A Guide to Becoming a God Starting from a Monastery

It was like when Thomas first set foot on Rhodes Island. Although the situation wasn't as bad as it was then, this smell...

I can only say that what was written in the urgent letter was not exaggerated.

Rhode Island is in trouble.

This is the base camp of the Knights, we cannot afford to lose it!

"Captain!" At this time, several figures hurried over from the front.

The leader among them was none other than Knight Andrea, who was in charge of guarding Rhodes Island.

Andrea came forward and bowed.

"Grand Commander, you're finally back... Ah, who is this?"

"This is Grand Master Pierre of the Knights Templar," Thomas said casually. "I received your letter, so I rushed back immediately. The others are on their way and will take some time to return."

He didn't have enough strength to bring back the entire fleet, so he simply returned on a ship by himself.

As for why Pierre is here too...it can only be described as some kind of anxiety.

"Captain, a lot has happened recently, and we've been waiting for your return!"

He didn't notice it when Thomas was around before, but after he disappeared during this period, Andrea discovered that Thomas had unknowingly become the backbone of the Knights Templar.

Although he didn't take care of daily affairs, at most he just checked the account books, but no matter what, he could always make decisions calmly and confidently at critical moments like a magic needle that stabilizes the sea.

Every decision was proven to be correct afterwards.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it. Thank you for your hard work in persevering until now with such a small number of people." Thomas said.

"Grandmaster..." Andrea hesitated, but didn't say anything more. "Let's go back to headquarters first."

As they were talking, a troop came hurriedly.

It's a patrol.

There were about twenty of them, fully armed. They were not the city defense troops, but the Knights' direct troops.

Apparently, Andrea had brought them here. But Andrea must have been in a hurry and moved too fast, which was why he left them behind.

Thomas's eyes swept through the group of people.

Then he slowly drew out his sword and pointed the tip of the sword at someone in the team.

“Who are you?” Thomas demanded sharply.

The spiritual field told him that this was an elite.

But his clothing showed that he was a sergeant of the order, not an official knight.

This is impossible, because if he were an elite, he would have become a full member of the Knights Templar long ago.

The Knights will not refuse elite warriors to join. In fact, the Knights will not set any threshold for such masters.

We can't even say enough about welcoming you! Once you come, you're one of us!

The others didn't understand what was going on and groaned.

Andrea was also stunned and didn't understand what was going on.

"Grandmaster, this is Sergeant Piero, he is..."

"You are not Piero!" Thomas swung his sword, and the opponent instantly raised his hand and blocked it with the halberd in his hand.

The halberd deftly dissipated the force from Thomas's sword. There was no violent impact, so the shock wasn't strong.

But the other party probably felt his arm was a little numb.

So he waved his weapon wildly, forcing Thomas and several people around him away, then suddenly dropped his halberd and ran away.

Extremely fast movements.

Thomas pulled out a pistol, but saw the imposter suddenly flash and transform into two identical figures, running away side by side.

This extraordinary ability is very practical, and any attack has a 50% chance of missing.

Thomas sneered. This trick might work on others, but not on him.

He is a person with spiritual field!

A gunshot was heard and the counterfeit fell to the ground.

Thomas stepped forward, stepped on the man, and when he turned him over, he saw that this was not Piero at all.

The entire appearance, facial features and hair color have completely changed.

Unfortunately, the bullet hit the vital part of the opponent, and the opponent was already dying.

"Take him away and search him." Thomas's face was as gloomy as water.

He actually managed to infiltrate the Knights under someone else's name... To be honest, he didn't expect that he had been infiltrated to this extent.

He looked up and around.

There must be someone else observing this place through a telescope from a distant distance.

Unfortunately, the surrounding area is too large and it is impossible to determine where the peeper is.

Two hours later.

On the island leased from the Venetians, Lucas was wearing a sailor's short coat and admiring the distant scenery.

"Right now, I think the Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce is almost ready," he said, seemingly mumbling to himself. "I just don't know how big a fuss they can make."

He held the wine jug in his hand and took a sip from time to time.

It seems like it could be made into something really big.

He was actually quite excited, like a painter about to add the final strokes to his painting.

Full of anticipation and excitement.

Suddenly, someone came running hurriedly from the other side.

"Lord Lucas, the situation has changed." The subordinate ran so fast that he was out of breath. "Captain Thomas suddenly appeared at the dock and arrested one of our infiltrators!"

"Huh? Which one?"

"That's the one... pretending to be Piero."

Chapter 177 Return 2

"How did he do it? He found someone right after he came back?" Lucas was a little curious.

Being caught isn't too far-fetched.

After all, he just changed his appearance to blend in, and he doesn't have the original owner's memories.

His speech and behavior are obviously different from the past. If he accidentally reveals his true identity, it is normal for him to be exposed.

The only annoying thing is that although that guy named Piero is a tough guy, his fighting ability is only at the average level.

The one who replaced him and infiltrated was one of Lucas's elite subordinates.

