Western Fantasy Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 118

The integration plan is still ongoing, and after finishing his business in Lake City, Connors returned to Lily Town.

Recently, he noticed that the bottleneck to becoming an Earth Knight had loosened considerably, and he could vaguely sense the tip of the iceberg.

How do I advance to the rank of Earth Knight?

In the study, Sylvia, sounding surprised, put down the documents in her hand and looked Connors up and down.

"I originally thought it would take you at least another year, but I didn't expect it to be so quick."

Connors shrugged: "Since becoming a Guardian Knight, I have been practicing breathing techniques and meditation every night to hone my physique and magical power, almost without rest."

Sylvia raised an eyebrow, impressed by his perseverance.

Cultivation is an extremely tedious and boring process, and it is not easy to persevere in it.

Sylvia lowered her head and pondered, "I'm not too sure about that either. I just naturally became an Earth Knight and didn't make any special preparations for it."

She said helplessly, "As you know, as the Grand Administrator of the Southern Territory, I have to deal with many things every day, so I only do some necessary basic training every day to prevent myself from getting rusty."

"All right...."

Connors was somewhat disappointed.

"Oh, right: the Natural Holy Court sent someone to say that they will send someone to Lily Town in a while to discuss some matters," Sylvia said suddenly, as if she had just remembered something.

"The Sanctuary of Nature?" Connors asked, puzzled. "What are they here for?"

Sylvia reminded her, "Have you forgotten? The God of Nature is the main religion of most people in the Steel Dragon Kingdom. With such a big matter as the unification of the Southern Territory, of course they will send people to handle matters concerning the church."

Connors frowned, somewhat resistant. He was a staunch materialist with no faith. Even if there really was a god in this world, he felt that it was just a more powerful being.

He hated the Vatican's practices; they seemed like they were swindling money in the name of God.

Connors thought for a moment and said, "Do you think it would be good to erase the church's existence after the integration of Lily Town?"

"Erase the Church?" Sylvia scoffed sarcastically. "You really dare to say that. The royal family has wanted to do this for centuries, and guess why the Papacy still exists?"

Connors asked instinctively, "Why?"

"Are you really unaware or just pretending?" Sylvia said helplessly, "If we take the strength of the Papacy as an example, it can rival the Steel Dragon Kingdom. Pope Albert Julius's strength may even surpass that of a king."

"Really? Doesn't the king have a dragon?" Connors asked, half-believing.

Sylvia showed a rare moment of hesitation, then shook her head: "They have never fought, or rather, they have never fought publicly. No one can judge who is stronger. But it is rumored that the Pope can communicate with the gods and perform divine intervention in times of crisis, which is why everyone thinks the Pope is more powerful than the King."

"Rumors are never reliable..." Connors hesitated, "Do we really have to let the Vatican move in?"

Sylvia looked at him curiously: "Why are you so resistant to the Holy See? You don't seem to have had any conflicts with them. In fact, you even have a relationship with the Holy See's saintess."

Connors's objection is not to the Natural Sanctuary, but to religion. Moreover, he is, after all, the ruler of Lily Town. No ruler would like the existence of an organization with strong brainwashing capabilities within his territory.

"If even the royal family doesn't like it, why do you think I would?" he said, rolling his eyes.

Sylvia thought carefully: "Refusing is certainly unrealistic, but if you really don't want the Papacy to exist, we can impose some restrictions."

"How do you restrict it?" Connors asked.

Sylvia glanced at him and said, "Aren't you and Sophia on good terms?"

Connors understood immediately. It's always better to have someone familiar by your side than a stranger.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, a carriage passed through the gate of Lily Town and entered the town. It traveled along the streets, and the side of the carriage was carved with a logo made of intertwined green leaves and flowers.

Residents on both sides of the road saw many people stop and watch the carriage pass by with respect and reverence.

Many people did not react at all, simply watching the carriage disappear around the street corner with indifference or coldness.

