Chapter Twenty-Seven: Seek Redemption

Father Baring was furiously berating the unfortunate dragoons and copper-hats, and the irate Mr. Grand led a large contingent up to the dormitory. As one of the Empire’s premier universities, the Fifth University had nearly a hundred guards stationed across its vast campus, and within the disciplinary office dedicated to student affairs, there was a group of brawny teachers and students who could be mobilized at a moment’s notice.

Two hundred strong followed Mr. Grand up to the dormitory, blocking the corridor so thoroughly there was not a gap to be found. What was even more shocking was that among the guards behind Mr. Grand, there were ten half-beastmen. Judging from their pronounced brow ridges, thick, dark body hair unlike that of ordinary humans, and their elongated faces, these ten were likely offspring of minotaurs and humans.

During a century of wars across the Continental Islands, with the five great northern archipelagos embroiled in conflict with the mainland nations, many such hybrids were born. Those with vicious and cruel dispositions had been executed by the Empire and the Church in concert, but the descendants of minotaurs, known for their honest and steady nature, were often employed in the human empire.

Minotaurs were inherently loyal and dependable; once tamed, they were the most faithful of subordinates, and their strength far exceeded that of ordinary men, their raw power commanding respect. Even the hybrid offspring of minotaurs made excellent warriors, their progress in martial training outstripping that of ordinary people.

These hybrids were rarely elevated to high positions; most served as menial laborers or ordinary guards, their pay and treatment less favorable than their human counterparts of similar rank. Thus, having ten minotaur hybrids among the guards at the Fifth University was not unusual. However, for the dragoons and copper-hats, ten powerful minotaur hybrids posed a considerable threat.

Mr. Grand, furious, brandished his cane and advanced step by step toward the stunned, hapless intruders, his voice severe as he rebuked them, syllable by syllable: “Who gave you the authority, who gave you the courage, to dare use violence against the campus of the Fifth University?”

He raised a finger and growled, “First: You have disrupted the normal academic order of the campus. On this point, I will petition the Minister of Education to lodge a protest with the Military and the Police Department.”

The dragoons and copper-hats shuddered in unison, perspiration already dripping from their foreheads.

Raising a second finger, Mr. Grand sneered, “Second: You have violently destroyed the dormitory door. As imperial officials, you brazenly damage imperial property. For this crime, I will submit a complaint to the Imperial Treasury and the Imperial Ministry of Education!”

The dragoons and copper-hats retreated a step, exposing two bewildered fellows still clutching the ram with which they’d broken the door.

Mr. Grand didn’t even bother to glance at the trembling dragoons. He raised a third finger and, through gritted teeth, rebuked them: “Third: This is a sacred campus, a place where the Empire cultivates its talent. You dare draw your swords to threaten a student of exemplary character and scholarship? Who gave you this authority? Do you remember the final article of the Imperial Education Law?”

The dragoons looked at Mr. Grand in confusion. As dragoons, they were the elite standing force of the capital, Brailley. They were skilled in battle and killing, but the Empire’s legal statutes were a mystery to them. The copper-hats, however, sweated profusely. As secret police, an essential part of the Empire’s law enforcement, how could they not know the Imperial Education Law?

The final article of the Imperial Education Law: Any imperial university student suspected of violating imperial law must be reported to the university authorities before any legal process may commence.

The Empire was vast, its population immense, yet those who gained entry to Brailley’s prestigious universities, especially the top institutions, were all brilliant and virtuous. Thus, the final article of the Education Law granted them a special privilege—even the near-omnipotent secret police had to consult with the university authorities before taking action against a student.

No matter what, today these dragoons and copper-hats had entered the dormitory intending to arrest Lin Qi without notifying the university authorities. They had even used force to break Lin Qi’s door and threatened him with weapons; if these actions were pursued, they had clearly violated imperial law.

The dragoons’ expressions eased slightly; unfamiliar with the legal code, they felt the responsibility should not fall upon them. The copper-hats, however, looked as if they’d lost their fathers, their faces turning ghastly pale. The thin copper-hat stammered out, “Sir, please, let me explain—”

Father Baring suddenly leapt three feet into the air and, without warning, slapped the thin copper-hat so hard he nearly sent him sprawling. Father Baring roared in fury, “Explain? What explanation is there? Go explain yourself to the Holy Tribunal! You sinners dare interrupt Lin Qi’s work—he was transcribing the prayer scrolls for me! You blasphemous heretics!”

Mr. Grand’s eyes sparkled, and he looked approvingly at Father Baring.

Father Baring served as a go-between for Mr. Grand and many others; Mr. Grand had handled many less-than-dignified matters through Father Baring. Thus, Mr. Grand knew Father Baring’s character well—they were old friends, old allies.

Seeing Father Baring act so decisively, Mr. Grand coughed loudly and declared, “Revered Father Baring, did they interrupt the transcription of the holy prayers? Damn it, the transcription of prayer scrolls must not be interrupted! These heretics, I will join you in reporting them to the Holy Tribunal—they deserve the harshest punishment!”

Father Baring nodded grimly. In this moment, the secular authority of Mr. Grand and the divine power of Father Baring formed a perfect alliance. Together, they towered over the dragoons and copper-hats, intimidating them so thoroughly that not a single word could escape their lips.

The thin copper-hat who had just been slapped nearly burst into tears. He wanted to say something but, cowed by the overwhelming presence of Mr. Grand and Father Baring, as a mere junior sergeant, all he could do was bow his head and await the verdict of fate.

Lin Qi stepped out of his room, his face dark. He glanced at Father Baring, then walked over to Mr. Grand and bowed respectfully.

“Honored Dean of Academic Affairs, Honored Father, their crimes are indeed grave, but the great gods are merciful beyond the law; their offenses, though unforgivable, are not truly monstrous.”

Father Baring’s eyes lit up suddenly. He drew from his sleeve a thick roll of indulgence tokens.

“Lost children, redeem your sins!”