Silent Crown - Chapter 547: The Actual Leader
Chapter 547: The Actual Leader
Following the messenger, Ye Qingxuan got past all the layers of security and defense along the way without being stopped. The young man did not answer any of Ye Qingxuan’s questions on the way but only told him that Bishop Carol would provide him with answers. They walked back onto the ground and passed through the inner court, then went up the battlement.
Few people were in the fortress. The big stone fort appeared to be empty. Other than the crackling of the burning torch, there wasn’t even a sound, and an eerie silence filled the air. Only the main hall where the meeting was held had some semblance of warmth. The fireplace had chopped pine wood burning in it instead of bodies of demons, giving off a calming fragrance.
On the iron chair, an old man was praying with his eyes closed. Bishop Carol didn’t look particularly old, but his hair had started falling out. When he wasn’t wearing a hat, one could see the balding top of his head, with only a few clumps of white hair barely covering it. He was dressed in a worn pallium and sat in the main hall. Upon Ye Qingxuan’s arrival, he rose to greet him, motioning for the rest to leave them.
“How should I address you, Mr. Ye,” he said. Expressionless, he sized Ye Qingxuan up. “The sword-bearer of Anglo? The noble blood of the Deva? The Marquis of Aurora? Or is it…the Grand Inquisitor?”
Ye Qingxuan was surprised. He touched the stole on the inside of his collar, and couldn’t help but smile. “It seems like you know the recent happenings very well.”
“Isn’t that how the Sacred City works?” Carol said calmly, “It seems majestic, but it’s actually a wall with leaks everywhere. Moreover, for those of us who are like birds that are traumatized by arrows and get startled at the mere twang of a bowstring [1], it’s always good to be well informed. Although the fog has blocked any means of communication via aether, the unilateral receiving of messages does not pose a problem still.”
This is good news, thought Ye Qingxuan.
In this case, Anglo should have received news of my return, so the situation in Avalon shouldn’t be too bad. Although the long wait is difficult and hope is hard to come by, it is better than awaiting death without knowing anything.
“I believe that you have seen the troublemakers outside on your way here?” Carol asked. “According to our observers’ report, you have brought us an amazing gift. In earlier years, this feat alone would be enough to make you famous.”
“I’m glad that you like it,” came the reply. Ye Qingxuan sat in the chair opposite him, took a sip of the bitter tea, which tasted horrible, then put down the cup decisively. “Things are only valued when they are rare. Back when the physical world didn’t have so many monsters in it, one could still boast about such an achievement.
“But now Hyakume has thrown the entire abyss’ worth of monsters into the physical world. All the natural disasters are awakening, and the whole goddamn world is in turmoil. The situation here probably hasn’t been too good as well, right?”
Carol knew what Ye Qingxuan was trying to ask, and gave a straightforward answer, “The demons in the water have followed the ocean currents here. Alderney is located right above the tributary of Igni. For the past two days, the situation had been quite bad, and Avalon probably did not have it any easier.”
Hearing his words, Ye Qingxuan couldn’t help but furrow his brows, as he secretly cursed in his heart.
Just like the City of Yunlou, which has occupied an irreplaceable position in the trade route between the East and the West, Avalon is no less important, perhaps even more so.
It is the maritime hub of the entire West, as no route can circumvent the territories of Anglo. The taxes from the ports alone make up one-fourth of Anglo’s total revenue each year. Such a role is closely linked to the distribution of the ocean currents…
Ye Qingxuan hadn’t been paying attention to this aspect in the past, but he still remembered the data recorded in an economic text that he had read. In the Western world, the majority of the ocean currents pass through the territories of Anglo. Among the cities of Anglo, Avalon, located at its core, has the most ocean currents flowing by.
All the hydraulics scholars in the world have been scratching their heads in confusion as they try to comprehend what is termed the ‘Avalon Phenomenon’. Almost all of the ocean currents converge in the vicinity of Anglo, forming an abstract ring that surrounds Avalon.
In other words, if the swarms of demons are advancing with the current, now Avalon…
Ye Qingxuan sighed and stopped thinking.
“According to our scouting, the demons are not advancing with the current.” Bishop Carol seemed to understand what Ye Qingxuan was thinking. The first half of his sentence made Ye Qingxuan breathe a sigh of relief, but the latter half alarmed him once more. “…they are born from the sea.”
Ye Qingxuan was silent for a good while and finally asked, “Because of Leviathan?”
“Yes.” Carol nodded and handed the two ancient-looking books beside him to Ye Qingxuan. “These are what remained of the records of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Similar occurrences had taken place the last time Leviathan was awakened. Its singing attracted the Dark Gaia, turning the waters of the seven seas into a womb for demons, and the sea gave birth to vile spawns.
“The sea of darkness that we are in now has probably been sprinkled all over with seeds of demons by the Dark Gaia, I’m afraid. What we are facing now is only an insignificant vanguard of its army. When Leviathan wakes up fully, the era belonging to the vile spawn of the sea will begin.”
“So, what is the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith planning to do next?” Ye Qingxuan asked in a direct manner, pointing to the stole at his collar. He continued, “If you are reluctant to abandon your duties, then you can continue to serve under my command, and appear before the world once more.
