Wizard:Start as a Potion Master

Inside the church, the atmosphere was tense. But the Archbishop of Achaia broke the silence with a wave of his hand, signaling the Storm Knights to lower their weapons.

"We're all on the same side. There's no need for swords to be drawn." The Archbishop smiled at Su Nan and said, "These knights have relinquished their worldly inheritance to join the Church. Naturally, there should be some compensation for their sacrifices."

He elaborated, "When one joins the Church, they forfeit their rights to inheritance, sever feudal allegiances, and vow celibacy. They can no longer marry, father children, or claim any secular wealth or lands. Their sole purpose becomes serving the divine, becoming the sword of the Storm God."

"Thus, it's only fair that the Church grants them certain privileges in return."

The Archbishop's eyes turned to Robert. "If your young man were to become a Storm Knight, his sole allegiance would belong to the Storm God, and to no one else."

Su Nan raised an eyebrow and replied, "Then that's out of the question."

He gave Robert a faintly apologetic look, indicating that this path was not viable.

The Archbishop turned back to Su Nan with a benevolent smile. "The Storm God's domain spans both the spiritual and the physical. Secular lords are entrusted to guard the bodies of the faithful, while we, the clergy, are tasked with protecting their souls. Together, we are like the left and right hands of the Storm God, each indispensable."

"Both are important," he continued, "but if your subordinate proves himself worthy, there will always be opportunities for him to serve the Storm God and earn his knighthood."

Su Nan, however, did not let the conversation slide. He quipped, "Yet even among hands, there is always a dominant one. Am I wrong, Archbishop?"

The Archbishop chuckled, clearly pleased with Su Nan's insight. "You are not. The soul is indeed of greater value than the body, and the spiritual surpasses the material. Therefore, we, the clergy, are the right hand of the Storm God, while you secular lords are the left. And, as you surely understand, the left must always yield to the right."

The Archbishop's words carried an air of smug superiority, but Su Nan showed no sign of submission. Instead, his calm and unyielding demeanor forced the Archbishop to reassess him.

Still, in the Archbishop's mind, Su Nan remained just a young, relatively insignificant baron. While he found Su Nan's audacity intriguing, he did not consider him a genuine threat.

The Archbishop's tone shifted as he addressed the rumors of witchcraft.

"The world is rife with baseless rumors. As for those who accused you of practicing witchcraft, I've already had them executed," he stated matter-of-factly.

"The Church has repeatedly clarified that sorcerers and wizards do not exist. Those who spread lies about people wielding fire, lightning, or resurrection powers are nothing but heretics, and heretics deserve to burn in hell."

His gaze turned to Su Nan. "As for whether you've conducted secret rituals or indulged in certain... curiosities, it's of no concern to us. After all, nobles have always had their peculiar hobbies."

Louis the Priest, clearly relieved, hastily chimed in, "We are grateful for the Storm God's mercy."

The Archbishop ignored him and turned his focus back to Su Nan.

"Let us get to the point, Lord Su Nan. Our presence here has nothing to do with you or your fief. The Church has its own plans."

"All we require is to station our forces within your castle. Do you have any objections?"

The Archbishop's statement was less a request and more an expectation. He began issuing orders to his knights to prepare for their stay.

Su Nan's eyes narrowed. His castle was the heart of his operations, and allowing the Church's army to take up residence would disrupt his magical research.

He replied coolly, "Archbishop, my castle is not suitable for hosting troops."

The Archbishop raised an eyebrow, genuinely taken aback by Su Nan's direct refusal. His demeanor shifted slightly, but Su Nan's tone remained firm.

"I will not allow a large military force to occupy my castle."

"As per the laws of the Storm Kingdom and the divine edicts of the Storm God, every lord retains the absolute right to defend their castle. This is a sanctified space, and I trust you, Archbishop, will acknowledge this."

He continued, "However, I am on good terms with Baron Frank and Baron Simon. Your forces can station themselves in Baron Simon's castle."

Su Nan's suggestion was calculated. Baron Frank's lands were effectively under his control, so he wouldn't burden them with the Church's presence. Baron Simon, on the other hand, had recently shown resistance to Su Nan's authority. Sending the Church's army there was a strategic move, potentially pitting two nuisances against each other.

The Archbishop studied Su Nan carefully, his expression unreadable. Su Nan's calm defiance left no room for compromise, and the Archbishop was forced to reconsider his approach.

After a moment of tense silence, the Archbishop relented.

"Very well," he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "We shall station our forces in Baron Simon's domain."

He added, almost as an afterthought, "I understand it was you who repelled the Bulgar threat in this region. Impressive. The Storm God appreciates capable individuals."

However, the Archbishop's thoughts were elsewhere.

The Church's higher-ups had recently sent him a confidential directive: investigate and address suspected wizard activity in the area. Su Nan's audacity intrigued him, but his priority was the Church's mission.

The Archbishop glanced briefly at the young blond knight standing behind him.

This knight, in truth, was his illegitimate son—a secret he could never openly acknowledge. Yet, the Archbishop's plans revolved around securing a major success in this mission, ensuring his son's future as his successor.

"Everything will fall into place," the Archbishop thought to himself. Destiny favors those who are patient.

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