Circumstances of a Fallen Lord - Chapter 130

Chapter 130

 

The one-armed pilgrim rescued Luisen, a strange tramp. The saint placed the young lord by his side, cared for him, and taught him many things. Even after Luisen revealed his identity, he didn’t blame Luisen and merely protected him. Because of that man, Luisen was able to realize his own ignorance and accept his sins.

 

Because the one-armed pilgrim saved Luisen’s life and brought peace to his soul, Luisen believed, ‘This man is a true saint sent by God!’

 

The young lord believed in everything the saint said; he respected the harsh words and the cold calculations that, on second thought, weren’t befitting a pilgrim. Basically, the young lord worshiped the man.

 

“My Duke, are you okay?” 

 

Luisen looked at Carlton. For some reason, the young lord’s uncharacteristically sharp expression felt ominous. “…Carlton, did you recognize my face before we first met?”

 

“What?” Carlton looked flustered.

 

“Answer me.” Luisen knew the question was random, but he needed to hear the answer.

 

At Luisen’s firm insistence, Carlton answered honestly, “Of course I knew. There are many portraits of your face around.”

 

“……”

 

A confirmation–a shot straight to the heart.

 

The one-armed pilgrim was not a saint as Luisen thought he was. He wasn’t even a pilgrim–he was just Carlton. The man recognized that Luisen was Duke Anies, hid his identity, and approached the young lord while pretending to be a pilgrim.

 

‘I had no idea, and I….’

 

What did he think when he saw the deceived Luisen calling him a saint? Was there any sincerity in his actions towards Luisen?

 

Faith in the one-armed pilgrim was what sustained Luisen immediately after regression; he overcame these difficult moments with the man’s teaching. As if all support had been pulled out, Luisen appeared as if he were about to collapse.

 

During their time together, Luisen couldn’t help but imagine a cold sneer hiding behind the pilgrim’s hood. Dazed and dizzy, Luisen couldn’t help but close his eyes weakly.

 

“Duke!” Carlton reached out to Luisen’s body.

 

Slap–!

 

Luisen smacked away Carlton’s hand. Because it was almost involuntary, Luisen looked at Carlton in a panic. Carlton was also surprised, and frowned at the young lord.

 

Luisen avoided the man’s eyes.

 

“What is going on? Ever since a while ago, you’ve…”

 

“Sir Carlton. Didn’t I tell you to wait over there? I haven’t yet finished speaking with the Pope.”

 

The young lord had completely pushed him away.

 

Carlton stared at Luisen and sighed briefly, “Understood. You’re saying this conversation isn’t meant for my ears.”

 

He whirled around and returned to his original spot. Luisen stared at the distant back; his figure looked forlorn.

 

‘Ah, what am I even doing?’

 

How could he get angry at the person who came running over, worried? ‘He must be angry at me.’ Luisen’s heart ached. If he just thought about it calmly, he knew that Carlton–as he is right now–wasn’t at fault. This man had nothing to do with the Carlton before regression…But, all the young lord could do was to vent his anger at *this* Carlton.

 

‘I know that, but…’

 

Apart from feeling sorry for the mercenary, it was hard for the young lord to face him. Luisen bit his lips as he felt shame roiling through his body. 

 

The Pope stared at Luisen with pity in his eyes, “It seems I have said something unnecessary.”

 

“No. It’s fine. I was the one who asked.”

 

“I don’t know what circumstances you two are in, but I hope you can find a convincing answer for yourself. You are the only one that remembers that time, after all.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Please reach out if you need any help.”

 

“Would you mind talking to me for a little longer? I feel as if I’ll calm down if I talk for a little longer.”

 

“Of course.” The Pope was willing to entertain Luisen. The conversation went smoothly as the young lord had many questions he wanted to ask.

 

As a result, by the time the priest came to pick up the Pope to go to the next thing on his schedule, Luisen restabilized.

 

The Pope left first, and Morrison joined the party. Then, the three went back to the mansion in a carriage together.

 

***

 

Luisen could feel Carlton’s fervent gaze throughout the carriage ride; Morrison was the savior in this situation. Carlton couldn’t afford to speak with Luisen because they were discussing various new things learned about the demon worshippers. Luisen could avoid Carlton’s gaze by eagerly responding to and agreeing with Morrison’s opinions.

 

And, as soon as he arrived at the house, Luisen brought the vassals together to discuss strategies and explain all that he had heard from the Pope and Morrison.

 

Luisen’s eyes searched for Carlton by habit; the mercenary was standing with his arms folded in the corner of the conference room instead of at his usual spot by Luisen’s side. Though the young lord was reassured to see Carlton present, Luisen quickly turned his head because he was afraid of making eye contact with his lover.

 

He didn’t dislike Carlton just because he learned the one-armed pilgrim’s true identity. However, his mind felt chaotic as he couldn’t separate his feelings about Carlton and the pilgrim.

 

‘I have no idea. I’ll just do what I need to do first, though…’

 

Although he felt as if he were escaping a bit from reality, Luisen knocked on his desk. The vassals all concentrated on their lord.

