Chapter 88: Uprising

Clive examined the pamphlet Ulik had brought him. It detailed everything Sebastian had done, written plainly without embellishment. 

His actions had been so deranged that there was no need for sensationalism. After reading it thoroughly, Clive set down the pamphlet and ordered Ulik to distribute it throughout the capital for two consecutive nights.

“Only in the capital?” Ulik asked.

“Yes. The capital is enough. Other regions will hear rumors in a few days.”

“Will this actually damage the Pope?”

People who had attended the trial had already spread some rumors throughout the capital. While Count Phineas faced widespread condemnation, Sebastian had yet to receive similar treatment. Despite several days passing, the situation remained quiet, suggesting the empire’s citizens held deeper trust in the Pope than expected. 

Just as Rafael had mentioned there were priests within the temple who held different views, the citizens seemed similarly divided. Sebastian must have finished analyzing these public sentiments by now. 

Knowing there was no significant movement among the citizens, he probably wouldn’t even contact Clive. Otherwise, he would have already proposed a compromise. This made Ulik wonder if distributing these pamphlets would actually change anything.

“Sebastian won’t be damaged at all. My goal is to shake the citizens’ hearts,” Clive explained.

“If they were going to be shaken, wouldn’t it have happened already?”

“On the surface, nothing seems to be happening… they might genuinely believe in Sebastian. But what matters most is that everyone knows.”

Though the citizens still trusted Sebastian, seeds of doubt had already been planted. For seeds to sprout and grow, they needed water and time. Fertilizer would help too. Time was the water, and these pamphlets were the fertilizer.

“Have the pamphlets distributed for two nights, then for the next two mornings, have people encourage citizens to discuss Sebastian among themselves,” Clive instructed.

“Yes, sir.”

“You can go now.”

“Is that all?”

“What more should there be?”

“Nothing. I’m sure Your Grace has a plan.”

Before opening the door to leave, Ulik turned his head back.

“Won’t you tell me what it is?”

“That’s all there is to it. Just watch and see.”

Though intensely curious, Ulik decided to wait, knowing there wasn’t much time left.

* * *

Spring had fully arrived. The harsh winds had softened, and dried fields were now filled with blooming wildflowers. Eirene watched the garden gradually fill with color while following butterflies with her eyes. Matilda had improved significantly and could now sit for short periods. 

Having come to visit Eirene as soon as she could get out of bed, Matilda sat beside her today as well.

“The wedding will be soon!” Matilda’s voice lacked strength, but her bouncy tone remained the same.

Eirene recalled how Matilda had once told her she would become the mistress of Dervel Palace when spring came. Back then, she had doubted whether she could truly become the mistress of this place. Now, she doubted it for entirely different reasons.

“It’s good that the wedding comes after the trial. If we had held the wedding before the trial, it would have felt somehow unsatisfying,” Matilda chattered away, and Eirene appreciated the sound of her voice.

“I hope Miss Aishe isn’t causing more trouble?”

Matilda frowned, imagining Aishe standing before them.

“She won’t be,” Eirene replied.

“That’s a relief. By the way, I wonder why Gemma quit?”

Everyone at Dervel Palace except Madam Hannon and Ulik believed Gemma had resigned from her position.

“She said she wanted to rest after experiencing such a shock.”

“I was shocked too, but not enough to quit… Well, I suppose Gemma and I are different people.”

Matilda returned to discussing the wedding. Eirene simply smiled and listened without contributing to the conversation.

“The Grand Duke must be busy. It’s hard to see him these days. I heard he comes back late every night and leaves at dawn.”

“He’s preparing for the trial.”

“I wonder if he’s eating properly.”

“Ulik will take good care of His Grace.”

“But you don’t look well either, Miss.”

“Really?”

“Your already pale face seems even paler. I heard you haven’t been able to eat much. Madam Hannon is very worried, especially since you’re not alone in your body.”

Not sleeping for several days had apparently shown on her face. Naturally, lack of sleep had affected her appetite too. Eirene found it surprising how well-informed Matilda was about everything happening, despite spending most of her day in bed.

“I’ll take care of myself, so don’t worry. And don’t overexert yourself. You’re not completely recovered yet.”

“I’m sleeping well and eating well! The doctor said the rest will heal with time.”

Matilda clenched her fists and showed them to Eirene to prove she was fine.

“You’re doing well,” Eirene said, stroking Matilda’s hair.

Seeing her improved health momentarily lightened Eirene’s complicated, heavy heart.

* * *

As Clive had ordered, pamphlets were distributed for two consecutive nights. The next morning, some people who found the pamphlets skimmed them before discarding them, while others read them thoroughly. 

Though people hesitated to discuss the Pope openly in the streets, those who had seen the pamphlets in the morning found the contents lingering in their minds all day. One by one, people began discussing the matter with their families after returning home.

