Chapter 92

92. The Completion of Revenge

The trial resumed well past the scheduled recess time. As planned, Cardinal Orland was sentenced to death. However, the method of execution had changed.

Originally set to be beheaded, Cardinal Orland is now to be hanged. His body, initially destined to be discarded in the fields, was to be interred in a pauper’s graveyard instead.

The jury’s final opinion was that while the tragedy was triggered by the Emperor’s orders, Orland’s confession and repentance warranted some leniency.

Had the Emperor rebutted Cardinal Orland’s statements at the scene, the outcome might have been different. But his silent exit led people to believe that the Emperor had indeed orchestrated the events.

‘Anyone would be flustered, being exposed so suddenly in front of so many.’

Adelaide chuckled lightly as she gazed at the empty seat Elkius had occupied. Martin Owens would not miss such a scoop, and by tomorrow, the trial’s proceedings would be spread throughout the empire.

“Given the many eyes watching, you should restrain yourself, Duchess.”

“Are you leaving now?”

At the Duchess of Howard’s remark, Adelaide composed herself and bowed her head. The Duchess glanced towards the square where the gallows were being set up and answered.

“It’s over, so I must go. There’s nothing worth watching here. Aren’t you returning, Duchess?”

“I’m waiting for His Grace to finish his duties so we can return together.”

Adelaide replied politely, stealing a glance at Shayla. Shayla, supporting the Duchess of Howard, had her eyes fixed on Callion.

“Be especially mindful of your conduct in these chaotic times. Remember, any blemish on you is a blemish on the Duke.”

“I will bear that in mind. Have a safe journey home.”

Adelaide saw off the departing Duchess of Howard. She then turned her head, ignoring Shayla, who brushed past without a greeting.

The sound of wooden planks being moved was loud. It was rare for an execution to be carried out immediately after a trial, but it seemed they wanted to swiftly conclude the commotion for the new Pope’s inauguration.

Adelaide moved towards the now-empty VIP seats. Most nobles, shaken by the trial’s revelations, had hastily left the square without witnessing the execution.

With the Emperor and nobles gone, the soldiers guarding the courtroom also withdrew. Taking advantage of the gap, onlookers surged inward. Ahio had disguised soldiers surround Adelaide.

“Bring the convict.”

Cardinal Orland was dragged up onto the gallows. He appeared remarkably calm for someone on the brink of death. The executioner placed a bag over his head and fitted the noose around his neck.

“Carry out the sentence.”

The executioner raised a hand. As his hand fell, the platform beneath Orland dropped. Adelaide closed her eyes tightly.

“Your Grace, shall we head to the carriage?”

“I’m fine.”

Rejecting Ahio’s suggestion, she slowly opened her eyes. The execution was already over.

Adelaide sighed, gripping the railing. Despite Cardinal Orland bringing it upon himself, it didn’t feel right.

She thought of asking Samuel Dorfman to place a flower on Cardinal Orland’s grave when a familiar face entered her view.

A man approached, meeting her gaze.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has. I heard the flowers you sent to the temple were very fresh.”

“I took special care as per Your Grace’s request.”

Sycamore Venture replied blandly. Detecting the underlying venom in his tone, she cautiously spoke.

“It must have been a good opportunity, but you held back well.”

“Had it not been for your message, I wouldn’t have.”

Adelaide’s expression tensed and then relaxed.

If her memory was correct, it was around this time. Sycamore had attempted to attack the Emperor’s carriage, failed, and was beheaded.

“Not much longer now, so hold on a bit more.”

“Contact me whenever you need flowers.”

“I will.”

After finishing their brief conversation, Sycamore quickly vanished into the crowd.

With the execution over, the gathered onlookers dispersed. Callion, who had been conversing with key figures while the guards cleaned up, also finished his business and returned.

“The wind is chilly; you should’ve waited in the carriage.”

“I wanted to see it through to the end. Do you have more work? Should I head back first?”

“No, let’s go together. I need some rest too.”

Callion replied, looking exhausted. Adelaide walked with him to the carriage.

Once inside, he immediately loosened his tie and tossed it aside. His neatly combed hair from when he left the house now fell over his eyes. Annoyed, he brushed his hair back and exhaled deeply.

“Get some sleep. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

“I’m fine. If I sleep now, I won’t be able to wake up when we get there.”

“I can wait until you wake up.”

“Like how I waited for you?”

