Chapter 54: The Tendency to Cooperate

“So, who should actually receive this token?” Priest Gavin found himself in a difficult spot. According to the original rules, this should have gone to Knight Val, but now the value of the item claimed by the price George paid was the main part. Plus, there was the relationship between the two. This complicated situation gave Priest Gavin a terrible headache.

George quickly helped Priest Gavin out of the trouble: “Just give it to Mr. Val. I think he can use this tool more effectively.”

After all, Knight Val, who led the most battles on the front lines, had the highest chance of needing these things. After all, these consumables were not bought to sit in a warehouse and go moldy; they had to be used at the right time and place to gain greater benefits. For Bolerum Territory, the most precious thing was the population. Population was not only the foundation of production but also the source of soldiers. In this era where the common people were fixed to the land, relying solely on the small number of new arrivals like Freemen was simply not enough.

And Bolerum Territory could be said to be in the heart of the Duchy. Under the current general situation, there was absolutely no opportunity to expand outward and plunder people. So George could only focus on reducing the loss of population. In peaceful times, he reduced potential risks by eliminating bandits, establishing security, and creating inspection systems for fire and diseases. On the battlefield, where danger was greatest, whether it was the previous policy of professionalizing the army to create elite troops or the current use of magic items, all were based on this.

“Since that is the case, please take this token, sir. However, when it is time to come and pick up the Magic Wand, I would also ask Lord Bolerum to come along. After all, there is a document that needs your personal signature at that time.” Priest Gavin reminded him slightly. “Also, regarding the small remaining part after exchanging for magic weapons that we mentioned earlier, what would you like to exchange it for?”

George turned his head toward Hiren, signaling him to think about what else was needed. Hiren shrugged to show he had no immediate needs. Then, when looking at Craig, the guy actually showed a confused expression. Seeing Mr. Val’s meaning, it seemed this matter was to be decided by George and the other two through internal negotiation.

“Since you both don’t want it, then I will choose myself,” George reminded Hiren and Craig again.

“You choose for yourself, after all, you contributed a lot during that battle. You can’t go home with nothing,” Hiren scratched his head and said awkwardly.

Craig simply extended his finger and said: “Anyway, I basically didn’t help much, but George, you must remember the Candy House matter.”

“Let me think first. What is the price range for an item equivalent to a Moderate Healing Potion?” George sat in the chair, stroking his chin and looking down in deep thought. ‘The internal price of the Moderate Healing Potion in the Temple is probably between 300 and 350 Gold Coins. But actually, if you want to buy it on the market, the price will be at least doubled. Judging from what Priest Gavin just said, unless the other party intends to maliciously mislead us, exchanging for this should be the most cost-effective. However, given the recent situation, I don’t have an urgent need for this.’

This time, George spent much longer than the previous few people. Except for Priest Gavin, the other three were so bored that they started entertaining themselves.

George slowly relaxed his eyebrows. He put his hand down, lifted his head, and asked: “I think your Temple should have items that enhance meditation effects. How much of this remaining reward can I exchange for that?”

“Just items that enhance meditation? If it is equipment for long-term use, this reward cannot exchange for anything similar. But if it is consumables, you should be able to exchange for some,” Priest Gavin recalled for a moment and quickly gave an answer.

George asked calmly, “What consumables are available? Can you introduce them to me?”

“Mainly, you can exchange for ointments and incense. For example, specially made Focus Incense can exchange for about ten pieces. Each piece can burn for about one hour. The scent it emits during burning allows users in small spaces to more easily eliminate extra thoughts during meditation, which is why it is called Focus Incense.” Priest Gavin said, taking a brown cone-shaped object from his bag and placing it on the table. “This is the Focus Incense. As for the ointment, I did not bring it with me. Its usage is to apply it to joints like the armpits. Its effect is similar to the incense, but since only one person can use it, the price is lower. You can exchange for about 30 uses of ointment. Also, the effects of the two cannot be stacked, so do not use them repeatedly to avoid waste.”

George then turned to look at Hiren and Craig. Seeing that neither of them reacted, he made a decision: “Then let’s exchange everything for ointment.”

Priest Gavin was quite startled and kindly reminded: “You really want this? If I am not mistaken, you are following the Knight path. Even if you meditate, the requirement for this should not be high. I think the general incense in the imported goods store should be enough for you. Do not spend the hard-earned reward on this.”

