148 The Inquiry of the Church (2/2)

”My Blessing came from the potion that the princess rewarded me, but I don’t have any noble title.” Lucien slightly shook his head, ”And I don’t think I could even have survived this time against the baron and the necromancer if I did not have the sword and the powerful items given by the princess, not to mention killing them.”

”The princess’s generosity makes all people feel jealous,” Arnold said in a meaningful way. Two magic items, one divine item, two extraordinary-quality weapons… Those things could almost compete with the collection of Viscount Stanley. The bishop was almost certain that the rumor was true: Lucien Evans, the young talented musician, was the secret lover of the princess of the Duchy of Orvarit.

As soon as the pastors in Wolftown heard Lucien and his guards’ report on what happened in Baron Habearo’s castle, they were completely shocked and immediately sent their message birds to inform the cathedral in Korsor. Then, by using some kind of divine portal, the level three bishop, Arnold, together with his two pastors and four night watchers came to Wolftown to meet, or, in other words, to inquire about the baron’s case.

The inquiry went separately, and Arnold was the one responsible for questioning Lucien. Lucien’s words, after his careful design, were not suspicious to the bishop, and what Lucien said was also verified by his safeguards.

Now, the last part of the bishop’s work was to write a report on how Lucien killed the baron and the necromancer to the cardinal of the Duchy of Djibouti.

”Mr. Evans, can I take a look at your magic and divine items that helped you kill the baron and the necromancer?” asked Arnold.

”Sure,” answered Lucien. He reached out his left hand and introduced to the bishop, ”This is the ring that can shoot frost blades. And this is the bracelet… it is where the fire balls and the fire shield came from.”

Before that, Lucien dyed his bracelet and the ring with some kind of special plant, just in case that the Church would recognize them.

Seeing that Lucien was not going to take off the ring and the bracelet, the bishop also did not bother asking. Arnold just checked the two items from a distance with his waves of faith, which was basically the same thing as spiritual power, to see if the power inside was according to Lucien’s words.

Then Lucien took out the amulet hiding beneath his shirt.

”Umm… Early stage of the War of Dawn… should be the style from that period of time.” Arnold’s eyes lit up a bit instantly when he saw the amulet, ”I guess only families with long history like the Violet family are able to possess them.”

Lucien’s eyes squinted a bit from his confusion about the relationship between Maskelyne and the Church, but he knew that this was definitely not a proper time for investigating it. He put on a casual smile and put Alert and Asthenia Dagger on the table, ”Alert, rewarded by the princess. And the dagger was from a level two dark knight killed by the princess.”

”I see the coat of arms on the sword, yes.” Arnold nodded. He checked them again and then said to Lucien, ”Well… I think we’re all set here. I sense that the night watchers are back, and after our verification, you’ll be good to go, Mr. Evans.”

Lucien waited patiently in the room for the bishop.

Ten minutes later, the bishop came back with smile, ”No problem. Everything’s clear now, Mr. Evans, although it’s quite a pity that the necromancer’s lab had been burned down by your fire balls during the fight, or we could find more information.”

Lucien nodded to be polite, but did not say anything.

”And this is a reward from the Church. If it had not been for your brave fight, Mr. Evans, more innocent lives in Fogtown would suffer. You’re a great contributor to the purity of the Church. And you’re good to go now, Mr. Evans.” The bishop handed Lucien a cross-shaped brooch, which was not a real divine item, but just a common gift for acknowledging Lucien’s merit.

Lucien was almost amused: the Church was giving a reward to a sorcerer, a sorcerer who was on their Cleansing List… How ironic was that?

...

In the basement of the abbey in Aalto, there was no light and no sound.

Camil opened the door of the basement slowly without making any noise and entered the room. When she saw the princess, who was dressing pure black, kneeling on the floor and praying silently, Camil almost burst out tears.

The princess looked emaciated. Her practice here was to immerse herself in extreme darkness and silence in order to strengthen her will.

”What can I do for you, Your Grace?” Camil took a deep breath and walked to Natasha.

Slowly raising her head, Natasha smiled, ”Did you bring paper and quill, auntie Camil?”

”Yes, as you wish.” Camil handed the materials to the princess.

Writing something on the paper with effort, it took Natasha quite a bit of time to finish the letter. Then, she carefully folded the paper and gave it back to Camil, ”Please, bring it to Mr. Othello.”

...

In the afternoon, seven days later, in Korsor.

”We need to head for the Musicians’ Association now.” Wise and Mars said to Lucien and his guards, ”You’re welcome to visit us any time you want, Mr. Evans.”

”Can I go with you?” Lucien smiled, ”I have some personal things to deal with in the association as well. It would be lovely if you two could show me the way.”

”Not a problem.” Wise and Mars grinned.

Lucien was planning on sending letters to John and Natasha from there.