1226 Handing Out Mushrooms (1/2)
Emlyn maintained his smile and calmed himself down before responding, ”I can find helpers of a sufficient level.”
He didn't wish to borrow the forces of the Sanguine too much on this matter, because if that happened, he would undoubtedly end up as a liaison, a bystander, and a messenger. He would not have any say in the eventual distribution of the spoils of war.
As for the Sanguine Dukes and Marquises, they had no lack of direct descendants who wished to advance to become a demigod and become an Earl.
At the very beginning, Emlyn believed in his identity as the Sanguine's savior. He believed that the important figures would treat every single member fairly. However, as The Hanged Man analyzed the various high-level Sanguine orders from Marquis Nibbs and the other high-level Sanguine, Emlyn gradually became wary of them.
He frowned slightly and said, ”Sherlock Moretti?”
Emlyn was puzzled as he shifted in his seat.
”Why do you think it's him?”
If it was in the past, he would have directly said, ”Why are you mentioning Sherlock Moretti? He has been away from Backlund for nearly two years.” But now, he could acutely grasp that there was some hidden information in Maric's words. He subconsciously adjusted his question.
In the eyes of this Wraith, Sherlock Moretti isn't simple? Yes, indeed, he isn't simple… As he spoke, Emlyn made a guess.
Upon hearing Emlyn's question, Maric's expression immediately turned odd, as though it was his first time meeting this Sanguine Viscount.
He quickly restrained the abnormality on the surface and said without emotion, ”We need to consider it.
”I hope you can come up with a more convincing plan the next time we meet.”
”No problem.” Emlyn secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
He immediately stood up and bowed gentlemanly.
After deciding on the means of communication, he put on his silk hat and walked out of the room.
As he returned to his residence, Emlyn couldn't help but run through his initial plan.
As long as I complete a cooperative agreement with the demigod of the Rose School of Thought's temperance faction, I can use it to apply for a Grade 1 Sealed Artifact from the Marquises and Dukes of the race…
Using the reason that it's under the cooperating partner's behest that they object to having demigods of the race be involved, I can stop them from directly interfering…
Yes, in order to make an agreement, I have to show enough strength to convince Maric and the others… I can only commission the mission at the Tarot Club to see if Ma'am Hermit, Miss Justice, and Mr. Hanged Man are willing to accept the commission. Miss Magician can also be considered. She can summon the projection of Gehrman Sparrow…
The biggest problem now is that I can't provide enough compensation…
I can only try to make an advance or a promise. Once I become an Earl, I'll return the payment one by one…
With this in mind, Emlyn suddenly felt thankful that he had joined the Tarot Club.
This was the only organization he knew that could use a future promise to exchange for current material goods.
And within the Sanguine, or in the orthodox Churches, one had to accumulate enough contributions until one reached the end of the line where the characteristics and advancement ritual was awarded. Sometimes, a Beyonder might not be able to accumulate enough contributions in their entire lives.
This is like a credit loan underwritten by Mr. Fool. It can be used to issue missions, and when the advancement succeeds, it can be paid in installments… Emlyn habitually leaned towards the things he was familiar with.
Although he had never borrowed money from the bank, some of the Sanguine had rich experience in such areas and would often talk within their own circles.
Most of them had a fixed, expensive hobby. The precious items might not be liquidated easily at times, so they had no choice but to borrow money from close friends or the bank to ensure the necessary cash flow.
Emlyn remembered that there was a Sanguine who wasn't good at wealth management. He relied solely on his profession as a doctor to earn money. When he took a fancy to a precious piece of art, he bought it using a loan from the Backlund Bank.
After that, he couldn't bear to pledge his property up for the mortgage. Exploiting his long life, he spent two hundred years repaying the debt. Of course, in name, his father had died, and the son took over the debt. When the son died, the grandson took over the debt.
Emlyn's evaluation of this was: very honest.
…
North Borough in Backlund. Outside Saint Samuel Cathedral.
The citizens lined up in rows as they received the grilled bread, dried mushrooms, preserved fruits, and other food from the workers of the Loen Poverty Relief Foundation.
Their lines extended from the main entrance of the cathedral all the way to the square and circled it several times. At a glance, it was densely packed with people.
Audrey stood on the steps behind Melissa and took in everything.
She saw the pale faces of the citizens, their eyes filled with longing. Seeing a mother holding a baby in her arms, she anxiously coaxed the child while eagerly observing the line in front of her that didn't seem to shorten. She saw many people dressed in bright clothes, formal suits, and long skirts. Some of them pressed down their hats and wore veils, as if they didn't want the people around them to recognize them.
At times, some people didn't want to keep order and were dragged out by the priests and policemen who were helping to maintain the order. They were thrown to the back of the lines.
As food was delivered, the cloth bags piled behind the long table slowly dwindled until there was none.
Finally, all the food had been distributed, but the long line had only been reduced by half.
The citizens who were unable to receive the help couldn't resist revealing their disappointment, frustration, and reluctance. However, they didn't make a scene or argue. They moved their feet mechanically towards other handout points.
They had experienced this many times in the past one or two months. They had long known that unnecessary emotions would only waste the energy they had little of. It would hamper their quick movements to other relief points or fair-price food outlets.