Chapter 682 (1/2)

Pressure brought about motivation. In the face of the heavy pressure that was already within their reach, the people of Dahl family were unwilling to delay for one more night. They ate a little bit of food, then with the protection of their most reliable subordinates, they quietly arrived at the temple of the Void Mask.

The Sacred Warriors, who were the night-watchmen, discovered them. At first, they thought the intruders wanted to attack but were taken aback. After Baron Dahl stepped forward to clarify the reason for their visit, that burly and bearlike Sacred Warrior understood what was going on and took them to see Bishop Kabbalah.

Bishop Kabbalah was asleep next to the prayer room. It was a small, bare room with just four walls. It was in his nature that he did not fancy luxury. The room was basically unfurnished, and not even tables and chairs could be found. The ground was covered with thick wooden planks that were stacked with bedding and books. These planks were used as both his bed and study table.

He was very powerful. Even when he was asleep, he could sense people coming near, and naturally, that would wake him. He could not help feeling a little shocked when he learned that Baron Dahl had brought his family and people in the dead of night for a visit to talk about changing beliefs and taking sides.

I’m just here to develop the church; how did things develop to such a point where even a lord wants to convert and believe in His Majesty? Isn’t this step a little too big?

There was a saying on Earth that went, “Too big a step will pull at on one’s testicles.” As a divinity healer, Bishop Kabbalah was not worried about which body part would be pulled. But at that moment, he really felt great discomfort.

After he and Baron Dahl talked in detail and he learned about the entire event, the pain was even more apparent.

What is this! Why did the fight between the aristocratic party and the merchant party under the Commonwealth of Gold Coins result in a lord coming to us? What has this got to do with us? Shouldn’t you naturally belong to the aristocratic party if you are a lord? Oh… Seems like he can’t naturally belong to the aristocratic party since his main income comes from business dealings… Then for the time being, just put a pause to your smuggling business! Anyway, if they are to change their belief to His Majesty, they are still required to sort out all the business they have at present…

He had so many thoughts that they were in disarray. He was thinking so hard that there were spirals, like mosquito incense coils, twirling in his eyes. But still, he could not figure anything out.

With a deep sigh, he said to Baron Dahl, “Lord Baron, I have grasped your situation. But this is no small matter; I’d better consult His Majesty…”

“Of course, of course!” said Baron Dahl. He was all smiles as he nodded, as though he was a plump chicken feeding on grains.

Bishop Kabbalah went to the dressing room for a bath and a change of clothes. When all preparations were completed, he headed to the prayer room and lit some incense shavings which gave off a reassuring aroma. Then amidst the light smoke coming from the slowly burning shavings, Bishop Kabbalah knelt before the altar in silent prayer.

Moments later, Sui Xiong responded to his prayers.

“So, this is the matter of concern… Yes, if they are willing to mend their ways and stop doing evil, I can protect them,” Sui Xiong said. After a moment of consideration, he agreed. “But my protection for them is only limited to preventing the aristocratic and merchant parties from sending assassinators to attack them. I’ll not offer any protection if their conflicts are business-related or due to grudges from before.”

Bishop Kabbalah conveyed Sui Xiong’s reply to Baron Dahl. Baron Dahl was silent for a moment, then indicated that he would need to discuss with his people again.

So they borrowed one of the rooms in the temple where they held their discussions.

This time, they did not spend much time discussing. About 10 minutes later, Baron Dahl paid Bishop Kabbalah a second visit. He expressed his acceptance of His Majesty’s conditions.

Although they were unable to get full protection, which made them a little uneasy, the attitude of His Majesty, the Void Mask, had proven his reliability in another way—as people of rich experience, be it Baron Dahl or his people, they would rather trust those who carefully negotiated their conditions before doing things, rather than those who readily agreed to take care of everything.

Because the more carefully one considered, the more detailed their conditions would be. This would in turn, represent a more serious attitude. And those fellows who readily agreed to take on anything as though they could run carriages in their mouth—their words simply could not be trusted!