Green City, Capital of the Gracia Kingdom.

Inquisitor High Lord had arrived in the city long ago, but he couldn't simply go after the Queen as that would create a lot of suspicions. The best option was to make sure it appeared as natural as possible.

Not only that, he didn't even meet the Queen once after returning and stayed within his camp. The entire city was still under the influence of the Inquisitors. Not to mention, the King was now busy with the declaration of war by the Riveria. Many men had lost their night's sleep over the past few weeks.

The entire Duchy of Ironstone had gone silent on the King's Administration, and one of the Grand Wizards was also missing. So the Gracia Kingdom was under tremendous pressure and fear that if the Riveria did launch a major attack, then this time, their defeat was guaranteed.

So, that left the Inquisitor High Lord with a lot of room to work with. He organised gatherings indirectly. He funded the many small parties, where drinks and other sins were the norms.

He ensured that the Queen always knew about it. After all, the gatherings were held near where the Queen lived, in her tower. In addition, the Church had many loyal members in the Gracia administration, which helped.

The Queen had retired, so she usually spent most of her time in leisure. Being paralysed from the neck down, she could only move around on a special wooden chair with wheels. Even then, she needed a servant to drag her around.

The same servant was responsible for getting her food and drinks and maintaining her hygiene.

"Mary, bring me another glass of wine. I wish to have a pleasant sleep tonight." The Queen stoically ordered her servant.

"Yes, Queen mother."

The large hall was filled to the brim with nobles from all across the kingdom as the discussions for war were going on. Laughs, talks and many words of worry were common there. This time, however, there was a guest who usually avoided even entering the royal castle.

Inquisitor High Lord stood out among all due to his tall height, outfit and aura. Everyone would cower in fear and make way for him to proceed. Only a few strong-willed ones would bow their heads and greet him in the church style.

But Lord Inquisitor walked straight to the Queen and stood beside her. The party then continued, and he talked. "It must elate you to see your kingdom on the brink of collapse. Your family has fallen into all the enemy traps."

Queen Rexina chuckled. "Yet here I am, delighted and enjoying this gathering. I can't wait to see the armies of Riveria march into these streets and take everything. Perhaps, then the Holy Land will realise their mistake."

Lord Inquisitor's eyes flashed red, annoyed and angered at the blatant disregard the woman had for the people of her own kingdom. "The only mistake was to allow you to rise to the throne after your husband's death. Even if merely a few years old, your son would have been a better ruler."

The Queen sneered and took the glass of wine her servant had brought. "It's not I who failed, my lord. It's the faith that failed us. You stopped me from taking Riveria, and now Riveria will take us. The world runs on the rule of the jungle—the winner takes it all. You can impose your will all you want, but the kingdoms will always defy."

Inquisitor High Lord looked around the hall and then outside the window. "You never cared for the realm or the faith. So do not cry at me now with your childish complaints. Men and women with nothing live a much better and happier life out there, yet you were never satisfied with the kingdom. May the Holy Light enlighten your mind."

Inquisitor High Lord proceeded to leave after meeting a few more higher nobles to avoid making it appear he only came for the queen.

"Queen mother, do you need anything else?" The servant, Mary, asked.

The Queen scoffed and put the glass away. "I wish to retire to my chambers. That man ruined the night for me."

The servant pushed the chair away and helped the Queen change into her night dress, cleaning, and then bedding. Mary did everything for the Queen and usually spent most of her day with her. Even when sleeping, she rested just outside the chamber.Her entire life was devoted to the Queen. In return, she got to feed her poor family in the city and fund the study of her younger siblings. She was not an actual slave, but her life was nothing less than toned-down slavery.

"Good night, Queen mother." Mary extinguished the lantern and left the bed chamber.

The Queen, alone in her room, tucked in the bed, stared at the night sky outside from the open widow. The warm breeze of the summer was soothing, but her mind was never at peace. Instead, it was always filled with dreams of what could have been.

"Dear, I failed as your wife. My promise to you on the deathbed—I couldn't bring back the Empire. I hope you will forgive me… I tried my all."

The memories of the old when she was but a young girl surfaced in her mind. Her marriage, her first night after that, and then the birth of her children. When the King died and when she took over. She had so much pride and might—but here she laid, paralysed, a gift from the Holy Land that she spent her life praying to.

