Chapter 508

Chapter 311 – Aftermath Part 2

As night fell, a reprimanding voice faintly echoed from within the tower on the eastern side of the camp.

“… Calculate how many months have passed since April. The issue with rations and the transportation of supplies has not been properly resolved! How many people in the city are waiting for food? You all came here in such numbers, what have you done these past few days? Speak!”

Pope Angel sat in his armchair, his hair in disarray, pointing at the heads of the merchants, the branch manager of the Bank of Coins, the Republic’s envoy, and the administrator, squinting his eyes as he sternly scolded them.

“Investigate, investigate, Williams Chamber of Commerce. After all this time, what have you found out? Have you uncovered which merchants hoarded grain to raise prices or who the bandits were that stole the church’s provisions?… Speak up!”

Smack!

The Pope slammed his hand on the armrest, jumping to his feet, startling everyone below. They looked at each other, but no one dared to speak first, fearing they might provoke him.

Angel observed them for a moment, took a deep breath, then laughed. He pointed at each one of them, his tone softening. “In the royal city, you said information was closed off, and you were unaware of the situation here. Dealing with things was difficult. Fine, I let you come along. For matters concerning the chamber of commerce and the bank, I can stay out of it, not interfere, and leave it to you to handle internally, to solve problems yourself. I can just look at the results.”

“But what results have you given me?”

The calm counter-question from the Pope made the atmosphere inside the city tower tense and oppressive. The chamber of commerce members dared not speak, and the Republic’s envoys certainly wouldn’t intervene. Everyone understood that this young Pope was likely already seething with anger and would not listen to any more excuses.

“The southern region of the Republic has suffered from flooding and banditry. With war looming in the south, you told me that the journey was perilous, and the merchants of Silgayia were too cautious. Organizing things was very difficult. Not long after, those heretics attacked, committing rape and plunder, destroying countless villages. The merchants of the Agricultural and Commercial Association also dared not come, so you felt the difficulty had increased.”

“But while you dawdled, finding every reason why something was difficult, how many civilians starved to death in the south? How many knights died on the front lines?”

“They died with empty stomachs.”

The Pope stood before them, hands behind his back, a cold smile on his face, his gaze sweeping over each person as he calmly but forcefully asked, “The brave warriors of the Church stood at the forefront, giving their lives and blood to form a defense, protecting you from the most vicious enemies. They died, yet you still live. Do you think this was difficult?”

Before anyone could respond, Angel sneered, “Ha, you don’t think about this. You who hide behind others feel the urgency of time and find everything difficult. When you can’t do something, you only make excuses, thinking only of your own hardships. Have you ever considered their position? After all, it wasn’t you who fought or starved.”

“Today, the battles are won, the blood paid, the rain stopped, and those heretics either dead or fled. The biggest issues are resolved, yet the people in the city still starve… Look, there’s only this small problem left. Yet, you keep coming to tell me that there’s still difficulty.”

He finished speaking, pacing a few steps in place, muttering again, “There’s difficulty.” He scratched his head, turned around, then abruptly stopped, looking at the bowed and silent crowd before him. His mouth opened, and finally, he roared, “Four months! How many have died? Have you counted?!”

“Will you dare tell me the real number?!!”

This roar startled everyone, filling them with fear and unease.

Prior to this, none of them had seen the Pope in such a rage. Some had never met him before today. This young Pope, usually appearing somewhat lax, now had a fierce aura, an astonishing presence.

The anger in his voice made them all freeze in fear.

The younger ones were so terrified they couldn’t move, their legs trembling as they struggled to stand. The older, more experienced ones, seasoned veterans of many storms, might have had doubts, but no matter how many reasons they had, none dared speak a word at this moment.

Pope Angel stared at them for a long while, his gaze sharp and cold like a knife. No one dared meet his eyes; everyone kept their heads bowed, looking meek and frightened.

After a moment, he smiled again.

“Very well, if you can’t solve it, I will.”

The blonde man drew a half-circle in the air with his fingers, pointing to several people standing in the front row of the merchants’ association, and finally to an old man with a severed arm in the center. He spoke slowly.

“As the responsible parties for organizing food collection and transportation, the Williams Merchant Guild and the Silgay branches of the Saint George Bank, you distinguished merchants. Not only did you fail to ensure the smooth flow of trade routes, but you also lost the military supplies destined for the Mosri coast, directly leading to the defeat of the Third Knightly Order. This allowed heretics to invade this land, committing all sorts of atrocities… For this, you must take full responsibility.”

As soon as these words were spoken, someone immediately knelt down and cried out in panic, “Your Holiness—”

“Do not interrupt.”

Angel firmly interrupted, not giving the other party a chance to speak. “If you didn’t say anything before, don’t say anything now.”

Then, he turned to the silent envoy from the Republic on the other side. “When Alethein was in crisis, the neighboring city refused to provide support and chose self-preservation. Now that the crisis has been resolved, they continue to lock the gates. What are they afraid of? Afraid that the heretics will attack?”

“Very well, Ambassador Weatherlet, please go and tell them that there’s no need to wait for the heretics to attack. If the city gates remain closed and food is not released after three days, I will personally lead a team to break down their gates.”

The envoy raised his head. “Your Holiness, regarding the neighboring city…”

“Do not make excuses,” Angel interrupted firmly once again. “Because of your problems, the First Knightly Order, which won the battle, has already distributed all its rations. Go and tell them, and tell the starving citizens they saved at the cost of their lives, see if they are willing to listen to your excuses.”

“Knightly Order!”

Angel shouted towards the door, calling in several golden-armored knights. Pointing at the pale-faced merchants, he said indifferently, “Take them away.”

At this moment, the old man with the severed arm, who had not spoken until then, suddenly spoke up. “Your Holiness!”

The old man’s lips trembled, and his body shook uncontrollably. However, when Angel’s gaze fell upon him, the old man did not flinch or avoid it, but instead met his piercing gaze head-on. After a short while, he revealed a bitter smile.

“Alright… If it must be so, then… so be it…”

“Take him away.”

…………

Deep into the night.

Once people gradually left the city walls, Angel sat back down in his chair, rubbing his forehead and sighing softly. “Really… useless in success, yet harmful in failure…”

“A bunch of weaklings.”

Not long after, several bloodied knight commanders entered the city hall and knelt on one knee before Angel.

“Your Holiness, the cleanup work in the city is nearing completion. Most of the rats have been found and killed. A few of the fierce ones had their limbs broken and are now locked up at the Faith Brigade, being interrogated by Lord Isaac. Should we…?”

“Let Isaac handle it.”

Angel waved his hand impatiently, cutting off the knight commander. “Whether or not results come out within an hour, bring them all to the city wall and execute them. Let the people see.”

“Yes.”

“Regarding the jester, regardless of whether he is here or not, do not leak any information about him.”

“Yes…”

After the knights left, the vast city hall was left empty except for Angel.

The firelight flickered on the walls, casting the sharp features of the man. Angel gazed at the light, silent, his sharp eyes narrowing as if deep in thought.

All around was deathly quiet.

Only the sound of his fingers tapping on the wooden armrest echoed clearly.

Tap, tap, tap…