Chapter 151: I Do Not Fear This Bodily Pain
Church of the Sanctuary, church.
Corleon withdrew his gaze from the cross and slightly lowered his head, closing his eyes.
“So this is what death feels like,” came the voice of Knight Wolf from behind.
The previously exploded flesh had reassembled into an armored body, though there were still some gaps in certain areas.
On the church floor, pieces of flesh twitched as they shook off the dust clinging to them, slowly crawling toward Knight Wolf's body.
“You’re merely injured. You’re still far from death,” Corleon replied.
“Then, what would true death feel like?” Knight Wolf asked.
“If Knight Wolf were to die right now, how would you feel?” Corleon asked in return.
“…Regretful, I suppose,” Knight Wolf responded.
“Then for Knight Wolf, the feeling of death should be regret,” Corleon said.
“The feeling of death… is regret…” Knight Wolf’s voice gradually fell silent.
The flesh on the ground finally reached Knight Wolf’s body and climbed up along his legs.
Upon reaching the gaps, they filled them in.
Once the repairs were done, the surface flesh shifted in color and texture until it returned to the material of armor, mending the holes in the armor.
Silence fell over the church. Knight Wolf seemed to be in a slumber, his body twitching occasionally.
Corleon simply knelt at the foot of the Lord’s Throne, head slightly lowered and eyes closed.
After some time, someone cautiously entered the church.
It was Piero. Half of his face looked withered and wrinkled, and the eye on that side was a dull gray—completely blind.
One of his sleeves hung empty, missing a segment of his arm. His posture while walking was slightly hunched, as if to show obedience.
“Honorable Bishop Corleon, I heard that Knight Wolf wishes to remain in the church to recuperate,” he said cautiously.
“I’m glad he’s willing to accept the church’s treatment, and I’m also glad he’s thinking about resting.”
“He’s been overworked recently. The local gentry and I are all worried about his health. He’s not young anymore.”
“Besides, with more knights now in the territory, some matters can be delegated to them. Knight Wolf should indeed get some rest.”
“However, things in town have been very busy lately.”
“As you know, Bishop, the territory has seen many changes recently. This has led to a shortage not only of town officials but even of tax officials in some villages. Autumn harvest is approaching, and I fear taxes won’t be collected in time.”
“That’s why I haven’t had the time to visit Knight Wolf. Of course, I’m doing this for the governance of the territory. I believe Knight Wolf will understand.”
“Also, while Priest Nyx was still alive, he suggested to Knight Wolf that after completing their studies, the apprentices from the monastery should serve as territorial officials.”
“They possess more knowledge and can assist the commoners in their daily lives, thereby boosting the territory’s productivity.”
“Knight Wolf agreed to this and even informed me.”
“So today, I came to visit Knight Wolf and also to inquire, Bishop, when will the monastery apprentices complete their studies and become officials to help me govern the territory?”
As Piero spoke, every word, every sound, every gesture had been carefully rehearsed over and over.
He simply hoped not to incur Corleon’s displeasure.
After all, before the new lord’s arrival, he believed he had, in some ways, offended Corleon.
Though he thought Corleon’s kindness wouldn’t make things difficult for him, forgiveness was the virtue of those in power.
And he was merely a minor administrator, so he had to maintain reverence in his heart.
He wasn’t afraid of assassination by the local gentry, as that wouldn’t cost him his authority—on the contrary, their repeated failures only made his position more secure.
But he feared the church.
After Knight Wolf chose to stay in the church, it could be said that the church now commanded eighty percent of York Territory’s military strength.
The remaining twenty percent were just guards slightly stronger than farmers.
With the lord absent, the church—holding such armed power—became the most dominant authority.
Not to mention the disappearance of the entire Daniels Family overnight proved the church possessed mysterious powers capable of erasing a noble family overnight.
How could he not fear that?
If the Bishop so desired, he could replace him at any time.
For example, with Knight Borien, who had recently been assigned by Knight Wolf to command part of the army; or those three scholars in the monastery who had once served as noble administrators.
Or even the baron currently imprisoned in the monastery.
So he exerted every effort to show goodwill and make it clear he was willing to obey the church’s orders.
Corleon did not turn around and said:
“Knight Wolf is here now. But since Administrator Piero has entered the lord’s library before, you should know—some things are better left unknown.”
Piero shuddered, a chill spreading in his heart, and dared not ask further.
“As for the apprentices, their studies are not yet complete, so they cannot yet serve as officials.”
“But I will assign the monastery a task—to help you draft laws. You can govern the territory based on those laws, and you only need to find literate people to act as local officials,” Corleon said.
“Of course, since this is labor by the monastery, they ought to be compensated. What do you think?”
“Yes, of course. I will offer a sum of gold to thank the church for its assistance in governing the territory,” Piero bowed even lower.
“Then, if there’s nothing else, please leave. Staying here too long wouldn’t be good for Administrator Piero,” Corleon said. “When you have free time, you may visit the monastery and speak with the teachers.”
“They are elders with rich governing experience. Perhaps they can offer you guidance in certain matters.”
Hearing Corleon’s words, Piero’s body trembled involuntarily. He responded and then backed away, still bowed.
After Piero had left, Knight Wolf spoke.
“The lord’s words should be the law. All matters in the territory should be conducted according to the lord’s law.”
“But the lord is not here now, and no news has come from him,” Corleon said.
“It’s as if the south is covered in a black veil. The Rat Path can deliver messages from other southern territories but cannot directly reach the lord.”
His revelation still could not bypass that flag to glimpse the south.
“…” Knight Wolf was silent for a moment before he said, “So, have we been abandoned by the lord?”
“Whether or not we have, we should ensure that when the lord returns, he sees a flourishing territory, don’t you think?” Corleon said.
“…You are right,” Knight Wolf replied in a deep voice.
“You must be in great pain now,” Corleon said. “It was a bit out of control earlier, and that left you no time to wait for the hospital to be built.”
“So I will have Oscar help you remove the armor from your body.”
“It will be very painful, but it will free you from the armor’s restraints and slow its erosion.”
“I do not fear this bodily pain,” he said.
Corleon nodded.