Ruttger's Throne Room, also known as the Pomegranate Room, derives from the pomegranate on the Boford family coat of arms, which represents fertility and abundance, and the ornate and solemn tapestries that hang from the walls, uniformly painted in a dark red background, which resembles blood rather than pomegranates, although no one has ever publicly pointed out this.

In fact, "blood" is more suitable for this magnificent hall than "pomegranate". Although it may seem brighter and more lively than the black-and-white Hall of Kings in Anktan, the story played out here is not much better. The infighting of the Bofford dynasty was not as tragic as that of Anktan, but was filled with all sorts of dramatic jokes, and was even woven into the lyrics of many bards...... But the blood shed in this hall was enough to stain all the tapestries - and the red carpet leading to the throne.

The not-so-old carpet smells faintly in the humid weather, and Brooke even feels like it leaves dark footprints when he walks by. After Ante Bofford's coronation and wedding, this was the first time he entered the Pomegranate Room. Usually when the clergy, especially those of the god of water, visited, Ante never "received" here, but more diligently and cordially arranged for the guests to sit at the end of the crystal corridor, facing the cloud hall of the garden, and talk on an equal footing.

But this time, Ante chose to sit high on the throne, guarded by heavily armed knights, quietly gazing at the old priest who slowly approached him. His eyes were deep-set and his face was gray, and in the golden afternoon sunlight shining into the hall there was a faint hint of the decadence of the dying man, and although there seemed to be a stiff smile on his lips, he did not get up to show any sign of welcome.

"Welcome. Shuan-sama. It wasn't until Brooke had reached the bottom of the steps and bowed to him that he spoke lightly. "Please forgive me for not going to the temple yesterday. My queen happened to have returned from the north, and beyond that...... Recently, there have been too many mundane things. ”

Brooke smiled knowingly, and did not say any more kind greetings, but calmly told the seated king, "Perhaps I can ease your troubles a little, Your Majesty." ”

That little bit of a false smile faded away, and Ante looked down at the gray-haired old man with a blank face, and spoke in a humble manner. The tone was stiff: "I believe that the gods know everything and can do anything." But since they have put this country into my hands...... How dare I forget my duty and bother you with a little triviality?"

Brooke let out a sigh. It can only be said more bluntly: "I know where the person you are looking for is." ”

Ante looked at him coldly, not as if he was surprised, but his gaze was more gloomy.

"You're referring to those who broke into Lockburg and kidnapped the Countess of Maurice. Set fires everywhere in the royal palace. And the thieves who escaped?" he asked with a sneer, "I did spare some criminals who sought refuge in the temple, but this time, I'm afraid I won't be able to grant your request. Otherwise I fear that one day, someone will have the impunity to want to steal the country...... Tell me, Your Lord, the temple doesn't think even such a crime is 'excusable,' does it?"

His reaction was more intense than expected. That scared Brooke. But he came here alone, and he had already made all the preparations. I can still face everything calmly.

"Some crimes are certainly unforgivable, Your Majesty, but I fear that there may be some misunderstanding. If you've seen those 'thieves', you may have suspected that things are not so simple. ”

He had spoken as tactfully as he could, but it was still not enough to appease the king, who was apparently a little out of control.

"Never seen it. Ante flatly denied, "If the guards at Lockburg allowed those men to appear in front of me...... I should probably consider letting the maids take their place, at least their screams are a good warning. ”

Brooke was stunned. He didn't expect Antelian to deny this. It didn't take any spells, and he was able to tell that Borena and Rosa weren't lying...... Then Rosa's concern may well be correct.

"Then I beg you, Your Majesty, to see them at least once. His tone was sincere, but he was already vaguely aware that this trip probably wouldn't lead to anything.

"I don't want to turn you down, Lord Xiu'an. Ante, on the throne, leaned forward, "But I don't have much time to waste on a few thieves...... What do you think? If you know where they are, please hand them over to my guards and let them stay in the dungeon for a few days—for the sake of the knights who died at their hands, that should not be too much? ”

Brooke smiled wryly. It would be almost impossible, and even if Borena had agreed, Rosa Latus would not. The female warrior didn't trust Ante at all, and she wouldn't sit back and wait to be killed.

