Chapter 2111 - 562: Cleansing the Family (Part 4)

"However, once they put on the mask called 'nobility,' standing from the family's perspective, they immediately become someone else. And beneath that mask, there is no mercy, only interest and balance... aren't we the same?"

Edward tightened his grip on the teacup, remained silent for a long time, then spoke softly.

"Regarding the matter of the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range... can you think of a way through the friends you know in the Holy City? I know this is an unreasonable request, but with the national strength of the Campbell Duchy, it's really hard to exert pressure on the Academic State. If we just stand by and do nothing, my conscience won't allow it."

Luo Yan sighed, putting down the red tea in his hand.

"I'd also love to do something for those unfortunate people, but whether it's me or Miss Yaya Mitiya, I'm afraid neither of us can help in this matter."

He looked straight into Edward's eyes, his tone honest yet brutal.

"Even the civilian faction led by Marshal Laco, or the Red Shield Brotherhood who claim to uphold justice, they won't truly care about the commoners of the Ryan Kingdom. On the empire's chessboard, the refugees at the frontier probably don't even count as cold numbers."

In fact, this kind of indifference is, in some ways, a kind of luck for the Campbell Duchy.

If the empire really cared about this land, the Judicial Court of the Saint Clement Church wouldn't be stationed in Twilight City, it would, of course, be stationed in Thunder City.

After all, speaking of "sacrilege," who can compare to the current Campbell?

The King of the Ryan Kingdom, at most, is just seizing the Church's gold coins, while the Campbell Duchy already disdains even robbing money. Edward is seizing both the "church register" and "interpretation rights" from the Church through census reforms and secular education.

Now, the influence of the Holy Light Court in the Campbell Duchy probably can't even match the "Saint Colin Hospital Knight Order" set up by that little girl Vivian.

After all, that group of priests only knows how to stretch out their hands for donations, while Vivian not only spends money without considering returns, her allowance far exceeds the imagination of the priests.

And those Blood Race under Vivian's command do not care for gold, a commodity not considered rare in Hell, as they diligently help their little master spread the "glory" of the Colin family on the Earth's surface... all in the name of charity.

This is probably the most outrageous competitor the Holy Sis Church has encountered in thousands of years, to a point where even the Demon God might find it excessively sacrilegious.

However, Edward clearly was not satisfied with such a result, as devoted believers always yearn to gain more from the God.

"... Must we just watch as these utterly irreverent demons wantonly torment the children of the Holy Light?"

Looking at the compassionate Duke Campbell, Luo Yan pondered for a long time and offered what he thought might be the most reliable answer.

"There are two answers to this question."

Edward prepared himself.

"A good news and a bad news, right? I prefer to hear the bad news first, then the good. Tell me the harshest one first."

Luo Yan, as Edward wished, replied.

"In reality, it is indeed so. The fierce winds of karma may make the crown of Roland City unstable, but temporarily they can't shift the High Tower of the Northern Wilderness. They are tumors on the empire, and you and I are just a... single hair on the empire."

He actually wanted to say white blood cells, but realizing the people in this world wouldn't understand, he switched to a metaphor Edward could grasp.

Duke Campbell fell silent, his silver-haired, emerald-green eyes deep in thought, his mood heavier than ever.

However, next came his dear Prince Colin, who suddenly shifted the topic, leaving the beautiful hope for the future to this ambitious gentleman.

"But on the other hand, you need not belittle yourself."

He stood up, smiling as he looked at the distant camps, and a certain little "nun" patrolling with the knights.

No matter Vivian's intentions, this Little Overlord rampant in Demon City indeed has done something even demons wouldn't usually do here.

"... Look at this camp, look at the refugees receiving treatment, the young men of Ryan willing to fight for themselves, and the Dragon God's people returning to this land. We have rescued thousands of brothers and sisters from the nightmare of the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range, shattered their shackles, just like what we did in Twilight Province."

"When everyone else abandoned them, we did not... and I believe this in itself is a victory."

"They will survive, thrive on the lands bathed in Holy Light, passing the torch we gave them onward."

"The winds of karma do not only knock people down; when we sail with the wind, it will also push our little boat forward, letting our duchy continue to prosper... until one day, our shoulders will hold up a sky."

Luo Yan turned back, purple eyes gleaming with ambition, meeting the equally fired-up emerald-green eyes.

"By then, we will be their karma!"

...

The raging winds in the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range, though fierce, could not extinguish the sparks burning in people's hearts.

After hearing Prince Colin's conclusion, Duke Edward's face once again broke into a hearty smile.

Actually, even without Colin's reminder, he wouldn't have remained despondent over this issue for long.