The cries of the soldiers outside of Pierre's room rang out, some of them came from the direction of the great hall, and some were from the quarters that were placed near the gates of the Cathedral.
At first, Pierre was at a lost when Mikhel reported to him that there might be some fracture between the relationship of the Church's two main factions, the Papal hall and the Saints Temple. He was confused when he heard that the Saintess and the Holy Pope was at a silent feud ever since their previous Holy Pope died from an unknown illness. "I'm sure the Church of the Holy See have some secret they don't want to be discovered and it's about the previous Holy Pope dying so suddenly. Investigating it is reckless and a stupid thing to do, now that we are currently using their city as our base, but there will surely be some chance that will be given to me, if lady luck approves." Pierre thought, a little annoyed about the noise coming from the outside, but he was not sure what it was.
"Lord Commander! We are under attack!"
"Help us, Lord Commander! The Paladins are very strong!"
"The gates in the back have also been taken! We are surrounded now! Lord Commander, please come and help us!"
Suddenly hearing the pleading cries of his subordinates, Pierre hurriedly put on his battle gears. Loud bangs were heard just outside his room, meaning, even the rooms of the generals were also being searched. As a Lord Commander, thinking about his next move in a situation like this was not appropriate as he had to help his soldiers outside. "What's going on, right now?!" Pierre thought.
"Go! Don't make a sound and move! I'll kill you if you dare to attack!"
"The God of Truth shall bring justice upon us! Doing atrocities even in our sacred place? You must be out of your minds!"
As soon as he put on his armor, Pierre opened his door and saw two Paladins abducting one of the empire's general. Thankfully, he was just a noble that wanted to gain some merits on this conquest and pleaded the emperor to make him a general, the same rank as the Zodiacs that were under Pierre's command.
The drunk general who became a little sober from the surprise attack of the Paladins saw Pierre, their commander, looking at him, "My lord! Help me, I didn't do anything! I swear!"
Hesitating to save his subordinate that was just simply an annoyance in his eyes, Pierre still stopped the two Paladins on abducting the drunk general. "Hold it, soldiers," Pierre said, with a monotonous tone, simply because he was helping a man that was just a burden to him and the army. "I did not remember receiving any messages from your captains that you are all going to abduct my men." Pierre said, his mood turned cold and serious, and the soldiers suddenly felt that the atmosphere around them slowly became heavy.
One of the two Paladins stepped out and faced Pierre while the other kept his hold onto the drunk general. "We received orders from the captains that we should immediately disarm and capture the bastards that wanted to harm the Church, Sir." The Paladin said with a straight face, his eyes looking at Pierre's expression, and he knew it was not looking good for them.
Pierre stared at the Paladin for a moment before turning his look at the drunk general that tried to headbutt the chin of the Paladin who was holding him but then got slammed on the cold floor for resisting. The Lord Commander then brought his attention back to the Paladin in front of him, "I still need some explanation about this, soldier, and I need it immediately... Because what you are all doing right now is an act of hostility towards the Empire!"
The Paladin in front of Pierre bowed his head down, "I apologize for our sudden intrusion, Lord Pierre. But we are just doing the orders that were given to us. I am Samuel Gregory, the Vice-Captain of the Black Steel Paladins. If you need more information, please contact any of our captains and talk to them about your concerns. And please have some consideration on us, My lord."
Pierre's mood became more sour as it had been, seeing his men being taken away one by one towards the Monastery on the other side of the hill, parallel to where the Cathedral was built. "How dare they call us 'bastards' like that", Pierre thought as he looked around his surroundings and saw some soldiers on the ground.
Even if the Black Steel Paladins didn't intend to kill the low ranked soldiers, it was still a humiliation for the army, to be barged in at night, and their generals being easily taken because they're too drunk to move or were fast asleep. Still, it was a wrong move to recklessly kill Paladins inside Vider, because this is their territory, after all.
The panicking soldiers ran towards Pierre as they saw him outside his door, their faces were bloody and bruised. Some even had some broken bones, but none of them have an internal injury.
"My lord, what now!"
"They are taking the generals, Lord Commander!"
"I apologize for my incompetence! Please punish me as you see fit!"
"Are the other camps also attacked? We should go check them!"
Almost everyone wanted to talk about their opinions about the situation to Pierre and they all got him pretty riled for a second, there. So, Pierre released a green glowing star core at the same time as his weapon soul.
