Chapter 160: Chapter 160
"The Church offers low-cost educational courses for believers, but the poorer members don't have the time, and those who do generally don't need such basic knowledge. Our promotional efforts have been ongoing, but with little success. The Crown isn't exactly keen on us expanding our influence this way, either... But let's not get into that. The point is, we need someone to teach basic arithmetic in the evenings. The previous gentleman, poor Mr. Foley, has moved back to his hometown with his family. May he be well. Oliver has praised your arithmetic skills to me. It would only be an hour on Wednesdays, from eight to nine. The pay is ten shillings per class..."
Jenkins answered at once, before the old man could even finish.
"It's easy enough, and an hour is hardly any time at all."
He didn't turn down the money. After all, knowledge has value—that much was written in the teachings of the Sage.
The old man nodded, his gaze drifting down to the young students hurrying past with books in their arms, and to Chocolate, who was intently watching a flowerbed.
"We also need a pretext to conceal your true role. The royal family and some of the nobility are aware of your close ties to the Church, and there's speculation that the diocese intends to groom you as the next bishop, or perhaps the one after that..."
"Why would they speculate about something like that?"
The Church of Knowledge and Books was clearly wealthy. The window frames were made of some brass-colored alloy Jenkins couldn't identify, and the gleaming corridor floors were reminiscent of a grand manor owned by some fastidious aristocrat.
From what Jenkins could tell, the decor of the manor where he'd attended the masquerade ball with Miss Hersha couldn't hold a candle to this place.
"It's quite understandable. Your mother and father have long been followers of the Sage, and you've attended services here since you were a boy, so you know most of the people. Now, with your recent change for the better, you've found a job with my recommendation and even successfully published a book. Your abilities are beyond question. The public image you project, combined with the rumors the Church has discreetly spread, paints Mr. Jenkins Williams as a man of strong principles—decisive, impartial, and deeply devout. If I were to announce today that you'd quit your job with Oliver and were being recruited as a cleric, the entire city would know by tomorrow that the Church of Knowledge and Books has its candidate. They couldn't be certain, of course, but that is the prevailing speculation..."
The Bishop smiled, his gaze fixed on the distant spire of the main chapel, and added, "You come from a devout family, were placed in a humble job by the Church, have published a book on your own merit, maintain close ties with the local church staff, and possess a familiarity with our doctrines and scriptures that is second to none... You fit the profile perfectly."
Jenkins was momentarily at a loss for words. He thought for a moment, then asked tentatively, "You aren't actually planning to..."
the old man countered.
he answered honestly, sighing to himself:
"The secrets of godhood are revealing themselves to me, step by step. How could I possibly have time to be shackled by power and become a bishop?"
As this thought crossed his mind, he added aloud, "I have no interest in secular power, or that of the Church for that matter. While my skills in literature and mathematics are decent enough, administrative ability isn't something you can develop overnight. Frankly, I wouldn't have time even if you asked me to be king!"
Bishop Parrold laughed. "You really haven't changed. I remember when you were eight, Robert asked about your plans for the future, and you said something quite similar. It was autumn, I believe, though the first snow fell rather early that year..."
As the Bishop reminisced, Jenkins stood by and listened with a smile. It didn't matter whose soul now resided within; he inhabited Jenkins's body, and he was determined to see this life through for its original owner.
After his conversation with Bishop Parrold, Jenkins joined him in the chapel to listen to a sermon for a while before setting off to find Captain Bincy. However, knowing the captain must be extremely busy dealing with the Gear Disease Curse, Jenkins decided against disturbing him and sought out Jerry Schleicher instead.
The bearded gentleman was still recovering from an ambush by a demonic creature during that incident with the devil, so he hadn't been assigned any fieldwork. Instead, he remained on guard duty within the Church grounds.
"Williams, long time no see. I was planning to stop by Papa Oliver's in a few days to thank you. The doctor who treated me said that if my external wounds hadn't been healed so quickly, the injury could have left me with a lifelong affliction."
They stood talking beside a flowerbed near the back gate. Even though it was already October, a few small seedlings were still sprouting from the soil.
Mr. Schleicher explained that they were apparently some kind of very rare plant. The diocese had unexpectedly come upon a dozen or so seeds and planted them here just to see what would happen. Since they only took up a small patch of ground, it would be no great loss if they didn't grow.
After inquiring about Mr. Schleicher's health, Jenkins cut to the chase:
"I was there yesterday when the Gear Disease Curse was discovered, so I came over to ask about the latest developments. It's fine, though—if the matter requires confidentiality, please don't feel you have to answer."
He waved a dismissive hand as he spoke, signaling that he had no intention of prying into secrets. Thɪs chapter is updated by n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
"It's fine. Given your status, there's no need to deliberately hide this from you. But please, don't discuss it with anyone on the outside. You know about the confidentiality agreement, I'm sure..."
He paused, fumbled in his pocket for a moment, and then pulled out a thin silver disc, which he casually tossed onto the ground nearby.
"After receiving Captain Bincy's message yesterday, the Church immediately sent word to the other Orthodox Churches. We also dispatched people to coordinate with the city authorities and intensify the search for anyone connected to that swindler. We've found twelve infected individuals so far, from all walks of life. A single source can typically infect thirty to fifty people, and we have no idea how many people he contacted before his arrest, or how many of them are now infected. The situation is a mess. And that's not to mention the possibility that there's more than one source hidden in Nolan City..."
A deep worry was etched on the man's face as he spoke. Hearing this, Jenkins could only imagine the massive headache Captain Bincy must be dealing with.
"How did the source of the infection emerge? Have they figured that out yet?"