Chapter 107: May the Holy Lord protect him
The supplies sent from Florence were scarce. There were a few newly developed medications from Anastasia—this brilliant female doctor remained steadfast in her contempt for men, remaining committed to serving only women. Rafael had to use Lucrezia’s name just to scrape a few medicines out of her. Though small in quantity, they were all highly effective, fast-acting goods. There was also a flintlock pistol clearly sourced from the Papal Palace’s collection; its parts were lightly oiled, and its brass barrel and trigger gleamed brightly, looking exceptionally well-maintained. Pressed underneath were a few garments and other odds and ends.
Redrick took out the gun and twirled it in his hand twice. Compared to most of its clumsy contemporaries, which were as long as a person’s arm, this pistol was far more compact and lightweight. Measuring just a little over a foot and a half in length, its body of teak wood and brass featured smooth, sleek lines. Every single component was hand-polished to fit seamlessly, exuding the aesthetic beauty of mechanical intricacy.
On the grip, Redrick discovered the crest of the Papal Palace. This was likely a forbidden treasure intended as a tribute to the Pope, yet now it had crossed the ocean and landed in his hands.
What did this mean?
He stared at it, unable to articulate the emotions stirring in his heart.
In the end, after looking at the gun over and over again, he casually tucked it into his belt and waved a hand at the orderly behind him: “Hurry up and inventory the goods. There’s been movement in the north again these past two days; I’m taking a squad to check it out.”
As the influence of the Religious Freedom Act gradually expanded across Assyria, more and more people flocking here were drawn by Rafael’s title as the “Last Descendant of the Sargon Dynasty.” The people longed for the peaceful, free life that family had once brought to Assyria, and so they entrusted him with their most sincere faith. Queen Amandra’s death and Sancha’s succession in Rome had torn the Sargon dynasty completely apart, and everyone believed Assyria would give birth to a new dynasty—until Rafael appeared.
This monarch, who already possessed a crown, declared his legitimate rule over Assyria. This meant he would not abandon Assyria, and the Sargon family stood a great chance of continuing its glory.
Before witnessing it firsthand, Redrick found it hard to imagine how a surname could wield such powerful appeal, yet in truth, the Sargon family had achieved it. People from all over Assyria came to the south, driven here by nothing more than that ethereal surname.