242 A Lot Behind This (2/2)

”Oh, really? I can’t tell. There aren’t any aether ripples at all!” Charles coaxed quietly, ”Yezi, don’t get nervous. He’s probably just a purely theoretical musician.”

”…” Ye Qingxuan wanted to speak more but, to stay safe, he intelligently closed his mouth. After speaking quietly with Bayer, Archbishop Mephistopheles nodded. Without speaking more, he passed through the hall toward the conference room.

It might have been his mind playing tricks but Ye Qingxuan felt the black robe pause slightly as it passed by him and a pair of rheumy eyes swept past him. The formless gaze was like an electric shock, making those in its path feel pricks on their skin and hair crackling.

Soon, Archbishop Mephistopheles entered the conference room. After a long while, Ye Qingxuan slowly raised his head and let out a long breath. For some reason, things felt worse now.

”Hope it won’t be what I’m thinking…” the youth murmured to himself.

-

Ten minutes later, a hurried priest avoided everyone’s eyes and entered a single meeting room. Ingmar, sitting nervously inside, instantly welcomed him with a warm and devout expression, and grasped his hand. ”Father Kyle, I’m grateful you came!”

Kyle smiled. ”As members of the parliament, we should help each other out.”

Before Ingmar was an important figure of the Westminster Church—Kyle, assistant bishop and Archbishop Mephistophele’s personal secretary.

It was obvious that this secret meeting before the appraisal was a sensitive subject. If a caring person saw, it would be a problem. In other words, this was not a simple meeting. Ingmar still had not recovered from the shock of seeing Archbishop Mephistopheles. He had never thought that the parliament was so powerful that even he could be influenced! The meaning behind this chilled him.

He lowered his head politely. ”It’s just a small matter. I am shaken that even Archbishop Mephistopheles was moved to come.”

Kyle smirked. ”This was unexpected for me as well. Archbishop Mephistopheles cares strongly about justice. I had just mentioned your problem to him, but I didn’t think he would come personally. Though he’s a member of the parliament, he’s actually the representative of the Church and rarely expresses his opinion. All remarks and decisions would be handed to me so you shouldn’t worry.”

Hearing that, Ingmar let out a relieved sigh.

”Have you prepared the details?” Kyle asked with a smile. ”You should’ve received all the answers from parliament members.”

”Yes, I’ve prepared them.” Ingmar nodded, relief flashing through his eyes. ”There will be no problems.”

The appraisal procedure was very simple. Both parties would submit resources and describe them. Then, it was the questioning and interrogation segment. It was simple, but the emptier the segment, the more it had behind it.

Kyle said quietly, ”After all members arrive, they’ll read what you submit and listen to your explanation. The most important part is the questioning. The first half will focus on your résumé and personal achievements. You will be before Abraham.”

It seemed like simple ordering but the effect was entirely different. Ingmar’s résumé and achievements were flawless and a perfect example. No one would be able to question him on this aspect.

In comparison to Ingmar’s example, Abraham would seem empty and insignificant. This was his biggest disadvantage—he had neither a résumé nor any achievements to speak of.

”For the second half, the interrogation of interpretation results,” Kyle’s smile grew secretive, ”Abraham will be before you.”

Ingmar froze until it dawned on him.

Indeed, when the appraisal council members truly began to learn of this ‘interpretation method,’ they would definitely be enraged by this unorthodox and almost satanic theory. At that time, Ingmar, representing the true orthodox academia, would arrive. He could almost see the moment Abraham would be defeated!

Ingmar paced in excitement. Finally, he grasped Kyle’s hands with an ecstatic expression. ”Thank you for your great help, Father Kyle.”

”For some things, the result has been decided at the beginning.” Kyle smiled and patted his shoulder. ”Mr. Ingmar, you have my vote, at least. You must know that I’m not the only one who received a letter from the parliament.”