525 Assassination (1/2)
The sense only lasted less than a second, like it was just a false hint. But the ring, Congus Ring, that Lucien was wearing was reminding him that it wasn't just an illusion.
”Lucien…” Alferris tried to talk to Lucien, but was stopped by him. Its big amber-colored eyes looked confused.
Who is it? What was the person doing here this late at night, near the small church located in the civilian zone of the city?
But the dangerous power never came back again. So Lucien said to Alferris using secret messaging, which would only produce tiny magic waves, ”Someone was nearby, at least senior-rank. Now it seems that the person has gone into the Salvation Church. We gotta wait here for a bit longer to make sure Richard's safe.”
Alferris all of sudden got excited. An enemy meant a fight; fight meant victory; and victory meant trophy!
Lifting its claw, Alferris wiped off its drool.
......
Standing in front of the cross, Richard reflected on the conversation he just had with the young man. All the messy thoughts that had been bothering him had now become more organized and consistent, which helped him reform his heart full of faith.
At this moment, he felt great peace. He prayed silently, ”My Lord, if you think I'm twisting Cannon, please let the divine light devour me, because I deserve it.”
In the course of time, Richard started to be covered in a layer of divine light, like he was a saint that got blessed by God. He opened his eyes and looked up again at the cross, and then he said in a deep voice, ”You are one, and everyone. You are the moment, and forever… I think I understand why the Church should exist. The existence of the Church should protect faith, not interrupt it. Everyone is entitled to get enlightenment from Cannon, as long as they are devoted.”
Richard had never felt more relieved than right now. His heart was full of joy and faith, thudding a bit faster in excitement. He even felt that now he was able to reach level nine although the progress had been rather sluggish for the past decades.
”It's all your blessing. Only truth lives forever.” Richard crossed his chest.
In Lucien's eyes, Richard would have already stepped in level nine for a long time if it had not been because of his own confusion and struggling. His true faith and the deep understanding in theology would even bring him to the next level - a saint cardinal, legendary level.
Richard stood up. After all of the priests had left the hall, he headed for the garden. Breathing in the fresh air mixing with the flower aroma, he carefully thought about the reform that he was going to propose and felt truly blessed by his Lord.
No matter how difficult the reform would be, no matter who was going to step out and stop him, Richard was determined to carry it out.
At this time, he sensed someone walking to him.
It was someone with a red robe, wearing a biretta.
”Octave?” Richard recognized him.
Octave once listened to him preaching in Rentato, and he was the previous red robe in charge of the Holm Inquisition.
Octave was a serious-looking, middle-aged man, whose black brows were thick and light blue eyes sharp. He smiled and said, ”You must have heard what's been going on recently. I'm a bit confused, so I wonder if I can talk to you.”
”You have resentment in heart, so you are closing your eyes?” asked Richard using the lines in Cannon.
The look on his face and his voice was calm and soothing.
Octave crossed before he answered, ”Yes, I'm afraid resentment will take charge of me and eventually make me forget my true intention - to serve the Lord. But sir Richard, should we just let the evil free and keep telling ourselves to hold ourselves back because of all the reasons? Isn't this betrayal to Lord's message?”
Then Octave cited the Cannon, ”… because of faith, he showed no fear facing demons and flame. He threw himself into the crowd of the most dangerous enemies, and there was no retreat…”
He asked himself the question, and also the Church.
Richard shook his head, ”What is evil? Why was the killed nobleman evil?”
”He listened to Arcana Voice; He worked with those sorcerers to make money.” Octave raised his voice.
Richard pointed at the Cannon in his hand, ”Lord only told us not to be greedy, not to lie, not to indulge, not to disregard lives. Which one did he fail?”
”He lied.” answered Octave.
Richard smiled, ”Those who lie will not ascend to Mountain Paradise, but linger on the land and be punished by lightning and flame. The Cannon never says that those who lie deserve death punishment.”
”He worked with a sorcerer! He listened to Arcana Voice!” Octave did not know what else to say.
Richard said peacefully, ”As long as the sorcerer is not evil judged by the Cannon. There's no such thing in the Cannon saying that he was not allowed to work with a sorcerer.”
”How can a sorcerer not be evil? The Doctrines says…” Octave cited the lines.
Richard just smiled, until Octave's voice gradually lowered his voice.
”Since you're willing to follow the Doctrines, I'd assume that you respect the Church's decision. Why are you angry?”
Octave's face lit up with this new perspective, ”I see. I'm not against the Church, not the Doctrines, but the pope and the leading priests who stand high above in divinity but keep misinterpreting the Lord's words. They have strayed away, thus they're no longer capable of delivering the correct messages! Sir Richard, I know that you've been against the revision of the Doctrines. Please step out and awaken the rest of them! We have to propose to resume the original Doctrines.”
”What if the pope says 'no'?” asked Richard. He had just been through lobbying, and therefore he immediately noticed the indication in Octave's words.
”If he says no, then we will choose a new one! I believe that many grand cardinals share the same opinion!” said Octave excitedly, ”In my mind, sir, you're an ideal candidate!”
”This Isn't what we want. The correct way to do it is to let every devoted follower to interpret the Cannon. That's justification by faith!” Richard shook his head.