I changed the world

"The then-reigning King Bonois I deemed these members of the Knights Templar to be 'heretics and denying the Son of God Micah,' and arrested them on various charges."

"Bonova I...that majesty is..." Herbert nodded thoughtfully. In fact, Bonova I was a very controversial king in the history of Grande. During his reign, he devoted himself to expanding the influence and power of the royal family, attacking the influence of the nobility and the church, extorting taxes and loans from businessmen, and expelling Archbishop Grande from the country for treason. In the end, he even led an army to attack the country due to conflicts with the church. Entering the Holy See, he imprisoned the pope at the time and imprisoned him in Melon on the border of Grande, creating the famous "Capital of Meron" incident in history.

"Yes, this accusation, in retrospect, is indeed very...well...bizarre. However, according to records, they launched a 'fruitful' interrogation. It is said that there were nearly 40 knights in Xide alone. Members died during interrogation... As a result, they obtained many bizarre confessions, such as needing to spit on a crown when joining the club, worshiping devils, and claiming to be homosexual... Of course, what His Majesty wanted at that time was probably just the results. ." Albert shrugged.

"Where is the church? What was the reaction of His Majesty Lustow II at that time?" Herbert thought for a while and asked: "If it was because of his invitation that the head of the Knights Templar was trapped, then that would be Quite disgraceful.”

"Yes, so it is said that Lustow II wrote a personal letter to Bonova I at that time, excusing the Knights Templar, claiming that he did not think they would commit such an unforgivable crime, and warned Bo Nova I has violated the Church's code of conduct."

"It's just that Bonois I ignored Lustow II's letter. At that time, about 1.5 Knights Templar members were thrown into prison, and their large amounts of wealth and land were confiscated by the royal family."

"I have heard about this history. It is said that Bonova I was looking for wealth at that time?"

"Yes, the current mainstream historians generally believe that the Knights Templar accumulated huge wealth at that time. In addition, with their organizational network, they actually carried out a series of financial activities and made huge profits. .”

Albert said, opened the folder placed aside, turned to one of the pages, and read: "For example, it is said that during the Eastern Expedition, the Knights Templar provided loans or mortgage services to warriors and pilgrims heading to the East. In contrast, the military nature of the Knights Templar gave it a unique advantage in this regard. Due to the large number of castles and knights in the Holy Enlightenment countries, it was able to ensure the security of the treasury and the use of armed escorts to ensure the transportation process. safety."

"This makes its branches naturally have the functions of financial outlets, making its financial services faster. This outlet advantage also increases its competitiveness in the financial industry. Finally, its special organizational principles and its use in financial practices Its performance is conducive to establishing its image of integrity and neutrality in the world of Holy Enlightenment."

"According to records, after the 13th century, its network has developed into a professional financial institution. Judging from the existing information, its main customers are kings, nobles and churches. Its main business focuses on custody, credit and remittance."

Chapter 673 Revenge, the King’s Blood

"According to information, nobles and kings at that time often stored gold, silver, jewelry, wills, and even treaties in the treasury of the Knights Templar. In 1204 and 1205, King Greli of Rune stored the jade seal and crown jewels in Lei The Templar Chapter of Defeld. In Side, the Grande kings kept their jewels in the Templar Chapter for a century. The Pope also often used the Knights Templar as a depository for his property. In 1234, he ordered His rune envoys send the taxes collected from the runes to the temple branches of Side for deposit, and then withdraw the money from the temple branches in the east."

“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。”

"Because the archives of the Knights Templar have been lost and only fragmented circumstantial evidence is available, it is difficult for scholars to fully assess it. But generally speaking, it can be said that they were wealthy, quite wealthy."

"From this point of view, it is reasonable for the historians to think that Bonova I was born because of his wealth..." Director Herbert said thoughtfully, but quickly shook his head: "It's just that this is all based on their It’s just based on ordinary people. If in fact these people have supernatural powers, then the things at 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, turned to another page in his folder, and continued to recite another sentence:

"The Lord knows who is guilty and who is guilty, and misfortune will befall those who wrongly judge our crimes; the Lord will avenge us. All those who framed us will suffer!"

"This is..." Herbert thought for a while and turned over one page of the briefing. It was exactly one of the words spoken by the demon at the last moment.

Albert's face became serious, and he lowered his voice subconsciously: "At dusk on March 1325, 3, Owen Lane was tied to the scaffold and burned to death slowly with fire. Before he was burned on the scaffold, he cursed King Bonois I of Land and Pope Lustow II, said they would face eternal judgment within a year. And then he spoke these words.”

