Mystery: Good Witch

Chapter 1099 Audrey's Epiphany
It turned out that long before Angel "collected money" from various places and handed it over to Sherman to acquire factories in the East District and surrounding farms, Audrey, who was looking for food sources everywhere, had already noticed this "Black Bear Food Company" that expanded rapidly during the war.

But at that time, the prices in Loen had not risen to an unacceptable level, and Audrey was still able to collect enough food from various sources, so she just silently memorized the four-fingered black bear claw mark and did not investigate further.

But now, the price of food in Backlund has risen to more than four times the pre-war price, and there is no demand for it. Even the relief centers set up by the government and various charitable organizations cannot provide basic food security. After Audrey sought help from familiar nobles and merchants without success, she finally turned her attention to the factories in the East District that were able to operate during the shortage of raw materials and seemed to have their own supply channels.

Therefore, after her last request to her father and elder brother to use the family's grain reserves was rejected this evening, the first place she visited was the "Black Bear Cannery", which ostensibly belonged to Sherman but was actually owned by Angel.

"So, you are planning to unite the East District factories that need food raw materials, put pressure on the royal family and the parliament, and ask them to stabilize prices, mobilize the nobles and rich people who hoarded food to release the supply, and meet the needs of Backlund and even the whole country?"

After listening to Audrey's explanation, Angel asked back with the last glimmer of hope.

Being stared at by her earnest eyes, Audrey's cheeks turned slightly red, and she lowered her head and answered in a low voice:

"No, I actually wanted to plant the seed of the seeds of guilt for the poor people starving here in the factory owners and food merchants, so they would sell all the food they had stored... But I encountered a setback in the first step, because as soon as I entered here, I found that I had seen Miss Sherman and Mr. Mitchell..."

So, your understanding of the "lower class" route is that you cannot interfere with the nobles who are protected by the Beyonders of the Church, so you come to the East District to hypnotize the factory owners and let them help the poor... Angel suddenly felt that he had not taught the "student" in front of him well, and he was also at fault.

Looking at Audrey who couldn't even lift her head, Sherman who seemed to have a doubtful expression, and Leonard who was uncomfortable and shaking with Hai Zhiyan's cane, Angel reconstructed what happened tonight in his mind.

At the same time that Audrey recognized "Star" Leonard and his female companion Sherman, the parasite Pales in Leonard's body should have also sensed the presence of the "audience" demigod and issued a warning.

When Leonard ran out to look for the "enemy", Audrey, probably out of guilt or wanting to learn more about the relationship between Leonard and Sherman, showed up on her own initiative and went back to the office with him. Then, after learning that the "Black Bear Cannery" belonged to Angel, she asked Sherman to report the matter through prayer.

As for Sherman's doubts, they were probably due to the relationship with the "Tarot Club" and the slight vigilance caused by the acquaintance between Mr. "Star" and Miss "Justice".

After thinking about all this, Angel pushed Sherman away from the only single sofa in the room, sat on it himself, looked at Audrey in front of him with parallel lines of sight, and said:
"It seems that you have a serious problem understanding the 'lower level' route I mentioned."

She originally wanted Sherman and Leonard to leave first and continue the "private communication" at the Tarot Club, but after thinking about it, she realized that this matter might have something to do with them, so she continued:
"Perhaps in your opinion, factory owners who are not protected by official Beyonders are already considered the 'lower class'. But even if you can successfully hypnotize them and suggest that they donate food, it won't help the situation much... Look, even with my help and the military orders, this factory is now in a dilemma of raw material shortage and is about to stop production. How much better can other places be?"

"Then what should I do, Miss… Angelica?"

Audrey raised her head with a dazed expression, and her emerald eyes dimmed a lot.

"I tried to get farmers in East Tucker County to grow mushrooms that they could grow on their own, and hypnotized the merchants who could be found and had a lot of food stored, but it was all useless... And those nobles were not even willing to reduce two dishes on their tables and eat one less dessert after the meal in order to help the poor.

“Even if I offer a high price, they may not be willing to sell their food. This is not only because they want to hoard the food, but also to prepare for a possible defeat. They hope to use the resources in their hands to continue to maintain their superior status and a comfortable life after the war.

“Does it mean that I can only think of ways to rob the food from the armies of Intis, Feysac, and Feynaport?”

Leonard, who was standing by the wall and now sitting with Sherman, raised his head and interrupted:
"Their army will definitely guard their supplies closely, and even have demigods stationed there. You may not be able to break through their defenses and take away their food. And even if you succeed, they will continue to plunder food from the local people to maintain their armaments after they have already penetrated deep into Loen."

My actions would be equivalent to harming Loen's own citizens... Audrey immediately understood what Mr. "Star" meant.

But if I can’t rob the enemy’s food, and the nobles and big merchants on my side are protected, what should I do... Her eyes wandered, and finally stopped again on the face of the "Queen", which could easily make people intoxicated.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Angel leaned back on the comfortable sofa cushion and said carefully:

"First of all, you made a mistake. You put yourself in opposition to the church and the nobles. In the current war situation, the foundation of the Church of Night and Storm lies in stability. Even if your behavior has some legitimacy, they will not allow you to hypnotize other nobles. If you do this once or twice at most, they will find clues, strengthen defenses, or even set traps to capture you."

