World Development System 126 56. Pope David's letter.

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Jack was in John's office after such a long time,
John asked Jack with a meaningful gaze, "Are you sure Jack? isn't your family against you allying with me? do you really want to go against your family?"
Jack sighed and said with a determined will, "Yes, I am pretty much sure this time around. Since Joseph can make a hard decision. I too would have to take a hard decision. Well, Joseph still has more support from his father. And as Joseph said, Big risks, big gains, I guess I am following that rule. And I would only be hindered at my family so I guess I want to get power without my family."
John nodded and reminded him, "However in his opposition, there is his grandfather and his brothers. Well, the same goes for you plus your father. He is a real cautious guy. I guess he is cautious because most of your family's business is in the north and allying with me would mean you guys are against Duke Norman which would be very fatal for your business. I guess he is already pissed because of the soap trading your family is conducting right now."
Jack agreed and spoke, "That's true, my brothers and cousins too are using this as a pretext so that I can't compete in the snake Family. However, I am thinking about the bigger picture right now so I guess I need to take more risks. Additionally, a lot of people don't like me earning more money because of this soap trade. As I have already made many enemies so I don't think more enemies would matter as I make this choice. From now on I will be investing in this town aggressively as I intend to make this my headquarters and intend to make this my base of operations for the future."

John nodded as he gave a letter and spoke, "Okay, then you will be in charge of the Logistics department and Northern trade for North-frontier town, we are already short of capable people and Taylor can't handle everything. It will better if he reduces his burden a bit. You can use your connections and always use those guys who are not in the race for becoming heads in their family or marginalized to increase our connections and trade. Here is your appointment. You can ask Joseph for any information regarding the logistics department as he is the head of the ministry of commerce. You need to be prepared for retaliation from your family as they wouldn't like to be associated with you after this appointment. They would most likely announce that they have cut relations with you as most of your brothers and cousins would pressure your family as they would most likely comply. Today Taylor is out for some business so you can meet him later on."
Jack nodded and left his office, "Okay, I will be investigating this town for more business opportunities. I will meet Taylor later on. I will be leaving for now."

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One of the Heads from prison reported to John as he entered his office later, "Lord they still haven't said anything these few days. Only the other guy is speaking."

John nodded and gave him orders, "I guess we need to start using those new tools and my new drug so that they lose their will power. Start from each body part as each body part will give them psychological fear and their mind will say to agree to us so that they can be relieved. Call Redbeer and tell him to bring those new tools that I told earlier to be made. Take this letter and show him, he will understand."

Prison Head, "Lord there is also a letter from the Pope of Radiant church over the previous matter by someone named Knight Calvin. His entourage was quite overbearing this time around when they handed in the letter. They are saying that there will be big consequences if that guy Francis isn't handed over. It seems he has some relation to someone in the higher-ups of the Radiant Church."

John angrily harrumphed as he heard about them, "Hmph who do they think they are? Bring in that letter, let me see what is their tone and what are their demands. I will decide if they can be given a merciful death or something which will be remembered by the Radiant church. They need to be taught a lesson for targeting me so brazenly,"
"As for that guy Francis, I will make sure he leaves his faith in public and makes a complete mockery out of the Radiant Church. As for the consequences, I am quite well prepared this time around. I won't be calming down until I get the head of the one who tried to assassinate me and Eva."

Prison Head nodded and headed to bring the letter, "Okay, Sir."

Meanwhile, John was reading the letter of Pope.
Vlad came in a from the window and commented as John read the letter, "It looks like you are looking for blood, You were never this angry even when you dueled Antonio."
John sighed as he read the letter, "Well, this time it is different, I have realized one fact that I have to get stronger if I have to survive in this cruel world and have to deal in kind with my enemies. Why are you here, master? Is there something you needed?"
Vlad gave him a bit of good news, "Well, that other guy has started speaking and he has said that one of the cardinals ordered your assassination because of your relations with us and your overall policies, However, there is one discrepancy,"
John asked confusingly, "What is it?"
Vlad gave him a document about the cardinals activities, "Our men had spied that Cardinal thoroughly and we haven't found any evidence suggesting he gave the hit on you. I guess they intentionally fed wrong information to other guys so that the truth can be hidden. I guess the other guy most probably knows the mastermind. Anyway, I heard the pope wrote to you, what is it about?"

John asked him about the tools and showed Vlad, "Master, what do you think about using these tools in torture? I think they have quite a big psychological impact on the spies who like to keep their mouth shut. I think we can use it fully against our enemies."
Vlad looked at the tools a bit confusingly but then John explained to him one by one.
Vlad then understood and asked, "I can understand the usage of other tools like that hammer, the thumbscrew, the pendulum knife but what is with that feather?"
John smiled as he said, 'I didn't explain to you intentionally, guess how can it be used."
Vlad laughed as he spoke, "I guess it can only be used to tickle, I don't see any other use apart from that. However, can it really be used in torture?"
John nodded and then explained as he brought out a drug, "Well, it is exactly for tickling but it is for tickle torture. Anything, more than something can really be painful. You can see its results. Well, I ain't using this on that Arrogant Assassin, well it is just for fun. I will be going to visit that Prisoner now master. Lets see how much he can stand the torture and this drug. This drug and the feather can make quite a combination."
Vlad confusingly watched the potion and asked about its usage, "What's that drug?"
John smiled and showed a cruel smile, "It is a drug that can increase the sensitiveness of the body by 100 times for half a day. I want to see how much he can resist after consuming this drug, since he is related to a big shot it would be more fun. Let's see how the Radiant church intends to save that guy's honor after that arrogant tone."
Vlad asked confusingly, "What was in the letter that enraged you so much. Aren't they always arrogant?"
John handed him the letter and spoke gravely, "Have a look at it and you will understand."
Vlad read the letter, "Hmm... Let me read it first."

"Count John, This is an order from the pope of the Radiant church to free the two Priests of the Radiant Church. Any mistreatment on your part towards them could lead to actions unrepairable for our uncertain future. However, this can be solved if you cut your ties to the Demonic Bluesea house and help us in the capture of that Demon Vlad and the Mistress of Bluesea House, Miss Diana then you can get unprecedented honor, wealth and access to Radiant Church's power and connections. You can make your decision any time you want. You would also have to give us information on Prince Lukav's latest movements. These two conditions must be met if you don't wish to make us, the radiant church as your biggest enemy. Meanwhile, Francis is the disciple of one of the Cardinals, Saint Paul so I hope you give him treatment worthy enough to his status. I hope you take the right decision and try not to jeopardize your life."

Vlad sighed as, "Hmm... it seems they are using the carrot and stick method while using a forceful tone. I guess there will be scenes this time around as the pope seems he is entitled that his men should be treated immediately and given a kingly welcome. As for them targeting Diana, it seems they again need to be taught a lesson. I guess they want to use Diana as a hostage." Vlad spoke this with a ruthless glint when he heard that they were targeting her mistress.

Chapter end