Industrial Cthulhu, starting from the island lord

Chapter 29 Empire and Church

Ash even deliberately avoided actions that might cause her to get hurt, as she was worried that if she got seriously injured, she would drain Zeus's vitality directly through the contract.

Looking at Ash's expression, Hughes guessed the answer. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "You said the contract is absolutely equal. Does that mean you can also provide me with vitality even if I'm injured?"

Ash nodded. The symbiotic contract was actually more suitable for two warriors fighting together on the battlefield. No matter who was injured, the other could instantly provide a large amount of vitality.

In this way, each person has two lives, and the tolerance for error is greatly improved. Banshees are natural warriors, and they rely on this ability to conquer the world at the bottom of the seven seas.

Unfortunately, Mingyuan has been destroyed, and the few remaining entrances are now full of pollution. No one knows where the race that once coexisted with the banshees has gone.

All that remains of the past glory are the old songs that are sung.

Ash was a little lost in thought.

"Ash, go to the bottom of the Abyss and check on your people. If the situation isn't optimistic, you can bring them up first. I remember it's safe for them to leave the deep sea for a short time, right?"

Ash nodded. Although the symbiotic contract prevented her from leaving Zeus, the crack leading to the seabed of the Abyss was not far from Castel Island. She was confident that she could return before her vitality was quickly lost.

After watching Ash slowly dive into the sea, Zeus also walked back to the manor along the cave.

He had an idea, but needed some validation.
When he walked back to the study, Xius carefully checked the layout of the room and walked towards the door after confirming that no one had moved.

When he opened the door, he subconsciously felt that the touch was not right. The perception ability gained from the symbiotic contract made him vaguely feel that there seemed to be something on the other side of the door.

It should be a body made of flesh and blood, falling towards this side and trying to get out of the way!

However, he had already opened the door. Although his brain reacted, his body could not keep up. He could only watch helplessly as a figure stuck behind the door fell towards him.

"Zoe?"

Zeus looked at the maid who fell to the ground with cold eyes, but he managed to dodge at the last moment.

Taking a few steps back, Hughes looked him up and down, confirming that he had no weapons before asking, "Why are you here?"

Zoe was dizzy and dazed from the fall. She covered her red nose and raised her head with tears in her eyes. "I, I'll bring you afternoon tea."

Only then did Hughes notice that she was still holding a tray in her hand. Even though she fell to the ground, the porcelain and snacks on the tray were still not spilled.

She was able to keep the tray steady even when she fell? That's quite the professional.

"I knocked on the door for a long time but there was no response. I got worried and wanted to listen to what was going on inside. I'm sorry!"

Xiu Si recalled that it was indeed Zoe who always served afternoon tea, and there was nothing wrong with it. After he came, he had been dealing with all kinds of messy things and had long forgotten about tea.

So he slowed down his tone and said, "There's no need to bring tea anymore. I'm more focused when I'm working in my study, so it's normal that I can't hear the noise outside. Tell Connor not to disturb me while I'm working."

Zoe looked up in surprise, then realized that it was not very polite. She quickly stood up, adjusted her dress, put the refreshments on the table and left the room.

"This won't go on forever," Xius thought to himself. His long absence from the study would make him too easy to spot. He didn't know which of the servants or housekeepers he could trust. Besides, the Banshees, both in name and appearance, easily conjured up negative associations. Coming from Blue Planet, he naturally had no superstitions, but the people of this world might not accept them.

Speaking of human attitude towards alien races, this is exactly the purpose of Zeus's visit this time. He plans to go to the church to test the waters. Generally speaking, if the church can accept alien races, then it is only a matter of time to convince the subjects to accept it.

I just don't know what the attitude of the church is. To be honest, Zeus is a little pessimistic about this. You know, he was killed by people from the church the last time he came here.

Thinking of this, he still felt hatred gritting his teeth. It was Candlelight, right? He would definitely seek revenge.

Alas, Zeus couldn't help but sigh. The Candlelight Society was the state religion of the empire, and there was no other sect in the empire. He had no way to change to a more moderate church.

However, I heard that the differences between the Queen and the Church are getting bigger and bigger. It’s hard to say what will happen in the future.

Anyway, let’s find out first.
"Zoe!" The maid who had just walked out of the door poked her head out and looked at Xius in the room.

"Have Connor prepare the horse. I need to go to the church."

"Okay." Her eyes were a little complicated, and she turned around and walked quickly down the corridor.

Zeus turned around and looked at the bookshelf. He was going to find some church books to read - the original owner of this body knew basically nothing about the church.

After briefly flipping through it, Hughes and his butler Connor rode their horses to the church.

Connor didn't know much about doctrine, but he knew the church's attitude towards secular matters.

"Generally speaking, the church does not get involved in any affairs of the territory." He recalled and said to Hughes, "Master Hughes, why do you think of them?"

"After all, there is a Candlelight Society church in Castel. In that case, it is better to get to know it sooner rather than later." Hughes said vaguely.

Generally speaking, the church should be the most radical in dealing with matters of this nature, so it would be better for him to learn more about it first.

"I heard that the church no longer has a seat in the Empire's trial votes." Connor said carefully. He felt that he had an obligation to remind his lord of the Queen's attitude towards the church.

After all, his lord was still nominally a vassal of the Queen, so he needed to know this kind of thing.

A trial vote? Hughes knew this was a place similar to a court. The Clerk's Chamber under the Imperial Parliament would vote on the punishment that the prisoner would have to endure. Of course, this was based on the Imperial Sacred Charter, but a seat did carry considerable influence.

Before the Queen ascended the throne, the trial votes were jointly controlled by the nobles and the church. Now the church has been kicked out, and the influence of the nobles has gradually declined.

Centralization, this is a sign of an empire's rise, Hughes nodded secretly.

“So how has the church responded?”

"That's the weird part." Connor paused. "The church only protested in name only, but in reality, they took almost no action."

Hughes frowned.

(End of this chapter)