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Chapter 122 - Chapter 122: A Clerical Attendant with Both Literary and Military Skills (Part 3)

"I have received standard clerical training and am proficient in High Gothic script, heraldry, and mathematics," Williams introduced his skills to Alex.

As for religious skills like Ecclesiarchy doctrine, he didn't mention them, and Alex didn't ask.

Both sides knew that these were essential skills for an Ecclesiarchy Priest; after all, if a Priest didn't even know that, what else could he say?

"High Gothic script? That truly is a useful skill," Alex praised Williams's ability in High Gothic, showing great approval.

Don't think High Gothic script seems insignificant; in the 40k era, it genuinely required specialized learning and could be considered a high-end clerical skill.

The Imperial common tongue is divided into High Gothic and Low Gothic, but Low Gothic is more akin to a dialect; it's a general term for all non-High Gothic languages used in all Imperial Worlds.

Although it's largely the same language, following the same grammar, it's like the dialects of Seres—seemingly similar but actually diverse, and only used on their respective planets.

High Gothic, however, is different; it's the official common language of the Imperium, used throughout the entire Imperium, with standardized pronunciation and grammar.

It's just that for the Imperium, High Gothic is only used by Planetary Governors and various Imperial official departments in formal settings; under normal circumstances, people don't speak High Gothic.

It's somewhat like how many Seres people in the 3k era still didn't speak Mandarin when they could speak their dialects.

But in the 40k era, if you knew High Gothic, you were superior, a high-born upper-class person.

Because this stuff genuinely required a large sum of money to learn; without a certain background, wealthy families wouldn't even teach it.

And there's another crucial point: official Imperial documents must use High Gothic. If you don't know High Gothic, you can't even understand some important documents.

At such times, for some Planetary Governors of more ordinary backgrounds, a Servitor who understood High Gothic script became extremely important.

These were truly high-tech talents, as precious as an attendant who understood Latin was to a European medieval noble.

From a certain perspective, GW's setting is quite consistent with European history; for a long time in history, they each used their own languages, but those who spoke Latin were indeed superior, and many books were also written in Latin, so understanding Latin was indeed a very practical skill for making a living.

Although the Inquisitor miniature Alex was using inherently understood High Gothic, having an attendant who could write letters for him was still different from having to do everything himself.

"Your High Gothic is excellent. All I can do is help you with some complex trivial matters," Williams replied in High Gothic, proving his words were true while also stating his position.

"No need for such formality. I truly need a High Gothic clerical Servitor by my side to handle some correspondence for me. After all, I am too busy, and it's impossible to personally reply to many important letters one by one. Having copy Servitors or automatic Scribe servitor skulls do it is often a very rude act," Alex did not simply treat the Priest before him as an ordinary clerical Servitor, but gave him sufficient respect.

"I will wholeheartedly resolve these troubles for you," Williams bowed to Alex, formally beginning his service to Alex.

Alex nodded slightly, then asked Williams, "Have you received combat training?"

Even as a clerical Servitor, he still needed to be capable in combat, at least possessing the ability to protect himself when encountering a fight.

This might not have been important in the 3k era, but in the 40k era, in the Imperium, a world so martial it was terrifying, being able to fight was a must.

"I have received standard Defense Force combat training, am proficient in using autoguns and Lasguns, can skillfully use Chainswords, and can operate common vehicles," Williams answered truthfully, without exaggerating his abilities.

This level was not considered strong in the Imperium, and even among Ecclesiarchy Priests, it was only average.

However, for a clerical Servitor, this was already sufficient; at least he wouldn't be a burden if a fight truly broke out.

Alex nodded, saying nothing more, only making arrangements for Williams: "From today on, you will be my clerical Servitor and concurrently the Governor's Secretary. Later, go find Miss Rachel, my Chamberlain; she will arrange your specific work."

"As you command," Williams had no dissatisfaction with this arrangement. Although the Old Bishop hoped he could serve Alex in religious matters, he also clearly knew that this Governor, who originated from an Inquisitor, could not completely side with the Ecclesiarchy like ordinary Planetary Governors.

He could only earn this Governor's approval of the Ecclesiarchy through his diligent service.

After arranging Williams's matters, Alex then left the reception room and returned to his office.

"Gutierrez, what do you think about the Ecclesiarchy?" Since everyone else was out of communication range at the moment, Alex could only contact Gutierrez and ask for his opinion on the Ecclesiarchy.

"I'm not Yuanfang; asking me about this is useless!" After uttering a complaint, Gutierrez replied with some helplessness: "Although I really don't want to admit it, unless you betray the Imperium, you truly have no good way to deal with the Ecclesiarchy.

They are, after all, the officially recognized true faith of the Imperium. Even if the Lectitio Divinitatus was written by Lorgar, it's the same; the Ecclesiarchy controls the faith of the entire Imperium.

As a Planetary Governor, if you are willing to cooperate with the Ecclesiarchy, they will support you tirelessly and become your greatest asset.

But if you are unwilling to cooperate with the Ecclesiarchy, then unless you turn to Chaos, the Ecclesiarchy has ways to make you a titular Governor."

"Indeed, the Ecclesiarchy's move this time is an overt scheme. Leaving aside other things, if the Ecclesiarchy truly brings over billions of Pilgrims, everything we have built up now would instantly collapse." Although Alex was currently short on population, a sudden increase of several times the population would instantly burst the fragile economy on Rostov II and destroy all current order on the planet.

"Forget billions; we can barely accommodate a hundred million Pilgrims right now. Not to mention, if you oppose the Ecclesiarchy, they genuinely could raise billions of Holy War Army to drown this planet," Gutierrez stated the worst consequence of a direct conflict with the Ecclesiarchy.

In the 3k era, there was a popular saying, 'How many divisions does the Pope have?' But this saying doesn't hold true in the 40k era, because the Ecclesiarchy Pope can indeed raise billions of Holy War Army.

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