Crown of Silence

Chapter 428 Cantrera

In the dark corridor, it was so quiet that only the sound of heartbeats could be heard.

"The elder is waiting for you."

The secretary standing at the door glanced at the examiner who had been waiting for a long time, and said calmly: "Follow etiquette, except for the report, don't speak when they don't ask you.

Don't look up at him without permission, and don't be too smart. understand? "

"clear."

The examiner nodded respectfully, his face a little pale, as if the collar of his uniform was too tight, making it difficult to breathe.

"Better do it, it's for your own good."

The secretary patted his shoulder and opened the door for him without waiting for his answer.

After the examiner walked through the door, he lowered his head and walked into the silent hall.

In the hall, dark red curtains were hung high, and the engraved holy symbol showed an iron-black color in the dim candlelight.

In the dimness, there was only an old man wearing a coarse linen robe sitting on an iron chair. He was not impressive in appearance, his eyebrows were lowered, and he was holding a rosary in his hand.

It seemed like he was bowing his head in prayer.

There is a small mark engraved on the holy emblem of the rosary, proving the old man's identity.

It was obviously just a moment that he could see from the corner of his eye, but the examiner couldn't help but hold his breath, knelt down respectfully in front of him, and lowered his head in awe.

Congregation of the Holy Fathers.

The group of monks composed of old monsters from various Holy City families does not exist in any classics or records, but it has always maintained a secret and extremely huge influence on the Holy City for nearly a hundred years.

They are elites from the major holy city families. They are all monsters who have been brutally eliminated within the family and have stood firm for decades amidst all kinds of political troubles.

In the past, they were active in confidential institutions such as the Pardon House, the Bishops' Ministry, and the Evangelical Ministry. Even the Cardinal Church could not isolate their influence.

Even if they are old and willing to become unknown ascetics, ten years later, they will still be the ones who can change the situation of a diocese with an edict or official document.

These old monsters once had power, money, beauty, and experienced all the luxuries in the world.

Today, as they age, all enjoyment and external things are no longer important to them. Instead, they begin to advocate simplicity and asceticism, studying holy scriptures in the dark underground palace all day long, and gradually no longer appear in the sun.

So, when they walked out of the dark underground palace again, they would carry the smell of corpses with them, right?

It's like the dead hiding in the shadows, lingering in the world, staring at people with their dark and turbid eyes, revealing a bit of chilling aura.

The examiner knelt down quietly in front of the old man and respectfully reported his name and agency.

After a long time, the praying old man opened his eyes, lifted the simple ring on his index finger, and raised it to his lips.

"My child, bless you, you are the hand of God." The voice was low and hoarse, as if it came from an extremely far away place.

In a daze, the examiner kissed his ring, a look of awe tinged with a hint of fear.

Engraved on the base of the amber ring was the old man's family crest, which was the coat of arms from the Sforza family, one of the behemoths rooted in the Holy City.

Over the centuries, more than sixteen cardinals have emerged from it.

There are not many people who are qualified to wear such a heraldic ring. As far as he knows, there are only a few in the current generation, including the brother of the current head of the family, the person whose figure and voice are most consistent with the old man.

Ludovic.

But what frightens him is that Ludovic died forty years ago...

So who is sitting in front of him? A living corpse? Or a lingering ghost?

He didn't dare to think about it anymore, he just tried his best to empty his mind and began to report.

After speaking for just three minutes, he lowered his head and did not dare to speak anymore.

Soon, Ludovic, who was deep in thought, made a sound.

"Tell me what you think."

He said, "You have been in contact with him for fifteen days these days. What do you think?"

"It's...hard to explain."

The examiner had sweat on his forehead: "He is a complete idealist, and he has some self-destructive tendencies. Torture is useless because his heart will not die.

No matter what words and threats we used, he kept his tone tight and said nothing of substance.

It is difficult to deal with such people, and we may get nothing but lies.

Moreover, he may have expected today and made preparations in advance. All the evidence and clues were completely cut off once they reached him, making it difficult to dig deeper.

We can't find any clues about him.

Many people now worship him and regard him as a saint in the dark, but I think he is even more of a madman. And..." He paused and lowered his head: "He may have discovered that my identity is not pure. "

"oh?"

The examiner lowered his head: "He always treats me as an ordinary clerk, but when he talks, he always looks at my collar."

He opened his collar, and there was an obvious change in the skin color of his neck. It was the traces of wearing a high-collared uniform and being exposed to the sun all year round.

Ludovic was silent for a moment and nodded: "What else?"

"Once, once..."

The examiner paused and swallowed: "There was a moment when I wanted to kill him, but... I didn't dare."

His little finger twitched, and recalling that moment, he felt murderous intent.

At that moment, behind the long table, the lazy young man raised his head, and the sharp edge of steel appeared in his narrowed eyes, which brought a deep chill to people even in the shackles.

Until fear flashed in his eyes, the chill like a sword hanging over his head disappeared, replaced by a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth.

After listening, Ludovico didn't say anything, just nodded.

"I know, you go down."

The examiner retreated respectfully as if he had been pardoned, and gently closed the door.

Soon, the secretary came in, gently closed the door, and stood silently beside him, waiting for his thoughts to end before putting a letter on the table.

"Anglo's envoy wants to see you."

"No."

Ludovik sneered, "There is no one worth seeing in that godless and fallen country. I don't know when Arthur's descendants will learn to be humble, so let them be arrogant to death."

The secretary nodded and threw the visiting letter into the fireplace, which soon turned into ashes in the firelight.

"Anglo has been trying his best to coordinate these days. Mr. Borja said that many people in the Holy Abbey have been shaken."

"Tell Borja that this is an important task and he must not slack off. The matter involves the majesty of the Holy City. If it is not dealt with, what effect will the laws of the Holy City have in the future?

I can understand his difficulties, and I will help him solve this matter.

But I hope the final result will not disappoint. After all, everything is for the Holy City."

He reached out, picked up the pen and wrote a few lines on the paper. The ring on his finger left a clear mark after pressing the ink, and finally put it in the envelope.

"Give it to 'Cantrera.'"

The secretary held the envelope in his hand, and when he heard the name, he trembled, as if holding a piece of hot iron.

'Cantrera' was originally the name of a poison, a snow-white, tasteless powder, which the priests used to deal with their political enemies. Some people say that it is a combination of cadaverine and arsenic, which will suffocate people in the bitter cold.

At some point, it evolved into a synonym for assassins raised by major families. These assassins sent to various places are usually registered priests, civilians, and even nobles. Like poison, they are all disposable consumables, not easy to cultivate, but the effect is also amazing, and it is rare to fail.

Soon, the secretary left silently with the letter.

In the silence, only Ludovico sat alone, and the dim firelight illuminated the rose rosary in his hand.

He closed his eyes and prayed softly.