Only a week later, the visiting mission was ready to start.
This time, Loren arranged the next work slightly and completed the transfer of power with Charlotte - it seems that this often happens - during the Duke''s absence, the Countess of red blood Castle presided over the round table Council and exercised the Duke''s power on his behalf.
In addition to the power to declare war and alliance involving the movement of the demon hunter, Brandon''s stationery, she is responsible for the legal affairs of the principality.
Because of the Duke Byrne''s long-term "dereliction of duty", the round table parliament seems to have become accustomed to this situation - it no longer needs to be as grand as the opening banquet. All power transfers have a complete set of procedures. The round table Parliament and the bureaucratic system established by imitating the Empire are becoming more and more perfect to ensure that everything can still operate normally in his absence.
The Turin wizard college, which has sprung up from the ground, the count who runs back and forth between the red blood Castle palace and his own territory, the principality court which is no different from the sky palace, the tax collectors who go in and out between trade unions and chambers of Commerce, and the continuous fire of the low artificial factory outside the wilderness all night, more and more extend to the open road of the red blood castle
Three years may not be enough for the bain people to immediately experience the taste of reunification, but three years have made the people of red blood Castle aware that the city they live in is becoming the political and wealth core of the whole principality from the most fertile and powerful territory.
They still don''t know what happened, but when more and more outsiders pour into the town, when the urban area of red blood castle is no longer limited to a narrow "fairy tale" castle, when a new urban area appears and more peripheral new city walls rise from the ground
The life that has been used to for three generations will no longer exist.
Outside the palace gate, there were several carriages parked on the clean and new street. On both sides were fully armed guard knights. Two disguised demon hunters mixed in. Only the passing Lucian knew their identity.
In addition, two wizards were ordered to accompany them - to make "cultural exchanges" with the elves, and to act as a clerk and ceremonial officer when necessary.
The whole mission had only more than thirty people. It was so small that it didn''t look like a duke. In particular, it was the honor guard of the Lord of Bain, as if it were different from the larger caravan; To the astonishment and disbelief of deacon hilwick.
"I don''t know about the elves in other areas of the ancient wood forest, but the elves in the eastern settlements, especially in the morning star forest, are very belligerent, proud and extremely sensitive - if we really prepare a corps mission, they certainly won''t think we''re here for ''friendly communication'', but for war."
This is the explanation given by Loren. In addition, as long as you enter the ancient wood forest, even if there is a complete legion, it is only prey to be slaughtered in front of the elves and dancers.
Moreover, at present, the eastern elves are friendly with the Principality of lottel. Even a few years ago, several settlements began to believe in the Holy Cross and have their own "church" and "clergy"; At least at the beginning of the communication, you don''t have to worry about misunderstandings. Just think about how to get the news about Azor ships from the elf mouth.
Under the description of the dark haired wizard, Deacon hilwick felt that this "mission" was tailor-made for Duke Byrne - go away, meet an old friend, inquire about something, and then come back.
Well, it''s well founded and reasonable.
Compared with those envoys who carry important missions and often risk their lives in the history of the Empire, it is simply like a child''s play!
"Unexpectedly, we just met and said goodbye."
At the gate of the palace, the little priest, the current bishop of Byrne, Weber, was still a little shabby, starched white black priest''s uniform, with a indifferent smile, a little reluctance, and his hands folded:
"I will pray to the Holy Cross for you. I wish you a pleasant journey and wait for your safe return, Loren."
The dark haired wizard chuckled.
In my impression, I don''t seem to have had a really "Bon Voyage" and returned "safely".
"Anyway, thank you first - although I''m not sure if the Holy Cross will really protect a wizard." Loren shrugged with self mockery:
"So... Have you figured out what I''m going to do next, bishop Byrne, who has power and rules the Church of the principality?"
Weber nodded and smiled as usual.
"I want to cleanse the whole church." a calm voice, but resolute.
Loren looked at him quietly, neither laughing nor refuting.
"To tell you the truth, at the beginning of my term of office, I had psychological preparation - I knew a little about the corruption of the church. After all, even in remote and barren areas with strong religious style like lottel, there were greedy clergy who did not know how to restrain; in contrast, Bain''s situation can be imagined."
Weber''s expression gradually became serious: "but when I really saw it, I knew that I was too naive... All kinds of corruption, far beyond expectations, was shocking!"
"This is no longer a problem for certain priests and regions, but a common phenomenon - from the church in red blood castle to the bottom priests in various territories, corruption and greed are everywhere, and they do everything to squeeze money from the hands of simple believers and property under their names!"
"No! They are no longer clergy. They are liars, gods, lenders, manors, businessmen and villain leaders in priest clothes!"
"How can such a church win the trust of the people and shoulder the spiritual sustenance of the people?" little priest Weber said seriously: "such a church will end sooner or later!"
"If the Byrne Church cannot be rebuilt in my hands, I will be her last bishop - personally... Destroy her, and I can''t continue to poison the purity of the Holy Cross!"
In the impassioned eyes, there was a painful determination.
"It will be difficult. You have more enemies than you think." the black haired wizard narrowed his eyes and whispered in a playful voice, "those priests who occupy vested interests will not let you easily take away their wealth and privileges."
"They will resist, buy and incite the people against your ''dictatorial'' bishop; they will overthrow you in various ways, or even... Assassinate you."
The little priest shook his head.
"If I''ve learned anything from you, Loren... It''s the calm in the face of despair." Weber raised his head and looked up at the dark haired Wizard:
"If a wizard can still adhere to his faith, fight for the justice in his heart and win the trial before the emperor under the despair of being besieged on all sides and betrayed by his friends... Then a servant of the Holy Cross must at least have the courage not to lose to him."
