The atmosphere in the living room was eerie to the extreme.
At least, it was for Lalavina.
Holding the cup of hot tea in her hands, she felt as if she were holding a bowl of magma; she did not dare to drink it, nor did she dare to set it down.
Sitting opposite her was the World-Ending Witch who had just threatened to burn her alive with a mere look, and a mysterious big shot who kept the World-Ending Witch as a housewife.
How was this drinking tea? This was clearly the last cup of water before an execution!
"Lord Bishop, is the tea not to your liking?"
Seeing Lalavina constantly trembling while holding the cup, Lynch could not help but ask with concern.
"N-no! It is very delicious!"
Lalavina shuddered and hastily tilted her head back, downing the boiling tea in one gulp. It was so hot that tears almost burst from her eyes, yet she still forced a smile. "Good tea! It is truly... refreshing!"
"I am glad you like it." Lynch smiled and refilled her cup.
Since the atmosphere was just right, it was time to get down to business.
Lynch put down the teapot, rubbed his hands together, and showed a somewhat embarrassed expression on his face.
"Um, Lord Bishop. Actually, inviting you in today, apart from drinking tea, I have a presumptuous request."
Here it comes!
Lalavina's heart instantly leaped into her throat.
The true intentions were finally being revealed.
Was this terrifying entity hidden behind the scenes finally going to bare his fangs and make his evil demands?
Did he want me to assassinate the Pope? Or sacrifice the entire Norlent Territory to the Abyss?
"P-please speak..." Lalavina trembled. "As long as it is... within my capabilities, I... I will definitely do it."
Looking at the approachable attitude of this young bishop, Lynch felt even more moved in his heart.
What a nice person, completely free of airs.
So, he weighed his words for a moment and said,
"It is like this. Our Buena Village is located in a remote area, and the villagers do not live wealthy lives. Especially with winter fast approaching this year, everyone is worrying about how to get through it."
"The old village chief mentioned to me before, hoping that the Church could perhaps... make a little accommodation regarding this year's taxes?"
As Lynch spoke, he observed Lalavina's expression, carefully probing,
"Of course, we will not make things difficult for you. It is just... since we can be considered acquaintances now, I hope the Lord Bishop can look after the village's affairs in the future, and give our village... a little face?"
Coming from Lynch's mouth, these words were purely worldly wisdom. The meaning was: we are all friends now, could you give us a discount?
However.
When these words reached Lalavina's ears, after being processed by her brain that was already overloaded with fear, they instantly took on another meaning:
[Demon King Quote Translator Activated]
"Buena Village is remote" — [This is a lawless land far from the reach of the emperor.]
"The villagers do not live wealthy lives" — [My subordinates are very hungry and need resources.]
"Make a little accommodation regarding taxes" — [How dare you collect taxes from me? Do you have a death wish?]
"Look after the village's affairs in the future, give a little face" — [Listen well, this village is my territory. From now on, I am in charge here. You little bishop better know what is good for you, do you understand the rules?]
Boom!
Lalavina felt as if a bolt of heavenly lightning had struck the top of her skull.
This was a threat!
This was a naked declaration of territory and extortion!
This big shot was telling her: Buena Village is his devil's den, the Church should not overreach, or he would chop off its claws!
"I-I understand! I understand everything!"
Lalavina was so frightened she almost slipped off her chair. She nodded her head rapidly like a chick pecking at rice, speaking so fast it sounded like an incantation:
"Rest assured! I understand everything, I know the rules!"
"What taxes? They do not exist! From today onwards, Buena Village is our diocese's... ahem, tax-free zone! Permanently tax-free! If anyone dares to come collect taxes, I will fight them tooth and nail!"
Lynch was stunned.
So straightforward?
"Permanently tax-free? This... is not this a bit too much?" Lynch hesitated. "After all, the Church also has expenses. We cannot make things too difficult for you; a twenty percent reduction would be more than enough..."
