Chapter 56: Compromise (Please Catch Up)

"Malcolm!"

"You despicable noble!"

"I knew I couldn't trust your promises!!!"

Bishop Thorns's roar was mournful, brimming with impassioned fury and a heartrending grievance, sounding exactly like a wronged husband who'd just caught his wife about to run off with some blond pretty boy.

It was utterly, miserably wretched.

Bishop Thorns was furious!

I'm such a fool.

I really am.

How could I have believed that dog-shit nobleman's lies, actually thinking he wouldn't sneak over to poach people?

Damn it all, here to dig at my walls, are you?

His burly frame completely hid Herbert behind him, shielding his cub and fully blocking the greedy gazes of his rival.

"Hmph, you got here pretty fast…"

Bishop Rusty Nail, seeing his colleague arrive, knew the matter couldn't be done today. He gave a cold snort and said blandly, "Don't make a scene here."

"I'm making a scene, am I?"

Bishop Thorns was so angry he laughed, his eyes constantly rolling back — pity it was all hidden by his mitre, the killing effect equivalent to zero.

"I know what you're after — you just want Herbert to join your knightly order, don't you? Dream on! I will never agree!"

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

The Knight Commander said blandly, "You know in your heart he isn't suited for the Tribunal. Keeping him in the Third Precept House to waste time will only squander his talent. You're violating the Precepts."

You're committing a crime!

"I'm violating the Precepts? Fine!"

The Chief Inquisitor was so enraged by those words he laughed outright, nodding repeatedly, and said through gritted teeth: "I can't be bothered to argue with you, you nobleman. Let's go straight to the Archbishop himself! Let His Eminence judge who's right!"

"Let's see how His Eminence refuses you!"

With that, he kicked open the great door he'd already sent tottering when he'd charged through it, and hurried back along the same path toward the monastery.

"Hmph, muscle-headed fool… why would His Eminence the Archbishop bother with you over something like this?"

Bishop Rusty Nail snorted, then turned to look at the people on the training ground, muttering darkly: "What are you laughing at? What's so funny?"

Yikes!!!

In an instant, the smiles vanished from every face; each and every one of them stared fixedly ahead and threw themselves into training with burning enthusiasm.

Their movements more precise than before, their expressions more serious than before!

Hiss hiss hiss!

Crack crack crack!

Thud thud thud!

The stabbing ones stabbed, the crotch-kickers kicked, the ones taking a beating… hey, watch it, don't actually beat them to death!

Bishop Rusty Nail took in their performance with a single glance, gave an angry snort, then his body melted into the shadow beneath his feet and vanished in an instant.

"…"

Herbert blinked, looked down at the shadow beneath his feet, then looked around at the others who had already begun practicing with grave seriousness.

Nothing happened.

He scratched his head, feeling a little bewildered.

"Hey, I… I haven't even gotten on board yet!"

Weren't you two fighting over me?

How could you just leave the protagonist here?

"What… are you two doing?"

Before the Sealed Sanctuary, a red-robed, sword-bearing figure blocked the doorway, stopping the two bishops who were trying to enter the Sanctuary to find the Archbishop.

The voluminous red robe concealed the shape of the body; only from certain subtle contours could one tell it was a woman.

Her face was entirely hidden in the shadow of her hood, not a single inch of skin exposed.

And she was the third Cardinal of Mist Monastery — the 【Warder】 known as Bishop Ashes.

"You two — do you know what you're doing?"

Bishop Ashes's voice was exceedingly gentle, her tone even sounding somewhat kind and affable.

But in the ears of the two bishops, it was as terrifying as a wail rising from hell itself.

"Your Eminency the Warder."

"Your Eminency…"

The two men, who had been so worked up moments ago, now appeared exceptionally well-behaved, bowing their heads respectfully.

Oh no!

They had no choice but to bow their heads.

This figure was far more mysterious than either of them; she had already been stationed at Mist Monastery several hundred years ago.

There were even rumors that she was a personage of the same era as the Archbishop himself!

One could say she had watched these two bishops grow step by step from a down-and-out nobleman and a poor Wu Seng.

There was a certain beauty to it — like running into the Dean of Students after starting work and still feeling your heart skip a beat.

"The two of you having a quarrel doesn't surprise me, but you must mind the occasion and your station."

Bishop Ashes's emotions didn't waver, still gentle as water, as though coaxing two children who never grew up:

"This is the Sealed Sanctuary, the most important place in the entire monastery. The rule is that no more than two people may enter at once — have you forgotten that?"

"The power of the blasphemous prayer statue has been unusually active lately, so the Grand Bishop summoned me to assist in guarding it. Whatever you need, I can relay it for you."

The Judge opened his mouth, cleared his throat awkwardly twice, and muttered, "Uh, we don't have anything to ask, nothing..."

"Hm?"

Ash Bishop slightly lifted his head, gazing at the towering giant who, even with his head bowed, stood a full head taller than him, and asked coolly, "Then what are the two of you here for?"

!!

Buhao!

The Chief Judge immediately realized something was wrong, but fortunately, the Knight Commander took over, bowing respectfully: "Your Grace, the situation is this..."

He did not embellish; he swiftly and completely recounted the entire affair.

Including Herbert's request for "leakage," and also his own demands—he laid everything bare without reservation.

"Your Grace, his talent truly cannot be wasted."

After listening, Ash Bishop nodded. Once he confirmed the Chief Judge had no further additions, he stepped through the door.

Moments later, she reappeared before the two and announced:

"The Grand Bishop has given his reply."

"Herbert may join the Knight Order, but it must not interfere with his original duties in the Third Oath Chamber."

"He is simultaneously under the jurisdiction of both the Inquisition and the Knight Order."

Rust Nail Bishop's eyes lit up, and he bowed his head respectfully.

He had long anticipated this outcome—he had always hoped for precisely this.

On the other side, Thorn Bishop's expression shifted subtly; he had many words he wished to argue, but in the end said nothing, lowering his head as well.

The matter was settled. Compromise was all that remained.

Ash Bishop nodded at the two, then added:

"Furthermore, regarding Herbert's claim that the heretics have behaved well... the Grand Bishop agrees to grant them certain rewards."

"But they may not leave the premises for now—the risk is too great."

"However, their movement range within this region's prison may be expanded."

One opened his eyes—and saw only darkness.

"No, you cannot kill me!!!"

A weak, frantic voice rang out from mere inches away, jolting Herbert, still half-dazed.

Herbert tried to identify who was screaming—but quickly realized the voice came from his own mouth.

It was him—begging desperately, trying to flee the terrifying presence chasing him from behind.

Am I the victim this time?

As Herbert pondered, "he" let out another pitiful wail:

"I am your father!"

"He" screamed that name—with hatred and terror:

"ELIZA!!!"

Thank you to patrons 20220625211750849 and 20200504015545393 for their support!

...

Suddenly startled—he realized tomorrow was the recommendation day.

Sanjiang still needs more reader engagement—we need everyone's full support!

The new book ranking ends on Wednesday, so before then I'll try to post extra chapters—repay a few overdue ones!

Let's see if we can make one final push.

I hope fate treats me a little better this time.

Thank you all so much!!!

Let's charge forward together—



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(Chapter End)