The dark haired wizard was stunned at first, and then burst out laughing.
"It''s not as exaggerated as you said, really... The situation at that time was for a reason, and I thought I had a chance to win..."
"Loren!"
Weber suddenly interrupted.
He raised his head and gradually looked at Duke Byrne with heavy eyes: "there are some things I must make clear now."
"It is true that most of the corruption of the Byrne church comes from itself, but as the Duke of Byrne, although it has only been three years, you... Are also to blame!"
Lauren looked down at him quietly without refuting anything.
"In the accounts of the Byrne church I found, I found that the United Chamber of Commerce once took an open space outside the red blood castle from the church with a huge loan to build a new warehouse for them." the little priest frowned slightly: "that land was originally the worship land of the church and was used to support the clergy at the bottom."
"In addition, the United Chamber of Commerce has colluded with the senior clergy within the Byrne church all the year round to discount the real estate, valuables and treasures stolen from the believers and sell them to eboden thousands of miles away; it has skillfully borrowed items and turned them into the public property of the principality or the private property of the chamber of Commerce."
"In this way, more than four fifths of the church''s property in Bain has been embezzled, occupied or resold to others; even the atonement and donations paid by believers have been stored in the Treasury of the United Chamber of Commerce and lent to the caravan!"
"These... Are all the masterpieces of the president of the United Chamber of Commerce and your treasurer, your excellency little Joad!"
"Really? Then you have to be prepared. Little Joad is a very difficult opponent." Loren chuckled: "he is a guy who is extremely confident in himself. The only way to win him is to beat him in the game he is best at."
Weber stared at him in disbelief.
"Loren, Loren!"
The little priest lost his voice and looked very surprised: "I, what I just said is your treasurer! I, I mean, if I start to rectify the church, I may have to confront your ministers, or even interfere in the internal affairs of the principality, you may lose a lot of money!"
"For example, for example... In the future, the contributions of the church may no longer exist in the Treasury of the United Chamber of Commerce, and you can''t get anything from the church! I''m serious!"
"Well... I know, I can see it." the black haired wizard nodded and still smiled, "but... There must be gains and losses. I think it''s good to have a bishop with firm faith to beat a greedy treasurer for me."
"More importantly, for a principality, a pure, bottom line and just church guides the people and sets an example; only good can not be harmful."
Loren''s expression didn''t mean to joke: "I won''t lie to you. I''m also selfish to support you to become bishop of Byrne - what I want to see is an independent Church focusing on the faith level to resist the intervention of the Holy Cross Church."
"So the truth is, I''m using you... In a sense."
The little priest was silent for a long time.
"This... Even if it''s self inflicted." with a self mocking smile, Weber said faintly: "anyway, betraying friends will pay a price - no matter what way."
"Remember to say hello to the friends of Morningstar forest for me. Their views on faith and the management of the church are the models we should learn from - in addition, um... If you are free and on your way, please go to see bishop lottel and apologize for me: Weber in Gumu town may never go back."
Wordy, like a friend in front of you can''t come back.
"I will." Lauren nodded and gently lifted his mouth. "Take care, my bishop."
With that, the dark haired wizard turned and left a figure for the little priest.
The smile faded away.
Yes, I still used him.
In three years, little Joad gradually drained all the wealth of Byrne church under his own inspiration, and transferred it to himself and the chamber of Commerce in various ways. There was only an empty shell left to Weber except the cathedral.
These wealth, taxes, movable and immovable property are the fundamental reason why they can quickly control Bain and support the floating city and a demon hunter army.
When Weber began to reorganize the church, the clergy''s savings and bonds in the United Chamber of Commerce would instantly "evaporate" and there would be no money left; The Byrne church, which cannot make ends meet, will become the most "clean" principality Church in the whole empire.
At that time, everyone''s eyes will only focus on Weber''s "church reform". No one will want to know where the money of those corrupt priests has gone, and will only applaud their tragic end.
Well... Except themselves.
With a slight sigh, the black haired wizard looked up suddenly stunned.
At the front of the mission team, Charlotte was holding the little wizard''s hands and asked something nervously on her face; AI Yin, who was slightly drunk on her cheeks, kept nodding and communicating with her from time to time.
Oh.
They... When did their relationship get so good?
In my impression, except when I first came, the little wizard stayed in the laboratory and wizard college all the time, and there was almost no intersection with Charlotte?
The confused black haired wizard tilted his head and scratched the back of his head.
"Ah... Our Lord Duke has finally come."
Noticing the black haired wizard coming this way, the Countess of red blood Castle immediately released ayin''s hand, straightened her chest, put on a cold expression and greeted: "are you ready?"
The dark haired wizard nodded.
"Remember, you represent not only the Empire and yourself, but also the first impression of the Byrne people in the minds of the elves - this is the Lord of Byrne''s first visit to the elves'' territory; the first time is very important." Charlotte took a deep breath and said slowly:
"Leave Byrne to me. You just need to consider how to add glory to your country - I''ll return her to you intact when you return."
"Go on your way, my Duke!"
Feel at ease on the road... Although he knew that the other party had no ambiguity, he still let Lauren smoke the corners of his mouth.
"I know you used to have a very good relationship with these elves, but... After all, no one knows what will happen after so long." Charlotte suddenly turned her tone, as if she was 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..."
"If the situation is really forced, er... The situation does not allow, there is no alternative... If there is really no room for turnover... Still... Or..."
"... be safe!"