Munich Cathedral is located on Oder Mountain to the east of Munich City. It is white in color, majestic and tall, and is one of the famous landmark buildings in Munich City.
Outside the church door, twelve marble columns with a diameter of five meters, like twelve giants, support the dome of the temple.
On the dome, the white statue of the Holy Emperor spreads its arms, forming a huge cross, towering into the clouds. Under the blue sky and white clouds, the statue's robes seem to be fluttering in the wind. The face shrouded under the hood is peaceful and tranquil, with lowered eyebrows and eyes.
Looking down at the common people.
When the sky was just getting dark and most of the city was still shrouded in the late night, one after another carriages bearing the emblems of the Holy Church had already driven onto the wide and flat road in front of the main entrance of Munich Cathedral, along the slope.
The road slowly ascends.
The pale Joseph gently opened a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out silently like a ghost.
All around, carriages from other parishes moved forward in silence.
As if there was a tacit understanding, these carriages were very close to each other, but far away from me. My own carriage, with the logo of the Medin City Church, was walking alone on the side of the road, like a sinner abandoned by a pilgrim.
.
Joseph had a complicated expression and his eyes flickered. After a long time, he sighed softly and lowered the curtains.
In fact, he had already been to the church a day earlier and personally presented the saddle made by "Lone Wolf" and a detailed report on the attack on the convoy to Archbishop Wallace.
However, he was not received by Archbishop Wallace at that time.
The person who accepted the saddle and reported the matter was a confidant of the Archbishop, a literary monk. Until now, Joseph seemed to still clearly see the cold eyes of the literary monk when he saw him, and the disdain on his lips when he took over the saddle that was not gorgeous.
.
The carriage moved forward amidst the crisp sound of horse hooves.
Looking at the roof of the carriage, Joseph suddenly remembered his childhood.
He was born in an ordinary family. He is not considered rich, but he is not poor either. Among the five children in the family, he is the third. As is destined by the ranking in the middle, his appearance and qualifications are also the most ordinary and ordinary.
of one.
Whether at home, in the village, or in the school where he later studied, he was like an invisible person. As long as he blended in with the crowd, no one would notice him.
When playing games, he could only follow others and listen to the instructions of those children with organizational skills. In studies, he did not stand out. He secretly gritted his teeth and worked hard, just to prevent himself from falling into the last place.
Among his friends, he was the most boring one. When other boys were chatting and laughing under the admiring eyes of girls, he could only sit quietly. Occasionally, he would add a few words, but no one would listen. The topic was very interesting.
He was quickly turned aside by others.
This kind of life continued until he entered the seminary.
Although he was still ignored in the academy, when he returned home and to the village, he found that he had become the envy of everyone. Whether it was his brothers, sisters, or former playmates, he was
His attitude was different.
They became enthusiastic, centered on him, and listened to him attentively. Their eyes were filled with flattery and awe.
That was the feeling that Joseph had longed for. In order to hold on to everything that had come so hard, he tried his best to move forward.
Glory believer, deacon, priest... His qualifications are not high, so every step forward must pay a higher price than others.
He originally thought that after becoming the priest of Medin City Cathedral, his position would be stable and he would no longer be afraid of being beaten back to his original shape, but he thought... The carriage stopped in front of the Holy See gate. In the silent carriage,
Joseph took a deep breath and stepped out of the carriage!
"Good morning, Bishop Bell." A priest quickly passed by Joseph and walked towards a county bishop wearing a gold-rimmed black robe. From the beginning to the end, except for glancing at Joseph who was close at hand with his peripheral vision, he said
Not even a hint of greeting.
All around, the bishops and priests who got out of the car, like the priest, greeted each other and walked up the stairs together. No one spoke to Joseph, and no one even came close to him. The atmosphere was strange and tacit.
Joseph stood alone by the carriage and looked around.
Everyone who met his eyes averted their eyes as if they were avoiding the plague, for fear that he would take the initiative to say hello.
Only one person not only did not avoid his gaze, but instead strode towards him. That was Bishop Saki of the West District who had just stepped out of a luxury carriage and was surrounded by several priests and county bishops of the West District.
The forty-six-year-old Saki is wearing a silver-edged red robe. He has a slim figure and sharp cheeks like knives. His eyes are long and bright, and his square chin is slightly tilted forward. He looks like he has a natural talent.
A sense of majesty.
"Your Majesty the Bishop of the West District." Seeing Saki walking towards him, Joseph saluted respectfully.
"Father Joseph," in the eyes of everyone, Saki stopped in front of Joseph, glanced around, and said calmly, "He seems to be in good spirits."
Joseph bowed slightly and said nothing.
"I heard that you gave Mr. Wallace a saddle..." Saki whispered in Joseph's ear, while turning his head and glancing at the other people around him. Everyone took a step back knowingly and turned to look at
elsewhere.
