Book Three: Light and Darkness Chapter Three: The Sis
High Priest Cuthbert came to the Duke's Mansion again, and today he came at the invitation of the Duke. He felt more and more that it was a pity that he had not met this friend until now. Why hadn't he found such a worthy friend before?
What about the people you are dating?
After sitting down in the living room and chatting, the Duke took out a piece of clothing and handed it to the high priest and said: "I got this robe by chance. But it is really useless to me. I think such a thing is useful to the library."
It is most suitable for Mr. Sibert."
The high priest took the clothes and saw that it was a snow-white, simple and light robe. He smiled slightly, the Duke always liked to give such cute little gifts. But the feeling of this robe in his hands was a bit strange, he
When I took it in front of me and took a closer look, I saw the delicate texture, the softness and the incomparable feeling. This robe was made of the finest silk imported from the Far East. You must know that many noble women in the royal capital are
He was proud to have a pair of gloves made of this kind of silk, and such a large robe was extremely expensive. He couldn't help but hesitate a little, looked at the Duke with his big and protruding eyes, and said: "Your Majesty the Duke..."
This seems too expensive..."
"Expensive?" The Duke looked a little surprised. "I didn't spend a single copper, and it's useless for me to keep such a thing myself. It's worthless to me. And for an incorruptible and noble clergyman like you,
It would be too tacky to say that you still care about how much something is worth and what its value is." The Duke made a disinterested expression and said lightly, even with a bit of disdain: "This is just a piece of clothing.
.”
Indeed, Cuthbert felt that his fussing was a bit superficial. He couldn't help but feel a little ashamed, but more than anything, he was delighted. He unfolded the robe and looked at it carefully. The more he looked at it, the more he fell in love with it, imagining himself wearing it.
What he looked like after putting on this dress. But he immediately felt that something was wrong. Although the robe had no ornaments and looked very simple, the cut style...according to the church's dress code, this was actually
It is a robe that only a cardinal can wear. Cuthbert looked at the Duke and said in surprise: "This is a robe that only a bishop can wear."
"What?" the Duke frowned. "Really? I didn't look at it carefully after I got it. I didn't know that only bishops can wear these clothes."
"I cannot accept such a thing. Duke, you should take it back and give it to Bishop Ronis." The high priest handed the clothes to the Duke helplessly and regretfully.
But the Duke shook his head repeatedly. "How can you take back something that has been given away? Lord Cuthbert, just keep it. You can wear it when you are promoted to bishop."
Cuthbert smiled sadly. Bishop Ronis was still in office. Even if the big shots in the church did have a high opinion of his abilities, he would never be able to dream of this position within ten years.
"And I will never give this to Bishop Ronis." Duke Mrak looked cold and snorted coldly. "I don't like him. As a bishop, he has really neglected his duty."
"Ah?" The high priest's eyes bulged even more, and he looked at the Duke in surprise. Although he had always been a little dissatisfied with Bishop Ronis in his heart, he never dared to show it. Bishop Ronis's prestige and achievements are not only
In the church, in the empire and even on the entire continent, absolutely no one dares to deny it.
"Hmph. Although I recognize Bishop Ronis's previous achievements and abilities, his actions in recent years have become more and more inconsistent with the responsibilities of a bishop."
The Duke's indignant expression seemed to the high priest to be exuding a righteous and awe-inspiring aura. He couldn't help but nodded slightly: "Yes. As a highly respected bishop, he is actually as dirty and despicable as Inham.
The friendship between people is deep... Also, some new people are promoted inexplicably. They are just pieces of rotten wood that cannot be carved, but the bishop regards them as treasures. Even what happened last time... well, I don't want to talk about it anymore."
The Duke also nodded: "As people get older, their minds become less clear. It is inevitable to be stubborn and confused. But he is also a bishop, which is really a worry for the empire."
"This... doesn't seem to be the case."