“If you are determined to abandon the world, then it’s best that you leave this place as soon as possible. For the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, it’s surely not difficult to find some way to leave before the vile spawn of the sea advance.”
Carol remained silent.
“For a moment, I wanted to kill you,” he said at last. “As revenge for Michelle.”
“It’s perfectly reasonable and understandable.” Ye Qingxuan nodded.
“Having humiliated us for so many years, the Church proceeded to choose someone holding such a deep grudge with us as the Grand Inquisitor. What on earth do you want us to do?” Carol looked at him, his eyes cold. “Do you expect us to bend the knee humbly and welcome the shame bestowed in the name of God?”
“How you see it is your own business,” replied Ye Qingxuan. He leaned against the chair and looked back at Carol, his tone calm, “To be honest, you haven’t experienced enough of life’s blows. You see, I’ve gotten used to it by now.
“This is the reality, and you should learn to accept it, even if it’s humiliating. Also, I’d like to speak to whoever is in charge here instead.”
Carol was surprised and frowned. “I am the leader here.”
“No, you are not,” the younger man replied. Ye Qingxuan shook his head and said, “To tell the truth, after going through so much in these years, I may not be able to tell you how many different types of ordinary people there are, but how a person in charge looks like, that’s something I know clearly. There are many different types of people in charge, but you are not one of them. You are just their shield, and before the people behind you refuse my request to reveal themselves, you can’t even deny it, am I right?”
“…” Carol was silent and closed his eyes. After a good while, he sighed softly. “Their opinions may differ from mine after they see you, but if I kill you now, all other possible courses of action will be invalidated.”
“Just with the six people here?” Ye Qingxuan smiled and shook his head. “That won’t be enough, Bishop Carol. I believe you know the price I paid in exchange for this stole. If you want to kill me, you’ll need to put in more efforts. If you can’t, then get me a proper cup of tea, then inform the old men hiding in the dark. Tell them I’m here.”
In the dead silence, a faint sound of blades clashing rang out in the distance. The light from the fireplace cast a flickering shadow on Carol’s face, which had a cloudy and uncertain expression on it. He lowered his eyes and seemed to be contemplating Ye Qingxuan’s words. After a long time, he sighed softly.
“Then so be it,” he said. He pulled a lever next to the fireplace. In the middle of the hall, the passageway leading underground opened, and a cold, chilling wind gushed out from the darkness.
“Follow me.” He turned back, gave Ye Qingxuan a look and said, “I will bring you to the man who is still qualified to lead the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.”
–
The underground passage was not particularly long, but Ye Qingxuan had not expected them to be able to construct such a huge site in a short period of one month. Moreover, they were so far-sighted as to build a fortress fit for war…
“Its design drawings are from what was once the White Rock Stronghold.” Carol walked in front and said in a low voice, “Located at the easternmost of the World of Dark, where we were once at, exploring a whole new world…”
White Rock Stronghold.
Ye Qingxuan had heard the name before.
At the peak of the Golden Age, the territory claimed by mankind once reached the easternmost of Asgard, bordering Aurora on the other side of the mainland after bypassing many mountain ranges and partings, he recalled.
The White Rock Stronghold was a renowned holy site in the era, a stronghold built from blood and sacrifice, a miracle created by the Religious Court of Inquiry.
In the Battle of the Highlands, facing attacks of witches and beast tides, the Witch Hammer of the Religious Court of Inquiry struck back for three whole days and nights. One brick at a time, they prepared the mortar with the enemies’ blood and their own, built the foundation with the bones of humans and demons alike, and constructed the stronghold in the vast region that was almost impossible to survive in…
That was the most glorious era in the history of the Religious Court of Inquiry.
Unfortunately, after the natural disasters reawakened, the six lines of defense were destroyed one after another. The stronghold was also destroyed during the Mass Retreat…
“It was the site of our glory, where the spirit of the Religious Court of Inquiry lies.” Carol said, “We have left the Holy City and lost our glory. But at least for now, no way will we forget it.
“Mr. Ye, the stronghold is where our homeland is. If you really want to become a proper Grand Inquisitor, please remember it, and never forget. “
“I will.” Ye Qingxuan stroked the wall and sighed softly.
“We’re here.” Carol stopped in front of the door, a complicated expression on his face. He looked at Ye Qingxuan and hesitated for a long time. Finally, he could no longer suppress a soft sigh. “Mr. Ye, please hear me out for a bit longer before you enter.
“They are already very old. Their temperaments may come across as weird, and some of them are not exactly popular. If they offend you in any manner, please try your best to be tolerant. These old men are our last treasures.”
Ye Qingxuan was surprised, but he nodded. “Please rest assured.”
“Then, I will accompany you no further.” Carol opened the door, keeping his eyes down. “I wish you all the best.”
The door closed behind Ye Qingxuan.
“What the heck, the people here are really mysterious,” he muttered to himself.
Ye Qingxuan sighed and looked in front of himself. Then, assaulted by the smoke coming at him, he almost tripped.
“Avalon has fallen completely!!” someone roared hoarsely, acute pain in his voice, stunning Ye Qingxuan to the spot.
[1] A Chinese idiom that refers to people who are easily frightened due to unpleasant events in the past.
