In the name of the true god

October 1, 448th year of the Divine Calendar, Monday, afternoon.

The Kingdom of Florence, with its capital Montorus.

After working as a loader for half a day, Jude took the tram back to the outskirts of the heavy prison. He stood with his hands in his pockets, not far from the main gate, gazing into the distance.

He heeded Edmund's final warning.

Upon closer reflection, it's indeed unlikely that the usually mild-mannered older brother, Connor, would have committed any serious crime.

So... what if?

Connor, the older brother, was not a criminal; he worked as a prison guard or similar job.

Having someone to rely on in the capital is much better than developing in a small city.

Try one last time...

I can afford this price...

Having made up his mind, Jude decided to go straight to the patrolling group of prison guards and ask them questions.

However, before he could take a step toward the prison, a gentle breeze swept past him, followed by a lazy voice.

"What are you doing here?"

Jude turned around and found that, judging from his appearance, a middle-aged man who looked to be around fifty years old had appeared behind him.

The man was wearing a brown overcoat and a matching felt hat. He had thick eyebrows, a forehead covered with wrinkles, and a downturned mouth. His slightly raised eyebrows conveyed a playful and scrutinizing expression.

Jude remembered that this person had entered and exited the heavy prison half an hour ago, so... he was from the prison?

But until the other party clearly identified themselves, he chose to remain silent: "Who are you?"

"I am Celery Rodney, a priest of the Holy Church of Wind." Priest Rodney opened his coat, revealing the insignia of the priest of wind pinned to his left breast. "What are you doing here?"

Priest? !

Jude felt a sudden tightness in his chest.

How did I end up running into the priest at the prison gate?

Why did the other person just happen to take the initiative to contact me?

Was it just a coincidence? Or was it some kind of deliberate test?

Jude bowed respectfully and replied cautiously, "Greetings, Priest Rodney. I'm here to see someone."

"Looking for someone?" Priest Rodney chuckled strangely. "I saw you standing here half an hour ago. You don't look like you're looking for anyone at all."

Jude quickly explained, "I'm just not sure if the person I'm looking for is actually in prison."

"A prison?" Priest Rodney looked towards the prison beside him. "Who?"

"My brother, Connor Viera." Jude didn't know if the priest had heard of Connor, but he had no choice but to tell the truth for the moment.

But what the priest Rodney said next caught his eye: "Connor Viera is your brother?"

Does this sound like someone who knows Connor?

Jude pulled out the pass he usually used for the dock checkpoint, which had now become his only proof of identity: "Yes, my name is Jude Viera, and I work as a stevedore in the dock area of ​​the capital."

Priest Rodney took the pass and squinted at it: "You're from the dock district?"

"Yes."

"What a coincidence. I was just there a week ago." After confirming Jude's identity, Priest Rodney handed the pass back.

The priest who visited the dock area a week ago?

Could he be the one in charge of investigating the dock warehouse fire...?

It was quite a coincidence that he, the "instigator," would run into this situation...

Regardless of whether the other party's comment was a casual remark based on a simple association or a deliberate test, Jude remained secretly highly vigilant while outwardly respectfully accepting the documents back with both hands.

Priest Rodney didn't delve into the dockside matters, but instead began to scrutinize Jude's appearance: "You do resemble Connor somewhat..."

"Do you know my brother?" Jude asked knowingly.

"More than just acquaintances." A scrutinizing glint remained in Priest Rodney's eyes. "But I've never heard him mention your existence. And you, with such a brother by your side, how did you end up working as a stevedore at the docks?"

Is Connor, the older brother, doing really well?

Otherwise, Priest Rodney wouldn't be so surprised.

Jude suppressed his excitement and cautiously replied, "My brother came to the capital alone eight years ago to make a living, so we haven't been in touch much... Could you help me see him?"

"Of course," Priest Rodney readily agreed with a half-smile. "I'll just call him out."

As he spoke, he strolled leisurely toward the guard post next to the prison gate.

Jude followed closely behind, eventually stopping outside the guard post, watching as Priest Rodney made a phone call inside.

If a priest who seems to have a good relationship with you can easily summon someone, then they must not be a criminal.

He's not a criminal, so could it be that Connor has really become a prison guard?

This is truly an unexpected life trajectory.

"He'll be here soon." A short while later, Priest Rodney emerged from his guard post, lit a cigarette, and asked, "Having a smoke?"

"I won't smoke." Jude waved his hand.

"Tell me about your brother's childhood. Has he always been so unconventional?" Priest Rodney's attitude softened slightly, and he took the opportunity to inquire about Connor's past.

Jude was unsure of Priest Rodney's attitude. After a brief moment of consideration, he chose to say vaguely, "My brother is a very opinionated person."

"Hmm..." Priest Rodney raised an eyebrow, "You know your brother and..."

"With what?"

"With a male nobleman..."

"I know," Jude nodded.

Priest Rodney became interested: "So, what's your opinion?"

"It's his right, as long as he thinks it's right." Jude didn't care about Connor's pursuit; after all, he came to stay with his brother, not to elope with him.

"Your family is really open-minded..." Priest Rodney's words carried a hint of disdain.

Jude, equally unconcerned about Priest Rodney's opinion, asked, "Mr. Rodney, may I ask what my brother does in prison?"

Priest Rodney exhaled a puff of smoke: "Ask him yourself later."

They really know how to keep you in suspense...

Jude muttered a silent complaint, but could only patiently wait for his brother Connor to appear.

Fortunately, in less than two minutes, Priest Rodney gestured with his chin toward the heavy prison: "He's here."

Jude immediately looked up and followed the gaze of the priest Rodney.

A tall, slender man wearing a black trench coat strode towards the main entrance.

As the man drew closer, Jude was able to make out his features—

She has a face shape similar to her own, short brown hair, gray eyes, and a gentle demeanor, but there is always a lingering weariness in the depths of her eyes.

A face that had long since faded from memory gradually overlapped with the other person's.

That's right, it's Connor Viera.

"Heh, Connor, what a coincidence." As Connor approached, Priest Rodney went to greet him first, sharing the story with a smile, "When I came to retrieve some files, I saw this kid loitering outside for at least half an hour. I thought he was up to something shady, so I went over to question him, but I never imagined he was actually your younger brother..."

"Understood." Connor walked past Priest Rodney expressionlessly and stopped in front of Jude.

"...Brother." Jude slowly uttered a single word.

He was 21 years old both before and after his time travel, while Connor is now 29, so calling him "brother" doesn't seem out of place.

"How did you find me?" Connor didn't offer any warm greetings to his long-lost brother, but instead asked other questions in a distant manner.

Jude had originally envisioned that after eight years apart, the two brothers would at least give each other a hug.

Seeing Connor's indifferent demeanor, the smile he forced on his face froze: "I came to the capital three years ago, and I've been working while trying to find out where you are."

"Did Father send you to find me?"

"No. I'm just like you, I've also started living on my own, and it was my own decision to contact you."

Priest Rodney flicked away the nearly burnt-out cigarette butt, trying to keep his presence low and listen to the gossip from the sidelines.

Connor glanced sharply at Rodney and gestured to Jude, "Come with me."

"Where are you going?" Priest Rodney casually followed for a couple of steps, then shrugged and stopped, watching the two brothers walk towards the intersection on the side of the prison. "Heh, this is interesting..."