Chapter 552 Secret Meeting on the 3rd Floor

Eskil leaned on the crucifix that had just been made, and was again wearing a black robe, and a black round hat covered his bald head.

Two seemingly dumb little entourages followed.

The three followed the mercenary soldiers who reported the news and approached the Duke's mansion cautiously.

"Right here! Stop."

The guarded warriors stopped the three.

"What? We have a problem?" Esquil asked.

"Come on, check if they have murder weapons."

Hearing this, Eskil was very angry, and he quickly explained, "We are people who pursue the holiness, and we will not bring any weapons."

This was heard by Yevlo, who was on the sidelines.

"Unarmed?" He came up with his head held high. "I've heard a lot in Britain. Those kingdoms share the same belief, what you call holy belief. Without sharp weapons? Your fights are no more merciful than ours."

"It's... they're not religious enough."

"Stop doing this." Yevro continued to order, "Brothers, check carefully."

In the Franks, the Holy Communion of the clergy cannot be defiled! When the people saw the priest, they either bowed or knelt down, hoping for redemption.

Esquil felt a tinge of humiliation, but the two entourages no longer mattered.

It was impossible for them to bring any sharp weapons against the Duke, but the wooden cross cane was temporarily confiscated.

At this moment Rurik was waiting on the third floor of the palace, waiting to see if his guards fulfilled their duties.

Otto also stood by the bed and saw all this.

"It's really appropriate that you let a high priest of another faith come to our realm, maybe disrespectful to God?"

"Dad, this man is the man in black from Rome that Veria said." Rurik said calmly.

"Huh? The new one?"

"Maybe this is fate.

The former man in black left behind a parchment with wisdom, but I could not read the language of the Romans.

This man knows the language of the Romans, and I want to use this winter to learn, preferably my wives and concubines. I don't care about their beliefs, but for the sake of our future, I need to know at least a little bit. "

"Okay..." Otto patted Rurik on the shoulder, "Ross is yours, take care of our Ross." After that, Otto turned around and left.

"Dad, where are you going?"

"It's nothing, I have no idea about this man in black, I'm going to drink with my old friends. Let's go!"

Otto really didn't want to talk to the Roman black man, and he was about to die, so he should have fun while he was still alive. In particular, he felt that time was short, and his hair was almost gray, and his strong self finally became an old man, and his son was already the most perfect leader.

Originally, Yevlo was just a supervisor, but now he himself is the leader.

Eskil followed closely, and as he walked past the outer walls of the palace and entered the courtyard through the main entrance, a sense of bizarreness hit his face.

"What's going on here?

Yevro didn't want to talk nonsense, he kept vigilant and urged to go quickly.

Esquil walked on the perfectly flat boulder, and saw how smooth some parts were, and he even saw a glimpse of the reflection of the sun.

What he saw was the concrete floor.

Ever since the craftsmen of Ross knew the formula for cement, it has been useful as a building adhesive, as well as for laying floors. Only due to its limited output, so far only the duke's mansion has the only concrete courtyard in Ross.

Eskil couldn't explain all this, the absolutely flat and hard "stone" ground was nothing to describe it as fantastic.

At last he entered Rurik's palace, and the two entourages were temporarily detained, but he himself was able to go upstairs.

Just going upstairs is another wonderful feeling.

Because of the decline of Rome, the people of the old empire had forgotten too much technology, and the new barbarians knew nothing. Even with the Carolingian revival, prosperity had only a limited impact on the northern frontier of the Franks.

People still live in stone-walled straw huts, and there are few high-rise residences for lords.

As soon as he heard that the duke had set the secret meeting on the third floor, Esquil was reshaping his cognition.

He couldn't help muttering, "If I invite the craftsmen of Ross and influence them, I will be able to build a great cathedral in Lance, and I will be promoted to Archbishop in advance."

Finally, Esquil made it to the top.

The third floor of the palace is nearly ten meters above the ground, which is the highest in Roseburg.

The third floor is a spacious place, with open windows to let in sunlight, and the whole floor is very bright.

He suddenly saw a young man sitting cross-legged, and the golden ponytail on his chest was Rurik himself.

"You are finally here." Rurik said solemnly.

Eskil nodded first, then said, "I'm here, there are many things I want to tell you."

"Is that so? As it happens, I have some business too. Come and sit in front of me. It's a secluded place, and no one can disturb you or me."

"Yes." Esquil put his hands in front of him and walked straight with his head hooked.

The old missionary had seen too many lords, some young and arrogant, some old-fashioned.

He didn't know how to evaluate Rurik of Ross. This child was already the real duke of Ross, and his whole body was full of mysteries.

