Hero’s Downfall Report

46 – Humans, Lions, Bulls, and Eagles (3)

As if to show the old man, Maria took out another date palm. She pondered as she watched the old man’s face wrinkling more and more.

“I didn’t know there was such great meaning in a date palm. But when God created this world, surely he also created the Western Desert, the oasis, and the date palm trees, right? I don’t understand why eating this would be blasphemy.”

“You’ve even fallen into the hands of the devil and have no manners! You foolish person who sacrifices your soul for something sweet, listen carefully!

The noble land that God created extended all the way to Magdeburg, and the left region was originally created by the devil! Even this place, Masada, was made by the devil!”

Even Cain turned his head slightly in confusion. Of course, it was nonsense. This land existed long before the Empire and the Western Kingdom were created. It just didn’t have the name Masada.

Maria replied politely, though her tongue flickered slightly.

“Then… Are we having a conversation on top of the devil’s creation, Elder?”

It was a tone that clearly said, ‘I really don’t know and that’s why I’m asking.’ The old man’s anger seemed to have turned into a sermon because of that.

“In principle, yes! So, here, we should praise the wisdom of Emperor Alexios and the great prophet Innocentius Pope!

They are the ones who have taught us that the land of the devil can be purified after burying the bodies of heretics and dissenters, followed by the blood and tears of their families! Not just Massada! All the way to Emmaus!”

“I’ve heard a lot about purification, but this is the most radical thing I’ve heard so far. Where did you hear this, Elder?”

Maria seemed so bewildered and dumbfounded that she couldn’t even think of questioning.

“Don’t divide the world with just the head of that ignorant fool and the eyeball of a glass bead! It’s common sense, you know, common sense!

It’s not some profound wisdom; it’s common sense that everyone in the entire empire knew when I was your age!”

“What was it like back then?”

“The age of great conquest!” The old man shouted. “When Emperor Alexios I ordered the complete destruction of every stone in Massada Castle, I gladly did it! Not just me! Even though I’m now a featherless bird, there was a time when everyone had a glorious eagle’s moment, that’s what I’m saying!”

The old man, in his excitement, omitted many details, so Cain had to go through them one by one.

“Were you part of the Crusades by any chance?”

“Of course!” The old man shouted at Cain.

As expected, the old man before him was talking about the Third Crusade, which had happened more than thirty years before the 5th Crusade against the Demon King.

At that time, Magdeburg was the southernmost fortress city of the empire, and Massada belonged to the land of the western heretics.

Now, the old man seemed to think that these ‘ignorant young people’ finally understood his words and intensified his criticism.

“Back then! Everyone followed Emperor Alexios’s orders in an orderly manner! Those dirty noble bastards, the ones who just filled their bellies?

Emperor Alexios I slaughtered those piglets and then stuffed candles into their bellies! In the capital, human fat candles didn’t go out for a year and two months!

But now… sigh…! Young people don’t even know where they’re stepping, and they’re feasting on the fruits of that devil’s seed, and our current emperor, being weak, is letting those noble scoundrels start their mischief again!

Princess Anna should have ascended to the throne! If it had been her, she would have cut off the men who challenged the authority of the royal family from head to toe and saved the people in distress!”

“That statement… isn’t it somewhat unfaithful?”

Cain, taken aback, shook his hand up and down as if signaling to lower his voice, but the old man paid no mind.

“I’m nothing more than a raggedy fellow with not many days left to live anyway. What is there to fear? Is it a crime to speak the truth to the extent that the empire has become so corrupt that one should die for it?

Even if the imperial family tries to do what is right, the truth is, the nobles, who don’t listen, make the empire end up like this, isn’t it?”

As much as Masada is the imperial capital with no noble to be wary of, this kind of statement was a bit too much.

Ironically, this level of anger was something experienced in Maxburg, where knights suffered from bandits.

Expressions of resentment like, “Why should we endure such suffering when those high and mighty folks are doing who knows what somewhere?”

“Understood.” Cain even gave a gentle smile to the old man. “So, sir, what should be done for a better empire?”

The old man glared at Cain as if displeased, but soon sighed and bent his waist with a creak.

“A clever young man! But if you’re willing to listen to the words of this old crow, I’ll gladly tell you. It’s the natural duty of an old man to awaken the ignorant!

Burn all heretics, cut the throats of cultists, and chop off the limbs of nobles who challenge the authority of the feeble emperor!

