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n“I can’t see!”

nThe words echoed in the room, and silence ensued. Everyone felt their hearts sink as the realisation dawned that perhaps all was not well.

nSylvester held the man tighter and kept calm. “Sir Dolorem, can you tell me exactly what you’re feeling right now?”

n“Pain–behind my eyes. I feel as if something is missing… It’s a looming pain and discomfort.” Slowly Sir Dolorem’s breath started to hasten. It would’ve been more shocking if he didn’t react as such.

nVision is one of the most essential abilities a human possesses. To lose it is to lose half of you.

n“It’s all darkness… I can blink, but I can’t… see… ha…”

n‘Nerve damage? That does sound like it… I hope it’s not that… even in the modern world, there was no cure for it.’ Sylvester’s heart sank further.

nSylvester just hugged the man, for he knew no words could be enough to ease that pain. He knew not if Sir Dolorem could get his vision back nor if he could be healed. He hoped he was proven wrong.

n“I’m here… I’m with you, Sir Dolorem.” He patted the latter’s back.

nHe smelled the fear, the anxiety, the anger welling up in Sir Dolorem. But there was nothing he could do. He didn’t know if there was magic in the world that could bring back eyes or heal nerves.

nAt the same time, he smelled pure rage overflowing in Lord Inquisitor. It was clear by now that this case was not just about the noble women’s murder anymore. This was not just about the insolence of the Gracia Kingdom anymore.

nNow, it was bloody personal.

nLord Inquisitor stepped close and rested his giant hand on Sir Dolorem’s shoulder. “Hurt a man, and find nowhere to run. Hurt a Bright Mother, and have your blood splattered. Hunt a man of Inquisition, and learn my wrath’s definition–I shall investigate this godless crime myself, Sir Dolorem.”

nSylvester agreed with the Lord Inquisitor in the same tone. “An eye for an eye. And I believe not that it makes the world blind–rather it shall remind–there are crimes one must never commit, for time can never rewind.”

nThe Lord Inquisitor nodded in agreement. “No matter a king, peasant or slave. The scourge shall face the purge.”

nThe Healers felt their legs go numb as they heard the two speak. So they interrupted quickly. “There is no guarantee that this is permanent, Lord Bard and Lord Inquisitor. He might heal as his body recovers.”

nThen another old healer spoke. “And if it is permanent, I’m sure the second Guardian of Light will be willing to help–he’s this strong and wise even after being blind… there must be a special way to see through other means.”

nInquisitor High Lord appeared to go into deep thought as he didn’t move for a while.

n“The Second Guardian, Lord Bloodrain, is an honourable faithful indeed. I shall ask him if all roads appear closed. Until then, let’s not lose faith, for whatever Solis wills–fate fulfils.”

nSylvester focused on Sir Dolorem. He wondered if this was the right time to ask him what had happened. There was no telling if the blindness would ever go away, so was there any point in waiting?

n‘I don’t know how he will live his life now. But can the Pope not heal him? I thought a supreme wizard should be able to perform such simple feats’ There were so many questions in Sylvester’s mind.

n“Sir Dolorem, was it King Gracia who was after you?” He finally asked.

nQuickly, Lord Inquisitor waved at the healers to shoo them out of the room. 𝐞𝗻𝐨𝘃𝗹.𝐜𝐨𝗺

nSir Dolorem appeared confused. “I don’t know. When I reached the Green City and was heading to the Monastery, an arrow hit me out of nowhere. My guards were down since Green City, its inner parts no less, were considered safe. An old Inquisitor friend, Bishop Charles White, helped me, and Princess Isabella healed me. But, later, when I woke up, I was attacked by the Gracia Royal Knights, led by their commander, Sir Winston Lennox.

n“I was able to survive their attack and jumped out of the sick bay. I slowly made my escape inside a faeces collector cart. But at the gates, I was stabbed by the spears of guards checking the pile.

n“After that, I tried to distance myself, but the Royal Knights were already looking for me outside the gates. That was when I fought the first two opponents. One of them was able to hit my head, but eventually, I won. I then covered myself in dirt and crawled away… until I was found, and thankfully, Archpriest Sylvester found me too.”

nSylvester rubbed his chin, wondering why the royal knights would do such a thing. “Are there any fine details you think can help us narrow the suspicions?”

nSir Dolorem had just woken up from a long deadly slumber, so it was understandable that it took him time.

n“There is one thing. The Royal Knights didn’t attack me until I uttered the name of Sir Kenworth.”

nWith that, everything was cleared in an instant. Sylvester made up his mind about where to start the investigation. “It seems a coverup is in motion. Sir Kenworth is likely dead too, and they wish to kill anyone who tries to dig too deep. It seems we need to first round up the Gracia Royal Knights.”

nThe Lord Inquisitor agreed. “If they are not dead already, they shall be arrested. For the time being, I shall also order four Archwizards from Inquisitors to stand guard here. At the same time, I shall speak with the Holy Father about this matter. God’s Favoured, you must also stay prepared–you shall join me in this investigation.”

n“I stand ready, Lord Inquisitor,” Sylvester responded.

nThe big man didn’t speak any further and silently left after patting Sir Dolorem’s shoulder. With that, the rest also entered.

