Mid-October of the solar calendar year 4420.
In the north of the Cuisuer Empire, the main city of Linbang, Lengye City.
It was late autumn, but the dense coniferous forests on both sides of Kaius Avenue were already covered with ice crystals and snowflakes. There were few wheel tracks or footprints on the snow-covered streets.
This is a climate unique to the far north of the empire.
Dry and cold.
Rows of square bread-like buildings are neatly arranged on both sides of the street. The roofs are all dome-shaped, as if they were copied from the original, with a spike-like decorative railing in the middle.
The overall impression of the street view does not give people a bloated feeling. Instead, the environment is quite spacious and the view is bright.
Although the city is not prosperous and lively, it is full of the atmosphere of life. Many residents are cleaning the snow in front of their doors, greeting each other, and chatting with smiles.
In the northeast corner of the municipal center, some local residents who were returning home from shopping were stopping outside the courtyard of the Kangkai Church, looking in surprise at some black-clad missionaries who were busy carrying wooden boxes and some strange tools.
"Reverend Lishman, is the church going to be renovated?"
A middle-aged woman with reddish-brown hair asked inside.
Her head was wrapped in a plaid cotton cloth, and the half of her face that was exposed was cracked and red from the cold, and she was breathing white air. She was holding a paper bag of bread sticks and some radishes, and behind her were two cute girls about ten years old, one on each side. They were looking out from behind their mother, looking through the iron fence, curiously at the missionaries.
"It's Mrs. Fay, good day, and the lovely Edom and Nellie..."
A black-robed missionary near the door turned around and said with a smile, while he also performed a prayer to praise the contract.
"It's not that the church is being renovated, but new bishops and priests have been transferred to the headquarters, and we are helping to move some luggage."
"Oh, Father Thomas was transferred too?"
The woman looked very surprised.
"Yes, Father Thomas followed Bishop Peggy to the Royal City. From now on, a new priest will be here to preach and answer questions for the residents of Lengye City."
"That's a pity. Father Thomas is a good man and everyone likes him... I remember the last time the girl from the Lotte family had an attack of 'Frost Disease', it was Father Thomas who asked for medicine to alleviate her condition."
The woman sighed.
Soon she asked curiously:
"How are the new bishops and priests?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am. It's immoral to talk about adults in private... But don't worry, His Majesty Jack and Father Akbin are both good people and they care very much about the believers."
The black-clad missionary named Lishman smiled bitterly.
He was just an ordinary member of the Kangkai Parliament and had served under Governor Page. More than 20 missionaries, including him, did not leave with the transfer because they were familiar with the local situation. Instead, they were arranged under the new Governor Jack.
Fortunately, there are many rumors in the parliament that His Majesty Jackspeight is amiable and friendly, which makes these grassroots people feel a lot more at ease.
Suddenly, Pastor Lishman saw two figures walking slowly along the street from afar. He quickly straightened his expression, bowed his head and saluted seriously.
"Reverend Lishman, meet Bishop Jack and Father Horner..."
He seemed a little nervous and his tone was a little stiff.
"You are welcome, Reverend Rishman."
The tall man in a black top hat spoke gently.
For some reason, Lishman suddenly felt a warmth rising in his heart, and he felt comfortable all over in this cold environment.
"Is this lady also a believer of our God?"
Chen Lun asked softly.
Before Lishman could speak, Mrs. Fei respectfully prayed to the God of Contract and nodded.
"Yes, Your Excellency, my husband Roca, I, and our two little ones are all believers in the God of Contracts... The child's father runs a fish stall, which is the source of income for our family. In the past, the seafood company under Moses Sailing often tampered with contracts, making life difficult for seafood vendors in the market, so we have always longed for fair trade."
She looked a little excited and even grabbed Chen Lun's sleeve.
"It is the blessing of the God of Contract that gives us, the vendors, room to survive... The big bosses of Moses Voyage will never dare to deduct our silver trophies again. Praise the contract, praise you and all the priests of Kangkai Church!"
Father Horner, who was standing by, changed his expression when he saw this. He wanted to step forward to stop the woman's "disrespectful" behavior, but was dissuaded by a look from Chen Lun.
"Of course the God of Contract will take care of every devout believer... Madam, is this your daughter? What's her name?"
Chen Lun smiled and turned to look at one of the little girls behind the woman. Compared with the sister next to her, her skin was drier and even revealed a sickly red color.
"Oh, this is Nellie, Nelliat. The poor little girl has unfortunately contracted 'Frost Disease'. Her father and I are almost dying of anxiety... Now we just want to earn more money and go to the Madman's Clinic to buy special medicine."
The woman pulled her daughter in front of her and spoke quickly.
