Chapter 102.1: ๐๐ง๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฉ (2)
Johan did not refuse the embracing bishop and accepted it.
Despite the rumors of having a greasy and corrupt soul, the bishopโs appearance was plausible enough to deceive even Johan.
True to being a sheep beastman, he had two well-groomed, stylish horns on his head, his face was slightly emaciated like a priest practicing asceticism, and his voice and eyes were full of restrained power.contemporary romance
โ๐๐ฆ ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ด ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฅ ๐ข๐ต ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ด๐ฆ๐ญ๐บ๐ต๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฏ๐จ.โ
Surely, not just anyone could be a bishop. Of course, one needs a supporting family in the background, but personal capability is essential too.
After the greetings, Bishop Biagione praised Johan for capturing the troll and wiping out the den of the heretics, clapping his hands and stamping his feet in an experienced manner.
Even a knight who shunned the bishop upon hearing his rumors couldnโt help but be swayed by his reputation and aura once meeting him face to face.
Especially after hearing such words directly!
โ๐๐ถ๐ต ๐ฉ๐ฆโ๐ด ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ ๐ช๐ฏ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ข๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต ๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ๐บ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ.โ
Of course, Johan was thinking about what to have for dinner, letting the bishopโs words go in one ear and out the other. What was interesting was how well the bishop knew about the events that happened far away.
It meant that the communication between the church orders was that detailed.
No surprise there. Even now, most of the record-keeping and administration in the fiefdoms were handled by the church. . .
Johan waited, then bowed his head and covered his face with his hands. To anyone looking, it seemed like he was overwhelmed with emotion and holding back tears.
โWhatโs wrong?โ
โI didnโt expect to meet you, Bishop. . .โ
โDonโt be too nervous! I, Biagione, am just a humble servant of God.โ
Karamaf, who was lying next to them, growled indifferently. Biagione flinched. It seemed he was quite afraid of wolves, given Karamafโs size.
โWe are all the same souls before God. I, Biagione, consider you a brother in faith, and you should also consider me one.โ
After an awkward moment passed, the bishop began to get to the point.
He praised the bravery of the mercenaries and warriors led by Johan, and then asked where he planned to go now that the cityโs fight was over.
โI havenโt decided yet.โ
โThen fight for faith and belief, brother.โ
For a moment, Johan thought the bishop was suggesting going on a crusade, but realized the bishop wasnโt that insane.
It was just a fancy way of saying to fight under the bishopโs name!
โ๐ ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ณ๐ช๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ.โ
In this era, everyone had many enemies, especially the powers attached to the Edene Sea. For instance, the Beneto Republic fought with other city-states in the west, small kingdoms in the east, and pagans and pirates in the southern sea.
In this light, the several hundred fierce and brave warriors led by Johan were certainly noteworthy, especially for their accomplishments in the recent siege.
โFighting for the city?โ
โNo. Youโre fighting for me, Biagione. Remember, thatโs different. Donโt fall for the city folksโ attempts to corrupt you.โ
The bishop stated it bluntly.
Johan was puzzled. Donโt people usually say theyโre fighting for the city?
โThe path of a faithful person is always lonely. There are many who target me, Biagione. Both outside and inside the city. Will you protect me with your well-honed sword and fiery faith?โ
โOf course.โ
Though Johan intended to negotiate depending on how much the other party was willing to pay, he initially agreed. After all, he could always come up with an excuse to refuse later.
โ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ญ๐บ ๐ฉ๐ฆโ๐ด ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ญ๐ญ ๐ข ๐ง๐ข๐ด๐ต ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ช๐ต๐ฉ ๐ซ๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฅ๐ด.โ
However, the bishop turned out to be surprisingly generous.
He had a servant bring out a chest full of Empire gold coins and insisted that Johan fill his hands with them himself. It was an effective display of wealth. With this much, he could easily employ people for a year and still have some left.
โI donโt doubt your faith, brother, but those you employ will need gold. Is this sufficient?โ
โItโs more than enough, thank you.โ
โ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ต?โ
Johan felt slightly baffled as his expectations were off. He had thought the bishopโs friendly demeanor and mention of faith were ploys to hire him cheaply.
But with this amount of gold, such tactics were unnecessary.
Was it just a conversation to build camaraderie?
โBut, Bishop, I am a knight of His Excellency the Duke, and at the same time, a cavalry officer. . .โ
โD-Donโt worry about that, brother. I have no intention of clashing with His Excellency. Even if I did, I wouldnโt send you to such a place. Do you feel reassured now?โ
โYes, thank you.โ
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