Chapter 367: The Four Grand Templars

Gentle singing travelled along the entire Holy seat as every man and woman held their heads low. Gabriel was one of these men, the symbol of Sol around his neck, tightly, quietly praying. The music signalled the first of the month. Each time the clergy thanked Sol for returning his light to the World and ending the years of Darkness, and prayed for many years to come.

The singing died down, gradually drifting off into silence, to be replaced by the singing of birds outside. Gabriel finally moved again, his eyes focused on the exit towards the barracks. Pushing the double doors into a large courtyard, Templars trained, swinging their sword into the empty air while others ran laps.

At the head of those swinging their swords, Gabriel saw one of the four Grand Templars of the Church. "Elijah." Gabriel walked over, making all the Templars stop what they were doing as a salute. Ignoring them, he looked at his fellow, "I didn’t hear of your return.

Much like Gabriel, Elijah had the same cold eyes and would only accept the warmth of Sol. "His Holiness has summoned all Templars back. Ramiel is currently meeting with him."

Gabriel nodded and looked at the other ned of the courtyard. If he focused, he could see Michael through the window, busily working with a stern expression. Elijah followed his eyes and frowned. "Ever since I came back, Michael has been locked up in his office. Why?"

Gabriel watched without saying anything for a while. His eyes were usually cold, but staring at Michael, the chill became sharper. "Sol’s Sword has failed many times now." Elijah looked at Gabriel in confusion. "Do not worry about it, Elijah." Gabriel patted him on the shoulder and walked towards Michael’s office. Staring at Gabriel’s back, Elijah sighed and turned back around.

Walking into the building, the sound of Elijah shouting vanished. His steps echoed on the hard stone floor. Down the halls, memories littered the walls. Paintings of previous Templars littered the wall. Some were portraits, and others were of glorious battles.

Gabriel felt proud seeing them all, but wiped the emotion from his face when entering Michael’s office. The old man looked up and sighed, putting his pen down. "What is it, Gabriel?"

"It has been a year. His Holiness expects results." Gabriel looked down at the old Templar. Had it been before, he would have sat down and lowered his head out of respect, but ever since Constance gave him the task of watching Michael, he could only treat him as a traitor.

Michael long noticed Gabriel watching him. If he didn’t know Gabriel, he would assume it was a man’s ambition to take his place. But Michael knew the truth. If Michael loved Sol more than the Church, then Gabriel loved the Church more than Sol. The Templar would only move if Constance gave an order, which meant Michael’s request for the hidden documents had scared Constance.

"I have tried, Gabriel." Michael spoke, not wanting to leave the man waiting for too long, "I tried to spread things about the Emperor’s past already, but they had no effect on his reputation. I’m afraid it won’t work."

Gabriel looked at Michael and scoffed, "You failed again." Shaking his head, he looked at the old man in disappointment, "His Holiness summons us to meet him at noon." Michael nodded and watched Gabriel leave. Getting up, he went over to his cupboard and unlocked it. His research into Alfred had led him to investigate all the Blessed Ones that had been left available.

Pulling out a massive book, Michael opened it and carefully read. It was all his findings written down. It had taken a while, but eventually, Michael noticed something strange amongst the documents. Nearly all of them had contradictions. One of two would be normal for documents about events that spanned over hundreds of years, but he found lots. Events that were recorded in one book had been altered in another, and then again in yet another.

If that had been all, it would have been fine, but there was a glaring hole within the Holy Seats’ history. A Blessed One existed before the earliest recorded he had. It was not only that a Blessed One existed, but it was around the time of the Church’s formation. Michael knew something was missing. His investigation had begun to uncover a link that could be used to destroy Alfred, but after a while, he also started investigating the church.

What he had found in the Archives was something that shouldn’t have been possible to find. It made him realise why it had never been brought up before. Michael had the rank to have access to the entire archive and the time, thanks to Constance’s task for him. For others, they may have had time but not the rank. And if they had the rank, they didn’t have time.

