Goddess Kaleidoscope

Often, it's not that older farmers don't like learning, but they find the dull classroom boring. As a lecturer, you need to be able to chat with them in a way that keeps them awake!

Throughout the crowd, Maine frowned. On the one hand, he felt that Lud's sermon was different from other churches he had heard about before, but on the other hand, he had to admit that it was indeed very interesting and easy to understand.

However, what truly unsettled him, more than what Ludd said, was the genuine affection the local townspeople had for him.

The reason why Maine was able to sideline the lord and turn the baron, who truly possessed magical power and authority, into a rubber stamp that he could manipulate at will, was because the lord was surrounded by his men, and these lackeys only obeyed Maine's orders.

The problem now is that the thousands of townspeople clearly prefer to listen to the priest rather than him, the governor. The methods are familiar, but the one being sidelined has changed to him, Maine.

As the saying goes, "two tigers cannot share one mountain." Maine can accept cooperating with Lud on a relatively equal footing, but he cannot tolerate Lud becoming a "superior ruler."

"We need to think of a way..."

After the sermon ended, the townspeople dispersed in twos and threes. Rudd's return was probably the only good news they had received in the past two weeks. Although they didn't say it aloud, they all hoped that Rudd could uphold justice for them and discipline the new lord.

Blacksmith Bank also brought his children to the evangelistic meeting. On the way home, his youngest daughter, Nina, skipped ahead, humming the "I Love Washing Hands" song she had learned at the meeting.

Looking at Nina, who is now healthy and lively, Bank couldn't help but recall the time two years ago when he and his children had just moved to Pine Village.

Bank's wife had just passed away, and his daughter had contracted the same astounding as his late wife. If it weren't for Lord Rudd's righteous intervention, his family wouldn't have the happy life they have today. Bank didn't say it aloud, but he always remembered this kindness and wanted to repay the priest properly.

As the family walked, they arrived at their doorstep, but just then, Bank suddenly noticed several figures emerging from the alleyway beside them. Bank rushed forward to grab his daughter, but he was too late; the men blocked his way.

"Hey! Bank, you're back!"

"What are you trying to do!?"

Seeing several burly men rush out and surround his daughter, Bank's eyes widened in anger. However, he was unarmed, while the thugs opposite him were armed. Therefore, Bank could only suppress his anger and protect his two sons who were still behind him.

Bank recognized all the guys in front of him. They were nominally "Pine Town Guards," but in reality, they were just henchmen of Governor Myne.

Bank had been a city dweller who had lived in a big city before, and had come into contact with all sorts of people. So just by looking at his style and methods, he guessed that this Mr. Maine was most likely a gang leader in the past.

Because even a nobleman with a modicum of upbringing might be cold, selfish, and unapproachable, but at least he would maintain a certain level of decorum in his words and actions. But this Lord Main was different; he used many methods that, normally, couldn't be used openly, without any scruples.

As soon as this group arrived in town, they used the lord's name to forcibly impose a large number of exorbitant taxes and levies, and plundered the townspeople's property. The former mayor's tavern was forcibly taken over under the pretext of temporary requisition, and Bank was also targeted by them.

Just three days ago, the villain who called himself Sador came to Bank's door with a piece of tyrannical terms, saying that Governor Maine had heard that Bank was the best human blacksmith in town, so he was giving him a chance to serve the lord, and that Bank should not be ungrateful.

To put it bluntly, they were after Bank's blacksmith shop and wanted to coerce him into submission.

Bank was determined to refuse, and as a result, these thugs harassed his family every day with their vile and despicable methods!

Seeing that Bank dared not make a move, Sador grinned smugly, a twisted sense of pleasure filling his heart.

A few months ago, Sador and his brothers could never have imagined that they could be so arrogant, bullying men and women in the streets without worrying about the city guards coming to arrest them, because they were now "soldiers," a power granted to them by Lord Maine.

So it just proves that saying...

When a petty person gains power, their arrogance becomes boundless!

In front of Bank, Sador deliberately pressed Nina's head down with his filthy hands, which hadn't been washed for days, and roughly rubbed it a few times, causing the little girl to burst into tears from the pain. Bank was about to rush forward when he saw this, but Sador's other henchmen drew their machetes without hesitation and stood in front of him.

"What exactly do you want?! If you have a problem, come at me, an adult! What kind of man takes his anger out on a child?!"

