"…"
Jenn really didn't expect Howard's invitation. Although deep down, he felt that there was something wrong with this script, he still looked nonchalant on the surface.
After hearing Howard's words, Jenn only pondered for a moment before shaking his head.
"I'm sorry, Bishop Howard, but I'm afraid I can't agree to your request."
Upon hearing Jenn's answer, Bishop Howard couldn't help but sigh. In fact, he thought so too, but he had to make this trip because of the orders from above.
Now, it seemed that this young man was indeed as shrewd as he thought. However, at this moment, before Bishop Howard could say anything, a Paladin behind him glared at Jenn and questioned him.
"Why!
Mr. Jenn, as the people of the Light, it is our duty to eliminate darkness and fight evil!
Besides, this is a summons from the Holy Cathedral. You should feel honored for it! "
Isn't it nice to hear that I'm the one you want to eliminate?
Upon hearing the Paladin's words, Jenn swept a glance at him before shifting his gaze to Bishop Howard.
"Lord Bishop, this is …"
"This is Paladin Lorraine."
Howard had been in contact with Jenn for a long time, and he knew that the situation was bad from the young man's tone.
He hurriedly explained, "He's a Paladin of the War Temple who has just stepped into the ranks of the high-level. He's a young man with a promising future."
"So he's just a rookie."
After hearing Howard's answer, Jenn chuckled.
"Lord Bishop Howard, surely you won't let this kind of trash participate in that investigation team? The War Temple has just been rebuilt. Wouldn't it be too great of a loss to send their promising newcomer to his death just like that?!"
"Nonsense!"
Upon hearing Jenn's words, the Paladin yelled furiously.
"We represent light and justice. Mere evildoers aren't worth mentioning in the face of the glory of justice!
Those rascals hiding in the darkness will eventually be destroyed!
We will transform into the sharp blades of God and completely expel the filthy evil and darkness! "
"If those guys are really as worthless as you say, then the Holy Church doesn't need to come looking for me. They can just send a few people over."
Jenn didn't take Paladin Lorraine's anger seriously at all.
Loraine was even more furious when she saw Jenn's indifferent expression.
He was only 25 years old, but he had already accepted the holy trial and became a high-rank holy knight.
Everyone thought that he was blessed by the gods and had a bright future ahead of him.
He was also a devout believer in the Nine Saints, so he was very excited to be summoned by the Holy Church to the Western Wilderness to eliminate evil and darkness.
Apart from that, he actually did not want Bishop Howard to invite Jenn to participate in this operation. In Loraine's opinion, the nobles were all cowards who would only send their subordinates to their deaths while they leisurely reaped the credit.
In his opinion, conscripting a noble to join this team was simply tarnishing the purity and glory of this holy team.
In Loraine's opinion, in the face of the glory of the Holy Church, this young noble should be so grateful that he should kneel down and thank the Holy Church for valuing him. He should also be deeply honored and proud.
However, the Holy Knight Lorraine didn't expect that this young noble would be so nonchalant in the face of such a glorious summon. It was as if he didn't care about it at all. Also, the contempt he showed towards the Church of the Holy Church made Lorraine furious.
He had heard from Bishop Howard that Zayen had received the Order of the Holy Church's conferment. Logically speaking, Zayen should be grateful to the Order of the Holy Church, but looking at Zayen now, where was the least bit of respect for the Order of the Holy Church?
Thinking of this, Paladin Loraine became even more furious. He strode forward and glared at Jenn.
"What kind of attitude is this!
Don't forget that your identity and status, as well as everything you have now, were given to you by the Holy Church!
And now, the Holy Church needs your strength, and this is how you repay them?
The Nine Saints look after this world, and as the vanguard of the Nine Saints, we, the Holy Church, naturally have to protect justice and peace. This is also where the Holy Church's responsibility lies.
We have defeated those evil attacks time and time again, and this time will definitely not be an exception! "
"You make it sound nice."
Hearing Loraine's words, Jenn snorted disdainfully.
"If the Holy Church is really as great as you say, then why are the ones who save the world always thieves, mercenaries, and adventurers?
When Jarque was roaming the streets stealing wallets, he didn't seem to be a devout believer. And before Wallace destroyed the King of Nightmares' projection, he was just a mercenary who sold his life for money and indulged in debauchery. Why were these people chosen by the Nine Saints to carry out the mission of saving the world?
Could it be that back then, the Holy Church had fallen to the point where the Nine Saints couldn't even find a confidant and could only find comfort in a bunch of drunkards, gamblers, and thieves? "
"You …"
Hearing Jenn's question, Loraine was momentarily speechless.
