Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 505: Heresy

CH505 Heresy

***

Half an hour later, Baron Luth and Kron were seated in the Baron’s study.

With a single glance, the Baron dismissed the old butler. The man bowed deeply and withdrew, closing the door behind him. As he did, he discreetly activated a concealed mechanism. The faint hum of magic settled into the walls, sealing the room and rendering it completely soundproof.

Kron noticed the action immediately.

His expression grew grave as he turned to his father.

”It’s that bad?” he asked quietly.

”It seems you’ve picked up some sense while you were away,” Baron Luth Belloc replied. ”Good. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for your brother.”

”You can’t blame him entirely, Father,” Kron said evenly. ”You’re the one who made it seem as though relying on outside forces—the Imperial family and the other power blocs—was the only way our House could survive. If anything, my brother is merely taking that line of thinking further than you were willing to.”

Bam!

Baron Luth slammed his palm onto the desk.

”By picking a side?!” he roared. ”How can he be so blind? The only reason House Belloc still stands is because we remain neutral! We are the linchpin—the neutral balancer the Empire needs right now. The moment we lose even the perception of neutrality, we lose everything!”

”But that’s precisely the issue, Father,” Kron replied calmly. ”’For now’. The status quo will not last forever. The balance between factions will eventually break. And when it does, it will be the so-called neutrals—those without a side to defend them—who will be swallowed first.”

He paused, then added carefully,

”And if we are being honest with ourselves... the Marquis of EverLight is not the worst liege one could choose to support.”

”House Belloc does not need a liege lord,” Baron Belloc replied coldly.

”Stop being stubborn, old man!” Kron snapped. ”It’s that stubbornness that has reduced us to this state! We can’t field our own army without permission. We can’t survive without the goodwill of others. Forget holding our heads high among families of equal rank—we can’t even raise our heads in our own home! An outsider’s banner is flying above us, for heaven’s sake!”

Kron thrust a finger towards the window, where the Imperial flag fluttered proudly at the central mast—the place where House Belloc’s banner should have flown.

”You know nothing,” Baron Belloc said heavily, letting out a long sigh.

”How could we know anything when you never speak to us?” Kron shot back.

His voice rose, raw with pent-up emotion.

”Do you know I used to be proud that Imperial Guards protected our castle? That I was happy the Holy See has one of its largest cathedrals on our land? That nobles of the aristocratic faction send their children to study here, in our city? Do you have any idea how deluded I was?”

His fists clenched.

”Do you know how gut-wrenching it is to finally see the truth? To realise that everything I grew up believing in—politics, nobility, aristocracy... even the divine—to discover that it’s all a lie?!”

”Wait.” Baron Belloc’s eyes widened in alarm. ”What did you just say?”

”What?” Kron scoffed. ”Are you afraid? Fine, I’ll say it again. The god of the Holy See you flatter and bend over backwards for... I know now that he is nothing but a false god. A thief. A usurper.”

”Silence!” Baron Belloc surged to his feet. ”Have you lost your mind?! Do you want to bring the Inquisition down upon us?!”

Kron laughed bitterly.

”It’s already too late. I’m already a fallen heretic in Juror’s eyes.”

”What?!” Horror washed over Baron Belloc’s face.

He spun around, yanked open a drawer in his desk, and pulled out an object wrapped in protective cloth.

Kron’s eyes widened the moment he saw it.

A single piece of paper filled with dense glyphs.

An item he had only ever seen in one place—an object exclusive to a very specific group of people. Something that should not exist anywhere on Verdantis.

”A magic scroll?” Kron blurted out. ”How do you have a magic scroll?”

”You know what this is? How?” Baron Belloc was stunned.

”Wait—questions can come later. We need to hide your heresy now.”

He was just about to activate the scroll when Kron lunged forward and snatched it from his hand.

”Stop! Don’t waste the scroll!”

”What are you doing?!” Baron Belloc roared. ”Activate it now before your heresy is discovered! Do you want to ruin centuries of sacrifice?!”

He almost lunged to seize the scroll back.

”Calm down, father.” Kron raised a hand, stopping him. ”Look carefully. Nothing is happening.”

He added clearly, ”Juror cannot detect my heresy.”

Baron Belloc froze.

Kron continued evenly, ”Before coming here, I went to the Cathedral. I stood through a full service conducted by a bishop and three priests. None of them noticed anything.”

”How... how is that possible?” Baron Belloc whispered, disbelief etched across his face.

”I was enchanted by a healer,” Kron said. ”One who can block Juror’s gaze entirely. She used a spell stored in an item just like this.”

He held up the scroll.

”Seeing that you possess one as well, it seems we have far more to discuss than I expected.”

Baron Belloc stared at the scroll, then at Kron.

”You met one of the Hidden Ones?” he asked quietly.

”Hidden Ones?” Kron frowned. ”Who are they?”

”You didn’t meet someone from the hidden sanctuaries?” Baron Belloc pressed. ”Then... who was this sorcerer you speak of?”

Kron shook his head.

”They weren’t sorcerers. They called themselves mages.”

He paused, then added, ”They are... invaders from another realm.”

”What?!” Baron Belloc recoiled. ”That’s impossible.”

”Not only is it possible,” Kron replied calmly, ”they are the reason I’m here.”

He met his father’s gaze steadily.

”Like my brother, I’ve realised House Belloc cannot remain as it is. Something must change. But unlike him, I don’t believe the support we need exists within this world.”

Kron moved back to the table and placed a small box on it.

It was the same box Alex had given him before he left the expedition party.

”Father, you asked why I returned.” His voice softened. ”It’s because these invaders showed me the truth—the real light.”

He pushed the box closer.

”Please... open it. I believe everything will become clear once you do.”

***