Cuthbert the High Priest has come to the Duke's mansion again, and today he is here at the invitation of the Duke. He increasingly feels that it is a great pity that he did not know this friend until now. Why didn't he discover such a worthy person to associate with earlier?

  After sitting down in the living room and exchanging pleasantries, the duke took out a piece of clothing and handed it to the high priest, saying: "This cassock was obtained by me on occasion. But for me, it's really useless. I think such a thing is most suitable for Lord Custbert."

  The high priest took the clothes and looked at them, it was a snow-white, simple and light robe. He smiled slightly, the duke always liked to give people such lovely little gifts. But the feeling of holding this robe in his hand was a bit strange, he brought it to his eyes for a closer look, the delicate texture, soft and comfortable to the touch, this robe was actually made from the finest silk imported from the far eastern seas. It's worth noting that many noblewomen in the capital were proud to have a pair of gloves made from this kind of silk, let alone such a large robe, which was extremely valuable. He couldn't help but hesitate, looking at the duke with his big and prominent eyes, saying: "Duke...this seems too precious..."

  "Is it expensive?" The duke seemed a bit surprised. "I didn't spend a single copper coin, and such an item is useless to me even if I kept it for myself, it's not worth a penny to me. And for someone as noble and upright as you, if you're still concerned about how much something costs or what value it has, isn't that a bit too worldly?" The duke made a dismissive expression, saying lightly, with a hint of disdain: "It's just a piece of clothing."

  Indeed, Cuthbert felt that his own astonishment was a bit too superficial. He couldn't help but feel a little ashamed, but more so delighted. He unfolded the robe and examined it carefully, loving it more and more as he imagined himself wearing it. However, he soon felt that something wasn't quite right. Although the robe didn't have any decorations and looked very simple, its style... according to the church's dress code, this was actually a robe that only a cardinal could wear. Cuthbert looked at the duke in surprise and said: "This is indeed a robe that only a cardinal can wear."

  "What?" The duke frowned. "Is that so? I didn't take a closer look after I got it. I didn't know this robe could only be worn by the Archbishop."

  "I cannot accept such a thing. Your Excellency, the Duke, would be better off taking it back and giving it to Bishop Ronis instead." The High Priest reluctantly handed the clothes back to the Duke with a tinge of regret.

  But the duke shook his head repeatedly. "How can something that has already been sent out be taken back? You'd better keep it, Lord Cuthbert, and wear it when you're promoted to bishop."

  Cuthbert, however, smiled wryly. Bishop Roncis was still in office and even if the bigwigs of the church did indeed have a very high opinion of his abilities, he could forget about this position for the next ten years.

  "And I would never give this thing to Bishop Ronis." Duke Mlak's face turned cold, and he let out a chilly snort. "I don't like him; as a bishop, he is somewhat derelict in his duties."

  "Ah?" The high priest's eyes bulged even more, looking at the duke in surprise. Although he had always been somewhat dissatisfied with Bishop Ronis in his heart, he never dared to show it. Bishop Ronis' prestige and achievements were not only unshakeable within the church, but also throughout the empire and the entire continent.

  "Hmm. While I acknowledge Bishop Ronis's past achievements and abilities, his recent actions have become increasingly unbefitting of a bishop."

  The duke's indignant expression seemed to radiate a sense of justice in the eyes of the high priest, who couldn't help but nod slightly: "Yes. As a respected and dignified archbishop, he actually has a close relationship with that despicable and contemptible person, Inham... And then there's the inexplicable promotion of some newcomers, who are essentially unrefined and useless, yet the archbishop treats them like treasures. Not to mention last time... Ah, I don't even want to say it again."

  The duke nodded: "As people get older, their minds become less clear. Being stubborn and muddled is inevitable. But he happens to be the Archbishop, which is a worry for the Empire."

  "This... doesn't seem like it would be that bad."

