Chapter XIX: The First Crime Followed by Punishment

The world began to applaud the decision of punishment that I had determined. To some extent, I felt good to be of help to the well-being of the Church. Nothing reminds us of that tyrannical and bloody ruler, except for some legends about him.

Immediately after giving the verdict, we all went to the execution site. The citizens of the capital, guided by holy zeal, brought wood and old furniture to burn the witch.

The happiest among all present was the bishop, who, ever since he heard the verdict, had told me dozens of times how good and holy I am.

It feels extraordinarily good to condemn someone. Finally, I hold absolute power in the Church of Wallachia... But still... Something feels strange... Perhaps the fact that I condemned an innocent woman to death?

"Last words, Ana," I said before they set the fire.

"You won't escape so easily, Antonio... Can you hear me?"

"I already have... I am a devoted servant of God, and I am not afraid of your witch's curses... Boys, burn this witch!"

As soon as I said that, a few men set fire to the wood to which Ana was tied... Innocent... Until her death, she shouted that she was not guilty, and yet... I am the one guilty of her death.

It doesn't matter... I- I just need to go to confession, and everything will be fine, right?

"Your Excellency... I would like to confess my sins..."

"So soon? Don't you want to enjoy the show? Well... Here are some peanuts. Take them, they're delicious..."

It seems he is right. After all, I can't change what I have done. Now, let me watch the spectacle.

"Your Excellency... Do something to make her stop, she annoys me!"

"Antonio, I permit you to do whatever you want in this execution. Don't hesitate..."

So... Alright... I took a sword from an executioner's hand and stabbed it into the left leg of the condemned. So much blood was flowing... Blood... Ha, just like the blood in my stigmata, right? It doesn't matter.

What matters is that she began to scream in pain, ceasing to utter my name or that of the bishop... It all ended with a grayish form that smoldered. That had been Ana, the wife of the former ruler Vlad the Impaler. If she had agreed with my initiative, it would have been better, wouldn't it? The bishop was right... The peanuts were quite tasty, especially seasoned with the smell of burning flesh coming from Ana's corpse...

In the end, everyone received the bishop's blessing, and we headed towards the palace. The bishop owed me a confession.

"Bless me, Your Excellency, for I have sinned!"

"Tell me, my child... What are your sins?"

"My conscience reproaches me for not fulfilling my mission today... I condemned an innocent young woman to death because she refused to sleep with me, and I accused her of witchcraft..."

"My child, nothing is too great to not be forgiven by God... Repent for your sin and trust in the goodness of God. As penance, say three 'Hail Mary' prayers, and now recite the act of contrition..."

After confession, I stepped out of the confessional to have a face-to-face conversation with the bishop. To my surprise, the bishop embraced me, thanking me for the wonderful deed I had done for the Church of Wallachia.

"By the way," the bishop said, "how did you make your stigmata bleed at that moment?"

"Well, usually the stigmata are like guardian angels that start bleeding when you are in danger..."

"Very well, then... Tomorrow is Sunday, so prepare yourself... You will receive the rank of Monsignor of our diocese and become a Canon."

"Your Excellency, I am unworthy of such a title..."

"Oh, yes, you are very worthy... Tomorrow, during the Liturgy, you will receive the appropriate reward for your deed..."

It doesn't sound good, but... I just hope I won't be struck down by the hand of the Lord during the Liturgy or something... What matters is that I am starting to climb the ecclesiastical ranks. The title of Monsignor is granted to the best priests, and the title of Canon is reserved for only one or a maximum of 2-3 priests in the entire diocese. So far, I am the only one who can boast of this title, the others being merely honorary.

However, even after confession, my conscience was still troubling me. There was something that didn't give me peace... Anyway, it doesn't matter... Tomorrow is the day when I will shine like the sun in the sky of Wallachia, and I will have the joy of being named a Canon and Monsignor... Oh, I can't wait.

"Antonio!"

A voice woke me up from my sleep. Or maybe I am still asleep? I don't know.

"Who are you?"

"I-I'm Benjamin, don't you remember me?"

"Oh, yes... What do you want? Have you come to judge me?"

"Antonio... You have killed a person... Do you think you can get away with it so easily? God already wants to punish you, and I cannot oppose it... Not even Archangel Michael, your guardian, can..."

"Leave... I have confessed, so I am fine... God has forgiven me!"

"Antonio, don't be so sure... Yes, God has... But Ana and Vlad want revenge."

"Wait, what?"

I woke up in a pool of blood and sweat. The stigmata reopened, and ever since I left Rome, I have been sweating during sleep. I started screaming so loud that the bishop and his secretary entered the room to see what was happening to me.

"A-Antonio, are you okay?" the bishop asked me.

"No, I'm not... I shouldn't have killed Ana... She was innocent..."

"Antonio, calm down... Also, Father Marcus, go and fetch the doctor..."

"Of course!" Marcus, the bishop's secretary, responded.

