The First Vampire - Chapter 530
Chapter 530: 528 Kill Intent_1
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“The Lord says, those who believe in me should be merciful.
Share food with the hungry, give aid to the injured, and lend a helping hand to the disabled.
The way of redemption is also the way of self-salvation.
Those with a merciful heart, the glory of the Lord will always be with you…”
The retired bishop finished his prayer, and symbolically made the sign of the Holy Light on his chest.
The crowd gathered in front of him slowly dispersed, lining up neatly to receive food from the window of the welfare institute.
Throughout the process, everything was orderly. No one fought or complained, and the elderly who were mobility-impaired were assisted by the carers of the welfare institute. A dozen naughty children who had been chasing and shouting soon obediently got in line.
Although everyone in the institute was either old, weak, sick, disabled, or isolated, none of them looked desperate, instead, their faces were filled with happy smiles.
The retired bishop watched this scene with a complex expression, sighed, and walked towards the exit of the welfare institute.
But just after a few steps, he stopped, bowed, and said:
“Cardinal, Archbishop Agani!”
Turennes smiled and waved his hand to indicate that the retired bishop need not be overly courteous, then asked, “Retired Bishop, do you preside over the daily prayer in the welfare institute?”
“Yes.” The retired bishop nodded, “The people here need the Lord’s glory more than anyone else.”
Turennes nodded his approval, his probing gaze swept around in the welfare institute. A steward soon rushed up to them, bowed cheerfully and said:
“Cardinal Sir, Archbishop, our director happened to be out due to some matters. Is there anything I can assist you with?”
“No need to bother, we’re just here to look around, you may go ahead with your work.” Turennes casually dismissed the steward, and started touring the welfare institute accompanied by Archbishop Agani and the retired bishop.
“There must be more than a thousand people in this welfare institute, right?” Turennes glanced around thoughtfully and asked.
“Yes, Cardinal.” The retired bishop answered immediately, “There are over two thousand and five hundred underprivileged here.”
“I heard that there are already more than ten such welfare institutes in the North Territory?”
The retired bishop pondered, then said, “To my knowledge, the number of welfare institutes in the North Territory has reached twenty-three, and another eight are being built and will soon be operational.”
Turennes was inastounded, “Based solely on the proceeds from the welfare lottery, can so many new welfare institutions be built and operated?”
The retired bishop explained, “Cardinal, I’ve specifically researched the welfare assistance system introduced by Count Angler.
Each welfare lottery ticket is inexpensive, only costing ten copper coins, yet you have a chance to win thousands of times more. As a result, both commoners and wealthy businessmen are rushing to buy them. Sales are booming. In Winterfell City alone, monthly revenues from the welfare lottery exceed one hundred thousand gold coins!
Two-fifths of these revenues can cover the operating and distribution costs of the welfare lottery, three-fifths are pooled into the prize fund, and the remaining half can at least support the daily operations of five welfare institutions with even some leftover to build new ones.
I’m not sure about the situations in other cities in the North Territory, but I suppose it’s similar. Hence, the current number of welfare institutes in the North Territory is still far from the limit, and is in a state of rapid expansion.
Moreover, this Charity Foundation also accepts donations from the nobles, businessmen, and commoners. During last year’s Winter Festival, Duke St. Hilde organized a grand charity fundraiser, and the attending nobles and businessmen made generous contributions. It’s said that the total charity donations on that night alone reached five hundred thousand gold coins!
As for how many donations the Charity Foundation receives on a regular basis, I’m not sure, but even if nobody donates on a regular basis, the current scale of this Charity Foundation has already reached a jaw-dropping level.
I estimate that in two to three years, the number of welfare institutes in the North Territory will likely exceed one hundred! The number of people aided will reach hundreds of thousands!
This is still a conservative estimate. In reality, the more I study this welfare system, the more impressed I am with the wisdom of Count Angler!
Although the welfare system is still in its infancy, I firmly believe that it’s a genius design that can change the Empire of Glory!”
Turennes listened silently, then nodded without expression and asked:
“Retired Bishop, do you think the implementation of the welfare system is good or bad for the empire?”
The retired bishop opened his mouth but said nothing as if he didn’t know how to answer.
Surprised, Agani said, “Cardinal, the welfare system will certainly improve the empire. So many elderly, weak, poor, and dependent people are receiving help here. Isn’t this what the Church wants to see?
I even feel that the Pope should personally commend Count Angler and promote him as an exemplary Lord spreading the glory of the Lord!”
Turennes glanced at Agani but didn’t respond.
Only then did Agani realize something was wrong, turned her head to look at the retired bishop, and saw that his brows were furrowed.
“Retired Bishop, feel free to voice your thoughts.” Turennes encouraged.
After a while, the retired bishop finally solemnly said, “Cardinal, I think the promotion of the welfare system does more harm than good for the Church!”
“Why?” Agani couldn’t help but ask.
“Because…” The retired bishop’s face turned a shade of embarrassment, but he soon hardened his resolve and said, “Because suffering is the best soil for nurturing faith.”
With that, silence descended around them.
Agani’s heart skipped a beat as she immediately perceived the deep implications of the retired bishop’s words.
As the archbishop of the North Territory, she was well aware of a fact- the poorer someone is, the more devout they are. The more sick someone is, the more devout they are. The more destitute someone is, the more devout they are…
The reason is simple – these people who suffer greatly, need the mercy and redemption of the Lord of Glory more than anyone.
But now, the welfare system designed by Count Angler has replaced the Lord of Glory, replaced the Church, and completed the redemption of these people.
So, would these people who have been redeemed in the welfare institutes still pray devoutly?
Even if they did pray, who would be the object of their gratitude?
Is it the retired bishop who comes to pray every day?
Or the creator of this welfare system, Count Angler?
With a start, Agani realized she hadn’t grasped the profound implications of the welfare system designed by Count Angler.
But the experienced Cardinal Turennes had obviously seen through all of this.
Therefore, his sense of unease towards Count Angler couldn’t be suppressed. At this moment, he finaly decided to carry out the Pope’s orders, and not give Count Angler any more chances to defend himself.
“God have mercy on all… ” Turennes blandly said, “but only God has the right to show mercy on all people.”
Agani looked up in surprise and saw the undisguised killing intent in Turennes’ eyes.
