The plan was put into motion. Sylvester waited a week before the arrival of the prisoners from Highland and even Riveria since Kaecilius followed his orders to the letter. The prisoners consisted of the usual—multiple murders, serial rapists, or dark craft experimenters who tormented innocent children.
They were all dead men and women walking, yet with Sylvester's plan, their deaths would mean something for the future of mankind.
Without wasting time, Sylvester organized the caravan of closed wagons and took the prisoners to a few villages and towns along the Green Road. He tried to maintain a safe distance from the Holy Land and managed to come as close as possible, which was a village near the desolate Green City.
…
Sylvester didn't accompany the men disguised as Holy Army knights who went ahead. Since the plan was divided into two parts, the first team was tasked with placing the prisoners in the villages and towns and executing them—giving them a quick death.
The second stage was an act of heroism, where Sylvester would proceed to the sites of the massacres with much fanfare, creating a spectacle and defeating the vile Holy Army of the Holy Land. Afterward, the plan was to perform the last rites and cremate the bodies, leaving no evidence behind that all those who died were primarily men. However, by then, all the travelers and the nearby or distant villagers would have heard about the massacre.
"Aurora, send the men to act near the still occupied villages and towns. Pique people's interest and lure them to witness the massacre." Sylvester ordered while slowly marching toward the Holy Land on the Green Road.
"Understood, Your Holiness." Aurora acted her part and moved to the rear of their procession, sending the most loyal men on the secret mission.
They didn't have that many powerful people among their ranks. Sylvester, Aurora, and the Inquisitor High Lord were the only Grand Wizards. Meanwhile, Lady Bethany was entrusted with managing the New Holy Land since she was a Duchess with experience in ruling.
Slowly, they passed by Pitfall Town but didn't stop, as it was still occupied by people. They went straight to Baron Strongarm's keep and the surrounding town. It was left abandoned when Sylvester last led the masses to establish the New Holy Land.
"Your Holiness! T-The town… IT'S ON FIRE!" Gabriel shouted from his horse.
'Isn't he overacting?' Sylvester didn't like the excessive dramatics.
"Oh lord!" Aurora also chimed in. "Soldiers! Prepare to battle! May the Holy Light enlighten us—In the name of Pope Sylvester!"
"..."
'I feel the hair standing all over my body.' Sylvester felt a strange shiver coursing through his body. It was all his plan, but hearing them cry his name, which he had planned in the first place, was awkward.
Thud!
Thud!
The army under Sylvester wasn't called the Holy Army but rather the Inquisitors. They all wore different armor due to their varying origins, but the red scarf around their necks signified their allegiance to Sylvester.
"Attack!"
With resounding shouts and a touch of theatrics, the army of six thousand men stormed into the town surrounding the castle. The houses were on fire, and dead bodies littered the streets. There were also a few soldiers in Holy Army's uniform, perfectly caught in action.
"Kill the heathens!"
The short clash of swords echoed through the burning streets. All the Holy Army soldiers were slain, but even when they 'died,' they shouted the name of their master.
"Long Live Pope Niel!"
"Love Live the Silver Mist!"
Within an hour, the fires were quenched, and the bodies were gathered and set ablaze in a massive pyre. Sylvester stood beside it, his hands clasped in prayer for the dead.
"They're here… watching us. Start it." Aurora whispered into Sylvester's ears.
Taking the cue, Sylvester raised his hand toward the burning pyre, creating a stream of light. Then, he sang a hymn with the halo behind his head and his wings wide—his voice magically amplified.
O' Lord of Light, for what do we fight?
Why do you turn away from the innocent's plight?
The heathen Niel took your realm, such slight!
How much brighter? How far must I spread my light??
?Speak to us. We are your faithful children.
Under your warmth, we have become one.
We can't lose. We can't continue to run.
Tell us a cure for Holy Land—so filth-ridden.?
BOOM!
Aurora did her magic and made thunder appear in the clear sky with a few scattered clouds around. The resounding bolt crashed down upon the earth, shattering it to pieces.
Sylvester shouted again. "Must I? Must I seize the Holy Land with might? What of the deaths that shall arise?"
However, this time the sky cleared up, letting the sunlight cascade much better and brighter.
"Understood… If that is your command, so be it." Sylvester awkwardly gave a church salute and watched the pyres burn away for a few more minutes.
"That was cringeworthy," Gabriel commented from behind, whispering it very lightly.
Sylvester's nose wrinkled. "I'm cringe? Care to tell me who wrote letters to his sister and cries each time, even to this day?—My dear Raven, my heart wrenches to imagine how lonely you must feel. Always know your big brother is there…"
"Stop!" Gabriel almost cursed. "You read them?!"
Sylvester scoffed. "All outgoing and incoming letters are filtered."
"What?!" Aurora exclaimed.
Sylvester smirked. "Yes, I know about your letters with my Mum and Isabella—discussing the most handsome men you've seen that month. Control your heart, woman—I'm not the Pope yet."
Aurora embarrassingly scoffed and pointed at Sylvester. "As if you're the one to talk. You're considered so pure in the realm's eyes that women have come to believe you have no means of procreation."
"..."
"But I do." Sylvester defended himself, clearly offended.
"Prove it," Gabriel demanded.
Sylvester glared at his friend. "Buddy, have you forgotten all our missions? Us brothers have seen each other naked plenty of times."
