episode_0045

045 – The Great Sanctuary Arson #2

“The Demonic Rust and the Artists’ Association set fire to the Great Temple—!”

“Is this a provocation against the church?”

「“Rust completely violated and raped the icon of the Virgin Mary before taking control of my body. He is a virgin rapist! ” Witness M’s statement.”

“Rust, the Raper of the Virgin Mary, this terrible demon predicts a sermon in the square two days later!”

Less than half a day after the Great Sanctuary burned down, the events of the day were written about in newspapers and spread everywhere.

This newspaper was more of a fire in the truest sense than the fire that burned at the Great Sanctuary.

The Great Sanctuary was completely charred.

People kept flocking to see it and talking loudly.

“You raped the Virgin Mary? Oh my goodness, has there ever been such an evil being in the history of the United Kingdom? ?”

“… What a crazy guy. I heard that the reason Baron Voltaire’s soldier Hans cut down his comrades and escaped was because of that guy named Rust?”

“The head of the Artists’ Association, Micheland, was also Rust’s lackey!”

What kind of rumors are spreading?

More than that, when did I rape the Virgin Mary?

I was just clinging to the Pietà statue!

I wanted to pull it and break it down with my own hands, but it was a huge stone and extremely heavy, so it wouldn’t budge.

As a result, I just started grunting and moving back and forth.

Because that bitch Milione wrote nonsense in the newspaper, Rust was given the horrible nickname “Mother Rapist.”

The Milione was now sitting on a bench in the basilica, shaking his legs. The expression on his face looked very bright and happy.

“The main temple that took 200 years to build burned down overnight. Well, there’s a lot going on. Hyde, do you know how great something happened when you ran away like a coward?

I know.

I didn’t want to know.

In many ways, it was a moment when the smell of burnt air made me feel dizzy.

“Oh my… ! The temple, our temple has collapsed… !”

“Maybe we are good now… !”

They were a cleaning lady with a bent back and a foreign woman with awkward hands. I knew them as couriers working in this cathedral, and it was only natural that they were sad because their workplaces had burned down.

I felt very sorry for them.

The burning of the Basilica was entirely Michelan’s fault, but if you look at the cause, I was also somewhat responsible.

“Michelan, that barbarian. I’ve been looking into it since you criticized my masterpiece, “Village of Back Alley Nymphs.” An arsonist without blood or tears. How could you do that-.”

I had already realized that Michelan, who had criticized my novel, was somewhat of a psychopath.

Unless you’re a psychopath, there’s no way you could criticize my novel.

Therefore, it meant that I had expected that he would cause something to happen, but it was my responsibility to know that and not be able to prevent it.

In terms of stake in Daebanghwa, I would have about 1%.

but-.

I felt like I was carrying a big cross because of this 1 percent responsibility, and I had no choice but to stand up and speak.

“Brothers and sisters, a new church in Agarpe Estate will be opening soon, and we need waiters to help with cleaning and various other tasks. Would you like to hear the story first? I will pay all expenses.”

Sze-.

I took out a gold coin from my pocket.

It was money I had received as an offering from Voltaire, and of course, it was money I had saved to spend on good causes.

When they saw the gold coins, the expressions of the workers who had been in tears changed in an instant.

“Agarpe territory?”

“Still, Firenzo is my hometown and I have family here, so how can I leave?”

“Of course, you can stay in your seat. The chapel will be rebuilt soon. But then there will be no tolls or entry restrictions to the church!”

Abolition of church entrance fees.

The destruction of the ‘Artists Association’ that opposed it.

I accomplished everything I had promised to Archbishop Archibald.

# # #

“The Great Temple was completely burned down. Smoke could be seen rising even from this mansion. Oh my god, such a terrible thing could happen.”

Archbishop Archibald was watering the flower beds in the garden with a watering can.

Although he said something terrible had happened, his expression did not reveal any emotions, so he seemed calm.

I asked with a puzzled heart.

“Since the fire broke out, isn’t it a big loss?”

“Isn’t it true that no one was hurt? That’s enough. It was a too big building to begin with. It was a building that His Holiness Pope Gregory unreasonably rushed to complete.”

“I see.”

“It was unfortunate that the building burned down, but isn’t a church not just a building? So I think I’ll just leave it burning for a while. Everyone will see and learn something.”

That seemed to be the case.

Certainly, the sight of a building that had seemed like it would last for 1,000,000 years burned down so unsightly was sad, but it also held many lessons.

It seemed like human life would last forever, but it would eventually disappear, and only salvation gave me the feeling of eternal life and immortality.

