CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 80 - A MEETING IN THE CAPITAL

PoV - Duke Addlington

"I can’t believe that rabble isn’t moving in the search of that whore."

There are three people in the luxurious room. They are in the Duke’s mansion within the capital city. The table they’re sitting at is covered with fine food, and their goblets are filled with the best wine of the land.

One of the three people is Duke Addlington himself, who is shouting, exasperated. Sometimes he punches the table, sometimes he takes loud gulps from his goblet.

The maids who are tending to them fear that he might at one point punch the goblet itself. Not only will they have to clean it if it happens, but they will also be humiliated while doing it, no matter how well they do their jobs.

The second one is Pontifex De Laurens. He is the supreme leader of the Church, a fat and bald man in his mid-forties, heavily adorned with gold and jewels. He is lazily eating some grapes and sometimes interjecting in agreement.

The third one is Martius. He is a mysterious man who appeared in the city only recently. He is thin and pale and appears to be in his mid-twenties. The mystery of his origins is only matched by the cruelty of his smile.

"It seems that the princess has made some fame among the peasants. Which is most egregious."

"Indeed, Martius. The rabble sees her as an icon. Some call her ’The Saint’ despite everything the Church says about her."

The mood in the pontifex’s face sours as he tells this. It’s rather obvious how much the thought of it bothers him.

"And you made quite a fuss about her marriage, back in the day."

"In hindsight, I should have excommunicated her. I stopped short of doing it in respect to the fact that she is the princess of our kingdom."

He stops for a moment to munch one more grape.

"And also because I had hopes that the prospect of being queen would make her reconsider and have a proper marriage with a man."

"We can’t just cry over spilled milk. We should plan for when she comes back to the capital."

"You’ll be in a bad position if it happens, Duke. But hasn’t she gone to the Barrens with the beastkin when she fled?"

"Oh, she has, Martius. A group of female demibeasts like that one would certainly draw attention in any city. But they might come here after getting them to their lairs or whatever they live in."

"That woman is a heretic through and through. Imagine helping those soulless savages. It shows how low she fell."

The Duke knows, from the pontifex’s expression, what is coming next. A sermon on the nature of women, beastkin (whom they call demibeasts), and demons.

He fully agrees with the pontifex’s vision, yet he isn’t keen on listening to it all over again.

And still, thinking on the coming sermon made his brain gears turn.

"That’s it. When she comes back publicly, you excommunicate her. Declare that her words are guided by devils or something, and that she was actually living with demibeasts all this time."

"I don’t think that that’s gonna fly, Duke. If she pushes the accusation against you in the tribunal, it will be her word against yours."

Martius doesn’t seem too convinced of the plan, but De Laurens intervenes.

"By law, the Church has the right to override any tribunal and take the reins on the judgment of any crime. Not even the King can refuse it."

"So, if I understand it right, the Church will be taking a public stance in defending Duke Addlington. Is that right?"

"No. We will be taking a public stance in opposing the whore and everything that is related to her. Even if she tries to make it about her enslavement, I will make the judgment be about her as a person."

"Yes. That’s great. She will accuse me of her enslavement, but then you’ll turn it around to make her be judged for heresy. It’s genial. De Laurens, you’re a genius."

"I know, Lord Addlington. I know. Thus, your case won’t be hindered no matter what she says or screams."

"There’s another hiccup in this plan, Duke. You won’t be able to claim the little girl... what was her name again? The daughter of the whore, as you say. You won’t be able to claim her as yours."

"Then we kill her. Simple as that. She would have made a nice toy, but I’ll survive."

"Is that so? Very well, then. Would you mind if I kidnapped her for myself?"

"If you’re able to do it, go ahead, Martius. Though I would prefer her dead. She’s too meddlesome for my liking."

"I know that she has been giving you a headache... But maybe I could tame her with my... methods."

"I’ve heard of some of your methods, Martius. They seem rather effective. Maybe I was too soft on her and her mother during their captivity."

"Yes. That’s the thing with the rabble in any place. You treat them well, and how do they show their gratitude? By rebelling."

"Indeed, De Laurens. I’ve learned my lesson. And I won’t repeat my error next time."

"I hope so, Addlington. I hope so. The Church is counting on you to purge the kingdom from that troublesome bloodline. Then we should wipe out those demibeasts completely."

"Some make very nice slaves, though. They make for good fun."

"That’s just indulging the pleasure of the flesh, Addlington. That’s all they’re good for, after all. They were created by the devil to thwart the hearts of the people away from the righteous path."

"You’re right, De Laurens. You’re right. This situation was all caused by my indulging in those pleasures. Had I been righteous from the very beginning, that whore would be dead."

"Exactly. It’s good that you’ve learned your lesson. It means that the light of the goddess is still shining for you, and your soul will enter the gates of paradise."

"Thank you for your kind words, Pontifex."