Gabriel remained unmoved, arms folded. "Well… who knows… what if it went back into your stomach?"
"..."
"I'm not going to be a part of this conversation anymore. Prepare to head out, we're going to Duke Grimton's keep now. There will be more bodies and 'Holy Knights.'" Sylvester walked away to oversee other matters.
Pa!
Gabriel and Aurora high-fived behind Sylvester's back.
…
After the Strongarm Barony, the procession headed to Druke Grimton's Castle and the town. It was filled with slaughtered bodies, and streets were stained red since the massacre happened a while ago.
Sylvester chose to use the same plan and 'killed' the soldiers of the Holy Army, burned the bodies on the pyre, and sang a hymn. They kept an eye on any nearby civilians who wanted to see what was going on. Moreover, by luring in traveling traders, they ensured the news would spread far and wide.
However, the night had descended upon them by then, and they decided to rest in the same city. Yet the task remained unending as they turned the place into a camp for travelers. Soldiers mingled with resting travelers and traders, telling them stories of the atrocities committed by the evil new Pope Niel.
Nothing was done out in the open, but rather subtly. Two soldiers could be talking with each other, and a few outsiders just happened to hear about it. It was a perfect way to spread rumors and tarnish Niel's reputation.
Then, once morning came, they made their way to Count Martin's lands and repeated the act. Afterward, they entered Green City once again. It was mostly deserted, but a massacre took place there as well—the biggest one yet.
Sylvester seized control of the city and raised his own flag. Then set up a camp for the night and entertained the travelers or civilians from nearby small unnamed villages. Free food, blessings, and stories were exchanged.
However, that was when Sylvester found out what Niel was up to.
"He's smart." Sylvester gathered Aurora, Lord Inquisitor, and Gabriel in a private chamber. "He's using the same scheme as us but in a different way. He's trying to find and kill anyone who supports me or disobeys his authority. I also received word that Saint Wazir had been thrown into the dungeon."
"Do you want to continue?" Lady Aurora asked.
"Of course. The first paintings of the massacres have already been sent to the New Holy Land. Soon, they will scatter the leaflets far and wide. I need to see how Niel will react. It will show us if he has the guts to come out and fight me, or if we will have to lay a true siege on the Holy Land." Sylvester reaffirmed his plan. "A siege is the last resort, as it will cost us the most lives."
"What of the Emperor Lich? If he joins us, perhaps we can have an easy campaign?" Gabriel questioned.
Sadly, Sylvester couldn't express confidence in that plan. "First of all, Raz Mi'ul Naseer hasn't replied to my letter. Secondly, even if he comes, he will only be used to neutralize the Saint Scepter. Even then, I fear Raz alone won't be enough."
"What about the Chief of Anti-Light?" Aurora suggested. "He's against the Holy Land."
"He opposes the current faith," Sylvester corrected her. "He only helped me back in Masan because I told him about my future plans if I were to become the Pope. But the condition is that I become the Pope—in one year and on my own. He's already compromising by delaying his siege. He won't give us any more help."
Frustration filled the room. Despite having so many Grand Wizards, they felt cornered by a single Saint Scepter. Especially since there was a deeply concealed secret connected to the man. In no way, Saint Scepter would go down with a simple fight.
Knock! Knock!
"Your Holiness, a messenger has arrived from the Holy Land."
Everyone grew alert, and Gabriel went over to open the door. He didn't allow the messenger to enter but took the folded parchment before shutting the door.
"It bears Niel's seal." Gabriel recognized it.
Sylvester didn't react just yet and opened the letter to read it under his breath first. Unfortunately, the more he read, the more confused he felt. There was no reason for the man to give such a benefit to him, that was unless there was something hidden.
"What does it say?" Aurora questioned.
Sylvester allowed them all to read the letter on their own, just in case he missed something hidden. Sadly, it appeared he did not.
"Holy Bard." The Lord Inquisitor's furious voice reverberated with raging warmth. "A fox only bites when there are no paths to escape. The heathen appears to have noticed his naked nape. But I suggest caution, for this could be a scheme to make your resolve soften."
Aurora agreed. "We have no reason to accept his duel challenge."
"But." Gabriel opposed. "If Sylvester refuses, he will lose the trust of the Clergymen in the Holy Land."
Sylvester sighed and looked at the small letter once again.
[To Sylvester Maximilian,
For years, we have known each other's intentions but remained distant. You knitted your schemes, and I did mine—for a common yet conflicting aim. I would have rejoiced if you had chosen to be my right hand, but I respect your choice.
However, I also respect the sanctity of the Holy Land and the laws of the faith. I hold no desire to rule over a realm of ashes. So, let's meet in the morning at the desolate hills of Imperial Lands, for I, under the light of Solis, invoke the Holy Law and make a formal challenge for Duel Under Faith!
May the mighty win.
Pope Niel Gray]
Sylvester crushed the letter in his palm. "I have no faith that he will silently accept the outcome of our duel. There could be a scheme, an ambush—or worse, a ploy by Saint Scepter."
"So you won't go?" Aurora asked.
"He will undoubtedly spread the word around to the Clergymen and Bright Mothers. If I don't go, I will be branded a coward—giving them an opportunity to strike me where they haven't been able to—raise their fingers at my untainted character and honor." Sylvester spoke with a heavy heart.
He turned to the Lord Inquisitor and nodded. "I don't want to, yet I must go—but not alone."
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