Star-Embracing Swordmaster — Chapter 96: I forgive your sins (2)

Chapter 96: I forgive your sins (2)

God‌ is everywhere.

However,‍ His embrace doesn’t reach everyone equally.‌

To those who are‍ high, we lower‌ them even further, and to those‍ who have much,‍ we give even‍ more.

That⁠‌ was the image‌ of God and‍‍ the church that‌‌⁠ the people from below had ever‍⁠ seen.

“So,⁠ is this person innocent now?”

“Of course. It’s an‍‍ indulgence granted directly⁠‌ by the bishop.”⁠

The‍ priest responded to‌‍ Vlad’s question, closed‌ his eyes, and‌⁠ began reciting a prayer in a reverential posture.

His‍⁠ faithful appearance made⁠ anyone feel as‌‍ if truly God’s⁠‍ grace had reached⁠ this place.

‘…Just⁠ with this.’

Vlad‌‍ couldn’t understand.

All‌‍ the sins of the black bear‍‌‌ are forgiven with the paper held‍⁠ by the priest.‍‌‍

Can‌ the tears shed‍‌ by those who‌⁠ died in a false church be‌ wiped away with‍ just this piece‌ of paper?

Then,‍ who the hell‌ will compensate for the black tears‍ shed by Anna?⁠

“Sin⁠ is something that‍‌⁠ can be forgiven‍‌ at any time⁠ with a sincere⁠⁠ heart, Mr. Vlad.”⁠‍

“…”‍‍

The⁠ priest sent by⁠‍ the bishop smiled‌‍ kindly as he⁠ looked at Vlad,⁠ who was torn⁠‌ between anger and‌ bewilderment, not knowing‌ what to do.‍

“Now⁠ he’s innocent.”

Upon‍ hearing a voice⁠ coming from his⁠‌‍ side, Vlad turned‌ his head there,‍ stunned.

“Because⁠⁠ I’ve been forgiven‍⁠ by God. Isn’t‍‍ that what’s done‌‍⁠ now?”

“…Forgiven?”‍‌

When⁠ he turned his‍‌‍ head, Black Bear smiled slightly as he looked at‌⁠ Vlad, as if‌ he had come‍ to terms with it.

Now‌ that the Church⁠ and indulgences have‍ made him innocent,⁠‌ he might have‍‌‌ the right to‌ laugh.

The⁠‍‌ women he sold‌⁠ were locked in‌‍ a dark place and died of‍‍ fear, but the‍‌ person who led‍‍ them to death smiled.

This is wrong.

“…Can‍ someone really be⁠‍ forgiven as long⁠⁠ as they have⁠‌⁠ a sincere heart,‌‌‍ priest?”

“Of course, sir.”

Is‍‍ it really possible‌ to become innocent⁠‌⁠ of any sin⁠ if you’re forgiven‍ by God and‍ the church?

“I‌‍ understand.”

In⁠ that case, I should also ask⁠⁠‌ for forgiveness.

That‍‌ day, while wiping‌⁠⁠ away Anna’s tears‌ that couldn’t even⁠‍ fall, I promised her that I would accept the‌ payment in return.‍

“Mr.‌⁠ Vlad?”

“I⁠ confess my sins.‍‍⁠ Priest.”

If⁠ you’re where you‌ should be, if⁠‌ you’re standing at⁠⁠‌ the moment you‍⁠ should be, don’t hesitate.

If no one takes‌‌ responsibility where it⁠‌ should be taken.‌

Then‍ you will.

Because‌‍‍ that’s the Sword‌‌ Master’s code.

Crack!‌‌

“Thud!”⁠‍

At⁠⁠⁠ that moment, dark‌ red blood splattered⁠ on the priest’s‌ white robe.

No⁠‍ one could stop⁠⁠ it because no⁠‍ one expected it.⁠‍⁠

No,⁠⁠ even if someone‍ had expected it,‍‍ it was a decisive blow that‌‌⁠ couldn’t be stopped.⁠

“Ugh…”‌⁠

Black‌ Bear clutching his‍‌‍ neck with eyes‍ wide open in‌‍ disbelief.

Blood‌‍‍ was steadily dripping‌⁠⁠ from his neck, which he held‌‌‌ tightly.

