I changed the world.

Page 338

There was a rhythmic knocking at the door. Director Herbert said in a deep voice, "Come in."

The door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man who looked to be around fifty years old, balding, and wearing frameless glasses, entered. This was Loz Albert, the deputy director in charge of intelligence analysis.

Director Herbert glanced at it, pointed to the sofa next to him, and got up and sat down with her.

Director Herbert asked, "Any progress?"

“I’ve already confirmed some information, so I rushed over.” Albert sighed, his expression equally grave. He looked around, gave a wry smile, and lowered his voice, saying, “To be honest, this whole thing was completely unexpected. I wish I hadn’t seen this information…”

"Tell me about it. I know this is a bit troublesome. But what's meant to happen will happen..." Director Herbert sighed, his eyes bloodshot from staying up all night.

"Okay, based on the information we have obtained from the interrogation so far, the incident at the museum was caused by two museum guards, Rousseff Sean and Henri Hubert, who attempted to steal a Karagada artifact—a snake-head staff ornament—from the Indigenous Cultures section of the Baladur National Museum."

"Based on our current information, it appears that during the theft, the snake-headed staff was activated for some unknown reason, releasing the monster sealed within. We currently believe it to be a demon god."

"According to our information, these two guards had successfully stolen 39 items in the past two years, involving a total of 52 cultural relics. They always chose relatively obscure relics without surveillance cameras, taking advantage of their guard status, and after each theft, they would replace the original items with high-quality replicas, so they were never discovered. It has to be said that the museum's security is seriously flawed."

"Based on the information they confessed to, we believe there is another chain of cultural relic theft and trafficking, and they are just one node in the chain."

“I suggest that this information be directly transferred to the police, and our people can cooperate with them,” Chief Herbert interjected.

Albert nodded and continued, "Regarding the name of that demon god, he calls himself Akbar. We have multiple inquiry records to corroborate this name, so there shouldn't be any problem."

"According to Mr. Valentine, it is called 'the demon on the clay tablet,' and he also mentioned that in some documents it is called 'Hagser.'"

"According to the information currently provided by Dr. Edmund's team, based on the Book of Kings in the Ancient Age, in 1028 BC, the prophet Hiboan of ancient Aros inscribed the names of eighteen powerful demons on clay tablets and used them to manipulate them. Therefore, later generations called them 'demons on clay tablets'."

"The name Hagerser is one of the eighteen demon gods in the legend. According to records, he is cunning and likes to instigate."

"As for when the Book of Kings was first written, it is now impossible to know. However, the oldest version we have is the one stored in the Great Library of Bergopelli. It was written around the 4th century AD in Old Roman script. Therefore, it can be considered that 'Hagser' is actually a transliteration of 'Aqbar'."

"In other words, Mr. Valentine's words can indeed be supported by evidence..." Director Herbert nodded.

“That’s true. So we tend to believe that it really is the legendary ‘demon on the clay tablet,’ but it was sealed away for some unknown reason.” Albert nodded and continued, “In other words, some of the events recorded in the Ancient Chronicles may have actually happened. And according to some historians we consulted, the current historical community generally regards it as a myth with questionable origins.”

Chapter 672 The Knights Templar

Director Herbert took a cigarette from his pack, lit it, took a drag, and then slowly said, "We need more professionals. This year's recruitment can be targeted at people with backgrounds in history, religion, and folklore studies. We need to expand our team in these areas. In addition, we can continue to strengthen our cooperation with universities..."

As he spoke, he waved his hand again: "We'll talk about that later, you continue."

“We read the personal records of the personnel who entered the museum, and we also interviewed each of the team members who entered the museum at that time, basically reconstructing the entire process of their contact with the special person.”

“I’ve read the briefing, and I’d like to hear your analysis in person.” Director Herbert nodded and tapped the briefing on the coffee table in front of him.

“Your Excellency, I think that since it is said by a demon god, it may not be true, especially since this demon god on the clay tablet is cunning according to the records…” Albert looked up and scanned his surroundings again before lowering his voice.

“I understand, I understand… The words of the demon god are certainly full of deceit…” Herbert also lowered his voice, looking at his subordinate beside him: “Therefore, this is just a hypothetical analysis…”

"Just a hypothesis?"

"Yes, just hypothetically..."

“Very well, Your Excellency, let’s consider these analyses as assumptions…” Albert took a deep breath and said in a low voice, “We suspect that this Mr. Valentine is the successor of the Knights Templar…”

"The Knights Templar?"

"According to current records, the Knights Templar, active in the Middle Ages, were officially known as the 'Poor Knights Guarding the Throne of Micah and the Noble Temple.' They responded to the call of the Papacy, participated in the Church's expansion and wars in the East, and developed rapidly over the next two hundred years."

“I’ve heard of them, but it seems that this organization disappeared a long time ago, hasn’t it?” Director Herbert exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes deep and unfathomable in the smoke.

"Yes, we had always thought they had disappeared..."

"So, why do you think so?"