“The problem is Rust. Hyde, this man is now uncontrollably increasing his notoriety and increasing his power. Now I can no longer laugh it off as a pervert pretending to be a mortal sinner.”

“Rust, is that funny guy really that dangerous?”

“I don’t know. But the dangerous thing is that people are really starting to believe that. By insulting the Virgin Mary and setting fire to the main temple, he became more than just a braggart.”

“… … .”

Let “ see. I guess I have to water the flowers. And Hyde, no matter how it looks, it has been done as you said, so I will make sure that what I promised was fulfilled.”

“Are you saying that you will dispatch the Knights Templar to Agarpe?”

“Yes, and one of the six knights has also been decided to be dispatched. As soon as Rust’s street lecture, which will be held in three days, is resolved, Lord Parmas will head to the Agarpe domain.”

If it’s Parmas, is it the old knight from earlier?

He was a guy I didn’t like.

He was an old man who got angry at me for his student’s mistakes and complained about them.

“Can’t you change it to someone else?”

“Sir Parmas is a great knight. He knows a lot and his skills as a knight are strong enough to have killed ‘Grid the Great Sin’ before. It will definitely help.”

“Is that so.”

“Hyde, the world began to change when the Great Crusade caught fire. The heretics will move. To stop them, the knights will have to draw their swords again.”

“… … .”

“5 years. Perhaps a major war may break out again within that time. A war so great that the United Kingdom was split in half. Anyway, I’ll leave for today.”

“Then take care of yourself.”

Sze-.

I bowed lightly to Archbishop Archibald and then retreated.

The weather was so good that I didn’t think there was an arson attack in the morning.

While I was looking at the flowers, Milione came up next to me.

“This is the first time I’ve seen our oldies get so angry like that! Very annoying! Isn’t that right?”

“Are you saying that that gentle demeanor is actually angry?”

“Yes! You are watering the flowers yourself. I used to give water to an old man like that when he fell off a cliff and died while riding his favorite horse.”

Milione’s cheeks were red and swollen as she said that.

It was a sign of being hit by someone.

“In the Bible. It is written that parents must spank their children to discipline them. So it was right.”

“Shouldn’t you have done better on a regular basis?”

Milione, you need to get hit harder.

It was to the point where I wanted to pick up the cane and hit his ass myself.

“Kyahaha, shame on you! Shame on you! After all, it’s Rust! Even if you talk about the great Archbishop Archibald and all, you are no match for Rust!”

Milione laughed as if it were very amusing.

I spoke to that guy.

“Miglione, I heard that there will be a trial tomorrow in the square for the instigators of the arson incident, and that you are one of the defendants. Is it okay to smile like this?”

“What are you worried about? Also, my dad would use his great power to get me out. It has been like that until now. No matter what accident I got into, I covered it up.”

Swish-.

Saying that, Milione disappeared into the distance.

To me, it seemed like he was beaten less by his father.

With that feeling, I was sitting in the garden and praying for repentance about what had happened today.

“─Me, Lord Hyde.”

Someone approached me.

He was a butler with gray hair grown back and wearing a monocle on his face.

Was his name Fred?

He was the general butler in charge of the Archibald Mansion.

“Deacon. What’s going on?”

“Do you know that the trial will be held tomorrow? I heard that Miss Milione must attend the public trial as a defendant.”

“I heard that too. Because there’s a lot of noise in the newspapers. But, if you think about it, isn’t Miss Milione a victim of Rust?”

And she’s the archbishop’s daughter.

Is there any problem?

That’s what I thought, but Butler Fred seemed very anxious.

“… Well, something like this happened before. The day that Lady Johanna, the mistress of this mansion, died after giving birth to Lady Milione. At that time, His Majesty watered the flowers in the garden like he does now.”

“Is that so?”

“On that day, it rained like a ton from morning until dawn, so there was no need to water. Looking back, a lot has changed since that day. Many people died in Dürgien without knowing why.”

“Are you saying that has something to do with your current job?”

“Lord Hyde, this old man thinks you are a great priest. So, I hope you will listen carefully to what I say from now on. This is also a story that this old man once told to a young and passionate priest like you. ”

“What are you trying to tell me?”

“There are people in the world who appear to be angry but are actually crying. Please listen to the voices of those who cry in sorrow. Well then I’ll just… .”

Saying that, Butler Fred bowed his head and walked away.

# # #

next day.

The arson of Daeseongjeon.

Many people flocked to Florence’s piazza for the trial of this unprecedented case.

There were people tied up in the center of the square, and their presence aroused a lot of people’s interest.