It was no wonder. The examples that Zayen cited were all famous heroes in the history of the Church of Holy See, and most people knew the history before they became heroes in detail.
However, from the standpoint of the Holy Church, they would naturally publicize how these heroes were influenced by the Nine Saints and fought for justice after awakening the hope and faith in their hearts.
However, Jenn did not take the normal path and directly refuted the Holy Church's propaganda. Loraine had never seen such a person in her life, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say.
"Use your brain before you speak, young man.
Saving the world doesn't only depend on the Holy Church's strength. You attribute all the glory to the Holy Church, but what about the others?
The nobles, mercenaries, and farmers who fought for the Holy Church during the War of Heaven and Earth.
Without the nobles' military strength, the Holy Church's less than ten thousand Holy Knights can stop the attack of a million Demons?
Without farmers to plant crops in the back, are you all going to rely on praying to the Gods? "
Hearing Loraine's words, Jenn frowned slightly and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"Don't get it wrong. Maintaining justice and peace is not only the Holy Church's glory, but also the great work of all the people on this continent.
Moreover, I have no relationship with the Holy Church in the first place. Being awarded as a noble is the reward that I and my family deserve.
Also, if it weren't for my hard work, your War God Temple would still be eating dust.
I don't owe the Church of Holy Church anything in the first place, so I have no reason to accept such a thing. "
Saying until here, Jenn snorted coldly.
"Not to mention, I'm still the lord of Parsus. You have to know that I'm not married yet, and I don't have any children.
Going to die with you?
If I die there, what about Parsus?
What about the people here?
Could it be that the Holy Church intends to replace me in managing this territory?
If that's the case, then I can say that the Holy Church has made a good deal. "
"Of course, that's not what we mean, Mr. Jenn."
Hearing that the tension between the two sides was getting stronger, Bishop Howard had no choice but to come out and smooth things over.
Jenn's words could be said to be critical. If this were to spread, then it was very likely that people would think that the Holy Church was spying on Parsus and deliberately sent Jenn to his death to achieve their goal of occupying the territory.
Such a rumor was not a good thing for the Church of Holy Light. Furthermore, Zayen was right. He did not have any children, and the entire Barxianon Mens family had not seen a second family member so far. If anything were to happen to him, then what should they do with this territory would indeed be a headache for them.
Moreover, as the higher-ups of the Holy Church in Eagle Plateau, Bishop Howard more or less knew some of the secrets.
Parsus was originally a part of the Skal Federation, and the Packwood Family had given this territory to Jenn. But if Jenn died, then this territory would return to the Packwood Family.
"What does that mean?
Bishop Howard?
Could it be that if I disobey, the Holy Church will take back my noble title? "
However, Jenn obviously didn't intend to let this poor old man off just like that. As soon as the other party gave in, Jenn immediately asked aggressively.
Bishop Howard naturally shook his head in response. What a joke. The Church of Holy See rarely took back a noble's title. Generally speaking, unless it was confirmed that the noble had colluded with the demons or had fallen, it was absolutely impossible to take back a noble's title.
"You …"
Looking at the venerable bishop being pressured by Jenn, Paladin Lorraine wanted to say something.
But at that moment, Bishop Howard turned around and glared at him, which immediately made the young high-ranking paladin shut his mouth. But even so, he still put on a straight face as though he wasn't convinced.
At that moment, Bishop Howard turned around and looked at Jenn again. Then, he sighed and reached into his arms to take out a letter.
"No matter what, Mr. Jenn, you'd better take a look at this."
"Oh?"
Upon hearing Bishop Howard's words, Jenn was taken aback.
In his opinion, there was nothing left for both parties to discuss. He had already made it very clear that even if it was the Holy Church's invitation, he had plenty of reasons not to participate.
But the other party still didn't give up, which wasn't the old bishop's style.
He didn't look like the type of person who would pester people. And this letter … Zayen glanced at the emblem of the Church of Holy See on it, then opened the envelope and narrowed his eyes to read it.
Immediately afterward, Jenn's expression changed slightly. He looked up at Bishop Howard and asked.
"Is what's written in here true?"
"Of course, Mr. Jenn. I can assure you that its authenticity is unquestionable. This is signed by the highest bishop of the Holy Church. There's no falsehood."
This is really interesting …
Upon hearing Bishop Howard's answer, Jenn nodded slightly, closed his eyes, and pondered for a moment before looking at the old man in front of him again.
"Since the Holy Church is so sincere, I am willing to accept this invitation."