[FIRST STAR CORE - INSPIRING STOMP]
As the first star core ability taking effect, Pierre stomped his weapon on the solid floor, creating resounding waves of a loud boom in the air. The soldiers suddenly fell silent and turned around to listen to Pierre's command.
"Works every time," Pierre thought, thanking the calming ability of his first star core. "Let's assess the situation first and then we can go to the Monastery on the other side of the city! Be sure to inform the other generals that were left. We will bring the full army to surround their walls! But tell them to not engage the Paladins until I made my way there!" Pierre ordered.
The soldiers saluted him, "Yes, Lord Commander!" Then they walked away in different directions, motivated to do the job their Lord Commander has given them. As soldiers of low ranks, Pierre's words enlightened them and inspired them to strive harder.
The halls, once again, became quiet as the tension in the air died down. The soldiers maybe ordered by Pierre to tell the other generals about the attacks, but he, on the other hand, thought about taking a walk towards someone's chambers.
The tip of his spear hit the white marble walls, mixed with gold and other rare materials that was ought to make the walls sturdy. Every time Pierre took a step, his weapon soul made a tip-tapping sounds on the wall, its tapping sounds echoed all throughout the empty halls, that were only lit by the torches attached on the walls.
There was almost no sound being made on the hall except for Pierre's weapon soul and only its sound broke the silence as he made his way to the extravagantly lit second floor of the Cathedral. "The only one who can make a move like that to the Church and turn the whole city into crisis... I can only think of that person. He, who was being so suspicious when I saw him earlier in the Great Hall." Pierre thought.
Having the power of a whole empire's army on his back, Pierre must be observant and vigilant at his surroundings. Specially the people he meet. Their faces and expressions were all memorized by Pierre.
And there's someone that really took the Lord Commander's attention this time, watching that person's facial expressions and attitude towards the Zodiacs and him left an unpleasant feeling in Pierre's mind. It felt like he was hiding or planning something behind the whole Church of the Holy See, the most influential religion in the whole continent.
Pierre contemplated that person's looks while he closed his eyes for a second and sighed, "I'll find it out soon... Just a little more and I will confirm if my guess was correct about the Church's current situation," he thought as he continued walking towards two large doors filled with golden runes, almost comparable to the Emperor's bedchambers.
He wanted to knock first, but he stopped halfway, because Pierre heard moans of a woman inside the room, which left him confused. Frowning, he looked back at the hallway that he turned to, checking if the room that's in front of him is really the room that he wanted to enter.
"Am I in the wrong room? What in the holy hell is going on here?" Pierre asked himself after confirming that he was in the right room. The woman's voice was still ranging out when Pierre decided to knock, bracing himself to endure the next things that he will see once the large two doors open.
As soon as he knocked, no matter what's happening inside the room ceased, then silence came after it. Pierre waited a little more and knocked once again, this time, there were rustling sounds inside that looked like whoever was inside the room, they hurriedly moved and cleaned the stuff that were scattered all around.
"Pierre De'arc, the Lord Commander of the Regulus Empire is here to see His Eminence. I hope I'm not disturbing something, lest I will come back once the situation outside subsides and see Pope Luther later." Pierre announced himself in front of the golden doors.
Moments passed and the double doors finally opened, being held by two nuns on each side. Pierre nodded in thanks towards the two nuns, glancing at their nervous faces and tangled hair. The light inside the room was brighter than the lit great hall where the banquet, that Pierre disregarded, happened. It was pleasant having a room like this,for the Church's Pope. It almost made Pierre thought that it was just normal here, but the smell of the room betrayed it all.
The smell of blood, sweat and pleasure filled the whole room, in Pierre's observation. Not only were the curtains and the carpets stained with something that Pierre can describe, the high priests and nuns inside also smelled the same as the room. Pierre couldn't help but frown by the unpleasant smell that welcomed him, "Is this what the Church's dark side truly looks like?" He thought.
"And what brings the mighty Lord Commander De'arc in my humble bedchambers this late at night, huh?" Luther asked Pierre. His slightly exposed stomach showed its true shape as he got up from his bed to sit. Him claiming this room filled with unpleasant things make him admit that he was also involved in everything that happens in it.
Pierre reached for the Pope's ring as he kneeled and shown his courtesy. He kissed the gems on the ring, "I just thought that I could pass by in Your Eminence's room as I have some questions that I would like to ask." Pierre immediately stood up as he couldn't resist the smell of the Pope and took a step back.
"Oh, really..." Luther stood up and made his way to the side of his bed, taking a chalice and filled it with wine. "I am quite intrigued about the question that you would like to ask. Come on, ask me." He said while he sat back on his bed, taking a sip after.
