Sylvester and the thousand Inquisitor army made their way back to the Ironstone Duchy of Gracia Kingdom. Once again, he didn't find any assassin attacking him, thanks to the big armoured and mounted army that travelled with him.
Sylvester shared a stagecoach with Lady Aurora and Isabella this time as he needed to brief them and get as much rest as possible.
He wasn't going to the River City to get Lord Inquisitor as he had no idea if the big man was still there or if he had left already.
"We will return to Rockwood's castle directly and regroup to plan the next move. Hopefully, Lord Inquisitor will be able to earn us some time to fix this mess." Sylvester said in hope.
"Duke Conrad is using you." Lady Aurora spoke.
Sylvester scoffed. "I know he's using me, just like I'm using him. But at least I know he won't betray the church no matter what happens. You may not know this, but the Duke and his younger brother, Duke of Southern Duchy, hate their father to the core. And guess who took care of the two brothers after their mother died?—ABright Mother!
"Since they were just ten and five years old, they needed someone. And at that time, a Bright Mother in the monastery was assigned to them, and over the years, she took care of the boys like they were her sons. The two also treated her like their mother."
Intrigued, Lady Aurora asked for the name. "Who is she?"
But Sylvester only had a sigh to offer. "She's dead. When Duke Conrad turned twenty, she was poisoned by one of the king's concubines. It's been a recurring thing in the family. Over the years, the two Duke brothers have lived through more than a hundred assassination attempts."
"So it will be a bloodbath once he takes the throne?" Lady Aurora predicted, not something far-fetched.
"It's inevitable. As distasteful as it may be—it's the price we pay for a long period of peace. Let's just hope that Gracia side can remain peaceful as well. The current king is not very… wise, to say the least." Sylvester said while glancing at Isabella.
The girl shrank her neck and looked down in sadness. "I know he's not the best, but we don't have any other choice. He was mother's pick no matter what."
Sylvester spoke no more after that as he thought about various events and plots he needed to focus on. The world was getting too big for him as he also grew older and stronger. The things he needed to keep in mind were increasing rapidly, and he was worried that even a tiny miscalculation could bring him to his doom.
'I should start my specialised magical training and gain an ability that's not predictable. I also need to learn metal manipulation from that Viscount. So much to do… but will the Holy Land grant me a long leave?'
But he eventually gave up the idea of taking a break and just focused on the task at hand.
…
The time taken was smaller as they travelled on the well-paved major roads on the way back, a common sight in the Riveria kingdom as it was just too rich. Each lord could afford to pave the roads going through their regions. It was all done in hopes of attracting more traders, and it did work.
The Riveria kingdom only had two dutchies, unlike Gracia, which had five. In Riveria, the Southern duchy was blessed with the richest soil in terms of raw material, thanks to Eden Mountain. It also had the Trade Corridor that passed through the entire duchy and consisted of large industries, factories and trading posts. Meanwhile, the Northern Duchy was the bread and butter and produced so much grain that it fed the world. All thanks to the two major rivers, Gold River and Snake river, that bordered the land on two sides.
All that wealth, for Sylvester, was a boon as he soon found himself across the border and back into the Ironstone Duchy. Eventually, he arrived at the castle of the now-dead Baron Rockwood.
The whole castle and the regions around it had been turned into a gathering place for the Inquisitor army and more men from the Holy Army. There were big tents around the castle as far as one could see. Bonfires spewing smoke into the sky, and the men walking around various spots under the bright sunny day were a sight to behold.
Sylvester noticed that the men from Inquisitor High Lord's army were also there, so he proceeded right into the castle, hoping to find the big man and plan for the future.
"Max!"
But he stopped as Gabriel appeared in front of him. Felix was there as well, looking at Sylvester with scorn. "Look who is having all the adventures after leaving us to rot in that camp. We would have died if not for Gabriel's big brain this time."
Bishop Lazark also came and refuted Felix's words. "He did send us a letter to leave the town immediately. We merely left a few hours earlier."