They were either native residents of Lily Town who had not been influenced by the church, or they were people who were utterly disappointed by the church's inaction during the Vanessa Wine incident.

In the wine scandal, many clear-headed people saw through the true nature of the church.

After passing through a large urban area, the church's carriage entered the heart of Lily Town, the castle area.

After several renovations, this place is no longer what it used to be.

In front of the castle is an oval square surrounded by huge stone pillars carved with beautiful reliefs, and a fountain is built in the center.

After the carriage entered the square, the driver followed the signs along the road and eventually stopped in front of the castle gate.

The guards on the city wall peeked out from the crenellations and saw the emblem of the Natural Holy Court on the carriage. Their expressions changed slightly, and they immediately sent someone to report it.

A moment later, the castle gates opened, and Connors emerged from the dark doorway with Sylvia, Hecate, Julian, and other executives.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a man with a face resembling Lu Zhishen stepped out. He was tall and muscular, his muscles violently pushing up his monk's robe.

"Greetings, everyone. My name is Mondo Omega. I am an envoy from the Natural Court, here to discuss with Baron Connors Jon the establishment of a Papacy in Lilytown."

Connors sighed inwardly, put on a smile, and stepped forward: "Hello, Mr. Mondo, I am Baron Connors."

"This isn't the place to talk. Let's find another place to discuss this."

"it is good."

The group moved to the study and, after a brief introduction,...

Connors gained a detailed understanding of Mundo, however.

He looked Mundo up and down with an indescribably strange gaze, as if he were looking at some extinct rare animal, or a freak. This gaze made Mundo feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

Mundo, a native of the North, is 14 years old. Judging from his age, he's still a teenager... Is he really 14?

Connors's lips twitched; he found it outrageous.

Julian then whispered in Connors' ear, "Lord Connors, he must have giant blood in him, otherwise he shouldn't have such a massive physique at such a young age. It defies common sense."

"I see. So you're like that at this age too?" Connors gave Julian a teasing look.

Julian's eyelids twitched, and he silently retreated.

"Ahem, Your Excellency, it's like this. The Holy See wants to build a church in Lily Town and hopes that you will fund its construction. You don't need to worry. Everything you have done for the Holy See will be seen by the gods, and you will surely have a place in the Kingdom of God in the future," Mondo said with a simple and honest expression.

From Connors' perspective, Mundo now seemed cunning and treacherous, more like a businessman than a believer.

That's why he hates religion; it's disgusting enough that people want to get something for nothing.

Seeing that Connors remained silent, looking at Mundo with a mixture of sneer and mockery, Sylvia spoke up: "We have no problem with providing funding, and we also have no problem with the Vatican establishing a church here, but the bishop of the church must be appointed by us."

Mondo frowned. This was the first time he had ever heard of such a request, and the first time he had encountered someone making such a request at a time like this.

In the past, although the lords were unwilling, they would reluctantly accept it out of a desire not to offend the Papacy, wishing that the Papacy was nothing more than a pile of stinking dog shit and that the discussion would be over quickly.

After a moment's thought, Mondo asked, "Whom do you intend to appoint to the Lily Town parish?"

Sylvia smiled slightly: "The Third Saintess of the Natural Holy Court, Sophia Augustus."

Mondo stared wide-eyed, thinking they were making fun of him.

Why would a saintly woman, who was doing well in the capital, come here to become a bishop?

Moreover, the Third Holy Maiden was not simply a religious figure; her identity was more complex.

Mondo hesitated and said, "This is not something I can decide on my own. I need to consult with my superiors. I will give you an answer tomorrow."

"It's alright, we're not in a hurry. If Mr. Mondo has some free time, you can take a stroll around Lily Town. I believe this place will open up a new world for you."

After the maid led Mondo to the room arranged for him, the group did not disperse.

Hecate nudged Connors on the shoulder and said speechlessly, "What's wrong with you? You had a sour face the whole time. This isn't like you."

