Have you had enough, Miss Vampire? It's time to get down to business.

"No, she should still be in the Duke of Canbury's mansion."

Lor frowned slightly:

"According to the information I've gathered, the Duke went to great lengths to invite Lady Windsor here. His motives are definitely not simple... Perhaps there will be some kind of cooperation between the two parties in the future.

"Also, Madam Windsor has a follower who also belongs to the Death Whisper Society. His name is Glenn, and he is a second-level transcendent."

Lor then recounted how Lady Windsor and Glenn murdered the merchant's family and stole a large amount of money.

This was the information he had obtained from the already dead Glenn using the magic of "Talking with the Dead"... The second-level magic he had just learned not long ago came in handy.

"It seems that the situation is more serious than I expected."

Bishop Helm frowned:

"Duke Canbury is collaborating with the Deathwhisper Society... The question now is, is this his personal act, or the decision of the entire Fighters' Alliance... Hmm, I need to confirm this."

After pondering for a moment, he looked at the two fifth-level exorcists and instructed:

"Merlin, go confirm whether Lady Windsor is still in the Duke's Mansion. Be careful not to alert the enemy. Wolfe, you will handle the aftermath of the murdered merchant family."

"Yes, Your Excellency the Bishop!" the two men said seriously.

...It seems that there is nothing for me to do.

The subsequent matters can be left to colleagues at the diocesan headquarters.

Lor thought.

"Your Excellency, if there is nothing else you need, I will take my leave," Lor said. "My fiancée and I should almost be heading back to Gordon..."

"Wait a moment."

Bishop Helm returned the heavy purse containing a thousand gold coins to Lore:

"Just take these gold coins. After all, this is the operation funds that should have been spent by you. Now you haven't touched a cent, which is a troublesome thing for me..."

He winked at Lor.

"You know, the various procedures within our Holy Light Church are very complicated. If I want to return this money to the treasury, I have to write a very detailed report to explain the situation... I am already an old man, my eyesight is dim, and I really don't have the energy to write such things."

What's more, if there is a surplus in this year's funds, the budget approved by the Holy City next year will also be reduced accordingly.

"I will do anything to help the Bishop relieve his worries!"

Lor held the purse tightly without hesitation.

This is the good thing about the Church of Holy Light: everything is based on merit... They may be a bit wolfish, but when it comes to dividing the meat, they will definitely not be stingy.

Moreover, the church is really rich.

While practicing the creed of "salvation and protection", the sages of the holy city have quietly accumulated vast land and assets for the church for hundreds of years...To describe them as "rich enough to rival a country" is a bit of an understatement.

"Young people are truly formidable... Lord Lyrian was right about this man."

Looking at Lor's departing back, Bishop Helm couldn't help but sigh, feeling filled with emotion.

When I was young, if I had his talent and means, I would not have stopped at the sixth level... Maybe I would have made it to the Holy City and become one of the sages.

But it's too late to say this now.

Moreover, the pursuit of extraordinary power is always full of difficulties and dangers.

Even for an outstanding young man like Lor, it is impossible for everything to go smoothly forever.

"Alas, the path of 'Inquisitor' is not an easy one, young man." Bishop Helm sighed softly and prayed for Lor, "...May the Holy Light illuminate your path forward."

20. Liars are puppies

Before leaving Palmer, Lor went to an antique shop and exchanged the "Golden Crystal Cup" and "Lisamona's Lament" that he had obtained at the auction for gold coins.

It was sold for a total of eight hundred gold coins, which was slightly lower than the original auction price.

But it doesn't matter. Anyway, Lor didn't pay any capital from the beginning, so no matter how much it sells for, it's a net profit.

Then he went to the bank again and opened an account with a fake name, depositing all the 800 gold coins, the remaining money after the auction, and the 1,000 gold coins from the church.

After all, carrying so many gold coins on your body is neither convenient nor safe.

This bank also has a branch in Gordon City. Although the name used when opening the account was fake, as long as he had the corresponding credentials and password, Lor could withdraw money anytime and anywhere.

