Chapter 519: Priest Klan
Ace persuaded with an unusually gentle voice: “This is called loyalty to the Lord. The wealth of the Maine Gang was taken from believers; we take out half and return it to the Holy Light to atone for sins. If we make no contribution, why should we be able to establish a branch church in the Old Street?
“As for the remaining half, we use it as funds for the new church to maintain the operation of order in the entire Old Street and protect the residents of the Old Street. This is giving back to the believers.”
Yamila felt that what Ace said didn’t quite fit her perception of justice, but after thinking carefully, she couldn’t say what was wrong, so she could only answer hesitantly: “Then we’ll try?”
Ace happily pulled Yamila up, took a step back, bowed, and said: “Thank you, dear Star Radiance Knight Excellency Yamila.”
Yamila replied seriously: “Everything is for the believers of the Old Street.”
This was originally a very serious conversation, but the blush on Yamila’s cheeks gave this conversation a somewhat enchanting air.
Yamila guarded this place, while Ace found the Half-Giant Claire Latin. After entrusting Lisa and the others to Old Kant’s care, Claire Latin carried all the wealth they had obtained from the Maine Gang, quietly burying half of it in the graveyard of the Old Street.
During this period, there was an interlude. Several night watchmen saw the whereabouts of Ace and the others and were also discovered by Ace, eventually being knocked unconscious by him.
“This is my special technique. They will sleep for about three days. By the time they wake up, our business will be mostly done.”
Hearing Ace’s words, Yamila was still not quite at ease. She said worriedly: “Then we can’t leave them here either. The night watchmen nearby should have a place to live; let’s put them there.”
Claire Latin said: “Excellency Knight, you are really a kind person. I know the way; I’ll take them there.”
After speaking, he grabbed one with each hand and slung the third one over his shoulder, running wildly with heavy footsteps. About a quarter of an hour later, Claire Latin ran back.
Seeing this, Ace had Claire Latin carry the treasures. The three took advantage of the night to head to St. Ivan Cathedral. On the way, thanks to Ace’s vertical eye between his eyebrows, they avoided patrolling soldiers and arrived quietly at the cathedral.
After delivering the treasures, Claire Latin returned to the Old Street first. He still bore the responsibility of protecting Lisa and those children.
St. Ivan Cathedral was the diocesan church for the entire Royal Capital region. The supreme leader was Mom Mart, one of the twelve Cardinals.
Yamila’s teacher, Deacon Bishop Payne Hood of St. Ivan Cathedral, received the three. The church was visibly declining now; no one had paid atonement money for many years.
Ace actually brought treasures worth a full two thousand gold coins for atonement, alarming Cardinal Mom Excellency. He sent Yamila’s teacher, the Deacon Bishop, to receive them personally.
The two talked in secret in the prayer room for a long time. It wasn’t until the sun rose that Payne Hood and Ace walked out of the room. Presided over by Cardinal Mom Mart, the Bishop Council of St. Ivan Cathedral passed a resolution.
Sunlight poured down through the colorful glazed skylight. Ace knelt on one knee before the Cardinal. Cardinal Mom Mart, his hands anointed with holy oil, faced the sunlight and proclaimed:
“Today, brother Klan is appointed as the Priest of the Bernada Old Street Branch. He is fully responsible for the construction and management of the branch church, shepherding and guiding the people of the Old Street for the Holy Light, spreading the glory of the Lord…”
Ace respectfully received the seal, appointment scroll, and priest robe, his expression solemn.
Yamila also saw Ace’s appearance for the first time. Sunlight spilling on Ace made him look so splendid. Her heartbeat quickened unknowingly, and her cheeks felt slightly hot.
“He’s clearly very handsome; why does he always wear a mask?”
She murmured in a low voice, her thoughts returning to the moment she hugged Ace that night, her cheeks turning even redder.
The ceremony wasn’t long. His Eminence Cardinal Mart spoke for half an hour, still unsatisfied. People finally dispersed, and Ace got what he wanted.
He successfully infiltrated the declining Holy Light Church system and became a beloved clergy member. From now on, Ace’s formal title was Priest of the Old Street Branch Church of the Bernada Regional Church.
Walking under the sunlight for the first time, Ace pressed the holy radiance mask against his chest and walked out of St. Ivan Cathedral. The streets were bustling with traffic. Approaching noon, it was the time when the flow of people was most dense.
