Chapter 248
"I'm telling you, I knew right then that I was being treated like a tool, destined to be silenced. That's why I've been hiding my assets, preparing to escape across the ocean, to live incognito as a pioneer, and to start anew through cotton trading."
The Grain Import and Export Association?
That name stuck in Xia'er’s mind.
Though she still didn’t fully understand the connection between the association and the attack, it was a breakthrough of sorts, preventing her from flailing about like a headless chicken.
The key was to figure out who was trying to send the money and who was on the receiving end.
After confirming that the transaction was taking place at the Charlie Bank, Tara glanced back at Xia'er. Receiving a nod of affirmation, Tara turned to Balfour and said, "Alright, you can go now. Forget everything that happened tonight."
"Yes, my lady."
Balfour struggled to his feet, bowing humbly as he sidestepped Xia'er and Tara, opening the wooden door and leaving.
Of course, he couldn’t actually escape the dungeon; outside, a dozen or so extraordinary members of the Saintly Order were waiting. This was all just a show for the next act.
Whether they believed it or not, appearances had to be maintained.
Controlling ordinary people and first- or second-tier extraordinary beings was manageable, but when it came to third-tier, even a Luminary Bishop wouldn’t dare guarantee they could brainwash someone completely in just a few days—especially since Xia'er only had 24 hours to work with.
It was best to have them cooperate willingly.
Next, Tara followed suit, cutting the ropes binding John Chamberlain and instructing the White Shadow to remove the rag from his mouth.
The Chief Commissioner seemed to see a glimmer of hope for survival. Before Xia'er could even ask, he spilled everything he knew like beans from a bamboo tube.
These days hadn’t been kind to Mayor John.
Originally, the development of Berlun City was thriving, a testament to John’s achievements as Chief Commissioner. If things continued this way, he might even earn the Queen’s commendation, receiving a knighthood or a baronial title.
This was all thanks to his foresight—he was among the first to use trains to transport North Ansu refugees to build railroads and factories. The influx of cheap labor had rapidly propelled Berlun City’s growth, attracting even more investment.
But when the "landmine" exploded, Berlun City was hit the hardest.
For days, he had been preoccupied with handling worker protests, refugee riots, and terrorist attacks from the Orlando Republican Army. His support within the municipal council had plummeted to the brink of no return.
To quell the anger of the nobles and wealthy merchants, he had no choice but to order the closure of the Bell Tower Church and prepare to expel the Church of the Savior Goddess.
In the eyes of the nobles and merchants, whether it was the Orlando Republican Army, the refugees, or the workers, they all had the Church of the Savior Goddess behind them, as the majority of them shared that faith.
With the Church of the Savior Goddess unable to shake off the connection, they had to make an example of someone.
What he didn’t see was that just days after he forcibly closed the Bell Tower Church, a serious assassination attempt against the nobles erupted.
"This is definitely retaliation from the Church of the Savior Goddess, Your Excellency," John Chamberlain said, lowering his head as much as possible, trembling as he spoke. "I have not aligned myself with any faction."
"Ugh!"
As John spoke, the only one not blindfolded on his left, the High Priestess Yulisi, suddenly began to struggle, shaking her head vigorously.
Xia'er glanced at Tara, who nodded back, indicating that Mayor John was indeed telling the truth. Then Xia'er said, "Let her down. It seems she has something to say."
Upon hearing Xia'er’s words, Tara stepped forward but paused, turning back to Xia'er, kneeling slightly as she said, "I’m so sorry, Lord Xia'er... This was a mistake on my foolish servant's part."
"I was supposed to capture that bishop, but she was too cunning. Even though she was gravely injured, she managed to escape... The 'Luminary Bishop' is just too adept at fleeing—I don’t mean to make excuses for myself; I’m willing to accept any punishment."
Tara’s face was filled with shame. Hearing this, Xia'er finally understood why Yulisi had been captured.
