Cedric nodded along as Marius explained the situation.
Apparently, these Infidels increased the frequency at which they hunted for so-called 'Heresy of the cross', something that was unforgivable and merited absolute decimation of every single member.
Cedric's whole body shook in anger. He knew they were hunting Christians, which warranted their destruction, but to sacrifice them to a pagan god?
Unforgivable, not even God would forgive them for such an act.
"Is it known how many were sacrificed?" Cedric clenched his fist.
Chrunus would soon wish for the sweet release of death, so that he could swear.
"At least 6 faithful that I personally knew were taken and never seen again... Including one of my close friends that you gave a bible to." Marius looked down, his face gripped by sadness.
This was it, they crossed the line of forgiveness.
Death would be a mercy.
"Who is in charge?" Cedric grumbled.
His hand itched to kill every single faithful of Chrunus, but it was the fault of leadership that they acted against God. He had to stay his blade, despite his fury boiling.
The Fury that would be directed to Chrunus and Demons, not to fools who believe in a false god.
"It's the man only known as The Bishop."
"The Bishop? Mockery!" Cedric's face contorted.
He could leave Cathedral to Aurelia; he trusted her wholeheartedly, but his goal was elsewhere.
He had eliminated every Infidel; no, they weren't infidels in his eyes.
They had become something even worse.
They were demons in human flesh.
They would not be given mercy.
He turned toward Marius, "I want you to wait here. Aurelia will come soon. I have some business to attend to."
His fury was palpable, his anger almost had a taste. The Bishop would be cast to hell like any demon that dared mock Christianity.
<
Even God agreed. The so-called Bishop was an irremediable existence that not even all-forgiving God would forgive. The only thing left for him was to be cast to hell where he belongs.
"Lord Cedric? Is everything alright?" Marius tilted his head, his face showing nothing but confusion.
"No, The Bishop being alive is a sin upon this world. Tell me, where can I find this... demon."
The way he empahized the word demon truly made Marius terrified.
Marius took a step back, his body trembling in fear.
"I... I do not know, Lord Cedric" He fell back as air filled with holy energy of [Divine Zeal].
Cedric stopped for a moment, his gaze stopping at the cowering soldier.
He should not make christians fear him, he was their ally.
He stretched his hand towards the young soldier, "It is fine, Marius. I was merely thinking of a way to punish The Bishop for this terrible sin."
Marius gripped Cedric's hand before being pulled to his feet effortlessly.
"I understand... Lord Cedric, I want him to die..." Marius girtted his teeth, pushing down the pain the Bishop had caused him.
Despite being a soldier he was merely 16 year old teen.
He was not a true man just yet.
Nobody could blame or expect him to supress his rage he felt towards the Bishop.
Even Cedric himself was furious, if demons were nearby he would have gone hunting, but Valar was in a delicate position.
On one hand it was full of corruption due to the false church that rooted itself deep like a very persistant cancer.
But on the other it was also place where this world finally gained the first christians.
While he had no issues destroying and purging anything demons built, it was different story for these infidels.
If he was to go and recklessly slaughter them, then he would be the one to smother christainity in its infancy and thus it was not an option.
This situation required the precise strike. A precise extraction of the cancer was needed instead of purging.
He would not escape.
He would die.
He would be cast to hell.
However Cedric forced himself to calm down, despite terrible sin that the Bishop had commited he was in front of a new Christian.
He would not allow his anger to get better of him, lest he fall to the sin of wrath.
"Lord Cedric, I wish to make a request." Marius stood up, his hand onto his chest.
"Speak freely."
"I wish to create an order of Paladins for the new church!" He stopped for a moment before sighing, "Of course, compared to you, and even what Princess, no Queen Aurelia had become I am nothing. But I wish to prove my usefulnes to your cause."
Cedric stared in silence, was this man serious?
"Do you realise the weight of such a duty? you are merely a child."
While Cedric was estatic at the fact that Marius wished to prove his usefulnes in service to God, but in the same time creating an order was immensly difficult task.
Not only that, he was inexperienced and undisciplined.
But despite all of this, he would allow it.
Children needed a path forward, something that may allow them to gain recognition.
And maybe, just maybe if God allows it he would create a powerful order.
"I understand... but while I cannot hope to measure up to your achievements, I still wish to contribute, please give me your blessing." Marius knelt, his eyes facing the ground.
Cedric chuckled, his hands clapping together.
"You have the heart, in a way you remind me of myself in the past. So eager to prove yourself, however remember that may lead you to a path of corruption unless you devote yourself fully to God." Cedric approached before placing his hand onto young soldier's shoulder.
Cedric stopped for a moment, "I am not the one to give you such a blessing, only God will guide you, as such you may do so and if he wills it then your new order will thrive."
Marius raised his head, his eyes tearing up, "Thank you, Lord Cedric. I will not fail you."