Chapter 42

Ever since Cyrus told the priests that they would begin training, their schedules had been packed full, and arduous study tasks began.

Grove Qiao felt as though he was currently drowning in misery.

Being a priest in Kaies's church and spreading theology to the world every day had never been this exhausting...

Cyrus's assignment was for the priests to first gather and compile the laws of every nation, including the two great empires.

Not only did they have to fill in the gaps and improve the laws within Desinia Territory, they also had to read and memorize them thoroughly. Relevant laws would later be tested and spot-checked.

Time limit for organizing the legal provisions: seven days.

Before that—

Cyrus handed the newly made paper to Grove and the other priests. "You need to write the compiled laws on Watermarked Paper. Remember to finish within the specified time."

Grove accepted the paper with a puzzled expression. "Watermarked Paper?"

He had only noticed that the paper in the lord's hands was a beautiful creamy white.

But after taking it and examining it closely, he discovered that the feel beneath his fingertips, as well as its texture and toughness, were all different from parchment and papyrus.

The paper in his hands seemed to be an entirely new, unprecedented kind.

"My lord, this, this is..." Grove asked, slightly stunned.

Cyrus said, "This is a recently developed kind of paper called Watermarked Paper. It costs less to make than parchment, and its production process is simpler."

"Watermarked Paper is more flexible than papyrus and will not easily snap or be damaged when turned..."

"In the future, Watermarked Paper will be promoted throughout the territory and sold to other nations through the Thorn Merchant Guild."

Watermarked Paper was an ancient name for paper, also known in ancient China as Embossed Paper.

This paper was made by pressing out moisture with a screen or wooden mold. It received its name because the finished product bore obvious lines or patterns.

The method Cyrus chose involved using a wooden mold to scoop up the pulp, pressing it flat with wooden boards, then placing heavy stones on top.

As a result, the paper developed a relatively rough texture. It felt slightly grainy to the touch and was not especially smooth or delicate.

After all, this was his first time researching Papermaking. His experience was still limited, and there would definitely be plenty of room for improvement in the future.

Grove immediately recalled the furnace that had been burning nonstop in the castle courtyard during this period. So that was what it had been for...

Then he immediately thought of the enormous profits the Lord of Desinia would gain once this new paper was promoted and sold.

This new paper called Watermarked Paper would undoubtedly be more beloved and welcomed than parchment or papyrus.

Seeing the priests standing there blankly, staring wide-eyed at the Watermarked Paper, Cyrus could not help tapping the tabletop. The dull sound brought them back to their senses.

Cyrus asked, "Any other questions?"

Grove and the other priests immediately shook their heads. "No, none."

Cyrus said, "Then go back and prepare."

"Yes, my lord."

Grove and the other priests became busy.

After they finally handed the compiled legal provisions to the lord, they were immediately required to begin memorizing them.

Cyrus gave them only three days. After that, Butler Judas would test and spot-check them.

Moreover, anyone who failed the memorization test would be punished.

Thus, Grove and the other priests approached this with even greater solemnity than they showed when praying devoutly to the Creator God. Even in their sleep, their dreams were filled with legal provisions.

For those three days, they carried feelings of nervousness, unease, irritation, and anxiety...

Some people had clearly done no strenuous work, yet they still felt somewhat exhausted. The closer the spot-check came, the less they could remember.

Three days later, Judas began testing the priests one by one.

Cyrus observed from inside the room.

He watched as one priest first broke out in sweat, then began trembling, his gaze turning unfocused as he stammered without managing to say a word. Then his eyes rolled back, and he fainted onto the floor.

Cyrus said, "..."

Pre-exam syndrome?

This priest's mental fortitude was probably not very good...

Judas was clearly taken aback by the sudden situation before him. He turned and asked, "My lord... what should we do?"

Cyrus said, "...Carry him out first. Have Yadai take a look at him."

"Yes."

Fortunately, that was the only case. Afterward, nearly everyone passed.

When the fainted priest woke up, he burst into tears and anxiously waited for the lord's punishment.

He was definitely finished... after all, he had not even managed to say one complete sentence.

With a complicated expression, Grove brought him the lord's "punishment."

The priest looked utterly miserable and said in despair, "Grove, just tell me. I can take it."

Grove said, "Ahem... The lord wants you to do one hundred squats and one hundred push-ups. If you don't finish, you don't get food."

"After that, you still have to continue memorizing. I'll be the one to test you."

Snot and tears still hung from the priest's face. Upon hearing that, he raised his head in disbelief. "Th-that's all...?"

"Mm."

