Rise of Rurik - Chapter 718

[Chapter 719 Merchant Blue Fox, Saint Eskil and King Horik]

The group of priests in the monastery would definitely not know how to use swords, and the unarmed King Horik of Denmark had no worries, and even had a good mood.

He put on the disguise of a believer and followed Esquier’s footsteps into the so-called confession room. He did it through the wooden grille window, and the old guy Esquier was on the opposite side.

Maybe he is sincerely repentant, maybe he is still pretending.

Eskill scripted: “Son, tell me what you’ve done, and the Lord will forgive you.”

Looking at Horick again, instead of feeling guilty, he looked contented.

“I killed many people in Flanders, men, women, and children. 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 was in Hedeby with my own hands. Killed five gang leaders. I’m the king of Denmark now…”

Horik regards killing as an absolute feat and robbery as a feat.

Some horrible descriptions startled Esquier on the other side of the wooden window to tremble!

“So, do you realize what you did wrong?”

“Yes. I was wrong, so I hope the Lord will forgive me.” After that, Horik still had that weird smiling face, and raised his head to stare at Eskill who was caught off guard.

In the territory of Frank, those pious people were killed by this bandit leader, even so, this person is still Prince Ludwig’s mercenary?

!

Eskil cursed in his heart how such a villain could be forgiven, he would go to hell after death, but…

Eskil heard a very crucial piece of information from the words. Even if this person is a veritable murderous maniac, he came to Denmark to obtain the kingship under the instruction of Prince Ludwig.

Since the man was wearing the cross all the time, maybe things weren’t so bad.

A flash of inspiration flashed in his mind: “My child, will you follow the way of the Lord? Your crime of killing is serious, but if you can lead all the lambs of Denmark to convert, the Lord will surely forgive your sins. At least the Holy One in Rome will Pardon you and crown you King of Denmark.”

Horick had never been to Rome at all, and he and his brothers had been active in Flanders for many years and did not develop further south.

His understanding of the Pope of Rome was limited to hearsay, and he didn’t know how great those priests were, so he didn’t care about Eskil’s “pope’s coronation” at all.

As for all-Danish weirdness, that question is on point.

Indeed, Horik, the new King of Denmark, must make a painful choice, either to choose the Lord or to choose Odin.

Facing Eskill’s question, he chose to be vague.

“Are you still wondering? You should carry out your sacred beliefs and give up the barbaric gods in 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.

“Like Harald Clark, just like this relative of yours, to be a loyal servant of the Lord, this is the most correct way. As long as you implement it, Cardinal Lance will definitely support you, and your throne will be stable .”

From Horick’s point of view, what the old man Eskill said was all correct nonsense.

He is not a fool, but it is not a matter of believing in any god at all, and he has no so-called right of freedom in this respect.

He simply stood up and forcibly interrupted the meaningless “confession”.

“Enough!”

“No! You can’t leave yet!” Eskil was taken aback.

“It doesn’t matter, if the Lord hates me, he will send down lightning and strike me to death. I have already told the Lord what I did, and the rest depends on the Lord’s will.”

Eskil was very speechless. He stood in front of Horik again with a face as green as constipation for a week, and said coldly: “The Lord is just, your blasphemy will bring disaster, since you don’t care , I can’t do anything. I can only advise you to do it yourself…”

“Oh? Are you trying to persuade me to leave?!”

Horick had retreated into the chapel, and he looked around trying to spot the gold and silver.

There are precious metal utensils, but there are only a few silver candlesticks at the minaret, silver plates and a small gold cross, besides a large number of old wooden utensils.

He saw that the few benches were full of dilapidated signs. Obviously, this man was preaching in the north, but after all, he did not attract many believers.

These details solidify Horik’s perception that the Frankish and Roman beliefs were not popular in Denmark.

Eskil’s constipated expression remained unchanged, this face really deserves a beating.