"The facts are indeed consistent with it. Pope Lustow II died of a sudden illness one month later, and Bonois I died suddenly while hunting half a year later."

Herbert took the cigarette out of his mouth and knocked it in the ashtray beside him. He took a deep breath and then asked: "Is there any more?"

"Also, there is a rumor."

"Tell me."

"During the Great Revolution of our country, King Philip II was sent to the guillotine. His head was chopped off and blood sprayed on the ground. It is said that an onlooker rushed forward and dipped his fingers in the blood. , chanting: This is revenge from Owen Ryan."

"I have consulted many professional scholars in this field, and they generally believe that because there are no historical records, rumors cannot be trusted."

Herbert did not speak immediately. His eyes stayed on a paragraph in the briefing: "Or...do you think you have won? Are you satisfied with the blood of Philip II? Self-deception and hypocrisy..."

At this time, he only felt that some of the history that he used to feel extremely familiar and real seemed to have become unfamiliar. Behind those vague events in history, it is very likely that there is another set of logic hidden... …

"There is no love without a reason, and there is no hate without a reason..." He recited a proverb softly in his mouth.

The Great Revolution more than 200 years ago was the cornerstone of the establishment of the Grand Republic. As the largest burial object at that time, Philip II was guillotined, and Crown Prince Philip III fled, which shocked the entire world at that time.It also prompted all countries to finally unite and condemn the Constitutional Convention, even resorting to armed intervention.Under strong external pressure, the Constituent Assembly finally compromised with the new king Philip III, who had fled to the border of Grande and Holstein, and finally formulated a new constitution. From this, the former Kingdom of Grande, Transformed into the Republic of Grande.

However, if some history is true, then it is very likely that there was a more secretive driving force behind the Great Revolution...

But that's not the most disturbing thing.

He opened the briefing again and read it word for word.Deputy Director Albert sat aside silently and said nothing.

"If this Mr. Valentine is a Protestant cleric..." Director Herbert smoked the remaining cigarette in one breath, threw the cigarette butt in his hand into the ashtray aside, and lit it again. He raised one: "I would boldly assume that some events in history may have another explanation..."

Albert nodded. Regarding the identity of Mr. Valentine, based on the description and judgment of the person involved in the briefing, it was a highly likely guess that he came from a "Protestant" religion.

The reason is very simple. This gentleman is wearing a monk's robe, which is the kind of clothing only priests wear. With this gentleman's strength, he will not do something as boring as cospaly, so there is a high probability that this is his identity.

Secondly, not only does calling himself "Mr. Valentine" rather than "Your Excellency Valentine" conform to the Protestant custom, but also based on his identity alone, if he really has some connections with the "Knights Templar" Therefore, as a "Protestant" clergyman, it is more in line with the logic of his behavior.

These speculations were all mentioned in the intelligence briefing given by Director Herbert. As a veteran who has worked in the intelligence system for a long time, it is naturally impossible for Director Herbert not to deduce something from this. This is extremely normal. of.

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

"Historically, in 1325, Owen Lane, the last grand master of the Knights Templar, was burned to death on the stake, and the Knights Templar were destroyed."

"In 1347, the Black Death swept across the Western Continent, killing more than 3000 million people. The status of the Holy See of Belgoperi was seriously shaken."

"In the next 100 years, Grande fell into a war of succession that lasted for hundreds of years, and nearly [-] million people died."

"In 1451, the Renaissance began."

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

"In 1518, the Anti-Indulgence Movement broke out, and then the Reformation swept the Western Continent. In the following decades, religious wars killed tens of millions of people and reduced countless cities to ashes. In the Holstein region where the war was most intense , about 25% to 40% of the population of each state was wiped out; nearly half of the men were killed."

Chapter 674: Terror in the Shadow of History

“In 1531, the Act of Doctrine of the Faith established the independent status of the Rune Church from being subordinate to the Church of Bergopelli, and was established as the Rune State Church.”

"In 1570, the Puritan movement broke out."

"In 1615, a new translation of the Hadith was completed and published."

"In 1630, the Puritans went to the New World, and after that, large-scale immigration began."

....................................

........................

Herbert wrote down each important historical node of the Western Continent on paper, and wrote in the last line:

"458 years after Owen Lane was burned to death, King Philip II of Grande was guillotined in 1783. After that, the royal family lost most of its rights."

Looking at the piece of paper in silence, Herbert seemed to be talking to himself, and seemed to be asking Albert beside him: "In these incidents, how involved were 'they'? How deep was their involvement?"

