Krafft's Notes on Anomalies

"I guess so."

A hobby that would not interrupt his career as a priest but would tarnish his image by speaking out was in line with Kraft's expectations, the kind of person who didn't care much about discipline and dogma in life.

It is worth mentioning that the church does not explicitly prohibit drinking. Whether it is clergy, peripheral personnel, or believers, drinking is a widespread phenomenon. In many cases, alcohol is not just a drink for entertainment.

It also has the properties of nutritional supplements and even medicines. The monastery brews its own beer and allows rationed drinking. Among various folk remedies, wine also occupies a very important position. It is used as a part of the liquid or medicine and is used together with medicinal materials.

People here also have the habit of soaking all kinds of things into wine, and the wine often deteriorates due to insufficient alcohol concentration. This has also given birth to a common understanding - the stronger the wine, the better.

Of course, drinking and binge drinking are two different things and should be discussed separately. The church classifies drinking disorderly and unable to control oneself into the category of "immorality". There is no objective standard for judging this category, and it all depends on subjective judgment. Being hungover in a pub can or cannot be counted.

To get the nickname "Drunken Priest" is obviously not as simple as having a drink in private. It has reached the point where others can question his piety as a clergy based on his personal ethics.

"Where did you hear about him?" William wiped his lips hidden behind his beard and swallowed subconsciously, "If you plan to confess to him, I advise you to find someone else."

"How to say?"

"Adrian was banned from entering the confession room last year." His facial muscles were twisted, and he wanted to laugh but was hesitant. He probably felt that it was immoral to laugh at an acquaintance behind his back, so he restrained himself a little.

After holding it in for a few seconds, William still laughed out loud, "Because there have been many reports of people smelling alcohol during confession."

"At first, everyone thought it was a drunken sailor who mistook the smell of alcohol on his body for the smell in the room, and sternly warned not to let anyone smelling of alcohol into the hall."

"However, after that, the reports continued unabated, and some people, after donating, hinted whether they could meet a certain priest who was 'very successful in wine making.' Only then did the bishop realize that something was seriously wrong." Speaking of this, William couldn't bear it. I couldn't help but laugh out loud, remembering the ugly look on the bishop's face at that time.

"They ordered a thorough search of the confessional, sent people pretending to be sailors to confess, and found Father Adrian drunk and passed out inside. If not for this, no one would have known that he was secretly drinking inside."

Such a "glorious deed" quickly spread throughout the church and half of the port area. To put it more seriously, this is a blasphemy against the only pure land in the hearts of countless confessors, and it brings the church into the style of a port area. The shocking scandal prompted the bishop himself to order that he would never be allowed to confess again.

Kraft couldn't understand, but he was greatly shocked, "As for that? You can't bear it for a while?"

What is even more shocking is that, according to William, this scandal has not yet caused him to be expelled from the church, and the punishment is only "forbidden to accept confession."

Can the illegitimate son of the bishop himself be treated like this? the answer is negative.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, of course." William smacked his lips and made a sound of fluid secretion. "Think about it, how can ordinary wine be so strong even across half a room? It's so strong that even a drunk can tell it's not his own smell."

"Strong liquor?"

"No, once you taste it once, you will know that there is nothing worthy of the name 'spirits' in front of it. There is simply no way to describe it." William did not hesitate to praise the priest's wine, "It's like drinking A mouthful of fire was made, and it slid down the throat and into the stomach. This mouthful was worth half a bucket of the stuff in the tavern that was as bland as water."

"You know, it's just flowing carbon fire, as pure as ice, but it won't hurt your tongue. Only distinguished guests can have the opportunity to taste this taste." He used the hottest thing he could think of to describe it, Seeing Kraft also showing an expression of fascination, he was even more immersed than when he heard the story about the ice field.

"Just in time, you two are in for a treat today. Adrian must be awake now, and I have to ask him for a few drinks. After drinking this, maybe you will know that those fruity drinks are not worth mentioning."

These words made William unable to bear the urge to drink. He led Kraft and Coop around the hall on the first floor, went out through the small door behind the church, and jumped into the annexed buildings behind.

The priest guarding the door not only did not stop them when he saw them, but also said hello to William. Seeing that Kraft was a little confused, William gave him a thumbs up and said, "Dignified guest."

Then he pointed to a small and medium-sized auxiliary building and said, "I donated it."

Got it, a church that is mainly for sailors and seamen, you have a bunch of VIP guests like the captain who donate big money and are addicted to alcohol. Father Adrian, let alone drinking in the confessional, even if he drank with a saint's statue in his arms, the bishop had to weigh it carefully.

Port Solace itself is not a port that must pass through for trade, it does not block the main road, and the influence of the church is not as great as that of Dunling. Damaging the majesty is a small matter, but the absence of captains is a big deal. A series of fantastic events are determined by the economic foundation of the church.

There was no intention to hide it. Kraft smelled the smell of wine in the night wind. It was clear that they were still walking under the halo of the cathedral, but it seemed as if they had arrived at the door of a wine cellar. The iconic smell of alcohol was as good as that of the port. Give more.