It was why the issues had never been brought up before. There was never a reason for someone to delve this deeply into the history of the Blessed Ones. Only Michael did it, and it was purely an accident what he uncovered.

It was a cover-up. The contradictions, the missing documents, and the first Blessed One. Michael knew where he could get his answers, but he also knew what it meant if he did. If he was wrong and the Church was really the organisation he had served faithfully for decades, then he betrayed it.

He wanted to know, but at the same time, he didn’t. Ignorance or betrayal. It was the question he had asked himself for months. Grabbing his face, his leg bounced. What he had found so far was never meant to be found. Looking at the symbol of Sol on his neck, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

’Sol. It’s Michael.’Talking to Sol in his mind, his inner voice was full of respect,’I know I am undeserving to try and speak to you. To seek answers, but your child is lost. What shall I do? Please help me.’

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Gabriel opened the doors to Constance’s office and bowed. Inside, he saw him talking to a black man with warm eyes." Your Holiness. Ramiel."

Constance stopped talking and gave a single nod in his direction, offering the other seat before him. Ramiel gracefully stood up and politely lowered his head, "Gabriel." His voice was soft. "It has been too long."

"Yes." Gabriel still spoke coldly, but there was a noticeable difference between the coldness towards Michael and Ramiel.

"You’re in time, Gabriel. Ramiel has been telling me about Severia."

"Yes. The Emperor has begun mobilising once again. It seems he will finally keep his promise as the Holy Seats Guardian and move to help with our holy mission." Ramiel said warmly and looked at Gabriel, "I believe the Goptic Kingdom will be our staging grounds."

Constacne saw Gabriel deep in thought, barely paying attention to the conversation. "What is the matter?"

Gabriel looked up and lowered his head in shame. "Will we need to remove Michael before our Crusade?"

"Gabriel!?" Ramiel stood up in shock and looked between him and Constance. "He is Sol Sw..."

"Was," Constance said coldly. "Michael has already tried to gain access to the seal documents. Whilst no further attempt was made, he has proven himself dangerous to the Holy Seat’s stability."

Ramiel couldn’t believe what he heard and sat back down in disbelief. Gabrei looked at him and frowned. He could believe that the man next to him had the most battlefield experience behind Michael. He wore his emotions freely and lacked the callousness that often develops from years on the battlefield.

"Rameil." Constance called out softly to the confused Templar, "Michael isn’t a traitor. He asked for the documents the first time. But I’m afraid he has proven that his duty isn’t to Sol alone anymore. That is why I will be having Gabriel replace him as the head of the Templars."

Ramiel looked at Garbeil and Constance and lowered his head, "I understand, Your Holiness. Will this be all?"

"Thank you. We will see each other again at noon." Ramiel brightly smiled and walked off, leaving the two alone.

"It is lovely to see him. He is always so happy." Constance said with a soft smile. Gabriel couldn’t disagree and mustered up as much of a smile as he could.

"What shall we do about Michael?"

Constacne frowned and looked at his desk. "Wait and see. He is still useful."

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Emperor Theodosius frowned, looking at his kids. All of them had the same Platinum hair and emerald eyes as he did. Whilst all of them looked like perfect rulers, they were disappointing in his eyes. They lacked the killer instinct needed to sit on the throne.

Thinking of his other son, who had run away to play as the Pope, he couldn’t help but sigh in annoyance. He never paid attention to the boy before. He was a weak child who couldn’t even hurt an insect. But now that he sat on a throne of his own, he was the best candidate for his place. He had learnt what it meant to make the tough decisions. It was ironic that it was the same child who claimed she would never be like his father.

"Your Majesty." A bald Eunuch came over and bowed, "The Holy seat has sent word."

"Taking the letter, Theodosius’s smile grew.

"Constance, you really are like me." Chuckling, his fat moved like a wave. Looking down at his children, he smirked, "Can Constacne truly not become my heir?"

The Eunuch stayed silent, knowing the question wasn’t directed towards anyone.