Asa walked towards the Duke's mansion with the letter of appointment that Bishop Ronis had just handed over to him.

  Although he was still wearing the dirty robe that Sandru had given him, he was now a licensed inspector authorized by Archbishop himself.

  Of course, this is not an official in the true sense of the word, and there is no such position in the imperial bureaucracy. To put it bluntly, he can only be regarded as a clergyman sent by the bishop to inspect various places on behalf of the church.

  But if you want to put it figuratively, he is the special envoy of the Archbishop, with the right to command all church affairs wherever he goes. Bishop Ronis probably didn't think he would really direct any church affairs, and it's clear that he has no interest in doing so, but only hopes that the deterrent effect of this title will make things more convenient for him when he acts locally.

  What benefits would such a position bring? Asa thought. He had never thought about having a certain status to command people, and he had never thought that he would embark on an official career with power. It wasn't that he didn't dare to hope so he didn't think about it, but rather like cows and sheep seeing dogs gnawing bones, he was simply not interested, and no matter how much others coveted it, it was indeed just a waste for him. When Bishop Ronis said he would grant it to him, he wanted to say that he actually didn't believe in any gods and didn't want to be a clergyman, but ultimately didn't dare say it out loud.

  But since such power already exists, it's necessary to consider the pros and cons it brings. Even if it's just a religious position in the church, it will likely still hold significant influence in actual practice.

  It should be fine to come and eat, right? If we arrive at the town's market, we can go to the church to beg for food, no need to starve like in Aili anymore. After thinking about it for half a day, Asa could only come up with this conclusion. Probably this thing isn't completely useless after all.

  Go to the Duke's mansion now and find out where Chris is, then leave immediately. Who knows where that dead woman ran to a distant place, if it's too far, it won't be easy to handle, there's no place to borrow travel expenses again. Just now also forgot to report to Bishop-sama about this economic difficulty, can't possibly go back to ask for money now. Thinking of Bishop-sama's trusting eyes and attitude, Asa immediately felt that even if he had to crawl, he would crawl to Chris' place to get the book back.

  Should I go borrow from the Duke? How can I put it into words? This time, there's nothing left to pawn... Amidst her wild thoughts, Asa walked back to the Duke's mansion.

  The Duke's mansion, from top to bottom, everyone has a bit of the Duke's calm and composed temperament. Although he just saw Asa being taken away by the Bishop's carriage, he was not intimidated by the implied meaning of this treatment, and still asked him to wait at the door for a while.

  The duke himself came out to greet him. Of course, his face still had a very pure smile, and no matter how observant or unobservant the person was, they would never think that there was any impurity in it.

  Aras didn't rush to ask about Chris immediately. The bishop said that this matter must be handled naturally, without leaving any traces. He couldn't just ask directly, but had to bring it up casually in a conversation, then pretend to suddenly realize that he had something taken by Chris that he needed urgently... He was mentally rehearsing his not-so-skilled acting skills.

  "Xiao Yi should be better now?" Asa started with this topic.

  "She still hasn't woken up, but her complexion has improved a lot. She looks like she's just sleeping normally. I think it's better to let her rest well and wake up naturally when the time comes. Do you want to go see her?"

  "No, never mind, let her have a good rest."

  After a moment of silence, Asa found that his language was really inadequate when dealing with people. He became a bit anxious.

  The duke can now be certain that Asa is indeed not someone with a mysterious identity behind the scenes.

  As a master of the official scene, a virtuoso of social interactions, the duke could discern from every person's way of speaking, temperament, and subtle movements the significance they conveyed, representing their living environment, education, mood, even ability and character as clearly as an experienced butcher can grasp the vital points of a slaughtered animal at a glance. This is the unique insight of every master who has honed their skills into an art in their own field.

  The young man's behavior is indeed as he judged two months ago, rough and unpolished from lack of experience with power and etiquette. The bishop should only have a personal relationship with him. This is better, relationships based on interests change with the changes in interests, only personal feelings are long-lasting and reliable. If we can't get the bishop, then getting someone who is very close to the bishop would also be a great gain. Most importantly, this young man has been holding onto some information that poses a threat to himself, although it was already handled two months ago, but if he were to become an ally, that would be perfect.

  "Young man, would you mind following me to the study for a chat?" The duke's way of responding was his own unique art, not showing any hurry to reveal his true intentions, making everything seem so natural. He had just let Klauvis leave the ducal mansion, and it was only convenient to communicate emotions when they were alone together.

  "Good." Asa nodded hastily.

  He arrived at the duke's study. Asa was a little surprised by the full house of bookshelves and books, and thus had a kind of admiration for the duke. People who don't read much have an inexplicable respect for those who can read particularly well.

  "I really don't know how to express my gratitude," the duke grasped Asa's hand, his tone and expression perfectly in sync. "You've saved my daughter time and again; this kindness is something I must repay no matter what."

  A Sa looked embarrassed instead. He shook his head and stuttered, "This is what I should do... no, actually it's not a big deal... Xiaoyi is just my friend..."

  "You go ahead, no matter what it is, as long as I can do something to help you achieve it." The duke expressed his gratitude sincerely. "If you're interested in developing your career, I'll definitely support you with all my might, and with your talent, you'll surely make a smooth sail to success. Although I know this way of thanking you is quite common, I just can't think of any other way."

  "No need, I'm not interested in these."

  It was an answer that was entirely expected. The young man's personality had been known to him from the very beginning. The duke pretended to sigh and said, "Young man, you probably haven't truly lived in this world yet, where power is the most useful and indispensable thing in a world made up of human relationships and systems."

  "Perhaps you are still young, full of vigor and wanting to make your own way in the world, disregarding worldly fame and fortune. Just like I was when I was young." The duke patted Asa's shoulder with a sigh, letting out a heartfelt laugh. "I really like your personality." If you want others to treat you as a friend, then you must first treat others as friends.

