Chapter 37: The First Step of Work

In fact, Bishop Ronis had always called for the formation of a coalition among various countries to combat the Necromancer Guild. Unfortunately, this plan had never been implemented.

Although the Necromancer Guild was infamous among the people, no leaders or politicians from any country viewed them as indispensable villains. After all, they were merely dabbling in strange and bizarre magic and acted somewhat secretively. Even if they occasionally killed a few people or turned them into zombies or skeletons, the number of deaths compared to suppressing a peasant uprising, a minor conflict between countries, or a coup was negligible.

Moreover, the Church's attitude toward the Necromancer Guild was also quite strange. While it had always expressed hostility toward this evil organization, it was merely a 'show of hostility' with no real action taken. Bishop Ronis had proposed the eradication of the Necromancer Guild to the Pope more than once, but various reasons always led to the plans and proposals being stillborn.

However, this attitude likely had objective reasons. The Church itself lacked sufficient military strength and could only incite various national machines to fight. Furthermore, the Dehya Valley was surrounded by the Dragon Desert and the Shadow Spiral Mountains, making it exceedingly difficult even for seasoned adventurers to reach, let alone armies. Rumor had it that every necromancer was a top-notch mage, and no national leader was willing to unnecessarily provoke these individuals.

On the contrary, there had been an ambitious ruler who once considered recruiting these mysterious hermit mages to help him dominate the world. He sent a delegation composed of famous diplomats with lavish gifts to pay a visit.

Unexpectedly, these peace ambassadors, who had ventured into the realm of death, returned safely. Not only did they bring back the gifts they had taken, but they also returned with what was said to be a gift from the necromancers. These gifts were all priceless artworks and jewels, worth ten times more than the gifts the ruler had instructed them to take. Just as the ruler was feeling both delighted and ashamed by these unexpected gains, the seemingly perfectly normal ambassadors suddenly stepped forward and decapitated the ruler. Before the guards and ministers could react, they also decapitated themselves. The headless ambassadors then dipped their heads in blood and wrote several large characters on the floor of the hall. This terrifying scene reportedly drove half of those present insane.

DO NOT BOTHER US IF NOT NECESSARY.

This was the message the hermits of the Dehya Valley conveyed to the world through their unique means.

From then on, no one dared to entertain any thoughts of getting involved with that place. This clearly illustrated how difficult it was for Bishop Ronis to establish a coalition against them.

But despite the challenges, it was a necessity. Thus, Bishop Ronis prepared a plan, and the stage for this plan would be the upcoming Royal Hunting Festival in the capital.

The Royal Hunting Festival was originally just a private leisure activity of the Griffinhart royal family. To the southwest of the capital lay vast forests and grasslands, which were excellent hunting grounds. Every year, the emperor would lead the nobles to participate in the hunt. In recent years, due to the gentle personality of the new emperor, the empire's relations with neighboring countries had improved. Recently, they reached a consensus with various nations to successfully resolve disputes regarding Orford. In high spirits, the young Griffinhart XVII invited nobles from various countries to participate in this event.

At this moment, Bishop Ronis once again rallied the leaders of various countries. As usual, he elaborated on the dangers and unpredictable intentions of the Necromancer Guild, explaining that various signs indicated they were expanding their power, potentially threatening the entire continent. He called for everyone to unite and eradicate them. The response from the various countries remained unchanged: they viewed this appeal as the particular obsession and extremism of a religious figure. Out of respect for this esteemed elder, they would not outright refuse him; instead, they politely used diplomatic jargon to dismiss him.

The hunting event was the beginning of all plans and needed to be arranged meticulously with great attention to detail. It required skillful social maneuvers to implement. Undoubtedly, these tasks were not suitable for someone of the bishop's exalted status to undertake, and the magic academy could not find such a talent. Just then, a friend of Bishop Ronis returned to the capital, so the bishop asked Asa to seek his help.

This person was the most famous dandy in the Empire of Einfast. His reputation and whereabouts surpassed national borders, and no one on the continent dared to match him.

In his youth, he was the most infatuated nobleman, once riding dozens of the finest steeds across the wilderness inhabited by werewolves just to present a flower from the unique Saundfast Mountains that a woman he admired wanted to see. He was also the most cunning and carefree libertine, pledging undying love to innocent maidens by day and renting entire brothels to revel with prostitutes by night. He was the most devastating romantic dreamer, the most elegant seducer, and a prince with a demonic, mysterious charm. Countless noblewomen trained feverishly in their dancing skills, going so far as to hire priests and skilled butchers to undergo surgical treatments, all to slim down a little, raise their noses a bit, or make their eyes a bit more alluring, just for the chance to dance with him at a ball and have him remember their names.

