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Leyton followed behind him, walking up the stairs of the Workers' Association building. The stairwell was free of people passing by, and Leyton spoke to him again:
"What's your name? You seem to be highly educated, quite different from most workers."
"Yulian Kane. I once had a decent family until our business encountered a setback. My father and Mother both passed away, one after another, unable to cope with the immense disparity, spending their days in melancholy."
"As for me, because I dared not face death, and in order to survive, I could only come to Backlund to struggle. My former studies had long been abandoned, and in the end, I could only work as a laborer at the docks."
When Yulian spoke of his past, his tone was very flat. It was clear that his situation in Backlund was not good, and the pressure of life had long since worn away his former edges.
Leyton controlled his tone and expression, showing neither sympathy nor disgust, speaking to him as someone of equal standing:
"We can still pursue the future. Isn't this the meaning of our struggles for life?"
Yulian was clearly moved by these words, and a bright light, not belonging to the common people, shone in his eyes. A subtle curve appeared at the corner of his mouth, and his voice unconsciously rose a few octaves:
"Yes, we still have a future. Every one of us still has a future."
"The great, supreme Lord will give us guidance and lead us to that harmonious society where everyone is equal, without oppression and suffering!"
"Just as He once led humanity out of the oppression of other races, the Lord will continue to lead us into a new era!"
Such fanatical words made Leyton's mouth twitch slightly, and a barely noticeable purple light flashed in his eyes.
Leyton carefully observed the Aurora Order member who called himself Yulian Kane. He did not possess the madness of most Aurora Order members; Leyton did not even see a trace of corruption on him.
Clearly, those words just now were his heartfelt thoughts, the ideology instilled by the Aurora Order during this period.
"It seems the True Creator wants the red wind to sweep across this land!"
Leyton sighed inwardly, then continued, following the other's words:
"The clash between the new era and the old era is bound to unfold in the form of war. Are you not afraid?"
Yulian Kane replied almost without hesitation:
"I have faith, pure, supreme faith!"
Leyton said nothing else. Although Yulian's demeanor was somewhat like a fanatical believer, it was already a significant improvement compared to the Lunatics of the Aurora Order in the past.
Yulian led Leyton to a room in the corner of the third floor. Knock! He knocked twice on the door, then turned the handle and opened the door.
Yulian stepped aside, gesturing with one hand, saying:
"Envoy of God, Mr. A is waiting for you inside."
Leyton nodded slightly and walked in. Yulian did not follow but closed the door and stood guard in front of it.
Mr. A was still wearing a long robe, his face morbidly pale, which, combined with his delicate features, gave him a yandere-like beauty.
"Envoy of God, have you already understood the situation of the common people in Backlund?"
Mr. A's words were very assertive, as if this was not a question but a statement.
Leyton nodded slightly, found a seat near the French window, and looked out at the East Borough through the translucent glass, saying:
"How do you intend to spread the faith among the common people?"
Mr. A walked over, also looking at the scenery outside the French window, and said:
"Currently, our approach is to have believers who already worship our Lord form small groups, expanding outwards in the form of worker mutual aid teams, and developing newcomers to these small teams into new believers of our Lord."
"The common people need a tangible goal, a grand ideal, and some accessible benefits."
"The Aurora Order can control some gangs, some docks, and even some factories, providing stable work channels for workers, while also providing financial support for the spread of the faith."
Leyton looked into the distance and offered his suggestion.
Mr. A coughed twice, then said in a low voice:
"This is Backlund. The Aurora Order cannot make too much noise here; it will subject us to suppression from all sides."
"Have you had contact with any of Backlund's wealthy individuals?"
Leyton turned to Mr. A and asked.
Mr. A nodded lightly:
"I've had contact, but only with ordinary individuals. True wealthy people have traces of various forces behind them, and they frequently visit various venues, making it difficult to conceal their identities."
Leyton sighed inwardly. The idea of leading a group of cultists to spread faith seemed somewhat absurd.
He pondered for a while, then quickly came up with a solution:
"I will provide you with information on some of Backlund's nobles and wealthy individuals later. You can screen them and select suitable people to develop into believers."
