Chapter 310: The Church of Light

"Your Highness, Prince Second, I apologize for this unannounced visit—I hope I have not disturbed you."

"Archbishop Flint, you are too kind; your arrival brings honor to Emerald Manor. Please, be seated!"

In the presence of Archbishop Flint, the Second Prince restrained his haughty aura.

Although the Church of Light had only recently grown powerful over the past few decades, it had now become an undeniable force.

Though nobles disliked the Church of Light, believing it incited the serfs too strongly,

now was precisely the time to seek more support—even if not drawing too close, there was no reason to offend it.

Only after Archbishop Flint had taken his seat did the Second Prince speak to ask his purpose.

"Your Highness, I received word that a knight detachment under your command was attacked at 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 delayed its reports by several days to investigate thoroughly,

a swift 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 I do, it must mean they've already established many networks in the Southern Region.

Seeing his expression, Archbishop Flint understood 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!"

"Your Highness, have you heard 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 the dark creatures in the Southern Region."

"Thus, when your envoy detachment was attacked at the kingdom's border just days ago, we happened to learn of it as well!"

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 what does this have to do with the Church of Light? Why did 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 this is not contained or resolved soon, the next attacks may not be limited to just one viscount's domain and your small detachment—they could threaten the entire Southern Region's safety!"

"That is why I have come, hoping you will support our Church's entry into the Southern Region."

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

"I believe a benevolent ruler like yourself would not wish to see another tragedy like your knight detachment's fate."

The Second Prince immediately frowned. "Archbishop Flint, are the 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 were not accidents!"

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

"Because I believe it is 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 man-made—they were 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, prophesying these two dark creature attacks in the Southern Region."

"At the time, our Church issued a warning to the Royal Civil Affairs Office—but this message was likely 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?

Was the attack on Lord Pa Ke's castle and Japass's death truly an accident?

And since the Civil Affairs Office had the record, all he needed to do was send someone to verify its truth.

"Your Highness, please carefully consider my request—it is truly a virtuous act to save countless lives in the Southern Region!"

"Moreover, to show our gratitude, should you support our Church's entry, we can provide you with a safe and stable western trade route!"

"This…" The Second Prince had originally had no intention of meddling in the Church of Light's affairs.

Saving countless lives? Let them all die—he didn't care. After all, the Southern Region was a frontier territory developed barely a century ago, offering little profit.

All he cared about now was the throne.

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

So it was not 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 had lost the opportunity to open the western duchy's trade route to his elder brother.

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

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

It was a rare opportunity!

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

"Of course, Your Highness—it is 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 Your Majesty before the throne!"

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 indeed submit a warning to the Civil Affairs Office, stating 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—the figures match closely with Iron Wolf City's report."

However, because the location and target of the attack were unclear, the Civil Affairs Office did not take it seriously...

The second prince, upon hearing this, was now completely convinced.

The Holy Maiden of the Church of Light could receive divine revelations and foretell the future — this was no stranger to the entire kingdom.

There had been many previous instances confirming this.

This was one of the reasons the nobles both feared and never outright rejected the Church of Light.

Now that it was confirmed the Civil Affairs Office also had this record, it was certain Flint had not lied to him.

He could now safely assist the Church of Light and reap the benefits.

Of course, to avoid making the nobles think he had been bribed by the Church of Light, he needed to create public momentum!

"Go out now and loudly proclaim that Japass was attacked by dark creatures! Emphasize the threat posed by the dark creatures in the Southern Region..."

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

"I will personally hold a funeral for Japass, and grant a generous pension..."