"No, no, no, it must be completely exempt!"
Lalavina interrupted him with absolute certainty.
What a joke! Collect taxes from the Demon King? Did she think her life was too long? She might have the life to take those few copper coins, but she would not have the life to spend them!
Not only that, to show her sincerity, and to appease this big shot and the Witch adult beside him, Lalavina decided to proactively up the ante and part with some wealth to avoid disaster.
She took a deep breath and, with a face that looked as if she were facing death unflinchingly, declared loudly:
"Not only tax exemption, but I also feel that it is too hard for the villagers to get through the winter!"
"I have decided to immediately allocate a batch of winter supplies from the diocese's strategic reserve warehouse as charitable aid."
"Five hundred cotton coats! Two thousand pounds of refined flour! And... and one hundred barrels of lamp oil for heating!"
"All donated to Buena Village free of charge! Tomorrow... no, I will have someone deliver them this afternoon!"
"You see... is this face, enough?"
After speaking, Lalavina looked at Lynch with an almost pleading gaze, as if saying: Boss, I have paid the protection fee, can you let me go now?
The living room fell into a brief silence.
Lynch opened his mouth wide, staring blankly at the Lord Bishop in front of him, who at this moment seemed to be radiating a blinding light in his eyes.
Permanently tax-free?
And she was even throwing in a large batch of winter supplies for free?
How was this a bishop? This was clearly a living saint descending to earth!
He had originally just wanted to ask for a favor for the village chief; a twenty percent tax reduction would have been the absolute limit.
As a result, this Lady Lalavina not only waived it all with a stroke of a pen, but also initiated a charity drive?
"This... this is too generous!"
Lynch stood up in excitement, grabbed Lalavina's hand, and shook it vigorously:
"Lord Bishop! You are truly... so close to the people, so great!"
"I thank you on behalf of all the folks in the village! You are the benefactor of Buena Village!"
With her hand held, Lalavina stiffened all over. Feeling the temperature of this Demon King's palm, she only felt that it was the residual heat of hellfire.
"Y-you are welcome... It is my duty... This is all for... love and peace..."
With a tearful voice, she barely squeezed out these few words.
Felsy, who was off to the side, had been watching this farce with cold detachment.
Looking at Lynch's moved appearance, and then at Lalavina's expression of being on the verge of a breakdown, the corners of the Witch's mouth curled into a playful arc.
"Hmph, at least you know what is good for you."
Although the process was a bit strange, the result was not bad.
This slacker bishop was quite perceptive; it seemed she could become a good asset in the future.
"Since the Lord Bishop is so sincere," Felsy spoke indifferently, "then why not stay for a simple meal? I saw you were quite interested in that wild game earlier."
"No, no, no, no need!"
Hearing that she was asked to stay for a meal, Lalavina jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Eat here? Who knew if the food would be poisoned?
Or, looking at it from another angle, perhaps she would be the one served as the dish...
"I... I still need to hurry back and prepare the supplies! Yes, disaster relief is as urgent as putting out a fire. The villagers are still waiting for padded clothes to survive the winter, I can't waste any time!"
Lalavina snatched her scepter from the table, her agile movements completely unlike those of a fragile cleric.
"Um... Mr. Lynch, Madam, I will take my leave now! Let's stay in touch! No, actually... ahem, just give the word if you need anything!"
With that, she bolted out of the house as if fleeing for her life, not even daring to look back.
Watching Lalavina's somewhat flustered retreating figure, Lynch stood at the doorway and could not help but exclaim:
"Look at that! Just look! Now that is a good bishop of the people!"
"For the sake of the villagers' livelihood, she doesn't even stop to eat before rushing off to work."
"Felsy, we'll have to properly repay her in the future. Good officials like her are hard to come by."
Felsy stepped up beside him. Watching the figure that was practically stumbling away, she gave a soft chuckle:
"Mhm, she is indeed... a rare talent."