"Moreover, besides developing believers, you can completely create one or two wealthy identities yourselves. This will make many actions much more convenient, such as opening or acquiring factories…"
Then, he added with some concern:
"New believers should not be allowed to pray too frequently for now, and consuming Beyonder characteristics should also avoid the Secrets Supplicant Pathway as much as possible."
Leyton was somewhat worried that before Sasrir regained his Angel status, if these believers prayed frequently to the True Creator, they might be affected by the True Creator's madness.
"I understand!"
Mr. A did not ask for the reason for doing so, merely nodded faintly in response.
Monday noon, at Earl Hall's residence in Empress Borough, a banquet was underway.
Leyton obtained an invitation through the Aurora Order's channels, accompanying a member of the Air Pollution Investigation Committee.
This member of the Air Pollution Investigation Committee was also one of the Aurora Order's targets for spreading faith. Preliminary probing showed that he highly identified with the Aurora Order's new doctrine.
As the banquet began, guests quickly started conversing in twos and threes. Leyton took a glass of red wine, found an inconspicuous corner, and quietly observed the crowd in the center of the banquet.
Slowly savoring a sip of Misty Champagne, Leyton's gaze swept over everyone at the banquet, then his attention was drawn to Audrey, wearing a beige court gown, slowly walking towards him.
Unsurprisingly, Audrey stopped in front of Leyton, a hint of surprise and delight appearing on her face, and bowed gracefully and naturally:
"Good afternoon, sir~"
"Good afternoon, beautiful lady~"
Leyton smiled and raised the wine glass in his hand.
"Inviting a lady who hasn't officially come of age to drink is not a gentlemanly act!"
Audrey said in a playful tone.
"My apologies, that was impolite of me." Leyton said with a light chuckle, "This drink is my apology, and thank you for those little clothes you customized; my rabbit likes them very much."
As he spoke, Leyton tilted his head slightly and poured the remaining half-glass of Misty Champagne into his stomach.
Audrey's smiling expression remained unchanged. She subtly glanced around, confirming that no one was paying attention to them, then said in a friendly tone:
"Mr. Tines, that was just a joke, but it seems you don't really want to apologize; you just want to drink."
"Haha, as expected of a Spectator, so perceptive." Leyton's right hand, holding the wine glass, slightly raised a thumb.
As they spoke, the two had already walked to the balcony, away from the bustling crowd in the center of the banquet.
A golden retriever was quietly squatting there, its eyes very lively as it watched the crowd in the center of the banquet, but more of its attention remained on Leyton.
The golden retriever affectionately approached Audrey and rubbed its head against Audrey's skirt.
Leyton's gaze swept over the golden retriever, Susie, and he said very naturally:
"It is also a Spectator, and it seems to be a very talented Spectator."
The golden retriever's face showed a human-like expression of surprise, its eyes wide as it stared at Leyton.
"Hmm?" Audrey let out a soft exclamation, quickly composed herself, and said:
"Mr. Tines, you can tell that Susie is a magical creature? And you can even guess that it's a Spectator?"
Leyton nodded lightly: "My eyes can see more than what ordinary Beyonders can see."
After explaining why he could tell the golden retriever was a Beyonder creature, Leyton shifted the topic and proposed a deal:
"I want to obtain information on most of Backlund's nobles and wealthy individuals. I wonder if we can reach a deal?"
"..." Audrey was silent for a moment, struggling internally before asking: "Mr. Tines, what do you need the information on nobles and wealthy individuals for?"
"You don't need to tell me everything; I just need to make an assessment before I can decide whether to agree to your request."
Leyton nodded in agreement:
"I need some identities that can operate openly, preferably noble or wealthy."
"This is preparation for spreading faith in the future."
Leyton deliberately did not specify what faith or whose faith he intended to spread, letting Audrey guess intuitively.
Audrey's first reaction was the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, but then she thought of Mr. Fool, whose figure shrouded in gray fog lingered in Audrey's mind.
A hint of excitement flashed in Audrey's eyes. She calmed herself down, but her voice still couldn't hide her excitement as she said:
"Is this the hidden spread of faith?"
As she said this, Audrey's eyes also swept upwards, as if she wanted to see the place where Mr. Fool convened the Tarot Club by looking up.
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