The group of priests in the monastery would definitely not know how to use weapons. The unarmed King Horik of Denmark had no worries and was even quite cheerful.
He put on the disguise of a believer and followed Eskil's footsteps into the so-called confessional room. He stood through the wooden window and stood opposite the old guy Eskil.
Maybe he is sincerely remorseful, or maybe he is just pretending.
Eskil followed the script: "Son, tell me what you have done, and the Lord will forgive you."
Looking at Horik again, instead of feeling guilty, he looked contented.
"I killed many people in Flanders, men, women and children, and I made a fortune. I came to Denmark to inherit the throne at the request of the prince, and all the lords who opposed me were killed. I personally killed him in Hedeby Killed five gang leaders. I am now the King of Denmark..."
Horik viewed killing as an absolute feat and robbery as merit. Some horrific descriptions made Eskil tremble on the other side of the wooden window!
"So, do you realize you did something wrong?"
"Yes. I was wrong, so I hope to be forgiven by the Lord." After saying that, Horik still had that weird smile on his face, raised his head and stared at Eskil who was caught off guard.
In the Frankish territory, those pious people were killed one after another by this gang leader. Even so, this man was still a mercenary of Prince Ludwig? ! Eskil secretly cursed how such a villain could be forgiven. He must go to hell after death, but...
Eskil heard an extremely crucial piece of information from the words. Even though this man was a veritable murderer, he came to Denmark to obtain the royal power under the instructions of Prince Ludwig. Since the man kept the cross on him, maybe it wasn't so bad.
An idea flashed in his mind: "My child, will you carry out the Lord's way? Your sin of killing is very serious, but if you can lead the lambs in Denmark to convert, the Lord will definitely forgive your sins. At least the Holy One of Rome I will pardon you and crown you King of Denmark.”
Horik never went to Rome at all. He took his brothers in Flanders for many years and never went south. His understanding of the Roman Pope was limited to hearsay, and he didn't know how great those clergy were, so he didn't take Esquier's "Pope Coronation" to heart at all.
As for the weirdness in Denmark, this question gets to the point.
Indeed, Horik, the new King of Denmark, must make a painful choice, choose either the Lord or Odin.
Faced with Eskil's question, he chose to be vague.
"Are you still doubting? You should implement the sacred faith and give up the barbaric gods of your homeland. Odin does not exist, and the Lord is the only one." At least Eskil's belief is extremely firm, and he is eager to preach again , forcing King Horik to obey completely. "Just like Harald Clark, just like this relative of yours, being a loyal servant of the Lord is the most correct way. As long as you follow through, Cardinal Lance will definitely support you, and your throne will be stable .”
In Horik's view, what the old man Eskil said was all correct nonsense. He is not a fool, but this is not a matter of which god he believes in. He has no so-called freedom in this regard.
He simply stood up and forcibly interrupted the meaningless "confession".
"That's enough!"
"No! You can't leave yet!" Eskil was shocked.
"It doesn't matter. If the Lord hates me, he will rain down thunder and strike me to death. I have told the Lord what I have done, and the rest depends on the Lord's will."
Eskil was very speechless. He stood in front of Horik with a face that looked as blue as a week of constipation. He said coldly: "The Lord is just. Your blasphemy will bring disaster. Since you don't care, , there is nothing I can do. I can only advise you to take care of yourself..."
"Oh? Are you trying to persuade me to leave?!"
Horik had retreated to the chapel. He looked around and tried to detect the gold and silver utensils inside. There are precious metal utensils, but there are only a few silver candlesticks, silver plates and a small gold cross at the minaret. In addition, there are a lot of old wooden utensils. He saw that the few benches were full of signs of wear and tear. It was obvious that this man was preaching in the north and did not attract many believers after all.
These details solidified Horik's perception that Frankish and Roman beliefs were unpopular in Denmark.
Eskil's constipated expression remained unchanged, this face really deserved a beating.
Horik knew that the old priest had issued an eviction order, but he could not say it clearly due to his status. He must have been regarded as a heretic and a blasphemer in his heart, and his reputation might quickly spread to the Frankish mainland.
"So what? Now I am no longer the one who acts based on Ludwig's face." He thought this way.
