As the Saint convoy marched through the streets of Latinum, a huge crowd of citizens began to gather. They threw flowers onto the ground as a sign of respect. Many could be seen kneeling and praying as the convoy passed through the crowd. Some children looked on in awe, while parents could be heard begging the Saints to bless their children. However, not everyone was here solely for blessings or to show their devotion. Many had gathered out of curiosity. A new Saint had been anointed by the Diocese—the Patron Saint of Martial Arts. But there was also a rumor circulating, calling the new Saint a ‘War Saint.’

  Unlike Dalia and Carlos who’re waving their hands from inside the carriage, the citizens of Latinum could see Sebastian marching with the soldier. His red hair and black armor stands out among the silver-clad armor of the soldier. His eyes are sharp like a knife's edge and the aura around him was bleak. Some citizens recoiled in fear when Sebastian glanced at them, while others felt their hair stand on end as he walked past.

  “What a scary Saint… is he really just a child?”

  “His eyes are so sharp; I feel like he could cut me with his gaze alone.”

  “That’s a War Saint, alright. there’s no way he’s patron Saint of martial arts.”

  Sebastian could hear the murmur loud and clear. He doesn’t care if people call him names or even fear him. He’s here because of God, and he had devoted himself entirely to His will. As Sebastian walks forwards, he couldn’t help but glance at Dalia Carriage. Her warm smile invigorates most of the people around. The citizens loved her and many people could be heard chanting her name. Accidentally Sebastian and Dalia gaze at each other. Then Dalia signaled Sebastian to come closer.

  “What?”

  “Don’t listen to them alright? They didn’t know what they’re talking about,” Dalia whispered.

  Dalia then smiled at Sebastian before she began to wave around again to the people around. Sebastian just rolled his eyes and return back to his position. He knows Dalia was just trying to cheer him. However, it’s not like he asked for that supportive word. Sebastian already used to be seen as a monster—or worse. Back on his old village, Isildus citizen don’t bother to hide their prejudice towards the Soldier village. He remembers when a group of Isildus citizen try to burn their village down, luckily his dad was still around at that time to calm the mob down.

  Sebastian looks around this beautiful city. The roads were clean and well-maintained. The people were healthy, well-fed, and full of life. The city had never suffered hardship—at least, not the kind he had endured. This beautiful and happy place is the complete opposite of the life he had known. Looking at these shiny and pristine cities hurt Sebastian's eyes so much that sometimes he just wished he had something to cover his eyes with.

  As the convoy finally leaves the city gates. The view of the surrounding wild land finally can be seen by Sebastian. The city stood atop of a hill overlooking a beautiful lake. The legends say that the lake was created by Saint Ishmael back in mythology age. The records about it have been lost through time. However, the legend lives on forever as oral tradition among the believers of the church.

  Sebastian looked around the convoy and at the city gates behind him. It’ll take around a week and three days before they arrive in Francia city of Avignon. He’s been inside the palace for several months. Never even once stepped outside since the day he came here.

  There’s this urge inside Sebastian to immediately run to Corsica to search for Ipsilas. The killer of his parents and mentor. However, he knew with his power right now, he could barely scratch or even damage Ipsilas clothes.

  For now, Sebastian bottled up his feelings inside and looked back to the road ahead. It’s nice to get away from the palace once in a while, maybe he could think of this trip as some kind of vacation. But he chuckled bitterly at the thought. He could never afford to let his guard down. He had to train harder. He had to push himself beyond his limits.

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  If he was ever going to defeat Ipsilas… he had to become a monster like him.

  *

  Pope George stood on his office balcony as the Saint convoy marched through the street. His eyes were fixed on Sebastian. Even from this great distance, he could pick the boy out easily—his old training had not dulled with age.

  The pope ponders for a moment as he tries to make sense about the situation that is about to come. He wonders if Sebastian is truly in the dark about all of this or he just feigns ignorance to cover himself. The pope shook his hand and let out a long sigh. He’s too old and too tired for all of this conspiracy and intrigue. His mind longs for a peace and quiet in the countryside, but his duty and God’s calling tethered him here.

