Chapter 1940 - 529: The Demon King's Power Far Surpasses the Enchanting Demon's

A guy who was moving boxes together with them chuckled.

"Ha, who doesn't know you guys are buddies, what's the big deal with him just sitting there?"

"It proves I'm not lying!"

Joey's voice was loud, even drowning out the distant melodious sound of the steam whistle, as if what they were arguing about was very important.

"I'm an uneducated brute, but I know in my heart who treats me well, who regards me as a person. I can see it with my eyes!"

The laughter gradually died down.

Some people became serious because Joey looked like he wasn't joking anymore, while others had complex expressions because of his words.

Be regarded as people...

For those making a living at the docks, it was indeed a rare thing, after all, sometimes they even compared themselves to seagulls.

This time the foreman didn't continue with those sarcastic remarks that were also self-mocking.

"Alright then."

He flicked his cigarette ash casually as he spoke.

"Though that guy is a notorious miser, I suppose you've all forgotten, but I always remember... However, I have to admit, he handled this matter correctly."

Mr. Horace isn't a good person, but he can still be considered a person.

He has seen many sailors from the sea, his judgment of people is sharper than that of seagulls.

Compared to a self-proclaimed good-person fraud, he'd rather choose a bad person who aligns with his own interests.

After all, who is a good person?

Is Joey?

He doesn't know about others, but he thinks he isn't.

Even the Divine has selfish desires, let alone mortals?

On the other side, the warehouse keeper sitting at the dock entrance had finished gnawing on his bread and then pulled out a wrinkled "Thunder City Daily" from under his butt.

He had sneaked it from the office door in the morning when unloading goods, planning to read it later when he went to the toilet.

Right on the front page headline of that newspaper, a few bold black letters jumped out at him — "Parliament Proposed Marriage Registration Law: Let the Bell Sound for Everyone"

Even he, who didn't care much about Thunder City, couldn't help showing a hint of surprise on his face.

"Saint Sis above..."

In Thunder City, marriage is not an unaffordable luxury, most people can bear the cost, but it can't be considered cheap either.

They must first find the Priest of the parish, pay a "donation," and then have the Priest announce the marriage banns during three consecutive Sunday Masses.

This amount isn't much but usually must be paid three times, the amount depending on the local average income.

After all the ceremonies are completed, if there's no "other wife" or "other husband" jumping out to object, the Priest will nod in approval for the couple to hold the ceremony at the church, ring that bell symbolizing happiness, and finally write their names in the register.

If someone is willing to donate a large amount of money to the church, there is also a "VIP channel" that maintains client privacy, just like at the Colin Grand Theater.

However, Thunder City isn't the whole Campbell Duchy. For the many poor rural folks, legal recognition still depends on their Lord.

After all, many peasants might not even have names, so they naturally don't need to be registered. Using the village bell is enough.

In such cases, those who generally preside over the marriage are the Lord's steward or a servant appointed by the steward. For instance, in "The Bell Sound," it is handled by a "Bell Tower Steward."

Of course, not all the money spent is for nothing; the Priest and Lord typically provide "after-sales service."

If the couple fights in the future, or if things get unbearable, someone will come to arbitrate.

As for how the arbitration is done, it's "as extravagant or frugal as you like," just like Thunder City's weddings. In principle, Saint Sis doesn't allow anyone to break their vows, but the Priests will also decide how strictly to enforce the principle based on the situation.

However, looking at the newspaper saying if this bill passes, in the future all it takes is two copper coins at City Hall to get a stamped piece of paper, legally acknowledging the union of two people...

The warehouse keeper couldn't help thinking to himself.

Although he can afford the Priest's price, who would mind it being a bit cheaper?

And besides—

It must be more reliable to have black and white laws and a judge's gavel for arbitration than the Priest's personal judgment, right?

…

Not far from the dock, at the street corner, two figures—one tall, one short—were standing under a street lamp.

An older Priest, after reading the extra from the newsboy, shook his head helplessly, his well-maintained face full of frustration.

He sighed and said.

"Turning sacred vows into a piece of paper from City Hall, this city is becoming more and more profane..."

Two copper coins?

How dare they degrade the sacred union to such a degree!

Ever since last Winter Moon, things have indeed been getting worse and worse. He always had a feeling that an evil force was descending upon this city.

Yet he was powerless to do anything.

Perhaps the Judicial Court should come here rather than wallow in the rotten mire of the Twilight Province.

Unfortunately, he had little influence, not all Priests have the support of the Church Court, and he wasn't naive enough to think His Holiness the Pope would read his letter.

The Apprentice beside him blinked and asked in a whisper.

"Master, since City Hall only charges two copper coins, why don't we lower our price too? Even if we charge three copper coins... believers should still be willing to come to the church, right?"

After all, the Divine's blessing sounds better than City Hall's stamp.

The Priest turned around and gave the clueless Apprentice a glaring look, almost unable to maintain his benevolent mask.