Connors scoffed, "If someone offered you money out of the blue, would you be happy?"

Hecate looked puzzled: "Isn't it good to have a church? The church can reduce the city's crime rate and provide people with a spiritual refuge. Isn't that great?"

"Ha, people only need emotional support when life is tough. After all, everyone needs something to look forward to in order to survive." He said coldly, "Have you ever seen anyone who needs emotional support when life is good? The residents of Lily Town don't need that right now. Whether there's a church or not makes no difference to us."

Hecate thought about it carefully and realized that Connors did seem to have a point.

When people are desperate, they can only place their last hope in the gods, but in Lily Town, where people live in peace and prosperity, this situation has not occurred.

In the guest room, Mondo's tall figure knelt on the ground, his hands clasped together, praying devoutly.

Gradually, a layer of emerald green light began to spread over his body.

He took a seed out of his pocket and threw it on the ground. The seed took root without soil, grew rapidly, and soon produced a bright red flower.

The next second, an oppressive will descended upon the flower, and a mighty sound came from all directions of the room.

"Mondo, how's it going?" Pope Albert Julius's voice rang out.

Mondo's eyes were devout and fanatical, just like most believers. "Your Majesty, Baron Connors has agreed to let us build a church here, but he has put forward a condition: he hopes that Saint Sophia will come here to be in charge of the church."

After he finished speaking, the air remained silent. No one answered, and the Pope seemed to be deep in thought.

A few seconds later, Julius's voice rang out from inside the room, containing only three simple words.

"Say yes."

After saying this, the oppressive feeling brought by his will dissipated, and the Pope disconnected.

The flower that had borne the Pope's will began to wither and decay rapidly, soon turning into a rotten mass that emitted a muddy smell.

Royal capital, natural sacred court.

In the Third Saintess's Residence, a knight clad in holy white armor entered the fragrant courtyard filled with birdsong and blooming flowers.

.

"Who are you looking for?" the worshipper who tended the courtyard asked, noticing him.

"The Pope summons the Third Saint, Sophia. Proceed immediately."

"I'll go and inform them." The believer quickly ran into the house.

A moment later, Sophia, dressed in a white dress, came out and asked curiously, "What brings you here, Mianxia?"

The knight shook his head, his face hidden by a cold visor, his expression obscured: "I'm only responsible for issuing notifications."

"Alright." Sophia didn't mind. These knights obeyed the Pope directly, without having to consider anyone else's opinion, and even had the power to act first and ask for permission later.

After passing through a section of the parish, they arrived at the central basilica. After opening the door for Sophia, she went in alone and saw Pope Mianxia praying at the far end of the basilica.

She waited patiently for him to pray, and when he opened his eyes and turned around, Sophia asked, "Mianxia, ​​what brings you here?"

Albert Julius smiled warmly, his smile gentle: "You may need to spend some time in Hundred Harbor Town next."

Sophia was taken aback, not understanding what he meant.

"We want to establish a diocese in Lily Town, and in exchange, Connors Jon requires you to serve as bishop there," Julius stated Connors's condition.

Sophia looked puzzled and said dejectedly, "Why do they want me to go there as a bishop? Is there any special significance to it?"

Julius chuckled and shook his head: "I don't know about that; you'll have to find out for yourself."

"Okay, I understand." Sophia left the hall looking puzzled, wondering what Connors was up to.

Back at her residence, Sophia summoned her followers and instructed them to pack their belongings, telling them that she was preparing to travel to Lily Town.

"Why so suddenly?"

"Holy Maiden, why are we going there?"

"Was this an order issued by His Holiness the Pope?"

The believers chattered like sparrows at dawn.

How would I know...? Sofia waved her hand: "Go quickly!"

Yes~

Scattered voices of agreement arose.

Sophia felt that she must have been too nice to them usually, and they were all so unruly. She shook her head helplessly.

What she didn't notice was that a follower secretly slipped out while everyone was distracted and headed off in a certain direction.