Chapter 169: Nineteenth Episode: Chapter 6 (2/2)
”Yes! You are right! There are many records in the history of the Dynasty!” The old man replied, shivering.
”Then following that, how did the miracle happen?”
The old man showed a reminisced expression, ”I recall it vividly now, it was indeed a miracle! The fourth medication was at the later night on the same day. Rain and Storm and the candlelight in that small bedroom in the cathedral! Second Prince suddenly became lively. All of his symptoms all disappeared! He was so hungry that he kept wailing. The loud wailing could be heard in all corners of the cathedral!”
Rudolf smiled, ”As an experienced doctor, how do you view such an illogical phenomena? The people here all heard that you said Second Prince Lobmus could no longer be saved!”
The old man looked at Bishop Karl Arnold who looked depressed, ”It's him! It's the prayer of Bishop Karl Arnold! As doctors, we knew that there was nothing we could do in that situation. We believed that Bishop Karl Arnold's prayer was heard by the God! It's the great God of Light....”
”Enough, enough!” The Head of Secret Service suddenly waved his hands. He turned to the religious leader of Titan, who was sitting at the defendant's side, ”The God of Light can bring a dying baby come back to life? Enlighten us, Sir Bishop! How do you manage to do that?1
All eyes in the cathedral were set on Bishop Karl Arnold, but most of them were confused. Only his sister was judging him with complicated gaze.
”Pray! Perpetual praying! Until the great creator presents the miracle!”
Rudolf Hoss shook his head, ”That, I am afraid, is not the case. Do you still remember what Doctor Charles had said? The night on the 13th day of the 8th month in the Year 770, the rain, the storm, and the candlelight in the small bedroom in the cathedral! You were holding the candles. After confirming there was no one around you, you took poor Lobmus. Then... It was then that you walked out of the bedroom, and your servant placed a healthy baby, that you had prepared beforehand, on the small bed! This servant poked the sleeping baby with iron needles. The cries of this healthy baby naturally attracted the attention of all the doctors...”
The nobles finally let out exclamations of disbelief. They stood, rooted to the ground, uncomfortably. They even forgot to exchange remarks with each other.
”And you...” The Head of Secret Service pointed to the stunned religious leader, ”In the heavy rain and storm, you placed the dying Lobmus in a wooden box. Then you buried the box in the garden at the back of Dulin Scott Cathedral!”
”No!!!!” A terrible shriek broke out in the quiet cathedral. A black figure suddenly rushed toward Bishop Karl Arnold. The Queen of Titan Empire was clawing at her brother's face with an insane rage.
”Is this true? Is this true? Is it?”
Bishop Karl Arnold was shaking his head. Or, he seemed to be shaking his head. His sister had left numerous bloody marks on his face.
Rudolf laughed! He loved this scene and enjoyed the masterpiece that he directed!
”Your Majesty! I am about to call for my second witness!”
Bladys. A low-status priest. He had worked as a night guard in Dulin Scott Cathedral for as long as forty years.
He swore in front of the statue of God, then stated that he saw flickering lights at the garden behind the cathedral over the heavy rain on that very night. He was not blind or deaf. Even though he could not recognize the person, he checked the place after the person left the place hurriedly.
There was a part of the soil that had been newly dug. Fueled by curiosity, Bladys dug the coffin out! He wished the God could punish the sinner! There was a wooden box in that hole and a dying baby in that box!
Without caring about the chaos, Rudolf continued to question, ”After that?”
”After that?” Priest Bladys widened his yellowed eyes, ”I am a God's servant. I can't do anything that goes against my principles! In the heavy rain, I sent the child to a doctor, but unfortunately... The child passed away before the dawn arrived! But at least I tried to save him! May the God give me mercy!”
”After that?”
”After that?” Priest Bladys pointed to the direction of the garden, ”I was scared that culprit would come back and check. So I chose a time when no one was around and buried the dead baby back there!”