After finishing all these things, Lor hired a carriage and set off back to Gordon City.

"Lor, you made a lot of money this time, didn't you?" Isabella asked curiously, "So how much money do we have now?"

Lor calculated:

"Hmm... I have a total of 2,800 gold coins in the bank... I originally had 600 at home, and I took 50 when I left. After deducting the travel expenses, food and lodging, and the money I spent on clothes, I now have 16 gold coins and 43 silver coins left in my wallet..."

"So, a total of over 3,500?" Isabella asked in surprise. "Oh, that's not a small amount."

Even she, who was once a noble, feels this way, which means it is indeed a lot.

"That's not all." Lor blinked and continued, "Don't forget, I also made a significant contribution to the previous battle against the vampire Lucinda. My bonus hasn't been paid yet... If we go back now, we can just make it in time for payday."

Lor's battle record at the time was against two vampires, one at level three and one at level six.

However, achieving the sixth level wasn't entirely Luo Er's achievement; Seniors Wulf and Mo Lin also participated. If they hadn't significantly depleted the enemy's spiritual energy, Luo Er's sneak attack wouldn't have been so successful.

But the main credit undoubtedly goes to Lor.

The bonus this time must be at least a few hundred gold coins, right?

Adding this money, all the assets I have on hand will reach 4,000 gold coins...hiss, this is really terrifying.

To be honest, this is indeed a huge sum of money that ordinary people dare not even think about.

It is roughly equivalent to the total assets of a lower-level noble!

Converted based on purchasing power, in the world of my previous life, this is a huge amount of money equivalent to the lottery jackpot... It seems a little unreal just thinking about it.

Lor pinched his face hard.

"Humph, you money-grubber! No wonder you're in such a hurry to go back, you're rushing to collect your money."

Isabella curled her lips and grumbled softly, "I was originally planning to stay in Palmer City for two more days so I could ask you to accompany me to visit a few more famous dessert shops..."

"Eh? But didn't you say before that the desserts here are just average, not as good as the bakery near our house?"

"Idiot! Food tastes different with or without company..." Isabella's voice grew weaker and weaker. "Never mind, it's nothing! When we get back, buy me some extra cake to make it up to me!"

"Okay, okay, buy, buy, buy."

"Hmph, just buying it isn't enough. You have to serve me attentively and attentively while I eat! Do you hear me, slave?"

"Okay, okay. I'll hold you in my arms and feed you mouthful by mouthful, okay, Miss?" Lor teased.

"This... this is what you said, I'll remember it!" Isabella's ears flushed and her eyes dodged, "You have to keep your word, you liar is a puppy!"

ah? this……

Lor was stunned.

I was just joking, why are you taking it seriously, Miss?

……

The next evening.

Gordon City Church, Captain Ronina's office.

"First of all, congratulations on your successful promotion to the second level, Lor. Vivian told me everything that happened."

The captain smiled. As her direct supervisor, she was naturally proud that her two new recruits had received exceptional promotions. Furthermore, this would significantly boost the overall team's combat effectiveness.

"Also, I heard from the Bishop that you seemed to have helped the diocesan headquarters complete a rather difficult task these past few days, and achieved results far beyond expectations. You're quite capable, Lor."

"Nothing, just good luck," Lor said modestly. "Captain, I think you seem to be in a particularly good mood today. Is there something big and happy going on? ... Did you meet your ideal blind date?"

"How come you've learned bad habits from Joyce, making jokes all the time?"

Captain Rhonina glared at him, but her expression wasn't as frightening as usual, and she quickly regained her composure.

"There is indeed one piece of good news. After the successful encirclement and suppression of the vampire Lucinda last time, all of us were credited with a significant contribution, and I am no exception... During the next quarterly review, I will formally submit my application for promotion to the Holy City."

"So, Captain, you'll be promoted to Rank Four soon?" Lor raised his eyebrows. "Congratulations!"