The little girl coughed twice with a look of pain on her face, then opened her big eyes and looked up at the bishop in front of her. For some reason, she always felt that this man was very handsome, but the next second, she had no impression of him in her mind. It was both contradictory and harmonious.
Although it was just their first meeting, she developed a great liking and trust for him.
"Frost sickness..."
Chen Lun murmured.
He had been in Lengye City for two days and had a general understanding of the situation here. This so-called "frost disease" was a climate disease unique to the local area, and one in ten ordinary residents was suffering from the disease.
The symptoms are mostly dry and cracked skin, redness, loss of body hair, and fear of cold and heat. Of course, severe cases may be accompanied by lung diseases such as coughing and migraines.
The disease is not fatal, but it is quite painful and will shorten the life expectancy of those who suffer from it.
Lengye City is different from the cities he has been to before. There is no distinction between inner and outer cities here. No matter whether they are nobles, wealthy businessmen or ordinary people, they all live in one urban area. This is due to the simple temperament of the local people and the good security environment.
This climate disease does not discriminate based on social status. The nobles and wealthy businessmen in Lengye City can also get it, but they can spend a lot of money to go to the Madman Clinic to buy special medicine for treatment.
As far as Chen Lun knew, there was no good treatment for "Frost Disease" in the entire Lengye City, and even in the surrounding cities. The most effective ones were the medicines and candle therapy developed by the Madman School.
The "Snow Melting Potion" costs 80 silver cups per bottle, which can only suppress the symptoms. The "Copper Candle" costs 5 gold pounds per bottle, which can cure the disease, but it requires several courses of treatment. Ordinary civilians cannot afford such a high price.
"Little Nali, today's meeting is the guidance of fate and the witness of the contract... Drink it and you will have a good sleep."
A little finger-sized tube appeared in Chen Lun's hand, which contained the fountain of youth.
He handed the dosage tube to the little girl and stroked her head.
"Thank you, your generous and kind bishop."
The woman said quickly with gratitude.
Immediately, she squatted down, holding the food in one hand and helping her daughter drink the "holy water" in the tube with the other. At a speed visible to the naked eye, the sickly blush on Naili's face faded, and her skin regained its moist luster.
"Oh! Praise the Contract!"
The woman looked incredulous.
She happily kissed her daughter on the face and asked her daughter to thank Chen Lun.
"Thank you, Your Excellency the Bishop. Nellie doesn't feel any pain anymore and feels very well now."
The little girl smiled brightly.
Chen Lun responded with a smile, nodded to the woman and her two daughters, and then walked into the church with Father Horner.
Before coming here, this place had been well managed by Peggy and was in great order. The Kangkai Church also had a very good reputation among the people of Lengye City, and most of the local residents believed in His Majesty Conrad.
Together with Father Horner and more than 20 missionaries familiar with daily affairs, Chen Lun and his subordinates such as Frey Akbin took over this church area without much effort.
This saved Chen Lun a lot of trouble.
Crossing the garden path in the outer courtyard, he came directly to the living area at the back, and then asked Connie to call down Maggie who was setting up a new laboratory upstairs.
"Mr. Captain, what can I do for you?"
Maggie still had her messy hair, and even her yellow dress looked messy. She was holding a bottle of wine in her hand and asked with a puzzled look on her face.
"Let Flo Yin tidy up your appearance tonight. You are a pretty girl, but you are always so unkempt..."
Chen Lun shook his head helplessly.
"Ah? Captain! Why are you suddenly concerned about my personal life? Hehe, thank you... But it doesn't matter. I usually stay in the laboratory, and it's too troublesome to dress up."
Maggie looked surprised, then burst into laughter.
"I just hope that believers won't be scared by you when they worship."
Chen Lun smiled.
Maggie raised her eyebrows and pointed at herself.
“I also want to participate in the church’s sermon activities?”
Chen Lun nodded, paused for a moment, and then explained:
"Recently, please take some time to research the local 'Frost Disease'. I will have Golov send you the relevant information, and Akbin will also study with you... I need you to personally come forward and treat the sick believers. This will not only help spread the reputation of the Kangkai Council in the local area, but also be a great opportunity for you to advance to Sequence 5."
"So that's how it is..."
Maggie nodded in understanding.
She thought for a moment, then raised the bottle and took a big gulp. After taking a long breath, she laughed.
"Thank you for your reminder, Captain. I will definitely not let you down! I want to go back and clean up the lab and start studying this disease tonight! Please ask Golov to send the information as soon as possible..."
As soon as she finished speaking, before Chen Lun nodded, she turned around and ran upstairs. Seeing her full of energy, Chen Lun's smile became even more intense.