CHAPTER 70 #8
"Naku, malaking problema 'to..." sambit ng isang Holy Knight habang kinakabahang pinagmamasdan ang lumalaking grupo. "We have to report this immediately before the situation gets any worse."
Samantala, ang mga Mysarea Knights ay nakasuot na ng karaniwang damit upang madaling makihalo sa mga mamamayan. Tahimik silang nakapuwesto sa iba't ibang bahagi ng nagkakaisang grupo, maingat na minamasdan ang paligid at ang mga Holy Knights at Imperial Knights.
Their purpose was not to reveal themselves, but to protect the people if the situation turned against them. Kung sakaling subukan ng mga Holy Knights o Imperial Knights na saktan o sapilitang paalisin ang mga mamamayan, they would be ready to intervene.
Only at night did they wear their black cloaks, when they returned to the shadows to continue their duties.
Their task was not limited to delivering the mysterious letters.
Desmond had also ordered the Mysarea Knights to watch over the citizens throughout the night.
He warned them that the Holy Cathedral, or even the Empress Dowager, might secretly send someone to punish those who dared to speak against them.
Their orders were simple. Watch, protect, and remain unseen.
Desmond, wearing a simple red polo shirt, black pants, black belt, and black boots, continued watching the crowd from afar. He calmly drank from a bottle of water while observing the growing number of citizens who had gathered together.
I knew it. The Queen's plan worked. Kaunting araw na lang, at unti-unti nang mawawala ang impluwensya ng Holy Cathedral.
Walang laban ang mga taong nasa kapangyarihan kapag ang mismong mga taong matagal nilang pinatahimik ay galit na at handang magsalita.
We didn't need to force them to rise. We only needed to remind them that they had a voice.
Now that they have found the courage to use it, the pressure will continue to grow on its own.
All I have to do is watch from the shadows and make sure no one tries to silence them.
Tinapon ni Desmond ang plastic bottle sa basurahan at tahimik na naglakad palayo. Ngunit hindi nagtagal ay may isang katangkaran ding lalaki na aksidenteng nakabangga sa kaniya. Napahawak ito sa batok at bahagyang ngumiti bilang paghingi ng tawad.
"Ano ba 'yan, Finn! tumingin ka nga sa dinaraanan mo!" maangas na sambit ng kasama nito. "Pasensya ka na, pre!"
Hindi pa man nakakasagot si Desmond ay may isa pang pigura na sumigaw mula sa di-kalayuan.
"Agustin! Finn! Valentino! Humayo kayo at bilisan ninyo!" sigaw ng lalaki na halatang nagmamadali.
"Eto na, Owen!" sagot ni Agustin habang bahagyang ikiniling ang ulo. "Tch. You impatient moron."
Tahimik lamang silang pinagmasdan ni Desmond habang nagmamadaling sumunod ang tatlo kay Owen.
Bahagyang nagtaas ng kilay si Desmond habang pinagmamasdan sila nang ilang segundo. He simply shrugged and continued walking.
Meanwhile, Owen, Finn, Valentino, and Agustin remained at the side of the street, quietly watching the growing crowd of citizens shouting against the Holy Cathedral.
"Ang lala... ganito na pala talaga kalaki ang galit ng mga tao. Hindi ko 'to inaasahan," ani Finn, his eyes fixed on the gathering.
"Kung tunay nga silang magpoprotesta..." sambit ni Valentino, "the citizens in other countries, even in Emberman, might eventually do the same. Once they see that people here are finally standing together, they'll realize they can do it too."
Tahimik na tumango si Owen. "And that's exactly what makes this dangerous."
"The citizens of other countries will start questioning their own governments and find the courage to speak about the Holy Cathedral and the respective Grand Dukes who allowed its influence to grow this large," sambit ni Agustin habang patuloy na pinagmamasdan ang mga mamamayan.
"Mabuti na lamang at ang Emberman at Wintergard ay hindi gaanong naimpluwensyahan ng Holy Cathedral. But if this spreads to the other territories... things could become much harder for the Holy Cathedral to control."
Agustin crossed his arms while watching the crowd. Wala na ang pilyong ngisi nito kanina.
"Well, that's a good thing. Masyadong sakim ang Holy Cathedral, and people deserve the courage to stand together and speak for themselves. They shouldn't have to live in fear just because those in power can punish them." tugon ni Valentino.
"But this... this is the first time in the history of Vermeleyon that people have actually found the courage to speak against those who rule over them. If this continues, things will never be the same again." ani Owen.
A mysterious man from the top of the city's clock tower silently watched the people who gathered in every village. He could see everything from the distance.
Hmm... the Holy Cathedral's downfall is near, I guess. Serves them right.
Napatingin siya sa kaniyang kamay na unti-unting naglalaho bago muling bumabalik sa dati.
Fuck it. I need to return again to that place... the time has come. I can finally go to Gadesea and proceed with my next plan.
Bahagya siyang napangisi.
Thankfully, I already planted an illusion on every lord who continues to support the Holy Cathedral. If they keep choosing the Cathedral over the people, the illusion will slowly influence their decisions.
Once the time comes, they won't be able to oppose her anymore.
Bahagya siyang tumingin sa malayong bahagi ng lungsod.
That should make things easier for her... she won't have to waste time approaching every noble one by one and convincing them to become her ally.
By the time she finally returns, the alliances will already be waiting for her...
"I'm sorry, wife... this is the only thing I can do for you. I have more important things to take care of first... so that we can finally be happy together."
The mysterious man slowly disappeared from the top of the clock tower.
Habang abala ang mga tao sa Sartores sa kani-kanilang mga gawain, isang ama ang tila balisa habang naglalakad sa lansangan, panay ang tingin sa paligid na para bang may hinahanap.
"N-Nakita niyo ba ang anak kong babae?" nanginginig niyang tanong. "M-Matangkad, morena, at may nunal sa pisngi... T-Tatlong araw na siyang nawawala... hindi pa rin u-umuuwi..."