Yamila walked side by side with Ace on the street. She said softly: “I hope you can bring the gospel of the Holy Light to the Old Street.”
Ace smiled slightly and said to Yamila: “I will work hard. Only you and Claire Latin know that I am Mr. Cat. I hope you don’t speak of it. This identity will occasionally be useful.”
Yamila nodded heavily. The two slowly moved away from the crowd and came to a quiet alley. Yamila said somewhat worriedly: “I need to learn the combat skills of the Star Radiance Knight, so I can’t go to the Old Street to help you for the time being. You can only rely on your own efforts.”
Ace shook his head and interrupted: “You have to trust me. In a few months, the order of the Old Street will take on a new look. No one will be able to bully the kind wantonly. It’s just that the most important question lies with you now. The Holy Sword Blessing is in half a year. Are you ready?”
Yamila subconsciously clasped her hands. She was somewhat afraid. Although she yearned for justice in her heart, she had never been in a high position. What her heart feared was not competition and death, but failing to do well.
“Mr. Cat, do you know? I am just a farmer’s daughter. I only became literate after coming to St. Ivan Cathedral. Even so, I am merely literate. I have no culture at all, nor do I understand how to govern a country.
“Not only that, I am also reckless and childish. I always think people should maintain a heart of justice at all times, have compassion for others, and possess a clean soul.”
Her gaze carried longing. Without a doubt, this was Yamila’s expectation, and also her outlook on a perfect self. She sighed slightly and said: “With such a will, there is certainly no problem being a knight under the Holy Light. But if I want to be a king, a ruler, I’m afraid it’s unlikely.”
Ace shook his head. Threads of Fate began to disperse. A brand new script scroll had been born in his vertical eye.
He held Yamila’s shoulders with both hands and said seriously:
“I disagree. I never agree with the idea that a ruler must be ruthless or proficient in various scheme—this is the cognition of the vast majority of people, and also the fact of this world. But this doesn’t mean it is correct.
“Why can’t this world be ruled by a pure soul, a clean righteous indivdual? We can build a fair world, a world where a person can climb up as long as they work hard properly.”
Ace’s eyes were full of light. Sunlight spilled on him, making Yamila unable to open her eyes. Passionate music of fate also began to play, making Yamila’s heart leap. She listened as Ace continued:
“Do we have to endure injustice just because it lasts long? Can’t we do our best to change this world?
“Since you were chosen by the King’s Stone, you have the qualification to become a king. As long as you firm your heart, you will become a participant in the king selection war.
“Yamila, you indeed have many shortcomings. Your personal strength has no overwhelming advantage; you don’t understand scheme and don’t know how to govern. But you have a heart like gold. You truly yearn for the light. I think this is the rarest quality of a king.
“Yamila Bernard, what exactly do you think a king is?”
Accompanied by wave-like music, Yamila said somewhat confusedly:
“Do I have the qualities of a king? I always thought a king is a supreme ruler among men who can do whatever he wants.
“In different people’s eyes, a king might be different. My father always envied the king; he always said the king would use a pure gold hoe to farm.
“Of course, I know the king doesn’t need to farm. In fact, many people want to become king probably more out of envy for the king’s luxurious life and divinely ordained royal power.”
Ace patted Yamila’s confused little head, took her hand, and leaped up. With a few leaps, the two arrived at the top of the highest nearby tower, overlooking the bustling crowd.
The music of fate became more and more passionate. Facing the wind, Ace said gently to Yamila:
“If you become the king, then the lives of everyone before our eyes will be closely related to you. A king is responsibility; a king is bearing a burdens; a king should be righteous. The Holy Light protects this world, and our believers should also be ruled and protected by a righteous king.”
Yamila was somewhat shaken by Ace’s words. Her long hair and long dress danced with the wind as she said softly:
“I also really want to have such kiny who can punish all evil, distinguish right from wrong, and bring happiness to all kind people. But apart from firmly believing that I can strictly maintain justice and a pure heart, I have no confidence in anything else.
“I have no confidence in distinguishing right from wrong, no confidence in governing the country in an orderly manner, and even less confidence in bringing happiness to all kind people.”
Ace smiled slightly. Yamila’s thoughts were exactly what he intended. He said seriously:
“Ability can be trained, but a pure soul cannot. Even if abilities cannot be exercised, they can be supplemented by selecting the worthy and capable, and hiring sages.
