——Grand Citadel, City of Fire, Tzardom of Light.
A message had been delivered to one of the five Grand Citadels the Tzardom was famous for, a message for a man called Bardo Hannes Luxembourg Eugen, whose tall stature complemented his long name. He was the older brother of Flay, the former captain of the Salamander Knights. Even though Eugen had pursued a career in clergy and not battle like his brother, he shared Flay’s astonishing looks and scarlet hair. On the inside, however, the brother could not have been any more different.
With ambitions to become the next Pope, Eugen steadily accumulated supporters by making connections in all fields, sharing his vast wealth under the table, assassinating his competition, and garnering favors from powerful people. He’d moved up in the Church from clergyman, rector, friar, archbishop, to finally cardinal—one step away from Popedom—all by the age of thirty. While this prodigy did not shy away from any tactic that furthered his position, he also served the people of the Tzardom so fiercely that he would give up his life for their salvation. He cried for the deaths of nameless beggars, shared his food with the starving, and even gave the clothes off of his back to the freezing. Bizarrely, Eugen poured his heart and soul into guiding people to a facade of salvation. Even Eugen couldn’t tell if his faith was real or fake.
He was in his bedroom now, where handpicked portraits of historical paladins lined the wall, as if Eugen wanted to advertise his allegiance with the common man.
The steward who’d fearfully delivered the message of Flay’s death bowed his head, mixed emotions clouding his face.
“That complete fool and failure...finally did something useful,” Eugen said.
“I don’t believe Master Flay was a...fool,” the steward stammered.
Eugen showed no sign of emotion, and certainly no indication that he cared for his brother. “And father?” he asked.
“He is distraught. Locked in his bedroom,” the steward answered.
Eugen nodded. “My father always spoiled him. Perhaps because he was an utter imbecile. But I suspect my father’s sorrow will soon turn to anger.”
“D-Do you think he would risk his relationship with the Pope...?”
“The Pope was the one who approved the fool to go out there. Naturally, the blame lies with His Holiness,” Eugen said.
The master of House Luxembourg, one of the most prominent families in the Tzardom, had just lost his beloved son. The tidal wave of his wrath was rising on the horizon, and the Pope who’d sent his son on that dangerous mission was standing on the shore.
“What’s my schedule for the afternoon? I remember a funeral in the slums and a farmer’s wedding.”
“Uh, sir... Considering the circumstances, shouldn’t you, uh, take the day off...?”
“Nonsense. When the common people are racked with sorrow, I cry with them. When they are filled with joy, I sing and dance with them. As their Cardinal, I am their servant! I shall not rest until every soul in the Tzardom is saved!” Eugen knelt before one of the portraits that depicted a particularly ravishing man with silky black hair and golden eyes that threatened to entrance him. “Oh, great hero Loganhill... Lend me your strength to bring salvation to the common man!” Eugen shouted, and sauntered off to the stinking slums of the city. Whether he was a saint or a villain, the world might never know.