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In his mind, Zhang Mu was a man who was not cold-blooded, but also not kind.
The reason why they accommodated refugees in Ghor at their own expense was because of their own interests, not simply out of compassion.
Of course, Soran did not think this was despicable. After all, asking others to make selfless contributions was the worst kind of shamelessness in the world.
He was curious about why Zhang Mu, who put his own interests first, cared about something that had nothing to do with him.
Looking back, Zhang Mu raised his eyebrows: "Your Lord City Lord, can't you have some noble ideals?"
Sauron: "..."
"Yeah, I don't believe it myself." Lehehe turned around and continued forward, saying, "I really don't care what happens to Lake Kingdom.
But if it's a different owner... I'll tell you later."
Zhang Mu stopped talking and didn't say anything else. He led Soran around the entire street, turned right at the intersection and walked for half an hour before arriving at the Royal Capital Church.
Raising his head, Soran looked up at the church in front of him.
As the headquarters of the Lake Kingdom branch, the overall construction of the church is in line with its status.
The outer wall was painted pure white, without any other colors, and was carved with strange, unfamiliar animal reliefs.
And the main gate, the main gate of such a building in the city, actually gave Soran a subtle feeling of being towering.
"What are you standing there for?" When he reached the middle of the stone steps, Zhang Mu found that the person was still there, so he turned around and shouted.
After regaining consciousness, he quickly chased after him and whispered, "Lord City Lord, I don't remember... you are a loyal believer of God."
During the more than half a year they had been together, Zhang Mu had never specifically discussed his attitude toward the gods.
But from the few words he heard occasionally, he could tell that his city lord did not fear God, and the fact that he had never been to the church in Gul was proof of that.
"Why, if you're not a believer you can't come to church?"
Lord City Lord, what happened today?
Soran's eyes showed confusion, and he felt... very excited, as if some long-cherished wish could finally come true.
He thought in his heart and responded with his mouth: "People who come to the church are all worshipping God, you..."
"I'm looking for a friend."
friend?
It's not surprising that he looked enlightened.
His doubts were answered, and Soran calmed down and followed slowly.
The two walked up the stone steps to the gate and walked through. Zhang Mu smiled and said to the believers passing by: "Excuse me, is Bishop Hager here?"
The believer's kind face suddenly turned gloomy and he walked away quickly.
"Are you in the wrong place?" They looked at each other blankly, and suddenly a voice came from behind them.
Looking back, a woman in linen clothes came over and explained with a smile: "The bishop of the Royal Capital Church is Bishop Jarvis.
You even called the bishop's name wrong, that's why the believers are angry."
"No wonder." Zhang Mu touched the back of his head and looked at the few strands of white hair that appeared among the woman's black hair. "Auntie, I should have made the right choice."
"Really? But here..."
"My friend was transferred here from another city. I guess he won't be the bishop here anymore."
"I see." The woman looked around, quickly approached a believer in a white robe, and after a few words, she returned, "Is your friend called Hagrid?"
"Yes."
"Haha, Hagrid is now Bishop Jarvis' deputy, you can just go directly to the main hall."
"Thank you."
"It's just a small matter." The woman returned the greeting politely and walked towards the door.
Zhang Mu led Soran through the front hall, walked along the empty corridor to the end, and came to a white door.
Today is not the day for audience with the gods, so no one is at the door.
Glancing around, he called softly, "Is Mr. Hagrid in?"
"crunch-"
The door opened a gap in the middle and moved inward.
Recruiting Sauron, who indicated that he had no intention of going in, to follow him, Zhang Mu stepped through the gate.
The style of the main hall was of the same type as the church he had seen in Kas Town, but of course it was more magnificent.
The ceiling is a dome made of crystal glass, on which are painted pictures of animal-like creatures with strange outlines. The surrounding walls are painted white and have delicate reliefs.
In front of me was an aisle covered with red carpet, with neatly arranged benches on both sides.
When he reached the end of the aisle, Zhang Mu looked up at the statue.