The pace unknowingly became faster, William's feet were filled with wind, and his wide trousers swayed. He didn't need a lantern to identify the direction, and he headed for the place where the aroma of wine was strong.

The feeling became stronger as we approached the wine cellar. The mellow and pure smell of wine, unadulterated with other flavors, overflowed from every brightly lit room. The lights were brightly lit at night, and it was like a small banquet being held inside.

William knocked twice symbolically, pushed the door open, and greeted the fat figure in a white robe slumped on the lounge chair: "Adrian! Don't sleep, get up and drink some more!"

"Huh?" The double-winged ring pattern on the white robe rippled, and a big round hand slapped it, making a "bang" sound like a drum skin, and the holy emblem pattern trembled and rippled humorously.

The bright head surrounded by a circle of sparse hair was raised from behind the protruding abdomen. Two eye slits were opened on the round face. After looking at the person for a while with a backlight, he finally recognized the identity of the person from the big beard.

"William?! Oh, how long has it been? How long has it been since I heard you bring me a story?"

"Haha, three months and five days, plus half a night of confession, I miss you so much." William stepped forward and held Father Adrian's big round hand, asking him to lend a hand and give it to him. She gave him a hug that couldn't completely wrap around his back.

"You missed my wine, come and try it. I made a good decision this time." The priest went upstairs with his belly filled with white robes, opened the closed door, and suddenly a stronger smell of wine wafted over.

The smell like the pouring of wine barrels, the essence of a wine cellar seemed to be stored in the small room on the second floor, condensed into this small house.

Adrian walked out of the room holding a small bottle and returned to the table to arrange a few wine glasses. "You two over there, please stop standing. Come and experience the best and strongest wine in Solace Harbor and all of North. Heavenly Father What a gift.”

The colorless wine was swaying in a transparent flask that was no less crystal clear than the pair of glass wings. It was clearly visible on the wall. The castrato's words about Adrian's close relationship with the outstanding glass craftsman seemed to be true.

But Kraft's mind was already attracted by the wine, and his whim seemed to be leading him to another unexpected surprise.

He took the half-sip of the small cup and put it under his nose to sniff, his nose shrinking as the spicy smell of wine escaped. Coop also got a glass and drank it in one gulp as if it were beer without any experience. Adrian and the priest held the wine glasses and smiled as they watched the newcomer experience this shock.

When he saw Coop covering his mouth and coughing, with his face flushed, Adrian laughed so hard that he couldn't even open his eyes. He was very satisfied with this work and filled him with another glass, "Drink slowly, this is my masterpiece. , the spirit in the wine is different from the water in those bars."

Kraft dipped a drop with his finger and tasted it with the tip of his tongue. The stimulating burning sensation from licking the rim of the hot tea cup burned his taste buds, and the alien soul showed a heartfelt smile.

"I knew you would like it!" William sipped his wine. Recommending something to others and getting recognition is always a pleasure in life.

The priest happily swallowed the wine. This time the wine was particularly choking. Long-term drinking did not let him get used to the stimulation. A blush appeared on his fat face and he coughed a few times.

In the room filled with the smell of wine, only Kraft did not taste further. He raised his glass and admired the transparent liquid surface, "What a masterpiece..."

【I'm starting to like the taste of this wine】

Kraft smeared a few drops of wine onto the back of his hand. Contrary to the heat and spicy taste in his mouth, a cold and comfortable feeling came from the smeared area.

The liquid was evaporating rapidly, taking away the heat on the skin. There was no sweet fruit aroma of fruit wine, and no burnt grain aroma of grain wine. It was pure wine, so pure that it made him lament the impermanence of life.

The large amount of wine aroma that spreads into the air is obviously not something that can be achieved by such a small amount of wine. The priest is heating the wine upstairs.

【Distilled Liquor】

Distilled and purified alcohol that is close to, or perhaps even close to, medical standards.

"You are indeed a genius, and future generations will read your name in the books recording the history of the kingdom."

"No way, I'm a wine-making priest. The bishop didn't kick me out. I can only stay here because of the help of my old friends." The priest stood up and filled William's wine glass, wanting to give this man who praised him like a saint The young man filled it up, but found that the wine in the glass only tasted a layer.

He sat back down, still maintaining the slightly bent posture when pouring wine. Kraft realized that he had maintained this posture since he stood up. It should not be that easy for a fat man.

Recalling the action of pouring wine, the priest always used his right hand when he needed to move dexterously, but after sitting back in the chair, he gave up his dominant hand and used his left hand to hold the wine glass.

Looking down, his right hand was pressed slightly on the side of his raised beer belly. He never left this position except when necessary.

A bulging belly and a long history of excessive drinking.

"Do you often feel pain on the upper right side of your stomach, close to your chest?" Kraft asked, pointing under his right rib. "You usually have a poor appetite, and your skin is yellow?"