n

n

nSylvester burned the small parchment and walked out of the Monastery. He headed into the town to find Sir Dolorem and Augustus to discuss the next steps. He couldn’t really harm a Baroness for some tribes who were heathens, after all.

n“Chonky, what do you think? Kill the heathens, or investigate more?” He asked the loyal cat resting on his shoulder.

nMiraj yawned and rubbed his face with his paws. “I don’t know… Are they baddies?”

n“I don’t think so.”

n“Then, killing them is not a sin? That Black Knight will get angry?” Miraj asked, not knowing how big of a point he made.

n‘I didn’t think like that. What politics does the Shadow Knight follow? Does killing heathens also constitute sin in its eyes? It definitely does in mine since I can see the world through a non-church lens. Does Shadow Knight do the same?’ Sylvester wondered in silence as he walked down the town’s road.

n“Lord Bard!… Lord Bard, please wait!”

nSylvester stopped as an old man with a long white beard appeared behind him. He had seen the man before, a good while back during the war between Count Raftel and Jartel.

n“Prima Leopold?” He called the name precisely. The man was the Prima to the Duke of Zon Duchy, Zephyr Vas Zon.

n“So you remember me? This is better, as I have come here by order of the Duke. He wishes to speak with you, Lord Bard. It’s not too far away, just a few hundred metres to the north, where Broken Bay’s town starts. It comes under the Duke’s territory.” Prima Leopold invited him.

n‘Hmm… I sense no schemes, and Broken Bay is close too. But why does the Duke want to see me?’ Sylvester was absolutely interested as he was out of options.

n“Lead the way, Prima.” He followed the man behind.

nThey didn’t even need to take horses, as Broken Bay was just a short walk away. The geography of the place was bizarre as Baroness Rosewood’s castle was so close to the border that the town outside her castle usually appeared to be a part of the Broken Bay itself.

nSo, crossing various streets, the old man brought Sylvester to a big villa in fifteen minutes. “This is the harbour master’s villa, Lord Bard. Duke is waiting for you inside.”

nSylvester nodded and entered. He didn’t mind meeting the man as he had decent relations with him. In fact, it was better to say that Sylvester had saved the man’s duchy from being implicated in Masan’s evil plot to destroy Northern Gracia.

n‘Alright, let’s hope it’s not a big mess this time too.’ Sylvester muttered and arrived at the top floor of the building.

nThere was a big hall, and it was mostly empty. Only a table and two chairs were set beside the balcony, and some food was on the table. The Prima let Sylvester walk in and then left.

n“It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Lord Bard. You seem to have grown taller and stronger, it seems.” The red-haired, black-eyed, pale-skinned Duke came to greet him. 𝚍ｎ𝚘ｖ𝚕．𝚘𝚛𝚐

nSylvester used the usual church greeting. “May the Holy Light enlighten us, your grace.”

nSylvester keenly kept an eye on everything. He ensured to see the surrounding that no weapons were in the vicinity. Moreover, he ensured to smell and determine all the emotions running through there.

n“Lord Bard, come and take a seat. Let’s have some tea. It’s fresh and just arrived at the port from the depths of Riveria.” The Duke invited him to the seat and poured him a cup himself.

n‘Hmm… From what I remember since the last time, he’s a mix of warrior and diplomat, the worst combination for his enemies. Why is he being so polite?’

n“What made you interested in this lowly Archpriest, your grace? I’m sure you know that I’m on official business.” Sylvester got to the point.

nThe Duke smiled and drank a sip of his tea. “I love this about you. Right to the point and concise in everything. Well, I wanted to warn you about Baroness Rosewood. You see, the Baroness is in an exceptional position as she lives on the edge of the Imperial Land. That means she has no oversight of a Viscount, Count or Duke. Instead, she falls directly under the King’s rule and enjoys a lot of autonomy as long as she pays the taxes.”

nSylvester drank the tea and asked. “Why does that bother you?”

n“You see this whole town of Broken Bay? The people of Rosewood Barony created it. Under her and her husband’s rule, the people were tortured and harassed to the point that they ran and took asylum in my territory. I’m afraid, if she’s not stopped, more refugees will keep coming.” The Duke explained.

n“Isn’t the Broken Bay a highly flourishing port of your land? So why don’t you want more people to live here?” Sylvester asked him the question differently so he could assess better.

n“Of course. But she’s unhinged and does not take any of my warnings seriously. She even sends her assassins to kill some escapees. Not to mention, she isn’t supposed to be the Baroness. The title was to be passed down to her son. I’m sure Lord Bard will sympathise with the poor of that land as I do.”

n‘So this is the case. He wants her land once I deal with her. I’m sure he knows about the gold vein in the forest too. If even a Bright Mother could tell me, I’m sure others would know it too.’ Sylvester didn’t have to try hard to come to that conclusion as he smelled lies in the last statement.

