Todd looked at Rutledge with a half-smile: "If I refuse you, what are you going to do?"
“Todd Fischer! Don’t think too highly of yourself! The sun will still rise and the sea will still flow without you in this kingdom!” Rutledge said, pointing to the corpse on the ground. “Back then, I designed a backup plan specifically to prevent you from not cooperating.”
"You think I'm lying? Let me tell you! I've prepared some props and witnesses to disguise this rebellion of the Silver Ring's former retainers as an attack by the Church of Heaven!"
Rutledge took out a letter from his pocket and waved it: "The cardinals of the Church of the Father have launched a holy war against Muxi City to punish those Protestants who distort God's teachings and those atheists who keep shouting 'Long live righteousness'."
Looking at the letter in Rutledge's hand, Mary sneered, "You want to forge the cardinal's signature and seal?"
Rutledge opened the letter and laughed, saying, "Forgery? Why would I forge it? This letter is real."
Looking at the handwriting and seal on the letter, Mary, who possessed the ability of super memory, widened her eyes in surprise.
Rutledge put the letter back in his pocket and said smugly, "In this world, there is nothing that money cannot buy. Even the church, under God's control, has to succumb to the magic of money!"
Todd stroked his chin and said softly, "Putting the responsibility for this turmoil on the church will allow you to cover up the Silver Ring's traces and incite public hatred towards the church, thus paving the way for your entry into the cabinet."
“That’s right.” Rutledge nodded. “So, Todd Fischer, let me ask you one last time! Are you willing to cooperate with the Dawson family?”
Todd looked into Rutledge's eyes and shook his head: "You are not fit to rule this kingdom."
Rutledge's face turned bright red with anger.
He looked down at Todd and said loudly, "I guess there's nothing more to say between us! Holy King of Muxi, you must die here!"
Todd's face showed no fear or panic; he sat there as if listening to something that had nothing to do with him.
Rutledge snapped his fingers, and his men quickly brought kerosene, which they poured around the hall.
Smelling the pungent odor in the air, Rutledge gave Todd a cruel smile: "Church rebels, entering the palace through a secret passage, perishing in the fire with the king... Sounds like a good script, doesn't it? Thank me, I've given you a dignified death."
Rutledge turned to leave, but suddenly stopped, glanced back at the aloof and haughty Queen Mary, and said to her, "As for you, I can give you a chance..."
Mary stood beside Todd, her eyes, as cold as the night sky, gleaming with a hint of coldness. Her fair, snow-white face held no smile. Before Rutledge could finish speaking, she uttered a single word.
"roll!"
Faced with Mary's angry rebuke, Rutledge looked at the fire slowly burning in the hall, shrugged helplessly, then ordered his men to close the door and lock it completely with iron hoops before leaving the scene satisfied.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com