“There are some reasons that cannot be told to outsiders,” George only gave that one sentence.

But this half-said, half-hidden statement made Priest Gavin misunderstand: “So it is a need for family inheritance? Very well! I will not say much more. Let us go together to pick up a jar of Focus Ointment. The Temple has this now, so we do not have to wait like with those other items.”

Basically, all matters requiring negotiation had been resolved. It could be said that the main purpose of coming to the Temple of the Lord of Justice that morning had been achieved. Without pressure, everyone relaxed a lot. After completing the set tasks, Priest Gavin did not rush to kick them out. Instead, he started chatting with George and the others about some uncommon things that recently happened in Karada. This was just like business personnel in certain companies before crossing over, building relatively friendly personal relationships with potential long-term customers or big clients. If it was not for a one-time deal, this was indeed a very effective method.

Because of this, George’s evaluation of the Temple of the Lord of Justice was really much higher. A Temple run like a company was unlikely to have irrational situations. Plus, the cooperation with the branch temple in the territory had been quite smooth before. At the same time, based on previously collected data, the Temple of the Lord of Justice was a good temple very focused on its own field. It rarely conflicted with lords who had no evil tendencies, so George had the idea of further cooperation with them.

To this end, George asked: “By the way, I would like to ask if your High Priest is here now?”

Priest Gavin sensitively noticed that this was somewhat different from the previous casual chat: “Oh! Is there something you need to talk to the High Priest about?”

“You should know that we also have a Temple of the Lord of Justice in our territory,” George started the topic.

Priest Gavin thought for a moment and said: “That is correct. That is a subordinate agency of our Temple. It seems to have always been engaged in businesses like the custody and execution supervision of contract documents.”

George spoke softly: “We currently have a tendency for further cooperation with your Temple.”

“Clang—What? Further cooperation?” Hearing this news, the teacup in Priest Gavin’s hand was suddenly a bit hard to hold steady, and it almost fell to the ground. After a flurry of frantic movements, the cup still tipped over onto the table.

George’s expression became quite serious, and he said in an affirmative tone: “Yes. I plan to set up a formal Court in the territory for the next period to replace the system where the City Lord’s office makes judgments. This will reduce the increasingly heavy administrative burden on the City Lord’s office now. During this period, I hope to get the help of the Temple of the Lord of Justice. Also, after the Court is built, I hope you will send someone to supervise it. I think no one is more suitable for this than the Priests of the Lord of Justice.”

Hearing this news, Priest Gavin immediately put away the somewhat cynical attitude he had shown while chatting with George and the others. His expression became solemn and serious. He joined his hands, whispered a prayer, and then said to George and his group: “This is indeed the path our Lord walks. Please wait a moment. I will go to invite the High Priest immediately.”

After saying that, he bowed to us with joined hands and then turned to leave. It looked like he was going to report this matter to the High Priest.

“George, are you serious? To set up a Court and also have the Church of the Lord of Justice participate? This is internal management power of the territory. Letting others participate is not very good, is it?” Knight Val asked with some confusion.

George explained: “I only gave them a certain degree of supervisory power before and after the trial within the Court. This just fits their Dogma and will not have any impact on the power structure in the territory. Although I also have a relatively feasible plan regarding the Court, I still hope to let professionals participate to perfect it further.”

“Alright! At least so far, your ideas and plans have not had any major mistakes.” Perhaps George’s previous success gave Knight Val confidence, so he did not dwell on this matter too much.

After waiting for a while, Priest Gavin returned alone. At the same time, he was carrying a clay jar. As soon as he entered, he said: “It is really very unfortunate. Just while we were discussing matters, the High Priest had to go out for something. If you come again tomorrow, I will inform him after the High Priest returns.”

George thought for a moment and found that there was indeed no special arrangement for tomorrow, so he agreed: “Very well! At this time tomorrow morning, I will come on time. Then let’s make the reservation here first.”

“Alright, if there is nothing else, let us leave first. We have spent a lot of time here today,” Knight Val stood up and reminded.

George turned to Priest Gavin and said: “Indeed, a lot of time has been spent. Then today we will prepare to take our leave.”

While handing the clay jar to George, Priest Gavin said: “Then please take this. This is the Focus Ointment you exchanged. Please remember the agreement to come back on time tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow,” George said, taking the jar of ointment.