 

Luisen said, “Now that everyone’s gathered, let us begin. First… I suppose I should start by saying that I’ve met the Pope.” Luisen conveyed the Pope’s intent to the rest…especially where the Pope tasked the Duke and the Anies duchy with punishing the demon worshippers. The young lord deliberately omitted any mention of miracles.

 

“Honestly, why would he leave that to us?” 

 

Naturally, there was backlash from those gathered.

 

“The Pope said he saw victory within me.”

 

“Did the Pope foresee something?”

 

“Something similar to that. He wanted me to take the lead. That doesn’t mean the Church will sit idle–he promised to provide support and rewards.”

 

“If that’s the case…”

 

The Pope’s authority was immense. Given the man’s assurance of victory, they understood the reason why the duchy should take the lead.

 

“This friend shall explain more about the demon worshippers,” Luisen pointed at Morrison standing next to him. “He’s a heretic inquisitor sent by the church.”

 

“You may call me Morrison for now,” Morrison greeted with a pleasant smile. His attitude was incredibly friendly, but that demeanor wasn’t enough to overcome the notoriety of inquisitors. The vassals responded to his greeting with discomfort.

 

Morrison seemed used to this sort of reaction as he paid no attention and continued nonchalantly.

 

According to his findings, the demon worshippers were currently split into two groups based in two locations. One group held up in Count Doubless’s mansion, and the others surrounded Count Doubless within the palace.

 

The two groups were in constant contact, but communication wasn’t smooth due to the large distance between them.

 

The cult leader wanted to keep a low profile, fearing the Church. Therefore, one could assume that occupying the palace and brainwashing the first Prince was the count’s unilateral decision.

 

“He must be obsessed with our Duke…enough to go against the words of his sect leader.”

 

“That’s correct.” Morrison thought that the Count’s influence on the demon worshippers revealed that he was more than just a believer. Perhaps, he speculated, the Count was influential enough to control the sect leader. “The ritual being prepared within the Palace is supposedly a devil summoning ritual.”

 

“Dear God. A devil summoning ceremony…”

 

“Is that even possible? Doesn’t the Church say there’s no such thing as a devil?”

 

“It doesn’t exist,” Morrison confirmed. “However, more importantly, they believe such a devil exists. These men will offer huge sacrifices as offerings for their ritual.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“We must stop this ritual immediately.”

 

“These demon worshippers are obsessed with noble blood, so they may use the first prince as sacrifice,” Luisen added in his own two cents. “No matter what happens, the first prince must be rescued.”

 

The first prince was the sole heir to the throne. If something befell him, even with the elimination of the cultists, the kingdom would be plunged into significant chaos. The kingdom could no longer endure another succession war. If another civil war erupted, it would spell out the kingdom’s downfall.

 

Luisen highly valued the first prince. His reign–what little he experienced before regression–was essential to the present kingdom.

 

‘And personally… I owe him.’

 

Just like with the Buried Old Hag, he felt sorry for taking the first prince’s accomplishments as his own.

 

For the greater good and on a personal level, even if it meant taking some risks, rescuing the first prince safely was imperative.

 

“So, I was thinking… why don’t we divide our troops and attack the County alongside the royal palace simultaneously?”

 

The troops gathered in the duchy would hit the Count’s mansion, and the troops gathered in the capital mansion would besiege the Royal Castle.

 

“Wouldn’t there be much resistance? I hear they can summon monsters.”

 

“There’s no worries about the royal palace–because it’s in the middle of the capital, there’s no monster to attract. The duchy side will be assisted by the Paladins, the heretic inquisitors, and Carlton’s mercenary troops.”

 

“Well, it’s worth a try.”

 

If they had to fight anyway, it would be advantageous in many ways to take the initiative and surprise the enemy. It would be troublesome if the demon worshippers took notice of their movements and ran away in advance.

 

In general, the audience seemed to accept the plan, but of course there was dissent.

 

“I believe the palace would be more trouble than the duchy–those bastards can lock the gates and hold on from within. Our troops cannot overcome the siege and penetrate through to the palace. The other nobles won’t sit still either.”

 

“Of course.”

 

The Pope wanted to deal with this matter as quietly as possible. The more people knew about the demon worshipper’s powers, the more recruits they would draw to their side.

 

Luisen also agreed. Introducing heresy into the complex politics of the capital would clearly just create a mess. If more nobles intervened or if a noble with the Eastern Great Lord’s influence turned to heresy, the situation would then become far beyond Luisen’s control. “It would certainly be difficult for us to break through the palace’s firm gates by ourselves.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“But, we don’t need to resort to battle in order to enter the Royal Palace.”

 

“Do you have a secret plan in mind?”

 

“I intend to have the count invite me in himself.”

 

Count Doubless wasn’t following what the other demon worshippers were doing nor was he conscious of the Church’s involvement. The count was obsessed with the young lord and preoccupied with his revenge. That man was only thinking about bringing about his desired conclusion.

 

“I’ll have to provoke the count–make it so that he can’t help but want to catch and kill me.” Luisen laughed confidently on purpose. He had already confirmed the plausibility of this plan with Morrison, and Carlton must not have objected since the mercenary listened in silence.

 

“I’ll hold a banquet. And call all the Southern aristocrats. I’ll show them the authority of a Great Lord.”