Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System-Chapter 57: Surging Undercurrents

「The next day.」

The stable was filled with the mixed smell of hay and horse manure. A few rays of sunlight slipped through the cracks of the wooden windows, illuminating the floating dust motes.

Old John was struggling to clean a manger. His movements were much slower than usual, and his forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.

"These last few days of mass have been exhausting," Old John said, straightening up and rubbing his sore back. "We’ve been busy from morning till night. Even us grooms, who are supposed to be looking after the warhorses, have had to help move offerings and set up the venue."

Allen, who was grooming a horse’s mane nearby, sighed at his words. "You can say that again. We’ve had to tend to three separate batches of mounts just for the nobles who came to visit."

Duke, who was refilling a water trough, couldn’t help but complain, "If you ask me, isn’t this all because Lord Kelvin cut so many staff a few years ago? If we still had enough people like before, why would us grooms have to do these odd jobs? Now, one person is doing the work of three..."

"Duke!" Old John cut him off sharply. He glanced around warily and lowered his voice. "How can you say something like that? Don’t forget what happened to Carl!"

Allen quickly put down his horse brush and leaned in nervously. "Old John’s right. You can’t say dangerous things like that ever again. Even though it’s just the three of us, the stables have ears. If someone with ill intentions overhears, we’ll all be in deep trouble."

Duke had always had a big mouth and clearly realized his slip of the tongue as soon as the words were out. His face turned pale, and he quickly lowered his head to get back to work, not daring to say another word. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

After an awkward silence, Old John continued, "But on the other hand, things in the domain have certainly been more peaceful since Bishop Alberto arrived. With a big shot from the Church Court overseeing things, a lot of matters can finally be settled."

Allen chimed in, "Yeah, the whole atmosphere in the domain is different. The guys in the kitchen are all saying that with the Bishop’s support, Lord Kelvin’s position is even more secure."

"Isn’t that the truth," Duke added, carefully rejoining the conversation. "I heard from the guy delivering hay this morning that everyone outside is talking, saying that th-this time, someone’s going to be on the losing end. After all, the Bishop has clearly shown his support for Lord Kelvin."

Old John nodded as he added hay to the horses’ feed. "This is good for us common folk, too. It means we can live our lives in peace. If this stalemate had continued, we’d be out of a job."

Allen nodded. "That’s right."

Duke muttered under his breath, "If only our wages would go up a bit..."

"You!" Old John shook his head helplessly. "You should be glad you still have this job. Don’t forget, they laid off half the staff in the castle two years ago. We’re lucky to still be here."

A warm summer breeze drifted for a long time, leaping over several stables before slipping through the cracks in the wooden planks. It carried the scent of fresh grass as it gently brushed past Red Leaf.

The three men’s conversation entered Murphy’s ears, every single word clear.

He had only one thought at that moment.

’The stables really do have ears.’

...

As the sun began to set, Murphy was cultivating on a pile of hay when a soft knock came from the door.

He stretched his body and lay back on the hay. "Come in."

Bart came in and plopped down on the hay pile across from him, lowering his voice. "Did you hear? The Bishop left suddenly around noon today."

Hank followed him in, closing the wooden door behind him. He leaned closer, his voice tinged with unease. "The atmosphere in the castle is getting weird again."

Murphy sat up from the hay pile, a look of surprise on his face. "The Bishop was just leading mass yesterday. Isn’t he staying a few more days to offer blessings?"

Bart sighed. "I know, right? We thought the Bishop would stay for a few more days. Now that he’s gone, the castle..."

Hank glanced warily at the door and window, his voice dropping even lower. "I heard... I heard that the Lady Baron and Roton Knight had a huge argument in the side hall this afternoon."

Murphy’s brow twitched slightly. "What happened?"

"I don’t know the specifics," Bart picked up the thread, "but a guard on duty in the hallway at the time said he heard the Lady Baron was very emotional, saying things like ’betrayal of trust’ and ’failed your charge’."

Hank added, "When Roton Knight came out, his face was ashen. He left directly without even greeting the guards, which has never happened before."

Murphy was silent for a moment. "It’s best we don’t speculate about the affairs of these important people."

Bart nodded quickly. "Right. After all, Murphy, you were called in for questioning not too long ago."

Hearing this, Hank tensed up and sat up straighter involuntarily.

Murphy’s gaze swept over their faces before he smiled. "That was the day before the Bishop arrived. It’s all over now. Besides, it was nothing, just routine questioning. Every warhorse groom was called in."

After the two had left, Murphy sat alone in his dim quarters, lost in thought.

’Could it be the "Court investigation" from option two?’

’This "Court" doesn’t refer to Bishop Alberto, but to other noble factions? Or perhaps Duke Douglas, or even the Kingdom itself?’

’And maybe Bishop Alberto really did just come to conduct the funeral, and has nothing to do with these power struggles.’

’After all, the Bishop left in such a hurry. Other than the necessary ceremonies, he didn’t get too involved in the domain’s affairs.’

But Murphy’s brow soon furrowed again.

He looked down at the Black Light emerging from his fingertips, an ethereal glow circulating in the darkness of the night.

’This power comes from the stables.’

’And the only one connected to Supernatural Power who has ever been in the stables is the Witch, Othilia.’

’Does the Bishop really not care?’

’Did he really not notice?’

Murphy then thought about the argument between the Lady Baron and Roton Knight.

’The Lady Baron has no military force to speak of, yet she dares to openly confront Roton Knight. She must have some backing.’

Murphy wasn’t surprised that Kelvin hadn’t revealed the true cause of the Baron’s death.

’A Lord assassinated in his own bedchamber—if something like that were made public, it would definitely cause turmoil in the domain and give other nobles an excuse to interfere in the Duval Clan’s internal affairs.’

’Kelvin’s choice to handle it discreetly by claiming death by illness was indeed a wise move.’

’But what if other noble factions have already learned the truth of the Baron’s unnatural death through some other means?’

’These factions could suddenly make a move at the right moment, using an "investigation into the cause of death" as a pretext to meddle in the domain’s affairs.’

’The reason the Lady Baron dares to confront Roton Knight is perhaps because she has received a clear promise of support from some faction.’

’However, regardless of whether this "Court" refers to the Bishop or other noble factions, only true strength can get one through the "investigation."’

At this thought, an ethereal dark glow began to emanate from Murphy’s body.

The Black Light moved like a living thing, circulating with his Qi through the Floating Meridians.

It seeped into the Floating Meridians that had not yet been opened.

Its speed was unprecedented.