In the dark corridor, it was so quiet that only the sound of heartbeats could be heard.
"The elder is waiting for you."
The secretary standing at the door glanced at the examiner who had been waiting for a long time, and said calmly: "Follow the etiquette, except for the report, don't speak when they don't ask you. Don't look up at him without permission, and don't act smart. Do you understand? ?”
"clear."
The examiner nodded respectfully, his face a little pale, as if the collar of his uniform was too tight, making it difficult to breathe.
"Better do it, it's for your own good."
The secretary patted his shoulder and opened the door for him without waiting for his answer.
After the examiner walked through the door, he lowered his head and walked into the silent hall.
In the hall, dark red curtains were hung high, and the engraved holy emblem showed an iron-black color in the dim candlelight.
In the dimness, there was only an old man wearing a coarse linen robe sitting on an iron chair. He was not impressive in appearance, his eyebrows were lowered, and he was holding a rosary in his hand.
It seemed like he was bowing his head in prayer.
There is a small mark engraved on the holy emblem of the rosary, proving the old man's identity.
It was obviously just a moment that was glimpsed from the corner of the eye, but the examiner couldn't help but hold his breath, knelt down respectfully in front of him, and lowered his head in awe.
Congregation of the Holy Fathers.
The group of monks composed of old monsters from various Holy City families does not exist in any classics or records, but it has always maintained a secret and huge influence on the Holy City for nearly a hundred years.
They are elites from the major holy city families. They are all monsters who have been brutally eliminated within the family and have stood firm for decades amidst all kinds of political troubles.
In the past, they were active in the Holy House of Absolution, the Episcopal Ministry, the Evangelical Ministry and other confidential institutions. Even the Cardinal Church could not isolate their influence.
Even if they are old and willing to become unknown ascetics, ten years from now, they will still be the ones who can change the situation of a diocese with an edict or official document.
These old monsters once had power, money, beauty, and experienced all the luxuries in the world.
Today, as they age, all enjoyment and external things are no longer important to them. Instead, they begin to advocate simplicity and asceticism, studying holy scriptures in the dark underground palace all day long, and gradually no longer appear in the sun.
So, when they walked out of the dark underground palace again, they would carry the smell of corpses with them, right
It's like the dead hiding in the shadows, lingering in the world, staring at people with their dark and turbid eyes, revealing a bit of chilling aura.
The examiner knelt down quietly in front of the old man and respectfully reported his name and agency.
After a long time, the praying old man opened his eyes, lifted the simple ring on his index finger, and raised it to his lips.
"My child, bless you, you are the hand of God." The voice was low and hoarse, as if it came from an extremely far away place.
In a daze, the examiner kissed his ring, a look of awe mixed with a hint of fear.
Engraved on the base of the amber ring was the old man's family crest, which was the coat of arms from the Sforza family, one of the behemoths rooted in the Holy City.
Over the centuries, more than sixteen cardinals have emerged from it.
There are not many people who are qualified to wear such a style of heraldic ring. As far as he knows, there are only a few in the current generation, including the brother of the current head of the family, the person whose figure and voice are most consistent with the old man.
Ludovic.
But what frightens him is that Ludovic died forty years ago...
So who is sitting in front of him? A living corpse? Or a lingering ghost
He didn't dare to think about it anymore, he just tried his best to empty his mind and started to report.
After speaking for just three minutes, he lowered his head and did not dare to speak anymore.
Soon, Ludovic, who was deep in thought, made a sound.
"Tell me what you think."
He said, "You have been in contact with him for fifteen days these days. What do you think?"
"It's... hard to explain."
The examiner had sweat on his forehead: "He is a complete idealist, and he has some self-destructive tendencies. Torture is useless because his heart will not die. No matter what words or threats we use, his tone has always been very... He didn't say anything substantive. It's very difficult to deal with such a person. We may get nothing but lies. Moreover, he may have expected today and made preparations in advance. All the evidence and clues have reached him Here, it is completely broken, and it is difficult to dig down. We can't find any clues about him. Now many people worship him and regard him as a saint in the dark, but I think he is even more of a madman. And ..." He paused and lowered his head: "He may have discovered that my identity is not pure."
"oh?"
The examiner lowered his head: "He always treats me as an ordinary clerk, but when he talks, he always looks at my collar."
He opened his collar, and there was an obvious change in the skin color of his neck, which was the traces left over from being exposed to the sun for many years in a high-collared uniform.
Ludovic was silent for a moment and nodded: "What else?"
"Once, once..."
The examiner paused and swallowed: "There was a moment when I wanted to kill him, but... I didn't dare."
His little finger twitched, and recalling that moment, he felt murderous intent.
And at that moment, behind the long table, the lazily young man raised his head, and what appeared in his narrowed eyes was the edge of steel. Even in the shackles, it brought a deep chill to people.
It wasn't until fear flashed in his eyes that the chill like a hanging sword disappeared, replaced by a slightly mocking smile at the corner of his mouth.
After listening, Ludovic didn't say anything, just nodded.
"I understand, go down."
The censor, as if granted amnesty, stepped back respectfully and gently closed the door.
Soon, the secretary walked in, closed the door gently, and stood beside him silently, waiting for his thoughts to end before placing a letter on the table.
"Angelou's envoy wishes to see you."
"not see."
Ludovic sneered, "In that fallen country without God's protection, there is no one worth meeting. I don't know when Arthur's descendants will learn humility, so let them be arrogant until they die."
The secretary nodded and threw the letter of visit into the fireplace, where it quickly turned to ashes in the firelight.
"Angru has been coordinating with all his strength in the past few days. Mr. Borja said that many people in the Pardon House have been shaken."
"Tell Borja that this is an important task and cannot be slacked off. The matter involves the majesty of the Holy City. If it is not dealt with, what effect will the laws of the Holy City have in the future? I can understand his pain, and I will help him with this matter. He solves it. But I hope the final result will not be disappointing. After all, it is all for the Holy City."
He reached out, picked up the pen and wrote a few lines on the paper. After pressing the ring on his finger with ink pad, it left a clear mark, and finally put it in the envelope.
"Give it to 'Cantrera.'"
The secretary held the envelope in his hand and trembled when he heard the name, as if he were holding a piece of hot iron.
"Cantrera" was originally the name of a poison, a white and odorless powder, which the priests used to deal with their political opponents. Some say it is a combination of cadaverine and arsenic, which can make people suffocate in the bone-chilling cold.
At some point, it evolved into a nickname for the assassins who were supported by major families. These assassins sent everywhere are usually registered priests, civilians, and even nobles. Like poison, they are one-time consumables and difficult to cultivate, but the effects are equally astonishing and it is rare to fail.
Soon, the secretary took the letter and left silently.
In the silence, only Ludovic sat upright, and the dim firelight illuminated the rosary in his hand.
He closed his eyes and prayed softly.