Chapter 53: The Demon Bishop

Outside Luca.
As the city gates opened, Leo gazed at the citizens and soldiers lining the street. Each stared at him with fear, as if he were a demon walking among mortals. Anselmo stood in his familiar place, but unlike last time, the person at his side was no longer the governor.

It was Hermann.

"You truly are a devil."

"Thank you for the compliment," Leo replied without a hint of politeness.

He ignored Hermann and rode his horse toward the bearded Goffrey. This renowned duke now looked utterly destitute. His tangled white hair drooped lifelessly, his eyelids sagged, and his tragic expression evoked pity even in the surrounding soldiers.

Yet Leo felt no pity for him.

"Your Grace, please come with me," Leo waved his hand. "I will escort you to Pisa, where you can properly experience life."

Properly experience life?

Bearded Goffrey raised his head, disbelief flickering across his face as he looked at Leo.

"Shouldn’t my daughter be arranging such matters here? Where is Matilda?" Goffrey asked. "Who are you—is Tuscany fallen into the hands of a cleric?"

"I am right here."

Matilda suddenly appeared, startling Goffrey.

He looked at Matilda at Leo’s side, and the knights gathered around them. The scene stirred many memories from his past.

Goffrey raised his hand, about to speak, but was restrained by Enrico who approached from the side.

"Come with us," Enrico said coldly.

Matilda watched calmly. She held no affection for her stepfather—indeed, there was a trace of disdain.

And so, Goffrey was led away by Enrico, distancing him from the crowd. Soon he met his wife and those captured Lorraine soldiers.

They all looked at Goffrey.

Such pressure made Goffrey struggle to breathe. He had brought these people to Italy, but failed to lead them to victory—instead, he had delivered them into the hands of a demon.

"I—I…"

"No need to speak," Beatrice came over, gently stroking her husband’s back, as if to offer him some comfort.

Leo withdrew his gaze and turned to face Anselmo standing before him.

Anselmo’s pride was gone. Bruised and battered, his appearance surprised Leo. For the pope’s nephew to be beaten so severely—it seemed inconceivable.

Yet as Leo approached, Anselmo lifted his head, and the familiar resolute look in his eyes reassured Leo.

"Bishop of Luca, given the current circumstances, can you sanctify me?" Leo asked.

Anselmo remained silent.

His demeanor filled the air with an almost joyful tension. Even Hermann found it amusing—he knew well what kind of man Anselmo was.

"Enough, I have no time for games. Who is the governor here?" Leo demanded. "Prepare a banquet for our soldiers—they need proper rest."

Only then did the governor dare step forward, nodding eagerly like a pecking chick.

"Everything will be arranged for you, sir."

Leo nodded in satisfaction. Compared to others, the governor of Luca was flexible, which pleased him greatly.

The soldiers following Leo cheered, basking in their leader’s approval. Leo, enjoying their acclaim, rode under the governor’s guidance to the largest mansion in Luca and settled in. Stefana brought along servants and cooks, swiftly occupying the residence.

As the Duchess of Tuscany, Matilda naturally claimed the finest chamber. Leo, however, had to settle for something less.

Upon entering his room, Leo sat at the edge of his bed.

Just finished with battle, he wanted nothing more than to lie down and sleep. This had been the first battle he commanded in his life—though victory had been won by ambush, the exhaustion was immense.

He lay on the bed, closed his eyes, and began to rest.

As Leo slept, the system appeared, settling his tasks. Yet Leo paid it no mind—he only wanted to sleep.

[Mission "The Flames of Lorraine" completed]
[Reward received: 1000 reputation]
…

"Sir, it’s time to wake up."

Time seemed to fast-forward. When Stefana shook Leo awake, night had fallen upon Luca.

Leo climbed from bed, rubbing his eyes. He hadn’t expected to sleep so deeply—from afternoon straight into evening.

"The Duchess has arranged a banquet, with many guests attending. Will you go?"

Another banquet…

Such was the life of medieval nobility.

"Bring me my cassock."

"Ah, you’re already wearing it," Stefana replied, surprised. Leo glanced at his own attire and shook his head, realizing he must have slept in his clothes—he’d forgotten entirely.

"All right, I’ll head over now. By the way, who’s attending the banquet?" Leo inquired as he walked.

"I don’t know…" Stefana answered timidly, leaving Leo at a loss—not from anger, but because her nervousness rendered him speechless.

Was he truly a man-eating demon?

"Sir, I know," Riccardo chimed in, appearing from nowhere and reporting to Leo as if reciting a familiar catalog.

"The Duchess Matilda, her mother Beatrice, Duke Goffrey of Lorraine, the governor, Count Hermann, Count Emo, and several local dignitaries."

Riccardo was like a walking machine—given the chance, he’d announce the names of every servant present. Leo, raising a hand, stopped him. Still, Riccardo’s talent was a boon—especially in an age without computers.

If only he had a human computer…

"Riccardo, would you like to join Correzzola Abbey? Or perhaps simply remain at my side?" Leo offered. "I can give you better treatment and opportunities for advancement."

"Delighted, sir," Riccardo replied, seemingly indifferent to his own fate, which pleased Leo even more.

"Then you’ll follow me from now on," Leo said, finding himself already at the banquet hall’s entrance. Two knights stood before the heavy oak doors. Upon seeing Leo, they instantly clenched their right fists and struck their chests in salute.

Through the doors came the sounds of clinking glasses and laughter, a lively and exuberant atmosphere filling the hall.

Leo nodded slightly, and the knights pushed open the doors.

As the heavy doors swung open, the master of ceremonies immediately announced Leo’s arrival in a loud voice.

"Bishop of Pisa, Abbot of Correzzola Abbey, Court Chaplain of Tuscany, Papal Envoy—Leo has arrived—"

At once, the banquet hall fell utterly silent.