But if he withdraws now, where does the dignity of the King of Denmark rest? This is obviously our territory, allowing them to continue to own the monastery is already the greatest kindness!
Horik pinched his waist and said deliberately: "It seems that you are not doing a good job. Where are your followers? Don't tell me that you are the only one in this huge monastery."
"Of course there are many, and the clergy are willing to receive the most pious."
"You mean I'm not religious enough?" Horik asked knowingly.
Eskil doesn’t accept this trick: “It depends on the Lord’s will.”
"Then let all the people who are hiding come out! Remember, it's everyone! I know that your monastery itself can't hide many people. There are not many buildings and there are no darkrooms or cellars."
"What do you want to do?" Eskil couldn't help but take a step back.
"Are you afraid? Don't worry, I won't cause trouble in this sacred place. I want you to gather the priests, and I want to hear them sing hymns. Otherwise, your trip will be in vain."
Eskil didn't want to be entangled anymore, but the opponent's army was at Hedebe, and he still had to meet his unreasonable demands. Fortunately, the day of escape was not far away.
After a while, the hidden priests appeared one after another in black robes, each with their heads lowered, looking solemn and solemn. Among them were Blue Fox and Vardy. They were dressed like ordinary priests. This image of the fat man Blue Fox was really eye-catching!
The priests stood in two rows, including the figure of Blue Fox. Just as Horik's arrogant words said, Esquier did not develop many loyal believers here in Hedeby.
"I saw that you have some children here. Yes, you are sheltering orphans. I have heard about this. But is the food here good? Did my eyes get dazzled? I actually saw a fat man."
Horik's words were directed at Blue Fox. Blue Fox also raised his head instantly, and the two people's eyes met like this.
This was really unexpected. Horik saw the murderous look and arrogance in the fat boy's eyes. With such an aura, he is still a priest? How ridiculous! No! There must be something hidden here.
He then shouted again: "The Russians and my people fought fiercely. Most of the Russians were killed by my people. It seems that some people took advantage of the chaos to escape. Esquier, are there any Russians here who are protected by you? ?”
Eskil's eyes immediately wandered, and with this expression Horik had basically received a positive answer.
"I only have priests here. I know that the Rus are all barbarians who believe in Odin. Heretics cannot enter here!"
"Really? I think that fat man is very suspicious. You are all ascetics, but you can actually raise a fat man? How do you explain this?"
While the two of them were talking, Blue Fox had already thought of a hundred ways to kill the stocky short Horik in his mind. The fact is that the new King of Denmark is not tall and burly, but his face has been firmly remembered. After hearing that all his subordinates were killed, it stands to reason that there is no point in avenging a group of mercenaries who died in battle. A real businessman does not need to get involved in this aspect, but this humiliation must be ended.
Blue Fox's reason suppressed his impulse. He didn't think he had the strength to kill this person in a duel, not to mention that he had a longer-term plan.
He deliberately stared at Horik's face, showing his disdain and contempt at every turn.
The malicious eyes had always been a mental provocation to Horik. He wished he could kill the fat priest with his own hands, but he couldn't go so extreme.
The atmosphere became tense, and Eskil quickly came to smooth things over: "Joseph is a little fatter. He is very good at eating."
"A greedy loser?"
Eskil came up with a quick wit: "There is a reason here, because Joseph is very good at learning Latin. Naturally, there should be more rewards for such a good student. It is not surprising that he eats a lot. The Lord obviously allows this behavior." So, Eskil was indeed lying, and he was praying in his heart for forgiveness from the Lord.
"You actually know Latin? Okay! I want to listen, even if I don't speak it. I listened to many sermons by pastors who were good at using Latin in Flanders, and the poor accent of the idiot certainly can't fool me."
How could it be difficult for Blue Fox to be asked by name to recite random passages from the Gospel in Latin?
He read the book aloud and spoke clearly, and now Horik's doubts were gone.
Horik didn't want to get too entangled with the priests, and he didn't even want other tribal observers in the army to know that he had visited a Frankish monastery. He could actually leave now, but a major event might be implemented now.