"How about it? Oh my, what are you saying, Brother Bank? I've been helping your family get rich all along! Our Lord Maine has taken a liking to your skills and sincerely invites you to serve the Baron. I even put in a good word for you with Lord Maine, saying that you have a lovely little daughter, and our Baron just happens to be short of a maid. That's why I've come to ask you for someone today!"

"You, you bunch of people..."

Having realized the group's intentions, Bank was furious. But he was just a blacksmith after all. He was indeed strong, but not good at fighting. Besides, he was no match for the group.

Seeing that Bank was about to rush forward to fight, Sador on the other side kicked him hard in the stomach. The other henchmen swarmed in and beat the fallen Bank mercilessly, even knocking down two boys who rushed up to help their father.

Fortunately, Sador knew their purpose, so after fighting for a short while, he stopped his men, walked over to Bank, who was already bruised and swollen, squatted down, and said arrogantly.

"Brother Bank, this is your last chance. Come to Master Myne obediently and sign the contract. Then we can all be on good terms. We'll take your daughter back with us for now. Remember to come early tomorrow!"

After saying this, Sador patted Bank's face, and then he and his men took Nina, whose mouth was covered, away from the scene.

After the other party left, Bank's eldest son struggled to his feet and stumbled to his father's side. The dying blacksmith spoke to his son.

“Go…go to the temple…find Master Lud.”

End of this chapter

The bruised boy rushed to the temple, just as Lud had returned from the square. He never imagined that in less than half an hour since the sermon ended, Maine's men would commit such an outrageous act right under his nose.

The furious Lud suddenly realized he had made a mistake. Because he had a fairly good impression of the nobles he had met before, he subconsciously raised his perception of the average quality of this powerful group of nobles.

Indeed! Among the lords, there are good people like Earl Ramley who love their people and are full of a sense of justice. As for Duke Gamelin and Viscount Maup, although one has a flaw in his personal morality and the other is mediocre in his ability, overall they are both qualified rulers who are responsible for the people under their rule.

And Maine... is nothing but a petty man who has gained power!

This villain has no concept of governance; all he thinks about is how to benefit himself. He doesn't care about the lives of ordinary people at all!

Thinking of this, Ludwig couldn't help but laugh in anger.

He had originally wanted to have some fun with this guy, but now he's completely lost interest.

"Romian, go to the blacksmith right away and see how badly Bank is hurt. Give him a proper treatment. The rest of you come with me. We'll go and have a good talk with this governor."

Led by Shanis, Hume, and Fallen Leaf, three of the more capable fighters, Ludger stormed out the door and headed straight for the tavern.

As the group arrived, they saw Maine's son, Monk, galloping wildly on the main road in front of the tavern, kicking up dust and stones as if he were treating the road as his own horse farm.

Lu De thought to himself that these spoiled brats, even though they lived in different worlds, had such similar interests and hobbies, both enjoying racing cars and horses in the bustling city center.

Monk, who was not far away, quickly noticed Lud and the others. He immediately turned his horse around and rode towards them, increasing his speed as if he were charging.

Seeing the hostile and aggressive approach, Shanis hurriedly tried to step forward to protect Ludwig. But Ludwig simply waved his hand and calmly stared at the oncoming knight.

Just as the warhorse was about to crash into him, Monk suddenly pulled on the reins, and the galloping horse quickly slowed down, finally stopping less than two meters away from Lud. The sturdy steed turned around gracefully and flicked its tail.

It must be said that although Monk is the son of a gang leader, his horsemanship is indeed quite good.

Monk, mounted on his horse, looked down at Lud, expecting to scare the pretty-boy priest to death, but the other man remained calm and unaffected.

Unbeknownst to Monk, Lud had secretly made preparations, silently casting a divine spell to grant himself a layer of "super armor." Had Monk lost control and charged directly at Lud, he would have been astonished to discover, as he flew through the air, that Lud's head was harder than an iron felt!

“Sir Monk, this is the main road in the town center. Has no one told you that you can’t ride your horse at full speed here?”

"No need for you to remind me, I am the town's guard captain. I am on patrol when I ride a horse. It is none of your business, you are just a priest."

After arrogantly uttering his threats, Monk didn't forget to throw what he thought was a flirtatious wink at Shanes, who was standing next to Ludwig.

When Monk first arrived in town, he encountered Shanis, who was out shopping, during a routine patrol where he ate melons without paying. He was immediately struck by her beauty.

Unfortunately, the other party was a nun from the town's temple, and his father had repeatedly ordered him not to take action against people and businesses related to the church. Monk could only suppress his urge to act, but every time they met, he couldn't help but try to flirt with her, only to be ignored every time.

