Chapter 341: Chapter 74: Enclosure Movement
Adela took one last look at her now-silent companion in the corner, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes. She then turned and, accompanied by a Maid, left the suddenly oppressive hallway.
Alina walked softly to Kaiden’s side. "Do you need my help choosing the right words for the letter?"
Kaiden shook his head and squeezed her hand. "No, this is a matter I must sign for personally in my capacity as the heir. It shows the gravity of the situation. First, go check on Mother and see if she needs any help. While you’re at it, keep an eye on Eleanor. Don’t let all this commotion disturb her. But before any of that, I need to see Father."
Alina whispered, "What do you think... about what Bernard said..."
Kaiden’s expression darkened, and he lowered his voice even further. "Bernard has served Father for many years. He’s loyal and diligent, but he’s just an ordinary man. ’Evil Power,’ ’unholy things’... he’s not someone who could easily perceive such things, let alone be the one to suggest them. This sounds more like how Father wants us to explain it..."
A flash of understanding crossed Alina’s eyes. "So last night... what really happened? Carl, he..."
"It’s not clear yet," Kaiden said, patting the back of her hand. "That’s why I’m going to ask Father. You go to Mother’s. For now, let’s not worry her with these matters."
"I understand." Alina nodded, gathered her skirts, and turned to walk toward the other side of the main keep.
Kaiden watched his wife walk away, then without a moment’s delay, headed straight for Murphy’s study.
The study door was ajar.
Kaiden raised his hand and knocked three times on the heavy oak door.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
"Come in." Murphy’s calm voice came from within.
Kaiden pushed the door open and entered.
The study was brightly lit. A fire burned quietly in the hearth, chasing away the last lingering chill of a Northern Lands spring morning.
Murphy was still in his wheelchair, which was cushioned with a thick velvet pad. His back was to the door as he faced the window, seemingly watching the new buds blooming in the courtyard.
The deep red velvet blanket lay neatly across his knees.
"Father." Kaiden walked to the side of the wheelchair, just behind it, and spoke respectfully.
Murphy slowly turned his head, his gaze falling upon his son’s face.
His face looked slightly weary, but his deep-set eyes were as calm as still water, as if he had long expected Kaiden’s arrival.
"Is everything handled?" he asked, his voice betraying no emotion.
"Sir Carl’s body has been moved to the quiet room under heavy guard, and Miss Adela has been temporarily placated," Kaiden reported dutifully. He paused, looking his father directly in the eye, and lowered his voice slightly. "Furthermore, as per Bernard’s message conveyed by Lucian, I have suggested the possibility of an Evil Power and am preparing a formal letter to request that Archbishop John of the Crescent District dispatch Clergy to investigate."
Murphy was silent for a moment. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice flat but carrying an undeniable weight. "Involving the Church Court is the most proper course of action and the best way to quell suspicion from all sides. The title of Holy Protector is meant to be used when needed."
"I understand, Father." Kaiden nodded, the last of his doubts dissipating. He then asked the most crucial question, "Last night... what exactly happened? Was Carl... was it really because..."
"He offended your sister," Murphy said flatly. "And last night, the power of an Official Wizard was indeed attempting to influence, even control him. When the people from the Church Court arrive, they will naturally provide a ’reasonable’ explanation. What the Monte Territory needs to do is cooperate with the investigation, maintain stability, and ensure our trade negotiations with the Imperial court are not fundamentally affected."
Kaiden was stunned.
"Eleanor..." Kaiden chose his words carefully. "Wasn’t she a bit too impulsive? Since she already sensed an evil... a Wizard’s power at work, couldn’t she have just driven it off or contained it? That way, we could have avoided this conflict, spared the need to involve the Church Court, and not given the Albion Islands an opening..."
"Kaiden," Murphy said calmly. "Do you really think the Official Wizard who infiltrated the castle last night and tried to control Carl has nothing to do with the Albion Islands?"
Kaiden froze. "Father, you mean..."
"Do you remember when the Albion Islands, or rather, the power of the Golden Coast Duke, truly began to rise?"
Kaiden thought for a moment, trying to recall the records from the territory’s intelligence reports. "About ten years ago? To be precise, was it after the Golden Coast Duke’s Great Knight, Ostun, returned from some overseas adventure? After that, their iron smelting and textile technologies seemed to advance by leaps and bounds, far surpassing the surrounding powers."
"Correct." Murphy nodded. "For ten, even twenty years, the Monte Territory’s new farming methods, improved looms, and more efficient iron smelting techniques have not been completely contained. The surrounding territories, and even more distant Kingdoms, have all learned bits and pieces, progressing slowly but surely. But the Albion Islands..."
He paused, his eyes sharp. "Their technological improvement has been the fastest, the most comprehensive, and the most systematic. It’s as if they mastered a complete and efficient set of industrial methods overnight. What’s more noteworthy is that in recent years, on the islands and coastal areas under their control, they have begun to implement a policy known as the ’Enclosure Movement’."
"’Enclosure Movement?’" Kaiden was perplexed by the unfamiliar term. "What is that?"
Murphy’s voice held a rare chill. "It is a monster that, from the moment it came into this world, has dripped blood and filth from every pore, from head to toe."
Kaiden was shaken by the emotion in his father’s words and the chilling metaphor.
