Blackwood looked at the grand door that led into the Holy Seat. The towering palace was a work of art for anyone who looked at it, and Blackwood may have loved to stop and admire, getting lost in its glory. But things were different. Overwhelming dread and fear consumed him with each step he climbed as the though he may never see it again came to mind.

He failed, miserably and the few months he took to return home made him realize the weight of his failures. He had all but set into motion a war. Maybe the Holy Seat could find a way to salvage something, maybe they could win the war against Alfred and the Empire. But he couldn’t be sure.

Taking a deep breath he knew he could hesitate anymore. He claimed the steps pushing away all feeling to run as the guards of the door opened it for him. The inside was a golden marvel that showed the wealth and prestige of the church. Pushing past everyone, his feet never stopped, climbing another set of stairs. On the highest level, Blackoowd looked down at the long halls, the hundreds of people, the paintings and statues telling of its history. With a long sigh, he lowered his head and wondered again about the future before walking off again.

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Constance sat alone in his office looking at the most recent reports he had received. The Gotics and Nogrovod threatened war once more, the fall of Kosvo, the Severian-Ammerian war. Reports seemed to always pop up, but recently he felt that things had become worse in the world.

"Your Holiness." The door opened and a guard walked in. "A bishop wishes to speak with you. He won’t leave no matter what we say." Constance groaned and nodded letting Blackwood in. The man froze seeing Constance’s annoyed eyes, but collected himself, forming a seal of Sol and bowing.

"I greet His Holiness the Pope, representative of Sol." Constance waved it off and sat, staring at him blankly, only making Blackwood more nervous.

"Well, Bishop," Constance asked and saw Blackwood shake from his words. It was subtle but he was scared.

"Your Holiness." Blackwood gulped. "I have come to report a massive failure on my behalf."

"Bishop." Constance rolled his eyes. "If you wish to repent for a sin, there are other avenues you can take. I am a busy man." He thought it would be enough to get Blackwood to leave. If he dealt with one Bishop’s problem he would soon find himself overloaded with work as others would soon follow up.

But Blackwood didn’t leave and just shook his head. "Months ago, I was sent to the Empire as a candidate for the ArchBishop seat." Constance froze as he looked at Blackwood with narrow eyes.

"What is your name?" The air around him got cold as Blackwood felt his throat tighten.

"Blackwood, your Holiness." Lowering his head, he tried to hide his eyes, but he could hear the sound of Constance gripping the armrest of his chair.

"I never authorized you to take part in that Bishop Blackwood." The iciness in his voice scared Blackwood and he just wished to end it there, but he knew that if Constance got the information about the assassination from another source then any grace he would get was gone.

"Forgive me, Your Holiness." He spoke politely. ’Maybe I can offer different bait.’ Despite the awful position Blackwood’s mind spun as he thought of a way out. "Cardinal Francis ordered me to take part. I was under the impression that I had been selected."

"Francis," Constance smirked. "If this is the fault you wish to seek forgiveness for Bishop, I can forgive you this one time. Of course, you will repent." His friendly smile nearly put Blackwood at ease but he shook his head.

"If that was my sin, Your Holiness, I wouldn’t seek you out like this." Blackwood gulped wishing he had a glass of water right now. "Cardinal Francis had given me one order Your Holiness. Return the Church’s authority to the Empire." Constance frowned hearing that, as he thought about Alfred.

"And he ordered it to be done by any means. In my stupidity, I worked with the operatives under the Cardinal’s control and formulated a plan to feign an assassination on the Emporer." Constance paused as the world seemed to freeze. His eyes looked into Blackwood, but nothing showed he was lying.

Getting up, he moved slowly. He stood before Blackwood and whilst they were the same height, Blackwood felt Constance towered over him, a shadow engulfing his entire body. ’So this is the Pope.’ Even in the position he was he couldn’t help but feel in awe of the man, understanding the difference between the two. He didn’t need to wear a mask or play a character. He himself was enough.

Constance gently breathed. "You tried to assassinate the Blessed One?" As if he couldn’t believe what he had been told he asked, void of any rage.

Blackwood nodded. "It was meant to be a fake attempt with a Templar of the Inquisition blocking the arrow."

Constance closed his eyes. With a small smirk, he backhanded Blackwood sending the man to the floor. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" Constance paced around losing all the dignity he had previously. Blackwood, however, didn’t blame him. Was he in the position he would have been the same. "No. You must have not been thinking. To attack the Blessed One, without my approval."

Constance froze. "What do you mean by it was meant to be blocked?" He had only realised and looking at Blackwood turn his head away from his eyes, he felt his blood go cold. "Oh, Sol." Constance stumbled into his desk, grabbing it.

"The plan failed and the Royal Guard Commander was hit. I believe he didn’t make it." It took a while for Constance to process what he had been told. He couldn’t believe it. He didn’t wish to.

"GUARDS!" Constance called out as the two templars on his door walked. "Lock up the bishop. He is to be treated not as a bishop but as a traitor to the faith until I say otherwise." Blackwood closed his eyes as he felt his two arms lifted. He didn’t fight.

Constance walked over in front of him, bringing his mouth to his ear. "You are only still alive because the Cardinal may have had a hand in this." His voice was full of venom as Blackwood gulped and nodded.

