Water Margin people

"Can't leave the city? Why can't you leave the city? How long are you going to stay in the city? Are you worthy of the divine robes you wear?"

Bernard looked at everyone and questioned in a cold voice.

"Bernard, you should know that we are only trying to protect the Holy See!"

Everyone looked at Bernard and said that it was not that they did not want to leave the city, but once the city was opened, even this last safe place might be gone. If the Black Death broke out in the Vatican and all the high-ranking clergy died, the Holy See would be destroyed. They were just lying in wait now, waiting for the Black Death to pass.

"Then I am willing to lead the troops out of the city to kill the pagans. This is the Lord's kingdom and no pagans are allowed to set foot here, let alone preach evil cults!"

Bernard looked at Pope Eugene III and a group of cardinals and said that he could not sit idly by and watch Baldwin IV spread the cult so wantonly.

Bernard knew very well that this was the time when the Holy See was at its weakest. The believers had lost faith in religion because of the Black Death. This was the best time for the cult to develop.

"You want to lead the troops out?"

Eugene III looked at Bernard and asked.

The other cardinals also looked at Bernard in surprise. There were many crises outside. What was the difference between going out now and committing suicide?
"Yes, I'm going to kill the cultists!"

Bernard said firmly.

"How many people are you taking with you?"

Eugene III looked at Bernard and asked, after the outbreak of the Black Death, the empire and major kingdoms had all fled, and the Vatican does not have many troops now.

"Five hundred people are enough!"

Bernard said that the Vatican’s army now consisted of the elite troops of the Court of Justice, and 500 people would have no problem dealing with some unarmed pagans.

"Five hundred people?"

Eugene III was a little hesitant. The Vatican only had one thousand palace guards now, and Bernard wanted to take five hundred away, so the Vatican's guards would become a problem.

"No, there are too many. The Vatican still needs guards. If you take half of them away, what will happen to the Holy See?"

A group of cardinals opposed it. They only cared about the safety of the Vatican and didn't want to care about anything else.

"Then I'll take three hundred guards out!"

Bernard said through gritted teeth.

The cardinals were still unwilling to agree. They felt it was too risky. These 300 guards might die in a few days. It was not because they were afraid of the pagans, but because they were afraid of the Black Death.

"Are you sure?"

Eugene III looked at Bernard and asked.

"Your Holiness, I have traveled all over the country for many years and have seen all kinds of epidemics. I am confident that I can lead 300 guards to fight them out!"

Bernard spoke, holding the cross in his hand.

"Okay, then you take three hundred guards to kill the pagans!"

Eugene III looked at Bernard and said that although it was a bit risky, he had no other choice now. It would be dangerous to allow the pagan church to continue like this.

Bernard bowed and went out.

"Your Holiness, this is too risky. There is the Black Death outside..."

A cardinal began to speak, but was interrupted by Eugene III.

"Don't say any more. You know very well that the believers outside are at their most unstable right now. Baldwin IV betrayed the Lord and joined the Imperial Church because he saw this. If he preaches now, the believers will follow him blindly. If we don't care, when the Black Death is over, the outside world may be full of pagans."

Eugene III spoke.

Everyone was speechless. They all knew what was going on outside. The reason why Baldwin IV betrayed the Vatican and became the vanguard of the Eastern Imperial Church was because the Vatican was in a weak state at this time.

"You should write to the Empire and the major kingdoms, asking them to take strict precautions and never let the evil Eastern cult spread!" Eugene III said to the group of cardinals. Bernard and three hundred guards alone could not solve the problem of the spread of paganism. The Empire and the kingdoms must work together on this matter.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid Conrad III and his men will not agree. They are probably also worried about the Black Death."

Someone said that the relationship between the Holy See and the major kingdoms was very delicate. Now that the Black Death had broken out, the major kingdoms were unable to take care of themselves and it was almost impossible for them to heed the orders of the Holy See.

"Tell them that as long as they can wipe out those pagans, the Vatican will no longer interfere with the succession rights of kings of various countries. The Vatican will only be responsible for the coronation of the king!"

Eugene III said that things had come to this point and the Holy See would have to give up some benefits.

"Your Holiness, we will lose control of our countries!"

Some people objected that if this right was given up, the major kingdoms would become independent and the Holy See would lose most of its power.

"I can't care about so many things now. Only by destroying the pagans can the Church continue to rule this land. As for the power, I will give it up now, but I can take it back in the future!"

Eugene III said that although it would be difficult to take back the rights that had been given away, the most important thing was to overcome the current difficulties.

After a while, the cardinal made the sign of the cross on his chest, muttered a few words silently, and left.

Inside Vatican City.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

Bernard has summoned three hundred guards.

These guards were wearing armor, holding spears and flags, and had their mouths and noses covered with cloth.

"go!"

Bernard didn't hesitate at all. As soon as the city gate opened, he rushed out with his men.

After leaving the city of Rome, they saw a mountain of corpses outside. Even though Bernard A had seen many deaths, he couldn't help but be frightened. This was the first time he saw a mountain of corpses.

"Stay away from these corpses!"

Bernard spoke to the guards behind him. Based on his understanding of the plague, one might contract the disease if he got close to the bodies of the dead.

Bernard led his guards along the road heading north. According to the information from the investigation, there was a large pagan gathering place in the northern mountains.

After crossing two forests, Bernard saw the refugees walking.

"Where are you from? Where are you going?"

Bernard shouted as he looked at the refugees walking in the distance.

When the refugees saw the Vatican's flags and knights, they were so scared that they ran away and soon disappeared into the woods, making it impossible for the knights around Bernard to chase them.

"Master Saint Bernard, are these people pagans?"

The guards asked. They had been in the Vatican to protect the Holy See for many years and had never seen a pagan.

"I don't know, it doesn't look like it!"

Bernard spoke, looking at the end of the road. These people were obviously moving forward.

"Keep moving forward!"

Bernard pointed ahead and spoke.

The cavalry accelerated their advance, and at this time thick smoke was rising from all over the mountains and forests.

"Oh no, someone tipped off!"

Bernard looked at the rising smoke and knew that someone was tipping off the pagans.

The cavalry climbed over a hill and found a village on the high slope at the end of the road. At this time, the village had built a high wall. In the middle of the village, there was a dragon flag fluttering. On the flag, a dragon and phoenix were embroidered with the word "Qi" in gold thread. (End of this chapter)