"Haha, I hope everything goes well then." Captain Rhonina nodded. "I'll temporarily leave Gordon and go to the Holy City. You and Vivian are no longer newbies, and with Joyce and the others around, there's nothing to worry about even if I'm away for a while."

Lor hesitated for a moment and asked again:

"Well, Captain...when you are promoted to the mid-level, your position will also be promoted, right?"

By then, Captain Ronina will most likely be transferred out of Gordon City and take up a position higher than "Exorcist Captain"... Although this is a good thing for her, Lor still feels a little reluctant.

Although the captain appears strict on the surface, he actually cares about his subordinates and has excellent command and management skills.

To be honest, he is a rare good leader.

"Probably not that fast. Even if I successfully advance to the fourth level, I will still stay in Gordon City for a while."

Captain Rhonina sighed softly, seeming a little sad:

"All good things must come to an end, but as long as we are all in the Church, we are all companions pursuing the same creed... And who knows, maybe you'll be the first to leave our team.

"I heard from the Bishop that it won't be long before you advance to the third level. At this rate, you might catch up with me before I leave Gordon."

Captain Rhonina said this with an expectant smile.

"Hey, it's not as exaggerated as you say." Lor scratched the back of his head a little embarrassedly, "This is mainly due to your good cultivation, Captain!"

"Alright, stop flattering me... I think Joyce has really led you astray." Captain Ronina opened the desk drawer and pulled out a piece of paper. "Here, this is your pay slip for last week. Been waiting a long time, huh?"

"Oh, you saw through me? Then I won't pretend anymore."

Lor smiled, took three or two steps forward, took the salary slip from the captain's hand, and glanced at the numbers on it.

Well, not much different from what I expected.

Eight hundred and two gold coins!

21. A small goal

This brings the total assets I have on hand to over 4,300 gold coins.

Lor thought with satisfaction.

At least within the scope of Gordon City, he is already considered a small rich man.

The amount is similar to the ransom of the earl's daughter who was "kidnapped" before. With this money in hand, Lor can completely achieve class crossing and become a rentier who can maintain a wealthy life without working hard.

To think that not long ago, my entire savings were only a pitiful six gold coins, and I was heartbroken because Isabella took the initiative to use it to buy a dress... Things are so different now, it's really sad.

However, the excitement brought by the money did not last long.

He calmed down quickly.

Lor understood that as a transcendent, a relative of the vampire Isabella, and a potential candidate for the church's "Inquisitor", he no longer had the option of returning to ordinary life.

Moreover, for a truly powerful transcendent, four thousand three hundred gold coins are nothing.

He couldn't help but recall the scene when he attended the Dark Moon Society's "tea party"... Those bigwigs in the high-end bureaus would easily pay thousands of gold coins just for some intelligence and extraordinary materials without even blinking an eye!

You know, the price of pursuing extraordinary power is very high.

Even if you have the support of a powerful organization, if you want to obtain more resources and opportunities than others and be promoted to a higher level faster, you still need to privately seek additional knowledge, materials and powerful props.

And sometimes, it’s not just a matter of how fast you get promoted, it’s the difference between life and death.

For example, when he was fighting against the sixth-level vampire under Lucinda, if he didn't have the "Fire Demon Remains" that he had picked up, the battle would definitely not have been so smooth.

If you’re not careful, you might even be killed!

The pursuit of extraordinary power is fraught with danger. To go further on this path, in addition to continuously improving one's own strength, one must also seek help from outside forces and master more trump cards.

Ok……

Apart from "Liu Guang", I don't have any other powerful weapons or props now.

Although the lethality of "Liu Guang" is indeed impressive, it also has its drawbacks, that is, it can only be used in close combat and its offensive means are relatively simple.

In addition, I still lack strong enough defensive means... After all, I am only at the second level now. The means of "stacking armor" is sufficient to deal with low-level opponents, but once I encounter an enemy of the middle level or above, I am still a fragile skin.

We have to find a way to add more cards.