"Brooklyn? Or the more northern area of Brownsville."
Time moved on to the evening.
York sat at the dining table, holding a document in his hand, and calmly said, "The security is somewhat poor, a mixture of many races, this situation indeed meets my requirements. They have chosen a good church."
York looked down at the Ashibi Church mentioned in the document in his hands and smiled faintly, his goal was simple.
Chaotic places breed more evil.
And the accumulation of evil leads to more paranormal events.
At the same time, in places like this, some people are more likely to believe in the existence of God, holding their own faith.
As they say, everyone has their faith, following their own set of rules and ways of functioning.
Just like when he first came to Pluto Church, he had also received a believer.
That believer was a villain involved in all sorts of evil deeds, such as drug trafficking and human trafficking.
And this believer came to Pluto impulsively, seeking confession, just for a moment of peace.
Looking back, the believer respected him as a priest in every move.
So, compared to ordinary people, these villains in some ways stand out even more.
Although due to his priestly duties, he would not reveal the conversations between them, he managed to indirectly lead the authorities to find evidence of the believer's crimes.
And in that conversation, he gained a total of five attribute points.
Thus, a chaotic area could increase the chance of triggering random tasks.
"Speaking of which, Pluto Church was also like this at the beginning, many people did not welcome me as a priest, and it was all my effort that made it peaceful," York mused to himself.
"Does the old guy want me to manage this area again?"
Saying this, York looked up ahead.
In front of him was divided into two parts.
One part, a sexy woman sitting on the sofa, clad only in a tank top and shorts, showcasing a figure that could tempt a man to sin, was engrossed in watching the cartoon in front of her.
It was still Tom and Jerry.
Seeing Hannah in this way, York shook his head, wondering how such a big girl could be so fond of Tom and Jerry, watching it all day without getting tired.
Glancing at Hannah's enticing profile, his gaze then extended to Erin, who was busy in the kitchen area.
There was no way, with his current identity, Erin wouldn't let him do anything.
And Hannah, even more so, wouldn't cook.
Thus, Erin was solely responsible for tonight's dinner.
At that moment, Erin, no longer in the old and plain nun's robe but with her long hair tied back in a ponytail, which along with her unique aura and delicate oval face, made her look quite stunning.
She was cutting vegetables, as if time, long and unfading, would leave no trace on her, merely slipping quietly past, which made York take a good long look.
Finally, after Erin finished cutting the vegetables, he spoke up: "Erin, give them an answer, let's go with Ashibi Church."
At these words, Erin looked up and replied softly, "Alright, Bishop, have you decided to go to Ashibi Church?"
"Mm," York nodded.
Hannah turned her head: "Father, which area is that?"
"Brooklyn," York replied casually, then spoke to Erin again.
"Tell the Warren couple the address, and also let Miss Camille know, and ask about the wedding date."
Erin nodded.
"Alright, Bishop."
Thus, York changed his target and chose the more chaotic Ashibi Church as his place of rest.
In essence, as a bishop, he already had his own parish to manage.
But York had not agreed, even the premise of becoming a bishop was to give him more freedom.
Moreover, with world rifts everywhere, York's position was very special.
With a rift present, he could go anywhere and could replace the original bishop to manage that area's parish.
In York's view, this was somewhat like the pope's previous patrol, or perhaps a necessary path to becoming the pope.
The more he thought about it, the more York felt that this possibility was quite significant.
The old man, before becoming the pope, had also operated in this way.
Thinking of this, York wasn't sure how to express himself.
As always, he would take things one step at a time.
As they say, no matter how much you think, it's futile; only when the day comes will it matter.
Of course, he now had such a mental preparation.
"The pope?" York looked at the dishes on the dining table, and at Erin and Hannah who were talking on the side, murmuring to himself.
"What was the old man's situation like back then? It seems like he wasn't very interested, huh?"
York remembered the old man.
——————————
The next day.
Brooklyn, Brownsville.
At the
entrance of a brand-new church, a sleek black car stopped on the street outside.
With the help of the clergy outside, three people stepped out of the car.
"Bishop York."
As the first, a burly man, stepped out of the car, the clergy waiting for a long time bowed and greeted respectfully.
"Mm," York nodded in response, his aura casually spreading, observing the area.
It was like a neighborhood.
The church wasn't a standalone building but was connected to other buildings.