n“I’m still investigating the events, your grace. I am here to kill the Bloodling in the forest, not investigate the Baroness. But, if she were to show some heretic tendencies, then I’m sure King Harold would have to take action.” Sylvester replied while standing up to leave.

nSylvester had decided to avoid falling into the two nobles’ political mess this time, as it always ends up becoming bigger. He wished to maintain the ties with the Duke but also wanted to make the Baroness his pawn. For that, taking no sides openly was the way to go.

nThe Duke saw him to the door. “I hope you consider investigating her, Lord Bard. Exchanging goodwill is always appreciated.”

n‘Goodwill?’ Sylvester glanced back as he wondered what the Duke could even offer him.

nThe Duke elaborated in puzzles. “The world is brutal, Lord Bard. Sometimes those who deserve the best get the worst, all because of someone else’s jealousy. But, there are always friends in high places, and I assure you they leave no traces.”

nSylvester nodded and left silently. He got the message that the Duke was probably offering to do something about someone in the Supreme Council that rejected his promotion.

nBut the Duke didn’t realise that he revealed something he shouldn’t have. He failed to understand that Sylvester didn’t need help manipulating them; instead, he needed help killing them.

n‘I should look into the family histories of all the council members.’

n…

nMeanwhile, in the town outside the Baroness’ castle, Sir Dolorem and Augustus went around talking to the people and asking general questions. It was mostly Sir Dolorem doing all the speaking, though, as Augustus was never trained or experienced in investigative work like that.

n“Never ask what you want to know directly. Did you see how I led that woman to tell me what I needed without mentioning it? People are very gullible as long as you hit their soft spot. That’s how you do it.” So Sir Dolorem taught the young Archpriest.

nAugustus nodded firmly and wrote it all down in a small booklet. “Understood, Sir Dolorem.”

n“Good, now you try next.”

nAugustus nodded and walked over to the rundown mini-shop. He followed all the steps provided by his temporary mentor. “May the Holy Light enlighten us, my fellow brother in faith. I am from the Holy Land, here to ask a few questions.”

nThe old shopkeeper became alert and respectfully bowed. “Of course, respected clergymen. How can I help you?”

n“How are you, my brother? How is life?”

nThe old shopkeeper looked at the two’s faces as his eyes became wet. “I never thought anyone would ask such questions to one another. I’m good, despite the shrinking business.”

n“Shrinking business? I hope this can help.” Augustus took out a few silver crowns from his pocket and handed them to the man. “God is testing you, be strong.”

nThe shopkeeper became so emotional that he kissed Augustus’ hands. “T-Thank you… I don’t even know you and…”

nAugustus patted the man’s shoulder. “It’s alright. We are already brothers in faith, and nothing more needs to be said. You can tell me all your problems.”

n“That wench! The tax… She takes eighty per cent of our monthly earnings. She throws us in jail for a week if we don’t pay. Living has become hard, and everyone who can run leaves for the Duchy of Zon. I… I have no money to start a new life there, and I’m old… I will die here.” The old shopkeeper cried all his pain. “But, I fear for my wife and daughter.”

n“Don’t worry. I Thin…”

nSir Dolorem took over as Augustus wasn’t used to dealing with crying, emotional people. “My friend, calm down. I’m sure the lord will bring a solution. Stay strong and stay honest.”

nAfter that, Sir Dolorem dragged the young Archpriest away. “You did well, but it will take some more time. Let’s go and wait for Lord Bard at the tavern now—It’s also a great place to hear what’s going around.”

nAugustus was moved and inspired by that short interaction. “Did you teach this to Sylvester?”

nThat made the old, blind Inquisitor chuckle. “Haha, it would be wrong to say that, Archpriest. From the start, Lord Bard has always been better than me in such investigative work. I’m sure if he had been here, he could’ve gotten further details from that shopkeeper, or perhaps, even made the shopkeeper sell his life away for peanuts. I must say that Lord Bard’s power of persuasion, speech and charm is unmatched.”

nAugustus bobbed his head while looking at Sir Dolorem’s face. A strange feeling appeared in his heart for the first time, one he had never expected to feel. Jealousy, longing, sadness and loneliness, it varied. “You and him… I… I’m quite envious.”

nSir Dolorem, sadly, misinterpreted him. “It’s understandable. Even I am envious of his mind sometimes.”

n“Indeed… He is meant for greatness.” Augustus muttered in a low voice and followed Sir Dolorem.

n‘Perhaps… He’s the true God’s Favoured, and I’m just a lowly imposter.’

n________________________

n1000 GT = 1 Bonus chapter.

n1 Super Gift = 1 Bonus chapter.

nApe Together Strong

n