Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 696 The Soul-Sending Ceremony (First Update)
Luo Xiu presented President Jolis with an invitation to visit the "Territory of Saint Carlos"!
This was something Luo Xiu had decided to do after President Jolis had done a good job fulfilling the request for him.

In Luo Xiu's eyes, President Jolis was a talent who could find out the clear financial flow between the "Saint Lelangen" family and Knight Commander Lukel in just two days and complete all the instructions he had given him.

Luo Xiu had also used his connection with the Florence family to research the background of the family elder, Jolis Florence.

Jolis Florence graduated first in her class from Gongor Academy, the highest institution of learning in the Golden Kingdom Federation, in June of Apocalypse 748.

After graduation, he was recommended by his mentor, the "Golden Mentor" Letorio, to intern and study at the headquarters of the Gold Country Bank for three years. Then, at the age of 25, he was sent to the Nolan Empire, to the "Gitat City - Gold Country Bank", to serve as the first "Vice President" of his career.

Since then, he has been in the financial industry for twenty years, serving as president of four gold banks and vice president of seven gold banks.

Among them, the Gold Country Bank, whose presidents were almost all Jolis Florentino, saw its profits increase by more than 30% within six months, while those holding "vice president" positions also generally achieved positive growth.

His most outstanding achievement is the "Agus-Golden Bank," during which the bank's total value increased fivefold in the two years since Jolis became president.

Luo Xiu didn't want to let such talent slip by—it just so happened that he was indeed lacking outstanding financial talent and a financial advisor.

Luo Xiu knew that the first pot of gold he earned in his early life actually came from the memories he possessed in his previous life, which allowed him to make investments that only he knew about and were guaranteed to make a profit.

However, now that the business has developed to this stage, relying solely on past life memories and experience is clearly insufficient. It is essential to have professional talent to provide timely and expert advice and help manage assets more effectively. This is the necessity of a "financial advisor."

Jolis Florence is the right person.

Now that something like this has happened in Agus City, the business of the Golden Country Bank will definitely shrink as a result. In order to better develop the family business, Jolis will most likely be transferred by the family. In that case, it would be better to take him directly to the territory of Saint Carlos.

And given his status and his relationship with the Florence family, if he were to ask them to keep Jolis Florence by his side, they would certainly agree, and might even be more than happy to oblige.

Everyone knew the immense potential value of the "San Carlos Territory" he was about to build. Luo Xiu could already foresee that the Florence family would not only agree to Jolis's move to the San Carlos Territory, but would also dedicate their family's resources to helping Jolis establish a new family business there.

With the Florence family taking the lead, other major families in the "Golden Federation," such as the Manston family and the Fesera family, will also invest resources in the Saint Carlos territory to cooperate in its development. These are all benefits that Luo Xiu can already foresee.

Now, it all depends on President Jolis's own wishes.

"..."

Luo Xiu smiled and looked at President Jolis in front of him.

He had seen a fleeting, complex expression of emotion, yet also a hint of struggle, cross President Jolis's face. He had been president of the Gold Country Bank in Agus City for two years, and this was the bank to which he had poured the most effort into his career. Leaving now was something he found difficult to relinquish.

But President Jolis also knew what his best option was right now—

"..."

"I understand."

After thinking for a long time, President Jolis nodded.

He raised his head, looked directly into Luo Xiu's eyes, and said:

“You are right, Your Majesty. The situation in Agus City is no longer suitable for our development. I will submit an application to the family to accompany you to the territory of Saint Carlos.”

"However, I may need some more time. Before I leave the city of Agus and step down as president of the Gold Country Bank, I need to complete the necessary handover with the new president who will succeed me. Only then can I go to the territory of Saint Carlos with peace of mind and assist you without any worries."

"..."

President Jolis accepted his invitation.

Luo Xiu nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile:
“I’m glad, President Jolis, that you accepted my invitation.”

“It’s alright. I know you have things to do before you leave. Neither I nor the Saint Carlos Territory are in a hurry. You can go to the Saint Carlos Territory at any time. I will reserve a site for you to build the first ‘Golden Kingdom Bank’ in the Saint Carlos Territory, and I will also reserve the positions of bank president and my ‘financial and economic advisor’ for you.”

With that, Luo Xiu stood up and walked toward President Jolis.

Under the still somewhat bewildered gaze of President Jolis, Luo Xiu extended his hand to him and smiled, saying:
"Welcome to the territory of Saint Carlos, President Jolis."

"..."

"Thank you."

President Jolis also stood up, extended his right hand to Luo Xiu, and shook hands with Luo Xiu tightly.

"Thank you for your appreciation... Rest assured, I will not linger in Argus City for long. After I have finished all the handover matters, I will head to the territory of Saint Carlos."

From this moment forward, I am your subject. My knowledge and abilities will be at your disposal, Your Majesty.

"I will do my best to assist you."

……

President Jolis agreed to come with him—Luo Xiu had already figured out what kind of work to assign him after returning to the territory of Saint Carlos.

Afterwards, Luo Xiu chatted with President Jolis about other matters, such as what resources Jolis had that could be taken from Agus City—the Golden Country Bank—to the territory of Saint Carlos; and whether, although President Jolis was preparing to leave, he was still nominally the president of the Golden Country Bank, and whether he could still maintain cooperation with the Church and the City Lord's Mansion, etc.

Currently, in the Church, Bishop Donovan is nominally in charge of the bishops, but in reality, the highest power in the Church is in the hands of "Saintess" Franya, which is essentially in the hands of Luo Xiu.
Meanwhile, on the side of [Supreme], "Divine Seal Knight" Reiner has now taken over Lukel's position as acting city lord and acting knight commander. He now completely obeys what I, as the "Red Crown Prince," say. I can tell Reiner that the business originally held by Knight Commander Lukel will be transferred to me through Jolis.

