Chapter 277 The Villain Lady Arrives 105
The hand of Saint Aidan holding the letter trembled slightly. He looked up at Archbishop Eldridge, his eyes full of confusion and disbelief. "My Lord, Alice... She is kind and has a deeper understanding of the doctrine than I do. How could she make such a heinous mistake so rashly? Is there any misunderstanding here?"
Aidan's words revealed his deep trust and confusion towards Alice. His brows were furrowed, as if he was trying to find a clue from the fragments of memory to prove Alice's innocence. He recalled the days he spent with Alice, those moments of striving for light and justice, which made him more determined to clarify the facts for Alice.
The Archbishop looked at Aidan, with a complex emotion in his eyes. He knew Alice's position and influence in the church, and he also understood Aidan's feelings at the moment.
"Aidan, I understand how you feel. But the facts are before us. The accusation made by the Kingdom of Lanster is not groundless. We must face this problem squarely. No matter what the truth is, the opinions of the outside world have already had an adverse impact on us."
He groaned for a moment and continued, "What you said makes sense. Perhaps there really is some unknown secret behind this. But before that, we must first solve the problem at hand. The anger and dissatisfaction of the Kingdom of Lanster are real. We must take action to restore the reputation of the church."
When Aidan heard this, a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.
"My lord, I am willing to go to the Kingdom of Lanster in person to find out the truth and clear Alice's name. At the same time, I will do my best to negotiate with the Kingdom of Lanster to ensure that we can continue to spread light and hope there."
Eldridge nodded, a trace of relief flashing in his eyes. "Aidan, I am very proud of your courage and determination. I will arrange some gold coins and magic materials for you in case of emergency. Remember, your first priority is to ensure the safety of Alice and other believers, then to find out the truth, and finally to negotiate missionary matters with the Kingdom of Lanster."
Aidan nodded solemnly, with a complete plan in mind. He knew that this mission was arduous, but for the honor of the church and Alice's innocence, he was willing to make every effort.
The next morning, Aidan led a team of capable church knights and attendants on their journey to the Kingdom of Lanster. After several days of trekking through dense forests and over winding mountains, they finally arrived at the border of the Kingdom of Lanster.
The palace of Lanster was majestic and magnificent, and the golden sunlight shining on the city walls was particularly dazzling. Aidan and his party entered the palace and were immediately led to Princess Vivian. Vivian sat on the throne, her eyes were sharp and deep, as if she could see into people's hearts.
"Welcome to the Kingdom of Lanster, Saint Aidan." Lanster's voice was cold and powerful. He nodded slightly to show his respect for Aidan. "I deeply regret what happened to your church. But the facts have already happened and we must face it."
Aidan nodded, his attitude sincere and firm. "Your Highness, the purpose of my trip is, first, to find out the truth about the Saint Alice incident, and second, to ensure the safety and legal missionary rights of our church in the Kingdom of Lanster."
Lanster smiled slightly, with a cold light flashing in his eyes. "Saint Aidan is indeed a man of few words. We have conducted a detailed investigation into the incident involving Saint Alice, and the evidence is irrefutable. But since you have come here in person, I am willing to give you a chance to understand the whole story in person."
There was a subtle depth in Lanster's smile. He slowly stood up and walked to the window. His eyes penetrated the intricately carved window lattices, as if he was examining the distant scenery or considering his words.
"Son Aidan, you have traveled a long way and worked tirelessly. The Kingdom of Lanster has seen and remembered your loyalty to the doctrine and your deep affection for your comrades. However, regarding the matter of Saint Alice, I must remind you that things in the world are often complicated and changeable. What you see may not be true, and what you hear may also be biased. Although we strive to collect evidence that is objective and fair, it is inevitably tainted with subjective colors due to the interweaving of emotions and positions."
Having said that, Lanster turned around, his eyes showing more sincerity and understanding. "That's why I suggest that instead of listening to my one-sided words here, you should go meet Saint Alice and listen to her own words. After all, the truth is often hidden in the most direct conversation."
Hearing this, Aidan was filled with indescribable excitement and anticipation. This was not just a simple meeting, but a crucial step in clearing Alice's name. He suppressed his inner turmoil and bowed deeply to Lanster.
"Your Highness's generosity and open-mindedness make me deeply admire you. Please allow me to set off immediately to the Church of Light to meet Saint Alice."
Lanster nodded and ordered his servants to prepare horses and supplies for Aidan and his party. He also sent a reliable guide to accompany them to ensure their safety. "Son of Aidan, may the light guide your path. I also hope that you can find the truth soon."
As the sound of horse hooves faded away, Aidan's heart flew to the place he missed day and night. Along the way, the time he spent with Alice kept emerging in his mind. Those discussions about faith, justice and love were like bright stars, illuminating his way forward.
After several days of traveling, Aidan finally returned to the familiar Church of Light. The gate of the church was still solemn and sacred. The sunlight shone through the stained glass windows, casting mottled light and shadows, adding a bit of warmth and hope to this solemn hall. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door that carried countless beliefs and wishes.
Inside the church, the air was filled with a faint scent of incense, and believers knelt devoutly before the statue, praying one after another. However, in this tranquility and peace, Aidan felt a hint of something unusual. He walked through the crowd and headed straight for the place where Alice was imprisoned.
When Aidan stood in front of the closed iron door, his heart suddenly tightened. He gently pushed the iron door open and saw Alice sitting on the simple bed, her hands folded on her knees, her eyes closed, as if she was meditating, or as if she was enduring endless torment. Her face was still pure and elegant, but there was an indescribable fatigue and sadness in her eyes.
"Alice!" Aidan's voice trembled slightly. He walked quickly to Alice, squatted down, and held her hand tightly. "You are finally back, I..."
Alice slowly opened her eyes, and when she saw Aidan, a flash of surprise flashed across her eyes, which was then replaced by deep emotion. "Aidan, why are you here?" Her voice was hoarse and weak, but full of long-lost warmth.
"I'm here to save you, Alice. I don't believe you would do such a thing. I want to clear your name." Aidan's tone was firm and resolute, with an unquestionable light flashing in his eyes.