"You should know that the Demon God once mentioned the term 'Knights Templar.' Of course, this is not our only evidence."

After a pause, Albert recited a sentence: "Glorify us, Lord, glorify us, not for us, Lord, but for your name..."

“This is…” Herbert, upon hearing this, subconsciously turned to one of the pages of the briefing, which recorded Mr. Valentine’s words and actions before he pulled Rousseff Shawn out of the painting.

“This is it…” Albert pointed to a prayer in the briefing: “This is what Mr. Valentine once recited… According to our research, this is the advice of the Knights Templar in history.”

Seeing Herbert frowning as he stared at the passage, Albert hesitated for a moment before continuing, "According to some memoirs, in 1318, Owen Lane, then Grand Master of the Knights Templar, was invited by Pope Rostov II to Grande to discuss important matters. Upon arriving in Grande, Owen Lane was immediately arrested. It is said that a dismissed knight accused the Knights Templar of multiple crimes, and King Bonova I of Grande immediately accepted these accusations and, without warning, began a massive arrest of Knights Templar throughout Grande."

"At the time, King Bonova I considered these Templar members to be 'heretics and denies the Son of Micah,' and fabricated charges to arrest them."

“Bonova I… that His Majesty was…” Herbert nodded thoughtfully. In fact, Bonova I was a highly controversial king in the history of Grand. During his reign, he devoted himself to expanding the influence and power of the royal family, cracking down on the power of the nobles and the church, extorting taxes and loans from merchants, and banishing the Archbishop of Grand for treason. Finally, due to conflicts with the church, he even led his army to invade the Papacy, imprisoned the Pope at the time, and imprisoned him in Meloton on the border of Grand, creating the famous ‘Meloton Imprisonment’ incident in history.

“Yes, this accusation, in retrospect, is indeed very… well… bizarre. However, according to records, they conducted a ‘remarkably effective’ interrogation, reportedly resulting in the deaths of nearly 40 members of the Order in Sidde alone… to the point that they obtained many strange confessions, such as the requirement to spit on a crown upon joining, the worship of demons, and claims of homosexuality… Of course, at the time, His Majesty probably only wanted the results.” Albert shrugged.

"And the Church? What was His Majesty Lustow II's reaction at the time?" Herbert asked after thinking for a moment. "If it was because of his invitation that the Grand Master of the Knights Templar was lured into a trap, that would be quite dishonorable."

"Yes, so it is said that Lustow II wrote a personal letter to Bonois I to exonerate the Knights Templar, claiming that he did not believe they had committed such an unforgivable sin, and warned Bonois I that he had violated the Church's code of conduct."

"However, Bonois I ignored Lustow II's letter. At that time, about 1.5 members of the Knights Templar were imprisoned, and their vast wealth and lands were confiscated by the royal family."

"I've heard of this history. It's said that Bonois I was after wealth?"

"Yes, the prevailing view in mainstream historical circles is that the Knights Templar accumulated enormous wealth at the time. In addition, they carried out a series of financial activities through their organizational network and made substantial profits."

Albert spoke, opening a folder to the side, turning to a page, and reading: "For example, it is said that during the Crusades, the Knights Templar provided loans or mortgages for warriors and pilgrims traveling to the East. In contrast, the military nature of the Knights Templar gave them a unique advantage in this regard. Because of the large number of castles and knights in the Holy Lands, they were able to guarantee the safety of their treasuries and ensure the safety of the transportation process by using armed escorts."

"This naturally allows its branches to function as financial outlets, making its financial services more convenient. This outlet advantage also increases its competitiveness in the financial industry. Finally, its unique organizational principles and performance in financial practice help establish its image of integrity and neutrality in the world of the Church of Christ."

"According to records, after the 13th century, its network had developed into a professional financial institution. Judging from existing materials, its main clients were kings, nobles, and the church. Its main businesses were trusteeship, credit, and remittance."

Chapter 673 Revenge, The King's Blood

"Records show that nobles and kings of the time frequently stored gold, silver, jewels, wills, and even treaties in the treasury of the Knights Templar. In 1204 and 1205, King Grellley of Rune deposited his imperial seal and crown jewels with the Redfield branch of the Templar Order. In Sidde, the kings of Grande stored their jewels with the Templar Order for a century. The Pope also frequently used the Knights Templar as a place to store his wealth. In 1234, he ordered his Rune envoys to send taxes collected from Rune to the Sidde branch of the Templar Order, and then withdraw these funds from the eastern branches of the Templar Order."

“1256年，著名的凡贝可修道院曾从圣殿骑士团贷款还债。格兰德王路易三世曾从圣殿骑士团获得巨额贷款。1208—1249年，格雷利在卢恩圣殿分团开立了长期帐户。其中的存、取金额相当大。这些存、取款金额占王室年收入的1/3左右。”

"Since the Templars' archives have been lost, it is difficult for scholars to make a comprehensive assessment based on only fragmented circumstantial evidence. But overall, it can be said that they were very wealthy, quite wealthy."