"With all this money, it's better to keep it and buy a manor for yourself." Saki didn't wait for Joseph's answer and patted him gently on the shoulder. "The thing happened in Meiding City, and you can't absolve yourself of the blame! Even if you skip it
I tried to hide in front of the archbishop, but it was all in vain!"
Joseph's face suddenly became extremely pale, and large beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He didn't expect that he had just sent the saddle in yesterday, and the bishop of the Western District already knew about it today. This shows how terrifying Sacchi's influence is in the Holy See. If such a person is determined to be the scapegoat, I am afraid that he
There is no escape today.
Joseph was not originally a person with a strong personality. Over the years, under the power of the county bishop and the bishop of the West District, he had been submissive. When he was reprimanded, he never had the idea of resisting. Even if he suffered such an unreasonable disaster, the same was true.
If the "lone wolf" hadn't appeared when he was desperate, he would have already been aware of the scapegoat and would have given up any resistance.
"Sir, the conflict that broke out that day really had nothing to do with me. If it hadn't been for Galas..." Joseph defended with a pleading look on his face.
However, before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Saki waving his hand.
"Galas?" Saki looked at Joseph with a cold look, "What does this matter have to do with Galas? He is just a victim. He didn't leave the church at all that day. Everything happened to those untouchables.
frame!"
By the end of the speech, Saki was already very serious.
Of course he knew what Galas did in Medin City. However, after all, Galas was the person around him and the confidant he sent to Medin City!
If the incident started from Galas, what role would Sacchi play in this most serious attack in the history of Saint Solan's Holy See?
The more Saki looked at Joseph, the more disgusted he felt.
Not to mention in the Western District, Joseph's cowardice and mediocrity were also well known throughout the Lurian Church.
It is simply a shame for the West End to have such a guy occupy the priest's throne in Meding City.
If Joseph had the knowledge and took the initiative to take the blame, maybe he would have given this idiot a high look.
But now, what he wants in his heart is just to let the people of the Inquisition find a crime and kill this idiot after Joseph takes responsibility!
"Father Joseph, I want to give you a kind advice." When the church bell rang, Saki snorted coldly: "If you have any brains, you should understand that the most important thing you should do at this time is to shut up.
."
He raised his index finger and shook it in front of Joseph, "What should be said and what should not be said, it is best not to say it. The Holy Father asks you to bear the responsibility for your sins, then bear it, and don't get yourself into more trouble just to try to shirk it.
Big trouble."
As he spoke, Saki approached Joseph and whispered in his ear: "Archbishop Wallace likes to collect saddles. Although not many people know about it, it is not a secret. I have given away several saddles.
For adults. Each one is ten times more precious than what you gave me."
After saying that, he turned around and went up the two steps. Suddenly he remembered something and turned back to Joseph.
"By the way, I forgot to tell you that I have sent people to arrest the people involved in the church attack. This is supposed to be your job, but I don't know why you haven't done it. I hope you are not involved in it. Otherwise,
…”
With a cold snort in his ear and a few cold glances, Joseph raised his head. In his field of vision, Sacchi and the bishops surrounding him had strode into the church.
"Sir." Evan, the deacon who had been standing beside the carriage, took a step forward and helped the shaky Joseph, "Are you okay?"
"It's okay," Joseph's face was completely pale and he looked dazed. It took him a long time to come back to his senses, "I'm okay, what can happen..."
As he spoke, Joseph clenched his teeth suddenly.
Deep down in his heart, he was still a little doubtful of the lone wolf who suddenly appeared. He was afraid that he would be used as a weapon, and he also hoped that Saki would not do anything too cruel.
But now, he has completely given up any illusions.
Regardless of whether Sacchi was a person sent by the Holy See of Pompeii, or what the inside story was, he only knew that he had no way out.
The impact of the attack is so bad that no one can bear the responsibility.
Joseph knew very well that no matter whether he was expelled from the Holy See or sent to the Inquisition, the outcome would be the same miserable.
"Sir," Evan saw Joseph's face turning blue and white, and he couldn't help but said in panic: "Why don't you go in. There is still no news about the things you gave to Archbishop Wallace. I think you should hurry up
…”
"What should we do quickly? Run away?" Joseph calmed down, "Where can a guilty priest run?"
Evan also knew that what he had come up with was a bad idea, so he lowered his head and said nothing.
"All my life, I have always been at the mercy of others, always shrinking back," Joseph raised his head and stared at the statue of the Holy Emperor, crossed himself on his chest, and strode towards the church, "This time, I want to go in and try my luck!
Wait for me here!"
Putting on a gold-rimmed red robe and a soft hat, Archbishop Wallace, who is 60 years old this year, picked up the crystal cross in the jewelry box and hung it around his neck.
"I'm getting old..." Looking in the mirror, looking at the sagging skin and wrinkles on his face, and the gray hair on his temples, Wallace couldn't help but sigh, looking like an ordinary and honest elder.