The figure was tall, with the head almost touching the ceiling, and there was no meaning in the posture, just standing there. The only thing that caught people's attention was the clean face without any facial features.
"Strange sir, I heard that you are my friend?"
At the foot of the statue, a strange yet familiar figure turned around.
Apparently, church members have their own way of communicating with each other.
It's interesting. Zhang Mu smiled and walked forward: "If I don't say this, you might refuse to see me."
"Oh why?"
"Because I really don't know you."
Hagrid was wearing a white robe and holding a staff in his right hand. He didn't look angry when he heard this and waited calmly for explanation.
"I am the mayor of Gul City, and I came to the capital to report on my work." Zhang Mu said slowly, "I have a friend who settled in Bala City, and he told me that Mr. Hagrid is a kind believer.
If I come to the capital, I must get to know him."
As he spoke, he took out a drawstring cloth bag from his storage bag and handed it over.
Behind him, Sauron's eyes widened. "My Lord, what are you doing?"
This is the main hall of the church, and the statue is right in front of you. You are bribing a believer in such a place?
How could he...
The storm in Soran's mind came to an abrupt end when he saw Hagrid calmly take the cloth bag and stuff it into the sleeve of his robe.
"Well, my friend," Hagrid said with a friendly smile, "is there anything I can help you with?"
Just say, a scumbag who would disregard the lives of civilians for a few dozen gold coins would become honest when he arrives at the headquarters?
With silent ridicule in his heart, Zhang Mu said enthusiastically: "My friend heard some rumors that there is a treasure in the woods outside the capital."
"Mr. City Lord, I hate deception."
"Well...actually, it's my friend's family heritage."
Hagrid remained silent, pondering.
Family inheritance? The forest outside the capital?
If it were in another kingdom, it would probably be just a rumor, but in the Kingdom of Lake...
Well... I don't know him, so there's no reason for him to set up a trap to murder me.
Unless his friend was... Hehe, I provoked the church for my friend's grudge? In the Sol Continent?
The last bit of doubt was dispelled, and Hagrid said: "Mr. Lord Mayor of Gull City.
I have heard about your heroic deeds in recent days. If the rumors are correct, you should be a magician?"
"Yes."
"A treasure that not even a magician dares to dig alone...Sir, this price is not enough." He pulled out a cloth bag from his sleeve and weighed it in his hand.
"This is the deposit."
"Where's the back?"
"Half of the treasure."
"just in case……"
"I'll pay extra gold coins, um...how about fifty master-level magic potions? It's all my savings."
Hagrid clutched the bag tightly: "Deal.
"You won't regret your decision. See you outside the North City Gate tomorrow night."
After saying that, Zhang Mu turned around and led Soran out of the church and onto the street.
After walking a distance along the street, Soran frowned and approached his shoulder: "Lord City Lord, do you have fifty master-level magic potions?
I'm not a professional, so I don't know the exact price, but it's at least millions of gold coins."
"Yes, there are." Zhang Mu looked around the roadside shops with interest, "Also, fifty master-level magic potions cost more than a million gold coins."
Apart from their dazzling appearance, the most valuable thing about the gold coins of the Thor continent is that when ground into powder, they can become a universal potion material.
It is not useful for low-level potions, but once you reach high-level potions, that is, including soldier-level potions and above, you cannot do without gold coin powder.
Hearing this, Soran's frown did not relax at all: "For a treasure of unknown value, you have paid so much...
Lord City Lord, do you know what is inside the treasure?"
"Ah? What treasure?"
"?"
After a moment's pause, Zhang Mu reacted and laughed a few times before lowering his voice: "There is no treasure at all. What I just said to Hagrid was an excuse I made up to trick him out of the city."
There was astonishment in his eyes: "You, Lord City Lord, you want to..."
"Why else would I go to church? To worship God? I don't believe in that stuff, do I?"
“But…but…” Soran opened and closed his mouth, unable to speak for a long time.
"Just be calm, he's just a believer."
After taking a few deep breaths, he pulled Zhang Mu into an empty alley on the left and said, "Lord City Lord, that is not just a believer.