Priest Marvin

"Daddy, aren't we here to buy clothes?"

On the carriage back to the church, Yuniya tilted her head, incessantly looking back at Morgan Tailor Shop: "How come you don't have to pay when you buy things, Daddy...."

Marvin carried several paper bags in his hands, filled with little dresses he had bought from a ready-to-wear shop by the roadside, since custom-made clothes would take time to be finished, and it was not possible to get them the same day. Therefore, he had to buy a few for Yuniya first.

"The amount I paid is something he couldn't refuse," Marvin answered, "Humans are very simple yet complicated creatures. Once you grasp their psychological needs, you can control them smoothly.... I didn't want to use this tactic, but the church is short on money. We have no choice but to find another way."

"Daddy is so amazing!"

Yuniya kissed Marvin on the cheek: "So we're not short on money now, right?"

"We still are."

Marvin stated frankly: "Distant water can't put out nearby fires. It takes time for investments to pay off, but luckily, our funds can support the church for half a year. By that time, Old Master Morgan will have made a name for himself, and the shortage of funds will be easily resolved."

"Then, who are you going to find to promote Old Master Morgan, Daddy?"

"Of course.... Grey Wolf Dino!"

.........................

"You've come to me just for this?"

At 6 in the evening, within a luxurious and brightly lit villa, Grey Wolf Dino sprawled on a large, soft leather sofa, wearing a light purple silk robe, holding a glass of vodka in his hand, legs crossed, looking interestedly at Marvin and his daughter sitting opposite him:

"I thought you came here to practice what you preach.... Never expected it's to do business, truly disappointing."

"You were the one who told me to come to you if I ever had trouble."

Marvin took a sip of his tea, speaking calmly: "After all, you'll be leaving soon. If you don't shine and heat up now, I'm afraid there won't be another chance."

".... Have you considered my feelings when you say that?"

"Do I need to?"

"What do you think?"

"I think not."

"..."

Emptying the glass in one gulp, Grey Wolf Dino grimaced and muttered: "If it were anyone else who dared talk to me like this, I would have thrown him out a long time ago!"

"Even if the one sitting here was a great noble or a member of the royal family?"

"Damn it, every time I talk to you, I end up half-dead with rage!"

Grey Wolf Dino was so angry he nearly smashed his glass, while Butler Lysild stood to one side, seeing nothing, hearing nothing, and putting on an air that he didn't understand anything.

"I can help you with this matter, but before that, I must ask you...."

With a serious expression and a joking tone gone, Grey Wolf Dino sat up properly and said, "Are you asking for my help as a friend, or are you here to talk business as a businessman?"

"As a businessman."

"Good, let's talk business then... I want half the shares."

"No problem."

"Lysild, start drafting the contract."

"Yes, Master."

The Butler bowed slightly, not playing dead any longer, and quickly left the room to draft the contract.

When there were only the three of them left in the room, Grey Wolf Dino suddenly asked: "Why don't you ever ask for my help as a friend?"

"Didn't I ask to borrow a bottle from you last night?"

"Does that kind of trivial thing count as asking for help?"

"No matter how small the matter, you did help me. Besides, that was a big deal to me."

"Yet, I always feel that there is an invisible barrier between us."

"That's a problem with your perception. I don't feel that way at all."

"My problem?"

Grey Wolf Dino leaned back, gazing up at the gas chandelier on the ceiling for a long time without making a sound.

Click....

Shortly thereafter, Butler Lysild returned with a freshly drafted contract. The terms were clear, and it listed nearly every imaginable scenario; as soon as a signature was placed and a fingerprint pressed, the contract would take immediate effect.

Grey Wolf Dino took the pen, swept his hand grandly, signed his name on the contract, and after pressing his fingerprint, chuckled, "Only now do I realize that this is you trying to 'get a free ride.'"

"I do all the dirty and tiresome work, technical issues are handed over to Old Tailor Morgan, and you don't need to do anything to get a 25% share of the profits...."

"I consider myself the middleman."

Marvin shrugged his shoulders, dipped his thumb in the inkpad, and firmly pressed it at the end of the contract in the butler's hands, "Without the middleman, this cooperation wouldn't happen, so I think my taking a 25% share is quite reasonable, isn't it?"

"With a brain like yours, isn't it boring to be a priest at a small church instead of doing business?"

"Of course, it's interesting...."

Marvin looked beside him, saw Yuniya stuffing her mouth full of macaron pastries, and said with a smile, "It's precisely because I founded the Church of Truth that I was able to meet her. I don't regret my decision. I prefer a peaceful life over one of constant ups and downs."

"Clearly, we're not cut from the same cloth."

Shaking his head, Grey Wolf Dino gave up, gestured with his arm and ordered, "Lysild, pack a few bags of pastries for my goddaughter to eat."

"Understood, master."

"When did I agree to let you become Nia's godfather?"

"Not a godfather, a godparent."

Grey Wolf Dino corrected, "Am I not wealthy enough to be qualified to be your daughter's godparent?"

Marvin smiled but did not reply.

"Hey, you don't really think I'm not qualified, do you?"

Suddenly alert, Grey Wolf Dino watched Marvin and pointed at the living room as large as several basketball courts, exclaiming, "A place like this, a house this big, you can't buy with money alone! There are loads of people begging to be my godchildren and I haven't agreed to any of them!"

"Money, though important, isn't everything, Dino."

This statement plunged Grey Wolf Dino into thought once again as he poured a glass of vodka, drank in little sips, head down and lost in thought.

Having received the pastries, Marvin stood up, bid him farewell, "I'll be leaving now, thank you for the pastries."

...............

The night streets were far from peaceful; drunks staggered along the sidewalks, the taverns glowed with revelry and loud songs, the winding melodies of accordions danced in the chilly wind, while thieves lurked in the shadows, searching for enticing prey.

When Marvin returned to the church, he found several figures standing at the entrance, clad in sharp tailcoats and black leather caps, who were urgently knocking on the door.

Police?

What were they doing at the church?

Taking quick steps forward, Marvin intercepted them before they could knock again and inquired, "Officer, what seems to be the issue?"

"Who are you?" the lead policeman asked.

"Marvin Enders, the Priest of the Church of Truth."

"You're just in time, come with us, please."

The lead policeman gave a signal, and several of his subordinates surrounded Marvin at once.

"Why are you arresting me?"

Marvin spoke calmly, "There has to be a charge for an arrest, officer."

"Were you at Maggie Criss's house at about 2 p.m. today?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Maggie Criss is dead. We're acting on the orders of Police Supervisor McMillan to take you to the scene for questioning."