Can't I develop my own character?

"..."

Ryan knew that the other party was trying to gain his favor. If Casradi could really get Berman City, he would definitely need talented people to help manage it in the future. Although he did not agree to join the other party's camp, he would definitely help if he could because of the other party's soft words.

By the time time has passed, they will fall in love and become a family even if they are not one.

But Ryan had no reason to refuse. He really needed some power to cover up his identity. Besides, Jonathan also wanted him to become the director and firmly control the power of the bureau.

"...In that case, I will have the Municipal Office issue an order tomorrow, officially appointing you as the new Director."

"Thank you, Mayor."

"Thank Her Royal Highness the Princess. She has a keen eye for talent."

Bill said a few polite words and then left to go somewhere else.

Casradi smiled at Ryan and left.

"Tsk tsk~ Ryan, it seems that Her Royal Highness the Princess really values ​​you." Jonathan said with a smile.

Ryan spread his hands: "She is also very ambitious."

Jonathan didn't say anything. He just felt that Bill was not very willing to let Ryan be the director, but he did so because of Casradi's identity.

This was obviously not right. If Bill didn't want to take sides, then it would be a pipe dream for Casladi to control the city of Berman. Even as a princess, there was no reason for her to seize territory from the nobles.

"Sir Ryan, may I invite you for a drink?" A noble girl in her twenties walked over.

"Hi, Arya," Jonathan came over. "My colleague is a bit shy. How about I join you for a couple of drinks? We can also discuss astrology together tonight. Hunters haven't had a good time lately."

"Oh, really? I am the Hunter, Jonathan, please don't scare me."

"Of course it's true. I'll change your fortune tonight... Come on, let's talk over there."

Jonathan gave Ryan an understanding look and walked away with the girl named Arya.

Ryan had no interest in those socialites. Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he quietly opened the game.

Lin Qi was still squatting in the slums. As night fell, it was time to hunt down evil spirits again. Just as she was about to take action, she saw a group of people suddenly coming from a distance.

Beams of light from flashlights flickered in the darkness, and as they approached, their identities became clear.

"Get out of the way! The city guards are arresting heretics! Everyone else, please get out of the way!"

This is an army of about a hundred people!

"The military? Why are they here at this time?"

Ryan frowned slightly. The city guards belonged to the territory garrison. Although they were nominally the imperial army, their food and drink were all funded by the local municipal government. Over time, the army basically belonged to the lord.

This situation is very common. After all, the empire's territory is too large, and most of the core military forces that truly belong to the empire are centralized and managed.

The armies within the fiefdoms were managed by the local nobles themselves, with recruitment, supplies, and pay all funded by the local municipalities. This approach directly reduced the empire's financial burden and allowed for flexible deployment based on local circumstances. The downside was the loss of some control over the territories. While this was fine during the empire's heyday, once it weakened, it was possible for them to seize control of their territory and establish their own dominance.

The size of the army in Berman City is about three to four thousand people, not including reserve troops. They are purely direct combatants. This is already a lot considering the size of the city. The fundamental reason is that Berman City is not far from the border of the empire.

Normally, part of the army is stationed outside the city, and a small part is stationed near Fort Edinburgh, under the command of Colonel Grove.

Ryan looked up at the banquet hall, where Grove was chatting and laughing with a lady in her thirties.

He asked Lin Qi to hide his whereabouts and follow the army. He soon discovered that this group of people had surrounded an area in the name of arresting pagans.

And this area is exactly where he had calculated that the Blood Archbishop might be lurking.

After the outer soldiers surrounded the territory, some of them seemed to be moving things. Lin Qi let the magic spirit blend into the night, sneak into the shadows of those troops, and sneak in quietly.

Through the demon's vision, Lin Qi saw these troops carrying a large amount of supplies. These supplies were brought into a building, and then a mechanism somewhere opened, and a new passage appeared under the corridor.

“So there it is.”

Looking at the Blood Cult members coming out from inside, Ryan suddenly realized.

That's why we can't find it. It's impossible to find such a hidden place without someone to lead us.

'Why are you here so late?'

"Don't you know that things are getting tense lately? The colonel arranged for us to come here because of the banquet tonight."

'Okay, hurry up.'

"Sacrifice, how's the sacrifice going?"

"Don't worry, everything will go smoothly. As long as the last batch of sacrifices are offered, war will surely come to the land of Augustus!"

"Don't worry about the sacrifice. Have Hart prepare it. It will start in a week at most."

After the two finished chatting in the dark, the supplies began to be moved to the basement.

The whole process lasted nearly twenty minutes, and soon the army evacuated the slums, taking away several refugees who were judged to be heretics.

Ryan touched his chin. The demon heard everything clearly.

The military is supporting the Blood Archbishop.

This is not surprising. After all, the army is supported by Bill, and Grove must be controlled by Bill.

Will the sacrifice begin in a week?

Does that mean the Kainte army will attack?

"Why 'war'?"

The statement that war is coming is very subtle. If it is a pure war, it will happen when the army attacks, and it does not need to be related to sacrifice at all.

Also, what exactly did the Blood Archbishop want to ask from the Blood God by holding such a large-scale sacrificial ceremony?