"I hope someday—someone makes those fanatics taste defeat in their own game. I hope someday someone will punch those on the high seats in the face."

Slowly, she drifted into sleep. The breeze made it much more soothing. In calmness, with a smile on her face, the Queen remained unmoved. The whole night, no one knew that the Queen had silently been reproved—By the Holy Land.

Ting!

Ting!

In the morning, first came the loud cries of the servant, Mary. Then came the loud bells ringing across the city—declaring that a royal had fallen.

In the large monastery, Inquisitor High Lord stood in front of the bell on the roof as it rang. Beside him was a bald man with no hair on his face. Wearing commoner's robes, the man appeared as unnoticeable as a pebble on the street.

"So a chapter ends for the Gracia Kingdom. Finally, the last Gracia royal who saw Gracia Empire is gone. It wasn't easy."

Inquisitor High Lord nodded as he stared at the bell. "How did you do it without being noticed, Saint Seer?"

The bald man grinned evilly. "A true craftsman never reveals his true skills, my lord. But it's you, so I will tell you. I simply poisoned the servant of the Queen. But the special poison wasn't deadly for the servant; instead, her breath became poisonous. Over time, since she remained so close to the Queen, her breath poisoned the Queen. It was a peaceful, painless death, Lord Inquisitor."

The big man in red didn't say much about it. No one ever knew what went on in the mind of Inquisitor High Lord. "Thank you, Saint Seer. Did you bring what I asked for?"

The bald chief spymaster of the Pope took out a small vial that had nothing in it. "I did, but I can't give it unless you tell me why you need it. Holy Father's orders."

Inquisitor High Lord looked towards the royal castle in the distance. "One titan has fallen—but the other one remains."

Saint Seer's face turned excited instantly, and he handed over the vial. "Ah, I never took you for a scheming man, my lord. Such surprising times we live in. Well, I must leave now. Please use this vial wisely. A single one is expensive enough to bankrupt an entire kingdom."

No more words were spoken, for they were never meant to be. The future was something none of them could foresee. Will it be full of turmoil or calm? For now, there was no cure for the qualm.…

Ironstone Duchy, Duke's Castle.

Sylvester arrived with the Inquisitor army and took over everything. The town and the castle didn't have many guards and defences left as most of the powerful members had gone to battle. Even the people didn't oppose and hid in their homes—in fear.

"A thousand of you shall take over the town. Five hundred of you take the monastery, and the remaining five hundred follow me into the castle!" Sylvester ordered the army.

The men saluted and dispersed quickly. While Sylvester, on foot, marched to the three walls of the castle premise. Felix and Sir Dolorem were walking on his side while the rest were behind him.

"We have captured so many lords, Sylvester. Are we going to ask for ransom? We have a noble from every house in the duchy." Felix asked interestedly.

Sylvester agreed solemnly. "We have spent a lot in this war, Felix. So we have to find ways to recuperate the cost at least. But we will let a few good lords go as long as we have proof that they were manipulated by the Witch."

Boom!

Just then, they arrived at the first wall of the castle, and a loud magic cannon fire resounded. The cannonball landed right in front of Sylvester.

They all looked up and saw a few royal knights in full armour. They were preparing for another cannon strike.

At that, Sylvester waved his hand, and an Inquisitor came running with the flag of the Duke. He waved it clearly and roared. "The Duke has lost the war! Surrender the castle, or all of you shall be treated as heathens for opposing the Church! You will be killed, along with your family, if you have any!"

Sylvester waited for a few minutes as he heard some discussions at the top of the wall. There was even an argument from the sound of it. But eventually, a white flag was waved, and the doors were opened.

Sylvester then moved in, and slowly, all three gates were opened, giving them full access to the castle's surroundings. All the guards were also arrested and imprisoned outside the walls.

"Lord Bard! Lord Bard!"

But just then, an inquisitor came rushing on a horse, shouting. "M-My Lord! A word from the Monastery! The Witch has taken Cardinal Cornelius hostage!"

Sylvester sighed, not really shocked. "I knew this won't go straight. Men, take the defensive position! It seems that Witch won't go down without a fight!"

Felix scoffed. "Sad for her. No matter what plans she makes—her end will be on a burning stake."

"Amen!" Not only Sylvester but the entire army of Inquisitors roared.

________________________

GT = 1 Bonus chapter.

Super Gift = 1 Bonus chapter.

APE TOGETHER STRONG!