His plan had worked and although he was treated like this, he had survived for now. Constance walked back and into a door on the side of his room. An elderly man sat, his body so wrinkled he looked like a tree.

"Forgive me Elder, but summon everyone. Any who do not attend shall be treated as traitors to the faith and be dealt with by the Inquisition." The old man nodded as he slowly got up and walked off. Alone Constance finally collapsed as he bitterly chuckled.

"Sol. To harm the blessed One. I’m sorry. I wanted peace but we may no longer have a choice anymore." Constance spoke softly to himself chuckling at the absurdity of everything.

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Alfred sat on the throne looking at the brown envoy kneeling before him. Three months had passed since Chirs’s death and things had been put into motion to prepare. The Military was expanded under William as Marcus prepared the final stages of his plan to deal with the Pirate Lords of Chent.

Whilst Alfred had considered pulling him away from the endeavor, understanding his use in the coming schism, he eventually decided against it. The Commonwealth would surely join the attack against The Empire if the Church asked for it, and if that happened then it would become a reason for a complete subjugation of them.

Destroying the Chent Pirate lords would provide a small bit of goodwill that would be needed if a subjugation took place. Shaking his head clear of thoughts he smiled. "Please, rise," Alfred said softly understanding how good of an opportunity had fallen into his lap. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The brown envoy rose and looked at Alfred with analytic eyes. He was judging the Emporer and after a few seconds let out a satisfied smile. "I greet the Emporer of the Ammary People. I have come under the order of the Emporer Cyrus, Emporer of the Lisaponic people."

The envoy looked around. It was strange. Usually, the throne room would be full of nobles all watching him. A way to show strength and unity. But Alfred sat alone, only two men and a woman by his side. He could recognize Isra as the Empress in an instant but didn’t recognize Charles or Esmond.

Despite that, he didn’t feel that it was a sign of weakness. The rumors around Alfred and the Empire had long spread. Despite a few revolts and incidents, the Empire was firmly in his hands. Something that was built on a mountain of bodies and a river of blood. Instead, the envoy could only think that Alfred being with so few people showed his confidence. He was enough to show the Empire’s power.

"So what do I owe the honor of greeting the Emperor Cyrus’s representative." Alfred didn’t drop his smile, making it impossible to read.

"First, on behalf of Emporer Cyrus, he would like to express his condolences for the tragedy that has recently struck." The envoy saw Alfred’s smile drop for a second before returning.

"Thank you."

"In light of this, the Emporer has seen the paper that has been spread. One that calls for freedom, separation, and a dream for a better future free of betrayal." Alfred’s lips rose higher as the envoy could finally see that it was the Emperor’s plan for the nearby nations to see.

It had been a wonder who spread the word of the assassination attempt so quickly, but it became blatantly obvious seeing Alfred’s face. It was now a question of how he did it. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small scroll. Charles walked down the steps taking it, handing it to Alfred.

"Emporer Cyrus would like to propose an alliance. One of mutual trade aswell as a defense against holy inquisitions. The Lisaponic Empire has always been under the threat of holy war by the followers of Sol and we believe that this could be the first step into building the bridge between the two religions."

Alfred looked at the scroll trying his best to not laugh. It was obvious Cyrus believed a schism would take place. Had he joined the followers of Sol, the other nations who followed Khors may have distanced themselves. But an enemy of the Church would be welcomed, even if he was a Blessed One.

’The enemy of my enemy.’ Despite everything he knew, given the chance they would stab him in the back. "Obviously this is a matter that requires deep contemplation. In the meantime, please stay as a guest."

The envoy bowed, expecting this. "If you go through the doors a servant will take you to your room." The envoy smiled and walked off, leaving the four alone.

"It’s a good chance," Charles spoke first as he looked at the envoys back. "It is unknown how many nations will side with the church, but we can be sure of the Commonwealth and Nogrovod."

"But the proposal," Isra said with a hesitant voice. "The Lisaponic Empire is always in a holy war. It benefits them so much more." The others nodded as Alfred looked at Esmond.

"How far has word spread?"

"Hard to say. My best guess is maybe as far as the Gotic Kingdom."

"And that Bishop?" Alfred’s voice went cold as he thought about Blackwood.

"Gone." It was a disappointing answer but Alfred couldn’t blame Esmond. He had been stretched thin in preparation to deal with the church. Finding one man who was hiding would be hard for anyone.

"Okay. Isra, the people courts you are creating. Slow the process down. The fallout with the church will see a power vacuum and we can’t have them taking its place. I don’t care how, even if you have to mobilize the military."

"Esmond and Charles, you both have your roles. Make sure everything is perfect. We can’t have a church stronghold created. It has to be swift. When I have things ready on my side I’ll give the order." The two bowed as Alfred looked to the door.

"Any word from Issac?"

"William sent word," Esmond spoke up. "The alliance is secured. But the Slathan Emporer will be sending one of his sons down to discuss in depth the future with the church." Alfred nodded expecting this.

Leaning on the throne he couldn’t help but wonder how big the conflict would get. The Empire, Vladmire, Nogrovod, the Commonwealth, The Lisaponic Empire, The Holy Seat, and the Slathans. If those nations alone were involved it would be most on the continent.

It could already be described as a great war if it started and yet he still felt more would join if the scales of power leaned too heavily in favor of one side.