Pierre was still holding his weapon soul as he sat on a chair that was offered by a high priest. "I am curious about why the Church always changes their Saintess every time their purpose was served, but not their Pope."
Luther smiled, "Well, that's because they are not young forever and cannot keep representing the Church anymore if they have grown up. As you may know, children that was blessed by gods, especially the exceptional little girls, represents divinity and purity. They have no impure thoughts and will not disobey our god, Hesiod's, orders."
"I'm informed about that kinds of details regarding some child being a Saintess. Did you forget? My sister, Her Majesty Joanne, was the previous Saintess." Pierre said, almost bragging about his sister that he was most proud of.
"Oh yes, of course, Lord Commander! I was with the Holy Pope when we took her away from you after being blessed by the god of flames," Luther chuckled as he shakes his cup of wine. "It's a pity that I wasn't given a chance to see her off when the Emperor took her to the Imperial Palace."
He then savored the smell of his wine, like he was smelling something fragrant and fresh. Almost imagining something that he desired most in the past.
Pierre controlled his anger and only gripped his weapon soul tightly, but he knew that Luther was just aggravating him so that he can win the argument. He had something to throw back at the Pope in front of him, and Pierre knew it will really hurt the man's pride. "It really was a pity. The Pope Joseph had a lot of achievements greater than anyone from the Church, but he died miserably like that. I almost made a comparison between you and him, Your Holiness."
Luther flinched a little when he heard Pierre compare him to the previous Pope, but he hid his feelings well. Instead, he asked for another cup of wine from the high priest beside the bed.
Pierre's eyes glinted in delight, seeing the Pope flinch, "He is ticked, huh." He thought and continued speaking, "Speaking of comparison. I heard some rumors that the Papal Hall and the Saints Temple are having a feud. And the root of the rumors was because Your Holiness is being overwhelmed by the new Saintess and could not fight back against some little girl's authority..." Pierre grinned provocatively at Luther.
While Luther gritted his teeth and glared at him. "What are you pointing at, Lord Commander?" He couldn't take all the insults Pierre threw at him, which made him look more pathetic in Pierre's eyes.
"I'm saying, maybe the Pope, Joseph was someone that wouldn't die just like that without someone close to him betraying him and stabbing his back," Pierre shrugged his shoulders and spoke casually, because he knew that he won. "It was pathetic, really... Doing something so petty like that, I'm guessing even those evil doers will also do something to the little Saintess, too."
Watching Pierre's attitude towards the Pope had become improper and disrespectful, the high priests and the nuns inside the room released all their star cores and got ready to apprehend the Lord Commander, who dared to humiliate the Pope.
"You dare spout nonsense inside the sacred place of our god!"
"We will not let you go unpunished if you do not apologize and kneel in front of the Pope right now!"
"Meeting the Pope was already a blessing to someone as lowly as you and you dared to humiliate His Holiness!"
"You're courting death right now, Pierre De'arc!"
They wielded their weapon souls and aimed them all at Pierre, while the latter stared at the Pope's assailants one by one. Observing everyone's expressions and stance, noting every weaknesses they have in just a matter of seconds.
Pierre kept his grip on weapon soul firm, not even looking tensed and suddenly stood up, making the guys threatening him flinch and step back. His face showed calmness and fortitude as he stared at Luther, saying, "The city is in disarray and you're all here, doing something against your doctrines!" He then turned around and head towards the doors. "Hmph! Some much for being truthful!"
As Pierre made his way to the doors, he was met with two priests pointing their swords at him, which made him confused. Its rare to see priests with bulky muscles, and works for the Papal Hall. Usually, they were hired to dedicate themselves protecting the Saintess and Church itself.
It clearly made Pierre's suspicions more solid. The Church of the Holy See, after the Pope Joseph's passing, had become chaotic already.
"Who said you can leave!?" One of the bulked priest exclaimed.
Pierre stare at the two of them, "... I'm not going to order you, as I can force my way out of here anytime I want."
"We will not let you leave!" The other priest angrily said.
"Oh, but he will..." Pierre pointed his thumb over his shoulder, aiming at Luther.
Luther was trembling in anger as he ordered, "... Let him pass."
Pierre then gently shove the two swords in front of him while smiling. The sense of happiness filled him, as he get to humiliate the pathetic Pope, who was the key to all the chaos outside. "Time to get my soldiers back..." He then rushed towards the Monastery, where his men, that were slandered, taken to.