Only a week later, the mission was ready to leave.

This time, Loren arranged the rest of the work a little, and completed the transfer of power with Charlotte - it seems that this often happens - during the Duke's absence, the Countess of Crimson Castle led the Round Table Council and exercised the Duke's authority on her behalf.

Except for the power to maneuver with the witcher, Brandon's letterhead, and the power to declare war and form alliances, all the affairs of the principality are handled by her.

Because of the Duke of Byrne's long-term "dereliction of duty", the Round Table Council seems to have become accustomed to this situation - no longer have to be as grand as a banquet, all the transfer of power has a complete set of procedures, and the Round Table Council and the bureaucratic system modeled after the Empire have been perfected to ensure that everything can still function in his absence.

The Turin Wizards' Academy, the Counts who travel between the palace of the Red Blood Castle and their own territory, the duchy courts that are no different from the Heavenly Dome, the tax collectors who come and go between the trade unions and the chambers of commerce, the fire of the dwarven factories in the wilderness, and the open roads that extend to the Red Blood Castle more and more......

Three years may not be enough for the Byrnes to immediately experience the taste of unity, but three years can already make the people of Crimson Bloodcastle realize that the city they live in is becoming the core of politics and wealth of the entire principality from the richest and most powerful territory.

They didn't know exactly what was going on, but when more and more outsiders poured into the town, when the city of Crimson Blood was no longer confined to a small "fairytale" castle, when a new city appeared and new walls were erected further outer......

The life to which three generations have been accustomed will no longer exist.

Outside the palace gates, several carriages were parked one after another on the neat streets, flanked by heavily armed knights of the guard, and two witchers in disguise mingled in, whose identities only the passing Lusen knew.

In addition, there were two wizards who were ordered to accompany them - the purpose of which was to do "cultural exchanges" with the elves, and by the way, to act as clerks and ceremonial officers when necessary.

There were only thirty or so men in the whole mission, and the small scale did not look like a duke, especially the honor guard of the Lord of Byrne, which seemed to be different from the larger caravanserais, which made Deacon Sylvik stunned and unbelievable.

"I don't know what the elves are like in the rest of the Grove, but the elves of the eastern settlements, especially the Morning Star Forest, are very belligerent, proud, and extremely sensitive - if we do prepare a legion-sized mission, they will certainly not think that we are here for 'friendly exchange', but for war. ”

This is the explanation given by Loren, in addition, as long as he enters the Ancient Wood Forest, even if there is a fully formed legion, it is only prey to be slaughtered in front of the elven war dancers.

What's more, the eastern elves are now friendly with the Duchy of Lothair, and even a few years ago, several settlements began to believe in the Holy Cross one after another, and had their own "churches" and "priesthoods"; at least there is no need to worry about misunderstandings in the first exchanges, just think about how to get the news about the Azorean ships from the elves.

According to the description of the black-haired wizard, Deacon Sylwick felt as if the "mission" was tailor-made for Duke Byrne - a trip to meet an old friend, inquire about something, and then come back.

Well, well-documented and reasonable.

Compared with the envoys in the history of the empire, who were burdened with important missions and often even risked their lives, it was easy to see!

"Unexpectedly, we just met and said goodbye again. ”

Outside the palace gate, the little priest who came specially - the current Bishop of Byrne - Weber was still dressed in a somewhat shabby, whitened black clerical uniform, smiling indifferently with a little reluctance, and clasped his hands together:

"I will pray to the Holy Cross on your behalf, and wish you a smooth journey on this journey, and wait for your safe return, Loren. ”

The black-haired wizard chuckled.

In my impression, I don't seem to have a time when I really "had a smooth journey" and can return "safely".

"Anyway, thank you in advance - though I'm not sure if Holy Cross really blesses a wizard. Loren shrugged self-deprecatingly:

"So... I have the power to rule the Church of the Duchy, have you figured out what to do next?"

Webb, who looked indifferent, bowed his head and smiled.

