Chapter 74

“Chapter 74: This is How I Break the Deadlock”

Looking at Duke Tilius, who was furious beyond measure, Lynn felt an odd sense of calm.

Clearly, what transpired in the City Square had already spread throughout the city.

And he definitely couldn’t be unaware of it.

Not only that, but when Lynn was unfurling the banners, he had specifically emphasized that this was Duke Tilius’s initiative.

It was akin to pushing him into a pit of fire, turning him into a target for everyone to aim at.

It would even impact the Duke Tilius family’s reputation on the outside.

Onlookers would only think that the seemingly awe-inspiring Ducal family was just a bunch of showy big shots with no real clout.

This was undoubtedly a severe blow to Duke Tilius’s prestige.

So, upon learning of Lynn’s actions, Duke Tilius was totally losing it, rushing to Augusta Manor in a huff.

He was fuming, wanting to give Lynn a piece of his mind.

“Hold on a second, Your Grace,” Lynn sighed, “I know you’re anxious, but let’s not rush into it.”

“From my perspective, the party that should be more anxious is actually the Church.”

Duke Tilius paused, slightly taken aback, then scoffed, “Those bunch of guys are too busy banding together against us to be worried about anything.”

Lynn shook his head. “If you look at it from the perspective of the people and the faithful, you’ll see a completely different situation.”

“What do you mean?”

Although he arrived filled with anger, at that moment, under Lynn’s few simple words, Duke Tilius was gradually calming down.

He conveniently took a seat in an empty chair beside him, his hands resting on his knees, posture straight as an arrow.

Seeing this, Lynn continued, “Let me give you an example.”

“If Your Grace were a devout follower of the Church of Abundance, and one day passing through the City Square, you spotted those donation boxes and the banners above, wouldn’t you feel inclined to contribute to your faith?”

“Of course I would.”

Duke Tilius intended to counter this.

But upon thinking it over from their perspective, he realized it was indeed true.

The reason those glass donation boxes were transparent was so that passersby and onlookers could see the amounts within, corresponding to the churches and faiths.

This raised a critical question.

The poorer folks, or those disillusioned with life, would cling to the intangible hope of religion as if grasping for a lifeline, believing that the divine would save them.

Once they developed a devout belief, these people could exhibit a crazed side.

For instance, the common trait among humans—vanity.

It’s not just the rich who engage in comparisons.

To uphold their faith, the poor and ordinary folks could also go wild.

Because they genuinely believe that the divine is watching over humanity.

Thus, after the setup of these glass donation boxes in the City Square, in order to save face for their church, they would vigorously support the fundraising event.

Followers would eagerly compete to see which church donated more.

After all, this was a blatant opportunity for exposure laid bare for everyone to see.

And among those churches and devotees that usually have frictions and conflicts, the tension would escalate to unprecedented levels.

No follower wants to see their church contribute less than the others.

In the end, it would undoubtedly evolve into a frenzied spectacle sweeping the entire city.

Unfortunately, Lynn had long foretold such an outcome.

So, at the very beginning, he ordered the guards to prohibit ordinary followers and common folks from coming to donate.

Thus, until now, those donation boxes that should have been filled ages ago remained completely empty.

“Just think about it, the banner on the donation box next to its emptiness is simply a brilliant irony for those followers.”

“While it’s not fatal, it’s enough to make them question their faith amidst their busy lives.”

“Like, why have I donated so much to the church, yet they’re as tight-fisted as ever?”

Lynn stated matter-of-factly.

“…”

At this moment, Duke Tilius was deep in thought. Actually, he had an inkling of Lynn’s thoughts from the moment he began speaking.

This was quite a unique way of thinking.

All his last traces of dissatisfaction melted away.

After a moment of silence, Duke Tilius posed another question: “But what if they choose to start anew? What will you do?”

At present, that gang led by the Church of Heavenly Justice was banding together to resist.

To counter Duke Tilius, and to prevent discouraging their followers, they were highly likely to hold another donation ceremony.

In summary, it was just a matter of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

In the end, it merely redistributes pain from the populace while returning the money back to their own.

“Too late.” Lynn chuckled. “Your Grace, it’s already the fourth day.”

“If I’m right, starting tomorrow, this contest between royal power, the church, and the nobility will change its dynamics.”

For some reason, this young man before him gave off an illusion of being able to pull off a reversal at any moment.

“So, what are you waiting for?”

Duke Tilius looked at Lynn and asked.

Lynn raised his index finger: “I’m waiting for the opportunity to break the deadlock, a ‘first mover’.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the butler Kesha returned and whispered beside Lynn, “Young Master, the head bishop of the Silan Sect wants to see you.”

“Look, he’s here.”

Guided by the maid, Ivo Trauere entered a garden, his heart filled with anxiety and apprehension.

As the head bishop of the Silan Sect in Orlen City, he was risking hostility from the Church of Heavenly Justice by meeting with the mastermind behind this incident.

This was the sad reality of small churches.

Speaking of the Silan Sect, it’s not exactly a standout.

Bishop Ivo was not a local of Orlen City.

He came from a remote small country wedged between the Saint Roland Empire and the Tutkamen Empire, where the populace predominantly worshiped the Earth God, most of whom were followers of the Silan Sect.

Because this country was rich in magic stone mines, they could strike it rich merely through export trade.

But trouble comes with prosperity.

After quickly amassing wealth, they caught the attention of the Tutkamen Empire.

This empire worshiped the War God and glorified conflict and violence.

And then, the usual invasion war ensued.

Ivo fled from that war, and to keep the Silan Sect from dying out, he decided to spread the faith, eventually making his roundabout way to Orlen City.

Fortunately, this place advocated freedom of faith, making it an excellent breeding ground for emerging sects.

In the following years, the sect gradually grew.

Though it couldn’t compare to the Church of Heavenly Justice, it had amassed close to ten thousand very devout followers in Orlen City.

But then, many issues came knocking at the door.

First, the doctrine of the Earth God clashed with the local Church of Abundance, suffering repeated warnings from the City Council and Public Security Bureau to modify the doctrine.

This was utterly absurd.

He was just a bishop; what right did he have to alter divine texts on behalf of the deity? Then, a few years back, the War God Cathedral moved into Orlen City, beginning to recruit followers like a whirlwind.

This church belonged to the Tutkamen Empire, which held a blood feud with the country Bishop Ivo hailed from, so naturally, tensions flared.

Thus, under the pressure from both sides, the Silan Sect’s space for survival was gradually encroached upon.

As of now, it had clearly become the weakest church in the area, even teetering on the brink of extinction.

So, in his quest for survival, he ultimately sought out Augusta Manor.

Gazing at the unexpectedly young boy and the silent Duke Tilius beside him, Bishop Ivo had a faint feeling that perhaps he had indeed come to the right place.