"You mean, they participated in... or promoted the Reformation?"

"If... in 1325, they did not perish, but turned from light to darkness... If they thought that Belgoperi's crown prince betrayed them... I think this is not impossible..."

In Herbert's office, a constant temperature has been maintained, and the temperature is controlled at a suitable 23 degrees. Generally speaking, you will feel a little hot.However, at this moment, looking at the thin page of paper on the coffee table, the two senior officials of the External Security Bureau felt as if a chill was seeping out from the seams in their bones.

It was as if there was a giant creature lurking in the shadows of history, staring at them with a cold gaze.

As senior leaders of world-renowned intelligence agencies, both Herbert and Albert have long been accustomed to observing any suspicious clues with a suspicious and scrutinizing attitude.

There is a proverb in the West that when you think things will get worse, they will definitely get worse.

Many people may not agree with this statement, but for two veteran intelligence officers, it is extremely recognized.

On the white paper in front of me, this seemingly ordinary timeline in the past seems to have too many coincidences at this moment. These are often only found in history books, forming a short ink mark, and in real life. How many treacherous games are there behind the history?How many flashes of swords and shadows?How much fighting and fighting in the shadows?How much blood is flowing?

Those who possess supernatural powers, no matter how harmless they appear now, will become the most terrifying killing machines as long as they are willing!

"I think you are right. At its peak, the Knights Templar were said to have more than 2 people. This is still its apparent strength." Albert said with a solemn expression: "For such a huge organization, if they Try to hide them and no one can uproot them."

"Especially, they also have power that we don't understand..."

Speaking of this, the two fell into silence again. At this moment, neither of them noticed that on the wall not far from them, the religious theme had been hanging there since the last director. On the canvas of the oil painting "The Baptism of Micah", the Holy Son Micah is looking at the two people with his eyes of eternal compassion.

"You are right. Indeed, if... the Knights Templar really continue to this day..." Herbert said in a low voice: "Then it must be said that we didn't know anything about this organization before..."

Herbert glanced at Albert aside calmly. There were some words that he did not say. For an organization that has lasted for such a long time, if it is really what he thought, they have participated in promoting it for hundreds of years, With that series of major historical events, there is no doubt that "they" or "their influence" must have deeply penetrated into all aspects of society.

After all, this is a long layout and plan that lasts for hundreds of years...

At this moment, he didn't even know who among the big figures in the various countries were "them"?Among those nobles?Among those in the upper echelons of the church?Among those cabinet members?Among those members of the Legislative Assembly?Or even, the Prime Minister himself?

Except for Henry IV, the current King of Grande, everyone cannot be ruled out as a suspect.He didn't even know if there was anyone from "them" in his External Security Bureau, or even the deputy director in front of him, his old partner Albert... Although he showed a logical attitude, , who can know whether it is a false mask?

If I really try to do something, who knows if I make a wrong step, I will face hell...

The only thing that is certain is that "they" must possess extremely powerful and mysterious power.

It is easy to speculate that after all, the "Devil on the Clay Tablets", a powerful and strange existence that has survived since the mythical era, is obviously trying to win over and seduce them.Even in the end, the power shown by "Mr. Valentine" was real and could suppress or even seal it.

Even if there is a certain "cost" factor in this process, it at least shows that "they", or even one of their members, has more power than an ancient demon god.

Today, some large intelligence agencies around the world have clearly realized that there are existences that can be called "gods", even so-called "evil gods" or even "false gods", and none of them are easy to deal with. , all possess incredibly powerful powers!

Herbert already had the intention to retreat.

It is true that the Grande Bureau of External Security is an extremely powerful intelligence agency. As the director of the Bureau of External Security, he has what outsiders see as prominent rights, and it is true that he can even directly meet the Prime Minister himself.

However, when facing such a powerful and secretive organization, he wanted to say that if possible, he really did not want to become its enemy...

He had no doubts about "their" ability to act, even though "Mr. Valentine" behaved like a polite gentleman.

After all, it was the lives of tens of millions of people throughout history that endorsed this.

An organization that has the ability to set off such huge waves will never be a pure and loving little sheep.

Imagine Philip II on the guillotine...

After all, life is so precious and so beautiful...especially for those in higher positions.

"How is the investigation going at the church?" Herbert exhaled a puff of smoke.

"We have counted the lists of religious personnel in the 17 ecclesiastical provinces of the Grande. Among them, there are a total of 121 men with Valentine in their names."

