Chapter 6. Jealousy (3)
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As Eckart had said, the distance to the village where they had tied up the horse was quite far. When they arrived at the Papal Court on horseback, it was already quite late in the afternoon.
“I’ll go see His Holiness briefly.”
“Yes, please do so.”
Lef turned away, intending to have a meal nearby first. Somehow, Lef thought, Eckart’s retreating figure entering the Papal Court looked precarious.
‘Is it because of that someone who was hiding behind the curtain after all?’
Lef’s eyes narrowed sharply. He couldn’t just let pass the fact that someone had been secretly watching him in a house where no one should have been.
“……I definitely repaid my debt, Captain. Don’t blame me later.”
Unaware of what Lef was thinking, Eckart’s steps heading toward the office came to an abrupt halt. A fairly loud commotion had erupted from beyond the large door that filled the wall. The soldiers standing guard also flinched as if the commotion greatly bothered them, but that was all.
“What is this commotion? Has something happened to His Holiness?”
“A guest came to visit and said they would have a brief conversation.”
“Then, are you saying His Holiness is alone in that room right now?”
“Well…… He ordered us not to let anyone in……”
Eckart told them to open the door. The soldiers who had received the Pope’s orders looked at each other uncertainly, not knowing what to do. Meanwhile, the commotion continued. Someone was daring to raise their voice in front of the Pope.
Finally, Eckart opened the door himself. He positioned himself ready to draw his sword immediately if necessary.
The heavy door opened quite smoothly, giving a glimpse into the room. The first thing he saw was the back of a man pouring out anger with his whole body and the Pope’s face wearing a cold sneer.
“Even though you’re a bastard……”
The Pope, who had been speaking, seemed momentarily flustered as the door opened and Eckart entered, but returned to his usual expression and gestured for him to wait a moment. Only the man seemed unaware that he had entered.
“How! Of all people, how dare you carelessly speak such words!”
Hearing the man’s voice clearly, Eckart gripped his sword even tighter. It was a familiar voice. The dull blonde hair with a grayish tinge was also familiar to his eyes. Despite his elegant attire made of expensive silk, the man who looked completely undignified was Hakan de Estania.
At Hakan’s outcry, the Pope smiled as if troubled.
“Anyway, as I’ve already said, I have no intention of punishing you. But that doesn’t mean I intend to simply release the sinner who’s already been captured. Isn’t he a sinner? Like the others, he must humbly accept his share of punishment. Isn’t that right?”
“If you’re going to discriminate among sinners according to your own interests anyway! If you’re going to do that anyway, then do the same for him! What’s so difficult about that!”
The Pope turned around and looked down at his desk. Then he swept the edge of the desk with his palm and examined his hand. It was an action as if checking how much dust had accumulated. It was when Hakan, unable to contain his anger at the attitude of completely ignoring his words, approached the Pope.
A sword was lowered in front of Hakan’s upper body. Hakan stopped abruptly and only turned his gaze to look at the one who had pointed a sword at him. Eckart, who had somehow come to stand beside him, stood resolutely as if he would not tolerate any further approach.
Hakan let out an incredulous laugh.
“……It’s you again.”
In contrast, the Pope’s eyes looking at Eckart were infinitely benevolent.
“Yes, Sir Eckart. I ask you.”
At the Pope’s words, both Eckart and Hakan turned their heads to look at him. The Pope folded his hands neatly and asked in a gentle voice.
“The Duke of Estania came to me asking to release a sinner. They had quite an intimate relationship, didn’t they? However, when I looked into it, that man’s sins were deep and heavy. What do you think of requesting the release of a sinner based on personal feelings? What do you think I should do?”
Eckart couldn’t answer easily and lowered his wavering gaze. Eckart himself had come here to request the release of a sinner based on personal feelings. Hakan answered instead.
“There are things His Holiness hasn’t mentioned. First, we were very intimate, and I too committed deep and heavy sins together with him. And second, as you know, that sinner is Sir Ardwino, your colleague and close friend.”
At Hakan’s words, the Pope made his mouth round. His eyes opened quite wide.
“Oh, come to think of it…… Was he that knight who used to follow you well?”
“……Yes, that’s right.”