"A noble cleric like you doesn't know much about secular affairs such as politics and economics. In recent years, the empire's economy has been deteriorating, and the church's income has become increasingly stretched. Do you know the reason?"
"Could it be...is this also because of the Bishop?"
"That's right." The Duke looked up to the sky and let out a sigh of concern for the country and the people. "It's all because the Bishop always thinks about his things about exterminating the Guild of the Dead and doesn't work hard to educate people's hearts and make the people feel at ease and surrender to God.
Under the embrace of
After some emotion, the Duke whispered bitterly, as if talking to himself: "Sometimes I really wonder about those monsters in the Necromancer Guild, why don't they send an assassin to kill this person who wants to deal with them...
"
The high priest's ugly face twitched, he glanced at the white robe lying quietly on the table, and said nothing.
Although the Duke was not looking at the high priest, he never missed what he should see. What's more, all the energy and time he spent on this during this period was to find such an expression.
When the high priest left, the Duke insisted that he take away the bishop's robe: "I believe that you are the only person in the empire who is qualified to wear this dress. Even if it is not possible now, as my wish and belief,
Please take it with you."
After seeing off the high priest, the Duke's expression still did not improve.
Although the plan was being carried out perfectly step by step, the Duke's mood showed no sign of improvement. Only he himself knew how risky this plan was. The countless strategies and conspiracies he had planned and then personally implemented in his life, add up to
There are no such serious risks.
But there is no way, because it is inevitable. Because whether you die or I die, it is inevitable.
The Duke looked towards the Magic Academy. The majestic roof of the cathedral can be seen from anywhere in the royal capital. The glorious and holy majesty can still be felt even from such a distance. He shook his head and said to himself
He murmured: "You forced me."
Two days later, news came from the Magic Academy.
"The bishop took a car to the big house where the corpses were stored in the west of the city, and then asked the others to wait outside. He went in alone and talked with the old man inside for a long time. The bishop seemed very angry when he came out. According to the priests, it seemed that he had never been there before.
I have never seen the bishop so angry."
"Okay, I got it. You go back." The Duke waved his hand, and the spy from the magic academy turned around and left.
Although his daughter Xiaoyi has always been unwilling to explain things clearly, with the Duke's mind, even a few words and some things he heard that night are enough to analyze some things. These are all within his expectations and expectations
When a person is angry, there will be a gap. Now is undoubtedly the best time to take action. But this is not enough. The Duke knows that even the High Priest Cuthbert and himself are too small. Where must we go again?
Find a helper. But where to find the right person? It would be great if nothing happened to Clovis...
Clovis was brought back this morning by the people sent by the Duke to look for him. The entourage who went with him to Airy reported to the Duke that his master had gone to duel with the priest of the church on the way. Later, the Duke saw Asa
, so he knew that his deputy was most likely to be in trouble. He sent people to look for him, and he actually found him. Thanks to someone who happened to see him dying in the woods, and saw that he was an officer and a nobleman, and held him in his arms
The heart that received the reward gave him some treatment. Even so, because he lay in the wilderness for several days after being seriously injured, he was still in a coma and it was unclear whether he was alive or dead even after he was brought back.
"The Marquis of Erny asks to see your lord." At this time, a servant came in and reported.
Although he was really not in the mood to deal with these trivial people, he still had to meet him under circumstances. The Duke waved his hand with some boredom and said, "Tell him to come to me in the study."
In the study, the Marquis lowered his head silently with a sullen face. Having seen his son half-dead, even this father, who had always had no sense of responsibility, would not be easy.
"Young people are just too impulsive." The Duke also lamented. "I have already found the best doctor in the royal capital, as well as the best priests and healing magicians from the magic academy. I can definitely save his life."
The Marquis still lowered his head and remained silent, as if he was thinking about something. When the Duke was about to give the eviction order in a polite and courteous manner, he suddenly raised his head and asked: "Your Majesty, Duke, you know that I am often away from the royal capital and cannot take care of the children.
.So I want to ask, how are you going to arrange him?"
