The Queen Who Shares Love
Chapter 60 The ambush

Without realizing it, Leticia was already at the temple. The difference this time, it was late at night. Very risky to be there, one of the priests might be able to recognize him. Then, he did not ask Emilia to stand guard in front of his room at the moment. It's late at night, he's convinced that Braun and Judith are asleep.

Leticia wanted to see the fall of the Pope directly. All this time he was just behind the scenes. He only heard how Gerald captured the nobles.

Gerald must have been here to uncover the dark secrets of the Pope. It was proved by the temple guards that they had fallen unconscious. Dale had told him that the magic stone had been handed over to Isabella. Isabella must have given it to Gerald.

Leticia got into the temple easily, thanks to Gerlad. The condition of the temple was very quiet, all the priests were asleep. He immediately headed to the priest's building to look for the basement. 

There was a little regret in his heart. He should have asked Piere to tell the basement. The worst possibility is that Leticia can't find the basement or she finds it when Gerald's done.

Leticia passed through hallway after passage to find that basement. Not meet. What an act without preparation and long thought first. He should have thought about this carefully before leaving.

He surrendered. Better wait for news tomorrow. Leticia took the large magic stone of her deportation to return to the palace.

His hand was pulled quickly. He did not manage to teleport. Leticia took off the man's grasp by kicking him. The man backed off to maintain his balance so as not to fall.

"Who are you?" ask the man in pain.

Piere held onto his stomach which was still sore from Leticia's kick. Feeling guilty Leticia approached him.

"I'm sorry. It's me, Piere." Leticia opened the hood. Her hair was brown because she was wearing fake hair. However, the people who had met him must have recognized him.

"Pardon my presumptuous act, Empress." Piere. He had already pulled the hand of the Imperial Empress violently. He was afraid of the punishment that would soon befall him.

"It's okay, I didn't give you any news that I was coming anyway. Can you take me to the basement?"

"Well, I'll drop you." Piere immediately stood up to escort Leticia to the basement. 

Leticia followed him while wearing her hood. Piere drove him to the front. He didn't come inside. He had to go back to the room so Paul didn't suspect anything. Paul had no idea of the plan to bring down the Pope. Piere kept his promise to Leticia not to tell anyone this.

Leticia thanked Piere. He went down the stairs to the basement. He opens the door. The room was so dark that it was lit only by torches on each side of the room. 

Suddenly the hood opened. There are people who pull their hoods from behind. He immediately turned to look at the man.

The man was very surprised by Leticia's arrival. One more new expression, which Leticia saw from that person.

"What are you doing here, Empress?" ask Gerald.

"I just want to see the Pope fall directly, Grand Duke."

Gerald scrunched his forehead as if wondering what was in Leticia's brain.

"You know it's dangerous, right?"

"I know. I'm not going to interfere when you arrest the Pope, Grand Duke."

"Do as you please, Empress." Gerald exhaled a long breath.

They entered the room on the other side. The room is empty. They came too fast. The forbidden magic ritual has not yet begun. Leticia was observing the room. There is no big furniture. There is no place to hide.  They had to hide in another room. There are three doors in the room. The door to the room where they came out earlier and the door on the right and left side of the room. Both doors are locked. Gerald opened the door on the right forcefully using an aura. The room on the right door was empty and not as spacious as the room they were in now. 

They were hiding in that room. Gerald made a small hole in that door, used to peek. Do not forget to also make a hole the size of Leticia's body height.

Leticia's heart was pounding hard. He tried to calm himself. Being overzealous can also result in a plan failing.

The Pope took the key, opened the door on the left side of the room. He entered it, followed by the children. 

The kids look empty. They obey the Pope's orders. First, they sit on the floor. They put their hands forward and scratched them with a knife.

Leticia and Gerald refrained from coming out. This forbidden magic required a magic circle and cast spells to activate it. They wait for those moments. This circle can be evidence of the Pope committing a forbidden act.

This magic circle was made from the blood of those children. The Pope drew it using his fingers. The children's hands were still bleeding, but they were not in pain.

Leticia clasped her hands tightly, hoping that the children would not lose much blood.

The magic circle is done. The pope stood outside the magic circle and cast a spell. The magic circle began to shine. The kids started falling one by one. Gerald immediately came out of hiding, beating the Pope. The light from the circle disappeared instantly as its user stopped chanting the spell.

The Pope held his cheek while looking intently at Gerald. He grins.

"I guess you won't come, Grand Duke."

"Sorry to keep you waiting for me, Pope. Ah, you don't deserve to be called the Pope for committing a heinous act." Gerald stared intently at the Pope. He drew his sword in front of Poppo's neck.

The Pope's loud laughter filled the room. Leticia was still hiding in her place. He didn't want to bother Gerald. The children are still unconscious.

"You won't understand my feelings. People who are rich in wealth like you can do anything without trying hard. I just want to live in peace."

"Is it necessary to sacrifice others, especially children?"

"Sacrifice is necessary for the happiness of others, Grand Duke."

"You're crazy."

"It's a pity you won't be able to beat me." Pope giggles.

"We'll see."

Gerald slashed his sword into Poppo's hand. His sword could be restrained by this evil Pope easily. Gerald was a little surprised.

The slash of Gerald's sword even without aura could not be deflected easily. Poppo's power far exceeded that of an ordinary human. This power is obtained from sacrificing children in the previous ritual.

There was no point playing around with the evil man in front of him. Gerald launched an attack after attack. Poppo can avoid it. 

"Look at the difference in our strength, Grand Duke."

"That's not your own power but that you stole from the children." Gerald swung his sword even faster until it scratched Poppo's cheek.

Poppo held his bloody cheek and grinned wider.

He casts fire magic directing it at Gerald. Gerald can avoid it. The magic hit the door to the exit.

The pope immediately fled. Gerald's after.

Leticia is no longer in hiding. He patted the children's cheeks to wake them up, but to no avail. He killed the smoke from the drug.

Leticia soon caught up with Grand Duke Faust. He hopes nothing bad happens to Gerald.