Callion referenced the day he sought an audience with Elkius, smiling lightly. Adelaide puffed her cheeks and replied.

“Yes. So that you won’t bring it up again.”

“Then I mustn’t fall asleep.”

Jokingly, Callion rested his head on her shoulder. Adelaide adjusted her posture to make it more comfortable for him.

A large, cold hand stilled the smaller one that rested in her lap.

“Duke Howard plans to submit a petition tomorrow.”

“A petition to explain the order to kill the Pope?”

“It’s a petition to reveal the Regalia and receive its consecration on the day of the new Pope’s inauguration.”

“Ah.”

Adelaide gasped.

With Cardinal Orland now deceased, proving the Emperor’s role in orchestrating the murder has become difficult.

But the Regalia was different. Proving that the Emperor possessed the Regalia was straightforward. Elkius had been delaying this simple task for months.

If it were confirmed that the Emperor didn’t have the Regalia, it would validate all the suspicions surrounding him.

Furthermore, the Regalia was crafted by the temple and bestowed upon the Emperor, so the request to reveal and consecrate it at the new Pope’s inauguration was quite reasonable.

“But… Elkius won’t accept that.”

“That’s precisely the response the petition is aiming for.”

Adelaide quickly grasped the Duke of Howard’s intentions.

“If Elkius doesn’t have the Regalia…”

“We can officially question the legitimacy of his rule, along with the whereabouts of the 200,000 cels that Cardinal Orland supposedly offered.”

Callion lifted his head and spoke. Given the number of people starving, the revelation that funds meant for relief had gone into the Emperor’s pockets would be hard to quell.

“Elkius is going to be in a lot of trouble.”

“Though it’s good news for us… this incident will erode trust in both the Imperial Family and the temple. Recovering from this will be challenging.”

“Cardinal Dorfman will manage the temple well. He’s a trusted figure, so once he becomes Pope and announces reforms, public sentiment will quickly return.”

“I hope so, but the fact that many priests, shocked by these events, have decided to leave the temple means internal turmoil will persist for a while.”

Callion wore a troubled expression. Adelaide bit back the comment that the more the public’s trust worsened, the easier it would be to depose Elkius.

“The priest who first witnessed the scene also decided to give up his robes.”

“Having witnessed the Pope’s death firsthand, the shock must be immense. It’s unfortunate. If he feels unworthy to remain at the Central Temple, sending him to the Therminas Temple might be a good alternative.”

“He said he had committed too many sins to continue serving the divine, so I ensured he was given a substantial severance.”

“You did well.”

Adelaide replied warmly. Without that priest, this matter wouldn’t have escalated as it did.

“But Your Grace, doesn’t that priest seem familiar to you?”

“Well, he was assisting the Pope, so we might have encountered him before.”

“That’s not what I mean…”

“Is something bothering you?”

“No. I must be mistaken, confusing him with someone else.”

‘…Where have I seen him?’

As Adelaide racked her brain, a scene from the memorial service suddenly flashed through her mind.

‘Please take the flowers, My Lady.’

It was him.

He was the priest who handed her flowers with Sycamore’s message on the day of the memorial service.

‘Could it have been intentional? ’

Adelaide stared intently at a flower shop visible through the window.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Late at night, two men sat facing each other in a closed flower shop.

“Thank you for all your help.”

“Are you really leaving?”

“I must leave before my trail is uncovered, having completed my task.”

“Why not stay and assist me? I can find a position for you.”

Sycamore asked the man in the priest’s robes sitting opposite him. The man slowly shook his head.

“My duty is finished. I have no lingering regrets or attachments.”

“Don’t you want to see the world change?”

“I’m satisfied with avenging Cardinal Matteo.”

The man spoke with a smile.

He was the one who had knocked out Cardinal Orland, killed the Pope, and framed Cardinal Orland for the crime.

He was a vagabond, saved by Cardinal Matteo. With Matteo’s recommendation, he had served as a temple page, and witnessed Cardinal Orland poison Cardinal Matteo firsthand.

After Cardinal Matteo’s death, he had rushed to the Pope to report the crime, but the Pope dismissed the words of a mere vagabond.

Vowing revenge, he left the Central Temple and joined a provincial temple as an apprentice priest.

And finally, he had completed his revenge.

“Since you put it that way, I can’t persuade you further.”

The man, with a relieved expression, rose from his seat.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Goodbye.”