Replacing elite troops with mid-level players is a losing deal no matter how you look at it.

"I don't know, but perhaps he'd already noticed and was just looking for a public opportunity to expose it," the subordinate said. "But Captain Thomas is indeed as difficult to deal with as the rumors say."

"Of course." Lucas laughed. He had met Thomas before.

That person is indeed...how should I put it, a little unusual.

"But it doesn't matter. Whether he can find it or not is actually not important. Everything is still under control. Don't worry. You don't need to panic."

"I'm sorry, sir. I was a little impatient." The subordinate bowed his head and said respectfully.

"Though Thomas was devout, courageous, and confident, he had one obvious flaw," Lucas said. "He came from a humble background. Therefore, he wasn't good at calculating strategies."

Some things can be learned simply by putting in the effort, such as martial arts, languages, and even meditation.

There are some things that you can't learn no matter where you are.

Either you have the guidance and instruction of your elders, or you have to figure it out on your own.

For example, the methods of political manipulation and economic governance.

The Pope might understand, but the time he spent with Thomas was too short for him to teach him this.

Thomas had been Grand Commander for just over a year, and for the most part he'd been either fighting or on his way to battle. He hadn't had the time or the opportunity to explore things on his own.

"If we were to come out and fight Thomas right now, we might have to be careful. He's very powerful and shrewd with this kind of fighting style, so we might not win."

"But now, he's facing the Rhodes Island Chamber of Commerce... We're merely assisting them in driving up prices, manipulating rumors, blocking trade routes, and swaying public opinion..." Lucas chuckled. "No matter how skilled he is in combat, in this kind of battle, he's only slightly better than a stubborn idiot."

"Don't worry. I suspect he'll be 50% certain he's found out it's the Rhodes Island Chamber of Commerce that's causing the trouble. Then, to resolve the issue quickly, he'll resort to forceful measures."

"But this has forced those people to start the movement even if they don't want to."

"But even though the Grand Master has returned, the main force of the Knights has not yet returned. If a commotion breaks out now, the Knights will only gain one more elite combatant, so the impact won't be significant."

"Haha, but I don't know what will happen next."

"Your Excellency is really calculating!" The subordinate immediately took the opportunity to flatter him.

"It's not really a calculation, it's just that Thomas is just a novice after all. To rule a city or a region, you need more than just piety and courage; you also need the ability to face various forces. Not everyone will be openly hostile to you."

No matter how powerful Thomas is, can he reverse the current situation in an instant?

The Knights have become notorious among merchants and travelers, and no one dares to come here.

The import and export of supplies to the island has also caused numerous problems. Public resentment has already risen. The only solution is to purchase at high prices and sell at low prices... But do the Knights have the foresight to do so? Even if they have the foresight, do they have the financial resources to do so?

Not to mention the city defense forces on Rhodes Island, whose morale is already unsettled...

Lucas looked into the distance at the sky, his lips curled slightly.

You can imagine how frustrated Thomas was.

In the end, Venice could emerge as a savior and sign an alliance treaty with Rhodes.

No matter how unwilling Thomas was, he had to obey the Republic.

The Pope's sacred artifact can be used at will by Venice.

But to be honest, this kind of alliance is not solid enough.

We will have to use similar tactics more often in the future, and it would be best if we could bring the Knights to the point where they are on the verge of death but not yet dead, and can only rely on the Republic for everything.

Only in this way can you truly get what you want.

While Lucas was imagining the future, on the other side, at the Knights' headquarters.

Thomas is learning about the changes in Rhode Island during this time.

Simply put, the two most pressing issues we face are prices and rumors, which are not isolated but rather mutually reinforcing.

Now, among the merchants and travelers, there are rumors that the Knights have attacked their own people.

As for why, of course it was because it cost too much to build a fortress in Smyrna, and the Knights wanted to make money.

Regardless of whether others believe it or not, at least a large number of businessmen believe it.

I came here to receive the Knights' protection, but if the protector turns out to be a murderer...

Then who dares to come?

Without merchants to transport goods, the prices of goods that cannot be produced on the island naturally rise. There are also some unscrupulous people who secretly raise the prices.

Fortunately, Rhodes Island itself is rich, and the price of basic food has not increased too much.

Otherwise, the situation is estimated to be ten times more serious.

"Rumors are spreading like wildfire..." Thomas asked. "But there have only been a few instances of actual incidents, involving maybe three or four merchant ships. That's within reasonable limits."

After all, these days, even the overlord of the sea cannot stop those lone wolf pirates.

Besides, the Knights' main fleet went on an expedition, leaving behind very few naval forces. This situation was quite normal.

Besides, what merchant these days hasn't experienced piracy? Why would they be so nervous?

"So this rumor must have been deliberately promoted by someone." Thomas frowned. "Do you have any clues?"

"Captain, this matter may be related to the Rhodes Island Chamber of Commerce."

"Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce?" Thomas frowned. "Are we in conflict with them?"