CH-045

Shu Li was protected behind such a large wave of people.

For him, this was an utterly unexpected situation.

Originally, when he refused, his mind had been rapidly organizing the next words to deal with Duke Claude.

Naturally, he wouldn't say so bluntly, 'Why would I do such a thankless task!'

A successful communication template cannot do without effective nonsense.

He had wanted to observe the Duke's reaction, to use his negotiation skills.

But before he could say another word, he was blocked by a group of people, kept at a social distance between him and the Duke.

He was dazed for a few seconds, almost forgetting what he was going to say, even wanting to laugh a little, wanting to see how they would handle it.

But Shu Li also understood.

Especially facing the Duke's unmoved expression, Shu Li already understood.

'In front of the Iron-blooded Duke, even if they had a thousand mouths, it would be useless, and he absolutely could not stay out of this matter.'

Spoken words are like spilled water.

Shu Li couldn't take them back. During this interval, his mind was rapidly searching for a better solution.

First, let's explain why he refused so decisively.

This was certainly not because of some principle of 'never yielding to force'.

Rather, Shu Li had a vague guess in his heart.

Regarding this guess, he himself was eighty percent certain—that his thinking was correct.

Shu Li suspected that the heretic Duke Claude was looking for was Father Cony, provided that a heretic actually existed.

Among all the priests he had encountered, Father Cony brought Shu Li the strongest sense of dissonance.

Father Cony was not only very aware of Herens's existence, but also very concerned about Herens's movements. That familiarity, that recognition, did not seem like hearsay from Father Cony's mouth, but rather as if the name had been engraved in his heart.

Even if Shu Li had misunderstood, and Father Cony had heard Herens's name from those around him and connected it to the Inquisition knights within the church, that would be one thing.

But the problem was that Shu Li had met Father Cony only last night, after Herens had left. Shu Li hadn't interacted much with others, nor had he actively mentioned Herens's name to anyone.

And in the morning meeting hall, everyone else referred to Herens as "Father Aris's knight," only Father Cony decisively uttered the name "Herens."

This abnormal behavior made Shu Li involuntarily pay attention to Father Cony.

And coincidentally, Herens had also been acting very strangely these past few days.

For instance, suddenly abandoning him and Finnian to leave alone in the marketplace;

For instance, the next morning remaining silent about his departure the previous night—of course, this didn't rule out that Herens simply didn't want to lie to Shu Li.

And also, Herens could sense that the person in the well had been dead for some time, yet was unwilling to tell Shu Li.

Then there was the fact that Herens always seemed to want to say something to Shu Li but held back.

These anomalies lingered in Shu Li's mind, refusing to go away.

Combined, they all told Shu Li that Father Cony had a special identity and was someone Herens was protecting.

And the secret involved was something Herens couldn't speak aloud. Shu Li could understand and accept that.

That was also why Shu Li had said to him, 'If he thought Shu Li would harm Herens, then Herens shouldn't tell him anything at all.'

Shu Li definitely needed to protect himself. If necessary, he would prioritize his own safety. Thus, Herens's secret would come second.

In other words, if Herens remained silent, he was actually protecting the one he needed to protect, and also protecting Shu Li, keeping Shu Li from becoming someone who would need to harm Herens.

However, now these clues, like streams converging into a river, were ultimately flowing in the same direction—Shu Li had still guessed the outline behind it all.

But Shu Li didn't want to face this situation.

He didn't want a blade pointed at the person Herens was protecting, nor did he want to become the one who forced Herens to stand at the storm's center, caught in a difficult position.

There was another path to take.

Shu Li told himself this.

Even if against the current, he would walk a path unstained by blood.

Thus, while everyone was still doing their utmost to attract the Duke's attention, Shu Li quietly looked toward the Duke.

As if sensing something, Duke Claude also turned his face.

His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, his gaze piercing through the noisy crowd, fixing firmly on Shu Li's face.

The air suddenly seemed clenched by an invisible hand.

Shu Li moved his lips, but before he could speak, Duke Claude spoke first, his voice not loud but clear and forceful, "Silence."

Original

Those clergy members who were still speaking seemed to have their throats cut; their voices couldn't come out at all, and even their breathing softened.

Shu Li seized the opportunity, speaking firmly, "Duke, it's not that I don't want to."

The Duke seemed to hear the funniest joke in the world, a slow, mocking arc forming at the corner of his mouth, "Are you going to say—that the Lord will protect you?"

The content and tone of this sentence felt eerily familiar to Shu Li.

Almost instantly, he recalled the previous moment when he had confronted a masked, armed cavalryman.