Horick knew that the old priest had issued an order to evict the guest, but it was not convenient for him to say so because of his status.

Presumably, he was already a heretic and a blasphemer in his heart, and his notoriety might spread to the Frankish mainland quickly.

“So what? I’m no longer a person who acts according to Ludwig’s face.” He thought so.

But if I withdraw now, where is the dignity of the King of Denmark?

This is obviously their own territory, allowing them to continue to own the monastery is already the greatest kindness!

Horick pinched his waist and said deliberately: “It seems that your work is not doing well, what about your believers? Don’t tell me that there is only you in this huge monastery.”

“Of course there are many, and the priests are willing to receive the most pious.”

“You mean I’m not religious enough?” Horick asked knowingly.

Eskill refused to accept this: “It depends on the will of the Lord.”

“Then let everyone who is hiding come out! Remember, everyone! I know that your monastery itself can’t hide many people. There are not many houses and no darkrooms or cellars.”

“What do you want to do?” Eskil couldn’t help taking a step back.

“Are you afraid? Don’t worry, I won’t make a fuss in this sacred place. I want you to gather the priests and listen to them sing hymns, otherwise it would be a waste of time.”

Eskil didn’t want to be entangled anymore, but the opponent’s army was in Hedeby, and he still had to meet his unreasonable demands, but fortunately, the day of escape was not far away.

After a while, the hidden priests appeared one after another wearing black burqas, each with their heads bowed, looking solemn and solemn.

Blue Fox and Vardy are among them. They dress up like ordinary priests. This is the image of the fat man Blue Fox, which is really eye-catching!

The priests stood in two rows, among them was the figure of the blue fox. Just like Horick’s arrogant words, Eskil did not develop many loyal believers here in Hedeby.

“I saw that you have some children here. That’s right, you are sheltering orphans. I’ve heard about this kind of thing, but is the food here good? Am I delusional, and I saw a fat man?”

Horick’s words pointed directly at the blue fox, and the blue fox raised his head in an instant, and the two eyes met like this.

This was really unexpected, and Horick saw the murderous look and arrogance in the fat boy’s eyes.

With such an aura, he is still a priest?

It’s ridiculous!

Do not!

There must be something hidden here.

He yelled again: “The Ross people fought fiercely with my people. Most of the Ross people were killed by my people. It seems that some people escaped in the chaos. Eskil, are there any Ross people who are protected by you? ?”

Eskil’s eyes immediately faltered, and Horik basically got a positive answer from this performance.

“I only have priests here. I know the Ross people 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 still raise a fat man? How can this be explained?”

While the two of them were talking, Blue Fox had already thought of a hundred ways to kill Horick, the stocky and short man.

The fact is that the new king of Denmark is not tall and burly, and his face has been firmly remembered.

Hearing that all his subordinates were killed, it stands to reason that it is meaningless to avenge a group of dead mercenaries. A real businessman does not need to be involved in this aspect, but this humiliation must be ended.

Blue Fox’s rationality suppressed his impulse. He didn’t think he had the strength to kill this person in a one-on-one fight, not to mention that he had a longer-term plan.

He deliberately stared at Horik’s face, showing his disdain and contempt everywhere.

The malicious eyes have always been a mental provocation to Horik. He wished he could kill the fat priest with his own hands, but he couldn’t be so extreme.

The atmosphere became tense, and Eskill hurried to smooth things over: “Joseph is a little fatter, and he is very good at eating.”

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“A greedy eater?”

Eskiel was eager to gain wisdom: “There is a reason for this, because Joseph is very good at learning Latin, and naturally he should be rewarded more 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 also praying in his heart for forgiveness from the Lord.

“Can you speak Latin? Well! I want to hear it, even if I don’t know how to speak it. I have heard a lot of preaching in Flanders by priests who use Latin well. Of course, a stupid and clumsy accent can’t fool me.”

How could it be difficult for Blue Fox to be asked to read random passages from the Gospels in Latin by name?