If the will of the just emperor spreads from the beginning to the end of this land, and all the people of the empire unite and move forward together, what is there to fear or what cannot be done!

Even the Pope! He should sternly order the burning of heretics, deceivers, and those desert things corrupting people! Where is the Inquisition going and what is it doing, really!”

Cain nodded his head once, and then a few times. “I understand.”

He even smiled brightly and, if possible, made a gesture as if to grab the old man’s arm.

“I didn’t understand your intention, sir. I was too naive. I sincerely apologize. You even have such a big scar on your shoulder…”

Cain pointed to the drawing on the old man’s shoulder. The old man laughed, tapping his chest.

“What scar! Those cult bastards couldn’t touch a single hair of mine! This isn’t a scar. It’s darker than my old eyes, that’s right! This is a symbol of a promise, young man. A promise.”

“What kind of promise is it?”

“As promised, reap what you sow. The promise that everything will go back to the way it should be! Yeah. Someday, even for us who can’t die together, a good day will come.

How did our elders live? Roaming with armor on, building walls with comrades’ corpses to block the path…”

The old man’s eyes seemed to cloud over. However, he soon tightly shut his eyelids. Instead, with a friendly gesture, he tapped Cain’s shoulder.

“You have a robust body. Ever thought of enlisting in the Imperial Army?”

“My younger siblings are still too young. But once they grow up and don’t need my care, I plan to enlist officially.”

Cain glanced around casually. In the eyes of the old man, it probably looked like taking care of younger siblings.

“Yeah, yeah. If you’re a man, you should raise the flag of the Double-Headed Eagle at least once…

So that even featherless birds like me can enter the grave without worries. When old folks gather, they just mumble and grumble… Take this advice lightly, young man.”

“I understand. By the way, I’m curious. Do you often associate with those who were part of the Crusaders or have special gatherings?”

“I told you, didn’t I? Gathering old folks will only stir up dirty feathers!” The old man laughed, revealing missing teeth.

“But these days, it’s quite interesting. Young people with purpose often come to visit, and they hear good words.

How wonderful it is! As the time approaches, the guilty will be punished, the innocent will be rewarded, and what the shadows concealed will be revealed…

Anyway, heed my words. You youngsters who have paintings like me, be cautious as you go. Got it? There are many eccentric folks!”

“Thank you.”

Cain politely bid farewell until the end. The old man turned and walked away. Only then did Cain turn to Maria and Lily.

“Pass me some dates.”

“We’ve eaten them all.”

Maria fluttered an empty pouch. Lily handed him one thing she held in her hand. “Just in case. I kept one.” Cain accepted it gratefully.

The three walked towards the monastery. Soon, Maria exhaled sharply.

“Okay. You go first.”

“Why?”

“Why not? Your future wife whispered it all.” Maria pretended not to know what Lily had heard.

“If you’re twinkling your eyes like that and chuckling, it means you’ve caught some clue, right?”

“Did I make such an expression?”

“Your own expression is something you don’t know. Anyway, Lily told me, so I held back my temper. If it were up to my temperament, I would have given him a piece of my mind right there. So, tell me. What did you find out?”

“Someone is inciting the elderly. Those guys who draw on their shoulders, it must be them. Revenge. Shadows. The tone emphasizes the emperor and the common people more than the nobility. It reminds me of the weird black phoenix faith that Father Haspel found, doesn’t it?”

Maria stopped walking. She sighed deeply and wiped her forehead.

“…Cain. Are you not angry?”

“Do I look like I’m in a good mood? But I was solely focused on the fact that I saw the black phoenix drawing on his shoulder. I need to know exactly what that means. And that part, you wouldn’t have anything to say about.”

“What?”

“He deliberately made that man angry.”

Maria tried to turn her head as if to say nonsense, but her surprised eyes couldn’t hide anything. In the end, Maria slightly curled her lips.

“Alright, I lost. How did you know?”

“He picked something he knew the old man disliked and skillfully drew out a testimony.”

“People who are excited tend to say more than they need to,” Maria admitted.

“It went down smoothly. If you subtly ignore it, he gets annoyed, saying, ‘Who are you to…?’ And investigators are people who should listen, not speak.”

“What… What will happen to that man?” Lily anxiously looked around as if the old man had disappeared.

“What will happen to him?” Maria shrugged her shoulders.