  The duke seemed to have spoken out of immediate interest and casually chatted with Asa. His words did not reveal a bit of intentional intention, but he was able to express intimacy and interest in a timely manner. The expression, tone, and content of the conversation blended into a subtle atmosphere, fully expressing what the duke wanted others to feel. No matter who it is, chatting with such a person is a very pleasant thing.

  This is just a setup, as long as people have a good impression, they can gradually move forward and see the other person's character preferences and even privacy, and then there will be opportunities to establish deeper emotional connections. Everything must be done naturally, once others see your intentions, it will only backfire. This is a very subtle skill, but also the Duke's specialty.

  However, Asa didn't feel much of the duke's brilliant performance, and he was thinking about how to ask the duke about Chris.

  The duke was just about to delve deeper into the subject when a sudden flurry of footsteps interrupted his train of thought. A servant rushed into the study.

  The duke was well aware of the quality of his subordinates, and he had long since ordered that no one be allowed to approach the study. Yet this subordinate dared to rush in so flustered, which could only mean that something major had suddenly occurred. He furrowed his brow and asked, "What's happened?"

  The servant wanted to walk up to the duke's ear and report quietly, the duke waved his hand: "Just say that." In this case, of course, Asa couldn't be made to feel left out.

  "Just now a fast horse brought news that Miss Chris's merchant group was robbed at the western border, and she was also captured as a hostage for ransom."

  The duke's expression changed slightly, both surprised and delighted.

  Anyone would be shocked to hear that their daughter had been kidnapped. But he immediately saw Asa's face turn even more severe, almost stunned. He was suddenly overjoyed.

  Those cowardly wretches are only out for their own gain, they wouldn't dare harm a duke's daughter. And yet this obvious panic is something far more valuable.

  He was surprised, showing he cared, and since he cared, it meant there was room for improvement.

  This is indeed a timely good news.

  At this time, Clavius was in the mansion of his uncle, the Prime Minister.

  He hated coming here during peacetime. Although the head of the Erni family had always been his father, since the new emperor ascended to the throne two years ago and appointed his uncle as prime minister, there have been constant rumors within the clan about re-electing a new head.

  The duke returned hastily on horseback from outside and told him to withdraw for the time being.

  He knew what the duke meant. He had just seen Asa being taken away by the bishop's carriage, and the duke could also see that he disliked Asa very much, so he called him to withdraw in order not to hinder.

  He was well aware that this was a necessary means of communication, and he should indeed walk away, but he was still extremely angry. This shows that in the eyes of the duke, he is not as important as that person in some way. Now his original dislike for Asa has escalated to a kind of hostility.

  He walked into a room. He immediately saw the big bed in the middle, which was very prominent, as if afraid that others would not know that this room was used for sleeping.

  This bed is big enough for ten people to sleep on, and the high-end fabric used on it would require a hundred ordinary people to work for a year to afford. It's stuffed with cotton and down feathers, so it must be very comfortable to sleep on.

  Klause would never go to sleep on such a bed. He thought that once people rested too comfortably, their will to fight would slacken and their spirit would become lax. And spending energy on these pleasures was undoubtedly the symbol of waste.

  But even if it's a waste, as long as it's used properly, it can still play a considerable role.

  The rubbish on the bed was lying stark naked among several women who were also partially dressed. He looked surprised to see Klauwens come in. "A rare guest, it's been a long time since I've seen you." His face still wore an iron frame because his cheekbone had been smashed two months ago and hadn't fully healed yet.

  He pinched the women next to him and pointed at Klaus. "This is indeed the most capable and hardworking young man in our family, busy with national affairs day and night, who among you has the ability to get him on G and come back to tell me what he looks like when he's on it? I'll greatly reward you." Then looking at Klaus teasingly squeezed his eyes. "Do you want to try? These few are quite skilled."

  "Wow, really? So handsome and dashing!" Several women gazed at Klaus like a fragile apple, letting out flirtatious giggles.

  Klauvis didn't even spare a sideways glance, the few corpses in his eyes were as dull as pork on a chopping board. He stared at the face under the iron frame with an expressionless face and said: "I came to tell you something. The guy who hurt you last time is back."

  The rubbish suddenly bounced up from the pillow and body, roaring: "Is that so? I've been looking for him everywhere. Get someone to call me." He was stunned for a moment, then seemed to calm down again, staring at Clavius in confusion. "What are you telling me this for? It was you who told me last time. You're not thinking of dealing with him yourself, are you?"

  It seems that at least the brain is not completely useless, and I still know how to think. Klavius's face didn't even twitch a single hair, and he said coldly with an indifferent expression: "This time I'm here to tell you, it's better if you see him but don't go looking for trouble. Just because you probably can't move him, he has a relationship with the Archbishop. I don't want to see our family and the Archbishop having an unpleasant situation, so I came to remind you."

  The face under the iron frame suddenly twitched, turning into a ferocious expression, staring at Claudius with the eyes of an enraged dog and growling fiercely: "I don't need you to teach me what to do. And I warn you, don't interfere with my business." He got out of bed, and several women quickly came up to help him put on his clothes and comb his small braids. That was his favorite hairstyle, which he thought was the most characteristic of himself, and he had once peeled off the scalp of someone who dared to imitate this hairstyle.

  Krauss remained expressionless beside him. He turned his head and glared at Krauss fiercely, saying provocatively: "If you're not convinced, I'll have your old man try being the prime minister too."

  Klaatu's expression didn't change. He suddenly turned around and walked out of the room, his footsteps echoing down the long corridor.

  Making sure no one was looking, a faint smile of satisfaction curled up at the corner of his mouth. He hadn't smiled in a long time.