”Alright!” The Head of Secret Service patted the witness' shoulder, ”You are qualified as one of God's servants. Last question for you; did you see anyone checking on that place?”
”Yes!” Bladys pointed to the stunned Bishop, ”It's him. The religious leader of Titan! He stayed around that area where the baby was buried for a long time the second day after the rain had stopped!”
”Shut up!” Bishop Karl Arnold jumped as if he just woke up, ”Who would believe the words of a liar? He is a liar! He is the liar that was fired by the Church!”
”Pfft...” Lobble who had been watching this show laughed mockingly, ”Since the true Lobmus was buried at the back of the cathedral, we could just go and confirm it!”
'Lobmus', who was near 30 years old, finally got furious. He jumped in front of his 'brother' and took hold of his collar, and greeted his face with a solid fist! Lobble had his eyes swelled due to the sudden assault. They rolled back, as if he were stunned and dazed by the sudden impact. Princess Ashfin Kristen was the first to spring into action frantically pulling at the arm of the Second Prince.
The nobles finally moved. The people quickly pulled the First Prince to safety, while 'Lobmus' was under the control of the soldiers by using swords!
”I am the future Emperor... You can't do this to me... You can't...”
This was probably the last impression the nobles present here had of this Prince. When 'Lobmus' was held into the inner room, his mother, who had been protective of him did not stop this, strangely enough. Rolyn Kate was the same as those nobles. After that, she never saw her 'son' ever again.
”Rudolf...”
”Yes, Your Majesty!” The Head of Secret Service leaned over to the exhausted Queen.
”Don't you want to rest?”
Rudolf had his signature smile again, ”Of course, Your Majesty! If this is what you wish, then we shall rest! After all, such things have happened! But... Don't you want to see solid evidence? Your child that was cruelly buried!”
The Queen avoided him as she shivered. She did not say a word, instead trembling non-stop.
Rudolf shrugged, ”As you wish, then. Intermission! Leave the work of checking on evidence to this afternoon!”
Rolyn Kate raised her covered face. She did not understand how things would become this way. She looked behind her, at the various seats that told of a person's stance on the matter. There should have been many people there.But now? These people were all clustering at the seat of the prosecutors. They spit and cursed, just like what they did this morning. It was only that their target had changed.
It was mid-afternoon on the 13th day of the 1st month in the Year 800. There were still clouds hovering above Dulin's sky. The soldiers from all of the Empire surrounded the cathedral in a vice grip. The people did not know what had happened in the cathedral, but only gave a disdainful smile towards the strict soldiers.
Queen Rolyn Kate and Second Prince's victory was without question! They did not need the aid of the Guard or the nobles. The sexual jokes made in the market were enough to destroy the adulterous Faran princess. Just when the people thought the Emperor of the Empire would become a lowly rapist, the night guard of Dulin Scott Cathedral already pointed out the exact location of 'Lobmus' for the soldiers and the judge.
Rolyn Kate closed the window of the bedroom and touched the small bed lightly.
”Is this the reason you still keep this bedroom?” The Queen turned to her brother.
”Because you've left my son here forever!”
Bishop Karl Arnold turned his head away in disdain. He was in terror and was afraid, but he was completely awake now. This was the moment that decided the outcome. Even though everything was out of his hands now, he still intended to fight for one last time.
”Rolyn! Now is not the time to say this!” Bishop Karl Arnold opened his sister's veil, ”We must find another way out! I believe the most secretive underground tunnel in the cathedral has not been found out by Rudolf Hoss! We should leave Dulin and seek foreign's aid!”
”Leave Dulin? Outsider aid?” Rolyn Kate shook her head lightly, ”Where can we go? Alan is in control of the north. The family's situation is decided. Will there be anyone to help us at this moment? We have already lost! When you buried Lobmus, we have already lost!”
Bishop Karl Arnold took his sister's jaw impatiently, ”Look at me! Listen to me, we still stand a chance...”