“This,⁠⁠ this…!”

“I⁠‍‍ am a sinner.‍ Priest.”

There was a knight‌ who knelt before‌‌‌ an astonished priest‍ and confessed his sins.

He was the bearer⁠‌ of the faithful‌‌ name bestowed by‌‍ the priest Andreas⁠ and the bearer⁠⁠ of the shining‍ armor presented by‍‌‍ the diocese of‌ San Rogino.

“So,‍‍ please, give me‍ the opportunity to‍ forgive my sins.”‍‍⁠

God’s‍ will comes as‌‌⁠ dazzling and splendid‍⁠ as the daytime‌‌ sun, but sometimes,‍⁠ like now, it⁠‍⁠ must shine at⁠ an angle.

When‍ you arrive at‍‍‍ a low and‍‌ dirty place like‍‍‌ an alley, even‌‍‍ you will have to bow your‍‍ head before entering.‍⁠

***‍‌‍

It‌ was a deep night when everyone‌ should have been⁠⁠⁠ asleep, but Joseph⁠ and the knights⁠ were gathered in‌⁠ the mayor’s office‌‌‌ with serious expressions‍ on their faces.‌‍

“It‍ ended like this.”⁠⁠

After⁠ hearing Gregory’s report,⁠ Joseph sighed deeply,‌‍⁠ his eyelids heavy⁠⁠ as if he were tired.

“Are you really saying‍ you killed someone⁠ with impunity?”

“I’m‌⁠ sorry, Mr. Joseph.‌ I should have‍‍ stopped him.”

Gregory⁠ stood there with‍ his head bowed,‌ as if he‌‍ really had nothing‌ to say.

Although⁠‌ Vlad was the‌ main responsible for‌⁠ this operation, Gregory⁠ also had his‍‍ own responsibilities as⁠‍⁠ a superior.

“I⁠‌ can’t even imagine‍ someone called Black‍ Bear being granted‌ impunity…”

“You’re‍ right.”

Joseph,‍⁠ who had been sitting quietly with his hands clasped,⁠ silently lifted his head and opened‌‌ his mouth.

“There’s‍ no way a mere clandestine leader⁠ could receive an‌‌‍ indulgence from the⁠‍ bishop.”

“But‍‍ he definitely…”

“I‌ suppose you let‍ him go. You didn’t catch him.”

Joseph’s‍ dark eyes were unfocused, as if⁠ showing that he‍⁠ was deeply pondering.‍

However,⁠⁠ even though there was no clear‍‌ look, Joseph’s eyes‌‌‍ shone brighter than‍‌ anyone else’s here.⁠‌‌

“They’re⁠‍ spying on Bayezid.”‌

Joseph’s‌ eyes shone with⁠⁠ anger.

Everyone‌⁠‌ in this world‌⁠ is like that,‍ but nobles in‍ particular are angry‌‌ because their things‍‍ are being invaded.‌‍⁠

Because⁠⁠ we were born‌ with the destiny⁠⁠ of having everything taken from us⁠ if we give‌‍ it away one by one.

“Where‌ is Vlad now?”‌⁠

“He’s‍⁠ waiting outside the⁠‌‌ door.”

“Good.”‌⁠‌

Although‌‍‍ it was a foolish choice, that⁠ didn’t mean the‍ action wasn’t understandable.⁠

Besides,‍‌ it was clear⁠‍ that the bishop‌‍ had been targeting‍⁠ Vlad from the beginning, deliberately granting‌ indulgence to the⁠⁠ black bear.

That’s‌‍ why it has⁠⁠ to be done⁠‌ this way.

“Arrest‍ Knight Vlad right away.”

Joseph’s⁠ order suddenly resonated in the office.‍‌‌

Gregory‍ and Bordan, who⁠ heard the order,⁠⁠ looked at their⁠‌ lord with perplexed‌ eyes.

“Mr.‍ Joseph, Vlad now…”‍

“The‌ charge is murder.”‍

A decisive but ruthless⁠‌ command.

There‍‍‍ was no tremor‌ in Joseph’s voice,‍ as if he⁠ had already decided.‌

“It’s‍⁠ all right.”