He unconsciously followed that daze, as if the scene before him...

But Claude didn't give him a moment to breathe, or even to reminisce.

He said coldly, "...Are you saying that even if my sword were pressed against your chest right now, you could still rise from the dead?"

The expressions of those around him shook, as if witnessing a wonder of the world, their eyes wide open, afraid that blinking would cause them to miss every crucial moment.

And yet, amidst this chilling atmosphere, Shu Li suddenly smiled.

That smile was not abrupt; in fact, it formed a sharp contrast with the stern Duke. It was like early spring snow beginning to melt, a gentle breeze brushing the face, warm as light, quietly touching the heart.

This stirred many hearts, feeling that Father Aris was a being who could bring light, making people unconsciously want to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

And Duke Claude across from him narrowed his gaze slightly, uncertain of where Shu Li's confidence came from.

In that instant, the atmosphere subtly shifted as well.

Shu Li, naturally, didn't divert his attention to observe the reactions of those around him. He simply said, "I am an ordinary person, naturally unable to withstand your sword."

His tone was neither humble nor arrogant, his gaze clear, as he looked at Duke Claude and continued, "I only meant to say that you haven't yet seen the gift I presented."

"Not to mention," he paused, a trace of determination deep in his eyes, "I still have an oracle I wish to offer you."

Shu Li said this softly, like gently pushing a blade back into its sheath, "Duke, the Lord has revealed that 'Compared to the so-called heretic, winter will arrive early this year. Without preparation, the northern territories will feel the cold before all others, causing social upheaval. The people's welfare comes first; do not neglect the root for the branch.'"

Duke Claude's gaze tightened, his voice cold and heavy, neither saying he believed nor disbelieved, only asking, "Do you think I won't kill you just because of this?"

Shu Li's voice remained gentle, "By revealing the oracle in advance, I am giving you a choice, Duke. There are two paths before you: either kill me now, cutting off all concerns, because I cannot find the heretic for you; or you can verify that my words are true. Give me the span of autumn. After the winter crisis in the northern lands has passed, you can kill me then. You will have prepared for the worst without suffering any loss."

This statement had two key points.

First, the divine will comes first. Father Aris will not disobey divine orders. He will not seek the heretic, and suggests the Duke need not regard the heretic as a great threat.

Second, Father Aris's value far exceeds the Duke's imagination.

Shu Li was now certain that the Duke before him was the same cavalryman who had confronted him earlier.

That big-picture-minded,利益至上者 would not neglect the root for the branch over such a small matter. That was the truth.

Therefore, Shu Li dared to gamble with him, gambled that he wouldn't dare to make a move against him now, gambled that he wouldn't be willing to lose the greater for the lesser.

In the eyes of those around, Father Aris stood with his hands at his sides, his features clear as moonlight, his temperament gentle yet irresistible.

He slowly took a step toward the stern-faced Duke, his manner composed, making others afraid to look directly at him. And the surrounding crowd unconsciously made way for him, as if he were born to walk in the light, to be admired by all.

For a moment, no one dared to speak.

They simply listened as Father Aris, using the gentlest tone, instead cornered the dreaded Duke Claude into a position of constraint, unable to move an inch.

"I dare to lay everything out in advance, so I have no intention of begging for my life. But I hope, Duke, that you will have no regrets. That is all."

Detecting the subtle provocation in his words, Claude's brow moved almost imperceptibly.

But Claude neither moved nor spoke, simply staring at Shu Li with that terrifying gaze, as if trying to burn through him.

The air was like a bowstring pulled taut by their struggle.

After a few breaths, a hoarse but not ungentle voice came from the second floor, "Lord Claude, please still heed the divine will."

It was Archbishop Auxiliary Hugo, breaking the deadlock for them.

Archbishop Auxiliary Hugo could have simply addressed him as 'Duke,' but specifically calling the Duke by name carried the implication of asking Claude to yield for his sake.

So he had been on the second floor all along.

Shu Li thought to himself.

While thinking, Shu Li unconsciously observed the situation upstairs, just in time to see Finnian, squeezed into the corner of the terrace by the clergy and cavalry, looking very unhappy. Next to him was only the expressionless Leslie. The two children were hidden among the adults, but less conspicuous than one might imagine.

Similarly, Herens was also present.

Their eyes met. Shu Li first gave Herens a reassuring look, which made Herens's chest tighten.

Herens suddenly understood who Shu Li's refusal of the Duke was for—

It was for him, for the secret he couldn't even dare to speak aloud.

This realization was like a dull blade, slowly grinding across his heart.