He read the book aloud, and his articulation was quite clear, and now Horick’s doubts disappeared.

Horick didn’t want to entangle with the priest too much, and he didn’t even want other tribal observers in the army to know that he had visited the Frankish monastery. He could actually leave now, but a major event might be implemented now.

As for finding the fugitives of the Ross people, how much sense is there?

At least this suspicious fat man is definitely not from Ross. According to Horik’s understanding, only priests in this world can learn Latin.

It was a pretense for him to listen to the chant, just to see Esquier’s missionary achievements. The small number of people showed that the Franks’ power in Hedeby was still weak.

“That’s enough. Let your priests leave! Esquier, let’s take this opportunity to have a good chat.”

“As you wish.”

Horik shrugged with a smile. “I know you’re going to drive me away, and I’m going to leave. Before that, I ask you to promise to do something for me.”

“What is it?”

“I want you to write to Prince Ludwig and tell him that I have obtained the Danish crown. I know you have the authority to do so, but…”

“so what?”

Horik couldn’t help but glanced at the cross on the table, and sighed: “I am a bound wolf, and now I am free. The Danish kingship is mine, and my Kingdom of Denmark is completely free. The relationship between me and Frank is a state-to-state relationship.” , I hope the prince can take the Great Wall of Schleswig as the 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 Royal Highness, I will not invade Frank, and the prince must not invade me .”

Horik said a lot, and Eskill basically understood that the shock was really shocking, but he, a priest, shouldn’t get involved in such things. He also resisted it due to his personal situation, so he said: “I’m an ascetic monk, I don’t want to participate in the affairs of secular power, my heart only belongs to the Lord.”

“You’re teasing me! It’s not the first time you’ve written to the prince, otherwise how would I know your identity? If you don’t get the prince’s funding to preach in the north, you don’t even have the ability 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 that 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 than the previous Hafgen!

I am afraid that there is no reason to insist on this stronghold of Hedeby, and it is time to build another monastery.

“Ah…Hedeby has gone through the war, and the believers who are not firm will have run away. King of Denmark, although we are devout, but the living supplies have not been able to survive the winter. This depressed city can’t 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. You won’t be able to reject me at that time.”

“Wait! You’re going to Hamburg?! Get out of here?”

“Exactly. King of Denmark, why don’t you write a letter yourself, just in Frankish, and I will personally deliver the letter to the Earl of Hamburg, and the letter will be delivered to the prince’s residence soon.”

Hearing that, Horick was greatly surprised and quickly turned into joy: “Yes! I will write it. You must personally deliver it to the earl. Then. When will you leave?”

“Naturally the day after St. Mary’s Mass on the 14th of August, which will be the last Mass we will have this year in Hedeby. Perhaps, you should join in.”

Horick nodded. He didn’t affirm or deny, and finally said: “It’s enough, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I will hand over the letter to you on the day of the mass.” Without further words, he turned around and said Approaching the gate, he pushed it away and ran towards the wall to join his bored subordinates.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The young priests refused to listen to the sign of the cross on their chests, lamenting that the devil who had betrayed their faith had left.

Eskil stood in the lobby, and casually asked the blue fox who hadn’t left: “Do you recognize the face of the Danish king?”

“Yes. I will report the specific appearance of the facial features, figure, and arrogance of speech to Prince Rurik.”

“So, that kid Rurik will really take revenge?”

“inevitable.”

“Oh! Lord…” Eskil kept making the sign of the cross on his chest: “I am guilty, maybe I caused a dispute, and Hedeby has really become dangerous.”

On August 14, as agreed, the Holy Mary Mass was held in the monastery. This is a completely private ceremony, and only “pious lambs” can participate.

King Horik participated in this ceremony with his unique practical actions. He brought more than 500 armored soldiers and cavalry of up to 100 people, and held more than 50 large and small ceremonies of different sizes. Raven banners appear outside the monastery’s wooden walls.

