Assassin's Chronicle - Chapter 458

Chapter 458: Image

Anfey heard the sound of prayers as he passed one of the rooms . The sound of prayers reminded him he wanted to speak to Warner, and he pushed opened the door . Inside, Warner was kneeling before a table and praying . The Book of Life was laying on the table and was glowing as Warner prayed .

Anfey stood there quietly, not wanting to interrupt him . Warner realized someone was behind him as he finished his prayers . He grabbed the Book of Life, holding it close to his chest, and turned around . He let out a sigh of relief and smiled when he saw it was Anfey . "What are you doing here, sir?" He scrambled up and pulled out a chair . "Please sit, sir . "

Anfey smiled and sat down . "Warner," he said quietly, "I heard you’ve been preaching a lot lately . How is that going for you? Did you convert anyone yet?"

Warner pursed his lips and hesitated . He looked at Anfey and did not say anything .

"I know Christian and the others oppose that," Anfey said . "And I know you’re too scared to openly preach to too many people . But don’t worry . I gave you the privilege to do so . They won’t do anything to you, even though they are not fond of your way . "

"Thank you, sir," Warner said carefully . "Truthfully, I haven’t converted a lot of people . It is very hard to preach in Country of Mercenaries . The mercenaries are very independent, and they do not believe in anything beyond themselves . They do not believe in God . There are some women that are interested, though . Mostly families of the mercenaries . "

"That makes sense," Anfey said, nodding . "Mercenaries must depend on themselves to make a living . " Anfey paused and frowned . "How many women are willing to convert?"

"Around two hundred," Warner said, lowering his eyes .

"Two hundred?" Anfey repeated . It was much less than he had expected, but now was not the time to show his disappointment . He wanted to encourage Warner . "It’s… a good number to start with," he said . "It’s good . Keep working on it . "

"But sir, most of the people that are willing to convert are women," Warner said . "Can they really help us?"

"Maybe," Anfey said . "But not yet, anyway . "

"What do you mean, sir?"

"Women will have children, right? Their children don’t know anything, but if their mothers are believers, they are more likely to be believers themselves . The women aren’t mercenaries and do not have to risk their lives everyday . They will talk and they will spread the news about their new religion . "

Warner nodded .

"If they really are pious, they won’t be the only ones living by the rules of the Church . They will make their husbands and everyone around them live by the same rules . Surely they will feel like they have sinned if their families do not follow these rules, and they will want to repent . That way, we will get more information . "

Warner frowned, then nodded .

"I know you can’t do everything by yourself," Anfey said . "I think it’s time for you find some preachers . I will have Alice give you some more money . This Country of Mercenaries must have more than just mercenaries . Focus on the normal people, not just the fighters . "

"You will give me money, sir?" Warner asked, shocked .

"It’s for recruiting preachers," Anfey reminded him . "If you use it for other things and Alice finds out, I’m not sure I can save you . "

"I won’t, sir, I promise . "

"Good . Remember what I said," Anfey said with a smile . "Normal people cannot hunt magic beasts, and this isn’t the best place to farm . Most of the people are laborers and live on very little wages . A preacher’s wage should be enough to entice them to join you . If the mercenaries don’t believe in god, they will . "

Warner nodded . "That is brilliant, sir," he said with a wide grin . "Thank you for this tip . "

Anfey shook his head . "They will be working for you . They will be your men," he said . "This is all I need to say today . Come up with a good plan and start doing it . If you need anything, you can always to go Alice . "

"Yes, sir," Warner said .

Anfey turned to leave, then he suddenly remembered something . He turned back to Warner and asked, "Do you have any books on light magic?"

Warner nodded . He retrieved a book from his dimensional ring and handed it to Anfey . "Lord Cardinal gave this to me," he said . "Sir, I heard you can use light magic . "

"Yes, I can," Anfey said, taking the magic book . "Why do you ask?"

"Can I…" Warner hesitated, rubbing his hands together .

"What is it?" Anfey asked, flipping through the book .

"Can I…tell others about it?"

"You want to use me to preach to the mercenaries?" Anfey asked, amused .

Warner clearly took it the wrong way . He scrambled into a deep bow and said, "I . . . I just want to expand quicker, sir! I’m not using you or anything!"

"I know, Warner," Anfey said . "Stand up . I think I know why you can’t expand . "

Warner straightened himself and looked at Anfey curiously .

"You’re a priest, Warner," Anfey said . "Priests are usually radiant, just, mighty . You are always afraid of what other people are saying . And you bow way too much . The mercenaries think you’re weak, which is why they don’t like you . "

Warner blinked and did not say anything .

"You have to reinvent your image . That is the most important thing," Anfey said . "If it’s just the two of us, I don’t care how you act . If there is a third person here, I need you to act proud . I need you to act like you’re better than the rest of us . "

"But sir…"

"You have to! What are you scared of?" Anfey asked . "I told you to do this . I won’t blame you . On the contrary, I will play along . If you don’t do this, you will never recruit as many people as we need, even if you have the Book of Life . If you let me down, I may have do let you go . It’s not hard to find a priest, after all . "

"I can do it, sir!" Warner said, straightening his back a little more . He tightened his grip on the Book of Life .

"Try it," Anfey said . "Pretend there’s someone else here . "

Warner’s eyes widened . He had been working for Anfey before they even left Moramatch, and he knew how powerful Anfey was . He could not think how he would pretend to be better than Anfey .

"You can do it," Anfey encouraged him . "Think of when you just came to Moramatch . "

Warner coughed and nodded . He took a deep breath and said, "I think your plan is very inappropriate, sir! We all agree that you are powerful, but eliminating the necromancers is my job . You should not have crossed that line . Plus, you are too important . If something happens to you, the alliance is done for!"

"I’m sorry," Anfey said with a grin .

"What is past is past," Warner said . "I don’t need your apologies, sir . You were a fearless warrior, but now you are more than that . Your own safety isn’t the only thing you have to consider now . You have to think about the entire alliance . " Even though Warner looked very proud, he was still scared and unsure .

"Good," Anfey said, slapping the table . "Good . I like it . "

Warner jumped, then he smiled when he realized Anfey was complimenting him . "I hope you don’t take offence to what I say in the future, sir," he said .

"I won’t, don’t worry," Anfey said . "Can I borrow this for a few days?"

"Of course, sir," Warner said . "Are you planning on practicing light magic?"

"Maybe," Anfey said with a shrug .