424 I Changed My Decision (1/2)
There was a short break. In the heavily guarded room, Ye Qingxuan sat across from Maxwell, neither speaking. After a long time of looking, Ye Qingxuan asked, ”Michel…why did he do that?”
”Perhaps he woke up from his dream,” Maxwell said. ”He should have understood decades ago when the Inquisition disbanded that the dream was over. He put in everything to extend the dream. Recruiting Colt was a risk. He had wanted to give the Ministry a steroid shot but now it has turned into poison. The Ministry has completely become a joke and will never rise again. He has no other way.”
”Actually, he didn't have to do that…”
”For an idealistic person, the scariest thing is realizing the distance between reality and the ideal. This is more painful than falling into hell, isn't it?” Maxwell glanced at him. ”I believe you understand this feeling.”
Ye Qingxuan remained silent.
”I know you're not willing to accept it but you must respect his sacrifice. You should think about the people you care for. You don't wish what happened to Miller to happen again, right?
”People live to care for things and are willing to do dirty things for what they care about. If he did not stand out today, then his family would fall apart… His parents and brother, everyone he cares for would lose everything. Stop giving people reasons to attack you, Ye Qingxuan. You don't fear dying but think of your teacher, think of Bai Xi.”
Ye Qingxuan was silent for a long while. Then he asked, ”Got a cigarette?”
Maxwell tossed a pack into his arms. With his handcuffs on, Ye Qingxuan awkwardly tore open the package and bent down before Maxwell's lighter to light the tobacco. He sucked in the painful smoke and sighed after a while.
”Maxwell, the adult world is so complicated.”
”Yes.” Maxwell nodded. ”Complicated and dirty. That's why adults all become so jaded.”
”What did Anglo promise Michel?” Ye Qingxuan asked.
”Many things,” Maxwell said. ”It includes a new colony in the Dark World, three thousand literate youths, many resources, and fifty musicians every year… Fortunately, I have most of these. I gave him my fief.”
Stunned, Ye Qingxuan smiled wryly. ”I owe you.”
”You don't owe me anything but you should feel regret because these things should have been yours.” Maxwell glanced at him. ”Just think of it as buying your life. Remember to work hard in the future and earn my retirement fund back.” He rose and patted Ye Qingxuan's shoulder. ”Rest well. When you get out, I'll treat you and the others to the best restaurant in the Sacred City to celebrate for you.”
Ye Qingxuan nodded and watched him leave. After a long while, he lowered his eyes. He remembered the darkness that had flashed past Borja's eyes and could not help but sigh.
”Hopefully.”
-
The office was silent. Faint light fell past the curtain to Borja's face. He was livid and he stared at the holy emblem on the wall without speaking. After a long time, a hoarse voice came from the dark corner.
”One-sided words shouldn't be believed easily.”
”Everyone knows those are one-sided words but who can say that?” Borja shook his head. ”Mr. Ludovic, if this continues, I can only rule Ye Qingxuan as innocent. After all, isn't it easy for the Ecclesiastical Order to kill him? Why must it be here?”
”Ignorance!” Ludovic sneered. ”If we truly wish for him to die, we do not have to wait until the court. The prison cell, the toilet, even the bath… It is very easy to kill someone but his death will only aggravate the problem. The only solution is for him to die from the court's ruling. Only then is it meaningful and can prove that the Sacred City's laws cannot be ignored.
”Do you not understand, Borja? Otherwise, the Sacred City's laws and dignity would become a joke. Where would you be at that time? You do not wish to inherit an empty Amnesty Ministry, correct?”
Borja remained silent. His gaze wavered.
”Borja, think of Michel's result.” Ludovic's words did not stop. ”The Inquisition was once so powerful but in the hands of the ignorant countries, what has it become? To revive the Ministry of Information, he could only die a humiliating death in the courtroom.
”That freak deserves to go to Hell. He could not forget about his dream of another Crusade. When he was alive, he was like the living dead and is troublesome even in death. Do you wish to be like that?”
”I am thinking…” Borja lowered his head and suddenly asked, ”What if this is what His Majesty wishes? If…”
”But the problem is, this would not be what His Majesty wishes.” Ludovic's voice was raspy like eerie wind from a cellar. ”Since he was wounded in the battle with Hecatoncheir thirty years ago, he should have understood that his position as the Pope had started to lose meaning.
”All these years, he has been pretending to be strongly ruling over the countries and natural catastrophes. However, his injury has already worsened at an unstoppable pace. There is no way for him to give a clear opinion.”
Borja was completely shocked.
”Otherwise, why would he pretend to be inscrutable?” Ludovic sneered. ”He knows better than anyone that he is about to die. If he revealed his weakness, all dignity and prestige would be gone. He would be nothing.”
Borja inhaled sharply. ”If this is the case, the Sacred City…”
”The Bible says, 'I am the Lord thy God, thou shall not have any gods before me.' But the most laughable thing about the Sacred City is that all glory and power and placed on one man. Borja, our ancestors have gone through so many hardships to create this but it is only enjoyed by one man. Are you truly content for him to take all this to the so-called Heaven?
”Stop your naivety, Borja. Do you really believe that his Majesty gave you all this? No, we did! We have been maintaining the world all these years, maintaining the stability between the countries. Do not bow before a body waiting to rot on the holy throne. It is time to take back what is ours!”
In the silence, Borja swallowed dryly. After a long time, he managed, ”This…does my father know?”
”The day he joined us, he understood everything.” Ludovic walked out of the shadows and placed a hand on his shoulder. ”Borja, the Ecclesiastical Order was born for this. You will become one of us.”
”I understand.” Borja nodded. His expression changing, he finally made his decision. ”I will take care of it.”
-
Ten minutes later, the adjournment ended. However, Borja was five minutes late. He arrived belatedly for the first time to show his power but there was a vague bad premonition. When he hurried to his seat, his expression had become solemn and stern.
”The trial begins now.” Borja pounded the gavel.
Everyone stared at him in the silence. The trial began now but how would it begin again? No one knew what to say. Even Bastian looked confused.
Aldrich asked, ”Your Honor, must this meaningless trial continue?”
”The case is not yet clear and there is no conclusion. The trial has not ended.” Borja was expressionless. ”Continue according to procedure. This is not your first day in court. Must I teach you what to do?”
Aldrich frowned. ”Your Honor, I believe the case is already completely clear. We can already make a conclusion!” He demanded, ”Are you overlooking Father Bishop's testimony?”