Of course, the buildings on both sides had already been purchased by the church for the clergy's residence.
Outside, there were some gaps compared to other buildings, making Ashibi Church appear somewhat independent.
The street was lined with ornamental trees, and the occasional dry leaves on the ground added to the atmosphere.
Further on was a normal commercial area.
Convenience stores, restaurants, etc.
Importantly, during broad daylight, there were very few pedestrians and patrons.
Even the restaurants only had a few customers dining.
The sparse pedestrians, with their hurried demeanor, revealed the tension here.
And further on, was the area where street urchins gathered.
Street urchins referred to those young people who congregated and conversed loudly.
Besides these, the entire area within a few hundred meters was within York's sight.
Just a glance was enough for York to get a general understanding of the environment.
The crime rate here was indeed high.
But that didn't mean there were no good people, just ordinary civilians, and so on.
As it was, even Lise Merrill, who was currently studying at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, came from a slum-like area.
And what bad had she done?
So one shouldn't judge this area solely by its surface appearance, various data, or even its crime rate.
"There aren't many people, huh, Erin?"
Hannah, who had already gotten out of the car, glanced around the environment and instinctively said to Erin, who had now donned the deaconess's nun robe.
Erin did not respond to this remark, just looked at her own bishop.
"Let's go," York said simply, walking ahead and leading a group of people into the front yard of Ashibi Church.
Upon entering, it was a standardized front yard, a sight York had seen too often.
Only the great cathedrals possessed historical essence and unique styles; otherwise, other ordinary churches, except for their internal configurations, were mostly indistinguishable.
York glanced at the front yard and continued walking towards the main building.
As he expected, the layout inside the church was basically no different from others.
Except that the lights inside were modern light sources he disliked, not the surrounding candles.
Of course, York wouldn't mention this outright, not wanting to negate the clergy who had been with him all along.
After looking at the clean church, free of dust, with new pews and windows, York knew what effort these clergy had put in for him.
Not to mention anything else, just for this thoughtfulness, he needed to respect the work of these clergy.
"Not bad," York said.
"I like it very much, Father Lucian."
Father Lucian, the priest originally responsible for Ashibi Church.
His tenure as a priest wasn't very long, but he had been in the role for several years.
He was one of the clergy who had advanced from monk to priest.
Such priests had both the decisiveness and courage of their monk days and the cultivation of a priest, making them quite valued in the church.
Why? Because this kind of clergy, apart from their steadfast will and loyalty to the church, inherently had stronger combat abilities than those from academic backgrounds, significantly better in martial skills.
If one were to describe it, priests from monastic backgrounds could be compared to magicians with a certain degree of martial skill, while those advanced from monks were like dual-skilled magicians, strong in martial arts and capable in magical skills, though slightly lacking in knowledge storage but still able to keep learning.
Only such clergy would be assigned to chaotic areas, and he had been similar, although it was his choice to go to Pluto Church.
"Bishop York, as long as you like it," said a priest who had been following a step behind, the original priest in charge of this church, his eyes showing admiration as he smiled and whispered.
When this bishop had chosen to rest here, he was both shocked and delighted.
Shocked because he feared that the people around might disturb the bishop's peace after he left.
Delighted because the bishop had chosen his church as a place of rest.
You should know, no monk was unaware of this bishop's reputation.
When this bishop had just left the monastery, even as a novice priest, he was already an idol among the monks.
To put it in one sentence, his great reputation was hard-fought, and no one could deny it, even the most notorious troublemaker at the headquarters had been subdued by him.
And he had the fortune to have sparred with this bishop back
then.
Just one move, which he hadn't even seen coming, and he had fainted on the spot, unable to deny it.
Eventually, this bishop had to leave the headquarters reluctantly after stabbing a cardinal who seemed to have ties with demons, under pressure from other bishops, and he had some complaints about the bishop council at that time.
Now, suddenly, this man had become a bishop, and he was truly overjoyed that day.
"Mm," seeming to perceive Father Lucian's fleeting expressions, York smiled faintly.
"Then please coordinate with my deaconess, Sister Erin."
"Yes, Bishop York!" Father Lucian straightened up and then looked towards Erin, who was standing by.
Erin, noticing the gaze, nodded.
——
Meanwhile.
A red Lamborghini entered a high-end community where only the truly wealthy lived.
