Crusade against the Pope

Chapter 429 What is this thing that is worthless yet priceless?
It is normal that no such person can be found.

This is the 12th century, not the 21st century. Besides, even in the 21st century, most countries do not have a complete household registration system.

In today's kingdom, the significance of household registration statistics is essentially to control the taxpayer group.

At the same time, only taxpayers are eligible to participate in the kingdom's electoral politics and receive comprehensive protection from the kingdom's judiciary.

The concept of taxpayers here refers not only to citizens who pay agricultural tax and resident tax on a regular basis every year, but also to people who pay stamp duty through the Kingdom Notary Office.

Stamp duty is a tax levied on certain legal documents or transaction certificates in economic activities.

Under the kingdom's laws, all real estate must be registered, as this is crucial for the effectiveness of subsequent taxation.

But no matter the era, as long as there is taxation, there will be people who evade taxes.

The ownership of various properties cannot be clearly determined solely through government investigations.

Therefore, the kingdom essentially learns about the identity of real estate owners by archiving contracts, vouchers, ledgers, property rights, etc., formed in economic activities.

In determining ownership, the name filled in on the contract or certificate shall prevail.

If no stamp duty is paid and a private real estate transaction or transfer occurs, and a dispute arises afterward and the matter is brought to court, then the Kingdom will unconditionally support the original owner in reclaiming the real estate.

Depending on the type, it generally fluctuates between 0.1% and 5% of the book value.

Although it is said to have originated in the 17th century, that doesn't stop Galis from bringing it up now.

If a person in the Kingdom of Jerusalem has not paid any taxes or signed any notarized documents, they will generally not appear in the archives.

Investigating people and cases actually relies on local police officers who are familiar with the situation in various places.

If even the local sheriff is unfamiliar with the person being investigated, then a more detailed investigation is necessary.

With the kingdom's own authority, the believers' trust in the Jerusalem religious community, and the fact that most places these days don't have many outsiders, it's relatively easy to investigate.

But Jerusalem is not an option; there are too many transient people there.

Even if increasing police patrols can curb street crime here.

But if you fail to catch the person at the time, it becomes quite troublesome to look for them later.

Moreover, there is no evidence to prove that the person involved committed any crime.

Even Gareth was embarrassed to make such a fuss over something so trivial.

After all, he just felt that something was off about the other party. Ordinary beggars usually have their own fixed territory, so it's not like they couldn't even find a name for them.

In this situation, Garys chose to return to the places where beggars frequented and continue to wait for them to come to him.

Then a good show unfolded.

Garys had to admit that his judgment was not very good; compared to the beggar who could not be found, it turned out that Allen's gang made a bigger commotion.

They somehow found the authentic sacrificial robes and created such a huge mess.

Yes, the people who played the deacon for that "bishop" were all Allen's gang.

Considering that the place where the chaos was caused was the square in front of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

As an observer with a clear perspective, Garys naturally could easily guess that the group's purpose was the church itself.

So, their activities here a few days ago, aside from making some extra money, were probably just for scouting.

Should we try to stop it?
Lets see……

……

Although Alan was very familiar with the streets of Jerusalem, he still stumbled a bit today.

He walked very fast, and even he couldn't maintain his usual composure.

This is not due to fear, but rather a strange feeling that comes from being placed on stage and receiving the spotlight.

It should have been unknown to anyone, yet it was being watched by all of Jerusalem; the houses on the street, the towers in the distance, the dogs or cats by the roadside were all staring at it.

After all, the box of spoils he was carrying was really too hot to handle.

In his limited understanding, this was a unique treasure, one of a kind in the world. For so many years, his world had always revolved around "survival."

Eat your fill, dress warmly, avoid the guards, and earn a few copper coins.

The most valuable thing he ever tried to steal was a necklace adorned with jewels.

But this time, it's a completely different story.

After escaping the sight of a crow, Allen quietly opened the crack in the box in a corner.

With just one glance, he felt as if he were being burned.

It wasn't anything flashy; it was just a simple piece of wood placed on velvet, bound with wire, and wrapped with copper at the four corners.

In terms of the price of the material itself, it might not even be as expensive as the box itself.

Yet it felt unusually heavy.

It should be known that it was stained with the blood of Christ.

After taking a few deep breaths, Allen closed the box and put it back in his pocket.

However, he had only taken a few steps forward when he bumped into a man.

The strange man he had seen a few days ago was now standing right in front of him.

The other person looked at him with a half-smile, and then greeted him.

"coincidence."

"Yes, what a coincidence."

Allen subconsciously touched the back of his head, unsure of what the other person meant.

After all, Jerusalem is neither large nor small; if it's a coincidence, it's truly too much of a coincidence.

"By the way, I have another question I'd like to ask you."

"You say."

Allen tried to remain calm.

"What is something that is worthless at the same time, yet priceless?"

The other person's words were pointed, but Allen couldn't continue the conversation.

"How could such a thing exist?"

Isn't that what you're carrying in your arms?

When the other party brought the matter up, Allen didn't even think twice before turning around and leaving, not lingering there at all.

Is there anything more terrifying than this?
After committing heinous crimes, he was exposed and his crimes were revealed.

The world suddenly lost its color, leaving only a horde of menacing demons mocking him.

Jerusalem is no longer the familiar streets and cobblestone lanes; it has been transformed, like a labyrinth in a dream.

In this maze, he weaved through the crowds of protesters, bumping into countless people, stumbling and staggering all the way into the Armenian neighborhood, without letting out a sigh of relief.

After breaking into his house through the window, Alan didn't stop. Instead, he rushed to the second floor, pushed open the wooden door of the room, and ran to the bed before stopping.

Amidst his panting, he called out, "Sister, I've brought the medicine."

The person in the hospital bed managed to turn their head and glance at him.

However, when Allen reached for the box and opened it, something even more terrifying than a nightmare appeared before his eyes.

The ornately decorated box was empty.

All the meticulously planned actions beforehand have become nothing but a mirage.

(End of this chapter)