"Secondly, we only have one opportunity, failure means the mission fails, and we will be expelled from Marinburg."
"Thirdly, during the search, at the very least we cannot alert the Aesthetic Society at the start, as this will immediately arouse Agneda's vigilance. Once alerted, the Aesthetic Society will certainly transfer the Chaos Altar and Belte himself."
Veronica immediately summarized the key points of this operation.
The dining room fell into silence. Laine and Veronica carefully simulated several courses of action, but the success rate for each was not high.
Laine and Veronica faced two problems. First, he and the Jialan Witch were definitely already on the Aesthetic Society's blacklist. As soon as they dared to act, the Aesthetic Society would be the first to be alerted.
Secondly, getting Schultz to authorize visiting the orphanage for the two of them was easy, but keeping it confidential was not. Schultz could not authorize privately; he needed at least the consent of the two Upper Senators who co-managed the orphanage.
"We definitely can't appear directly, and directly obtaining His Grace the Duke's authorization is also out of the question. It's so frustrating to know there are problems in the orphanage but not be able to do anything!" Veronica stomped her foot in anger, deeply troubled by the situation where a crucial point was clear, yet nothing could be done.
"Calm down, let me think." Laine took Veronica's hand, signaling her to calm down.
Watching her man, who seemed so composed, the Jialan Witch sighed softly: "Should I just summon a meteor?"
"Pfft~ How long would you need to chant to summon a meteor? Would the two legendary grand mages stationed in Marinburg not notice?" Laine gestured for Veronica to sit down, helping her clear her mind that was stuck in a dead end: "Besides, how big of a meteor can you summon? Can it breach the city wall?"
"I say... Mr. Laine, Miss Veronica?" Amelia suddenly spoke up. The little maid timidly asked after listening to the entire story: "May I make a suggestion?"
"Go ahead." Laine nodded.
"Mr. Laine, some things don't require you to personally act. Instead, proving to the Upper House noblemen that the Aesthetic Society is the Chaos Sect is key." The little maid gently suggested to the two: "If the evidence is in the Aesthetic Society's orphanage, just let everyone know about it."
"Let everyone know?" Laine thought carefully, then his eyes suddenly lit up: "Got it!"
"I have a way! I have a way to make Agneda open the Chaos Altar willingly!" Laine stood up, having thought of a good idea.
"For this matter, we need to use Lops and Alfred a little." Laine laughed exaggeratedly, his smile reaching almost to its peak.
One day later, Marinburg Temple University District, Amber Avenue, City Hall, Marinburg Duke's Office.
"Edmond, Grimmer, there's something I want to discuss with you." The Duke of Marinburg, Van der Gubben-Schultz, pulled out an application: "This is a request from the Justice Church's Marinburg branch. Temple Knight Bierhoff expressed concern upon hearing that the orphan mortality rate in the Aesthetic Society's orphanage is high, and he offers help. The Justice Church is willing to some medicines and clothing, and provide divine art aid to the orphans in the orphanage."
"Why did those tin cans that preach about justice and boring commandments suddenly show such kindness?" Edmond Huron muttered, "I always feel they have ulterior motives. Perhaps this Temple Knight is also an admirer of Agneda?"
"Edmond! What's gotten into you again?" The other Upper Senator, Grimmer, frowned and reprimanded: "Can't the Justice Church offer goodwill even? Their donations might save more orphans! When did you become suspicious of everything being related to Agneda? Is this how old Huron taught you?"
Edmond also realized he had been overly sensitive. He could only apologize: "I didn't mean that, my lord Grimmer."
"Since you both see no problem, I'll approve it." Seeing no opposition from either of them, Schultz approved the request. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveI(F)ire.net
Both Upper Senate members nodded, indicating they had no objections.
"Oh, by the way, since that's the case, I might as well take the time to visit the orphanage myself today."
Temple Knight Bierhoff smoothly obtained permission to enter the Aesthetic Society's orphanage.
Thus, a high-profile team of a Temple Knight, two priests, and over ten paladins set out with a cart full of medicine, food, and clothing, headed to the Aesthetic Society Orphanage outside the city. The paladins were full of pride, eager to tell every passerby, "We're on our way to do good deeds!"
Temple Knight Bierhoff was in an exceptionally good mood.
Just yesterday, Lops, a gladiator and Wandering Knight who had recently made a name for himself in the Gladiatorial Arena, suddenly approached the Justice Church. He proposed donating a large sum of his gladiatorial earnings to them, requesting their help, and the beneficiary was to be the Aesthetic Society's orphanage.
Lops's reason was that he had heard of the high orphan mortality rate in the Aesthetic Society's orphanage, possibly due to inadequate food and clothing. Therefore, the Wandering Knight d a sum to be anonymously channeled to the Aesthetic Society's orphanage, with the Justice Church as the medium.
In these times, few wish to do good deeds anonymously! The Justice Church was obviously delighted, as it benefitted them with no downside, and could significantly enhance their reputation and ease tensions with Marinburg's nobility.
Hence Bierhoff earnestly accepted this commission, generously affirming he'd charge no commission and promptly fulfilled Lops' request.
Everything proceeded smoothly. Temple Guard Alfred mentioned knowing the Duke of Marinburg and volunteered to get the permit. Alfred did not let Bierhoff down, obtaining the permit in less than half a day, allowing the well-prepared paladins to set off openly and legitimatly.
In the City Hall, Schultz calculated the time, and thinking it was about right, he called out into his spacious office: "Mueller?"
"What are your orders, Your Grace?" A courtier mysteriously appeared beside Schultz as if a ghost.
"Please have Sir Robert Bayo Candreva wait at the City Hall entrance with my personal guard. I intend to personally visit the orphans at the Aesthetic Society Orphanage." Schultz instructed: "Also, please invite Sea God Archbishop Odrich."
"Understood!" Mueller promptly acknowledged.
After seeing Mueller off, Schultz smiled. The Grand Duke slowly opened the drawer beneath his desk.
Inside the drawer lay a finely crafted short fire cannon, made by a Master Dwarf Rune Artisan.
"It's been a while since I personally took action, I wonder if there'll be a chance this time?" Schultz retrieved the short fire cannon and then took a golden longsword from the wall; rarely had anyone seen the Duke's skills, for most who had were no longer alive. As the Duke of Marinburg, Schultz faced at least ten assassination attempts annually, but not one assassin had managed to harm this wealthiest merchant of the Old World.
The Duke's eyes glowed with golden flames: "Death is the limit, a torch for the Emperor's will, illuminating falsehood and darkness!"
"Trust in forthrightness, thus the Emperor will protect! Dying for the Emperor's cause, disintegration is worth it!"
When this group of paladins arrived at the Aesthetic Society Orphanage, they found this supposedly humble place enshrouded in mist and legend was actually lavishly grand. Rather than an "orphanage," it might as well have been a castle, with high walls and strict guards, even surrounded by a moat.
Though the paladins found this peculiar, they still knocked on the orphanage doors, filled with enthusiasm, expecting a warm welcome.
But reality disappointed them. The orphanage did not open its doors to welcome them; instead, only the gatekeeper opened a small window on the door, his muddy eyes laden with suspicion and hostility: "May I ask what business brings you here?"
"We are paladins! The Justice Church has come to spread warmth!"