The Duke was stunned for a moment. His attention had been elsewhere for the past few days and he had never thought about such a simple issue. Placement? Of course, curing him... Of course, complete cure is impossible. Then
The right wrist that originally held the sword was rotted out of shape. Even if it could be saved, it would probably be impossible to hold a spoon in the future. Moreover, the sternum was completely shattered. Even if it could be saved, it would be a cripple for the rest of its life.
How to place the waste? The Duke was stunned again. Because he had never had any experience in dealing with waste. Every thing and everyone in his hands was useful. Useless things were not worth wasting his precious energy and spirit.
.
Clovis is indeed a waste. His greatest role has been played. And now the Erni family is an empty frame. It is impossible for a cripple to be the captain of the Holy Knights and the mantle of Captain Roland.
Unless he inherits it, he will no longer be able to bring any benefit or make any contribution to the Duke.
And this seems to be a very dangerous waste. He is involved in too many things and knows too many things...
The Duke, who was aware of this, remained calm and said matter-of-factly: "Of course I'll cure him first, and then slowly improve myself."
"I beg you to let him live." The Marquis looked over with pleading eyes.
Even with the Duke's self-control, his expression lost control for a moment. But he recovered immediately and still smiled so amiably. "What are you talking about, Mr. Marquis..."
But the Marquis did not accept this kind smile at all, and still said calmly: "Although I have never been involved in the political struggles in the royal capital, I am aware of many things... I understand that he already knows too much.
.He is now in your hands again."
The Duke's signature smile faded, and he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. He did subconsciously underestimate this prodigal son. After all, he was once the most popular and talented man in the royal capital. Although he was addicted to sensuality, his mind was definitely not bad. For
Even if you have never eaten pork in a political struggle, you should know how a pig walks. What's more, according to Cuthbert, Bishop Ronis, who pretends to be a pig and eats the elephant, has a close relationship with him, so he knows something about his own style and behavior.
The details are not surprising.
"I know that even if I go to ask the Bishop now, I can't do anything if you really want to kill him." The Marquis' voice was full of sadness. "But I only have this son. I can't let him die. I beg you,
No matter what you do, I promise you."
"You are really good at joking." The Duke smiled again, but the smile was mostly sarcastic. In an instant, his mind listed the value of this in-laws according to his own values.
What qualifications and capital does a prodigal son, a down-and-out libertine have to ask for help? The most he can do is a little magic, some art that he thinks is nothing but shit. When it comes to political capital, his title is
It’s just a decoration, and the biggest political capital is the old man’s friend of Bishop Ronis. Speaking of which, this is also a piece of garbage that knows too much and must be eliminated, haha... Wait, a friend of Bishop Ronis?
The Duke's slender eyes were closed, and when he opened them again, his smile was full of joy. "Don't worry. I guarantee that Clovis will heal his injury safely. I just ask you.
Just do me a little favor."
"What's the deal?"
"It's a small favor. I'm just shaking hands with an old friend of yours. But I have to hold it a little tighter. Haha."
After arranging for this excellent helper to be delivered to his door, the Duke was just thinking about how to tell the High Priest Cuthbert, but the High Priest himself came in person.
The high priest invited the duke into the study, carefully closed the doors and windows, looked around again, and then said to the duke with a serious face: "I would like to ask the duke to do me a favor."
"What's the deal?"
"A big favor that can benefit the people. I know you will definitely be willing to do it." High Priest Cuthbert's tone was solemn, his expression was serious, and his big bulging eyes were full of bloodshot eyes.
"Benefiting the people? Okay. I will definitely help you." The Duke replied with dignity. It was rare and contrary to usual. The Duke's expression was solemn now, but he was already smiling in his heart. Because the ugly face of the high priest was bulging.
The pair of big protruding eyes made him look like a mantis, a mantis full of murderous energy, ready to kill its prey.
I don't know if I look like an oriole. The Duke hasn't been this happy for a long time.