  "You, a noble clergyman, don't understand much about worldly affairs like politics and economics. In recent years, the empire's economy has been declining, and the church's income has also been dwindling. Do you know what the reason is?"

  "Could it be... because of Archbishop-sama as well?"

  "Indeed." The duke let out a sigh of concern for the country and its people. "It's all because the archbishop is always thinking about those extermination of undead cults, not putting in effort to educate people's hearts, making them feel at ease under God's protection. That's why there are riots among the commoners and heresies rising..."

  With a sigh, the duke muttered to himself in a low voice: "Sometimes I really wonder why those monsters from the Spirit Hall don't just send an assassin to take care of someone who wants to deal with them..."

  The high priest's ugly face twitched slightly, glanced at the white robe lying quietly on the table, and remained silent.

  The duke didn't gaze at the high priest, but he never missed anything that was worth seeing. Moreover, the energy and time he spent on this recently was just to find such an expression.

  When the High Priest left, the Duke insisted that he take the Archbishop's robe with him: "I believe you are the only one in the Empire who is qualified to wear this garment. Even if it doesn't fit now, please take it as my wish and conviction."

  After seeing off the high priest, the duke's complexion still didn't improve.

  Although the plan was proceeding perfectly step by step, there was no sign of improvement in the Duke's mood. Only he himself knew how adventurous this plan was. In his lifetime of planning and personally implementing countless plots and conspiracies, none had carried such heavy risks.

  But there's no way out, because it's already an inevitable trend. Because that is a situation where either you die or I perish.

  The duke looked towards the Magic Academy, the magnificent roof of the grand cathedral was visible from anywhere in the capital. The glorious and sacred majesty could still be felt even from a distance. He shook his head, muttering to himself: "It's you who forced me."

  Two days later, news came from the Magic Academy.

  "The bishop went to the west of the city by carriage to a large house where corpses were stored, and then let others wait outside, going in alone to talk with the old man inside for a long time. After the bishop came out, he looked very angry, and according to the priests, it seemed that they had never seen the bishop so angry before."

  "Alright, I know. You can go now." The duke waved his hand and the spy from the magic academy turned around and left.

  Although his daughter, Xiaoyi, had never been willing to clarify things, relying on the duke's mind, even if it was just a few words and some of the things he heard that night were enough to analyze some things. All of this was within his expectation.

  When a person is enraged, there will be an opening. Now it's undoubtedly the best time to take action. However, this is not enough. The Duke knows that even with Custbert's and his own grasp, it's still too small. He must find another helper somewhere. But where can he find a suitable person? If only Clavius hadn't gotten into trouble...

  Krauss was also brought back by the people sent out by the Duke this morning. The attendant who went to Aire with him reported to the Duke that his master had gone to duel with a church official halfway and did not return. Later, when the Duke saw Asa, he knew that his deputy was probably dead. He sent someone to look for him and actually found him. Fortunately, someone happened to see him dying in the woods, recognized that he was an officer and a nobleman, and saved him with the intention of receiving a reward. Even so, due to severe injuries and lying in the wilderness for several days, even after being brought back, he was still unconscious and his life was uncertain.

  "Marquis Elne requests an audience with Your Excellency." At this time a servant came in to report.

  Although I really didn't have the mood to deal with these trivial people, it was still necessary to meet them out of courtesy. The duke waved his hand somewhat impatiently and said: "Tell him to come find me in my study."

  In the study, the marquis silently lowered his head and looked gloomy. Having seen his own son half dead, even this father who usually had no sense of responsibility would not be doing well.

  "Young people are just too impulsive." The duke also sighed. "I've already found the best doctors in the capital, as well as the best priests and healing mages from the Magic Academy, and they'll definitely be able to save his life."

  The marquis remained silent, as if thinking about something. Just when the duke was about to politely ask him to leave, he suddenly looked up and asked: "Your Excellency, you know I'm often not in the capital and can't take care of the child. So I'd like to ask, how do you plan to arrange for his care?"

