Earlier, the sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly. However, as the strong wind roared, dark clouds gradually accumulated on the dome. While blocking the sunlight, they also seemed to turn the sky and the earth into a huge and oppressive cage.
In the darkening sky, Allen opened the letter from his father, Earl William, and read it carefully.
Howard noticed that as Allen's eyes moved over the letter, the curvature of the corners of his mouth gradually disappeared and his eyes became serious.
"What's the matter?" he couldn't help asking.
Allen turned around, chuckled, and replied: "It's time for us to show our loyalty to the Church of Light again."
Howard naturally heard a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"The Church of Light has issued a new wanted notice for heretics?"
"No," Allen shook his head, then pointed to a line of text in the letter and said to Howard, "You should have heard before that Archbishop Nelga once proposed a bill, hoping to collect more church taxes to make up for the church's recent
Armament losses in the battle against the Black Temple. If I remember correctly, it would have grown from nine percent to fifteen percent of personal income."
Howard nodded, indicating that he heard something.
"Now, this bill has been passed by the upper and lower houses," Allen continued. "Although Her Majesty the Queen has raised questions about this and hopes not to increase it by such a large amount at once to reduce the pressure on the people, it has been rejected by the
Rejection by members of the Cabinet headed by His Excellency the Prime Minister.
"After all... the current parliament and cabinet are still the territory of the old party aristocrats. And you should also be aware of the cooperative relationship between the old party aristocrats and the Church of Light."
Although Howard was devoted to learning and rarely cared about this aspect of things, he still couldn't help but change his expression slightly when he heard the word "taxation".
"So, this decree to increase church taxes is really going to be implemented?"
"yes."
“Nationwide?”
"yes."
"Aren't they afraid of causing backlash by doing this?"
"Of course they are afraid," Allen smiled, the flame of the magic candle illuminated half of his face, adding a bit of mysterious temperament to him, "But now... I think poor Archbishop Nelga is already here
Under the dual pressure from the Dark Temple and the church, he was forced to jump over the wall.
"You may not know that when he climbed to the position of bishop, he actually used some dishonorable methods. Many people in the church were unconvinced. And now, his knights have been in a long-term stalemate with the Dark Temple. If he
If we don’t show some results as soon as possible, I’m afraid it will be really difficult to keep my position.”
Howard was silent.
After entering the Mage Tower, he was no longer the innocent boy who wanted to enter the upper class. Although he was not interested, he did see the undercurrents in the capital and gradually realized that the world was not like he originally
That's why it's so black and white.
The priests of the Church of Light are not saints wearing white clothes and white beards who do not live in the world, as described in fairy tales, but mortals with their own selfish desires.
At first he was surprised, but then he gradually became numb under Allen's teasing. He concentrated on studying and ignored the outside things. After all, those things had nothing to do with him.
But now, he can no longer remain calm.
Unconsciously, his mind drifted to the slum where he was born, and thought of his mother who worked hard in the textile factory... A female textile worker like her would leave early and come home late, working day and night, for less than a week's salary.
To a shilling?
Although a six percent tax increase does not sound like much, Howard's neighbors at the time, the Federmans, raised a total of eight children. Their biggest wish was to save enough money to raise all these children.
They were all sent to study. However, due to financial constraints, their plan has been postponed, so that the younger children are still illiterate who can only climb trees and hide and seek...
And now, I'm afraid it will have to be delayed for a few more years, right?
Another example is the Oleson family who lives by the river. They have always wanted to buy a decent apartment with a balcony and bathroom in the city, so they live frugally every month and save a little money from their salary.
I carefully deposited it into my bank account, hoping that I could move before retirement and retire comfortably in my new home...
And now, do they still have a chance to realize their wish?
Thinking of this, Howard sighed silently, feeling a little heavy in his heart.
It's not that I'm angry.
But I deeply feel that those big figures standing at the top of the pyramid only need a simple thought to change the fate of countless people.
In the dark, Howard always felt that he should do something for those neighbors back then, but he couldn't think of any good way for a while.
However, at this moment, Allen spoke again: "Howard, you should have guessed that the Light Church's tax increase this time is nationwide, which naturally includes our family's industry...including my position this time.
Face development plan.
"Do you know what this means?"
Howard looked up at him, saw the look in Allen's eyes that didn't know whether he was smiling or angry, and then shook his head slightly.
"It means," Allen laughed at himself, "in the near future, I may lose thousands of pounds, tens of thousands of pounds, or even hundreds of thousands of pounds, just to help Archbishop Nelga recruit troops to fight against the Dark Temple and help
He made amends...
"Doesn't this sound ridiculous?"
His words sounded rude, and if they were put outside, they would probably be described as treasonous by the priests of the Church of Light.
However, in the Mage Tower, although the magicians were nominally believers of the Goddess of Light, in fact they did not have much respect for the Church of Light. Because of this, Howard felt a sense of sympathy in his heart. He only felt that different people, regardless of their
Money or no money, both have deep difficulties with this.
Of course, if he knew Allen's true identity, he might be able to better understand Allen's mixed mood at this moment.
"So I'm in a bad mood now."
Allen smiled, walked to the window, opened the window, and let the strong wind come in, messing up his jet-black hair.
At this time, under the cover of thick dark clouds, the sky became darker.
A bolt of lightning flashed from the sky.
Then came the roar of thunder.
Big raindrops hit the ground, pouring down like floods from heaven, as if they were about to flood the entire world.
"Alan, don't forget, your knighting ceremony will be held this evening." Howard couldn't help but remind him amidst the sound of rain.
"Don't worry, I didn't forget." Allen smiled slightly.
The raindrops wetted his hair, but he didn't even notice it.
As soon as he finished speaking, another thunder sounded across the sky.
It's like the sound of war drums and the neighing of thousands of horses.
"Boom!"
…………
"Don't worry, I didn't forget."
At the same time, on the vast expanse of the Arctic ice sheet, the high priest Delphi raised his head and looked at the seemingly indestructible fortress at the end of his sight, as well as the deep canyon and rickety suspension bridge looming next to the fortress.
Said to Refant, the young knight beside him.
"I have never forgotten everything the Church of Light has done to us."