Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Killing with a Borrowed Knife

Bishop Augustus’s gaze landed on Raylo, so intense it felt tangible, as if it could see right through him.

He set down his cup, and the soft clink of it touching the table was exceptionally clear in the silent hall.

”What you say, Lord Baron, seems quite reasonable.”

Augustus’s voice remained even, but it carried a hint of imperceptible chill.

”But faith is the very foundation of a territory, the anchor of the soul. How can it be delayed for a mere lack of funds? A poverty of the soul is far more terrifying than material scarcity. Without the restraint of faith, the people’s hearts will stray, and wicked thoughts will fester. A young and promising man like yourself, Lord Baron, should understand this.”

The old man leaned forward slightly, his oppressive presence intensifying. ”Does the Lord Baron believe that as long as the people are fed and clothed, they have no need for the guidance and comfort of divine grace?”

The question was heavily loaded. The slightest misstep could lead to an accusation of blasphemy.

’This old fox is really turning up the heat,’ Raylo sneered inwardly.

His expression remained impassive.

”Lord Bishop, you misunderstand. I meant nothing of the sort. The radiance of the Light Divine Lord is like the sun and moon, shining upon all creation. We mortals are constantly bathed in it. How could we dare show the slightest disrespect?”

He changed his tune, his voice becoming earnest.

”While Black Stone Territory may not yet have a Divine Hall, my people constantly restrain their words and actions according to the Light Scripture, striving to be good and law-abiding. Within the territory, doors are left unlocked at night and no one takes what isn’t theirs. Is this not a manifestation of Faith Power?”

”Silver-tongued.”

Bishop Augustus finally retracted his scrutinizing gaze and leaned back in his chair.

”I must admit, Lord Baron, I’m impressed by your eloquence. However, verbal piety must ultimately be proven by action. A Divine Hall is not merely a place for prayer. It is a symbol of our Divine Lord’s glory, a beacon to enlighten the masses, and a solid fortress against the encroachment of evil.”

He paused, his gaze turning sharp.

”Lord Baron, you claim your territory is pure and your people devout. But according to my knowledge, this land is not as serene as you say.”

Raylo’s heart skipped a beat. ’This is it,’ he thought, ’the real test. I have to be careful, or he’ll slap me with some baseless accusation.’

He feigned confusion, furrowing his brow slightly.

”Oh? And what might that be, Lord Bishop? Is there something amiss within Black Stone Territory?”

His performance was perfect—a mix of concern and a hint of bewilderment at being questioned.

Bishop Augustus’s gaze swept over Raylo, as if trying to discern the truth in his words.

”Perhaps the Lord Baron is too occupied with his many duties to have noticed certain hidden filth.”

”Our Divine Lord’s light illuminates the land, but shadows are never far behind. In a place without the protection of a Divine Hall, without clergy to offer prayers day and night, evil can more easily take root and spread.”

He paused, giving Raylo time to process his words.

”I have heard... discordant whispers near the Lord Baron’s territory. It seems some fallen souls have forsaken the light of our Divine Lord and turned their faith to certain... unclean entities.”

Raylo’s thoughts raced.

’Is this old fox just probing, trying to scare me, or does he actually have concrete information?’

He thought for a moment, and a plan to deflect the blame quickly formed in his mind.

He feigned a moment of contemplation, his expression turning grave, then shifting to one of dawning realization and outrage.

”Lord Bishop, you don’t mean...”

Raylo lowered his voice and leaned forward slightly, as if sharing a grave secret.

”Are you referring to those degenerates entrenched in Baiyang Territory?”

He paused at the perfect moment to observe Augustus’s reaction.

”I only recently caught wind of it myself. I was troubled by the lack of concrete evidence and didn’t want to act rashly, for fear of alerting them and allowing those wicked fiends to prepare themselves.”

Raylo’s tone was filled with hatred for this ”evil,” as well as a hint of ”self-reproach” for not having handled it sooner.

”Viscount Baiyang of Baiyang Territory has been acting more and more strangely in recent years. I’ve heard... I’ve heard he has forsaken the Light and secretly joined some ’Demon Serpent Church,’ conducting vile rituals in his territory, deluding his people, and corrupting all life!”

Raylo’s voice was filled with ”righteous fury.”

