Chapter 870 - 225: Viscount
The person arriving was none other than Viscount Ola, who nominally also controlled half of Du Lan.
A man clad in a gray overcoat, wearing a tie, and sporting a small mustache stepped down from the carriage.
Viscount Ola immediately gave the impression of being very shrewd.
Although not obvious, Nobu could still see at a glance that the skin on Ola’s neck showed symptoms of ulcers, as if they had been covered up by something.
"Nobu High Priest, I was planning to come by yesterday, but was tied up by some matters," Ola walked over with brisk steps, speaking as he did.
Nobu took a drag of his cigarette but remained still; removing the garment would make it hard for anyone to think he was the High Priest of All Beings Sect, appearing instead as an ordinary, pot-bellied merchant.
He originally was just a merchant.
"You should have seen the Princess’s letter, Viscount," Nobu said with measured tone, having sent Kasmin’s personally written letter to Viscount Ola the day before.
The Southern Continent, being the territory of the Conservative Faction, naturally acknowledges Princess Kasmin, who is destined to be the true Empress.
Ola’s face immediately grew rigid, for he had indeed read it; upon receiving the letter yesterday, he had immediately opened it, puzzled by how to respond, and hadn’t slept all night.
The presence of the letter meant he would rank below Nobu, even though Nobu held no title or was not a noble.
As long as the Princess remains immortal and successfully ascends the throne, All Beings Sect is highly likely to become the National Religion.
This was a terrifying prospect.
The Empire itself is repellent to religion, even the Housheng Sect, the sole acknowledged one, doesn’t hold much influence.
If that happens, the Empire would undergo a radical transformation, setting off on a new path.
This placed enormous pressure on him, left unsure of how to deal with it, between All Beings Sect and Black Rope Sect.
Initially, he didn’t pay much attention to Black Rope Sect, merely treating it as a tool, but once the plague struck, uncontrollable events multiplied, and that tool quickly spiraled out of control.
His words might not carry much weight in Du Lan.
"Seen it, of course, seen it; it’s the Princess’s letter," Ola repeated.
Nobu knit his brows slightly, retorting coldly, "Since you know, how could you allow Black Rope Sect people to barricade the nearby streets? According to Empire law, they lack such authority."
"Besides, such an enigmatic Church should be labeled a heretical cult, shouldn’t it?"
"Are you condoning them?"
Ola hadn’t expected Nobu’s blunt confrontation, showing an awkward expression as he replied, "High Priest, you have no idea, the situation in Du Lan is quite complex now, the plague has spread throughout the Southern Continent, and Black Rope Sect holds the medicine to delay the symptoms of the plague..."
Nobu’s demeanor suddenly changed, smiling as he said, "Black Rope Sect has indeed done some good in this regard; their nervousness in response to our abrupt arrival is normal... Viscount, you’ve come to us wanting to cure the plague upon you, haven’t you?"
Ola was taken aback, feeling Nobu was speaking incoherently, yet he still nodded and stated,
"Yes, High Priest, I also want to cure the plague in me and my family members; my wife’s symptoms are very severe and were it not for Black Rope Sect’s medicine keeping her alive, she would likely have died long ago."
Not far away, Black Rope Sect believers gazed over, slightly stunned by the sudden appearance of Viscount Ola.
"Notify the Great Sect Leader at once, say that Ola guy went to All Beings Sect’s side. When did they make contact?" a man in a black school uniform, with brown long hair and fair complexion, said coldly,
"This sudden arrival of All Beings Sect is beyond our imaginations; I say they should have been eliminated last night, avoiding all these issues."
Black Rope Sect’s current position was inseparable from Viscount Ola or, rather, without Ola, Black Rope Sect couldn’t have achieved so much.
The influence of a Great Noble upon a city is unimaginable.
Though they may not directly govern the city, they do directly supervise government departments and indirectly control the city, making it nearly their territory.
"Archbishop’s directives don’t require your commentary, remember, this is Du Lan," another person beside him responded bluntly.
The relationship between both sides appeared not to be very amicable.
Meanwhile, Nobu and Ola together entered the makeshift chapel set up by All Beings Sect.
Ola felt slightly surprised: "Though temporarily erected, this chapel seems nearly on par with Black Rope Sect’s chapel."
Nobu smiled and remarked, "The Viscount has visited Black Rope Sect’s chapel."
Ola unabashedly replied, "Indeed, mainly to discuss some matters, though I am certainly not a believer of Black God Cult, haha, High Priest, do not misunderstand."
Nobu shook his head, saying, "No problem—whether or not the Viscount is a Black God Cult follower, it doesn’t concern me."
In essence, he was someone who observed body language but, upon reaching this position, realized he neither needed to observe such cues nor concerned himself with others’ feelings; all he needed to do was what his duties demanded.
"If the Viscount wishes to cure the plague, we require little; simply becoming a believer of All Beings Sect suffices. Naturally, if your family wishes to cure the plague, they too must become followers," Nobu explained.
Ola was taken aback, finding this contrary to his expectations, thinking Nobu would propose numerous demanding conditions for which they would negotiate.
Typical business discussions proceed this way; other matters are hardly different from business negotiations, with the largest factories in Du Lan under his control.
"Are there any requirements for becoming a follower? I haven’t ventured into this domain before, so I’m unclear," Otto earnestly inquired, evidently eager to resolve the troublesome plague.
For anyone, it’s a grand problem.
Nobu pondered briefly, then said, "I understand your deep love for your wife; we can fully cure both you and her of the disease."
"It’s our duty, our responsibility. Simultaneously, I hope Black Rope Sect doesn’t seek further trouble with us; their allowance to exist would be the utmost limit."
"I also hope you can address the issue; of course, if you’re unable to manage it, that’s fine too, it won’t impede you and your wife’s initiation as our followers."
His words were straightforward, calling either for the Viscount to resolve the Black Rope Sect trouble or for the Viscount not to intervene at all, allowing them to handle it themselves.