Da da da...
Da da da...
Outside the city, dust was flying. A group of cavalry in silver armor came slowly, carrying large flags. On the fluttering flags, three golden scepters representing health, wealth and death were painted, symbolizing the three fates. The authority of the Goddess Church.
This is a knightly order stationed in Gorey, with a total of 1,500 people, belonging to the Diocese of Wexford. At the front of the team, there is a man wearing a white robe and a gold-patterned bishop's hat. The old man in a blue waistcoat with a scepter of health printed on his chest is riding a black horse and looking at the city of New Ross down the hillside.
"Albert."
Hearing the old man's summons, a middle-aged man without a helmet and dressed differently from the other knights came forward on horseback: "I'm here, Bishop Fowler."
"Take 100 people to follow me into the city, and the rest will be stationed outside the city. They are not allowed to enter the city without orders."
"As commanded."
Bishop Fowler came this time not for conquest, but to negotiate with Prince Arthur. The Knights were only a deterrent and could not be used until the critical moment.
Anyway...
Arthur is also the fourth son of King Rhodes IV, and is also among the crown princes. Even though the church now has power, it cannot be aggressive and must always take care of the royal family's face.
Albert waved his arms, and 100 black-armored knights rode out, following Bishop Fowler, towards New Ross City.
At the wide-open city gate, Father Satuk, who had been waiting for him for a long time, immediately came forward to greet him. He pointed his finger between his eyebrows and nodded in salute: "Bishop Fowler, you are finally here."
"Satuk, long time no see." Bishop Fowler glanced at the servant of God standing behind him and asked, "Have the Kennedy family investigated clearly? Are they members of the Free Association?"
"Adams and Warren sent a message saying that there are currently no problems at the Kennedy family estate, but their second young master Killian has been acting strangely. He has disappeared in the past few days and is unknown to where he went."
"Disappeared?"
"Yes, I sent Adams and the others the night I received the news. Unfortunately, it was too late. Killian Kennedy was no longer in the manor."
"Um..."
Bishop Fowler turned his eyes and asked: "Where is Baron Bill's wife, Julie?"
"She is still as usual, attending parties, ordering clothes or hairstyles, etc., and socializing closely with the ladies of the upper class."
"If the information conveyed by the mysterious person is reliable, Julie Beale and Killian Kennedy must be members of the Freedom Society. This is our mortal enemy. Their network of relationships is huge and they attempt to subvert the religion. Other churches are even more terrifying. They must be solved as soon as possible, and changes will occur later." Bishop Fowler pondered: "Fortunately, they don't know that we are suspicious yet. I will allocate 300 people to you and give them to Adams and Warren to command and ambush Kennedy. Around the manor, once Killian Kennedy appears, take action immediately to eradicate the roots!"
Hearing this, Father Saturk did not agree immediately, but hesitated and said: "If it were just the Kennedy family, it would be nothing, but their eldest daughter Julie married Baron Bill. And Baron Bill's family has a strong family background, and their family has cultivated Many knights are quite prestigious in the military, especially the army stationed in Rosslare, and more than half of them have connections with him. If they attack the Kennedy family without saying hello..."
"That's why we have to wait for Killian to show up before taking action." Bishop Fowler snorted: "As long as Killian is captured, the Kennedy estate is thoroughly searched, and clues are found, do they still have room for quibbles? As for Baron Bill, , I will negotiate with the fourth prince after catching Killian, and try to get him to hand over Julie without using force. If he dares to resist, he will be an accomplice and be eliminated together!"
The bloody words proved that Bishop Fowler had murderous intentions.
For any church, the Free Association is an absolute mortal enemy, and would rather kill than let go.
If the Kennedy family hadn't been related to Baron Bill, they would have taken action long ago. Why wait until now?
"Where is the Fourth Prince?"
"He is at the city lord's residence and is ready to welcome you, Bishop Fowler."
"Enter the city!"
Stepping on the stirrup's heels and tapping the horse's belly, Bishop Fowler rode a black horse and led 100 elite knights into the city gate in a swaggering manner.
Pedestrians passing by on the roadside, seeing the cavalry, gave way one after another, their eyes full of fear.
Bishop Fowler, who is nearly seventy years old, although his hair is gray, his energy is as good as that of a young man, and there is no sign of the old man's decrepit state.
Twenty minutes later, Bishop Fowler arrived at the city lord's residence in the center of Ross Avenue. He looked at the open door covered with red carpet, got off his horse, and asked Albert and other 100 knights to wait outside. He only brought Father Satuk and A man in a cloak.
"First Evolution"
In the large and spacious entrance hall, guards stood neatly on both sides holding Delise bolt-action rifles. At the far end of the entrance hall, a blond man in a black suit stood with a smile.
"His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince."
Bishop Fowler ignored the guards on both sides, opened his arms, came to the blond man, stretched out the back of his hand, and showed a gold ring on his middle finger.
Arthur held Bishop Fowler's palm, lowered his head and kissed the ring.
Kissing a woman's fingertips shows respect.
Kissing the back of a man's fingers signifies submission.