”Such a degenerate is a massive stain on the glory of the Light Divine Lord! If Black Stone Territory were not so newly founded and my forces so limited, I would personally lead my Knights to raze that foul place to the ground and burn every last one of those blasphemers in holy flame!”

He delivered this speech with such righteous conviction, his expression one of pure anguish, that he seemed more impassioned than the most fervent zealot.

Bolin, standing to the side, was utterly dumbfounded.

Bishop Augustus listened in silence, a subtle glint flashing in his gray-blue eyes.

The atmosphere in the hall grew even more delicate following Raylo’s ”impassioned declaration.”

After a moment, Bishop Augustus finally spoke.

”The Demon Serpent Church?”

His brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

”That is a fallen sect that worships the Nine-headed Demon Serpent Hydra and pursues forbidden power. They are known for live sacrifices and Black Magic. Their methods are exceedingly cruel.”

His gaze returned to Raylo.

”If you knew of this, Lord Baron, why did you not report it to the Holy See sooner? Allowing such evil to fester in the lands of our Divine Lord is a dereliction of your duty.”

’Here we go,’ Raylo thought. His face, however, showed only ”panic” and ”indignation.”

”Lord Bishop, please allow me to explain!”

He gave a slight bow.

”I had only just received some vague intelligence and had yet to fully confirm it. Viscount Baiyang is a fellow noble, after all, and of a higher rank than I. If I were to make an accusation without conclusive proof, I feared it would incite unnecessary conflict. I might even be counter-accused, framed for coveting his territory.”

He sighed, looking thoroughly ”resigned.”

”Furthermore, as you know, Lord Bishop, Black Stone Territory has only just been established. Our forces are not yet sufficient, and the internal affairs of the territory are overwhelming. I am truly stretched thin. My plan was to continue investigating in secret and, once I had irrefutable evidence, report immediately to the Holy See and request Divine Punishment.”

”I never expected that the Light Divine Lord’s radiance would truly shine down upon us, sending you here, Lord Bishop, to deliver the people from suffering and purify this sin and filth on our behalf.”

His words both explained his failure to report and implied he had been ”proactive,” while cleverly redirecting the credit to the Bishop, suggesting his arrival was ”perfectly timed.”

Bishop Augustus stared at Raylo, his sharp gaze seeming to pierce right through to his soul.

Raylo met his gaze unflinchingly, his own eyes ”clear” and ”resolute,” projecting an air of ”guileless honesty and a clear conscience.”

Finally, Bishop Augustus’s expression seemed to soften, and his oppressive aura subsided slightly.

”Hmph. Viscount Baiyang...”

He snorted, his voice laced with palpable disgust.

”If what you say is true, that he has forsaken the Light and thrown himself into the arms of an Evil Deity, then he is simply courting his own destruction.”

He rose to his feet, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the hall.

”This matter is of grave importance and cannot be ignored. Now that I am aware of it, I have no reason to stand idly by.”

Bishop Augustus’s gaze shifted toward the world outside the hall, as if he could already see the land shrouded in ”evil.”

”The matter of the Black Stone Divine Hall will be postponed.”

He had made his decision.

”I will go to Baiyang Territory myself to investigate. If the situation is as you describe, I will make those blasphemers understand that no filth is permitted to exist under the Light of our Divine Lord!”

He turned and gave Raylo one last look.

”Lord Baron, I hope for your sake that you have not been untruthful. The price for deceiving the Holy See is one you cannot afford to pay.”

A great weight was finally lifted from Raylo’s shoulders, at least for now. Yet his expression remained one of ”respect” and ”sincerity.”

”Your perception is infallible, Lord Bishop. You will surely uncover the truth and purge this evil. I am willing to cooperate fully with your actions. Should you need anything, all of Black Stone Territory is at your command!”

”Very good.”

Bishop Augustus nodded, said no more, and turned to walk out of the hall.

”Give the order! We depart for Baiyang Territory at once!”

Outside, the stern Church Knights heard the command and immediately began to assemble.

Raylo straightened up. As he watched Bishop Augustus’s retreating figure, the corner of his mouth curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

’Finally sent that plague god packing, at least for now.’

’As for Viscount Baiyang...’

’Heh. He’s on his own.’

’Better you than me, my friend.’