"I'm going to cleanse the whole church. A calm voice, but to the point.

Loren looked at him quietly, neither mocking nor retorting.

"To tell you the truth, I was mentally prepared at the beginning of my tenure—I knew a thing or two about the corruption of the Church, after all, even in a remote and barren area like Lothair, there were greedy clergy who did not know how to restrain themselves, and Byrne's situation can be imagined. ”

Weber's expression gradually became serious: "But when I actually saw it, I realized that I was too naïve... All kinds of corruption, far beyond expectations, are simply shocking!"

"This is no longer a problem of a particular clergy or region, but a universal phenomenon - from the churches of the Red Blood Castle to the lowest clergy in the realms, corruption and greed are everywhere, and they are doing everything to extract the money and wealth in the hands of the simple believers!"

"No, they're no longer clergy, they're crooks, scoundrels, moneylenders, manor owners, merchants, and villain bosses in clergy!"

"How can such a church win the trust of the people, and how can it shoulder the spiritual sustenance of the people?" The little priest Weber said seriously: "Such a church will be finished sooner or later!"

"If Byrne's Church can't be rebuilt in my hands, then I'll be her last bishop—with my own hands... Destroy her, and you can't continue to let her poison the purity of the Holy Cross!"

There was a painful determination in his impassioned eyes.

"It's going to be hard, you have more enemies than you think. The black-haired wizard squinted his eyes and said playfully and softly, "The priests who have vested interests will not allow you to take away their wealth and privileges easily. ”

"They will rebel, they will bribe and incite the people against you, the 'dictatorial' bishop, they will overthrow you in all sorts of ways, even... Assassinate you. ”

The little priest shook his head.

"If I've learned anything from you, Loren... That is the calmness in the face of despair. Webb looked up at the black-haired wizard with a provocative gaze:

"If a wizard can hold on to his faith in the face of the despair of being embattled and betrayed by his friends, fight for the justice in his heart, and win the royal judgment... Then a servant of the Holy Cross must at least have the courage not to lose to him. ”

The black-haired wizard was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"It's not as exaggerated as you say, really... It was happening for a reason, and I thought I had a chance to win......"

"Loren!"

Webb interrupted abruptly.

He raised his head, and gradually met Duke Byrne's eyes with heavy eyes: "There are some things that I must make clear now. ”

"It is true that most of the corruption of the Byrne Church stems from itself, but as the Duke of Byrne, although it has only been three years now, you... It's also hard to get away with it!"

Loren lowered his head and looked at him quietly, not refuting anything.

"In the accounts of the Byrne Church that I found, I found that the United Chamber of Commerce had used a large loan to take a vacant lot of land outside the city of Crimson Castle from the church and use it to build a new warehouse for them. The little priest frowned slightly: "And that piece of land was originally the church's dedicated land, which was used to support the low-level clergy." ”

In addition to this, the United Chamber of Commerce has been in collusion with the high clergy within the Byrne Church for many years, and has embezzled from the believers, seized real estate, valuables, and treasures stolen from the church for those people, and sold them to Ebolden, thousands of miles away, 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 Byrne has been embezzled or resold to others, and even the indulgers have deposited their indulgences and donations in the coffers of the United Chamber of Commerce to lend money to caravans!"

"These... All are the work of the President of the United Chamber of Commerce, your treasurer, His Excellency Yod Jr.!"

"Really, then you have to be prepared, little Yod is a tough opponent. Loren chuckled, "He's a guy who is extremely confident in himself, and the only way to win him is to beat him in the game he does best." ”

Webb looked at him in disbelief.

"Lo, Loren!"

The little priest opened his voice, his eyes were extremely surprised: "I—I'm talking about your treasurer! I—I mean that if I start to reorganize the church, I will probably have to confront your courtiers, or even interfere in the internal affairs of the principality, and you may lose a lot of money!"