  The duke was taken aback, his attention having been focused elsewhere for the past few days, and he hadn't considered such a simple question. Treatment? Of course, it would be to cure him... but completely curing him was now impossible. The right wrist that had originally held the sword had rotted beyond recognition, and even if it could be saved, it would probably never be able to hold a spoon again. Moreover, his breastbone was completely shattered, and even if he managed to survive, he would be a cripple for the rest of his life.

  What to do with a useless person? The duke was taken aback again. Because he had never had the experience of dealing with waste. Everything in his hands, every person was useful. Useless things were not worth wasting his precious energy and spirit.

  Klaus is indeed a waste. His greatest role has been played out. And now the Ernie family is an empty shell, and even a cripple cannot be the captain of the Knights Templar, let alone inherit the mantle of Commander Roland. He can no longer bring any benefit or make any contribution to the Duke.

  And this seems to be a very dangerous waste as well. He's involved in too many things and knows too much...

  The duke, who had realized this, remained calm and said matter-of-factly: "Of course, we'll cure him first, then let him recover slowly."

  "I implore you to spare his life." The marquis's gaze was full of entreaty.

  Even with the self-control of a duke, his expression lost control for an instant. But he immediately recovered and still smiled so warmly. "What are you saying, Marquis..."

  However, the marquis did not respond to this kind smile at all, and still said lightly: "Although I have never been involved in the political struggles in the imperial capital, many things are clear to me... I understand that he already knows too much. Now he is also in your hands."

  The duke's signature smile was retracted, and he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. He had indeed subconsciously underestimated this prodigal son-in-law. After all, he used to be the number one romantic in the capital, although he indulged in sensual pleasures, his brain was absolutely not bad, and for political struggles, even if he hadn't eaten pork, he should know how pigs walked. Moreover, according to what Kusbert said, that hypocritical Ronis bishop who pretended to be a vegetarian but actually ate meat had a deep relationship with him, so it wasn't strange that he knew his own style and bottom line.

  "I know that even if I go to beg the Archbishop now, you'll still kill him and there's nothing I can do." The marquis' voice was filled with sorrow. "But he's my only son. I won't let him die. Please, I'm begging you, whatever it takes, I'll agree to it."

  "You're really good at joking." The duke laughed again, but this smile was mostly sarcastic. In an instant, his mind had evaluated the value of this relative according to his own values.

  A prodigal son, a fallen rogue, what qualifications do they have to ask for themselves? At most, he can only perform some small magic tricks, play with the art that is nothing but a pile of dung in his own eyes. As for political capital, his title and position are just decorations, and his greatest political capital is probably just being friends with Bishop Ronis, that old man. Speaking of which, this is also a piece of trash that knows too much and must be eliminated, hehe... Wait, friend of Bishop Ronis?

  The duke's slender eyes closed and reopened, the smile they contained was all joy. "Don't worry, I guarantee that Klaus will safely recover from his injuries. Just please help me with a small favor."

  "What's wrong?"

  "Just a small matter. Just shake hands with an old friend of yours. But you have to hold on tight, haha."

  Having arranged for this excellent help to be delivered to his doorstep, the Duke was considering how to go and speak with Grand High Priest Cuthbert when he knew that the Grand High Priest had come in person.

  The high priest invited the duke to a study, carefully closed the doors and windows, looked around, then solemnly said to the duke: "I would like to ask for your help with something."

  "What's wrong?"

  "A great boon to the people, I know you will be delighted to do it." Cuthbert's voice was very solemn and his expression was very serious, with bloodshot eyes.

  "Benefit the people? Good. I will definitely help you." The duke replied with a stern expression, which was rare for him to be so calm and peaceful. But in his heart, he had already burst out laughing. Because the Grand Priest's ugly face with those big bulging eyes made him look like a praying mantis, one that was full of killing intent, ready to capture its prey.

  I wonder if I look like a canary. The duke hasn't been this happy in a long time.