An explosive piece of news has recently spread through the streets and alleys, and among the ordinary people's homes of the royal city.
The legendary Brother Todd will soon arrive in Silver Ring City.
However, his appearance was rather awkward. He was neither a guest of honor of the king and queen nor a preacher giving a sermon, but was imprisoned in a detention center by the Third Inquisition as a suspected heretic.
A monk studying holy doctrines in a monastery, a believer appointed by the church as an assistant exorcist, a perfect person who was wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord and selfless, was suspected of being a heretic and was even arbitrarily imprisoned within high walls.
Unlike the onlookers, those who had stood shoulder to shoulder with Todd in the fight against the enemy joined the protests.
First to act were the righteously vengeful Papal knights, who stormed the Inquisition's offices and loudly questioned the inquisition about the evidence for this near-barbaric behavior. Next, many clergy members joined in, drafting a petition and declaring their intention to appeal to the archbishop. Father Rupert even left his own church to plead with the bishop of St. Coe's Cathedral to immediately halt this absurd trial. Then, monks from the Abbey of St. Sidlow arrived in Silver Ring. In their view, whatever Todd's transgressions, he was a monk, and the Church had no right to arrest him, especially not through such a clandestine, unannounced arrest. Finally, members of the Church's faithful, local militia, and village representatives also arrived in Silver Ring, engaging in formal and informal negotiations with the Church.
Bishop Fabian was recently in a state of utter disarray. Having long resided atop the temple's high platform, he never imagined that the arrest of a mere monk would provoke so much trouble. He began to regret his decision more than once, wondering if it had been too hasty. But the situation was now beyond his control. If he immediately acquitted Todd and released him, St. Coe's Cathedral and the Third Inquisition would become the biggest laughingstock of the Church this year; if he continued the trial, he was truly unsure whether a conviction could be achieved.
He consulted Father Paul almost twice a day about this matter. The latter repeatedly made promises and offered comfort, but this did nothing to calm his uneasy emotions.
Compared to the noise and hustle and bustle outside, Todd's place is much quieter.
In the history of the Third Inquisition, there were very few cases of trials involving clergy. Coupled with Todd's own influence, the Inquisition treated him exceptionally well.
Instead of being locked in a dark underground room, their movements were restricted to a remote courtyard outside the city; instead of the gruel mixed with maggots and swill that one might imagine, they were given the same meals as the guards.
In the days leading up to the trial, Todd appeared calm on the surface, but was inwardly very troubled.
It's like the famous Russian roulette from a bygone era; you never know whether the firing pin will strike a bullet or air until you pull the trigger.
Let's consider the worst-case scenario: the church discovers that it is a carrier of the "Relic of Sutherland." If this happens, there is only one possible outcome—burning at the stake.
But upon closer reflection, no more than seven people would know that he possessed the "Sutherland Relics," and none of them would have any reason or inclination to betray him.
So, what other leverage will they be able to use against us next?
The monks, contemplating every possibility, pretended to be taking a walk to digest their food in the courtyard.
Out of the corner of my eye, I inadvertently caught sight of a tall, familiar figure on a distant hillside.
That's... little Jerry...
This guy's figure is really too conspicuous.
Looking around him, several figures could be vaguely seen, hiding in the woods.
Todd could almost guess what these people were planning to do.
Getting himself out of there wasn't difficult, but the church's army was nearby, making it unrealistic to escape far away.
Moreover, and most importantly, Todd did not want to flee.
If he were to run away, it would mean admitting to all his "crimes." Everything he had painstakingly built would vanish into thin air, and he would spend the rest of his life in hiding and on the run—this was not the outcome he desired.
We need to find a way to keep these guys in line.
Having made up his mind, Todd began to think about how to contact them.
Sending messages by carrier pigeon? Great idea! But where do we find pigeons?
Send a message? Where would you find someone in such a short time? Besides, I'm penniless and don't know these guards well, so bribing them won't work either.
After thinking it over, he came up with an idea.
First, I visually estimated the distance between myself and the hillside, then I excused myself to go to the restroom, and then, when no one was looking, I... ran over there, finished what I was doing, and then... ran back...
This... sounds like a really stupid idea.
However, the "speed" ability makes this method somewhat feasible.
Moreover, medieval toilets were very different from modern enclosed restrooms. The scenery there was beautiful, the air was clean, and the water was pure... To put it bluntly, urination and defecation were done outdoors, providing ample opportunity to temporarily escape the guards' sight.
So, taking advantage of the few minutes he spent in the restroom, Todd, like a wild horse on a stimulant, dashed to the other side of the hill and finally found Karin, Hudgens, Edgar, Little Jerry, and a group of "acquaintances." Without giving them a chance to speak, the monk explained at lightning speed: "Things aren't as bad as you think, so don't even think about coming to rescue me. And, most importantly, this is the Inquisition's territory; absolutely, absolutely do not reveal any alien abilities!"
After saying this, the wild horse took off running back, leaving the group of people standing there.
The day of the public trial arrived quickly. Due to the large number of visitors, the venue was moved from the Third Inquisition to the main hall of St. Cole Cathedral. Even so, all the thousands of seats were filled, with nobles, knights, church officials, and monks crowding the entire hall.
The square of the cathedral was completely blocked by civilians from Silver Ring City and all directions who rushed there upon hearing the news.
The presiding judge for this heresy trial was Bishop Fabian himself, while Father Paul served as the interrogator.
A thick stack of indictments was placed on the round table, making everyone present realize that things might not be as simple as they seemed.
Queen Mary sat on a high platform on the second floor, a curtain blocking the view from the outside. She glanced at the profile of the person being judged and asked a maid, "Is that the legendary Brother Todd?"
After receiving an affirmative answer, the Queen gently pursed her delicate, rose-petal-like lips: "This is going to be interesting."
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