“That guy is Michelan! That guy set fire to the Great Sanctuary? Is it true?”

“Rust! I, Michelan, am Rust’s loyal servant! I will be a martyr for you, Rust! Please enjoy my best work as my blood spurts like flames! Keek! Hurry up and execute me!!! After I die, I will be with 72 beauties in hell—!!!”

Michelan, you are as crazy as a medieval barbarian without culture.

People now turned their heads from Michelan and looked at the beautifully tied woman.

Her hands, feet, and head were bound in stocks like a criminal, but no one thought she was a criminal.

“In my life, I see days when Milione Archbolt is tied up like that.”

“I will be released soon. She’s Archbishop Archibald’s daughter.”

“I guess so?”

People who make noise.

And Milione Archibald, who was sitting tied up in the middle of it all, looked very sweet, pitiful, and beautiful.

“It’s really beautiful to be so calm. It really looks like a white rose.”

“Well, wasn’t his mother, Johanna, the most beautiful woman in the kingdom? Medici, a commoner, married the only daughter of the Archibald family and rose to the position of archbishop─.”

“Shh, who will listen? Rather, when will the judge and jury arrive?”

It was a time when people were noisy.

Soon, knights wearing cloaks and swords began to enter the public court, and a tall, portly bishop with a handsome appearance entered.

He had a shiny, bald head and a beard as thick as gear.

“I am Archbishop Coramdeo of the Golden Plate, who is here as the judge on behalf of the Heavenly Father and his representative, Pope Gregory II.”

Gold plate Archbishop Coramdeo.

This man was also quite an amazing man.

That’s because he was one of only three archbishops in the church.

The ending was also very great.

When I thought about that, Coramdeo said.

“As a servant of the Lord, I swear by the Bible and by heaven that I will pass judgment without shame! Then, let the jury stand!”

Crash-.

Knights with swords entered.

Among them was Sir Parmas, one of the six knights of the temple. Indeed, since it was a trial involving the archbishop’s daughter and a major incident that burned down the cathedral, the jury and the judge were full.

In this situation, what trick will Archbishop Archibald use to exonerate his daughter and preserve his own glory?

I was interested in watching the process and my heart was pounding with anticipation.

Everyone gathered here probably thinks that way.

“Then, since the situation is serious and urgent, I will listen to the testimony of this Coramdeo according to the teachings of His Holiness Pope Gregory II. Are the criminals willing to defend themselves?”

“None!”

Michelan shouted bravely.

Michelan was a madman.

Soon Milione Archibald looked around.

Are you looking for your father’s face?

Archbishop Archibald was sitting in the audience.

But that was it.

He did not represent his daughter and did not appear to have hired a lawyer.

“Then, knowing that no one has any intention of defending themselves, I will recite the verdict that was discussed with the jury in advance. Defendants Michelan and Milione Archibald. I sentence you to death.”

execution-.

People started to get upset at those words.

Although they were criminals who deserved the death penalty, it was not surprising that they would actually be sentenced to death.

“Death penalty? That sounds funny. Do you know who my dad is? Archbishop Medici Archibald. I’m sure they’ll submit evidence that can overturn this ruling! My punishment would be to become a 3-month probationary nun and serve at a monastery.”

Milione laughs, haha.

However, when the knights with swords appeared and began to drag them away, Milione Archibald shouted urgently as if he sensed something was wrong.

“Dad! Say something!”

Milione resisted.

The knights had a hard time due to that powerful force, but Archibald still said nothing. Now I finally understand the meaning of what Deacon Fred said yesterday.

Medici Archibald.

He had given up on saving his daughter.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one who noticed that.

Soon, one by one, people started raising their hands and shouting.

“Execute me!”

“Hang yourself!”

“Burn it!”

Until recently, the audience had been watching the trial with interest. They started shouting like a mob, and the reason was simple.

Because people liked to bring down high-ranking people and tear them apart.

The heat starting to heat up made me dizzy.

execution.

Is Milione Archibald really worthy of such a sentence?

If it were Ras, the Great Sin Seat, that might have been the case.

However, in setting fire to the cathedral, Archibald Milione’s crime was one that warranted a cane from his parents and a fine.

No, Milione was said to have been ‘hypnotized’ by Rust from the beginning.

She too was a victim and perhaps someone who needed comfort.

But the death penalty…

In the first place, what right does a human have to sentence another to death?

“Objection─!”

When I came to, I was jumping up and screaming in front of a crowd of nearly a thousand people. I felt two eyes turning towards me in an instant.