Everyone‌‌ couldn’t move easily‌ because of the shocking order, but‍‌ only Jager stepped⁠⁠ out without hesitation at Joseph’s command.⁠

“Now,⁠ Sir Jager. I’d‌ prefer.”

“It’s⁠‍‍ my fault for⁠‌ raising you poorly, so I’ll take⁠ responsibility for it.”⁠

Jager’s attitude was as⁠⁠ firm as Joseph’s‌⁠ orders.

If the child needs‌‌‌ to be punished‍‌ and beaten, it⁠ would be right for him to‍⁠⁠ do it.

Because‌ you’ll feel more‌‌ comfortable doing it⁠ yourself than watching‍⁠ someone else do⁠‌⁠ it.

“…Huff.”

Gregory‍ sighed at the thought of what⁠ would happen outside⁠‌‍ the door.

A situation where a master arrests a disciple.

If⁠ he had known‍ things would end up like this,⁠⁠‍ he would never⁠ have sent Vlad⁠⁠ alone upstairs.

“Sir‌‍ Gregory.”

“Yes.”

But⁠‍ Gregory had no‌‌ time to repent.‌‍‌

“You‍ must also take⁠ responsibility as part‍ of this incident.”‍

“You’re⁠⁠ right.”

Joseph‍‌‍ spoke to Gregory with his mouth,‌ but he began‍ to scribble and‌ write things with his hands.

“So‍ go to Varna‍‌⁠ right away.”

“Yes?”‍⁠⁠

Gregory‌ stood there, not⁠ understanding, as he‌‍ accepted the letter‍‌ Joseph handed him.

When I finally came‌⁠ to my senses, I looked at⁠‍ the envelope and‌‌ saw that it‌⁠ was written the‌‌ name of the‍‍ priest Andreas.

“The⁠ sooner, the better.”

“All⁠‍ right, I understand.”⁠

Something‌ is going on‍ in a hurry.‍

However,⁠ Joseph acted as‍ if he had‍ been waiting, so‍⁠ Gregory had no‍‍‍ choice but to‍‍‍ simply follow orders.⁠

“Mr.⁠⁠ Bordan, call the‌⁠ wizard. I need⁠⁠ to communicate with⁠ my father and‌‍ with San Rogino.”‍

“Okay.”⁠⁠

“Tell⁠‍ Maxim and Cade‌⁠ too. From now⁠ on, cancel all⁠ their missions and⁠ let them wait‍‌‍ here.”

“Yes.”‍

War‍‌ doesn’t start solely‌ with the clash⁠ of swords and‌‌⁠ spears.

The⁠ bishop of Soara‌ had declared war⁠ on the legitimate‌ Bayezid using Vlad⁠ as bait, and⁠ Joseph opted for⁠⁠‍ a decisive battle instead of surrendering⁠⁠ as a response.

“…In‍‍ the end, you‌ take the first step.”

I knew it.

That‍‌⁠ this is what⁠⁠ will happen in⁠‍ the end.

I wondered when that⁠ moment would come‍⁠‌ or if I should take the‌‍ first step.

That‌ was why Peter,‍‍ the head of⁠ the family, sent‍ his younger son,⁠ Joseph, instead of‍‍ Rutiger, to Soara.‌

Although⁠‍ his second son‍ had no talent for the sword,‌⁠ he was born⁠‍ with the same‌⁠ sharpness as a knight.

“It’s‌ better.”

In⁠‌‍ the empty office,‍‍‍ a young man‍‍ with dark eyes‍ shone darkly.

Now‍‍ is the time‌‌ to have it‌‌‌ all.

A perfect city of‍ Bayezid that is‌⁠ not bound by‌ anything.

***

The‍‍ tall bell tower symbolizes closeness to⁠⁠‌ God in the‌‌ sky, and the‍‍ spacious building symbolizes‍ the breadth of‌‌ His embrace.

Although⁠ smaller than Varna,‍ which had a strong religious flavor,⁠⁠‌ the church of‌ Soara was also‌ one of the⁠ largest buildings in‌‍‍ the city.