nSylvester quickly gestured to them with his hands, suggesting that Sir Dolorem could not see anymore. Initially, they were all confused, but soon their hearts fell.

nFelix sprinted and hugged Sir Dolorem. “You’re awake, old man! Thank Solis!”

nGabriel joined in too. “We thought we lost you, Sir Dolorem.”

nThey actively tried not to talk about the blindness and acted happy to see the man just alive. But they all knew what was going on in their hearts and minds.

nSir Dolorem was not accustomed to moving according to the sound, so when he tried to hold Felix and Gabriel’s hands, he could not find them.

nFelix spoke to change the mood. “Don’t worry, Sir Dolorem. We will get them this time. First, you must rest and heal completely.”

n“I’m afraid I will now be useless in helping Archpriest Sylvester.” Sir Dolorem spoke in self-loath. “Please help him… he sometimes takes risks he should not. Now the duty to keep him safe falls on you two.”

nSylvester silently shook his head, feeling terrible. So without making any noise, he walked out of the room to find Princess Isabella sitting alone, scared and confused.

n“Follow me.” He ordered her without looking at her.

nSoon, he arrived at the terrace of the Sick Bay and closed up to her. He looked at her face in slightly visible anger. “Thanks to your family’s Knights, Sir Dolorem is now blind.”

nThud!

nShe fell back as her legs went weak from that revelation. “I-I’m sorry….”

n“Stand up!” Sylvester ordered her, showing no pity or giving her his hand, for he knew there was a fifty per cent chance that she would be killed following the investigation. “You showed me your magic. You were able to transplant the blood of one man to another–likely incompatible. Can’t you do the same for his eyes?”

nPrincess Isabella shook her head. “I-I don’t know… I never tried it.”

nHe caught her by her shoulders and shook her. “What if I get you the chance to try it?”

nShe appeared frightened but replied still. “I have no idea, Lord Bard. I must try it first on someone… and there is no way of finding so many people to test on.”

n“Speak not what’s unnecessary, Princess. Just tell me, if I get you as many men as you require to try your magic on, can you do it?” He clenched her shoulders tighter.

nShe cried this time, her eyes going watery. “You’re hurting me, Lord Bard.”

n“Answer me!”

nShe nodded strongly. “Maybe. I won’t know unless I try. But where will you find so many people for this?”

nSylvester let her go and took a long, calming breath. “Leave that to me.”

nHe looked at the sky and thought about a few things before deciding to head home for the night and rest. Sir Dolorem will be taken care of by the Inquisitors now. Not to mention, he had an extremely important task too.

nBefore leaving, he apologised to Princess Isabella, though. “Forgive me for doing this, your highness… I am not in a good mood today. Sir Dolorem is a person… close to me.”

n“I will try my best, Lord Bard… Everything will be fine.” She chirped after gathering some courage.

nSylvester shook his head at her naivety. “Really? Then go and say that to the man your family tried to kill.”

n…

nSylvester bid his farewell and told Sir Dolorem that he would visit again in a few hours. This time, unlike before, even in the Holy Land and at home, he didn’t feel relaxed.

nWhen he arrived, Xavia was already at home, cooking dinner. His appearance was a surprise to her, but also a point of anxiety. “Max, what happened? You don’t look well… Why are you out of breath?.”

nShe had known him since young and could somewhat understand when he was in a bad mood. She quickly got him some water and asked. “Is everything okay?”

nSylvester didn’t have the energy to tell her everything. “Sir Dolorem was injured during the mission. He’s now resting in the sick bay here–he’s blind now, mum. He’s coming to terms with it, but it will take time.”

n“What! How? Can he be healed?” Xavia stood up, aghast.

n“Likely not.”

n“Max, does he have any family near him?” She inquired.

n“He has no one, mum. They died long ago due to a riot.”

nXavia folded her sleeves quickly. “T-Then… he must be feeling so awful right now. I should take food for him. Maybe that will help him a little?”

nSylvester nodded appreciatively. “You can try taking the food; he will appreciate it, I’m sure. But beware of the guards keeping him safe. Don’t fight them.”

nShe thumped her chest and ran to the cooking area. “Dear, I’m a Superintendent Healer, don’t worry. I must go and help Sir Dolorem quickly. He helped me so much when you were a baby. We can’t leave him alone now–he’s family.”

nSylvester watched as she hurried around and gathered her items. She cooked some porridge, cut some fruits and packed them before leaving in her full Bright Mother attire.

n“I will visit the sick bay after taking a small nap, mum.” He informed her as she left.

nThud!

nOnce he locked the door, he breathed out loud as if in extreme pain and fell to the floor, holding his right leg tight. His eyes watered up as he reached the limit of tolerance. “Fuck! It’s too unbearable today… Chonky, come here and help me.”

nSylvester quickly dragged himself into his room and sat down on a chair. Then he strapped his legs to the chair’s legs with a leather belt.

n“Alright! Give me the tools whenever I point. No matter how much I scream or bleed–Do not cower!”

n“It’s scary, Maxy!”

n“Fate is unforgiving, Miraj–This is the price I pay for living… Ugh!” He put a big piece of cotton in his mouth and sealed it to stop himself from screaming loudly.

n“Aaargh…!”

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nA

/N: Can you guess?

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