Luo Xiu recalled the last things he had talked about with President Jolis.

Besides that, Luo Xiu chatted with Jolis about other trivial matters, and finally had Jolis arrange the return trip of "Saintess" Franya and "Supreme Sword" Monine to the capital.

……

Afterwards, Luo Xiu left the Golden Country Bank. Walking the streets of Agus City, Luo Xiu was clearly in a good mood.

He was already thinking that after returning, he could make a detour to Songyuan City—the Golden Kingdom—to find the bank manager, Qiao Dewen, and tell him that "Jolis Florentia" was about to join the Saint Carlos territory...

By establishing a resource flow route from President Qiao Dewen between the "Saint Carlos Territory" and the Songyuan Territory, and then extending it further inward from President Qiao Dewen, the route could gradually connect with the entire empire, forming a circular industrial chain. In this way, the overall layout of the flow of funds and resources in the Saint Carlos Territory could begin to take shape.

And further up from the territory of Saint Carlos, and westward—

The land that originally belonged to the "Dark Principality" now borders four vassal states established by the Golden Kingdom Federation. When President Jolis arrives, he can handle the economic relations with those four Golden vassal states.

Luo Xiu was planning all of this.

He walked toward the Church of Agnes, and when he could see the outline of the church, he paused his thoughts for a moment.

……

It is now nearly noon.

This day was the day the Church of Argus was preparing to hold the "Sending Off the Soul Ceremony"—Franya was already in the Church of Argus, presiding over the ceremony with Bishop Donovan, and Luo Xiu would also be present before the start of the ceremony, as a cardinal bishop of the Holy Court and as an observer alongside the Empire's "Radiant Wise King".

Luo Xiu first arrived at a small manor not far from the Church of Agus, which was also owned by President Jolis. The head maid, Caroline, was already waiting at the manor gate.

When she saw Luo Xiu, she gracefully nodded and stood gazing at him. When Luo Xiu approached her, she gracefully curtsied and respectfully said:
"Your holy robes for the ceremony have been prepared, Master."

"Please wait a moment while the maids and I help you change. We have also contacted the saints of the church in advance, and a church carriage will come here to take you to the church, which is appropriate for your status."

"Mm." Luo Xiu nodded.

He entrusted these arrangements to Caroline, the head maid who always handled matters of etiquette and procedure very well.

As the "Radiant Wise King," it would indeed be inappropriate for him to travel on foot to the church to observe the "sending off of the soul" ceremony in his current official capacity, without being greeted by any saint.

Moreover, Luo Xiu is currently wearing casual clothes that are convenient for travel. He will change into the ceremonial robes that symbolize his status as the "Radiant Wise King," which is also in accordance with his identity and etiquette.

He and Head Maid Caroline then entered the manor. With the help of the head maid and the maids, he bathed and changed his clothes. When he emerged from the manor in a completely new, holy and solemn manner, the church's carriage had already arrived at the manor gate.

In Luo Xiu's eyes, he saw two "Fivefold Destiny" saints of the church, along with twenty-four clergy, waiting in front of the manor.

A magnificent carriage, drawn by two pure white horses and decorated with sun symbols, was also parked in front of the manor.

"Greetings to you, Your Majesty Rosh Carlos, the Holy and Sublime Radiant Wise King."

When they met Luo Xiu, the two leading saints bowed respectfully to him and greeted him devoutly.

The twenty-four clergy who had accompanied them also bowed respectfully to Luo Xiu. Luo Xiu nodded slightly and walked towards the carriage, where a clergyman helped him board.

As the carriage curtain was drawn back, the creaking of the wheels filled the air, creating a slightly noisy sound. When the slight jolt subsided, Luo Xiu lifted the curtain and found himself at the church's main entrance.

A saint came to Luo Xiu, helped him down from the carriage, and led him into the church.

In Luo Xiu's eyes, he saw the Church of Agus at this moment—

The church's main gate, undamaged by the previous horrific disaster, still stands, though somewhat worn.

Inside the church, and in the surrounding buildings, some of the less damaged structures have been rebuilt.

Further in, you can see the core area of ​​the church—the place that was most severely damaged. But now all the ruins have been cleared away, and the original location of the bishop's seat has been deliberately left empty. This is where the "soul-sending ceremony" will be held.

Luo Xiu had already seen it: the thousands of clergy gathered in the church, all dressed in pure white clergy robes, standing there silently and sorrowfully, without anyone uttering a sound that would break the solemnity and gravity of the occasion.

"Please follow me, Your Majesty the Wise King."

The saint who was guiding Luo Xiu turned around and said to Luo Xiu in a low voice:

“I will take you to where Bishop Donovan and Her Highness the Saint are; they are waiting for you.”

Luo Xiu nodded slightly and continued to follow the guiding saint. They passed through the solemn and silent clergy and arrived at the front of them—a temporary altar enshrining the sacred image of the Great Sun. Luo Xiu could see that "Saintess" Franya and Bishop Donovan were already on the altar.

Franya had also seen Luo Xiu, cast her gaze at him, and nodded slightly.

Luo Xiu walked toward them and, under the watchful eyes of all the clergy of the Church of Agus, ascended the altar, standing to Franya's left.

This is the end.

Bishop Donovan looked at Luo Xiu, and from his eyes, Luo Xiu felt that his attitude towards him had become much more peaceful.

Bishop Donovan's gaze quickly turned melancholy again. He turned his head and looked at the thousands of silent, solemn clergy waiting before the altar. Bishop Donovan took a step forward.

He raised his scepter and said:

"Pray for the martyrs—"

"The soul-sending ceremony shall now begin."

……

(End of this chapter)