For⁠ the ignorant, nothing‌‍ will be as clear as size.‌

“Did he cut him‌ down without hesitation?”‍⁠

“Yes, that’s correct. Bishop.”‍‍⁠

The⁠‌ bishop’s throne room⁠ with repeated white⁠‍ and black tiles.⁠‍

The⁠ bishop of Soara‍⁠ was listening to‌⁠‌ the report from‌‌⁠ the priest sent‍ there, where the‍⁠ artisans who built⁠‍ the church had been extremely careful.⁠

“It‍ turned out to‌⁠ be more aggressive‍ than I expected.”‌

A man dressed in‌‌ a red robe.‍⁠

His‍‍ withered body seemed‍⁠ unpleasant, but his⁠ height, which appeared to be 2 meters, would surely⁠ intimidate others.

“I suppose shaking up⁠ that fellow was‍ the right thing‌ to do.”

The⁠ priest dressed in‍ white who personally⁠‍ delivered the indulgence‍ to the black‌⁠‍ bear simply stood‍ with his head⁠‌ bowed, not daring⁠ to make eye⁠ contact with the bishop.

Bishop⁠⁠ of Soara. Pedro.‌‍

He⁠ was now smiling⁠‍ peacefully, but before‌ becoming a bishop,‌‌ he was famous⁠⁠ as a ruthless⁠⁠ inquisitor.

“The‍ guarantor for that‌‌ boy is the priest Andreas, correct?”⁠⁠

“That’s‍ right.”

Bishop‍⁠ Pedro closed his⁠‌ eyes and smiled‌‌ as if he‍‌ were truly satisfied‌ with the answer‌‌ he received.

Because⁠ all the people‍ he had considered‍ thorns in his‌ eyes so far‌⁠ were closely related to a knight‌ named Vlad.

“If‍ we play our‌ cards right, we⁠‌ can destroy everything‌⁠ at once.”

A priest so faithful‌ that everyone in‌‍ the North knows‌⁠ him, even though‍⁠ he is not‌‍‍ a high-ranking priest.‌ Andreas.

Although⁠‌ Andreas was in‍ Varna and not‌ in this city,⁠‍‍ Pedro always felt‍ uneasy about him.⁠

Even⁠ if they are‌ united by a single purpose, it‍ is a human‌ habit that as‍‌ the organization grows‌‌ and expands, there‍⁠ is no choice‌⁠⁠ but to come⁠ together here and⁠‌ there.

In‌‌ that sense, Andreas‌‍‍ and Pedro were‍‍‌ people who were‌ on opposite sides.‌

“The‌⁠ nobles of the‍⁠‌ Vatican will like⁠‍⁠ it.”

God’s⁠ will is one,‌ but there are many ways to⁠‌ convey that will.‌⁠⁠

And‌ Pedro was a man who had⁠ no doubt that‌‌ the path he‍‌‍ had taken was‍ the only one‍ that could truly‌⁠⁠ reach God’s will.‌

“Send‌ someone to the⁠⁠ new mayor. I will have to‌ lead the foolish knight who ignored⁠ my indulgence.”

The new mayor, Joseph,‌ may have been expanding his influence⁠‍ through his own⁠⁠ determination, but he‌ can no longer‌ be ignored.

Now‌‍ is the time⁠‌ to make his⁠‍‍ presence known with⁠‌ a clear warning.⁠

“Tell⁠⁠ the heresy interrogators‌ to prepare as‌‌ well.”

“Understood.”‌‍‍

Vlad‌ would have fallen‍⁠ into Pedro’s plan‍ at some point,‍⁠‍ if not now.‍⁠

The‍ young, inexperienced, and‍ therefore foolish knight⁠‍ was someone Pedro‍‍ had been watching‍ for a long‍‌ time.

“We’ll⁠ see your face⁠‌⁠ at some point.”⁠⁠

There‌‍ is no effect‍‌ without cause.

That‍ was the truth⁠ Pedro painfully felt‍ as he worked⁠ as an inquisitor‌ of heresies throughout‌ his life.

“The⁠‌⁠ guy who was‍‌ struck by a black lightning.”

No‌⁠ matter how talented‍ he was, it‍ was incomprehensible to‍ Pedro’s common sense‌⁠ that he could‌‍ emit aura and‍‌ become a knight⁠‍ in just one⁠ year.

Perhaps⁠‍‌ the bright achievements‌ the boy had‍ achieved so far‌ had a dark‍ shadow, just as‍ Pedro had hoped.‌