On the second day, more pamphlets were distributed with even more detailed content. They explained Sebastian’s ultimate goal and how children had been sacrificed in the process. 

The sensational content made a strong impression even on those who had only skimmed the pamphlets. Not knowing what others thought, people limited their discussions to family members that day as well.

No more pamphlets were distributed after that. A man appeared in the capital’s commercial district. He picked up a trampled pamphlet from the ground and spoke in a very loud voice.

“Sigh. I wonder what’s happening to this country.”

His tongue-clicking sound was equally loud.

“Even if it’s God’s will, what sin did those sacrificed children commit? And what sin did their families commit?”

People began gathering around him one by one. They too were sent by Ulik but conversed, pretending to meet for the first time.

“He massacred entire families, didn’t he?”

“I heard he specifically chose poor families whose deaths wouldn’t be noticed.”

“I was horrified to hear some children were sold to save noble children. Didn’t that noblewoman from the Phineas family confess she was saved that way too? Was there ever really divine will involved?”

People who overheard their conversation began forming small groups. Shop owners, customers, people running errands, all gathered to condemn Sebastian’s actions, despite being strangers to one another. 

Some shuddered in horror while others insisted he must be removed from his position immediately. The voices grew increasingly louder. Occasionally someone would defend Sebastian, but their voices were drowned out by the unified anger of the crowd.

The next day, people gathered in the streets as soon as dawn broke. They analyzed the trial proceedings and pamphlet contents in detail, growing even angrier than the day before. Small groups merged into larger crowds. 

Someone suggested that citizens who wished to observe the trial should be permitted to do so. Ulik watched the scene from a distance. Everyone seemed excited, on the verge of rioting. 

There was no need to send anyone to initiate conversations about Sebastian today. Concerned about the increasingly agitated crowd, Ulik went straight to Clive to report what he had witnessed. When he mentioned the word “riot” and how dangerous the situation looked, Clive nodded.

“I expected that.”

“You anticipated this? Wait, did you deliberately create this situation?”

“Hmm. That’s right.”

Clive’s shoulders rose and fell with a deep sigh.

“What will you do if a riot actually breaks out?”

“I’m hoping for it. I have a plan.”

“What if your expectations are wrong? What if no riot occurs?”

Clive’s face showed no concern. His calm expression when filled with certainty spoke volumes.

“It’s bound to happen. You said people are demanding that anyone who wants to watch the trial should be allowed to, right?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think the court will permit that?”

“No. Not a chance.”

“When they hear their request has been denied, their current anger will only grow. Then, instead of watching the trial, they’ll gather in front of the courthouse.”

“Will they riot if they gather there and find the verdict unsatisfactory?”

“I don’t know. Whether before or after the trial.”

Though Ulik continued asking questions, Clive simply repeated that he should wait and see.

“Are the private troops ready?”

“Yes. But if your goal is to stop a riot, the numbers are woefully inadequate.”

“Stopping it isn’t the goal. Just make it look like we’re trying to stop it.”

Ulik couldn’t understand. Deliberately causing a riot without stopping it? What was the point of creating such chaos? Riots could spread to other regions and occur sporadically. There would be no solution then.

“Your Grace, can I trust you on this?”

“Have I ever been untrustworthy to you?”

“Honestly, I’ve had to clean up after your messes quite a bit. No, I do trust you. I do! I’m just worried.”

“If you don’t want to trust me, then don’t.”

To Ulik, Clive was definitely trustworthy. Though once a reckless fool, Ulik knew better than anyone that Clive possessed an extraordinary mind. However, this time he seemed precarious, making it difficult to determine if his judgment was sound. 

Though Clive wouldn’t say what had happened between him and Eirene, he had been avoiding her lately. He deliberately returned late at night and left at dawn to avoid encountering her. He claimed it was because he was busy with Sebastian’s trial, but that clearly wasn’t true. 

If he were truly busy, he wouldn’t need to return to Dervel Palace at all, yet he still went back briefly, surely to check on Eirene. Though avoiding her, he still wanted to confirm she was well.

At first, Ulik thought it was just a common lovers’ quarrel. However, as time passed, he became convinced it was something more serious.

“What about the dagger I asked for?”

“I’ll bring it this afternoon.”

A few days ago, Clive had asked Ulik to have a dagger sharpened.

“That’s the dagger Miss Eirene used before, right?”

“Yes.”

“It’s made for children. Wouldn’t it be better to buy a new one?”

“As you know, familiar tools are easier to use.”

Though true, practicing with a new dagger would be much better. Assuming Clive had his reasons, Ulik didn’t inquire further.

“Familiarity improves accuracy,” Clive muttered to himself.

Something about his expression looked both bitter and sorrowful.