Finally, it pulled up to one of the houses that resembled a manor.
"Thank you."
With the help of a servant, a young woman in a business suit stepped out of the Lamborghini.
Her devilish figure, golden long hair shining brightly, and her delicate face made the ordinary business suit seem endlessly charming.
She handed the car keys to the servant familiarly.
The servant bowed slightly, ready to drive away the very conspicuous Lamborghini.
The woman then looked up at the building, saw her sister waving from above, smiled, and waved back before taking a deep breath and entering.
"I finally found him."
The woman's face showed nostalgia and excitement.
When transferring money, she had tried through various channels to find the priest's address but was warned off, which is when she realized that the priest who had coincidentally passed by and saved her was no ordinary person.
Although she had been warned, she hadn't given up, trying to find out as much as possible.
But it wasn't until her father personally pointed out the matter, forbidding her to use the family's power to investigate, and bluntly telling her to forget about it and that she was neither worthy nor suitable, that she finally became disheartened and gave up, changing her ways to prove herself by entering the business world and taking part in the family business.
But unexpectedly, her sister had news of that priest.
And it was such a coincidence that he was about to marry into the Benjamin family, well-acquainted with the priest.
Even the priest would personally officiate the wedding, acting as the celebrant, which made her feel incredibly fortunate and marvel at fate's twists.
Remembering how she had secretly visited that Pluto Church but hadn't found the priest, Jessie sighed softly and stepped into the grand hall of the building.
Actually, from the day her sister sent the information, having personally watched that spectacular exorcism live broadcast and seeing the man she had thought about day and night, she had already given up because, as her father had said, the more she knew, the more she realized she was not worthy.
Moreover, he was now a bishop of the church, belonging to a different class altogether.
But she didn't hope for more, just wishing to see him once was enough.
"Jessie! You're back!"
Her sister Emilia had already run over, looking beautiful in a dress.
"How is it?" Jessie grabbed her, smiling.
"Have they set a date yet?"
Today was the day the family and the Benjamin family were scheduled to discuss the wedding.
"It might be set for June," Emilia's face was filled with happiness.
"Because the bishop gave a time beyond June, there's plenty of time."
Jessie felt a bit bitter but her face was filled with smiles.
"June is typical, symbolizing love and marriage, you and Saxon will be happy, congratulations, my sister."
Emilia's smile grew even brighter as she held her sister's right hand and walked inside, then glanced at her smile and whispered in her ear.
"I just asked Saxon, I found out the exact address of that priest now, do you want to go see him first?"
"What?"
Jessie was startled, suddenly stiffening.
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At the same time all over the world, countless events were happening.
While Jessie was stunned by her sister's words, in a detached villa, Ed's voice could be heard.
Following the sound into a room similar to a study, Ed was on the phone.
"If possible, we would also like you to interview us, to let people know and understand our special profession," Ed sat at his desk, which was covered with handwritten case studies resembling a diary.
The thickness of these documents seemed to testify to the experiences and adventures he and his wife Lorraine had over the years, as well as their passion for their profession.
"But because it's so special, we need the church's permission."
"Yes, you heard right, Mr. Petrov, even we are managed by the church."
"However, I can give you a suggestion. If you really want to conduct an interview, you could apply to the church. Once approved, my wife and I will be available for your interview."
Ed's words fell one after another, showing his sincerity but also his strict adherence to rules.
While he was talking to a TV station's manager, in a corner of the living room on the sofa,
"Mom, I'm starting now." A girl in a simple dress sat in a chair, her feet flat on the ground, the violin steady under the control of her left hand and shoulder.
Her left hand held the neck of the violin, gently bent over the strings, while her right hand held a horsehair bow lightly resting on the strings.
At just about ten years old, her posture was remarkably standard, showcasing her talent.
Lorraine watched her daughter with a look of overflowing maternal love that was visible to any onlooker, but she was even prouder of her child.
Recalling the message passed on by Sister Erin, she smiled softly and nodded, planning to surprise her daughter after she finished.
Judy, one of the four children who had been baptized by Father York as a baby, began to play with a smile.
As her gentle touch caressed the strings, her fingers deftly moved across them, and a moving melody followed.
The sound of the violin flowed like water, clear and pure, as if carrying an intoxicating charm, giving the listener endless space for imagination. The melody was sometimes high and stirring, sometimes tender and touching.
