Chapter 592: Cardinal and Inspector

"Luo De?"

The old man in lavish clerical robes muttered.

His expression was dim.

"Hugo died at this man's hands."

Grand Tuanzhang Carter paused, swirling his wine cup.

He glanced at the inspector sent down from Aitheron.

—— one of the six Cardinal Bishops of the Igo Church, Davide Elliot.

Hugo?

If I remember correctly, wasn't that the Hugo Bishop killed a year later in Shi Ying Town?

The Argyle family made a huge fuss over it back then.

But the highest authority in Aitheron simply brushed it aside with a casual word.

Who was that Hugo to Davide Elliot?

"Cardinal, please accept your grief, but prioritize the greater good—we promised the Half-Deer people to spare this man's life."

Grand Tuanzhang Carter downed the entire cup of wine in one gulp.

He chewed thoughtfully, then looked surprised.

He stared curiously at the cup in his hand.

Huh?

Even this backwater place has liquor this potent?

"Old age makes one recall outstanding young students."

Cardinal Davide sighed with the weary sorrow of an elder.

He lifted the cup and took a faint sip.

He added: "I don't care about the Half-Deer people's words. What's a culprit? What's a prophecy? Just desperate tricks. The Half-Deer can't stop the collapse of Silver Hoof Valley."

"True, but I'm equally wary of Mistress Mistral's divine prohibition—it's drawn too many eyes to Dusk Hill. If others learn our Church is tied to the Campbell family, it could cause trouble."

Grand Tuanzhang remembered the bards who had surrounded them that day.

He felt a surge of irritation.

He poured himself another large cup of this rustic liquor.

"So we must do exactly what the public expects of a 'Recruitment Corps'—to divert everyone's attention."

"Are you suggesting we apply maximum pressure on Shi Ying Town and accelerate revenue extraction?"

"Precisely. Not just Shi Ying Town—the forest warden Luo De too. I heard your men tested him today?"

"Yes. Luo De's power is terrifying, but he backed down—he sent us a precious weapon to appease our grievances."

He said.

Grand Tuanzhang sneered.

He clearly looked down on Luo De.

He added: "He nearly crushed Coral Bay single-handedly, yet chose to operate as a shadow investor. Clearly just a timid man content to hide in a corner—a spineless coward. He wouldn't dare resist."

I also heard he spends his days lounging like a wealthy old miser, nights filled with revelry.

Since Coral Bay fell, he hasn't trained once. His core essence will soon be drained clean by women."

Cardinal Davide chuckled softly.

There was a hint of satisfaction in it.

He took another slow sip, his gaze distant.

"How did the handover with the Campbell family go today?"

Grand Tuanzhang Carter shook his head:

"Not smoothly. A bunch of greedy bastards—they seem to suspect something. Claimed an unexpected delay, now refuse direct delivery, and demand to meet you and me personally."

"Heh. I expected it. They just want tickets to the New World. Let them wait a few days."

"Mm. Good. The pressure campaign needs time anyway."

Night was dark, thick clouds heavy.

They obscured the bright moonlight.

Cardinal Davide glanced up.

"Whether it's Shi Ying Town or the forest warden Luo De—they mean nothing to us. What we want is"

"The beginning of the New World."

Grand Tuanzhang Carter added.

The two riddlers turned and gazed at each other across the distance, raising their cups in toast.

"To the New World." x2

A silent storm began to gather in Shi Ying Town.

The next morning.

Luo De came to the planting zone of Windwall Forest to nourish the newly planted trees.

That is, the "Sprout Stage" of the 【Child of Nature】.

Accelerate plant iteration and evolution within a ten-kilometer radius, catalyzing the emergence of sentient species.

Combined with Tree Spirit Vivian's 【Spring of Life】.

The saplings grew vigorously every day.

The skill evolved from 【Tree's Blessing】 to 【Child of Nature】 was immensely powerful.

In truth, Luo De didn't need to do much.

As long as he activated this natural phase, it would operate automatically.

As he wandered aimlessly, watching Vivian, Half-Deer Xiao Ke, and Tally—three women of different types—planting trees, he felt utterly refreshed.

Pony-girl Bond would also come over in the afternoon to help a bit.

Right now, she was taking magic lessons with Banshee Chris and Fungus Scarlett under Elf Kalist.

Fungus Scarlett was indeed a rebellious girl.

But she was completely subdued by the stern, cold-faced teacher Kalist.

Ever since the elf girl caught her fighting people daily, she's been under forced instruction.

She cowers like a quail in class, even afraid to speak when drinking.

"Master~~ I'm tired, need to replenish energy~~~"

Tally walked over with unsteady steps, threw her arms around Luo De's waist, and buried her face against his chest, inhaling deeply.

"You've only planted two trees."

Facing her master's stern gaze, Tally giggled nervously.

"Master's scent energy replenished!"

Luo De ignored her.

He turned to look at the witch Dimia approaching from afar.

She waved with a gloomy expression, accompanied by the dog-tribe member Sharon, hands in pockets.

Judging by her look,

No need to guess—it was about the Recruitment Corps.

Soon,

Everyone gathered at the shaded rest pavilion in the planting zone.

It was called a rest pavilion,

But it was just a table and chairs placed before the temporary shed holding saplings.

Tally brewed tea on one side.

Xiao Ke and Vivian sat on a nearby rug, enjoying the breeze.

The young deer girl's maternal instincts flared—she wiped sweat from Vivian's brow as the latter stared dreamily at Luo De, then fanned her gently.

"Two million Jin Along in back taxes?"

After hearing Dimia's words,

Luo De couldn't help laughing.

The Recruitment Corps' surprise audit hadn't ended, but they'd publicly disclosed the current tax shortfall progress.

And they'd made a huge show of it.

They sealed off the city hall entirely, allowing only their own personnel to enter or exit.

They set up barricades, posted guards, the whole thing.

Even the city constables had been temporarily suspended.

The residents of Shi Ying Town were in a panic.

"And it's 'current progress.'"

Sharon the dog-tribe member added, emphasizing those four words with clear irritation.

She crossed her arms, legs crossed at the knee.

Her brown leather boots hugged half her sleek, well-defined calves; her fitted gray hunting pants made her legs look even longer.

They perfectly showcased her full, rounded peach-like buttocks.

"That means this amount is only temporary! It could even be far higher!"

"That's not all—they also plan to impose a war tax, a temporary protection tax, and a maintenance tax, even taking one-tenth of the reconstruction costs for Coral Bay every month."

Diamiya let out a bitter laugh.

Heh.

Luo De shook his head:

"I understand the temporary protection tax—the constables are all on mandatory leave—but what's this maintenance tax?"

"They intend to repair the Igo Church in Shi Ying Town, and all expenses will be drawn from the residents' taxes."

"If they won't respect our face, then there's nothing left to say. Tally, tonight disguise yourself with me as escaped convicts and kill all the tax inspectors."

Sharon's eyes lit up: "I'm coming too!"

Diamiya cried out urgently: "Don't kill them all—just kill two as a warning."

"No, I'll kill them all."

(End of Chapter)