After Ludwig returned, Monk did not feign friendliness in front of Ludwig out of fear of the Medicine God Cult's connections, unlike his father.

This brute, strong-willed but simple-minded man, judging others by his own standards, couldn't believe that Ludd would remain indifferent to having such a beautiful woman by his side.

The thought that the woman he had his eye on had been "sucked up" by such a pretty boy among the ladies made him feel jealous of Lu De.

The young man was also unaware of the situation. Not to mention that Lu and Shanis are still completely innocent, even if something were to happen... it's uncertain who would be the first to benefit!

So, driven by jealousy, Monk deliberately staged that scene to embarrass Ludwig in front of Shanes, but it completely failed to achieve his desired effect.

Lud smiled slightly, thinking to himself, "It's my turn."

"Kneel down."

With just two simple words, as soon as Ludd finished speaking, the exceptionally magnificent horse beneath Monk suddenly knelt on its forelegs without warning. Caught off guard, Monk was thrown off the horse and rolled forward, landing steadily at Ludd's feet with a thud.

This bizarre scene left everyone present stunned.

"Good boy! I'm here to have a talk with your dad. You stay here and don't move around... Your grandpa will deal with you later!"

"You, me..."

Having inexplicably fallen off his horse and knelt before Ludwig, Monk was completely bewildered. When he came to his senses and tried to get up, he found that his knees were rooted to the ground and he couldn't move.

Monk immediately realized that this was Lud's doing, but the key point was that he hadn't seen how the other party did it at all, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of horror.

Just then, Maine, who had heard the commotion outside, came out and saw his stubborn, foolish son rolling in the mud not far away, while Lude, accompanied by several attendants, strolled leisurely toward him. A sense of foreboding crept into his heart.

"Master, what brings you here?"

"It's nothing. I just heard that the Baron's mother has been bedridden since arriving in town. As a priest and a physician, it is my duty to heal the sick and save lives, so I took the initiative to come and treat the old lady."

"Uh...isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

"What's wrong with that? I am a priest, and my ability to heal and save lives is renowned throughout the northern border of this kingdom, if not a household name. Are you perhaps questioning my professional ethics?"

"No, that's not it..."

Caught off guard by Lude's barrage of questions, Maine's expression betrayed deep embarrassment. He had assumed the man was there about the blacksmith and had already prepared a plan, but the man came in and immediately said he wanted to treat the old lady, completely deviating from the expected course of events.

Just as the two sides were at a stalemate, a girl's voice suddenly came from behind Maine.

"Master, do you really have a way to cure my mother?"

End of this chapter

Lud looked in the direction of the voice and saw a blonde girl who looked about eleven or twelve years old. Her clothes and appearance were not those of a commoner. Lud guessed that this girl should be the Baron's sister, one of the two orphans left behind by Knight Kirk.

The Baron and his family of three arrived in Pine Town about two weeks ago, but they rarely appeared in public. All affairs within the territory were handled by Maine. As a result, some townspeople who weren't well-informed mistakenly thought that Maine, the acting governor, was the real lord.

Lude knew very little about this family, and wasn't sure if they were aware of what Maine had done. But considering the two children were both minors and the elderly mother was bedridden, it was more likely they were kept in the dark.

So Lud thought about it and decided that he should first contact the lord's family to probe their strength before considering how to take further action.

"Excuse me, miss, may I ask your name?"

“My name is Lisa, Lisa Kirk, daughter of Knight Kirk.”

“My name is Rude, and it’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lisa. As you can see at this moment, I am a high priest with the ability to heal your mother.”

"Really? Then please come with me quickly."

"Lisa, wait a minute!"

Seeing that the innocent young girl was so eager to save her mother that she wanted to take Lude into the house to see the old lady without waiting for his consent, Maien became anxious.

The reason why a distant relative like Myne was able to take over the Baron's territory was twofold: firstly, the Baron himself was young, and secondly, the old lady, who was a direct relative, was seriously ill, which gave Myne the opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

When King Durand knighted Cork's youngest son, he was aware of the family's unusual circumstances and, following tradition, hoped to find a reliable elder from the Old City among the baron's relatives to assist him. However, the courtier in charge of the matter took the opportunity to accept a bribe and recommended Maine, who had given him the most money.

If the old lady's illness can truly be cured and she discovers what Maine has been doing in the territory, then he will no longer be able to sit in this position.