Every draw of Judy's bow, her strength and speed, her posture and the music complemented each other, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere.
This enveloped Lorraine in tranquility, deeply immersing her.
No wonder she was an award-winner. The violin piece brought Ed, who had just finished a phone call in his study, out to lean against the wall behind mother and daughter, watching the scene with a smile.
Until the music stopped, the parents were brought back to reality.
"Mom! Did I play well?" Judy suddenly broke character, her professional demeanor vanishing without a trace, reverting to a child's nature, rushing into Lorraine's arms with her violin and bow in hand.
"Yes, it was beautiful," Lorraine hugged her daughter and spoke warmly.
Yet Judy sighed like an adult, leaning into her mother's embrace, placing her violin and bow on the couch beside her.
"I plan to play this piece for the godfather." After saying this, Judy looked up at her mother and asked, "Mom, do you and daddy have any news from the godfather?"
Childhood memories are always the most profound, and Judy still remembered how much she liked being around the godfather when she was very young, a time she truly felt relaxed.
Especially now, under some pressure, she yearned for the godfather who could make her feel relaxed and carefree.
Because by the godfather's side, she saw that everyone listened to him, including her own parents.
She still remembered the playmate who had spent a long time with her back then.
"Um…"
Lorraine stroked her daughter's hair, intending to keep her in suspense.
But the sound that followed made her keep her smile.
"It seems our Judy misses the godfather, thinking about her old playmate," Ed came over, looking at his daughter rising to her feet and smiling.
"Or is it really the godfather you're thinking of?"
Judy pouted at her father, about to pick up her violin and run off, not caring to listen to her father's words.
It seemed her parents didn't have any news from the godfather, making her feel somewhat disappointed.
But just as she was about to run off, her father's next words made her stop in her tracks.
"Although I don't know what my daughter is thinking, Bishop York indeed wants to see my little treasure, to see if she has grown a bit, and to hear her play the violin."
Ed rambled on like a typical father, but Judy had tuned out his later words, certain she had heard the earlier part correctly.
Her initially sullen face bright
ened.
"Really? Daddy, do you have news from the godfather?" Judy was clearly surprised.
Lorraine smiled and gently stroked her daughter's head again, nodding warmly.
"Today, Bishop York just gave us his exact address, wanting to meet our Judy."
Judy's mouth opened in surprise, instinctively looking at her father for confirmation. When she saw him nod, she squealed and squeezed into her smiling mother's embrace.
"Mom! Daddy, I love you!!!"
——
"Bishop, everything has been arranged."
In the Ashibi Church, filled with candlelight once again after turning off the modern lighting, York sat in his simple, unadorned black bishop's robe, unrecognizable as a bishop.
He sat in his usual spot, facing the image of Jesus.
This position, under the high platform on the right side of the first row of pews, was where one could best feel the church's spirit.
It was close to the source of the church's accumulated sanctity.
The inherent aura of sanctity could bring tranquility to anyone.
"Everything has been finalized," Erin, wearing a nun's robe, stood a step behind her bishop and continued, "And Father Lucian has also informed us of the precautions here."
Hearing this, York raised his eyebrows slightly: "Did he go warn those powers here?"
"No," Erin replied. "Father Lucian followed your advice to keep things as they are."
"Good, keeping things as they are allows us to be more approachable and to understand the people of this area," York smiled.
"Yes," Erin had no particular opinion, always aligning with her bishop's views, whispering, "Hannah said she wants to volunteer here, so she's gone back to fetch her clothes and related equipment."
York didn't know what to make of this; Hannah was quite independent, so he didn't want to force anyone's will.
But it seemed Hannah really intended to stick with him now.
"What has this girl encountered over the years…" York mused to himself.
The life of a clergy member, he thought, couldn't really be compared to that of ordinary people; it was more like a different kind of discipline.
For those who enjoyed comforts, the life of a clergy member was akin to some form of asceticism.
Thinking this, York said, "Let her be, give her a place, Erin, whether she volunteers or not."
"Yes, Bishop, I will arrange a private room for Hannah," Erin understood her bishop's intention.
It was undeniable that she could feel Hannah's extreme dependence and trust in their bishop. Hannah had mentioned that she had known the then very young bishop since she was a child.
And from her bishop's actions, it seemed he also considered Hannah as part of his family.