As for the search for Russian escapees, how meaningful is it? At least this suspicious fat man is definitely not a Russian. According to Horik's understanding, only priests in this world can learn Latin.
He listened to the psalms as a pretense, just to see Eskil's preaching achievements. The small number of people showed that the power of the Franks was still weak in Hedeby.
"That's enough. Let your priests leave! Eskil, we can take this opportunity to have a good chat again."
"As you wish."
Horik smiled and shrugged: "I know you are going to drive me away, and I will leave. Before that, I ask you to promise that you will do something for me."
"What's the matter?"
"I want you to write a letter to Prince Ludwig and tell him that I have obtained the Danish crown. I know you have the authority in this regard, but..."
"so what?"
Horik couldn't help but glance at the cross on the table and sighed: "I was a bound wolf, and now I am free. The Danish kingship is mine, my Danish kingdom is completely free, and Frank and I have a country-to-country relationship. , I hope that the prince can use the Great Wall of Schleswig as a boundary, and the north of the city is mine. For this reason, I would rather give up Durist. I will maintain an alliance with His Highness the Prince. I will not invade Frank, and the prince cannot invade me. "
Horik said so much, Eskil basically understood that the shock was really shocking, but as a priest, he should not get involved in this kind of thing. Due to his personal situation, he also resisted, so he said: "I am an ascetic monk and do not want to participate in worldly affairs. My heart only belongs to the Lord."
"You are teasing me! This is not the first time you have written to the prince. Otherwise, how would I know your identity? If you don't get funding from the prince for preaching in the North, you won't even be able to build this monastery. And I I have been working under the prince for so many years. You must write a letter. If you don’t agree, I will demolish this place. If you are punished by the Lord, then come!"
The words were so absolute, Eskil was sure that as long as he didn't obey, this guy would definitely carry out the threat.
He felt a huge threat. This Horik was a hundred times more difficult to deal with than the previous Hafgen! I'm afraid there's no reason to hold on to this stronghold of Hedeby anymore, and it's time to build another monastery.
"Alas... Hedebe has gone through a war, and the weak-willed believers have run away. King of Denmark, although we are pious, we can no longer survive the winter. This depressed city cannot buy supplies. My warehouse The bread is almost gone.”
"What do you want?"
Eskil looked regretful: "I want to take the priests back to Hamburg. Maybe we will come back in the spring, and you won't refuse me then."
"Wait! You want to go to Hamburg?! Get out of here?"
"Exactly. King of Denmark, why don't you write a letter yourself, just in Frankish. I will personally deliver the letter to the Count of Hamburg, and the letter will be delivered to the prince's mansion soon."
Hearing this, Horik was greatly surprised but quickly turned into joy: "Yes! I'll write it. You must deliver it to the earl in person. So, when will you leave?"
"Of course it's the day after the Mass at St. Mary on August 14th, which will be the last Mass we say in Hedeby this year. Maybe you should get involved."
Horik nodded, without affirming or denying, and finally said: "That's enough. It's been a pleasure contacting you. I will give the letter to you on the day of mass." He said no more, turned around and left. He approached the gate, pushed it open, and ran towards the wall to meet his subordinates who were waiting quite boredly.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and the young priests crossed themselves without hesitation, lamenting that the devil who had betrayed their faith had left.
Eskil stood in the lobby and casually asked Blue Fox who had not left: "Do you recognize the face of the King of Denmark?"
"Yes. I will report the specific appearance of the facial features, body shape, and arrogance of speech to Prince Rurik."
"So, that kid Rurik will really take revenge?"
"inevitable."
"Oh! Lord..." Eskil kept crossing his chest: "I am guilty. Maybe I led a dispute and Hedebe became really dangerous."
On the agreed August 14th, the Mass of St. Mary was held in the monastery. This was a completely private ceremony that only the "devout lambs" could attend.
King Horik participated in this ceremony with his unique practical actions. He led more than 500 armored warriors and as many as 100 cavalry, and vigorously held more than 50 heads of various sizes. The raven flag appears outside the monastery's wooden walls.
This is a powerful military deterrent. As long as Horik gives the order, the army will conquer this place in minutes.
