Chapter 1379: Never-Fallen Bastia (2)

"It’s too smooth; the Earl has no reaction to those people. From what I understand of the Earl, it can’t be that simple. If it were, I could never gain the Earl’s trust and wouldn’t be able to access the control of the Order of Knights later."

Lawrence originally wanted to provoke a confrontation between the Earl and other nobles so that the Earl would need to choose a side for himself or at least reinstate him to appease the other nobles.

In time, he could seize the opportunity to retake part of the army, or even the Order of Knights.

"Do you think the Earl would trust you at a time like this?"

Vick, not being a child, could clearly see this guy wanted to play it safe. He immediately exposed him and added:

"Besides, we don’t have much time left. Once the matters at home are resolved and we haven’t acted, we won’t be needed."

Vick knew about some of the Lord’s plans and understood that once Hamlet’s internal issues were resolved, restoring the territory would be the primary task, and that day wasn’t far off.

"I know."

Lawrence replied calmly, not angered by being exposed, because he knew he couldn’t get off this ship once boarded...

Just as Vick said, the Earl was caught off guard by the suddenly emerged evil cult too, but to say he lost his composure because of it would be underestimating the [Imperial Tiger] who suppressed the Mountain Barbarian Tribe for over ten years.

In the castle built against the hills in Bastia City, the Earl was dealing with affairs in his room as usual.

The peak of a man’s life is at thirty. At forty or fifty, if he’s been pampered and maintained well, he’s still in his prime. But the Earl earned his position climbing over piles of dead bodies, having been through countless battles and injuries. Though only in his fifties, his hair was already completely white.

The once strong body that could wrestle a bull, the once boundless energy that could kill enemies without sleep for two to three days, had faded like the departing autumn.

Aging was inevitable, like the approaching winter day by day, as wounds ached faintly with the weather changes, making him drape himself in thick clothing, his figure slightly hunched.

Particularly in comparison to the tall and robust Bruce beside him, it was even more obvious. So now, more and more things were left to Bruce.

Like the current evil cult case.

"The investigation did indeed find it to be the sacrificial ritual left behind by a genuine evil cult activity..."

Yet the Earl still had a strong spirit, sneering at this.

"Why couldn’t it be those barbarians doing it? Don’t they frequently perform such blood sacrifices?

Moreover, appearing so suddenly, could it not be that those guys deliberately stirred this up to avoid battle?"

Bruce couldn’t help but fall into silence hearing this.

Dealing with the Barbarian Tribes every day, how could he not know the nature of their rituals?

However, he also understood what the Earl meant by saying this; he wanted to push these matters onto the Barbarian Tribes or those nobles. Either way, it couldn’t affect the operation to enter the mountains.

"The Church also sent people, and they’ve concluded this was a case of an evil cult sacrificial activity."

"That’s perfect, the Church can send their army chaplains into the mountains; by then, they’ll surely find those barbarian priests who love human skin and skulls."

The Earl acted as if nothing mattered, completely ignoring his noble status, and Bruce soon realized his father was teaching him, leading him into deeper thought instead of speaking.

It was only then the Earl slowly continued to speak.

"We must not fall into the enemy’s rhythm; we must firmly grasp the initiative in the war.

The facts or truth don’t matter; those people want to exploit this evil cult, and we can guide it in our direction."

"I understand, Father, but shouldn’t we be cautious about the Church’s stance?"

"What makes them think the Church would genuinely side with them? What can those guys offer? This Bishop cannot aspire to become a Cardinal without our support, and even within the Church’s upper echelons, we have friends."

The Earl stated bluntly, believing after managing Bastia for so many years and spending so much money and resources, it’s all for today.

The Church doesn’t have that many fanatics; the more fervently the lower-tier believes, the more fanatical. Who in the upper echelon desires to fight the evil cult with no gains?

Bruce realized why his father didn’t care about those guys approaching the Church and instead allowed it.

Because it was all a trap set by the Earl and the Church.

The Church does not have the courage to eradicate the evil cult, but they surely have the courage to capitalize on eliminating the evil cult, and quite a lot of courage at that.

Those guys offering money and people to cozy up to the Church are set for the fate of the "Four Great Families of the South."

By that time, when the Earl returns as much as he gives, everyone shares the Four Great Families’ assets; the Church takes money, the Earl takes land, a win-win.

When it comes to the fanatics screaming for a crackdown on evil cultists, the Earl also had something to say—

The evil cult must be eradicated at any time, and it must be done!

However, the definition of this evil cult must be mine.

These types are easily fooled, and what’s more, they’re tenacious, endure hardships, and are strong in battle.

Perfect to send as army chaplains or Crusaders to fight against the Barbarian Tribes and additionally eliminate a wave of fanatical believers, such an extreme faction could enhance control over the territory, all details Bruce needed to learn.