priest at the bottom of the realm, corruption and greed everywhere, squeezed the money and property in the hands of honest believers at all costs!"

"no! They are no longer clergy, they It’s a liar, a stickman, a lender, a manor, a businessman, and a villain leader in priest clothes!"

"How can such a church win the trust of the people and how can it shoulder the people’s spiritual sustenance? "!" Little Prince Weber said seriously: "Sooner or later such a church will be finished!"

"If the Byrne Church cannot be rebuilt in my hands, then I will be her last bishop-personally. …Destroy her without letting it continue to poison the purity of the Holy Cross!"

In his impassioned eyes, there was a painful determination.

"This will be difficult. You have more enemies than you think." The black hair wizard narrowed his eyes and said in a playful voice: "Those priests who occupy vested interests will not let it go. You can easily take away their wealth and privileges."

"They will resist, bribe and encourage the people to fight against your'dictatorship' bishop; they will overthrow you in various ways , Even... assassinating you."

Little priest shook the head.

"If I have learned anything from you, Loren...it's calm in the face of despair." Weber lifts the head, looking up at the black hair wizard:

"If a wizard can persist in the despair of surrounded by enemies and betrayed by friends, fight for the justice in his heart and win the imperial trial... Then a servant of the Holy Cross must have the courage not to lose to him."

The black hair wizard is startled first, then burst into laughter.

"It’s not as exaggerated as you said, really...The situation at the time was that there was a reason for it, and I thought I had the chance to win..."

"Loren!"

p>

Webber interrupted suddenly.

He lifts the head, his gaze is gradually heavy and the Duke of Byrne meets his eyes: "There are some things, I must say clearly now."

"Of course, Byrne Church Most of his corruption is due to himself, but as the Duke of Byrne, although it has only been three years until now, you...you are also to blame!"

Loren lowered his head and looked at him quietly. , There is nothing to refute.

"In the accounts of the Byrne Church I found, I found that the United Chamber of Commerce used a huge loan to take a piece of open space outside the Scarlet Blood Castle from the hands of the church. Build a new warehouse for them." Little priest frowned slightly: "And that piece of land was originally used by the church to support the lower-level clergy."

"Apart from this, united with Chamber of Commerce also perennially colludes with the high-level clergy within the Byrne Church. It will embezzle the real estate, valuable items, and treasures stolen from the church from believers, and sell them to Egypt beyond a thousand li. Borden; cleverly borrowed the name to become Duchy’s public property, or Chamber of Commerce’s private property."

"In this way, more than four-fifths of the church’s property in Byn has been embezzled and occupied. , Or resold it to others; even put the atonement money and donations paid by the believers in the vault of the Union Chamber of Commerce, and lend to the caravan!"

"These...all are from the Union Chamber of Commerce President, the masterpiece of your treasurer Jr. Yod!"

"Really? Then you have to be mentally prepared. Jr. Yod is a tough opponent." Loren chuckled lightly. "He is a guy who is extremely confident in himself. The only way to beat him is to beat him in the game he is best at."

Webber was dumbfounded and looked at him in disbelief.

"Luo, Loren!"

The little priest said silently, his eyes were extremely surprised: "I, what I just said was your financial officer! I, I mean if I If you start to rectify the church, you may have to confront your courtiers, or even interfere with Duchy’s internal affairs. You may lose a lot of money!"

"Compared, for example, for example... It won’t exist in the vault of the Union Chamber of Commerce. You are also impossible to get anything from the church! I’m serious!"

"Um...I know, I can see it. "The black hair wizard nodded, still smiling: "But... if you have gains, you will lose. I think it would be nice to have a bishop who has a firm belief and beat a greedy and bottomless financial officer for me."

"More importantly, for a Duchy, a pure, bottom-line and fair church guides the people and sets an example; there are only benefits, impossible and harmful."

Loren's expression is not joking at all. Meaning: "I don't lie to you. I am also selfish in supporting you to become a Byrne bishop. What I want to see is an independent church that focuses on the faith level to counter the interference of Holy Cross Church."

"So the truth is, I am also using you...in a sense."

The little priest was silent for a long time.

"This...even if it's reap what you have sown." Self-deprecating laughed, Weber opened the mouth and said faintly: "In any case, betraying a friend is ultimately a price-no matter what This way."

"Remember to say hello to my friends in Morning Star Lin. Their views on faith and the way they manage the church are the models that we should learn from. In addition, um...if so If you are empty and drop in, please go to see Lothar bishop and apologize for me: Webber of Ancient Wood Town may never go back."

As if the friend in front of me couldn't come back.

"I will." Loren nodded, the corner of his mouth slightly raised: "Take care, my bishop."

After that, the black hair wizard turned and left and stayed Give the little priest a back view.

The smile gradually faded.

Yes, I still used him.

In three years, Jr. Yod gradually squeezed out all the wealth of Byrne Church under his own instruction, and transferred it to himself and the Chamber of Commerce in various ways, leaving only one for Weber Except for the cathedral, there is nothing left of empty shells.

These wealth, taxes, movable property and real estate are the fundamental reason why I can quickly control Byrne and can afford Floating Void City and a Fiend Legion.

When Weber begins to rectify the church, the savings and bonds of those clergymen in the Chamber of Commerce will instantly "evaporate", and a dime will not be left; the Byrne Church, which cannot make ends meet, will become a whole Duchy Church, the most "corrupt" in the empire.

At that time, everyone’s eyes will only be on Weber’s "Church Reform". No one will want to know where the money from the corrupt priest is going. It will only be miserable for them. Clapping and cheering at the end.

Um...except for themselves.

Sighed then said lightly, the black hair wizard who raised his head was suddenly stunned.

At the front of the mission team, I saw Charlotte grabbing the hands of the little wizard, asking something nervously on his face; while Ayin, with his slightly sullen cheeks, kept nodded, from time to time I will also exchange a few words with her.

Oh.

They... When did their relationship become so good?

In my impression, except when I first arrived, the little wizard stayed in the laboratory and the wizard Academy all the time. There was almost no intersection with Charlotte?

The confused black hair wizard tilted his head and scratched the back of his head ignorantly.

"Ah...our lord our duke is finally here."

Notice the black hair wizard walking here, the female count of the Scarlet Castle immediately let go of Ai Yin’s He raised his chest, put on an indifferent expression and greeted him: "Are you ready?"

black hair wizard nodded.

"Remember, you represent not only the empire and yourself, but also the first impression of the Byrne people in the hearts of the elves-this is the lord of Byrne, the first time he has visited the land of the elves; Once, it’s very important." Charlotte took a deep breath and slowly said:

"Byrne, leave it to me. You only need to think about how to add glory to your country—wait. When you return, I will return her to you intact."

"Go on the road with peace of mind, my Duke!"

Go on the road with peace of mind... Although I know that the other party has no ambiguity, but Let Loren twitched the corner of his mouth.

"I know you used to have a very good relationship with these elves, but...after all, it has been so long, and no one knows what will happen." Charlotte's tone suddenly changed, as if very Tangled, and reluctantly spit out a few words:

"In short...the mission of the empire is very important, and the glory of Byrne is also very important...but...but..."

" Really forced by the situation, uh... the situation is not allowed, there is no alternative... if there is really no room for turnover... still... or..."

"...Safety!"