The young priests trembled for their lives, causing the mass to contain fear. Eskil never believed that Horik would really send troops, asserting that this was a kind of deterrence, and the deterrence was not directed at himself, but at the Frankish Kingdom.
Horik marched outside the walls, and his messenger approached the gate and asked the clergy to send someone immediately to receive the important letters.
Who will receive the letter? Horik named them and asked the fat priest Joseph to come and get them.
This is another naming of the blue fox! Originally, Blue Fox didn't want to get involved in a boring ceremony like mass. In terms of ceremony, how could the ceremony be as exciting as the Russians lighting fire towers and slaughtering deer?
He was not afraid of Horik, so he walked towards the wooden wall and opened the door himself, pretending to be respectful.
Horik saw the fat man dismounting happily and carrying a cloth bag with his own hands, which contained a letter written in Frankish on a white cloth.
He stared at the face of the blue fox and stepped forward, with the mighty armored army behind him.
The Blue Fox was not afraid, and even looked at this powerful Danish army, imagining how it would collapse under the attack of Ross's elite army.
Horik personally thrust the cloth bag towards Blue Fox, and did not let go when he received it with one hand.
The blue fox was a little surprised, and Horik also said something astonishing: "Fat man, put away your disguise. I heard that the commander of your Ross people is a fat man. My people described that there was nothing in the body. Fatty. Obviously that person is you! You managed to escape!"
Lan Hu was not intimidated. Dare to do business in Haizebi was a life-threatening job. Now that he had killed someone, he became more courageous.
"You misunderstood, I am Joseph."
"It doesn't matter. Russians, if you believe in the Lord, I won't be able to do anything to you. You'd better leave as soon as possible. My kingdom does not allow Swedes and Russians to exist. If you can or return to your Rus, let me tell you Leader, if you dare to cross to the west of Burgundy Island in the future, any ship will encounter my ruthless attack!"
Now that the words have come to this, Blue Fox simply stopped pretending. The reason why he received the letter with one hand was because the other hidden hand was holding a meat-cutting dagger under the cloth. Even though Horik was wearing armor, the vital part of his neck was open. Horik could guess this from his special posture.
"Okay, King of Denmark. In fact, my Prince Rus wanted to negotiate peacefully with you. The dispute that has lasted for a hundred years should end. Since you refuse, forget it."
"What? Is this the attitude of the Ross people?" Horik was really shocked. He even felt that he should write a letter to tell the Ross leader that he was actually tired of the disputes.
But are all peace negotiations still possible? He actually killed a group of Russians and even destroyed their shops. Horik's expectation for the peace of 'Danluo' is very strange, that is, the two sides should not fight and kill each other as soon as they meet, but Denmark will still reject Ross and Sweden. At most, they promise not to take the initiative to invade, and also ask the other side not to invade. for "mutual non-aggression". As for cooperative trade, don't even think about it, because it is related to the stability of the Danish throne.
Horik felt as if a stone was weighing on his heart, and he left angrily after the wooden door was closed. He is not afraid of the Russians' revenge, and does not even take it seriously, simply because the primary issue now is to redefine the relationship between Denmark and Frank.
He did not stay any longer, and the army circled the monastery one more time holding a large number of raven flags and left. He used this performance art to clearly show that he was a warrior of Odin, and also to show that he had betrayed Prince Ludwig and Cardinal Reims. He is very conflicted. First of all, he does not want to be an enemy of Frank because of his faith. Secondly, if he does not regain Odin, most of the Danish lords will be angry, and he is afraid that he will be expelled again.
For the sake of power, he must firmly become Odin's warrior!
After this glance at the confrontation, Blue Fox finally saw through King Horik that he could change his faith at any time as long as there was any benefit. For example, this person's behavior clearly showed that he did not want to be a "loyal dog" to Prince Ludwig. He asserted that it was because Blue Fox peeked at the letter and his good memory allowed him to write down the content of the letter. Now this It was a great achievement to inform Prince Rurik of important information.
Blue Fox also asked himself, he was similar to Horik, the cross on his chest was just a safety certificate for activities in Frank, so why not pretend to be a believer all his life in order to do business. As for the world after death, there are various theories, but who knows?