"Maybe we can find one...... What more appropriate place?" he tried to make a final effort.

"For example, your temple?" Ante sneered, "if you ...... If they don't believe me, why should I trust them?"

"Then I implore you to trust in our Goddess. Brooke bowed his head deeply, "Trust her justice and mercy, and there will be no deception and no killing in her holy place." ”

"It sounds like you don't think there's 'justice and mercy' in Lockburg?"

Brooke's brow finally furrowed slightly.

In such a deliberate-for-tat, there is no respect for any of them, let alone any willingness to try to resolve the matter peacefully. Ante may be hypocritical, but at least he wasn't such a grumpy and stubborn person before......

Or was the person he never knew was the real Ante Boford?

“...... I will convey your request. He bowed to the king, who had no reason to speak, "and seek a better solution, let me ......"

"It's not a 'requirement'. Ante tore off his last mask and rudely interrupted the old priest, "It's an order. ”

“...... They are under the protection of the temple at the moment, and I cannot do that until they are proven guilty. ”

"And your temple is over my land, priest. Ante looked at him coldly, "All the power and wealth it now enjoys is mine, and I can take it back as well!, at least while you live, I will be your king...... Go back and pray to the Goddess, that's your duty. ”

Brooke looked up slowly, his calm eyes slightly rippling.

“...... You are right, Your Majesty. His voice was soft but powerful, "The Temple has no right to disobey your orders. But I hope you can remember that people die eventually...... When the Last Judgment comes, how will your soul stand before the gods?"

As he spoke, he realized that this was just a kind warning to him...... But for Ante, it's probably more of a threat.

The king stood up with astonishment.

On the red carpet, the priest's white robe suddenly became so glaring, as if some kind of undisguised contempt, mockery, and accusation...... It's like a condescending judgment.

- But the gods are dead.

As a young man, Ante also believed that loyalty and bravery would be rewarded, that integrity and generosity would be rewarded, and that pure souls would be most glorified before the gods. But when his father, whom he regarded as a role model, turned out to be nothing more than a cold, cruel and despicable man, who was still able to enjoy the honor in front of him and behind him, his naïve faith began to corrode little by little in doubt.

In the end, he didn't know what else to believe but himself.

He may have done something wrong...... But who gave the thin old man in front of him the right to judge him? He is the king of Lutgar, and his territory is the most extensive and fertile land on the continent. And he can come to this day, wearing a crown on his head, sitting under the banner that has been hung for two hundred years, relying on his own painstaking management, not the protection of any god!

No one can take everything he has gained from him.

"Take him!"

As he spat out this simple command in a fit of rage, he didn't fully realize what he was talking about.

The red carpet was flanked by his own knightly guards, and the one standing here today was deliberately chosen by him—each of whom had sworn allegiance to his king and not to the gods.

Those who are called "unbelievers" may be hard to find among the aristocracy, but they abound in the lower classes...... A little acknowledgment and affirmation, a little bounty and promise - it is easier to get the loyalty of these people than you think, but Ante always unconsciously wonders if losing their loyalty is just as simple......

But at least for the moment, they don't hesitate to face the clergy.

The two knights stepped forward with spears, the tips of which were pointed at the priest's back. For an old priest who couldn't cast spells, this was clearly enough.

Before the king's wrath, the white-haired old man did not have the slightest fear, but only clenched his staff, and his old and calm face showed a trace of exhaustion and sorrow.

That angered Ante completely.

The sound of the blade unsheathed pierced his eardrums unusually sharply - he drew his long-unused sword and rushed down the steps, as if a voice in his head was screaming in panic to try to stop it, but there was another irrepressible urge to raise his sword high and slash at Brooke's head without a sound.

The old priest didn't resist, he didn't take a step back, but the moment the blade fell, the air seemed to be slightly distorted.

Another long sword stabbed diagonally, blocking Ante's attack, and in the sparks where the two swords clashed, Brooke Xiu'an's figure suddenly disappeared.

The knight who shot also seemed stunned.

After a moment of consternation, Ante's angry roar resounded through the hall.

(To be continued......)