Sowing Chaos

Campaign: Return from Darkness

Chapter 13 / 5-7

Sowing Chaos

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Summary

When Volk kidnaps a renowned bishop and takes his life, Ciella decides to infiltrate the Church. Harle then appears and gives her what she seeks: historical documents that record a secret regarding the seventh scion.

Dialogue

Why would it be in a church? Because the one who took it from the royal palace handed it off to the bishop. This information is good, I assure you. You will forgive me if I find myself loath to trust you so readily. Maybe you ought to get yourself a mirror. But either way, we don't have to trust each other—we just have to play our parts. Then let us make hasty our start. Oh, and one more thing: Do not hold me back. My thoughts exactly! Ha ha! Church of Ilia
A District Cathedral
Bishop, wait! Please! We beg you, tell us the aims of the goddess! Why would someone as wonderful as the priest have to die?! Stand back! Back with you, I say! The bishop is a busy man who does not have time to answer the queries of you slack-jawed lot! Soft, good knight. One of my duties— perhaps the most important one—is to offer guidance to the lost among our flock. Good people, your beloved Father Harold has passed on, and I join your number in grieving for his terrible loss. He was a rare man—the kind who forsook materialism and was eminently virtuous. Indeed, he offered succor to the weak by donating his personal wealth to his parish. Yes, but why did he have to DIE? What cold-hearted cur could strike down such a good and noble man? The culprit has yet to be apprehended, but I know they will receive their just punishment—for the eyes of the Goddess cannot be led astray. Never forget, my children, that such hard times are the true test of our faith. Now, let us grieve as one and pray for dear Father Harold's soul. May you find peace, Father Harold... Well, THAT was an ordeal! That penurious priest can't stop being a bother to me even when he's located beneath six feet of good earth. Heh heh heh... Who's there?! It's been a long time, Bishop. I told you never to enter my private chambers! Come now, it's only fitting I drop by every now and again considering all the little "requests" you ask me to do for you. Also, I was impressed by the show of grief you put on over the death of a man whose life YOU ordered snuffed out. You should abandon the priesthood for the stage! The man had to die. This religion is merely a tool to control the people, yet he genuinely believed in it, and had even begun to criticize the Church. Did you not see how the people adored him during today's funerary service? No, this was a thing most necessary. Ha ha ha! Oh, but you're always harvesting the hopes of the weak like that, aren't you? How irremissible... Say now, what do you think you're doing?! ...No! Help me! Someone, HEEEELP! You there! Unhand His Grace at once! I think not. It's time for us to take a little jaunt. L-let me go, damn you! They leapt out the window! After him! Save the bishop! Is it money you seek, you rapacious fiend?! You would know all about rapaciousness— for are you not the man who stuffed his purse so full of the parish's contributions that it became bulging and distended? I do what I do for the sake of the the Church's stability, as well as society's! Look! There they are! There's no escape now, villain! Hand over the bishop! Oh, very well. If you want him so badly, you may have him. She's likely found what she was looking for by now anyway. Looking for...? No! The documents! GRAAAAAGH! YOUR GRACE! Regret. Atone. And feel the pain of those who lack strength. Think of this as punishment. Or better yet, divine retribution! Aaaah ha ha ha ha! Stop! Come back! You'll pay for this! Bishop! Bishop, please! ...It's too late. He's gone. H-help! Emergency! The church is on fire! By Ilia, what is HAPPENING tonight...? "Good information," was it? Pah! There's not a shred of paper here worth my time. And now the fires rage all around. How truly desperate these times are. I have what you seek right here. Hmm. It seems I wasn't the first with interest in this room. Terrifically sorry for the late introduction, Ciella. It is a pleasure to meet you. Are you familiar with me, sir? A sylvan who rose to the rank of Paladyns at a young age before fleeing the Church? Yes, I'd say you're something of a well- known quantity around here. I'm honored. And in that case, I trust you will hand over to me what you carry? It will save me the trouble of slaying you and looting your corpse—although I might slay you regardless if the mood so strikes. Ah, but you certainly are one of his associates. Who would think such violent passions lie beneath such surface beauty? But yes, you may certainly have these! The first paper is a historical document from the Alberian royal family, while the second is a treaty relevant to the first. The entirety of the truth about the seventh scion is contained within these writings. Do give them a careful look, mmm? Well, aren't you a generous fellow? I simply MUST know who you are. I am but a man who finds the height of joy in sowing seeds of chaos throughout the world and observing how they grow. What an utterly tasteless passion. I think I shall be going now. And now, the necessary props have safely made their way into the hands of this drama's leading players. It grows ever more difficult to wait for the curtain to rise on this fascinating drama in the capital!