Chapter 373: Every Gift of Destiny is Already Marked with a Price
In this era, nobles always commanded certain privileges.
Upon hearing the visitor was a Baron, the Temple Guards offered no resistance. They allowed him to pass directly without even requiring a formal announcement. However, one Temple Guard did sit next to the coachman to guide the carriage.
After a while, the carriage stopped before a building with a distinctly religious architectural style. The coachman was instructed to wait outside, and the Temple Guard led the way for Lynn.
They arrived at an office door, where the guard knocked.
"Constable, Baron Brandon of Toussaint requests an audience."
A reply quickly came from inside the office. "Let him in."
The Temple Guard opened the door and gestured for Lynn to enter. "Please, step inside."
Lynn walked in and found Chappelle bent over his desk working.
"Close the door."
"Yes, sir."
The Temple Guard closed the door. Chappelle rose, walked to the door, and pressed his ear against it, listening for movement outside.
Lynn, meanwhile, sat down in the seat Chappelle had just vacated.
"Relax. I 'looked' with my witcher senses. Your men are well clear."
"Caution is always prudent," Chappelle sat down opposite Lynn, a seat usually reserved for those he interrogated. "Lord Lynn, what requires you to personally visit Temple Isle? You could have sent a messenger; it would be safer for us to meet outside."
"Are you still afraid of being overheard on your own turf?"
Lynn tapped the wall, yet no sound was audible outside. Clearly, the office was protected by a Muffling Ward; any sound made within could not escape.
Chappelle chuckled faintly. "Force of habit."
Lynn rested his hands on the desk, fingers laced, his chin resting on the back of his hands. "I've come because I need you to carefully select another batch of people from within the Eternal Fire organization and establish a new department."
"This department's primary mission will focus on matters concerning Redania and Temeria."
Upon hearing new directives, Chappelle immediately sat up straight. Lynn's last set of instructions had led to a marked increase in the Eternal Fire's influence.
Since taking over the identity of the true Chappelle, the faith had flourished in this short time. Throughout Novigrad, from nobles and merchants to commoners, nearly everyone now professed belief in the Eternal Fire.
Even ruffians and prostitutes could recite a few hymns, praying for peace and salvation. Therefore, any instruction requiring Lynn's personal visit must be significant.
"I'm listening intently."
Lynn nodded and continued. "Over the next few months, I will travel to various major cities in Redania and Temeria, making contact with local orphanages, providing them with supplies and funding, and offering protection."
"Of course, none of this is free. In exchange, I hold the right to offer those children priority job opportunities."
"You know my true identity, and you can generally guess what I intend to do, but I'm not supporting those children just so they can die on the operating table of the Trial of the Grasses in the future."
"I will give them a future—a future where they can achieve great things, provided they are willing to work hard. A nation established by a witcher can't consist only of witchers; it needs people in all trades. Regardless of what they study, as long as they master it, I will place them in suitable positions and guarantee them a bright future."
"As for you, my friend, the task of safeguarding those orphanages and escorting supplies will fall to this new department of the Eternal Fire."
"And this is an excellent opportunity for the Eternal Fire to further expand its sphere of influence and increase its standing."
After listening to Lynn's description, Chappelle was stunned. He had mentally prepared himself, yet he still underestimated the scope of Lynn's ambition. His superior intended to spread the influence of the 'Gospel' into the two neighboring kingdoms—the two greatest powers among the Northern Realms.
Chappelle frowned, silent for a long moment before saying cautiously. "I am not questioning you, but... Lord Lynn, why not outsource the supply escort and orphanage protection to mercenary companies? If you're concerned about mercenaries stealing the goods, you could hire one of the major, high-credibility companies. Wouldn't that be less expensive?"
Just thinking about it, Chappelle could foresee that the budget and scale of this new department would inevitably dwarf the existing Temple Guard. While finding suitable recruits wouldn't be an issue given the size of Novigrad, the budget was likely to explode.
As the saying goes, 'you don't know the cost of firewood until you run the house.' Since Chappelle took the Constable's seat and became inundated with documents and reports, he naturally developed a habit of frugality, prioritizing cost-effectiveness in everything.
"Because this isn't about cost. The Church's armed force must be held firmly in our own hands."
Parliamentary struggle is merely for show; true power comes from the barrel of a gun. Furthermore, the Syndicate and the Free Company are not armed forces that can be openly displayed. Therefore, a hospital knight order—focused on medical charity and aiding the distressed—is the best outward projection of power.
With Lynn's explanation, Chappelle finally understood, but he immediately asked with concern. "But will the Kings and nobles of Redania and Temeria agree to us expanding our influence there?"
Lynn had considered this before, but he wasn't overly worried. "As long as we donate a sizable political contribution to them, they will agree."
Civilian military organizations other than witchers were generally not subject to harassment. For instance, the original Order of the White Rose and the later Order of the Flaming Rose in the games even received land from the King.
Of course, the Flaming Rose was later stripped of its lands and reduced to cannon fodder by King Foltest and then Radovid V, but that was for different reasons—either their own self-destruction or major world events.
But for the next decade or so, before 1271, those concerns were unnecessary.
"Oh, and the name of this new department must be the one I've chosen:"
"The Knights Hospitaller."
Triss, Keira, and Foltest arrived in Maribor, south of Vizima, protected by a troop of heavy cavalry.
Outside Maribor, another entourage had been waiting for a long time. Seeing the King's banner appear, Prince Yourcast of Maribor and his wife, Dobrochna, rushed forward to greet them.
Seeing his slightly similar-looking cousin step down from the carriage, Yourcast and his wife both bowed in salute.
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