He noticed that there was an exquisite treasure chest beside the boy, what could be loaded in it?

Eskil sat down cautiously, and when he looked up again and saw the row of hideous bear heads on the wooden wall, he couldn't help but feel fear in his heart.

How to get to the point? Rurik had his own plans.

The heavy treasure chest was opened, and in Esquil's growing shock, Rurik began to unload the treasure inside.

Parchments, diamond-encrusted gold crosses, gilded crusaders, more parchments, and more.

Look at the treasures, and watch as Esquil's pounding heart drives him to his feet.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he asked urgently with a trembling mouth: "You... where did you get these holy relics?"

The things were basically taken out, and Rurik put it in front of him, and said deliberately, "These... are all looted by me."

"Plunder?"

"Of course. I attacked Lindisfarne, and I brought all the treasures of the monastery."

"Ah! You..." These words were like a thunderbolt from the blue sky. Esquil was shocked and trembled. He felt that the boy in front of him was no longer Toshiro, and the clean face concealed the fangs of the devil.

"What? Are you scared? Think I'm a villain?"

Esquill immediately woke up, slashed a few more crosses on his chest, and then sat down tremblingly.

"Don't dare, this is... your achievement."

Rurik shrugged. "I know what you're saying is against your heart. To tell the truth, I attacked Britain, I plundered Lindisfarne, and the priests were all killed. So, will your god punish me?"

"This……"

"Tell the truth, and I forgive you."

Why does this kid ask that? Why did this kid do evil things, but he wanted to keep the sacred relic intact.

Esquil knew of the plundering of Flanders by the Danish lords, who had taken the port of Durist, killed the local priests, smashed monasteries to loot treasures, and destroyed relics.

Eskill said cautiously, "According to our belief, you will go to hell. But..."

"But what?"

"If you accept our faith, get baptized, and repent to me. You will be forgiven."

"That's it?" Rurik couldn't help laughing.

"Ah, my lord, aren't you very interested in our beliefs?"

"I'm interested. But I didn't think that the purpose of your visit was really to convert me. I'm not angry, and I clearly tell you that it's impossible."

"I'm sorry, I'm here for other reasons."

Rurik waved his hand, "Listen to me first."

After all, he opened the oldest book of Exodus and pointed to the text, "Seventy years ago, a Roman missionary arrived in Rus, hoping that we would accept your faith. Our high priest did not agree, missionary The sergeant left this book. Please read it."

Saying that, Rurik pushed the book over.

Esquill flipped through it, and the more he read it, the more terrifying he became. The text is infallible in Latin, that is, the font of writing is different from that of the Frankish kingdom.

"This...is it really Rome?"

"Yes." Rurik nodded. "I know there are two Romans. These are books from Eastern Rome. You are not Roman, you are from Frank. As far as I know, you are still a Saxon."

"indeed so."

"Then please read this."

Another, heavier, manuscript book was pushed in front of Esquill.

"This is the Gospel of Lindisfarne Island? You really..." In surprise, Esquil's forehead was sweating.

"Latin, I don't understand. I want to know the details of the book. You should know Latin. I want you to teach me."

"Ah! Is this the real purpose of your invitation to me?"

"Exactly. As you can see, our principality is already using the Roman alphabet, and I have given up the old script. You can easily spell the name of my ship, and you should understand my thirst for knowledge."

In a trance, Esquill felt like he was standing at a critical juncture in the course of history.

"Are you hesitating?" Rurik asked again.

"No. I would, I would like to be your teacher. To be honest, I have never seen a lord as eager for wisdom as you do."

"Are you complimenting?"

"It's a compliment from the heart."

"Okay." Rurik remained calm, and added, "I should also pay you a certain amount. Maybe I should grant you some requests. But you can say it's okay, and you are entitled to my tuition."

"Then convert." Esquil blurted out, just out of his head.

"Again?" Rurik put on an embarrassed face.

Eskil was chasing after him again, "My lord, God loves you. God will forgive you all your sins. If you convert, and your subjects have converted, your principality can become great, and you will Be a saint of the north. I know you're not just interested in our faith, I know you've built a small prayer room, that's a monastery! You've actually allowed the holy faith to take root here, what are you waiting for ? Rome will be canonized..."

"Shut up!" Rurik closed his eyes and frowned, "That's impossible. I'm not against you, I'm interested, but that doesn't mean you have to accept it."

"My lord, this is worthy of your acceptance." Eskil changed the conversation, trying to find a new breakthrough, "I have traveled all over the world and know that Denmark has always been at odds with you Sweden. If you Ross accept it, you will be able to ally with the Franks, and you will be able to North and South attack Denmark, and your threat will be gone."

