The-Chrysanthemum-Codex：Ash's-Ascension

Chapter 13: Value

As Ash had anticipated, events unfolded just as he had predicted.

The influence of the Holy Dou Saint Church spanned across the three continents, much like how the Roman Catholic Church held sway over medieval Europe. The Roland Empire was one of the most powerful nations on these continents, and thus, the Church had dispatched a high-ranking figure, Father Ferdinand, who stood just below the Pope, to oversee the Roland diocese.

A plot to murder the descendant of a Holy Dou Saint was a direct affront to the Church's authority. Imagine if, in Ash's previous life, a descendant of Jesus Christ had been assassinated—how would the Church and its followers have reacted? How would the Vatican have responded?

In the world of the Holy Dou Saints, Ash possessed similar privileges, thanks to his distinguished ancestor, the Tenth-Level Holy Dou Saint, Saint Rollin.

When Ash and Chris were brought to the largest cathedral in the eastern Roland continent, St. Ironspire Cathedral, located opposite the Roland Palace, the church officials, upon hearing the case, dared not make a decision themselves. They referred the matter to Father Ferdinand.

In the grand hall behind the cathedral’s main doors, Ferdinand presided over the hearing.

Ash courteously allowed Chris to speak first, all the while sizing up the man said to be one of the most important figures on the Roland continent—one whose status was rumored to surpass even that of the Roland king.

Father Ferdinand was an elderly man in his sixties or seventies, dressed in a long, hooded gray robe that swept the floor. His hair, a mix of purple and white, peeked out from beneath his wide hood, and though his face showed signs of age, it was well-kept, with a pale, noble complexion. He stood with an air of dignity, exuding an aura of unquestionable authority.

What struck Ash the most were Ferdinand’s eyes and eyebrows, both of which were an unusual shade of purple.

Chris quickly finished his account, concluding with, "I admit I attacked the descendant of a Holy Dou Saint, but Paru stole the Artifact and must be punished for it!"

He glared menacingly at Ash, determined to drag him down even if it meant his own punishment.

"Paru, do you admit to the events as Chris described?" Ferdinand’s voice was deep and resonant, with a magnetic quality that commanded attention.

"No, he’s lying!" Ash snapped out of his reverie, offering a polite smile to Father Ferdinand before his expression turned to one of righteous indignation. "Father Ferdinand, this is one of the most important cathedrals of the Holy Dou Saint Church, and you are the most esteemed figure beneath the Pope. Yet Chris dares to lie in your presence! I don’t need to say much more—there are two things that will prove my innocence!"

He cast a glance at Chris, "This shameless person accuses me of stealing an Artifact. So, Father, please inspect my body to see if I have any Dou Qi at all!"

With that, Ash bowed his head in apparent sadness. "Father, you know I’m often called the shame of the Saint Rudolf family..."

"My poor child, I’m sorry to have brought up such a painful subject!" Ferdinand placed a comforting hand on Ash’s shoulder as he stood between the two young men. "But to ensure fairness, I must still have you examined. Paru, will you consent to the examination?"

"Father, I am willing to be examined!"

Soon, a priest in a purple robe entered from a side door, carrying a red velvet tray with a crystal ball the size of a fist placed on top.

"This testing crystal can detect your connection to natural elemental forces. Place your hand on it."

Ash examined the crystal ball curiously, thinking to himself that this was the very object responsible for branding the previous Paru with the stigma of "shame."

He placed his hand on the ball, and, as expected, nothing happened.

Of course, nothing would happen. Without using his Chrysanthemum Inner Qi, Ash was just an ordinary person, and no one could detect anything unusual about him.

Even if he did use the Chrysanthemum Inner Qi, what difference would it make? How could anyone in the world of Dou Saints recognize celestial techniques?

"No, that’s impossible!" Chris cried out in disbelief. "This testing crystal must be broken!"

Ferdinand furrowed his brows. "Chris, are you still lying? Paru has no sensitivity to natural elemental forces and therefore cannot cultivate Dou Qi. So, everything you’ve said is a lie. He couldn’t possibly have used the Horned Hammer to defeat you! If you doubt the crystal, fine, you can test it yourself!"

Chris hastily placed his hand on the crystal, which immediately turned a pale blue, indicating a decent connection to the water element—a good candidate for cultivating water-based Dou Qi.

"How could this be? It’s impossible!" Chris collapsed to the floor in shock.

Ash smiled, "The facts show that I don’t possess any Dou Qi, so it’s impossible for me to wield the Horned Hammer. Now, let me prove the second point: the Horned Hammer isn’t on me at all!"

With that, he began to remove his clothing. Today, Ash was dressed lightly, with only an inner shirt and a long robe. But even after stripping down to just his shorts, there was still nothing to be found.