”Please! I beg of you! No more!” Rolyn Kate flung her head away, ”What have you done? How will I accept your proposal? Listen to you? You are a devil! A devil!”
Karl Arnold's expression was completely distorted. He flung the Queen to the bed. He raised his hands to slap his sister, but his hands paused in midair.
”I will plan this out! I'm not dying yet!” After saying that, the religious leader of Titan walked out of the narrow bedroom without turning back, though this seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. Rolyn Kate was still caressing her son's bed stubbornly.
The winter sunlight littered on the ground. The light in the forest flickered to and fro, like a breath in the air, stringing the sunlight along the forest floor. Only when it reached the edge of the field did the string disappear.
It was known beforehand, but Dulin's direction was completely different than Narcissus County. The Capital was experiencing the challenge of harsh winter wind, while the Narcissus County at the eastside had warm sunlight, and comfortable light snow.
During mid-afternoon on the 13th day of the 1st month in Church Calendar Year 800, light snow fell in Andrew Haila. The sky was still clear, so the snow seemed to have come from nowhere.
The participants of the funeral of the Andrew family walked more than ten kilometers from the city. His audience was rather peculiar. There was no sound, not even of moving. The Narcissus citizens that came from all directions simply stood quietly in the light snow shower, seemingly listening carefully to the words of the Hall of Heroes. However, except for the cold northern wind, there was only the sound of snow falling in the Narcissus' world.
There was indeed the voice of sorrowful mass from the Hall of Heroes of Andrew family, but the sound diminished as it traveled to the forest on one side of the church.
The Narcissus Knights surrounded the church, forming hundreds of thousands of battle groups. They would never allow any assassin in this world to hurt any Andrew again.
Coincidentally, the melody of mass traveled into the forest or a corner in the field. The warriors who heard it finally gave up the determination to stay properly on guard. They took their armor off and bowed devoutly at the direction of the Hall of Heroes. When the mass diminished along with the wind, the Knights picked their weapons up and returned to their stern and alerted selves.
Oscar was sitting with Figg on the stairs at the back of the church, in boredom. Their father was buried. According to tradition, the family would give flowers to the Fourteenth Duke of Andrew. The people were lining up at the cemetery and waiting to give their final farewell to the Marshal and Head of Family.
”Have you decided?” Figg bit the grass. It was terribly bitter.
”Hmm..... Is there a need to think about it?” Oscar spat, ”Arrange the wedding for me!”
Figg poked his brother, ”Don't give me that look! Even father will feel satisfied when he sees Sasha wearing a wedding dress for you!”
Oscar moved his mouth, ”That is true! Sasha and I should get married now. Once Alanis is crowned the Empress, it's going to be difficult! I have never heard of any Empress that is willing to share their husband with other women!”
Figg nodded, ”That is indeed true! The Morisette Imperial Family will never allow such a thing to happen. So... Even if it is during father's funeral, I will still plan for you to arrange the wedding.”
”What about the Persian Princess?” Oscar frowned, ”I believe the Princes in Westland have never had such experiences before! Marrying a pagan Princess? Oh god! People don't even have this sort of dream!”
”Moreover, the wedding ceremony of our religion is completely different with the ceremony of the Persian's True God!” Oscar was indeed a little worried, ”If the Persian Princess and I have our wedding the God of Light manner, that means she and everything she represents will accept the doctrine of our religion; If we have it the Persian's traditional way, that means I accept the doctrine of the True God! Do you think this is possible?”
”This is a problem!” Figg nodded, ”It's going to be a big one unless we solve it. The representatives from Holy City of Rome will crash the party if that is the case!”
Oscar hit his brother's shoulder, ”Don't say these words. The wedding is your idea!”
Figg blinked, ”Isn't it easy? The eastern people's wedding ceremony is fine! The family and friends gather around and dine together. Get someone to acknowledge your unity. Then, you two would be legally married! We can completely avoid the interruption of these two religions!”
