British hegemon

Chapter 10 Even Priests Love Money

In both his lifetimes, Roger was not a devout believer.

In his past life, he had no faith. In this life, Roger has witnessed the hypocrisy, greed, and ugliness of the clergy in the monastery, making it difficult for him to feel any reverence for them. Therefore, the word "piety" is something he deeply hates.

However, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Through his experiences during this period, Roger began to understand the absolute control that religion has over people, so he did not intend to be too unconventional, lest he be labeled a heretic and burned at the stake.

Moreover, this priest named Matthew had supposedly "saved" his life, so he should at least be polite to him.

Clearing his throat to ease the awkwardness, Roger lowered his voice and said, "Father Matthew, I've come to pray and offer my holy donation to God." As he spoke, he took off the deerskin money pouch from his waist and poured all the coins inside into his palm.

A round, fat man suddenly darted out of the confessional in the side hall of the main hall.

His long white robe, a symbol of a pure heart and unwavering faith, had been worn down to a light gray. The holy rope tied around his waist could barely contain his large belly, and the round opening of the cross-shaped sash on his shoulders was pressed tightly against his neck; one wondered if it made him feel suffocated.

His pig-like face was covered in grease, and his small, vacant eyes beneath his bald head exuded a snobbish air.

This fellow was better suited to be a small vendor at the Brodick market, but he happened to be the presiding priest of the Brodick Church, and people had to respectfully call him Father.

Matthew was originally just a deacon of the church. As Arran Island gradually declined, the church's income decreased, and the original priests left the island. The clergy on the mainland also disliked the island's isolation and harshness and were unwilling to come back. Therefore, the Argyll parish had no choice but to promote this most senior, half-baked deacon to priest and put him in charge of the island's religious affairs.

But this guy was far from a competent clergyman. When he was a deacon and deacon, he also served as the church storekeeper, and he made a lot of money for himself during that time.

After becoming the chief priest, he became even more outrageous. The Baron of Arran Island had long intended to send this inferior god off the island, but he was troubled by the lack of anyone who could take his place.

Matthew had just heard Roger the devil and John the white-faced devil arguing in the main hall. When he saw Roger coming to the church, he was so frightened that he quickly hid in the confessional.

Unexpectedly, the villain was there to donate money. Hearing the pleasant clinking of the silver coins, Matthew couldn't resist and ran out as if possessed.

He regretted it now, but there was no way he could hide back; he could only bite the bullet and face it head-on.

"Thank God, Mr. Roger, your forehead wound has healed." The fat priest greeted him warmly, implying that he had once risked Roger's life and hoped he wouldn't do anything reckless.

Roger ignored the fat priest and turned to Igor behind him, instructing, "Go and check on Young Master Louis and ask him if he wants to come back to the manor with me today."

How could Igor let Roger out of his sight? "But Young Master Roger, you..." Igor couldn't find an excuse to stay and keep watch.

"Go ahead, I still need to confess to Father Matthew, I won't be done anytime soon. I'll come and get you when I'm done, and we'll also go see Louis," Roger said seriously.

The young stable boy scratched his head as Roger kicked him out of the main hall.

Only Roger and the fat priest remained in the main hall.

"Father Matthew, let's talk about offerings to God." Roger gently tugged at the coins in his hand, making a series of pleasant, crisp sounds.

Staring at the gold and silver coins dancing happily in Roger's hand, Matthew estimated that there were at least ten shillings. This was not difficult for Matthew, after all, his knowledge of money far exceeded that of the Bible.

More than half a pound of silver—that's a considerable sum of money.

Matthew's slightly oily, chubby face immediately broke into a smile as he grinned and reached out to take the coins from Roger's hand. Suddenly realizing he was being a bit too blatant, he quickly withdrew his hand and gestured for Roger to place the offerings in the "merit" cabinet next to the altar.

Roger understood, walked to the altar, and took out two silver pennies from his hand. They fell into the money box with two soft sounds.

The portly priest standing beside him was somewhat stunned. He shrugged and spread his hands, his meaning all too clear.

"Too little?"

The fat priest shrugged.

Roger opened his hand again, this time picking out several chipped silver pennies and throwing them all into the cash box.

While the portly priest was still bewildered, Roger's face darkened. "Not enough? Believe me or not, I'll smash up this lousy cash box and rob everything inside!"

The fat priest had been blinded by money and only then realized that the man in front of him was an absolute devil, and that it was already a strange and bizarre thing that he could come to the church to make a donation.

"No, no, no, young master Roger, your sincerity is enough to move God. The moment the silver coin fell into the vault, all your sins were redeemed."

"Why does that sound so familiar?" Roger muttered, hiding all the coins in his hand into a hidden pocket in his sleeve. He then slapped the empty money bag into the priest's swollen, fat hand, glaring at the fat priest and threatening, "If anyone asks, remember that I dedicated all my coins to God, or I'll make sure you never have a good life again."

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the church. Before Igor, the little tagalong, returned, he quickly left Brodick Castle.

The portly priest watched the departing figure, then couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his brow with his empty money bag...

It was only about 3 p.m. when the wool market in Brodick was nearing its end, with only a few general store vendors left in the town continuing to sell their goods.

Wool merchants from outside the island, eager to return home, have been heading to the port. They will be carrying bags full of silver pence and will leave Arun Island by Bella boat or ferry boat.

However, some wealthy merchants will stay overnight on Arun Island, enjoying the island's unique seafood before leaving happily.

The place where these "wealthy merchants" stayed was called the Red Mill, a place of extravagance in Brodick.

Roger, along with three bald thugs in green and a donkey, stopped in front of a two-and-a-half-story wooden and stone building. This was the crossroads of Brodick Town, the most bustling part of the town.

The two-and-a-half-story building has a stone foundation on the ground floor, and the upper floors are all made of wood. There are low buildings on both sides of the main building. On the left is a livestock shed for tethering horses and mules, and on the right is a wooden kitchen for preparing food. The moss on the exterior walls indicates that the building is at least several decades old.

At this moment, the aroma of roasted meat and the wanton laughter of harlots wafted from the building, drifting through the filthy town.

A heavy iron chain covered with cobwebs hung on the door, with an oil lamp hanging from it. The lamp was covered with a red glass lampshade with lead, and it seemed that this red lamp would guide countless lost men home at night.

This was Roger's first trip since arriving in this world, and he never expected to stumble directly into the red-light district of this era.