Inserting a Thorn

Translator: Cinder Translations

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Chapter 149: Inserting a Thorn

After discussing for most of the day in the office, everyone dispersed.

Just as Paul was about to rest his head on the desk for a brief nap, the office door creaked open again.

"Come in."

The door opened, revealing the intelligence chief, Cecil. He entered cautiously and closed the door behind him.

"Cecil? Why all the secrecy? Please, have a seat."

Cecil approached Paul's desk, nodded slightly, and lowered his voice.

"Lord Grayman, on my way back, I suddenly remembered something important, so I came back to see you."

"What is it?"

"Well..."

He straightened up and began, "Miss Ladia, she's always been a potential threat to us."

"What? Have you lost your mind? She just saved me and one of the guards. Are we supposed to view her through a colored lens just because she's a witch? Besides, you've seen how she behaves on normal days."

The Minister of Intelligence explained somewhat sheepishly, "I apologize, my words may have been misunderstood."

"What I mean is, considering the public's view of witches and the Church's hostility toward them, if anyone discovers we have a witch hidden here and reports it to the Church, it would be very problematic for us."

Paul sighed helplessly, "You're right, I've thought about that too. But what can we do? Are you suggesting I send her away, someone who has fought alongside me?"

Cecil quickly waved his hand, "No, no, that's not what I meant."

"Then what are you trying to say?"

Cecil lowered his already quiet voice even further, "An opportunity, an opportunity to reduce the threat from the Church."

Paul perked up at this, staring into Cecil's eyes. "Go on! Don't beat around the bush."

"Do you know? The Bishop of the Northwestern Bay Diocese is about to step down from his position due to health reasons."

"Is that so? I haven't heard, but what does that have to do with us?"

"Guess who's slated to replace the Bishop?"

"Who?"

"It's none other than the old dean of the monastery near our town!"

Paul was somewhat surprised, "Dean Leonard?"

"Hehe, exactly! When the old king reached an agreement with the Holy See, it prioritized appointing nationals to bishoprics within Aldor's jurisdiction. That's why Leonard was chosen this time. The old dean is devout in his faith and loyal enough to the kingdom, so both sides favor him."

"Hmm, I'm aware of that agreement, but what does this have to do with us?"

Cecil gave a sly smile, "My lord, let me explain. Once Leonard steps up, the position of dean at that monastery will be vacant. And just a few days ago, I found out that the old dean intends to appoint Father Anderson from our town as his successor."

"Father Anderson? Besides being a bit of a bookworm, he's actually a decent guy. I heard he was born in that monastery, so it makes sense for him to return as dean."

"But I heard he's been in a terrible mood lately, sighing and fretting in the church every day."

"What? Why? Isn't this a promotion? Shouldn't he be happy?"

"The Lord might not know, but Father Anderson, besides his usual prayers and scripture readings, has a little hobby."

"I know, doesn't he enjoy studying various plants and small animals? The churchyard is filled with flowers and grass."

"Exactly, besides his duties as a priest, he spends most of his time on that."

"I heard he's a member of the Rationalist Society? It's not surprising; I feel like those people are more like scholars."

"So you see, once he takes on the position of dean, managing such a large monastery will surely keep him busy. Will he have time for his hobbies? That's why he's been downcast these days, but he dare not disobey his teacher's orders."

"I sympathize with him. And then?"

Cecil chuckled mischievously, "And then our opportunity arises. I noticed that Father Morrison seems to have a lot of free time every day. Why not let him assist Father Anderson?"

Morrison is the priest Paul enEarlered at the church in Frand Port when he was coerced into joining the Shark Gang. Paul leveraged this to compel him to work for him.

After returning to Alden Town, Morrison was appointed as the dean of the Weis Academy, while also managing several "propaganda teams" and often going to the barracks to listen to soldiers' confessions, subtly implanting the "goods" Paul entrusted to him into their minds.

In fact, he wasn't exactly idle, but Paul suddenly understood Cecil's meaning.

He grasped Cecil's hands, surprising him with his favor.

"I've been waiting for an opportunity all along!"

Paul's eyes gleamed as he stared at Cecil. "Now, you've found it, Cecil. You're truly invaluable to me."

Cecil suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. "Um... My lord. This may not necessarily work out. If it doesn't..."

The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. In case it didn't work out, Paul shouldn't blame him.

"No!" Paul pounded the table, startling Cecil.

"This must succeed! It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'll go 'visit' Father Anderson at the church right away."

...

Inside the church in Alden Town, Father Anderson looked at the flowers on the ground with a troubled expression.

In a few days, he would be going to the nearby monastery to serve as dean. Who would take care of these flowers and plants? Would the new priest taking over this church dig them all up?

He sincerely prayed to the Almighty, "Omnipotent Lord, please grant me a solution that satisfies both sides, one that doesn't defy my teacher's appointment and allows me to continue caring for these lovely creatures."

"Father Anderson!"

Just as he finished his prayer, he suddenly heard someone call his name from outside the churchyard.

"That voice? It's Earl Grayman."

He couldn't afford to be disrespectful to the lord. He immediately straightened his clothes and respectfully walked towards the door.

Before he reached the door, Paul walked in.

"Ha ha, Father Anderson! It's been a while. I haven't properly thanked you since you woke me up. I feel really sorry about that!"

Father Anderson waved his hand repeatedly, "Not at all! Although I'm not a physician, saving lives is also one of the responsibilities of a servant of God."

"Here!"

Paul reached out his hand, and an attendant next to him immediately handed him a wooden box.

"As compensation, I sincerely want to give you a gift!"

He patted the box, his face showing a sincere smile.

(End of the Chapter)