In the name of the true god

We have to help!

Jude quickly came to a conclusion.

Even if he ultimately failed, at least he won Melanie's favor. Having a First-Class Warden behind him is better than having nothing at all.

Also.

If it can be proven that this was a conspiracy by the church faction, the monarchical faction will surely regain the upper hand in the matter of whether or not to transfer the "heresy".

The like-minded individuals will not be transferred in the short term, and the pressure on the Divine Descent Society will also be reduced accordingly.

This is a win-win situation!

"What do you think we should do to prove that the prison break was the work of the church faction?" Jude asked.

The chances of Connor helping out are extremely low.

He wanted to try to sort out his thoughts and find an opportunity to help Melanie launch a counterattack.

Melanie suggested two directions: "The most direct way is to find the escaped prisoner and have him tell the truth himself. However, the church isn't that foolish; it's uncertain whether the man is even alive. So... the best approach is for someone from the church to come forward and admit that they were responsible."

How can we put Connor on the complete opposite side of the church?

Melanie, you overestimate the value of your "favors"...

Jude muttered a couple of complaints to himself, but outwardly agreed: "I will try my best to make this happen."

"I'm waiting for your good news." Melanie placed her bet on Jude to turn things around.

To part ways with them.

7:12 PM.

Jude arrived at the special prison building and asked the prison guard on duty at the door to pass on a message for him.

A few minutes later, a weary-looking Connor emerged: "What is it?"

"Mr. Steele contacted me; he wants to—"

Before Jude could finish speaking, Connor, with a cold face, turned around and walked back: "This has nothing to do with you. Don't interfere again."

"Brother," Jude called out to Connor, "My business is your business, but your business isn't mine?"

Connor paused for a moment, then returned to Jude and emphasized, "I'm not letting you interfere because you can't do anything. Stop causing trouble, do your job properly, and cherish your life."

Having always been treated like a child by Connor, Jude couldn't help but get a little annoyed: "How do you know I can't do anything?"

"Then what can you do?" Connor asked in return.

"You need to tell me first why you're unwilling to leave the Royal Capital Heavy Prison?"

"I am a priest of the church, not someone who can just leave whenever I want."

"Don't try to fob me off with that. Mr. Steele definitely told you that if you're willing to leave, he can ask the Fernando family to mediate."

Connor was speechless.

Jude also realized that there was indeed some hidden reason behind his insistence on staying in prison.

What could it be?

Would he be willing to talk to himself about it?

After a moment, Connor's expression softened, and his tone was no longer cold: "Jude. I've thought about it seriously, and agreeing to let you work at the prison was actually a mistake. In the next couple of days, process your resignation. I'll take the time to officially transfer the Hearthstone Street apartment to your name. Go do something you really want to do, and don't come looking for me again."

Jude was stunned.

Why are you even driving me away?

What exactly happened?

His tone hardened slightly: "Brother, what is it that you're keeping from me? Do you think I would harm you?"

Connor's gaze was deep: "You haven't been hiding anything from me, have you?"

"I--"

"No need to say it, it'll be hard to clean up the mess if you do." Connor raised his hand to stop Jude. "I'll handle things between Steele and me. You're an adult now, you need to live your own life well too."

Jude remained silent.

Judging from Connor's gaze and words, all of his pretense seemed superfluous.

A jumble of thoughts surged through Jude's mind, and he vaguely grasped something.

"I'm so glad to have the chance to see what you'll look like when you grow up," Connor said abruptly, revealing his heartfelt feelings. "Your father, mother... and I are all so proud of you."

"Brother..." Jude looked directly into Connor's eyes, "I have one last question."

"explain."

"The Fernando family wants Mr. Steele to marry into the family... Did you already know about this?"

"Um."

"But you only brought this up in the open in the last few days."

"Um."

"I see."

"Aren't you going to ask me why?"

"No, thank you." Jude smiled slightly. "Brother, you go ahead and get busy."

Seeing that Jude was no longer pressuring him, Connor seemed a little dazed for a moment: "...I'm leaving."

This time, Jude didn't stand there foolishly and watch Connor leave.

On the contrary, he was even more decisive than Connor.

7:26 PM.

Jude greeted Captain Foster, went to the administration building, and knocked on Steele's office door.

"How did it go?" Steele welcomed Jude in and immediately asked about the result.

Jude didn't answer directly: "Mr. Steele, I'd like to know, in the eight years my brother has been away from North Point, has anything happened to him?"

"Something happened? You mean?" Steele didn't understand.

"The matter of heresy."

"Heretical?" Steele paused for a few seconds, stunned. "He told you that?"

"I want to hear what you have to say."

Steele walked slowly to the reception area and sat down, saying expressionlessly, "That was about six years ago... At that time, my family was strongly opposed to me being with him, so I simply left the capital with him and wandered around freely... Ha, living in the capital for too long made me think that everything was wonderful. I underestimated the wickedness of human nature."

Jude sat down opposite Steele and listened to him recount his untold past.

"Because we spent so lavishly, we were targeted. That night, a group of masked thugs broke into our room in the middle of the night, demanding all our money. I did, but they still beat me and interrogated me about whether I had any more money..." Steele's voice trembled, seemingly still shaken by the incident. "I said no, but they didn't believe me. Connor stood in front of me and fought with the thugs, and I screamed for help... and then... and then..."

"And then what?"

"Then... Connor got shot..."

Connor was shot?!

Jude's breathing became slightly rapid.

But... what does this have to do with heresy?

"The assailant seemed afraid of making a scene, so he quickly grabbed the money and escaped through the window. I saw that Connor was badly injured, so I ran outside to call for help. A waiter came and said that Connor's injuries were too severe and he would surely die... I begged him to take Connor to the nearest hospital, but he refused. However, he... he healed Connor's wounds in a way that I couldn't understand..."

Healed Connor in an incomprehensible way...

Is it involving wizards or resonance sorcerers?!

Jude asked, "Is that man a heretic?"

"right……"

"And then?"

"Later... Connor survived." Steele covered his face with shame. "And when the police arrived... I revealed the waiter's identity to them..."