After the army left, the Blood Bishop's people transported all the supplies in, carefully observed the surroundings, and then closed the mechanism.

'Lin Qi' was hiding nearby, and the demon spirit lurked in the shadows and entered the Cazorla Prison. She saw the cells and the people imprisoned inside.

The prison has two floors, and below that is the Kaluu Labyrinth, where the sacrificial site is located.

The man who had spoken to the military earlier kept walking down and finally came to the altar found by 'Xia Li'.

"Lord Hart, the military has delivered what you requested," he said.

"Finally, we're here. Next comes the final step of the sacrifice... Hmm?"

Hart was wearing a black robe with a hood covering most of his face. He suddenly said in a shrill voice: "Damn it, what did you bring in?!"

Swish!

The black energy fell and hit the shadow with a bang.

The evil spirit escaped from the shadow and turned into a stream of light and flew outwards, but then the figures around the altar began to chant one after another, and finally the picture was shrouded in black. According to Lin Qi's feedback, the evil spirit had been dispersed.

"He actually discovered the demon spirit. Adler didn't even notice it at the time. Could that guy be more powerful than Adler?"

Ryan was a little surprised, this was the first time the demon had 'died'.

"Not necessarily. He is a singer, and he may have a strong sense of supernatural energy."

The singer is a special profession. His combat ability may not be strong, but his perception is definitely strong.

It seems I have to be more careful in the future, the evil spirit is not omnipotent.

"We've been discovered, and I don't know what will happen... Forget it, let's retreat first."

Anyway, the Blood Archbishop couldn't move at this time, so before the Blood Archbishop's men caught up with him, Lin Qi turned around and disappeared into the night.

...

Continue to update 10,000 words, and there will be more today! Please support!!!

Chapter 52: Ryan: My life is like walking on thin ice... Can I make it to the other side? [6k]

Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta.

There were messy footsteps in Cazorla Prison.

"Quick! Look around and find the intruder!"

"Damn it, who is it?"

"Where's the person? Have you found him?"

"I didn't see it, not anywhere!"

"Go check those sacrifices!"

'Xia Li' leaned quietly against the prison wall. When she heard the sound coming in, she turned her head and saw several people rushing in from the end of the cell corridor.

These people quickly checked each cell, made sure the locks had not been opened, and then opened the doors and searched each one.

"It's impossible for them to be here. Which of these people looks like a transcendent?"

"What about the innermost one?"

"That guy is a gladiator. If she were a transcendent, she would have escaped long ago."

"Go and see."

The sound came from far away and approached. 'Xia Li' closed her eyes and pretended to rest.

"Look, it's not moving here."

"Hey, did you see her go out just now?"

"..."

"Md! Are you all deaf? I'm asking you a question!"

Edward said indifferently: "She is just a little girl, and she has been locked up by you. Where can she go?"

"Just answer whatever you're asked. Why waste time talking?"

"Okay, let's find someone quickly. If we can't find anyone, we'll be in trouble."

"He probably escaped outside, hurry up and chase him."

Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta.

The footsteps gradually disappeared again.

'Charlie' opened her eyes and looked at Edward, who looked puzzled. He hadn't seen where 'Charlie' had gone. Although 'Charlie' often disappeared, this was not the case this time.

It was just the first time someone came in after being locked up for so long, and Edward couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope in his heart. Could it be that they could still leave alive?

'Xia Li' shook her head, signaling him not to say anything and not to ask anything.

All fate will be revealed in seven days.

...

"Ha~ Ryan, I have to go now. See you tomorrow."

As the party was coming to an end, Jonathan came over to say hello and left with Arya.

He must have something important to do if he leaves in such a hurry... Ryan thought.

Although Jonathan's reputation in the aristocratic circle is not very good, there are always people who want to get close to the Fire Covenant, so this kind of communication is commonplace for him.

But Jonathan would never get lost in the warm breasts of women. Instead, he would take the opportunity to find out a lot of things he wanted to know, from small things like the lady's measurements, character and hobbies to big things like what violations of discipline she was doing in secret. He knew everything.

However, he doesn't care about general matters, such as whether a noble family has mistresses or forces people to do things.

Killing someone is another matter. Whether to do it or not depends on the situation. Write it down in a notebook first. If there is a chance, kill him.

Jonathan half-jokingly called his behavior "pale justice" because he used some unjust means in the process of practicing justice.

As soon as Jonathan left, Ryan also planned to leave. To be honest, he didn't like the atmosphere of the party.

"Ryan."

Bill came over.

"mayor."

"Can we chat for a few minutes?" Bill asked with a smile.

"Of course, what would the Mayor like to talk about?"

"Let's talk about... the future of Berman City. What are your thoughts on the recent situation? Nobles have been plagued by accidents one after another, and as the mayor, I'm heartbroken." Bill sighed. "The situation in the empire is unstable, and I'm powerless to change anything. But for Berman City, I hope it can remain stable."

"With you as mayor, the prosperity of Berman City is just around the corner."

"Haha~ Ryan, I know you. You're not the type to flatter others." Bill lowered his voice. "There's no one else here. We can have a heart-to-heart talk."