Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 749: Episode 512: Meeting (Part 1)

Chapter 749: Episode 512: Meeting (Part 1)

What kind of person exactly is Malin?

In the Copenhagen People’s Meeting held tonight, someone raised such a point, which can be said to have sparked a great discussion in the entire conference center.

As the Archbishop of the Goddess of Harvest Church in the Northern Kingdom parish, old Francis still held his long-standing view—Malin was the people’s savior.

But many of his comrades did not think so, because in their eyes, Malin was just a mild-mannered business owner; he was only better than his man-eating peers in that he was more merciful—although that was a very commendable virtue, he was still a Noble, a business owner, someone who, even if not a man-eater, still walked with the oppressors.

He is not one of us! Comrade Francis!

This made old Francis very puzzled, because in his eyes, Malin’s deeds were like those of a saint, his every word and action so admirable, his life journey spotless.

"Malin is more like a saint than an enemy, my comrades, which enemy would time and again oppose Chaos, his words and deeds, in my view, are like those of a Savior."

Comrade Francis, we have never said that Mr. Malin is our enemy, we are just saying he is not one of us. His enterprise, his every word and action indeed do not carry the oppression and harm we speak of, but... he is a Noble, a Prince, he cannot become one of us. His kindness is a virtue, but when we stand against those villains, can you be sure he will stand with us?

...Francis fell silent, because indeed he could not be sure Malin would stand with the poor.

His enterprise was helping the poor, he gave them jobs, a home, and even helped his workers find marriage partners; such kindness was unquestionably good, no one could verbally desecrate his actions.

But... Just as his comrades had said, old Francis also could not be sure whether Malin was willing to help them... After all, to the Nobles and the royal family, this group of people was nothing but traitors and rebels.

As a Noble of Carterburg, Malin was the Earl of Carterburg in the Thainan Union and the Prince of Farole Principality, a Rongma Duke and a Prince; he was one of the world’s most powerful landlords and business owners. His kindness to the people was his greatest virtue as a Noble, but what would he think of them, these... traitors and usurpers?

With such doubts and unrest, Bishop Francis, having concluded the meeting, returned to his room through the Church’s secret passage dressed in civilian clothes. He had just changed and was getting ready to rest when the Church guards had already come knocking.

"High Priest Malin wants to see me? Now?"

With a hint of doubt, the Bishop finally decided to meet with him—visiting at such an hour must mean it was something very urgent.

With this thought in mind, old Francis decided to meet with him.

"Bishop Francis, I would like to meet with the advocates of Northernism."

Upon seeing old Francis again, the young Noble made a startling statement as soon as they met.

"What nonsense are you speaking?"

Old Francis exclaimed immediately—because he felt that the young man was speaking nonsense.

"Introduce them to me, Bishop Francis. This morning when you were preaching, my Miss Lulu noticed several Northernists in the crowd; they seemed to be watching you." As soon as the young man said this, old Francis knew trouble had indeed arisen.

Lulu, the most famous Night Watcher of the Hagelberrys, if she could recognize those people, then it appeared Malin already had evidence.

"...We just had an organizational meeting today, I can request to call an emergency meeting again, but... I don’t know if my comrades would be willing to meet with you."

"It’s alright, you can tell them I come in earnest, wanting to discuss the future issues of the Northern Kingdom," Malin said.

Old Francis nodded — that was all he could say, hoping that the Eleven would approve the request for His Excellency Malin to attend the special meeting.

.........

Old Francis had a restless night and, before dawn the next day, he left the Church to go to the safe house at 1145 Hal Road, where the People’s Assembly was located. There, he met Mr. Raglov Tendel, a mage and one of the Eleven founders of the Northern ethos. He came from humble beginnings, but his talent had brought him to a near-legendary status. Originally, he was supposed to leave Copenhagen that afternoon — the Mage Tower had missions for him to fulfill.

