Chương 53: A Father Seeking Revenge

Father Leandro sat inside his home, warm and comfortable, drinking fine wine and breaking apart a loaf of bread that was still steaming. Suddenly, a voice shouted from outside, shattering the silence.

"You bastard priest! Come out here!" Leandro chewed calmly, swallowed and wiped his fingers on his robe. Only then did he pick up his sword and step outside.

"Alfred!" he exclaimed with a smile.

"You finally decided to show yourself". A crowd quickly began gathering around them. Alfred had a swollen eye, split lips and a face ravaged by pain and rage.

"You attacked me while I was asleep…you kidnapped my little girl and burned her alive!" His voice trembled as he struggled to hold back his tears.

"My daughter…you burned her alive!" Father Leandro approached him with slow, measured steps.

"Calm yourself, Alfred. Your daughter had been deceived by the Devil. She was a witch. We had no other choice".

"Shut up!" Alfred shouted.

"Maybe these idiots believe your lies, but I don't. My daughter was sweet. She was kind. She wasn't a witch!" If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. He drew his sword in fury.

"I challenge you to a duel. To avenge her death". Several men in robes stepped forward, but Father Leandro stopped them with a simple wave of his hand.

"A duel?" he said with a smile.

"I accept. Draw your sword, Alfred". The two stared at each other for several long moments. Then Alfred, blinded by hatred, attacked. His strikes were wild and desperate. Father Leandro dodged every one of them with ease, smiling all the while, his guard low, almost relaxed. Alfred kept striking nothing but air. Suddenly, Leandro drove a punch into his throat. Alfred doubled over, coughing, unable to breathe. A heartbeat later came a slash across his abdomen. The blade slid in slowly, opening him up.

His entrails spilled onto the ground as blood streamed across the earth. Alfred fell to his knees, coughing up blood. Father Leandro spread his arms wide and raised his eyes to the heavens.

"This is for You, God!" With a single clean stroke, he beheaded Alfred. The crowd erupted into applause. The robed men shouted his name. Father Leandro remained perfectly still, his arms spread wide, his robe and face drenched in blood, smiling as he basked in their praise. Inside the royal palace, Oscar was making his way toward the throne when Declan stopped him.

"Your Majesty, may I have a word?"

"Go ahead, Declan".

"Some of the mages are rebelling. They refuse to fight on our side. They're demanding more crowns and appointments as regional officials". Oscar came to a halt.

"And why haven't you granted their demands already?"

"Because, Your Majesty, if we do, the people will revolt. No one wants to be ruled by a mage". Oscar looked at him before speaking with complete calm.

"It's the mages who will win this war for us, not the people. Grant them what they want".

"Your Majesty, that could provoke a full-scale uprising".

"A rebellion by the people is easy to crush". He turned and sat down upon the throne.

"A rebellion by the mages isn't. Better to keep them as friends, don't you think?" Declan bowed and quietly left the hall.