So they couldn’t catch Xiu, and instead, they brought Yulisi in as a substitute.
Poor Yulisi, she always seemed to be caught up in these situations.
However, in the absence of the Church of the Savior Goddess’s bishop, capturing the High Priestess was indeed the best choice. Aside from the bishop, this High Priestess would know more.
Xia'er and Yulisi were somewhat "old acquaintances." Xia'er had many ways to make Yulisi listen to her, but given the current situation, her previous methods might not work.
At that moment, Tara had just removed the rag from Yulisi’s mouth. Now able to speak, Yulisi collapsed to the ground, quickly turning her face toward Mayor John, her expression filled with rare anger.
"This has absolutely nothing to do with the Church of the Savior Goddess! The Holy See would never engage in such actions that inflict suffering on others!"
Yulisi exclaimed angrily, momentarily forgetting she was still on the Saintly Order’s territory.
The Church of the Savior Goddess was her bottom line; she could not tolerate anyone slandering it.
But upon hearing Yulisi’s words, John retorted, "How could it not be you? Didn’t you support the worker protests? Didn’t you threaten the printing factory’s manager? I see it now... You two must be retaliating because the Church of the Savior Goddess’s poorhouse in North Ansu was burned down!"
"This is completely a different matter! Even if the Ansu government forbids us from aiding North Ansu, we would find other ways; assassination is out of the question!"
Yulisi vehemently countered, but no matter how she argued, it seemed the Church of the Savior Goddess was inextricably linked to the incident.
Yet, judging by Yulisi’s demeanor, she seemed to be defending the Church unconditionally, completely unaware of what the higher-ups were doing.
After all, in the Saintly Order, a priest could not know the secrets and actions of those above them; only someone in the position of a Cardinal would have access to such hidden information.
The Grain Import and Export Association, the Church of the Savior Goddess...
Neither of these suspects could be ruled out, Xia'er noted mentally.
"John, you can go now."
Xia'er waved her hand gently.
The mayor seemed genuinely caught in the middle, unable to influence the situation. In that case, it was best to brainwash him and let him go, allowing him to continue gathering intelligence for her, just like that fat merchant earlier, turning them into pawns of the Saintly Order.
As for Yulisi, Xia'er planned to keep her for last, to question her alone.
"Next."
Xia'er looked at Tara and nodded slightly.
It was only natural that Opode was brought in.
After all, this banquet was hosted by him.
No matter what, Opode had to provide an explanation.
Just as Tara was about to lower the White Shadow to release Opode, Yulisi, kneeling nearby, turned her face toward Xia'er in confusion.
She recognized Xia'er’s voice... the girl who had donated a large sum to the Bell Tower Church a month ago. Back then, Yulisi sensed something was off about her spirit.
But she could never have imagined that the seemingly ordinary girl could command so many extraordinary members of the Saintly Order, even directing the bishops of other cults...
Who on earth is she...
This might be the highest-ranking person she had ever encountered in the Saintly Order... She had to find a way to survive and bring news back to the Holy See...
"Cough, cough..."
After the rag was removed from Opode’s mouth, he coughed a couple of times and spat to the side.
"Ugh... Damn it... Do you know who I am?"
Opode glared up angrily, only to meet Xia'er’s gaze, which was as cold as that of a corpse. Instantly, his previously arrogant demeanor was crushed.
When he was hanging there, he could only see the top of the girl’s head; it was only when she looked up that he occasionally caught a glimpse of her face and eyes.
But when he truly locked eyes with Xia'er, a fear that seemed to come from the depths of his soul made him feel a shiver run down his spine.
What’s going on... She’s just an ordinary person, why do I feel afraid...
Moreover, the look in her eyes stirred a mix of emotions in Opode, blending anger and terror with a hint of anticipation.
He genuinely wanted to do something to provoke the girl before him, to feel that gaze upon him as she delivered some form of punishment... just like she had done to that fat man earlier.
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