"From this perspective, it's understandable that historians believe Bonova I was driven by wealth..." Director Herbert said thoughtfully, but quickly shook his head: "However, this is all based on the premise that they were just ordinary people. If these people actually possessed supernatural powers, then the events of that time need to be re-evaluated."

He waved his hand, signaling Albert to continue.

“I agree with your point of view.” Albert nodded, hesitated for a moment, turned to another page in his folder, and continued reading another sentence:

"The Lord knows who is guilty and who is guilty. Misfortune will befall those who have wrongly judged us; the Lord will avenge us. All those who have wronged us will suffer!"

“This is…” Herbert thought for a moment, then turned to one of the pages of the briefing, which contained a sentence from the words spoken by the demon god at the last moment.

Albert's face turned serious, and he subconsciously lowered his voice: "On the evening of March 22, 1325, Owen Lane was tied to the stake and slowly burned to death. Before he was burned, he cursed King Bonois I of Grand and Pope Lustow II, saying that they would face eternal judgment within a year. Then he said these words."

"The facts do indeed match this. Pope Lustow II died suddenly a month later, and Bonois I died suddenly while hunting six months later."

Herbert took the cigarette out of his mouth, tapped it in the ashtray beside him, took a deep breath, and then asked, "Any more?"

"In addition, there is another rumor."

"Tell me."

"During the Great Revolution in our country, King Philip II was sent to the guillotine, his head was cut off, and his blood sprayed onto the ground. It is said that at that time, a bystander rushed forward, dipped his finger in the blood, and shouted: This is the revenge of Owen Lane."

"I consulted several professional scholars in this field, and they generally believe that because there are no reliable historical records, the rumors are not credible."

Herbert didn't speak immediately; his gaze lingered on a passage in the briefing: "Or... do you think you've won? Is the blood of Philip II enough for you? Self-deceiving hypocrisy..."

At this moment, he felt that some of the history that he had previously found incredibly familiar and real seemed to have become strange. Behind those vague and ambiguous events in history, there was very likely another set of logic hidden...

"There is no love without a reason, no hate without a reason..." he murmured a proverb.

The great revolution of over two hundred years ago formed the cornerstone of the present-day Republic of Grand. As the greatest casualty of the revolution, Philip II was sent to the guillotine, and his son, Crown Prince Philip III, fled, shocking the world. This prompted a united front of nations to condemn the Constituent Assembly, even resorting to military intervention. Under immense external pressure, the Constituent Assembly ultimately compromised with the new King Philip III, who had fled to the border between Grand and Holstein, and drafted a new constitution. Thus, the former Kingdom of Grand was transformed into the Republic of Grand.

However, if some historical events are true, then there may very well be a more hidden force behind that great revolution...

However, this is not the most unsettling thing.

He opened the briefing again and read it word for word. Deputy Director Albert sat silently to the side, saying nothing.

“If this Mr. Valentine were a Protestant clergyman…” Director Herbert finished the rest of his cigarette in one gulp, tossed the butt into the ashtray, and lit another one: “I’d like to make a bold assumption: perhaps some historical events should be explained in a different way…”

Albert nodded. Regarding the identity of this Mr. Valentine, the briefing, based on the description and judgment of the person involved, made it highly likely that he came from the Protestant Church.

The reason is simple: this gentleman is wearing a monk's robe, which is the attire of a clergyman. Given his strength, he would not do something as trivial as cosplay, so it is highly likely that his identity is indeed true.

Secondly, not only does his self-designation as "Mr. Valentine" rather than "Your Excellency Valentine" conform to Protestant custom, but also, considering his identity alone, if he truly had some connection with the Knights Templar, then being a Protestant clergyman would be more in line with his behavior.

These speculations were all mentioned in the intelligence briefing in Director Herbert's hands. As a veteran who had worked in the intelligence system for a long time, it was perfectly normal for Director Herbert not to deduce something from this.

Director Herbert then turned the briefing over and drew a timeline on the white side:

"Historically, in 1325, Owen Lane, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, was burned at the stake, and the Knights Templar perished."

"In 1347, the Black Death swept across the western continent, killing more than 3000 million people. The position of the Bergopelli Papacy was severely shaken."

"For the next hundred years, Grand was embroiled in a century-long War of the Succession, which resulted in the deaths of nearly ten million people."

"The Renaissance began in 1451."

"In 1498, the New World was discovered and the first settlement was established."

"In 1518, the anti-indulgence movement broke out, followed by the Reformation that swept across the western continent. In the decades that followed, religious wars killed tens of millions of people and reduced countless cities to ashes. In Holstein, where the wars were most intense, the various states lost about 25% to 40% of their population; nearly half of the men perished."

Chapter 674 Terror in the Shadow of History

"In 1531, the Act of Faith established the independent status of the Church of Rune, which was not subordinate to the Bergopelli Papacy, and it was established as the State Church of Rune."

"In 1570, the Puritan movement broke out."