Chapter 1 - The Monastery of Zerba (2/2)
Jade shook his head.
“The monastery account book records that the Zerba’s bridge was constructed about 250 years ago, and at that time St. Antones was not even born. The bridge was not completely built within three days. The construction of this monastery in fact began before the bridge. Also, the reason this monastery was built facing north was because the wind from the south blew too strongly…”
Jade paused his explanation mid sentence. Lord Balticon’s appeared absolutely red in anger, and Father Abbot Thomas held onto the Lord’s shoulders.
“I apologize. When this topic arises, I can’t help myself from talking endlessly…”
Jade was about to apolgoize in deep regret, but Lord Balticon cut him off.
“Then how about that story about the angel without wings?”
“The angel without wings?”
Abbot Father Thomas quirked his head and asked in confusion.
“The story about dwarfs making some kind of bet and locking up an angel or something. I’ve never heard something so blasphemous and heathenish!” Lord Balticon shouted.
Jade let out an awkward laugh.
“Was it really such a wicked story? I thought it was just an amusing fairy tale.”
“An amusing fairy tale? Angels deploying armies to catch a single child and dwarfs making bets is a fun story? It’s sacrilegious!”
The door opened and the soldiers of Balticon marched in.
Lord Balticon paused his words and looked at them. The soldiers stood behind the Lord and whispered something quietly.
‘It should be related to something to my past, I won’t have any need to talk with these people any longer.’
The man who whispered quietly to the Lord took a few steps back, and the Lord stared at Jade with a rigid expression. It seems his anger was appeased.
“I understand it all now, Jade.”
He no longer referred to the other as a Father.
“You’re not even a priest. Three years ago, you were excommunicated for murder, and instead of going to jail you’re hiding in this monastery. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
“I don’t, my Lord.”
“It seems you’ve murdered a 14 year old youth in daylight, is this true?”
The youth was 13, but there was no need to correct this.
“It’s the truth.”
Lord Balticon’s gaze turned to Father Abbot.
“So you’ve been hiding this criminal in this monastery, Father Abbot Thomas?”
“I was not hiding him. It had not been ruled as murder but…”
“I don’t want to hear anymore! During the time of the Holy War, I donated a grand amount of money and my troops for the sake of this monastery, and was faithful to the teachings of Zerba. The gratitude that I get is letting a criminal meet my son to teach him the ways of a cult?”
Father Abbot spoke with a trembling voice.
“This is a misunderstanding. I know my lord’s achievements very well, how can I not? However my lord, this is Father Jade’s own deeds, and I’ve never instructed him to do so, and is not of our monastery’s policies. I don’t even know of the story of this angel. I hope you can appease your anger.”
The Lord stood up. He gripped the sword hung on his belt, and Father Abbot shrunk his neck like a turtle.
“There is only one way my anger would be appeased. We will use due process to kick that man out of this monastery since I cannot commit murder in this monastery!”
Jade couldn’t speak out for himself, and simply looked to Father Abbot with bitter eyes, and spoke.
“Will there be a need for due process? I will follow my Lord out.”
The Lord nodded like it was a matter of course.
“You don’t have any devotion, but you have a conscience. Then I will be merciful and let you go through a religious trial.”
Jade had deep regrets.
‘It should be better to resist and die from his sword in one sweep.’
According to Jade’s knowledge, Zerba had never held any religious trials. The Balticon Lord had been angered to this degree.
Jade was well aware of the process, the experiences, and the theory of religious trials from both party’s perspectives.
Offenders would be interrogated for at least a few weeks and sometimes the interrogations were dragged out for months, then in the end the defendant will be told to make a ‘confession.’ He had never heard of a case where an offender endured the interrogation, other than when the offender was cleared of charges due to outside incidents.
Usually, after a confession of their crimes, one would march a large circle around the main village roads and city plazas until one reached a large pit of fire. The offender’s sentence would be announced, and would be tied to a stake and burned alive.
In Jade’s point of view, religious trials allowed for strong devotional uplift. It could be that the Lord of Balticon wanted to experience this for himself
“I need to make some preparations before leaving, so would it be alright to wait a moment?” Jade asked.
“Preparations?”
Lord Balticon stared questioningly, ‘Why would you need to bring anything?’
“Would it be alright to bring one book with me?”
“The only thing you will be allowed to bring with you is either a Catholic Cross or the Holy bible.”
“It’s a Holy Bible.”
Balticon watched the other with suspicious eyes for a long while and spoke.
“Do not dare to escape from this place.”
“I am not good at running.”
Jade quickly returned to his room.
He heard someone trailing behind him, he looked over his shoulder to see it was one of the soldiers. The soldier was 17, six years younger than himself, and was wearing a cynical smile. He was one of the few people in this place that had befriended him.
The soldier looked to be close to tears.
“A religious trial? Di-did I hear it correctly, Father Jade?”
“It seems my offence was heavier than I originally thought.”
The soldier followed Jade into his private quarters and began to talk once more.
“This can’t be happening. I was next to Father when you were telling the story of the angel and devil’s bridge.”
The soldier sniffled and wiped his tears with his sleeve.
“The children and mothers were always smiling because of you, everyone became so happy. You fast and abstain from consuming meat. You taught us happiness through the words of the Bible and blessed us with your prayer. You were the one who taught me all that is to my life through faith of God. But how can it be true that you’re a heretic? I will give testimony for you. I will help to prove your innocence.”
The soldier decided firmly, even going as far as risking his own life.
“That is not necessary. Your living situation will become very dangerous.”
“It doesn’t matter!”
“Please do not. Instead, I have a different request.”
“I will listen to any request.”
“Please deliver a letter to Father Rome and Father Daniel for me. You should already know who they are, right?”
“Of course. What message would you like me to relay?”
Jade picked up the book that he left on top of the table.
The soldier carefully looked at the book that Jade held.
“Jade will be going through a religious trial…. Just this will be enough. You must not include any other message in the letter. If you are not careful, your life may fall into danger. It must be a brief matter of factly letter no matter who ends up reading it.”
“Understood.”
The soldier nodded and asked another question.
“You speak as if someone else will end up reading the letter.”
“It’s possible.”
“Can I ask you one more question?”
The soldier had a feeling that this would be the last time he would be able to talk with Father Jade.
“Anything.”
“That Holy Bible.”
The soldier pointed with his chin.
“This one?”
“I have been curious since some time now. What paper and ink material was this derived from that it remains in perfect condition even after it becomes soaked with water?”
Jade was shocked.
“How did you know?”
“I happened to witness the time when Young Lord Ricardo dropped your Bible into a pond of water. The Young Lord had apologized while crying. But Father, you simply laid out the book in the sun to dry and then carried it around like usual. I was curious and snuck a glance, and the pages looked to be in pristine condition. I’ve never seen such smooth thin sheets of paper in my life. I’ve never seen one as small as yours either.”
The Holy Bible just barely fit into one palm.
“This was passed down to me, so I’m not sure what it’s made of either. Maybe the fairies were the ones who made it.”
Jade gave a vague answer and absent mindedly bowed. It didn’t seem to be the real truth.
“Please be well. If you were not here, I would have had a very tough time living my days in this monastery.”
“Would I ever get to meet you again, Father?”
“I’m not sure. That chance is probably not very likely.”
Jade answered honestly and then left.
The Lord’s lancers were on standby just outside his quarters.
Jade already predicted such actions, but the lancers jumped in shock.
“This is what I want to bring.”
Jade let the lancer observe his Holy Bible.
The lancer nodded.
“Follow me.”
Jade glanced at the soldier behind him one last time in earnesty for his request.
The soldier slowly nodded many times.