Upon hearing about Malin wanting a meeting with them from Old Francis, Mr. Tendel immediately expressed his approval: "You did the right thing coming to me, Comrade Francis. As a fellow mage to His Excellency Malin, I understand his choices on some matters. For instance, our comrades have mentioned his vacillation. In my view, His Excellency Malin obviously recognizes who our greatest enemy is. Compared to Chaos, the vile capitalists we want to judge are as harmless as children. Comrade Francis, please go to Safe House Number Four. Comrades Eric Wood and Todd Spencer are there... no matter, I’ll take you there myself."

Comrade Raglov’s offer to personally escort him was much appreciated by Old Francis. As a second-generation member of the People’s Assembly, he did not have much rapport with the esteemed Eleven, so having Comrade Raglov’s help was more than he could ask for.

As a high-order mage and half-step away from legendary status, Raglov casually cast a transformation spell on himself and Old Francis. After they both turned into young men, they left the safe house — otherwise, a casual acquaintance could potentially spread rumors throughout Farol Principality about a forbidden love between Old Francis, the Bishop of the Goddess of Harvest Church, and Raglov, the High-Order Mage of the Mage Tower, by the end of the day.

Moreover, being the capital of the Northern Kingdom, Copenhagen restricted nearly everyone from opening teleportation gates, except for a few who were qualified. Of course, one could open a gate if they were willing to bear the consequences of being hunted by various organizations or if they could provide a reason that would convince everyone.

Old Francis and Raglov certainly could give a reason, but they opted to run on foot. Thankfully, Comrades Eric and Todd were already there. Comrade Antoine wasn’t present, but he was reportedly just out to buy cigarettes and would return shortly.

After listening to Comrade Raglov’s words, Comrade Todd expressed his agreement. As a member of the Eleven, Comrade Todd Spencer was an instructor at the First Higher Learning Institute of Copenhagen, teaching the nations’ relations of the Western Human World, and the People’s Assembly’s manifest was drafted by him.

As for His Excellency Eric Wood, a wizard by trade, he was instinctively skeptical about Malin’s actions: "What does he want from meeting with us, what ulterior motives could he have?"

"No, Comrade Eric, I think this is a good opportunity. Since His Excellency Malin wishes to meet us in person, he’s surely coming with good intentions. As the champion of the Lord of Justice, he would never disguise treachery as a meeting to capture us all. He wouldn’t risk being forsaken by the Lord of Justice just to entrap us," Comrade Todd said.

Although Eric was indeed skeptical, he eventually conceded to Todd’s judgment — even a wizard knows that if even the Lord of Justice couldn’t be trusted, then probably no one could be.

Then, they awaited Comrade Antoine’s return — a comrade with the appearance of a Thanan. His great-grandfathers had come to the Northern Kingdom, and being a Great Craftsman himself, he belonged to a well-known crafting family in the entire kingdom. He also affirmed Malin’s credibility — from the perspective of Dwarves and other worker races as well as human craftsmen, Malin was an utterly trustworthy figure. If the stubborn Dwarves could acknowledge Malin’s strength and capability, then why not listen to His Excellency Malin’s speech first, Antoine thought.

"I trust His Excellency Malin. The knowledge he has imparted to us craftsmen is a treasure of great value. His Excellency Malin’s kindness in the world of craftsmen is well-known, and I can vouch for him."

"Since Comrade Antoine also says so, I am reassured. I hope that our meeting will satisfy everyone."

Now that five of the Eleven had affirmed they could meet with Malin, the remaining six members would soon be notified about the meeting. As for when the emergency meeting would take place, its date would be decided after discussion amongst themselves.

Since there was no further need for Old Francis’s involvement, the old man decided to return to the Church to draft a letter to His Excellency Malin. Upon receiving Malin’s reply, he would pass it on to the Eleven to allow for thorough deliberation.

.........

Malin confirmed that evening that the Northern ethos would hold their monthly meeting two days later, which made him suspicious — if they were so sure they could meet him once, then why was His Majesty Manheim so convinced that these men would join forces with his disorderly officials, forming the most conspicuously treacherous cabal?

There surely was more to it, but considering the King didn’t say anything, Malin could only look for an opportunity to subtly probe. If he could confirm what was really going on, that would be the best course of action.

The only problem was having to wait two more days, which seemed a bit too long.

After much consideration, Malin decided to find some amusement in the meantime.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.