Brooke said, "If we could go back twenty years, would anyone dare to attack the Vatican's convoy?"
"We will catch the attacker, sir." Brooke, Wallace's number one think tank, said with a smile.
"What does it matter if you can catch me or not?" Wallace waved his hand and walked slowly, "The Phillies are approaching the city. Who in the Holy See is not watching the jokes of our Solan Holy See? This kind of thing,
I'm afraid there will be more in the future. They will gloat over and over again, but no one will show respect because we caught the murderer."
Brooke followed Wallace silently and walked him out of the room.
He knew that the current situation in Saint Solan's Holy See was very delicate. Whether it was Wallace or the archbishops of other provinces, including the Pope, they were all standing at a crossroads. At this crossroads, there was a direction in which everyone was heading.
I know it, but I can't say it.
Even thinking about it now, Brooke felt a little rebellious.
"We are too kind to the infidels. If we can use this attack as a warning, perhaps the same thing will happen less in the future," Brooke said.
Wallace smiled lightly.
This is what he likes about Brooke. As his number one think tank, Brooke can always grasp the direction and proportion of the conversation.
However, this morning, he did not want to avoid the taboo topic. Instead, he particularly wanted to discuss it with someone.
Wallace said: "The Saint Solan Empire has always been different from other places. You have to understand that this empire was established in the battle with the Holy See. And the Holy See and the royal family reconciled, and only eighty years were allowed to enter the empire.
Years of time.”
Brooke raised his head in surprise. He did not expect that Wallace would bring the topic back again today.
"The Holy See of Solan has always been an anomaly!" Wallace stopped in the middle of the corridor and turned to look at Brooke.
"Sir..." Brooke was frightened when he heard Wallace's words.
"What are you afraid of? Everyone knows this kind of thing," Wallace said coldly: "Do you think the people below won't talk about it? I'm afraid some people have already started betting on when the Pope will rebel against the Holy See and become his own entity.
Got it!"
"It's not strange!" Without waiting for Brooke to answer, Wallace walked to the railing of the corridor with his hands behind his hands, looked at the morning glow on the horizon and said: "As I said before, the Solan Holy See has been a freak since its birth. The Holy See has been a freak since its birth.
They have never trusted us, and the royal family is even more wary of us. But we are both members of the Holy See and citizens of the Solan Empire!"
As he said that, he suddenly turned around and looked at Brooke: "This attack is a warning. It reminds us of our current situation!"
He raised a finger, "Either, we stand on the side of the Holy See and overthrow the royal family..." He raised a second finger, "Or, we stand on the side of the empire..."
In the silence, Wallace and Brooke's eyes were focused on two fingers.
After a while, Wallace slowly moved his gaze to Brooke's eyes: "Of these two options, which one do you think we should choose?"
Brooke was silent. After a long time, he slowly said: "I can't choose."
"Can't choose?" Wallace narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You can't choose now," Brooke said.
The corner of Wallace's mouth raised a trace of satisfaction and asked: "Then what should we do?"
Brooke said without hesitation: "Calm it down!"
"The word "quiet" is well used!" Wallace nodded and suddenly snorted, "However, the trees want to be quiet but the wind doesn't stop. Some people still can't figure out the current situation. Otherwise, where would that Galas come from?
So arrogant, it almost provoked a civil uprising!"
Brooke was silent for a while.
This situation in Gallas is common in the Holy See. If it were a peaceful time, it would be nothing. But in this extraordinary period, if there is a confrontation between the Holy See and the people of the empire, it will not be a good thing for Wallace.
.
For the cunning Archbishop Lullian, the most important thing now is to hedge his bets. On the surface, he still obeys the instructions of the Holy See, but privately he must also prepare for the other side. Before the situation becomes clear, he does not want to cause any big trouble.
Come!
After a long while, Wallace said: "According to the investigation, Joseph's reputation in Medin City is pretty good, but his ability is a bit lacking." After that, he asked: "He sent a magic pattern saddle over yesterday?"
Brooke said respectfully: "Yes!"
Wallace said slowly: "Have someone bring it to me and take a look."
"Yes." Brooke took the order and left. After a while, he led a guard holding a saddle back to Wallace.
"grown ups."
Hearing Brooke's voice, Wallace turned around and glanced at the guard's hand. It was a saddle made of fine wood, leather and metal. There was no gold or silver, no crystal diamonds. It looked like nothing.
Surprising place.
Although Wallace was looking at the saddle, his eyes were a little absent-minded and flickering, as if he was making up his mind.
Suddenly, his eyes froze on the magic pattern on the saddle.
This is……
Wallace strode up to the guard and observed the saddle carefully. His expression became more and more focused, and his eyes became brighter and brighter. After a while, he excitedly picked up the heavy saddle with his own hands, turned it over and over, and couldn't put it down.
After a while, Wallace returned the saddle to the guard and asked him to put it in his room.
Then, he said hello to Brooke, turned around and walked towards the conference room.