"Listen, Antonio... You did the right thing. It's all in the past... Now, come, lie down!"

"I can't sleep alone... I never could, and now even less..."

"Then... Do you want me to send someone to sleep with you?"

"Yes... Just to sleep. Or to stay until I fall asleep..."

"Very well... I will talk to Marcus to accompany you tonight..."

The doctor came along with Marcus, the bishop's secretary. After disinfecting and bandaging my wounds, the doctor left. Marcus, encouraged by the bishop, stayed to keep me company tonight.

"Father Marcus, are you asleep?"

"No, Father Antonio, what is it?"

"I can't sleep at all... I'm afraid of divine punishment..."

"Father, please know that I don't dare to judge you, but I don't think you did the right thing by condemning Ana to death... Even the bishop didn't want that... He only wanted Ana to be exiled somewhere where she couldn't cause any trouble..."

"So, it's my fault, isn't it?"

"No... Thank you..."

"Why?"

"My entire family was killed by Vlad, the former ruler, and I, being only 9 years old, was secretly taken by the bishop and kept hidden in a monastery until his death, which came shortly after... But when I realized how much Ana was suffering, it reminded me of my mother who was killed alongside my 3-year-old brother..."

"I'm sorry to hear that..."

"No need to be... Anyway, I hope you don't consider yourself a demon for this unfortunate act... The Lord has already forgiven you..."

"I hope so too, although..."

"We must trust in Him, don't you think?"

"You know, you remind me of myself three weeks ago..."

"In what way?"

"I was just as gentle and calm as you, even in difficult situations... I just hope you don't have my fate of being betrayed by your loved ones..."

"You were betrayed, Father?"

"Yes, but it doesn't matter anymore... I'm trying to forget... Look, would you like to become friends? You know, I need friends my age..."

"Me, friends with you? I'm not worthy of that... You know, you're the great judge of the diocese, and I..."

"And you are a brother priest, aren't you? So, what do you say we go and grab something to eat with the bishop after tomorrow's Liturgy?"

"The bishop never eats with me..."

"Maybe he doesn't... But if I ask him, maybe he'll agree..."

"S-Sure... Thank you!"

"No, I thank you... Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!"

"Marcus, can I hug you tonight? You know, I feel too alone, and I'm scared and cold..."

"S-Sure..."

How good it feels to be in someone's arms. It reminds me of Cesare and his strong embrace... If only I could have never met him, maybe I would have been happier and wouldn't have become a monster... As for Marcus, I hope he doesn't turn out like me... Maybe he will be able to pull me out of this pit I've fallen into...

The next day, I put on my best cassock with my finest clothes and headed to the cathedral. A procession of about 50-60 priests was waiting for the bishop's signal to depart.

After putting on my liturgical vestments of red color, as it was the feast day of a martyr, I joined the procession alongside the bishop. Right in front of me was Marcus, so I asked the bishop for permission to walk beside him. He agreed, so we walked together.

I was so excited that for a moment I lost my balance, and if it weren't for Marcus next to me, I think I would have made a fool of myself. I promise that if I reach a high position, I will take Marcus away from here... Why? Because he reminds me of myself... Of my purity from before...

After reaching the altar, we knelt beside the bishop and proceeded to celebrate with him.

"Beloved faithful of the Diocese of Targoviste. I am almost 70 years old and I feel weakened. However, I have by my side my spiritual son Antonio, the finest priest I have known to this day and worthy of receiving the rank of canon and monsignor on this day, especially for yesterday's event when he destroyed Ana Kroner, that wicked witch. Let us pray for him!"

After the Gospel and holy readings were read, I was called by the bishop who read my elevation decree to the rank of monsignor and canon. I received the ring and sash characteristic of these two ranks while kneeling.

The bishop kissed me on the forehead, and I kissed his ring. Additionally, all the priests, led by Marcus, greeted me and wished me success in the future. Some of them even wanted to kiss my ring, which I refused.

Now it's time for me to give a word of gratitude.

"Your Excellency, Reverend fellow priests, dear faithful... Some of you know me as Father Antonio, who advocated for the rights of peasants and the poor. Others know me as Father Antonio, the judge of the diocese, and some simply as Antonio. Now I have become a canon... Another stage of my life has begun after, with God's help, we were able to free our country and the Church of Wallachia from a very powerful witch, the wife of the former ruler: Ana Kroner. I hope that God will alleviate her torment in hell through the painful death she endured. And we, brothers, let us pray to the Lord to protect us from His wrath and from the spells that the devil brings upon us through his people. I promise you that I will not change but will remain the priest of all: rich and poor, nobles and peasants. Therefore, you can trust in the judgment that the Lord makes through me. Thank you all!"

A burst of applause began to fill the cathedral as the bishop embraced me in front of the tearful crowd. Everything was going according to plan until...

"What is that sound? What is happening?" shouted the frightened people.

No. It can't be. It can't be true that the legend is real. V-Vlad the Impaler is alive?!