SWDnovel Chapter 60, Level 1 Bishop
Chapter 60, Level 1 Bishop
"This is a donation on my behalf to the church's East District School for the Poor Children."
Fafner watched as Joël took out... gold pounds from a purse woven from gleaming metal chains at her waist.
One, two, three... a total of ten.
"This is a lot of money, and it can bring many benefits to these students."
"Joelle, you are truly a kind noble lady," Fafnir said solemnly.
"May the god of death protect you, um... uh..."
Fafnir had intended to pray for the kind-hearted donors according to the church's clerical regulations, but then he remembered that he had never learned this ritual.
"Anyway, I thank you on their behalf, Joël. Would you like the church and children to hold a 'donation ceremony' for you?"
I will report this amount to Mr. Victor immediately, and at the same time, I will provide you with a detailed list of every expenditure for your review.
"Fafner, no need for a 'donation ceremony'... I don't want to put pressure on these students. It's nothing... just a small matter."
"This is no small matter, thank you."
"My father gives me two gold pounds a month as pocket money, which is only about half a year's worth of pocket money."
Fafnir didn't know what to say either.
This was the first time he had ever seen gold pounds; ten gold pounds were equivalent to two hundred silver shields or forty thousand copper coins.
At the grammar school cafeteria, if you use points, 80,000 points equals 80,000 bowls of thick soup.
Fafnir's parents, as treasurers, each earned a salary of twelve silver guilders a year, which was equivalent to more than sixteen years' salary for one person.
Of course, if Eller was able to spend half a year's allowance, that was quite a sacrifice, Fafnir thought.
Perhaps Joelle only started receiving pocket money in the last two years. After all, she was still young before and probably didn't have much of a concept of money. It's unknown when Viscount Lorraine started giving her pocket money.
Joelle stayed until school ended in the afternoon, inviting Fafnir, Martha, and Allen to ride together, offering them a ride to school.
Joël, Cecilia, and Fafnir rode together in a carriage bearing the Lorraine family crest.
"Fafner".
"What's wrong?"
"Actually, that meal today was indeed prepared for you..." Joelle's voice was softer:
"However, I noticed that none of my classmates seemed to have eaten well. I saw a classmate who was about my age who could only manage to eat mixed wheat bread, and others were eating dark bread..."
"You did the right thing, Joelle," Fafner agreed with her actions.
"Help those who are truly in need in any way you can. I will use part of the money you donated to improve their meals."
Besides, I had already finished lunch.
"You can keep it for dinner, and just return the lunchbox to Cecilia at school."
……
After returning to his dormitory, Fafnir began filling the spiritual gaps. Mr. Victor gave him many fragments of spiritual amber.
Fafner knew that although these fragments of amber were far less than the amount of the smuggled piece he had previously seized, they were still quite valuable.
Although filling the spiritual rift is still progressing slowly, Fafnir thought, "I have no choice but to persevere for now."
I'll go to the cafeteria for a meal first, then go to the open space to practice Fireball.
The progress of the Fireball spell's "ledger" has reached (40/100).
Now, when Fafnir practices, there's a chance he can unleash this powerful second-tier spell.
Right, I should go report to Mr. Victor first. He should still be at get off work. With that thought, Fafnir stopped filling the gaps in his spiritual energy.
Mr. Victor's office was at the far end of the third floor of the teaching building. Fafnir knocked on the door.
"Please come in."
"Hello, Mr. Victor."
"Oh, it's my little Fafnir. Are you tired today...? Come on, have a seat. What brings you here today? Haha."
"I have something to report to you," Fafnir said, sitting opposite Mr. Victor:
"Today, Miss Joelle came to the East End School for the Poor Children and donated ten gold pounds."
"Oh, Fafnir, I'm so sorry, I've been really busy lately, so busy that I haven't had time to look after the newly opened East End School for the Poor Children."
I just finished observing the branch of the Sacred Tree and returned from the school's underground detection array.
Mr. Victor took a bag of gold pounds from his waist pocket:
"You count out thirty, and I'll donate thirty gold pounds for construction. Oh no, you can contribute more if you wish."
After Mr. Victor finished speaking, Fafnir said, "Okay, I want to tell you that I will provide a detailed report on the outflow of these funds regarding these donations."
"Okay, very good. You're very smart. I'll leave this to you. Hmm... how about this, I'll issue another certificate of commendation to Miss Joël."
"Yes, Mr. Victor, I will do my best."
Fafner exchanged a few more pleasantries with Mr. Victor.
"Little Fafnir, I was planning to come to your dorm tonight, but since you're here, I'll tell you now."
One month later, on a Sunday, which was the last week for the grammar school and the East Side School for Poor Children,
"You need to attend the school church activity at four o'clock in the afternoon." Victor's tone was relaxed.
"What kind of event is it?"
"I will be promoted to First-Class Bishop, and the regional church will hold an initiation banquet for me."
"Congratulations, that's wonderful news!" Fafnir was genuinely pleased.
"Little Fafnir, thank you for your congratulations, thank you."
Did you know that my term only has six months left? I've heard I'll be transferred from assistant to the bishop of Lorraine to vice-chief judge of the Eastern Regional Joint Court.
Mr. Victor's tone was rather calm:
"The investigation into the Sacred Tree's Featherfall Period wasn't even finished two years ago; that's taking forever."
But 'Eldrasil' is infallible. There have been times when the investigation period during the Featherfall period exceeded two years, and everyone became complacent.
That was a terrible time, everything was messed up, yes, the ratman riot, although I didn't experience it.
I hope the region can allow me and Teacher Ze Ruo more time. I have now found some clues about the early onset of the Featherfall Stage at the spirit realm level...
Fafnir listened quietly to what Mr. Victor had to say.
He understood the church's regulations, which stipulated that regional bishops and bishop assistants needed to rotate to other positions after completing their three-year terms.
Fafner knew this was a perfectly reasonable arrangement, because these two positions represented the two highest-ranking officials in the organization.
They are individuals who wield both personal power and authority. In principle, the local council, law enforcement, and finance departments all require their leadership. They also serve as the speaker and deputy speaker of the local council, and the chief judge and deputy chief judge of the local court.
After the reforms in the Holy Kingdom, the regional bishops held a higher status than the nobles of the Holy Kingdom's fiefdoms within the traditionally church-controlled areas. Although they held the title of lord, they only had absolute authority within their own estates.
This could also cause dissatisfaction among some "lord" nobles, leading them to secretly oppose the church.
However, in any case, the excessively long tenure of regional bishops and bishop assistants can lead to a series of problems.