Chapter 310: The Church of Light

"Your Highness Prince Er, I pay my respects. I apologize for this sudden visit—hope I haven't disturbed you."

"Archbishop Flint, you're too kind. Your arrival brings honor to Emerald Manor. Please, be seated!"

Facing Archbishop Flint, the Second Prince restrained his haughty aura.

Though the Church of Light had only recently grown powerful over the past few decades, it had now become a force too significant to ignore.

Though nobles disliked the Church of Light, believing it stirred up the serfs too much,

now was precisely the time they needed more support—even if they didn't draw too close, they had no reason to offend it.

Only after Archbishop Flint sat down did the Second Prince ask about his purpose.

"Your Highness, I received word that one of your knight detachments was attacked on the kingdom's border—is this true?"

The Second Prince showed surprise. Could the Church of Light really be this well-informed?

Weren't they said to have no influence in the southern region?

Even though Iron Wolf City had delayed reporting the incident by several days to investigate thoroughly,

a fast horse still needed over a week to travel from the southern region to the capital.

For the Church of Light to learn of this at the same time as him meant they must have already established many networks in the south.

Seeing his expression, Archbishop Flint knew what the Second Prince was thinking and immediately explained: "Your Highness, please don't misunderstand!"

"Our Church learned of this so quickly purely by coincidence!"

"Have you heard, Your Highness, that over a month ago, a viscount's castle in the southern region was attacked by dark creatures, and the viscount vanished without a trace?"

"Upon receiving this news, our Church dispatched priests to investigate and confirm the scale and threat of dark creatures in the southern region."

"Thus, when your envoy detachment was attacked on the kingdom's border a few days ago, we happened to learn of it too!"

The Second Prince felt slightly reassured.

The Church of Light had secured its foothold in the kingdom largely because it helped nobles eliminate dark creatures.

Therefore, Archbishop Flint's explanation was perfectly reasonable.

"So that's how it is, Your Grace. I did indeed lose a detachment of over fifty men in the southern region!"

"But how does this concern the Church of Light? Why have you come here personally?" the Second Prince asked curiously.

"Your Highness, the priests we sent to the southern region have confirmed that the scale of dark creatures there has reached a critically dangerous level!"

"If we do not contain or resolve this soon, the next attacks won't be limited to just one viscount's domain or your small detachment—entire southern region's safety could be at risk!"

"That's why I've come today, hoping Your Highness will support our Church's entry into the southern region."

"Not only to help the kingdom eradicate this dark creature plague, but also to establish temples there, ensuring the southern region is forever free from such attacks!"

"I believe a benevolent soul like Your Highness would never wish to see another tragedy like your knight detachment."

The Second Prince immediately frowned. "Archbishop Flint, are dark creatures in the southern region truly as urgent as you claim?"

"So far, there have only been two attacks—and I even suspect these two weren't accidents at all!"

Archbishop Flint didn't understand the Second Prince's meaning. "Your Highness, why do you think so?"

"Because I believe it's connected to the Lord of Stormhold. Both the attacked viscount and my knight detachment had conflicts with him before their incidents!"

Upon hearing this, Archbishop Flint actually smiled.

"Your Highness, I can assure you with absolute certainty: these were not human acts, but genuine accidents."

"Archbishop Flint, how can your Church be so certain?" Now it was the Second Prince's turn to ask.

"Your Highness, over two months ago, our Holy Maiden received a divine revelation, foretelling these two dark creature attacks in the southern region."

"At the time, our Church issued a warning to the Royal Civil Affairs Office—but apparently, it was ignored."

"Of course, though the warning had no effect, the record still exists in the Royal Civil Affairs Office."

Watching Archbishop Flint's confident demeanor, the Second Prince began to doubt himself.

Had he overthought this?

Were the attack on Viscount Park's castle and Japass's death truly accidents?

And since the Civil Affairs Office had the record, he only needed to send someone to verify it.

"Your Highness, please carefully consider my request—it is a virtuous act that could save countless lives in the southern region!"

"Moreover, to show our gratitude, should Your Highness lend your voice to support us, the Church of Light can offer you a safe, stable western trade route!"

"This…" The Second Prince had originally had no intention of getting involved with the Church of Light.

Saving countless lives? Let them all die—he didn't care. After all, the southern region was a frontier territory barely a century old, offering little profit.

All he cared about now was the throne.

Even worse, getting too close to the Church of Light might anger other nobles.

So it wasn't worth it.

But hearing the Church of Light would offer him a stable western trade route, the Second Prince was genuinely tempted.

Just over half a month ago, he'd lost the chance to open the western duchy trade route to his elder brother.

Now, this promise from the Church of Light felt like a gift delivered straight to his heart.

Besides, since Japass had just been killed by dark creatures, speaking up now would draw the least backlash.

It was an opportunity too rare to miss!

"Your Grace, may I have time to consider?"

"Of course, Your Highness—it's your right. But please give me your answer within two days, for on the third day, nobles supporting our Church's entry into the southern region will jointly petition His Majesty in the Great Hall!"

Archbishop Flint departed.

The Second Prince wasted no time—he immediately dispatched a subordinate to the Civil Affairs Office.

Soon, the subordinate returned. "Your Highness, two months ago, the Church of Light did submit a warning to the Civil Affairs Office: that the southeastern southern region would suffer two dark creature attacks within the next one to two months!"

"It also specified the approximate scale of the dark creatures—our comparison with Iron Wolf City's report shows minimal discrepancy."

"But since the attack locations and targets weren't precise, the Civil Affairs Office didn't take it seriously…"

Hearing this, the Second Prince was now fully convinced.

The Church of Light's Holy Maiden receiving divine revelations and foreseeing the future was no unfamiliar tale in the kingdom.

It had been proven many times before.

This was one reason nobles feared the Church of Light yet never outright rejected it.

Now that the Civil Affairs Office's record confirmed it, he could be certain Archbishop Flint hadn't lied.

He could safely assist the Church of Light—and claim the reward.

Of course, to avoid appearing bribed by the Church of Light, he needed to create public momentum.

"Go out now and loudly spread the news of Japass's attack by dark creatures—emphasize the threat of dark creatures in the southern region…"

"Also, say Japass was utterly loyal to me, and this tragedy has deeply grieved me."

"I will personally hold a funeral for Japass and grant his family generous compensation…"