The priest began crying again, this time from overwhelming joy.

Thank you, my lord!

However, the priest celebrated too soon.

Memorizing the legal provisions was only the first step of training. Next came the heavy assignments and study tasks awaiting them.

Grove and the other priests: It felt like their intelligence had been extinguished. They could not even keep smiling anymore.

Their hairlines gradually receded.jpg.

The scope of their training and studies was so broad, and the knowledge covered so comprehensive, that it was enough to give anyone nightmares.

Thus, two months later, when news and requirements for the mayoral selection examination were released and spread widely, Grove and the other priests finally understood what the lord intended for them to do.

First, compile examination textbooks.

Second, organize an examination question bank.

They would serve as proctors, supervising the examinations and issuing the final grades.

On the Western Continent, books and similar materials were all copied by hand or printed from woodblocks and copper plates. The costs were extremely high, and nobles who owned books in their estates were considered wealthy.

To improve the efficiency of compiling textbooks and allow them to be printed for people to read later, Cyrus summoned Reinog to study how woodblock and copperplate printing could be improved.

The difference between engraving techniques and Movable-Type Printing lay in whether the type could be removed, moved, or altered.

Improvement was an opportunity.

Grove and the other priests had gone from initial shock to endless admiration.

They were actually fortunate enough to witness the transformation of paper and printing here.

They also had no doubt that the emergence of these two things would bring earth-shaking, unbelievable development to Desinia Territory.

But the most important and troubling question at the moment was—how were they supposed to come up with an exam paper that would make people weep?

The priests rubbed their heads, which were nearly bald, lowered their gazes to the still blank sheets of paper, and revealed "utterly deranged" smiles.

It was probably time to let the examinees experience the terror of losing their hair too.

After all, the little lord's "torment" had nearly sent them straight into the Devil's embrace.

Since Nat had made up his mind to remain by the lord's side,

when his father, Marco Case, returned to Kaies, he did not leave with him. Instead, he bought a residence in Visas and settled down there.

Naturally, the place Nat bought was nowhere near as good as his original home in Kaies.

At first, he truly struggled to adapt and nearly could not bear it any longer, almost regretting his decision and leaving. But then he thought of the little lord and what he had said to Ferdinand, so he gritted his teeth and persevered.

Desinia Territory.

The news of selecting mayors and other officials had already been publicized in every city through the Thorn Merchant Guild half a month ago.

Not only that, but the guild had also begun selling two relatively inexpensive books.

One specifically explained the detailed examination arrangements and matters requiring attention.

The book also included the areas of study for the mayoral examination and the material that candidates for different official positions needed to study.

For example, the examination would actually be divided into public subjects and specialized subjects.

There would not only be written examinations, but also interviews. The examiner who would ultimately decide the mayoral and official candidates would be the lord himself.

The subjects covered included the territory's newly issued laws and regulations, verbal comprehension and expression, mathematics, logical analysis, and more.

After reading it, many people could not help feeling discouraged.

—No, I won't pass. Forget it.

But even more people bought the book.

The second book was rather thick. On the very first page, the title read—"Detailed Guide to Official Selection Topics."

Below it was a note—"Must be thoroughly read and understood."

This was the question bank Cyrus had asked the priests to prepare for the examination.

There was little time, and they could not make more detailed arrangements, so for now, they had compiled every subject into one book.

The priests would set questions based on its contents or add some more difficult questions.

Nat bought both books.

Whenever there was something he did not understand, he shamelessly went to ask Ferdinand or Walker for clarification.

Before long, even Cyrus had learned of it.

Judas said, "It seems Young Master Nat truly wishes to stay by your side, or he would not be working this hard."

Leaning against Snowball and supporting his cheek with one hand, Cyrus said, "Has he said what he plans to take? Does he want to be mayor or hold some other official position?"

Judas could not help smiling. "Young Master Nat said he would take every examination and see which one he could pass."

"But he has clearly stated that he does not want to be mayor. He only wants to remain in Visas."

After thinking for a moment, Cyrus recalled Nat's sharp tongue that had left others speechless. "I can give him a suggestion."

"Nat is better suited to being a diplomat, but he still lacks much knowledge."

"Have Nat focus on learning languages that are not commonly seen on the Western Continent. For instance, the accent in the small kingdom of Helgoda differs from ours."

"Also, have him learn and become familiar with the customs and habits, geographical features, city names, and so on of as many other countries as possible."

Judas nodded. "I will send someone to inform Young Master Nat."

Cyrus's eyes curved into crescents. "I hope I don't scare him back to Kaies."