Chapter 675 It's Rarely Confused

"As for the Protestants, based on the list we currently have, there are 39 men with Valentine in their names. However, the list we have is not comprehensive. We are still investigating among these people, and we expect to have results later. .”

"Of course, it is also possible that he comes from a secret sect, or is not a Grande at all. You know, Grande is a free country, and the control of religion is not strict..."

"I know that if he tried to hide himself...then we wouldn't be able to find him in such a simple way."

After another period of silence, Albert considered his words and whispered: "Sir, I think, at least in this incident, that 'Mr. Valentine' will be of great help to us..."

"I think this at least proves that he or the forces behind him have no hostility toward us. It can even be said that they have considerable goodwill."

"It has to be said that for now, we still lack effective means of dealing with such mysterious existences involving 'evil gods' or 'false gods,' especially in densely populated areas where powerful and heavy weapons cannot be used." See Herbert didn't say anything, so Albert continued: "Although I don't want to admit things like this, if it weren't for Mr. Valentine, our people alone would probably have caused a more serious social crisis in the end." Influence……"

"Indeed, as you said, we can regard this incident as an attempt to make contact..." Herbert took a deep look at Albert and nodded thoughtfully.

Albert did not notice the look from the director and continued to analyze: "As of now, it seems that both the Belgoperi Holy See and some religious groups from the 'Original Orthodox' have undoubtedly mastered supernatural power. We It can even be speculated that there was some game relationship between the two parties in history."

"Even, it may not be as simple as a game..." Herbert added.

The two of them had a tacit understanding and did not continue on this topic. After all, it was so obvious that religious wars in history can be called a nightmare for all participating countries. It can even be further speculated that the real game began as early as when Owen Lane was killed. After being burned on the stake, it started. After all, the Black Death that swept across Europe and the century-long Grand Succession War could be said to have followed one after another. The timing was too coincidental to make it difficult to let go. Not many people make associations.

However, this can only be an association, neither of them said it out loud.

"Of course, there are too many mysteries here. For example, the biggest question is that if the Templars mastered powerful supernatural powers, then Owen Lane, as the grand leader, and other members of the Templars at that time, Why didn’t you resist at that time?”

"Or, what force prevented them from resisting?"

"For another example, some of the practices of the church at that time were unpredictable..." Albert said quite implicitly, but because the two had discussed similar issues before, Herbert could fully understand. What he meant.

Historically, during the reign of Bonova I, he expelled the Archbishop of Grande from the country for treason. In the end, he even led an army to invade the Holy See and imprisoned the then Pope because of conflicts with the church. He was imprisoned in Grande. Meron on the border created the famous "Prison of Melon" incident in history.

This history is not a secret, and it is also the biggest reason why some people in various countries have some doubts about the Holy See of Belgoperi so far.

And this time, coupled with the church's attitude towards the 'Knights Templar' at that time, it also seemed so weird.

To some extent, this series of events directly led to the gradual decline of the Holy See in the following hundreds of years.

If this was a world without any supernatural power, then such a thing would be normal. Just like what is written in history textbooks, this is just a game between political power and theocracy.

However, as senior officials of the Grand Intelligence System who knew certain "truths", neither Herbert nor Albert would think so simply.

One possibility is that the Grand royal family also possesses some supernatural power, which is enough to offset the power of the Holy See.However, if this is the case, then it is difficult to explain that the royal family would hand over its power so "easily" during the Revolution.

Then, another greater possibility is that some extremely important event occurred at that time, which prevented neither the Holy See nor the Knights Templar from using their supernatural powers.

"But, Your Excellency, that is not what we most urgently need to clarify, is it?"

The two looked at each other for a moment, and Herbert nodded slowly: "Yes, the External Security Bureau is not a historian, and has no intention of getting involved in games that have nothing to do with us. For us, the biggest purpose is Keep the Republic safe.”

"You prepare a briefing on this matter. The Prime Minister's residence has sent an inquiry. The Prime Minister wants to hear what happened last night. I will go there in person later."

"As for the content, please think about it again." After saying that, he hesitated and said casually: "The investigation of Mr. Valentine is limited to the current scope. Make sure those names contain ' Valentine's man, if it's possible, that's it."

"Actually, for me personally, I don't have much curiosity about some unconclusive issues in history..."

Albert was stunned when he heard this, glanced at Herbert's expressionless eyes, and felt a chill in his heart. He also said casually: "Yes, there are always too many unsolved mysteries in history. Let's put them together." It may be a better choice to leave it to historians..."