The Price of Sanctuary

The funeral was far from over.

Within the estate, a symbol of ultimate power, death claimed someone every single day.

Reyn had grown somewhat numb to it all.

The vengeance wrought by the Voice of the Deceased proved far more ferocious than he had anticipated. In just three days, he remained the sole direct descendant of the Rheinhebo family.

Next, the Blackwing Knights began to fall.

“Everyone is deeply unsettled,” Steward Ark reported the outcome to his master, his face a mask of grim concern. This calamity, he knew, would eventually reach him too.

“There is one more matter,” Steward Ark continued. “The Holy Church claims they have agreed to offer sanctuary.”

Reyn, who had remained silent until then, finally looked up, his gaze fixing on Steward Ark. He instinctively frowned. The conflict with the Holy Church that day was still vivid in his memory; why would they suddenly agree to provide sanctuary?

‘A conspiracy?’

Yet, the deity they worshipped seemed to champion justice. Perhaps they could be trusted?

Reyn rose from his seat and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, silently gazing out at the overcast sky.

The Witch’s Assembly had ceased its attacks, but another aberrant creature continued to ravage the city-state. Even with the Investment System, Reyn’s returns were meager, and his magical reserves alarmingly low.

An aberrant of A-rank, stripped of its humanity—he was unsure what this truly signified. However, the Holy Church had always been the frontline force against aberrations, possessing ample experience in such matters.

Reyn turned, his eyes meeting Steward Ark’s. “What are their demands?”

Steward Ark looked at Reyn with a strange expression. “There are no demands. They merely came to inform us, having already begun their operations.”

Reyn’s brow furrowed further. His intuition screamed that something was amiss, yet the righteous nature of the god they worshipped made him doubt his own suspicions.

He suddenly sat down and began to pore over numerous documents. After a long while, he finally looked up at Steward Ark. “Does the Holy Church have tax exemptions?”

Regarding the city-state’s taxes, there was no mention of the Holy Church’s portion.

Steward Ark shook his head. “No, the Empire does not grant the Holy Church tax exemption. However, the nobles do not collect taxes from them.”

Aberrations originated from beyond this world, and many such entities existed. As the primary force combating aberrations, no noble wished to antagonize the Holy Church, for no one desired to offend them in a world plagued by these monstrous beings.

Reyn tapped the table, his voice low and firm. “From this moment forward, we will tax the Holy Church.”

Steward Ark’s expression drastically changed, and he instinctively lowered his voice. “My Lord, we are currently under the Holy Church’s protection!”

Reyn shook his head. “I do not trust this protection. Dispatch someone today and instruct the Holy Church to pay this month’s taxes.”

Steward Ark calmed his chaotic thoughts and cautiously inquired, “Then, how much tax should we collect?”

A sudden flash of inspiration struck Reyn. He spoke softly, “Ninety-four percent. Remember, ensure they do not evade or underpay their taxes. If they refuse to cooperate, then have their branch church expelled from my territory!”

Steward Ark’s mind was utterly thrown into disarray. Such an exorbitant tax rate had never been levied, not even on peasants. This was tantamount to openly severing ties with the Holy Church!

Was this Reyn Rheinhebo’s test of the Holy Church’s protection? But was the price not far too heavy? The Holy Church would never agree. And if they truly departed from this city-state, who would then confront the aberrant? Currently, a dehumanized aberrant was rampaging across this very land!

Steward Ark suddenly shivered, lifting his eyelids to steal a glance at Reyn.

Killing his own kin, using the hands of an aberrant to eliminate rivals, gradually seizing control of the entire Rheinhebo family. Would such a man not consider the consequences of losing the Holy Church’s aid?

Reyn Rheinhebo, he surmised, must already possess a method to combat the Voice of the Deceased!

Yet, out of concern for his own safety, Steward Ark couldn’t resist asking one more question. “But My Lord, if the Holy Church truly leaves, who will confront the aberrant?”

Reyn replied without hesitation, “Then I shall relinquish this noble title. The new Count will set everything back on track.”

A veil of confusion once again settled over Steward Ark’s mind. He could not comprehend why Reyn would expend so much effort to grasp the entire Rheinhebo family, only to speak of abandoning his title.

Reyn suddenly let out a long sigh, his expression complex. “Steward Ark, I am not a suitable lord. But since I occupy this position, I must be responsible for the people of this territory.”

Steward Ark’s body trembled slightly. Was this an insinuation that the noble title held no importance to Reyn Rheinhebo? That his efforts to seize control of the Rheinhebo family were merely a fleeting whim?

For Reyn Rheinhebo, this was merely a game. He would lose nothing; no one would care if something they didn’t value disappeared.

Subsequently, Steward Ark’s heart was plunged into severe turmoil. He could not determine whether Reyn Rheinhebo’s implicit message was good or bad for him; perhaps it was just another one of Reyn Rheinhebo’s jests.

Steward Ark cautiously and respectfully responded, “I will personally handle this matter.”

Upon leaving Reyn’s study, Steward Ark immediately headed to the training grounds. It was utterly impossible to make the Holy Church pay taxes; this endeavor was bound to spark a major conflict. He would need the Blackwing Knights’ assistance.

However, the moment Steward Ark entered the training grounds, countless eyes locked onto him.

He calmly walked towards John, his voice deep. “Commander John, the Lord has given an order. Gather your men and come with me.”

John looked at Steward Ark with an expressionless face, his voice cold. “Do you know how many men in my knight order have died these past three days?”

Steward Ark frowned, though he had anticipated such a reaction. “Seventeen. Are you blaming the Lord?”

John sneered. “Is it not his fault?”

“Commander John, that is insubordination!”

“Steward Ark! The blade is already at my throat!” John’s eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Steward Ark. “He used this method to kill all the direct descendants of the Rheinhebo family. Now it’s the Blackwing Knights’ turn!”

Steward Ark stared coldly at John. “But you are still alive and well, aren’t you? Commander John, I thought you were a clever man, but you are far more foolish than I imagined. Defying the Lord’s command? Is this your choice? No one keeps a blade that cannot cut.”

He gave up on persuasion entirely, choosing instead to leave the training grounds directly.

John watched coldly as Steward Ark’s retreating figure vanished from sight. His decision had been carefully considered. Reyn Rheinhebo had never truly displayed his power until now. Were it not for his caution, John would have long since led his Blackwing Knights in a rebellion, installing a new leader.

“Beck, track Steward Ark. Find out what he’s going to do!”