Speaking of which, she knew she was an orphan raised by a nun in the monastery, but she hadn't expected that her bishop too had been raised by the current Pope.
At that, York sighed, "She's been living alone for a long time; perhaps she's starting to feel lonely."
Erin bowed her head slightly, not expressing her thoughts, just feeling a subtle emotional stir.
"Never mind." Perhaps thinking of something, York waved his hand, "Leave me alone, close for today, we'll open again tomorrow, just like when I was a priest."
"Yes, Bishop," Erin bowed, slowly stepping back, quietly leaving the place.
She had many things to handle.
Her deliberately muted footsteps grew fainter as York let his mind wander.
A corresponding virtual window appeared before him.
This was a disturbance from the Rot World.
Before this, he had faintly sensed a call through time and space.
Very devout, very earnest.
Subconsciously following the source, it was a child.
Now, this child was praying somewhere again.
York made no move, but the window displayed a very clear scene.
It showed a peaceful church filled with candlelight, as if time was flowing through it, with a sneakily peeking girl at the door.
Dressed in what looked like farm winter clothes, thick and bundled up, with two small braids behind her head and a tender yet clear face marked with spots, her cheeks were red, apparently from the cold.
"It seems that it's winter in the Rot World right now," York realized. If he had to compare, the timing seemed quite accurate.
Continuing to observe, the girl, although she had braved the cold wind to get here, did not let it affect her as she leaned on the door frame, her lively eyes darting around as her small braids swung.
She seemed to be checking if there was anyone in the church, and upon finding no one, she walked in like a thief.
But she hadn't gotten far before a voice called out to her.
"Marin!"
Marin stiffened, awkwardly turning towards the source of the voice.
"Sister Mirta."
The voice's owner was none other than Mirta, the first cleaner
York had met upon entering the Rot World.
This stirred something in York's eyes.
Mirta, emerging from the shadows into the candlelight, was somewhat thin. She wore a black monastic robe, resembling the legendary stern nun, her expressionless face watching the young girl speak with a trace of warmth,
"It's so late, do your parents know you're here?"
The girl named Marin grimaced.
"I told them, I said I wanted to see Lord York who saved us, and they agreed."
But as she spoke, seeing the unmoved Sister Mirta's expressionless face, her voice grew quieter, ending with a candid admission.
"I'm sorry, Sister Mirta, I sneaked over here."
The girl seemed guilty, nervously twisting the hem of her dress in her hands.
"I just wanted to see Lord York, to talk to him about something on my mind, then go back to sleep."
Seeing the girl like this, Mirta, remembering Marin's daily visits, sighed lightly.
"You can come during the day in the future; it's not suitable for you to be out so late. Go ahead, after you're done, I'll take you back."
After speaking, Mirta turned and walked towards the candle rack, truly ignoring Marin.
"Thank you, Sister Mirta!"
Marin's face brightened as she looked towards the statue of Lord York, who had saved them and their world, walking straight towards it and kneeling down in the middle of the aisle.
She closed her eyes, her expression devout.
She didn't speak, but her tender voice crossed time and space, echoing in York's ears.
"Lord, can you hear me? My name is Marin Ashubel, the youngest daughter of a small farm. Thank you for saving us...
I'm feeling a bit down today because recently our Anna is dying because she can't have her own children. My parents are beside themselves with worry, and Anna's cries are painful, and I feel so sad…"
Listening to this story-like ramble, hearing the sad tender voice, York watched Marin kneeling on the ground, his expression growing softer.
Inexplicably, he thought of himself, how God might feel watching him complete his daily tasks.
However, under his perception, this girl named Marin had strong innate talent and potential power, very strong. York felt that even though Marin was only in her teens, once blessed by him, her inherently enhanced sanctity would be equivalent to the lifelong accumulation of a clergy member.
...
Time passed unknowingly, and after Marin had shared many things with his statue, her mood seemed much improved.
She actually declined Mirta's escort and ran out excitedly, leaving Mirta, who was ready to take her back, stunned as she watched the disappearing small figure, her face showing helplessness.
"Ordinary people aren't usually allowed in the sanctuary," Mirta said helplessly, ultimately deciding to let it go.
"Let it be."
However, she didn't know that a person glowing with light had emerged from the statue and was following Marin's footsteps right under her eyes…
___________________
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