Chapter 137: Chapter 136: Gemini Reinforcements, a Futile Effort to Avoid War

Fully armored, Jon adjusted his Crystal Scorpion Armor Set and nodded to Mr. Elf.

"Thank you, Mr. Claudio. I’m very happy with this armor."

"You don’t have to thank me. Your friend paid for this, didn’t she?"

Claudio chuckled, his tone suggestive.

"Make sure you cherish a friend like that."

Jon answered seriously.

"I will. I won’t let her kindness be in vain."

After a few more brief words, he called Pascal away, leaving the two old friends, reunited after thirteen years, to have some space.

Although the Elves and Dwarves had a long history of grudges, this Mr. Claudio seemed to get along well with the Old Dwarf. Otherwise, anyone else would have had their kneecaps smashed the instant a dwarf joke left their lips.

Wait, does that count as a dwarf joke too?

’Forgive me, forgive me...’

After offering a silent apology in his heart, Jon turned to the young steward beside him.

"Pascal, I have a task for you."

"Master Jon, please go ahead."

"Take this to Heta City and deliver it to the owner of the Copper Whistle Tavern in person."

He took the envelope the Old Dwarf had given him from his pocket and placed it in Pascal’s hands.

"Make sure you hand it to him personally."

Seeing how serious Jon was, Pascal’s already deferential posture became even more earnest.

"Please rest assured. I will deliver it with my own hands."

"Good. One more thing. Go find Rosalind, and she will give you a token. Take it to Viscount Yed and ask him to come to Birch Town. I have some business I’d like to discuss with him in person."

"Understood."

The young steward agreed without a moment’s hesitation, not asking a single question.

And that was precisely what Jon and Rosalind appreciated about him.

He didn’t ask what he wasn’t supposed to ask and didn’t say what he wasn’t supposed to say. A smart man like that only needed a little guidance to handle things perfectly.

Finally, Jon patted his shoulder and added a final instruction.

"Once you’re ready to travel, don’t leave just yet. I’ll give you a few engineered gadgets for self-defense. Wait until our party and the contingent from the Lord’s Mansion have assembled and left the town. Then, blend in with the other people who are leaving out of fear of the unstable situation. That way, you won’t draw any attention."

Gratitude immediately filled Pascal’s face.

He had been promoted from a mere attendant of common birth to the steward of the trading house. Only he and his family truly understood the benefits that came with such a change in status.

His sister, who had been frail since birth, could now afford better restorative tonics. His younger brother, an apprentice in the Workshop district, could eat better food and wear warmer clothes. He could carry himself with confidence...

All of this was thanks to the opportunity Master Jon had given him.

’Now, Master Jon was entrusting me with a task, yet he was still being so considerate of my safety... What more could I say?’

’I can only give it my all!’

The young steward straightened his back and gave a firm nod.

"Thank you for your consideration. I’ll go and prepare at once."

"Alright, go on."

Jon didn’t waste any more words. He waved him off and turned toward his private quarters to continue his own preparations.

Although his strength had increased again with the acquisition of a high-quality, Rare Level armor set, the battlefield was ever-changing. No one could predict what they might face, and no amount of preparation could guarantee a flawless outcome.

But that didn’t mean preparation was useless. On the contrary, the more he prepared, the more options he would have when the situation shifted!

’There isn’t enough time to prepare many different kinds of potions. I’ll just have to use Cauldron Concoction to whip up a batch of Frost Resistance Potions for the Warriors to use in emergencies.’

’I also have to take advantage of Big Mimi’s flight. I could modify the Steel Nail Ejector and mount it on its claws, letting it act as air-to-ground fire support.’

’And if I still have time after all that, I’ll whip up some explosives for a bit of aerial bombardment...’

Lost in thought, Jon walked into the main hall’s corridor.

There, he saw two small figures he had parted ways with just a short while ago.

"Xina, Xia?"

"Oh, Mr. Jon!"

The older sister, Xia, was the more vivacious of the two. She waved immediately upon seeing Jon, while Xina first performed a formal Church salute before offering a quiet greeting.

"Mr. Jon, good day."

"Good day, believers."

Jon greeted them with a smile and then asked,

"Are you here to see Reya?"

"Yes, but meeting the Divine Favorer Sister is only one reason. We are also here to assist in the operation against the Eternal Frost Sect."

"Just the two of you?"

"Yes. Grandpa Ingram told us to follow your orders during the operation."

As Xina spoke, she nudged Xia, who was staring dazedly at Jon’s glittering Crystal Scorpion Armament. This brought her back to her senses, and she chimed in.

"Uh-huh! We’ll be in your care!"

Jon smiled and nodded in acceptance, though he had some reservations.

Two Sun Monks. Though young, they were genuine Official Level Saint Professionals of the Solar Domain. Their combat prowess far surpassed that of an Ordinary Professional, making them a significant asset as support.

However, this arrangement wasn’t quite what he had expected.

He had originally assumed the Church would have the two inexperienced young Monks stay behind to guard their base, while Julian led the Defender Army on the expedition. He hadn’t expected the opposite.

Needing to understand his allies’ movements, he ventured another question.

"The Defender Army isn’t participating?"

The earnest and honest Xina answered readily, directly revealing the Sun Church’s plans.

"No, they won’t. After consulting with the gentlemen from the Lord’s Mansion, the Warriors of the Defender Army, led by Monk Julian, will work with the town guard to protect the town."

’Well, that explains it.’

’The girl is clever, but she’s still too naive when it comes to politics.’

’Having the Defender Army participate in maintaining the town’s security carries a clear political objective.’

’Namely, to use this opportunity of helping Birch Town through the crisis to give the nobles of the Harvia Empire an excuse—a reason to open the door and allow their faith to spread among the populace.’

’After all, the current tension between the Harvia Empire and the Matia Religious Country stemmed from the Benest Royal Family’s refusal to permit open worship among the common folk, a decision made to maintain the stability of their imperial authority. They only permitted a few hugely influential sects—like the Sun and Moon Churches, whose followers were impossible to suppress—to establish churches in cities of town-level and above.’

’Any less influential sects were barred completely!’

’This policy had caused great dissatisfaction among many sects within the Religious Country, and that was the root of the conflict.’

’Any person of insight would want to avoid war and try to resolve the issue.’

’A pity. Under normal circumstances, this move might have helped ease the tension.’

’But now, with the old emperor on his deathbed, even a good deed requires someone willing to accept the favor...’

’War is ultimately inevitable... This is the tide of the times...’

Jon sighed internally, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Come on, I’ll take you to meet Reya. You can get acquainted. I’m sure she’ll like you both very much."

Xia and Xina were still children, after all. Though they sensed a subtle shift in Jon’s mood, the prospect of meeting the "Divine Favorer Sister"—a figure they had only heard of but never met—was enough to make them cast aside their doubts. In unison, they thanked him in sweet, cheerful voices.

"Thank you, Mr. Jon!"

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