This statement really surprised Rurik. He didn't expect this old boy to be a strategist? Quite a few lords do not have this kind of wisdom.

"I can't believe that you still pay attention to wars between countries? Aren't you against war?"

"My lord, I'm doing it for your own good too."

"Enough," Rurik snapped. "Your idea is unrealistic. Say something that I can accept."

Esquil predicted that if Rurik-sama hesitated again, hesitation would be equivalent to shaking.

Esquill thought for a moment, "I have only one hope, and that is to officially build a monastery in Ross. Some of your slaves accept our faith, and they need a place of worship, and a resident priest to look after these poor people. Lamb. As long as they pray, they will have peace of mind, and they will be able to do things better for you."

"Really? I can accept this."

"You are so kind," Esquil flattered instantly.

"So, do you have a candidate for pastor?"

"There is one, and I will arrange for my followers to stay here."

Rurik nodded, he didn't want the old guy Eskil to stay here for a long time.

Speaking of this guy's entourage, Rurik suddenly thought that the two entourages were both young boys, and they didn't seem to be much older than him.

"Now your entourage is outside. You have selected a candidate, and I will recruit him. Let's talk about it, can that entourage understand our language?"

"Understood. The boy was a Danish slave, a Dane."

"I see, I have to take a closer look at this person."

After a while, the entourage John was led to the third floor. He sat vigilantly beside Esquier. The taciturn teenager made Rurik have to think a lot.

"Hey! Your name," Rurik shouted casually.

"John..." The young man replied cautiously, and then nodded again.

"John? Where's your name?"

"Invar."

"Okay, Invar, are you ready to stay in my territory?"

"I'm ready."

Rurik nodded, "You stand up first to be a good look at you. What's your age..."

Xu Rurik understood that this young man was not very old at first, but he was only twelve years old. This kid is clearly a Nordic. Think of his old friend Fisk. At the age of twelve, he has killed twenty enemies on the battlefield. On the other hand, this Dane is thin and timid like a rabbit.

and many more! This kid also looks good-looking, and this kid was taken by Esquier, I'm afraid it's not really a "rabbit".

dumb? Lack of ambition? Wouldn't there be such a frenzy as Esquill?

If so, that would be great.

Wait a minute, why did Esquil allow a nerd to stay here? The old boy couldn't see that he wasn't interested in Ross, but he was afraid that Ingvar, whose Christian name was John, was just hiding his fanaticism.

Rurik asked again, "Invar, do you understand Latin? Do you understand everything in the book?"

"My lord, I...I understand."

"Oh? That's great, I want you. Seeing how thin you are, I'll train you into a muscular man, stay with me, and teach me."

"Yes Yes!"

Eskil didn't know what to say. This little John really loves him. According to Rurik, this kid likes men?

Wrong! The Rus joked that their leader Rurik had as many as seventeen wives.

Rurik coughed twice, then said, "It's over. Eskil, when the snow melts next year, I'll take you back to Birka. You can continue to come to Ross in the future, but you must find my people in Birka first. , if you come here without my permission, you will be expelled. I will build you a better monastery, it will not be big, and it will be very hidden. You should understand that my interest in you does not mean that my people can tolerate it. you."

"Yes. John will take me to good work."

Rurik nodded, "In that case, I've changed my mind. Eskil, go back yourself, your John is now my man. Now, John will teach me Latin, and as for you, I don't need it now. "

"Ah! It's different from what I said."

"Exactly, I'm the Duke of Ross, and I've given you too much favor. Don't annoy me any more, or you'll be expelled now. You stay in Ross, and you can write a book of your travels. I'll give you wheat and meat, And the warmth of winter, I will call you when I have something, but remember, do not try to influence the new lamb without authorization. I am afraid that the warriors under my command Odin will chop you into meat sauce."

"I...I understand."

"You go." Rurik waved his hand and watched Esquil tremble away.

After he left, the little priest John Invall asked weakly, "My lord, I... I will..."

Rurik scratched his head, although the question was rather strange, he still wanted to ask, "Are you the lover of that old guy?"

John didn't have any psychological discomfort, he consciously understood, and immediately turned around and lifted his robe...

"My lord, I hope you are satisfied with my service..."

"That's it? Sure enough." Rurik stood up and kicked John's ass with his boot.

John fell heavily and turned his head with tears in his eyes, "My lord, it's my poor service..."

"Stand up for me, you are a man, and you should be a man. Is it appropriate for you to act like a woman? I don't care what you believe in, I will make you a man again. Invar, I don't believe it, you Really entangled in beliefs that are not close to women."

"Yes." John Invall immediately got up and stood up, and he listened and respected...