As soon as he entered the door, Bishop Fowler made a show of force, but Prince Arthur didn't care at all, and his smile didn't even fade.
"Bishop Fowler, you are still as energetic as ever."
"His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince is the same. His face is rosy. I think the food in New Ross City tastes good."
"I have asked the chef to prepare a banquet, please take a seat."
"Okay, okay..."
After a brief exchange of greetings, everyone came to the banquet hall. The several-meter-long dining table was covered with white cloth and vases, and it looked grand and formal.
After tasting the carefully cooked food, Prince Arthur wiped the corners of his mouth and raised his glass: "Bishop Fowler, I propose a toast to you."
Bishop Fowler smiled and shook his head: "It should be me who respects you, Your Highness the Fourth Prince."
"how do I say this?"
"Since you took office as the city lord, in just a few years, you have restored the depression and desolation of New Ross City to its former prosperity. Based on this, you have driven the development of surrounding cities and villages, and the sharply reduced population has gradually recovered. Not only has the kingdom received tax revenue, but our Church of the Three Destinies has also gained many believers." Bishop Fowler said, "For such a great achievement, shouldn't I toast you with a toast?"
"This is my duty. Since the Kingdom has entrusted New Ross City to me, it has placed high hopes on me. How can it be done if I don't work hard?"
"well said."
Bishop Fowler nodded: "I believe that His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince has also heard the news about the war. Recently, martial law has been imposed everywhere. Even the church has to cheer up and ordered me to lead the diocesan knights to patrol around the jurisdiction to prevent Hidden danger.”
Swirling the red wine in the glass, Bishop Fowler finally got to the point: "The closer the war is, the more we must cheer up and stabilize the rear without slacking off at all. As His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince said just now, this... It’s our duty, right?”
"That's right." Arthur agreed readily: "That's true."
"To this end, I think we should abandon the previous idea of each performing his own duties and strengthen cooperation with security agencies in various places. Only by cooperating with each other can the enemy have no opportunity to take advantage of it."
"Bishop Fowler means..."
"As a state religion, the Church of the Three Destinies has heavy responsibilities, but we must work hard to provide a good living environment for believers. Therefore, I would like to arrange for several church members to serve in New Ross City."
Bishop Fowler said with a smile: "This will not only reduce your burden on the fourth prince, but also increase the relationship between us. It is a win-win solution."
"oh..."
Staring at the reflection on the wine glass, Arthur grinned: "Then what position should I give them?"
"Some idle positions will suffice." Bishop Fowler said very generously: "For example, night patrol police officers, registration clerks and customs approving officers. These jobs are very hard. Fortunately, the church has a group of very diligent young men. , willing to help His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince share his worries."
"I thought you wanted to say something..."
Suddenly, Arthur sighed, put down his wine glass, and said quietly: "I thought you had a broader ambition, but I didn't expect that you just wanted to make money. It's a pity... it's a pity..."
"ambition?"
Bishop Fowler frowned. He had prepared several ways to deal with it. Once Arthur refused, he could move out and take the next step. However, Arthur neither agreed nor refused. Instead, he mentioned his ambition to him.
This was a way the topic would unfold in a way he hadn't imagined.
"Yes, ambition." Arthur said: "After all, Wexford County is only a remote area and cannot be compared with the historical and cultural cities such as the Royal Capital, Oxford, and Coventry... Of course, I’m not saying that Bishop Fowler has no future for you, I’m just unwilling to accept your situation..."
Under Bishop Fowler's puzzled gaze, Arthur stood up, walked to the window, looked at the knights below and said: "Just like me, I was assigned to a remote area, saying that I would be an idle Duke, but Is it really easy here?”
"Your Highness the Fourth Prince, with all due respect, it is the king's intention to make you the Duke of New Ross, and he is also protecting you..."
"Bishop Fowler, how is the situation with the Pope?"
One sentence suddenly stopped Bishop Fowler from asking. He thought for a while and replied euphemistically: "Not too optimistic."
"Not too optimistic...hmm."
Arthur turned around, returned to his seat and sat down, shooing away the maids and attendants around him: "Let me say something that is not very respectful. If the Pope unfortunately dies, who should take over the position of the Pope?"
"This kind of thing is not something we can discuss, but the Pope's successor must be one of the three red archbishops."
"Yes, but who will become the new archbishop?"
Looking at Bishop Fowler, who looked slightly stiff, Arthur smiled: "Could it be you?"
"..."
"Of course you have hope. As long as you can stabilize the rear and Wexford County during the war, this will be a great achievement, enough to make you a strong competitor for the Archbishop." Arthur said with a smile: "You know this, but you still want to replace the conscientious and meticulous patrol officers with church members who are unfamiliar with these jobs. Even if you do this, you can stabilize the situation, but it will also destroy the city of New Ross." A recovering economic environment.”
"If these church members take the opportunity to make some money, will it cause resentment among the people?"
"If it arouses public resentment, how many people will be willing to become believers in the Church of the Three Destinies in the next quarter? Will this affect your competition for the Archbishop?"
"Bishop Fowler..."
"People's words are terrible..."