“I am about to go to the Old Street. If you are willing, you can come to the Old Street to help me, and you can also experience firsthand how to govern a place.”
Yamila’s eyes lit up, and she nodded heavily: “Wait for me for a month—no, half a month. As soon as I memorize the combat skills I need to learn, I will go to the Old Street to help you.”
Ace spoke no more. He put on his mask and leaped into the sky, waving his hand without looking back, and soon disappeared from Yamila’s line of sight.
Yamila clenched her small fists to cheer herself on, whispering: “Righteous King? If it’s a real Righteous King, does one also need a Righteous Sage Prime Minister or even…”
Ace had arrived at the Old Street. Wearing a priest’s long robe, he looked very conspicuous. The Old Street was almost an unmanaged place in the Capital of Hope, Bernada.
Bernada was a direct territory of the royal family. Logically speaking, except for church territories, everything else should be governed by royal officials. But officials did not manage this place, nor did the church. Only some evil forces survived here.
He found Claire Latin and took out half of the remaining treasures. First, he went through formal channels and reported the matter to the Administrative Officer of the southern block of the kingdom. Administrative Officer Wheeler Commonst said to him with a face full of justice:
“Priest Klan, I didn’t expect the church to make things so difficult for people. The jurisdiction of the Old Street belongs to the royal family. Although I am just a small block administrative officer, I have backbone. You have misjudged me; I cannot sell out the interests of the royal family.”
Seeing him pondering, Ace clapped his hands and let Claire Latin come in carrying the treasures.
Seeing a four-meter-tall Half-Giant approaching bent over, the Administrative Officer was about to shout when he suddenly saw Claire Latin smash a bag heavily on the ground. Gold, silver, and jewelry spilled out. He couldn’t help pouncing on the treasures excitedly, smiling at Ace and saying: “You are really a good judge of character!”
Ace held two authorization documents stamped with the royal seal. With these documents, the Old Street was the subsidiary territory of the yet-to-be-established branch church. He legally obtained the jurisdiction, tax farming rights, and religious rights of the Old Street.
Among them, the tax farming right was the most important. Although the royal direct territory could not be enfeoffed, the tax farming rights could be sold to others for a hundred years. As long as others paid taxes equivalent to fifty years within one year, they could obtain the power to rule a certain area for a hundred years.
This was a method pioneered by the late king. It was heard that it gathered a large amount of wealth extremely quickly.
Because there was almost no tax revenue from the Old Street, after Ace gave the treasures to the Administrative Officer, he directly obtained the jurisdiction document and the tax farming document.
He smiled and said to Claire Latin: “Do you know? I went to great lengths just to establish a new order in the Old Street. This place of ours should welcome change, right?”
Claire Latin smiled naively and said: “I believe you. You have always distributed money to the poor in the past and made people nearby not afraid of me and close to me. You will definitely be able to make the Old Street better.”
The vertical eye between Ace’s eyebrows was faintly hot. His aura rose unknowingly. That deeply hidden Power of Fate was finally digested when the new script started, making Ace’s Heart Fire burn. A phantom appeared above the Heart Fire, and he successfully advanced to a Level 1 Life.
Claire Latin felt that Ace seemed to become stronger, grinning and laughing loudly.
Ace also smiled. The strength of a Level 1 Warrior was enough to suppress the gangs near the Old Street. More importantly, his spirit finally achieved overdrive, and many magical means could also be used.
There is no need to say much about suppressing the surrounding gangs. Ace’s several actions made everyone know that this priest was extraordinary. Coupled with two royal documents and an appointment letter from St. Ivan Cathedral, everyone in the Old Street numbly accepted the fact that the ruler above their heads had changed.
Ace was generous. Using market prices, he hired residents of the Old Street and the Bernada Engineer Association to build a new church on the ruins of the Maine Gang headquarters.
This church was not tall, nor was it magnificent. Its style was simple and its structure was basic, occupying only part of the front area.
The back was entirely converted into a monastery, put into use after slight decoration. Ace took all the wandering orphans of the Old Street into the monastery, and through preaching and monetary influence, moved a group of residents to enter the monastery as monks and nuns.
Lisa also contributed greatly here. Born as a noble, she learned how to manage manors and deal with people since childhood. Unknowingly, she became Ace’s capable assistant.
One day, Ace couldn’t help asking: “Lisa, why don’t you want to return to your own home? Staying by my side, you can only be a nun, at most becoming a deacon nun of a branch church.”
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