This is a strong military deterrence. As long as Horik gives the order, the army will level down here in minutes.

The young priests trembled for their own safety, causing the mass to contain fear.

Eskil never believed that Horik would really send troops, and asserted that this was a kind of deterrence, and the deterrence was not aimed at himself, but at the Frankish Kingdom.

Horik stood outside the wall, and his emissary approached the gate, demanding that the priests send someone to receive important letters immediately.

Who will receive the letter?

Horick named them, and let the fat priest Joseph come and get them.

This is the naming of the blue fox again!

Originally, the blue fox didn’t want to be involved in a boring ceremony like the mass. In terms of the ceremony, how could it be as exciting as the Ross people lighting a tower to kill a deer?

He was not afraid of Horik, so he approached the wooden wall and opened the door himself, pretending to be respectful.

Horick saw the fat man get off the horse in high spirits, carrying a cloth bag in his hand, in which was a letter written in Frank on a piece of white cloth.

He stared at the face of the blue fox and stepped forward, behind him was the armored army showing off their might.

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.

Horick stuffed the cloth bag towards Blue Fox with his own hands, and did not let go when he received it with one hand.

The blue fox was a little surprised, and this guy Horick was also amazing: “Fatty, put away your disguise. I heard that the commander of your Ross people is a fat man. My person described that there is no body in the body. Fatty. Obviously that person is you! You escaped successfully!”

Blue Fox wasn’t scared too much. Dare to do business in Hai Zebi is a life-threatening job. Now that he has killed people, he has become more courageous.

“You misunderstood, I am Joseph.”

“It’s okay. Ross, if you believe in the Lord, I won’t do anything to you. You’d better leave quickly. My kingdom does not allow the existence of Swedes and Ross. If you can go back to your Ross, I will tell you If you dare to cross the west of Burgundy Island in the future, any ship will encounter my merciless attack!”

Now that it’s all said and done, Lan Hu simply doesn’t pretend anymore.

The reason why he accepted 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 vitals of his neck were open.

Horick could guess a thing or two about this from his special posture.

“Okay, King of Denmark. In fact, my Prince Ross wanted to negotiate peacefully with you. The hundred-year dispute should end. Since you refuse, forget it.”

“What? The people of Ross have such an attitude?” Horik was taken aback. He even thought he should write a letter to tell the leader of Ross that he was actually tired of disputes.

But is all peace negotiations still possible?

I really killed a group of Ross people, and even destroyed their shops.

Horik’s expectation for the peace of ‘Dan Luo’ is very strange, that is, the two sides should not fight and kill as soon as they meet, but Denmark will still reject Ross and Sweden. 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.

Horick felt as if a stone had been crushed in his heart, and he left resentfully after the wooden door was closed.

He was not afraid of the Ross people’s revenge, and he didn’t even take it seriously, because the primary issue now was to redefine the relationship between Denmark and Frank.

He didn’t stay any longer, the army held a large number of raven flags and circled around the monastery before leaving.

He used this performance art to express himself as Odin’s warrior, and also to show that he had betrayed Prince Ludwig and Cardinal Lance.

He is very contradictory. 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 again, and he is afraid that he will be expelled again.

For the sake of power, he must be determined to be Odin’s warrior!

After this glimpse of the laning, the blue fox has seen through the King Horik, where there is no piety, as long as there is interest, he can change his faith at any time.

For example, this person’s behavior clearly shows that he does not want to be a “loyal dog” for that Prince Ludwig, so he asserts that it is because Blue Fox peeked at the letter, and his good memory allows him to write down the contents of the letter. Now this Telling Prince Rurik of important information was a remarkable feat.

Blue Fox also asked himself, he was similar to Horick, the cross on his chest was just a security certificate for activities in Frank, so why not pretend to be a believer for a lifetime in order to do business.

As for the world after death, there are various theories, who knows?

[End of this Chapter]