Audrey nodded as she listened. She had previously tried to hypnotize the nobles whose family territories had not yet been occupied by the enemy and who still had a large amount of food stored, but she was soon discovered by the official Beyonders and the suggestion was lifted.

"Putting you and stability on opposite sides of the scale, the church and the royal family will definitely choose the latter, even if your father comes forward. Although he has made many contributions to the church, he is ultimately just a person, just an ordinary believer." Angel continued.

A believer... Audrey suddenly felt a little depressed. She always thought that her father, who had a tall image, first admitted at home that he was a selfish person who only cared about his family and the dignity of the nobility. He was then evaluated by the "Queen" lady she admired as "just an ordinary believer", which made it difficult for her to accept emotionally for a while.

But then she realized something, and raised her head abruptly, looking into Angel's dark purple eyes that were as attractive as a whirlpool:
"You mean... we need more believers?"

“That’s right,” Angell’s satisfaction as a teacher reached its peak when he saw his clever student Audrey come to his senses. “Normally, nobles like your father and merchants who hoard food and sell it at high prices can use their financial resources, power, and influence to help the church maintain its system and spread its faith. Therefore, they are more valued by them, and they may even arrange for Extraordinary people to protect them…”

“But in the present situation, there is no difference between a nobleman and a pauper in essence, in the sense of an ‘anchor’.

"Even if we put all the nobles, wealthy businessmen, and their families on one end of the scale, there are only a few thousand people, not even as many as the employees of the Black Bear Cannery, let alone the entire East District and the entire Backlund?
"When they were hungry and went to the streets to beg for food, what choice do you think the church would make?" After saying that, Angel looked at Leonard who was stunned beside him, as if the last sentence was asking him.

The latter's expression gradually softened, then became serious again.

"I don't know what others will choose, but I won't stop it unless the nobles are willing to donate their own food to calm the anger of the crowd."

Said the "Red Gloves" captain, who was about to be promoted to demigod and had great autonomy in action.

His opinion basically represents the attitude of most of the lower-level Extraordinary people in the church. Now that almost all the angels and saints have been sent to the front lines, this is basically the attitude of the church... Angel nodded with satisfaction and looked back at Audrey. He found that her expression seemed to understand something and her eyes gradually lit up.

Knowing that the other party had figured out the key, Angel smiled and said:

"After dealing with the church, it will be easier to deal with the army stationed in Backlund. Food shortages affect not only the civilians, but also the disabled and retired soldiers. Your medical charity fund can also 'influence' them. As for the royal family, I suggest you find an opportunity to meet the king, Edessac Augustus. He has lived in a small town in Severus County for a year, and the town has been destroyed by war. You can find a way to convince him to stand on your side."

Taking advantage of the inclinations of the upper class, mobilizing the power of the lower class, and exerting pressure on the nobles and wealthy businessmen in the middle… Audrey muttered to herself, her expression brightening.

"Thank you, Miss Angelica, I know what to do now."

I hope you really understand this time. Don't rob me again. I donated almost all the money I earned from the factory, except for the construction of the "Dream City"... Angel thought secretly and warned:

"Arrange everything before taking action. Don't let anyone get killed. Otherwise, for the sake of stability, the church will not sit idly by."

"I'll pay attention to that," Audrey nodded solemnly, and then looked at Sherman, "Ms. Sherman, I hope to meet the workers of this factory tomorrow. In addition, please recommend a few representatives who have a good reputation among the workers."

Sherman came back to his senses and nodded subconsciously:

"Tomorrow is payday, and they will all come to the factory. Do you want me to arrange a party or speech for you?"

She already understood what this noble lady wanted to do for the lower classes, and she couldn't help but feel excited.

Audrey chuckled and shook her head.
"No need, no one will notice I was here."

At this moment, she regained her confidence as the "audience" demigod.

----

In the house that Fors and Xio rented together.

The "traveler" opened his eyes and jumped up from his armchair, feeling that his spirit had been restored and he was full of energy, no longer tired from the fatigue of two hours ago.

Of course, this only refers to the physical aspect. Her spirit had long been exhausted from the endless cycle of resting - exhausting her spirituality - and resting again.

With a sigh, Fors reached out and grabbed the air, using the ability of "summoning historical pore images" that he had recorded earlier to grab something and pull it back, pulling out the "world" Gehrman Sparrow wearing a top hat and a windbreaker.

The latter's eyes quickly became smart, he regained consciousness, nodded at her, and the black leather gloves on his hands became transparent, and he was about to use "teleportation" to leave.

Seeing his skillful movements, Fors, who had summoned the historical images several times but couldn't even say a word, couldn't help but whispered:

“I always feel like I’m just a tool…”

Hearing this, Hermann's stern face turned around, his gaze fixed on Fors, whose face had suddenly turned pale, and he said in a low and hoarse voice:
“No, Miss Writer, you are not a tool.

"To be precise, you are a tool. After you die, your Beyonder characteristics will be made into magical items for the 'apprentice' path, and then you will be a tool."

Until Gehrman's figure disappeared and Hugh Dilcha, who heard the noise, walked down from the second floor, Fors remained in the same place, motionless.

(End of this chapter)