He shook out his shorts, indicating that there was nothing inside but his "little brother," and declared loudly, "Father, I believe there’s no need for further explanation!"

Ferdinand ordered the crystal ball to be taken away, then solemnly pronounced, "The matter is clear. Chris, in his hatred, attacked Paru, only to be defeated by a Dou Saint wielding the Horned Hammer. Instead of repenting, he sought to frame Paru!" He crossed his hands over his chest and continued, "I, Ferdinand, declare Chris guilty! According to the Twelfth Article of the Holy Dou Saint Church Law on the descendants of titled Dou Saints..."

Chris stood frozen, his mouth opening and closing as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. As a Dou Saint, he knew exactly what fate awaited him.

Chris would be sent to the stake! Ash chuckled inwardly. Alfred Pennyworth was indeed an excellent teacher, having taught Ash a great deal about the law—especially how to protect oneself. Because of this, Ash had long known what the outcome would be.

However, Chris couldn’t be allowed to die; he still held greater value!

"Oh, Father, please don’t burn him! That’s so cruel!" Ash said, sounding genuinely ‘kindhearted.’

"Paru, are you pleading for his life?" Ferdinand asked, his tone curious. "You are a kind person, but Chris has committed a crime and must face punishment. That is the law of the Church, and no one can defy it."

"But... but I heard there’s something called atonement money!" Ash timidly revealed his true intention.

"Yes, the thirteenth clause of the Church's law on redemption states that a descendant of a titled Dou Saint can atone for their crimes with gold, except for crimes of treason or blasphemy against the Church. But Chris is not a descendant of a titled Dou Saint!"

Ash quickly interjected, "But the sixteenth clause also states that if I choose to forgive Chris, he can atone in another way!"

Ferdinand smiled, nodding slightly. "You’re well-versed in the law, and that’s commendable! Kind child, do you truly choose to forgive Chris?"

"Yes!" Ash declared firmly, while mentally calculating the potential gains. Chris was the son of the empire’s Minister of Finance—‘finance’ minister! The atonement fee would surely be substantial!

Chris, too, saw a glimmer of hope for survival and cried out, "I’m willing to pay the atonement fee, whatever the amount! My father is the empire’s Minister of Finance! He can even divert military funds to pay it!"

The poor fool, in his desperation, had blurted out the truth!

"Ferris, if you dare speak such words again, I’ll send your father to the stake as well!" Ferdinand said, his voice cold as he glared at Chris. "Take him away, lock him up, and once the empire’s banquet is over, notify his father!"

Chris was led away, but a look of relief had settled on his face. No matter what, keeping his life was a blessing.

"Thank you for seeking justice on my behalf, esteemed Father!" Ash bowed in gratitude.

"Protecting humanity is the duty of every Dou Saint. As the Father of the Roland diocese, it’s my responsibility, especially since you are a descendant of the Holy Dou Saint Rollin. Our ancestors were the closest of comrades!" The old priest seemed pleased with Ash’s respectful demeanor and warm, kind nature. He patted Ash’s forehead gently. "I am Ferdinand, and I bless you, Paru, Saint Rollin Rudolf."

Ash didn’t fully understand the significance of the old priest’s blessing, but since Ferdinand was the religious leader of the Roland Empire, the blessing must have some benefits! With that thought, Ash respectfully bowed again, "Thank you for your blessing, Father!"

"Where there is a gift, there is a reward; there’s no need to thank me—this is what you deserve!" Ferdinand withdrew his hand from Ash’s forehead, clasping both hands together and tucking them into his sleeves. He smiled and said, "Many people have recently told me that you are a kind child, helping many of the poor. The people of the southern city now call you the ‘Virtue of St. Ironspire City’!"

"Thank you for their praise! But I believe, Father, that you are more deserving of this honor!"

Ferdinand smiled faintly, showing no particular pleasure at Ash’s flattery.

"Alright, you may go home now. However, I want you to come see me tomorrow morning. There are two matters to discuss. First, we must negotiate the atonement fee. Second, although the masked Dou Saint saved you, he did steal the Kriessen family’s Artifact. I need your help in tracking him down!"

"Of course, I’ll be there promptly!"

Ash left the cathedral with a secret grin. The ‘masked Dou Saint’ was a complete fabrication—he was nothing more than a figment of Ash’s imagination.

By now, it was already dawn on the day of God’s Peace. He had spent most of the night dealing with Chris, but the payoff had been worth it. It was far more profitable than stealing. With the streets still empty, Ash reached into his pants and pulled out the Artifact, smiling. "I knew it—no one would make me strip off my underwear in the cathedral. Hiding the loot in my pants really is foolproof!"