The church is moving faster than most people imagine.
On the morning of the newspaper's release, teams after teams of soldiers searched one newsstand after another with Snowdy City as the center, as if they were chasing prisoners, and continued to spread outward. Officials have also searched almost every household. Once the newspaper "Free Mage" is discovered, a special priest will come to "chat" with them.
For a time, the political world was in turmoil. Many people closed their doors tightly, claiming that they were sick and had a premonition that something might happen.
However, because the ban was launched early, the newspaper's influence did not spread. Most people have not read the newspaper and have been taught to know the source. Therefore, they had no way of knowing what was actually written in that newspaper.
As for some remote areas far away from Xuedi City, because there are no troops stationed nearby, the seizure operation is slower, which also allows Benjamin's newspaper-selling mages to evacuate safely.
"The soldiers have just arrived, and the newspapers we hid at the newsstand have been basically destroyed."
In Riley City, Wallis came to Benjamin's room and reported this.
Benjamin nodded.
He thought that the church planned to continue to shrink, but now it seems that they couldn't help it after all.
After the release of "Free Mage", the church will definitely take some measures to prevent public opinion from turning against them again. Benjamin was already mentally prepared for this scene.
To be honest, the church responded fairly promptly, but even so, so what? It's like throwing a pebble into a lake. Even if you fish it out as fast as you can, ripples will still appear. There is nothing anyone can do to change this.
For those who have read this newspaper, this move undoubtedly proves everything in the newspaper. The army was nominally part of the Crown, not the Church. But now, in order to protect the church, countless soldiers have been sent out, which is enough to prove that the church controls the entire palace.
The church is still trying to control Freden's political circle, and this move is a huge blow to them.
"Do we have enough newspapers left?"
Thinking of this, Benjamin asked.
"Enough, we still have tens of thousands of copies left, waiting to be used next!" Wallis replied with a smile.
Their demeanor was quite relaxed, and they didn't feel like they were hurt after the other party made a move, but they couldn't react in time. The church sending soldiers to seize newspapers was indeed something that could be expected.
"That's good." Benjamin also nodded and said, "Pass the order on. Tonight, let all the mages take action. Doesn't the church want to destroy the newspaper? Then we will let them destroy enough."
He just expected this moment to come, otherwise, why would he print 60,000 copies
Wallis responded: "I understand."
Just like that, Wallis nodded and left, and Benjamin took a deep breath. He turned his head and looked out the window at the silent street, with a sneer on his lips.
Whatever the church has done, it has been done. Since they dare to kill the petitioning mages, they must be prepared—Benjamin will seize this handle and make this matter a fuss.
Clearly, times have changed. The church is still following their old ways of brainwashing. Unfortunately, even if they can brainwash people, they still can't control everyone. There are still people who think for themselves and make decisions that they think are right.
The church...has not yet realized the awesomeness of human words.
In this way, as time goes by, the day gradually passes. It was not a peaceful day for most of the people in Freeden, with ordinary people confused and wondering what was going on. The upper-level officials were cautious, fearing that they would be affected.
However, some officials who had read the newspapers and realized what had happened secretly gathered in a small village outside Xuedi City.
"Sir Mikel, you... I thought you had surrendered to the church, but I didn't expect you to be here. Your performance is really superb. Even Bishop Victor has great trust in you."
"Excellent. The same goes for you. If I hadn't seen you at this gathering today, I would have thought that you would have been Bishop Victor's right-hand man."
In a hidden room, several naughty high-ranking officials gathered together and chatted with each other about each other's situation.
Mikel couldn't help but sigh secretly.
Sure enough, in the end, the only ones who could come were some big swindlers.
As soon as Bishop Victor appeared, they fell over him in obsequious postures. As a result, they are the ones present in this gathering that is conspiring against the church.
As for those upright old guys, they are naturally regarded as the primary target by the church. Now, they have been transferred to other posts and taken refuge. There is no room for them to participate in this gathering.
"Lord Pace, are you sure that none of you here today have the ears and eyes of the church?"
Someone couldn't help but ask.
After hearing this, Mikel also looked over with concern.
This is indeed a very important issue. If the bishop finds out that these guys who follow him every day and flatter him, turn out to be like a group of loyal ministers, secretly planning to take him down, then they will be finished.
"Don't worry, I've contacted everyone here very carefully." Prime Minister Pace, who called for this opportunity, touched his white beard and said, "Otherwise, there wouldn't be just the five of us today."
Mikel nodded and said nothing more.
Being able to make it all the way to the position of Prime Minister, he was very reassured by Lord Pace's level of caution.
In fact, he was able to participate in this gathering because the other party tested him for a long time. Finally, the Prime Minister knew the secret relationship between him and Benjamin, so he believed that he was not a member of the church and asked him to come.
"Then, let's not talk nonsense." Prime Minister Pace sat down, glanced at the five people present, and said, "I have verified what was written in that newspaper. The mages who were killed were all It’s true. Someone else saw them approaching the palace that day, and they should have been secretly killed by Bishop Victor.”
Hearing this, several people fell silent.
Their expressions were not surprised, and they had obviously verified this fact.
"I also know that you are all good at adapting to the changing circumstances, but... the church will not give us the space to adapt to the changing circumstances." The Prime Minister continued, "Now we are like a fish in water, just because they need us to help him suppress the opposition. officials. Once Frieden is completely controlled, there will be no need for us to exist."
"That's what the adults said." Mikel sighed and nodded.
Although they do not have such a strong sense of honor and patriotism, if this continues, their interests will not be preserved. The mansion in the city, the land in their hometown... once they are no longer of use to the church, can they continue to live freely
It's not like they have never heard of the situation of the nobles of Horli Kingdom.
It is precisely for this reason that they choose to come here. Otherwise, given their character, how could they take risks and do something that only loyal ministers can do
Not only Mikel, but also several other officials nodded in agreement.
"We can't sit back and wait for death anymore." The Prime Minister slapped the table and said solemnly, "We have been arguing with those old stubborns all our lives, but now... we have to do something, we can't let Bishop Victor continue to do whatever he wants. .”
The officials nodded one after another, seemingly mentally prepared.
"In that case, Lord Mikel, you should know that Master Benjamin, right?" Seeing this, the Prime Minister suddenly turned his head and looked at Mikel, "I found out about this name from the bishop, and it seems... this Master is exactly Their biggest enemy is also the person publishing the newspaper this time.”
Mikel was a little surprised, but nodded.
"Please be sure to contact him." The Prime Minister immediately said solemnly, "If you want to drive the church out, it will be difficult for us to do it alone."