"Hmph, still. You even killed a Soul Eater alone. Are you trying to become a Bishop before me now?" Felix asked, of course, joking with him.
Sylvester shrugged with a grin. "Well, aren't you a Sanctum Inspector as well? You need to earn your own name, kid. I, your father, won't always be there to help and guide you. One day, you must evolve into a man from a child."
Felix folded his arms and scoffed. "Haha, you? Father? Max, you are the most virgin man I've ever known. Do you even have thoughts about women? Do you even know how to wank?"
Sylvester's face changed into a frown as memories resurfaced in his mind, which left him disgusted. 'I'm afraid I don't just know how to do it, but also how it feels to be one.'
"Jokes aside, we need to start preparing, Felix. The war seems inevitable, and this time we might have to win a few battles as well. Wait for me here; I will first speak with the Lord Inquisitor and see what he suggests. Start gathering the Crusader army as well. Keep training them." Sylvester ordered them and looked behind.
"Lady Aurora, you may wish to have some rest to stay in your best state. You haven't slept since the time we fought the demon." He advised her. "As for you, Isabella. Start preparing for the experiments—the promise you made me."
"What experiments?" Lady Aurora asked.
But Sylvester only eyed Isabella and left to find the Lord Inquisitor.
He knew where he'd find him. It was on the terrace of the castle. The problem was that Lord Inquisitor was too tall and broad; hence, most rooms and doors were too small for him to feel comfortable.
"May the holy light enlighten us, my lord." Sylvester greeted him and walked to the big open tent with a large table under it.
Inquisitor High Lord gestured with his hand and kept writing something on paper. "I have been granted the authority by the Pope to do whatever may be necessary to avoid this war. So I hope the Lord's Bard was able to play his cards."
Sylvester nodded and returned the Inquisitor High Lord's token coin, "I was, my lord. It didn't take any convincing as the Duke hates his father to the core due to various past events. I just had to ensure that he knows he will have our support when we 'allow' him to sit on the throne."
Inquisitor High Lord kept writing. "He's right to stand with the church. But, I'm afraid the bloodshed can not be avoided in this conflict. The terms the King of Riveria has laid out are understandable, but harsh as well. If we solve one problem, then a dozen more shall arise."
"What is it, if I may ask?" Sylvester inquired.
"Duke Daemon's head. We have a week to reply, but we can not simply take the Duke either. Behind him stand the many nobilities and merchants of the Gracia Kingdom, and killing him without solid proof will mean spreading fear in the hearts of too many powerful people. Fear is often good, but this may cause more than just fear—hatred. That will spoil the name of the church that we consider so sacred."
Sylvester sighed and thought about a way to gather strict evidence. "It will be tough to find solid proof as we don't even know their motive. Although I am certain that the Duchess is related to this and has committed various other sins, such as blackmailing and raping the Cardinal Suprima."
Thud!
Inquisitor High Lord stamped the paper and folded it into an envelope before standing up. He also picked up something thin and long covered with an old, red cloth. "The Holy Land wishes to avoid the war at all costs, and I will do whatever it takes to fulfil that wish—Whatever the price may be. Now, come with me, young bard. We have a lot to talk about before we begin this campaign."
Sylvester stood up in seriousness. "To where, Lord Inquisitor?"
Inquisitor High Lord looked into Sylvester's eyes, radiating a dangerous aura as the red eyes under the mask flashed. His towering form reached closer to Sylvester and, in turn, spread more of that always rageful aura.
Sylvester silently gulped as he reckoned that whatever it was, it must be extremely important or ground-shattering. So he didn't utter a word and kept staring into the big man's eyes, for he wished not to show any weakness.
"Every man must think deeply before he does something of vast scale—for the price could be heavy if he were to fail. Young bard, there are a few pieces of the plot still missing. To gather those, we shall go… Fishing."
"..."
"Fishing?"
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