His chest felt both sour and numb.

On the other side, Duke Claude recognized Archbishop Auxiliary Hugo's voice, but instead of rushing to look at him, his gaze first scraped like a razor blade across Shu Li's profile, then he looked up.

The Duke raised his voice, "Archbishop Auxiliary Hugo certainly seems to have enjoyed watching the show, able to endure so long without making a sound."

Archbishop Auxiliary Hugo smiled, not engaging with the edge in Claude's words, and said, "Lord Claude's concern about heretical activities is an honor for our Carson Diocese. We are endlessly grateful, but such matters are best left for us to handle ourselves."

With a few words, like using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds, he effortlessly dissolved the trouble brought by the Duke.

Archbishop Auxiliary Hugo then smiled at the veiled noblewoman behind him, before looking back toward Claude, "Tomorrow is your wedding. We will see you then."

Claude did not respond immediately, instead sweeping his gaze from Archbishop Auxiliary Hugo and finally landing on the noblewoman—Lady Adela. Her expression beneath her veil was hard to discern, yet inexplicably, one felt—

Her gaze was fixed on Shu Li like a spider's thread.

However, this was not something to be concerned about.

Claude glanced lightly, nodded slightly, and said in his usual icy voice, but with a clear sense of finality, "Well, since Archbishop Auxiliary Hugo is unconcerned with the heretic matter, I must ask you to ensure there are no further accidents before the wedding."

As his words fell, he turned and left. The crowd behind him bowed their heads to make way. The cavalry captain, uncertain whether he should follow the Duke, let his gaze linger between the Duke and Father Aris. Finally, Father Aris said softly, "The matter is concluded. You may go attend to your duties."

The cavalry captain's hand tightened. He turned and strode after the Duke's直属军队.

The cavalrymen also departed one after another.

Lady Adela, on the second floor, also left via the opposite corridor, exiting through another door after the Duke's departure.

As the irrelevant figures completely disappeared, the previously suffocating air finally found release.

The people in the hall were still silent from the series of tumultuous events, as if yet to fully recover, until Finnian shouted from the second-floor terrace, "Father Aris, you made us all so nervous!" His voice carried laughter and relief.

Archbishop Auxiliary Hugo also smiled and shook his head, "I haven't been this excited in a long time either. Several times I wanted to step in directly, but as expected, you surprised us again."

One miracle and oracle after another were deeply etched into people's hearts.

As Archbishop Auxiliary Hugo's words fell, the entire hall ignited instantly.

The clergy below, as if given an outlet, their long-suppressed emotions burst forth like a mountain torrent, stirring the blood.

Some cheered, some clapped excitedly, others continuously praised the 'descent of the miracle'.

They had witnessed a miracle with their own eyes!

Not only witnessed, but participated!

And they saw the universally feared Duke, who despised divine authority, back down because of the oracle brought by Aris.

The cheers exploded like a tidal wave, deafening, almost lifting the roof.

If someone stood outside the meeting hall, not knowing any better, they might think a great victory had just been won inside.

As soon as Finnian saw the situation ease, he dashed down the terrace stairs. Before Shu Li could steady himself, Finnian撞得他踉跄后退两步, forcing him to reach out and hold the boy's shoulders, laughing despite himself, "Careful!"

"That was amazing!" Finnian ignored him, just shouting excitedly.

Shu Li swayed from the impact, unable to help laughing out loud.

He looked up and suddenly felt a burning gaze on the back of his head. Turning slightly, his eyes met Leslie's—the boy who was always silent, always watching from the sidelines.

Leslie did not join the crowd's cheers, nor did any emotion show on his face. He simply looked at them quietly, as if watching a miracle that had nothing to do with him.

Knowing that Finnian must have been brought by Leslie, Shu Li gave him a warm, bright smile.

The smile was gentle and pure, striking directly against Leslie's unguarded heart.

It was completely different from the smile he had given the Duke during their confrontation.

Leslie was stunned.

For the first time!

Leslie, usually so calm as to be unflappable, reacted like a shy child. Meeting that smile, he seemed burned by something.

Struggling to maintain his composure, he quickly hid behind Archbishop Auxiliary Hugo to avoid Shu Li's gaze.

Having hidden for only a short while, he peeked out from behind the Archbishop, unable to resist secretly yet seriously observing whether Shu Li was still looking at him.

After watching for a good while, Leslie suddenly remembered something.

The person who had been confronting Father Aris down below was the father he had been thinking about all this time.

And Leslie had forgotten that he needed to take a good look at Duke Claude's face.