”Leave that! It's not possible!” Oscar cursed in disdain, ”Isn't the news of the wedding out? The priests gave me weird looks when they looked at me! They must think that the God of Light has conquered the pagans. Do you know how important this sort of victory in spirit is to them? They will definitely host my wedding. Or else, Andrew will not need to guard this land for God any longer! The Pope will consider letting us retire!”
Figg could only say, ”I'm thinking! I'm thinking! There must be a way!”
Oscar turned around suddenly impatiently, ”Shaw! You have darted in front of me all morning today! Don't you have a headache?”
Black Devil suddenly kneeled down to the Prince, ”Your Highness, there is something...”
”Say it!” Oscar said it in a firm tone.
”I found this!” Shaw Curlink quickly handed a skin of tree in which a strange mark was carved on it.
”What is this?” Oscar frowned.
”This is the communication symbol of assassins of Imperial Family. I have been using it when I work for them!”
Oscar did no say a word, but his eyes were filled with coldness, like an eagle's.
”Your Highness. We seem to have not seen Thirteen strike! That is to say... There is something wrong with it!” Shaw Curlink pointed to the marks on the skin, ”According to the usual action of Thirteen, he won't leave any mark behind. He won't even use the communication code of the assassins in Imperial Family! So... I think...”
”Isn't this obvious?” Figg snatched the skin and studied it carefully, ”You are fooled! Alfa III that old jerk fooled you!”
Oscar was a little confused.
”You don't understand?” Figg glanced at his brother, ”Alfa III had a good bet! He understands your character. Even if pretentiously, you won't let the culprit that kill your father get away! Do you think... If you found Thirteen, that you'll possibly win against him?”
Oscar shook his head lightly. Until now, he realized that he had never planned to face the true King of Assassins.
”Therefore! Just as you said! Alfa III realized that you won't pass his test. So, he created a chance for you to duel with the strongest assassin in Westland! Thirteen may be hidden someplace. When the time is right, he will appear before you. At that time, you will be drowned in hatred and lose terribly to him!”
Oscar did not speak, yet he began to believe this, ”Why did Alfa III do this? He still needs me to control Andrew!”
”Pfft!” Figg laughed in disdain, ”Isn't your wife pregnant? The Imperial Family does not need a dangerous guy like you! As the husband, you have done your part. Once Alanis is crowned as Empress, she will have the chance to place her child to be the Duke of Andrew! Of course,... If it is a girl, then Alfa III placed the wrong bet!”
Oscar shook his head strongly. He did not want to die or think about such matter. However, he still thought that his past tutor and friend would not truly kill him if the person faced him in battle! But... Could he be absolutely sure?
”Alfa III is truly intelligent!” Figg suddenly hugged Black Devil strongly, ”He knew his day was coming to an end. He also knew that no one could do anything to Oscar, who did not pass the test. Thus, he took this chance, but out Shaw Curlink saw through it!”
”Coincidence... Coincidence!” Black Devil answered the Narcissus general's hug, slightly embarrassed.
Oscar snatched the skin, ”What does this mean?”
Black Devil felt even more uncomfortable, ”It means... Target eliminated!”
Oscar immediately flung this burning thing away, then the machete followed his movement and slashed the skin into smithereens! The young Prince breathed heavily. He needed to know where Thirteen was immediately! What was Thirteen doing? He did not like the feelings of being lied to and played into someone else's palm! He was already sick of the depressed sigh!
Then... Where was Thirteen? What was he doing?
Bishop Karl Arnold walked into his secret room. He was tidying up the wealth he accumulated over the years. Lucky! The Paladins that guarded him all mysteriously disappeared!
But... This was the last thing he saw of this world! Next moment, a rope wrapped itself around his neck. He flew up the ceiling like a kite with broken string. A small cracking sound came from his neck, and the struggle of his limbs immediately stopped!
The person who was hiding in the dark finally walked into the light. He tied the rope properly to the handle of the door of the secret room. He then quietly walked into the shadows, as if he were never there.