Chapter 89: Who Says I'm Not a Priest?

The vehicle ultimately stopped early on the country road. As soon as the car halted, the driver, Jim, kicked open the door and ran into the fields, clutching his mouth as he vomited. Miss Kate was also drenched in sweat, her face flushed, her eyes fixed intently on the cotton fields outside as if she had yet to recover from the ordeal.

Seeing this scene, Louis and Helen exchanged a glance, snickering quietly, before stepping out to stretch their legs. Though called a country road, it was wide and smooth, and judging by the standardized milestones, it must have been built by the kingdom’s government. Apparently, King Ignatius had accomplished quite a bit in recent years.

They were already within the territory of Earl Crowley. Fields stretched as far as the eye could see, and on the distant horizon, faint outlines of farmsteads and windmills could be discerned.

The fields here were mainly planted with cotton, and among them were many people in rough clothing picking the crop. Most seemed to be foreigners, mainly women, for the able-bodied men of their families were employed in Earl Crowley's factories and had no time for farm work.

Compared to the foreigners at the academy, these women appeared more gaunt and weathered, their skin darker, and their age more apparent. It was unclear whether they were free citizens, slaves, or serfs, nor which fields belonged to them. Yet their faces were bright with smiles, some gazing curiously at the vehicle, while children played in the furrows.

A few sturdy human men in short tunics, armed with short swords and firearms, strolled by, cracking sunflower seeds as they patrolled the fields. A little Yordel leapt onto the head of one of them, snatching seeds from a guard’s hand, then pointed curiously in the direction of the visitors.

The guards glanced over, recognizing the vehicle as belonging to Miss Kate’s guests, and smiled as they greeted Louis with a noble salute—judging by their precise etiquette, they must have been knights in service to Lord Crowley, probably acting as sheriffs within the domain.

Louis’s gaze lingered on the foreigners. He had often heard that outsiders were continually joining the world of the wizards, taken in by various magical factions. Yet it seemed even more of them made their way into the world of ordinary people.

The Age of Discovery was at its peak; kingdoms explored and expanded, and among them the Kingdom of Sorento was one of the most formidable. As these kingdoms extended their reach into overseas colonies, laborers from every corner of the world flooded into cities. Some entered factories, others found work in urban trades, and the rest were settled by the lords.

Everyone could find some occupation, for everywhere there was a shortage of hands—cities, factories, and new buildings sprang up constantly. The nobles’ estates were ever growing.

The world seemed fully dominated by humanity, with foreigners turned into vassals and integrated into society. It was an era peaceful and beautiful—at least, blood no longer stained the continent, but flowed instead on the seas and in the new lands, the mysterious regions.

Behind him came the sound of light footsteps. Louis turned to see Miss Kate had somehow already descended from the car. In the gentle breeze, she swept her hair aside and approached.

“Forgive me, Mr. Louis,” Miss Kate said apologetically, her face tinged with embarrassment. “I don’t know what happened to the car. Jim checked it only yesterday, but something seems to have gone wrong…”

“No need to apologize, Miss Kate,” Louis replied calmly, nodding as he picked up his pipe. “Strange things—we’ve seen plenty.”

Helen’s thoughts: [Louis, you old trickster! He’s the one who caused the trouble and now he’s pretending!]

Miss Kate was left speechless by Louis’s words. Indeed, today’s events were exceptionally odd, reminding her of the strange incidents lately at the manor. She brushed aside a lock of hair and couldn’t help but gaze anew at this tall, steady young man. Even Jim had been frightened, yet these two guests remained utterly composed, as if truly accustomed to the bizarre.

Perhaps he really had seen much. At that moment, Kate felt her confidence in him grow.

Jim returned, loudly protesting that neither he nor the car was at fault. After checking, he found nothing wrong with the vehicle. “Tomorrow, let’s ask Bishop John to take a good look,” Jim said, closing the hood, his face pale as if he’d seen a ghost. “Maybe we need an exorcism, or some holy water.”

Before he could finish, a soft glow began to emanate from the car. Kate and Jim stared in astonishment at Louis, who was holding a holy book and praying.

This young man was actually a clergy!

Devout follower of the Moon Goddess, Kate blushed deeply with shame and anxiety, clasping her hands in prayer toward Louis.

Jim, after a moment’s confusion, quickly followed suit, sneaking glances at Louis and mumbling a few confessions—damn! Baptists really have no sense for the obvious. This young man is truly a bona fide clergyman!

Helen was dumbfounded: [Eh? What kind of magic is that? Is it just glowing? It must be! What a way to trick people! Louis, you old trickster!]

“It’s all right now, Miss Kate,” Louis reassured her, sprinkling her with a drink favored by wizards—‘Clarity Water’—then gently touched her brow.

Kate instantly felt a surge of clarity and vigor, stunned by the sensation.

Was that holy water?

She realized she had judged them wrong. These two young men were not only real clergy, but the tall, handsome one must be a priest capable of obtaining holy water—perhaps even a senior priest!

Yet to anyone, he looked like a fraud.

If Bishop John saw him, he might well beat him senseless with his staff…

Hearing Miss Kate’s thoughts, Louis frowned slightly and glanced again at his and Helen’s attire—plain and unadorned!

There were faint traces of divine symbols, but nothing ostentatious. In all the denominations, priests and clergy wore simple clothing, didn’t they?

Perhaps it was just that their attire seemed too humble—like a novice priest’s.

Wearing such garb, suspicion was inevitable.

But it didn’t matter; it wouldn’t hinder their business. He could simply explain that these were old clothes, hurriedly worn in the rush to leave today.

After all, the ‘priests’ (agents) from Icon Tree Seminary were notorious for their antics—even filming movies! His little mischief was hardly unique.

Even if things got out of hand, it didn’t matter; he could always have Stewart clean up afterward.

As for clients doubting his identity—he could always invoke Oxicris’s name. The laypeople believed she taught at Icon Tree Seminary.

Claiming to be her colleague would be perfectly credible.

His identity as a senior priest would be unquestioned.

Many senior priests who frequently traveled for work were highly skilled—like himself.

The clergy of Icon Tree Seminary were formidable—like himself.

With that thought, Louis and Helen exchanged a knowing glance—both instantly understanding each other.

[Right, invoke big sister!]

Louis was reassured.

Helen felt the same.

Only Kate still stared blankly at the two of them.