  Hassan appeared from behind the balcony door, he watched the pope and the Saint convoy. Then he walks forwards and bow his head towards the pope.

  “Tell me, Hassan. Is it wise to send that kid to Avignon?”

  “I’m sorry, Your Holiness, but I do not have the authority to advise you on a matter of such great importance.”

  “Just tell me your opinion, I give you the permission to speak freely.”

  Hassan glanced at the pope briefly. It’s very rare for the Pope to ask for advice like this.

  “You’re using the Saint as bait, I think that’s a highly risky gamble on your part.”

  “Something is brewing in Avignon and it’s something evil... wicked... I believe our little Saint didn’t tell us everything he knew or perhaps someone wants me to believe that.”

  “Is it the Inquisitor Grandmaster?”

  The pope chuckled before shaking his head.

  “Impossible, the Inquisitor is indeed a radical, but they’ll not do something like that. Imagine this, we’re all living in the same house. Sure we might grow animosity towards each other and that’s normal. People might get stabbed in the back or maybe people conspire to take down someone. But in the end we all still live in this house we built. The house might have some problems like a leak on the roof, a toilet that sometimes clogged up and many others, but it’s still our house and we cherish it.

  “So, is it wise to tear down the house just because you hate each other? Of course not. Once the house is destroyed we all will be homeless and it’s a cold cold world outside. People might use the remnants of the house to build another house, but it’ll take ages for the new house to be completed.”

  “I see,” Hassan Said quietly

  “Whatever happened in Avignon is someone trying to destroy our dear house. If they’re the occupant of this house, then they’re a huge fool and an idiot.” The pope said with an angry look on his face. “I got a feeling we might have an outsider trying to break it and cause chaos. But I wonder who and why.”

  Hassan searched his mind for a possible situation that caused all of this. He can’t rule out any church official and now he also needs to search for an outsider who wanted to cause this chaos. There’s so much conspiracy and intrigue inside the Diocese, especially the one that involves outsiders. Anyone can be a suspect. It could be from the eastern branch of the church, hidden heretic groups, people who have deep hatred towards the church and many other reasons. For a moment Hassan stays quiet. There’s so many suspects with different motives and modus operandi.

  The pope looked at Sebastian as he left the city gate. His gut is telling him Sebastian holds the answer for all of this. But can he just rely on his gut like this? If he’s completely wrong, then the real enemy might slip past and cause even more damage. That’s something he can’t tolerate at all. However, if he’s right. Then this whole thing could be extinguished early and inflict minimal damage. So many things flew and tumbled around his head. He needs to proceed with this matter quickly and for that he needs to take a leap of faith.

  “Say, I remember we have that annoying Marshall of Duke Kleon. What has he been doing for the past few weeks?”

  “Ah, That marshal from the Isildus incident. I think he’s still at Corsica Capital, he’s a ‘key witness’ to the investigation after all.”

  “Can we put some people to look at him?”

  “I believe we already have a lot of information about him. He’s Ipsilas, a war veteran from the great war 50 years ago. He participates in a lot of battles throughout his career. He’s… the Priest Slayer of Corsica.”

  The pope seems surprised by that information. He has heard that title from a long time ago and can’t believe the slayer is still alive after all these years. His gut might be onto something. He needs to act fast and find out what Ipsilas is doing. More importantly his plan for doing all of this.

  “Put some people to watch what he’s doing; I also want you to find more information about him.”

  “As you said my Holiness, I’ll send my bird towards him.”

  “Now you’re dismissed. Thank you for the conversation, Hassan.”

  Hassan bowed his head and left the pope alone on his balcony.

  The pope seems distraught by the possibility that Ipsilas is the one behind all of this. However, for now he must not jump on too many conclusions, he needs to find out the truth even if it’s hidden on so many layers of conspiracy.