Later, he developed an interest in theology and magic, entering the magic academy to study. At that time, he was a renowned theologian, invincible in theological debates. However, he remained a blasphemer cursed by pious believers; it was said he had once lewdly discussed with patrons in brothels how the famous virgin named Mary gave birth to her son, who came from who knows where.

He had always been a talented writer as well. His poetry collections drew admiration even from the most discerning individuals, and the Royal Theatre staged his plays. He was also an artist who defied conventions and scorned the world. He once spent a fortune to buy numerous precious artworks for an exhibition, then smashed them to pieces in front of the audience, declaring them fake, and placed one of his massive paintings atop the now worthless fragments, proclaiming it true art. This act severed ties with all artists—his painting depicted an extremely realistic female anatomy, accompanied by a poem he wrote titled "The Gate of the World."

However, among all the strange stories about this man, the oddest thing was that he was actually friends with Bishop Ronis.

It was truly astonishing that these two vastly different individuals could coexist without repulsion, regardless of the circumstances. Perhaps this dandy held a deep, obscure sentiment in his heart, or maybe the bishop was not as rigid and profound as he appeared. Moreover, objectively speaking, the bishop had many areas where he needed to rely on this talented and complex friend, especially at this moment.

He was undoubtedly a remarkable person, a peculiar individual, filled with mysterious charm. However, when Asa went to find him, he felt somewhat uneasy because he was none other than the illustrious Marquis Inham Ernie, the nominal head of the Ernie family and the father of Claudius.

However, it was certain that the relationship between this father and son was akin to that of strangers. Their completely different personalities and values were ample proof; it was said that the esteemed father had indeed not attended Claudius's wedding. Though the nominal head of the Ernie family was looked down upon and marginalized, it was almost unimaginable for a nobleman not to attend his own son's wedding.

Asa arrived at the marquis's residence. Compared to many of the grand mansions in the capital, this one was rather unremarkable, even a bit shabby, standing in stark contrast to the grandeur of the duke's residence. After Asa identified himself to the elderly man who opened the door, the man led him directly inside, where he met the marquis in a very simple sitting room.

Asa immediately understood that Claudius's good looks were inherited from this father. However, the two had completely different temperaments. The marquis had a slightly gaunt face, deep and somewhat melancholic yet very handsome eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips that could break into a smile at any moment. He must have been a strikingly handsome man in his youth, now combining a mature poise with an alluring charisma. He was the kind of person who could captivate others at first glance, and even after countless looks, one would never grow weary of him.

Asa nodded in greeting and said, "My lord marquis, I'm here on behalf of Bishop Ronis to discuss some matters with you."

"You're not executing your greeting properly; it feels completely perfunctory." The marquis raised his long eyebrows, which seemed almost overly delicate for a man.

Asa was taken aback.

"I truly haven't met such a straightforward and unpretentious clergyman in ages." A smile gleamed in the marquis's eyes. Despite being over forty, his youthful gaze showed no signs of aging, not even a wrinkle at the corners, and he looked very charming when he smiled. He generously expressed his fondness for Asa. "I like people like you."

Asa surprisingly felt a bit embarrassed. Generally, he rarely felt bashful, even in the presence of girls.

"Alright, let's talk in the study," the marquis said, patting Asa on the shoulder as if they were old friends, with no hint of pretense. "Since Bishop Ronis asked you to find me, it must mean you're someone he trusts greatly, and you'll be discussing matters that he finds difficult to resolve."

In the study, after hearing Bishop Ronis's plan, the marquis sighed. "I never expected my esteemed and noble friend would have to resort to the dirty tactics used by politicians…" He flashed Asa a charming smile. "But I believe he must have a very noble reason for this, like striving for light and justice, right?"

Asa didn't know how to respond to this odd lament about the bishop's 'dirty' methods, so he could only vaguely murmur in agreement.

The marquis pondered for a moment, then seemed to perk up. "You know, the scripts I wrote back then are classics at the Royal Theatre, but one regret is that I've never directed a proper play. And now, isn't this plan a wonderful opportunity? What could rival the scenery and spectacle of reality as the grand stage? This is real art, full of life." He winked at Asa and nodded proudly. "Just wait and see."

Seeing his lively expression, Asa couldn't help but ask, "Did you really study at the magic academy? As one of the most brilliant geniuses and the most famous theologians?" Based on his previous experience, the more one read and delved into profound studies, the more unappealing and dull one would appear, but the marquis was completely different. Every smile, movement, tone, and sound from him seemed to be imbued with genuine emotion, vibrant yet never superficial.

"I was definitely not an excellent student," the marquis said with a shrug. "I was expelled."

