515 Sards Apology (1/2)
In the living room on the second floor of the villa, Baron Austin was listening to the sweet voice of Ms. Nightingale attentively in his pajamas.
Since it was inappropriate to go to his mistress during the time of a national funeral, he could only kill time by listening to 'Arcana Voice'. Also, he found many programs in the channel very interesting, sometimes even more interesting than spending time with his mistress.
In Holm, except for the most conservative nobles and believers, it was a fashion to listen to the forbidden music radio station. The content in it was the topic in many parties of the liberals. Whoever did not listen to it would be considered outdated and rejected by their circle.
”… From today on, the program will change slightly. Next, you will hear 'Holm Observation' that is hosted by me. It will inform you of the major events in the kingdom.”
”… I believe our dear audience have learnt that the beloved, respected Prince Patrick followed King Feltis due to grief after the king passed away. However, what about the process and the details? This program will direct you towards the truth behind the case.”
Austin had been leaning against the sofa casually, but he sat straight and became solemn after hearing the introduction.
Holm Observation's exploration on the matter was still in the phase of unproven speculations. It interviewed random eyewitnesses to prove that Prince Patrick was in good health during the few days prior and couldn't have collapsed all of a sudden.
Although Nightingale did not say it outright, she was clearly insinuating that the Church did not like the prince for his favor of magic and alchemy. Anyone could infer from her words that the Church had assassinated the prince.
Austin gasped hard. He recalled what the liberals in the Parliament of Nobles said. The more he thought, the more suspicious he became. A week ago, the prince had just hosted a gathering of the liberals. His body condition was exactly like before, and he was in such a terrible relationship with the king. How could he have died from grief?
”They are bold enough to kill the crown prince…” Austin put the wine cup back on the table and began to pace.
When his back was faced to the window, two shadows lunged in and attacked him who was only in the level of regular knight easily.
”Who are you? How dare you attack a noble… Night watchers?” Austin saw the black gloves that the two men wore. ”You are bold enough to arrest a noble directly? You are breaking the agreement between the Church and the nobles!”
Juliana flew in from the window and looked at Austin coldly, ”The Church is too weak. Only we can defend the glory of the Lord.”
”Are you going to divide the nobles and the Church, weaken the Church, and make it impossible for the glory of the Lord to spread?” Austin was not an idiot. He realized that he had encountered one of those zealous, extreme night watchers. Therefore, he simply suggested that their doing was on the contrary of their purpose.
”The Lord is almighty. He did not stop you because it is a test for us. If purging the nobles who have been inclined to the sorcerers like you raises the objection of the nobles of Holm, it will mean that they are all corrupt and beyond rescue. The throne must kneel before the Lord.” Juliana loathed sorcerers from the bottom of her heart. She extended her hand coldly and pressed Austin's forehead. ”Repent in hell!”
”How dare you…” Holy light glowed, and Austin's head was pierced through. The blood was all vaporized. Even the rug was not stained.
Juliane put her left hand on her right hand and said, ”Write down why we purged him and what he committed, submit it to the inquisition, and forward it to the Parliament of Nobles.”
”We punish sinners as representatives of the will of the Lord; we do not hide.”
”Understood!” The other night watchers echoed simultaneously.
...
Inside the royal magic tower of Holm, Lucien reminded Natasha in the end. ”Be wary of Sard. There's no telling what he is up to.”
”If he is really influenced by the World of Souls, like the pontiff and the saints in the North Church, his purpose may be to separate the five parishes here from the Church and to make himself the pontiff…” Since she hadn't figured out her stance yet, she was not sure whether it was a good or bad result.
Lucien shook his head. ”Don't blindly refer to history. Sard is too sophisticated for that. After all, the South Church cannot stand yet another division. Besides, he has been in office for only two months. I fear that he hasn't even won the cardinal of the Holm parish yet. What can he use to create division? Not to mention that there are parishes defended by other saint cardinals. Therefore, don't be fooled by his recent performance.”
Natasha said softly, ”All in all, I'll try to find out his purpose. You'd better be careful, too, because you are the easiest one to deal with among the high-ranking experts on the Cleansing List.”
”Rest assured about that. I have the Congus Ring with me.” Lucien looked at the iron ring on his left hand.
Because his left hand would nullify the supernatural powers, Lucien had moved the Holm Crown Rings to his right hand and only kept the legendary ring that remained unaffected on his left hand.
”Okay, everyone knows that you have a legendary item!” Natasha pretended to be jealous. ”After I sort through my heart and advance into level eight, I will have one, too! I'll also bring the Shield of Truth over. In that case, I'll have the strongest defense and the strongest attack. Haha!”
She did not want Lucien to end the call depressed and therefore made fun of him.
...