“Your heart must be very troubled. I unintentionally asked a difficult question. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all. How could His Holiness say such a thing……”
“Actually, I’m troubled and distressed too. Not only the Duke of Estania, but many others have already come asking to release those they had connections with. I have no desire to hurt them either. I’m deeply regretful that things have come to this. But what can I do? If their sins were light, it might be different, but they’ve all committed unforgivable sins……”
Hakan cut off the Pope’s words, which he had been uttering like a confession with a tired face.
“Why is His Holiness judging what can and cannot be forgiven? Does it make sense that I have the qualification to receive forgiveness because I’m merely someone from House Estania, one of the seven families, while Sir Ardwino has no qualification to receive forgiveness because he’s an insignificant knight of common birth?”
“How many times must I say this? Why is someone who should understand acting like this? If I pull out that knight, do you think the others will stay quiet? There will be severe backlash from other sinners. Wouldn’t that be unfair? Some get released because they have precious connections, while others face death without even such an opportunity.”
“Couldn’t you have just removed him from the list in the first place? I asked you to.”
“As I said then, that’s not within my authority. Writing up indictments is for the Chief Justice to……”
“But he said he only follows His Holiness’s instructions.”
At Hakan’s words, the Pope gestured with a face that said he didn’t want to hear any more.
“Please leave now. Everything flows according to God’s will. Wouldn’t it have been fine if they had properly followed God’s word from the beginning? I didn’t force them to sin, so I really don’t understand why you’re doing this to me.”
“To bring up scriptural content that you’ve been ignoring all this time……”
“Sir Eckart. Please escort the Duke of Estania to his carriage.”
“Your Holiness……!”
“You seem to have had something to say as well, so come back after the carriage departs.”
The Pope turned his back completely. Eckart, along with the soldiers who had been standing guard, dragged out Hakan, who was insisting he wouldn’t leave.
The door closed, and Hakan, who had shaken off the soldiers’ arms, turned around with a desperate expression.
“How can he be so cruel? When they needed them, they pushed them to the battlefield, and now they’re calling those who barely survived and returned from the battlefield sinners and ultimately bringing them death……”
Eckart quietly followed behind Hakan, who was walking down the corridor muttering to himself. His expression was not much different. Looking at the Pope’s reaction, it seemed wrong to rely on his benevolence.
He both understood and didn’t understand the Pope. What should be done about this matter? As Eckart was pondering, Hakan spoke to him.
“Why are you so indifferent? Was Sir Ardwino worth only that much to you? I knew that soldiers are treated as expendable on the battlefield, but you seemed to take quite good care of them, so I was mistaken.”
“That can’t be. I also came to make a plea to His Holiness.”
“……You? Really?”
Hakan’s expression brightened. In response, Eckart’s face grew even darker.
“……I did. But after hearing His Holiness’s words, I think that’s not the right thing to do. Everyone is a sinner, so if someone is released simply because they have a connection with me, how devastated and unjust would the rest feel?”
At Eckart’s tone, deeply steeped in resignation, Hakan felt a surge of emotion.
“How can a person let go so easily? I’ve heard rumors that not a drop of blood would come out even if you were stabbed, but experiencing it like this, the rumors were rather understated. To be so cold and indifferent. Sir Ardwino, who trusted and followed you, is truly pitiful.”
“I did my best in my own way.”
He had even bought time hoping he would run away. Not running away and being caught obediently was Ardwino’s choice.
“Sir Ardwino said he was already prepared. He said he expected a bad end from the moment he came to love a noble.”
“That child really…… Even though I’m not even a proper noble, why does he insist on protecting me to the end and shouldering everything alone? How good it would have been if he had followed me when I suggested we run away together. He’s just stubbornly obstinate for no reason.”
“……I think the same. I used to view his unwavering and upright convictions favorably…… It would have been better if he had been selfish like those who deserted the ranks and ran away saying they would save only themselves.”
“Exactly. What’s the point of remaining a knight to the end?”
Hakan, who had been speaking in a complicated voice, gazed into the distance. Today as well, smoke was rising without fail, covering the sky. The dark sky kept rumbling and splitting white.
Eckart, who had somehow reached where the carriage was, was about to turn around to go back to the Pope. Hakan called out to stop him.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