"Oh? Why?"

"Because I criticized the breasts of their Virgin Mary statue as being completely incorrect."

"What was wrong with them?"

"The Mother of Virginity shouldn't have breasts that belong to a woman with a very fulfilling sex life; that's obviously wrong," the marquis said, adopting an expert's tone and sounding quite indignant.

"They expelled you just for that?" Asa felt quite indignant for the marquis, a former distinguished student of the magic academy.

The marquis looked innocently at him. "They didn't listen to my suggestion, so I had to take matters into my own hands. I smashed the breasts of the Virgin Mary statues in the cathedral and a few other places, then molded a proper breast for a virgin out of flour. As a result, they expelled me."

"Hahaha…" Asa laughed heartily. He was sure that the magic academy must have considered the reputation of the Ernie family when making such a decision. If it hadn't been for this illustrious family, this audacious senior would have likely faced the pyre for his insightful remarks.

After discussing the important matters, the two continued to chat casually in the study, growing as familiar and affectionate as long-time friends. The marquis expressed great admiration for Asa, a clergyman who couldn't even recite the Holy Scriptures, saying that those serious, rule-abiding clergy were merely wooden figures, and only someone like him, who exuded authenticity, could bring some relief to the oppressive atmosphere of the magic academy. Asa found this person extremely charming and endearing. Perhaps Claudius was so unpleasant because his father hadn't passed on any of these delightful traits to him.

Unbeknownst to them, evening had already arrived, and as Asa prepared to leave, the marquis accompanied him outside.

On the way, the marquis suddenly said, "Although I feel a bit sorry for you, there's something I must tell you for the sake of my aesthetic sense."

Asa frowned and asked, "What is it?"

The marquis sighed and said, "You know, this clergy outfit on you is truly lacking in aesthetics and is very uncoordinated; it's even stranger than a butcher wearing a sheer skirt."

"Oh? I really don't know how to dress," Asa replied, lowering his head to look at himself. He had just casually thrown on this originally solemn clergy uniform, feeling as if he was in his pajamas.

"It's not about how you're dressed," the marquis's eyes sparkled with an artist's flair, and his gestures displayed the demeanor of a poet. "It's about the aura. It's the temperament and vitality that emanate from within, impossible to be influenced by clothing or any external factor. The vibe you carry is simply incompatible with the dullness of religion." He looked at Asa. "It's naturally candid and doesn't conceal or suppress itself. If I had to assign a profession suitable for you… it might be that of a rogue or a bandit."

Asa couldn't help but burst into a laugh that was wholly inappropriate for his solemn identity. He found himself laughing and happier with this person more than ever before.

The marquis immediately reached out and snapped his fingers, filled with character. "Look at that! This hearty laughter is clearly the trademark of forest heroes. The fools reciting Holy Scriptures could never laugh so freely."

"Sorry," the marquis suddenly sighed.

"What?" Asa didn't understand.

"I've returned too late. I missed the chance to disrupt that ugly marriage." Regret filled the marquis's eyes. "Miss Murak is such a good girl; she absolutely should be marrying someone like you, not my dull son."

Asa stared at him, dumbfounded and embarrassed; this was certainly not something a father should say.

"The Murak duke and my family members are all painfully dull and power-hungry creatures, lacking any aesthetic sense, even compared to farmers who spend their lives wielding hoes. They don't understand that in such an ugly world, pure love between men and women is the only beautiful thing. And yet, they are willing to ruin the love between such two aesthetically pleasing young people for the sake of power and wealth; that's truly despicable." The head of the family expressed his indignation for his daughter-in-law and her lover with the sentiments and tone of a poet.

Asa could only listen in a daze; at this moment, it seemed anything he said would be inappropriate.

"She's a wonderful girl; it's just a shame she was born into the most detestable and vulgar noble family. But if there's anything more detestable and vulgar in this world than a noble family, it would be a wealthy noble family. And she just happened to marry into one, bound by those nonsensical family rules that prevent her from even stepping outside easily… what a pity." The marquis suddenly leaned closer to Asa's ear and whispered, "She should be in her room right now. Would you like to go see her? I can send the servants away…"

"No, no, it's fine," Asa hurriedly waved his hands to refuse.

"By the way, why not let her join us in this grand play? Let her see how her beloved becomes a hero," the marquis suggested boldly.

"That might not be convenient?" Asa felt a bit flustered.

The marquis, however, smiled confidently, exuding an air of nobility and assurance that made it seem like a graceful little task he could easily handle. He patted Asa's shoulder, making it impossible for him to refuse: "Don't worry; I'll take care of everything. It will definitely be spectacular and fun."