“Nothing special. He’s quite rude and annoying, but there’s nothing to blame him for. It’s not the first time I’ve seen someone think like that, and it won’t be the last. Trying to understand every single one of those people is impossible. But…”

Maria tilted her head slightly. Like a lion being observed by its prey, there was a sense of vigilance and anger.

“But the one instigating those people, I can’t just leave him be.”

* * * * *

In the Masada Monastery, the meat was welcomed with joy. From the elder monks to the younger novices, it was evident that everyone’s mouths were watering.

As it turned out, even if one had a lot of money at the Blue Lotus Monastery, there were strict restrictions on everything from eating to lifestyle habits.

“But refusing gifts from guests is another violation. And letting the received meat spoil is also a breach of etiquette. Wouldn’t it be appropriate to cook, steam, or boil it soon?”

Middle-aged monk Barnabas chuckled. Whether there was a connection between him and Maria or not, the two engaged in a fairly friendly conversation. The monk who heard their stories willingly provided a four-person room. The room was spacious and clean.

Hungry and exhausted, the thought of resting was desperate. Barnabas gladly guided the three to the dining hall.

It wasn’t mealtime, but the unexpected gift of meat led the monks to offer cheese and chunks of bread, along with a mixture of mashed chickpeas and olive oil. The soft and savory taste added richness to the flavor.

“By the way, Brother Barnabas, do you happen to know about the bald-headed old man we mentioned earlier? You seemed to be cursing him out of the blue…”

Maria shared information about the old man’s demeanor and actions. Barnabas, seeming awkward, scratched his temple.

“You’re talking about Grandfather Volo. It’s true that he was part of the Third Crusade… came here as part of the occupying force, and like others, settled down after some time.”

“Was he always that intense?”

“That temperament was certainly there. He was hasty, and fists came before words, but still, he knew how to apologize and was a cheerful person who enjoyed drinking.

A kind soul, perhaps… But it all changed drastically about ten years ago when he lost his son. Both children, leaving the world at a young age, and even the eldest son… It’s not a pleasant story.”

Barnabas showed a gaze that didn’t want to delve into further details. Cain, with a genuinely concerned expression, continued the conversation.

“There seems to be a dark scar-like mark on your shoulder. Is it okay if we just leave it be?”

“Such a thing exists?” Barnabas was surprised. “Strange. He’s someone who can’t stand anyone touching his body. I wonder if he clashed with someone or had disagreements with other crusader elders. They’re always like that.”

Cain and Maria exchanged glances. Barnabas seemed clueless about the black fire and the Windcatcher. “You don’t have much interaction with the elders, do you?”

“Well…” Barnaba let out a melancholic laugh.

“It’s not that there’s no interaction, but I think it’s more accurate to say they’ve become desirous. Not just the elders, you see. Everyone in the village. Especially after Magdeburg became prosperous.”

“Magdeburg?”

“You must know that this city isn’t all that attractive,” Barnaba gestured with outstretched arms.

“But wealthy and well-dressed people do come and go. It’s like a colorful peacock briefly perching in a place where sparrows play…

Among them are those who wear the attire and language of another faith, and they even receive grand receptions. For the elders who fought and bled, it’s a hard story to accept. But what can you do when the world has changed?

Sunday Mass is still held, but the same fervor as before is gone. It’s not just Grandfather Baolo; it’s everyone in Massada.

Some elders say, ‘If we were to suffer, we should have done it in Magdeburg.’ They say that working tirelessly here only breeds jealousy.”

Barnaba chuckled as if it were no big deal, but Cain, Lily, and Maria couldn’t think the same way.

Especially now, when the wicked one was infiltrating among the people to carry out his plan.

“Do the village elders have a gathering place? If the opportunity arises, I’ll mention it in Magdeburg. If we could have discussions with the bishops or knowledgeable priests…”

Maria subtly threw the proposal, and Barnaba gladly accepted it.

“That would be a blessed event! But as far as I know, there isn’t a specific gathering place, you know? For the elders, they simply meet… However, I’ve heard that the park next to the market is quite noisy in the evenings.

Complaints abound that the elders’ chatter disturbs evening meals. It seems like it’s almost always like that these days.”

“That’s what I’ve heard…”

Maria lowered her posture like a lioness stalking its prey.

An hour after an early dinner, the three of them prepared their gear.

Lily only carried one Imperial Sword, but Cain added a staff to his. Maria wore her usual attire. Cloaked in the hooded robe borrowed from the monastery, the three of them moved discreetly into the darkening city.