Chapter 133 St. Benedict's Priory
The following day, Ethan Wilson received a call from Sarah asking him to accompany her to visit an elder.
Sarah hadn't specified who they were visiting. Ethan, trusting her, agreed to accompany her without further questions.
When Ethan pulled up to the Harris family's villa in Chloe Miller's BMW 5 Series to pick up Sarah, she was momentarily taken aback.
It wasn't that she minded Ethan driving Chloe's car; she was just surprised he was driving it.
"Why the surprise?" Ethan asked, noticing Sarah's puzzled look.
"Nothing, let's just get moving. We're headed to Emerald Valley!" Sarah shook her head and urged Ethan to get a move on.
"Emerald Valley? Isn't that a scenic area? Does your elder live there, or is this elder visiting the place?"
Ethan Wilson paused in surprise, his face etched with bewilderment. "Emerald Valley, out in the suburbs of Novaria, wasn't exactly a scenic hotspot. Tucked away in a relatively remote location, with just one winding road leading up the mountain, it posed a challenge for developers, and only some wanted to invest big money there.
He had visited Emerald Valley just once with Jayden Wilson and had to admit that the scenery was pretty impressive. Now, unexpectedly, he had the chance to return; only this time, Sarah would be at his side.
"You'll see when we get there," Sarah teased, keeping him in suspense.
Ethan didn't press for answers. Committed to supporting Sarah, he focused on being the best boyfriend he could be.
They headed straight for Emerald Valley. After an hour's drive, they finally reached a clearing halfway up the valley. The car could go no further; the rest of the journey up the mountain required traversing narrow trails and stone steps on foot. Luckily, the remaining ascent was only around five or six hundred meters high – not too steep.
Looking up, Ethan could discern a structure looming at the peak, shrouded in mist, giving off an almost perilous vibe. There were a few other sightseers and vehicles, but Emerald Valley was far from bustling and possessed a rare tranquility.
"I remember there's a St. Benedict's Priory up there!" Ethan pointed to the building at the top.
"Yes, that's St. Benedict's Priory. That's where I'm taking you! Let's hurry; it'll take us over an hour to climb," Sarah said as she grabbed Ethan's hand and led him towards a nearby narrow path.
"Is the elder you mentioned staying at St. Benedict's?" Ethan asked with growing curiosity.
"Exactly. He came here seeking medical help. Many aristocrats flock here when ill. The person I'm taking you to meet has come from Houston," Sarah revealed, no longer secretive about the purpose of their trip.
"From Houston? Is he a senior member of your Harris family?" Ethan's curiosity intensified.
“It's Remington Walker, the patriarch of the Walker family. My grandfather used to know him back in the day, and I figured they'd honor that connection enough not to turn me away at the door!"
Sarah beamed with pride as she explained, as if meeting Remington Walker was some grand honor.
"The Walkers from Houston might have a name, but they're not one of the big four families. Why act as if they hardly welcome the Harrises?"
Her statement took aback Ethan Wilson.
"You just don't get how unique the Walkers are. The big four families, you know, have deep roots and rose through business and strength. Sure, they're top-tier in public eyes! But in the military and political spheres, they can't permeate. They're checked by one another, and other powers won't allow it!"
Sarah explained earnestly.
Ethan's curiosity was piqued, and he quickly grasped the implications.
The Big Four families couldn't infiltrate the military or political realms, but that didn't stop them from forming alliances with those who could. The backing of a military-political dynasty could reinforce their standing, no question.
According to what Ethan knew about his own Wilson family, they were deeply intertwined with the local military-political elite, with intermarriages among branches and peripheral lines. It was all part of the game!
"The Walkers are a military line, and Remington's students are all over the ranks. Many high-ranking officers were his protégés. Whichever one of the big four secures, Walker's backing could easily rise above the rest! Too bad he's always been neutral, maintaining a certain distance from the big families and thus a stable balance," Sarah continued.
"So today you're bringing me to visit Walker? Don't tell me you're hoping I'll become his favored ally to get him on our side against the Wilson family?"
Ethan guessed her motives and couldn't help but shake his head with a rueful smile.
The prominent four families had never achieved that; how could he, a lone outsider, do it?
"To get Walker to take on the Wilsons for you, that's bold thinking! I'd count my blessings if you could make a good impression on him, so maybe he'd speak up for you when it matters!"
Hearing his words, Sarah didn't mince her response, giving Ethan Wilson a cutting retort.
"Come on, I can't be as bad as all that, can I?" Ethan said, rubbing his nose, a somewhat embarrassed expression spreading across his face.
As they talked, they had been walking along a mountain trail for about fifteen minutes. But looking back, it seemed they hadn't climbed much — maybe a few dozen yards at most. The steepness of the slope made the paths and stone steps wind their way up, misleadingly suggesting a climb of several hundred yards, while the actual distance covered was undoubtedly no less than two miles.
"How in heaven's name did Walker ever get up here? I bet he never climbed a mountain; he probably had others carry him up!" Sarah complained about the rugged terrain, her lips pursing as she speculated.
"You're here to visit him, you know. It's rather unsporting to talk about him behind his back," Ethan couldn't help but smile wryly as he reminded her.
"If it weren't for you, Miss High-and-Mighty would never suffer such an ordeal!" Dissatisfied, Sarah hopped onto Ethan's back, wrapping her arms around his neck, and commanded, "Your punishment is to carry me up the mountain, and don't you dare refuse!"
"Alright, I'll carry you!" Ethan grinned. In truth, he could make better time with Sarah on his back. The hike was a breeze for him, and his previous slow pace had been merely to accommodate Sarah, who seemed more delicate.
Half an hour later, Ethan had carried Sarah to the summit of Emerald Valley.
Unlike the steep and challenging ascent, the mountaintop was wide and flat, almost like a different world. St. Benedict's Priory stood in the middle of this vast expanse of open woodland — not particularly grandiose but exuding an undeniable solemnity.
"We finally made it to the top. This St. Benedict's Priory doesn't look all that impressive!" Sarah remarked nonchalantly, pulling Ethan by the hand toward the main gate.
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