"Than, like, like... Maybe the church's donations will no longer be in the coffers of the United Chamber of Commerce, and you will no longer be able to get anything from the church!

"Hmm... I know, I see it. The black-haired wizard nodded, still smiling, "But... I think it's good to have a bishop with strong faith to beat up some greedy and bottomless treasurer for me. ”

"What is more important to a principality is that a pure, bottom-lined, and just church leads the people and sets an example; ”

Loren's expression was not the slightest joke: "I don't lie to you, I also have selfish intentions in supporting you to become Bishop of Byrne - what I want to see is an independent church existence focused on the religious level to counter the interference of the Holy Cross Church." ”

"So the truth is, I'm also taking advantage of you... In a sense. ”

The little priest was silent for a long time.

"It's... Even if it's self-inflicted. Smiling self-deprecatingly, Webber said lightly, "No matter what, betraying a friend will come at a price after all - no matter what way it is." ”

"Remember to say hello to my friends at Morning Star on my behalf, their views on the faith and the way they manage the church are examples we should learn from - plus, well... If you have time and stop by the way, I would like you to go and see Bishop Lothair, and apologize for me: Webb of Gumu may never go back. ”

It's long-winded, as if the friend in front of me can't come back.

"I will. Loren nodded, the corners of his mouth slightly hooked: "Take care, my Bishop." ”

With that, the black-haired wizard turned and left, leaving the little priest with a back.

The smile faded.

That's right, I still took advantage of him.

In three years, under his own instruction, Yord Jr. gradually squeezed out all the wealth of the Byrne Church, and transferred it to himself and the Chamber of Commerce in various ways, leaving Weber with only an empty shell except the cathedral.

These wealth, taxes, chattels, and immovable properties are the reason why he can quickly control Byrne, and at the same time support the Floating City and an army of witchers.

When Weber began to reorganize the church, the savings and bonds of the clergy in the United Chamber of Commerce would "evaporate" in an instant, and there would be no dime left, and the Byrne church, which could not make ends meet, would become the most "incorruptible" duchy church in the whole empire.

At that point, all eyes will be on Weber's "church reforms", and no one will want to know where the money of the corrupt clergy has gone, and will only applaud their tragic end.

Well... Except for themselves.

Sighing softly, the black-haired wizard who looked up was suddenly stunned.

At the front of the legation, I saw Charlotte holding the little wizard's hands, nervously asking something, while the slightly drunken Al Yin kept nodding and exchanging words with her from time to time.

Alas.

They... When did the relationship between the two of them become so good?

I have the impression that except for when he first came, the little wizard spends all his time in the laboratory and the wizarding academy, and almost has no intersection with Charlotte?

The bewildered black-haired wizard tilted his head, scratching the back of his head in confusion.

"Ah...... Our Lord Duke has finally arrived. ”

Noticing the black-haired wizard walking towards this side, the Countess of Red Blood Fort immediately let go of Ain's hand, puffed up her chest, and changed to an indifferent expression: "Are you ready?"

The black-haired wizard nodded.

"Remember, you represent not only the empire and yourself, but also the first impression of the Byrne in the elves' minds - this is the first time the lord of Byrne has visited the elven realm; Charlotte took a deep breath and said slowly:

"Byrne will leave it to me, and you will only have to consider how to add glory to your country—and when you return, I will return her to you in one piece. ”

"Go on your way in peace, my duke!"

Hit the road with peace of mind... Although he knew that the other party was not ambiguous, he still made Loren twitch the corners of his mouth.

"I know you used to have a very good relationship with these elves, but... After all, after all this time, no one knows what will happen. Charlotte's tone changed suddenly, as if she was very entangled, and reluctantly spit out a few words:

"Anyway... The mission of the empire is important, and so is the glory of Byrne... But... But ......"

"If it's really a situation, uh... The situation does not allow it, there is nothing to be done... If you really don't have a choice of turnaround... Still... Or ......"

“...... Stay on the safe side!"