The Father's face is resolute and strong, judging errors and upholding justice, determining the length and quality of blessings and longevity, and kindly loving little children.
The Mother brings the blessing of life, guarding and watching over every woman, her smile finally ending conflict, gently nurturing little children.
The Warrior stands before enemies, defending us north, south, east, and west, holding bow, spear, and sword, watching over and protecting little children.
Inside the lamp-lit hall corridor of the Great Sept of Baelor, beautiful singing slowly echoed, the melodious notes seemingly able to penetrate deep into one's heart.
Greene Crabb stood silently beneath the ceiling adorned with colorful leaded glass orbs, gazing at the devout men and women chanting not far away. A gentle breeze blew, and his cloak, embroidered with Marsh Marigolds, swayed softly.
"Count Greene, I apologize, I seem to be late. May the Gods bless you."
Greene turned his head to look. Brother Jarry had gained some weight since their last meeting (Chapter 188). He wore a magnificent long robe with white and gold patterns, and a benevolent smile on his face as he slowly approached.
Greene showed a slight smile, placed a hand on his chest, and said, "Good day, High Septon Zali. May the Gods bless you."
Hearing the title High Septon, Brother Jarry's smile deepened. He returned the greeting, "Thank you again for your recommendation, Count Greene."
Greene merely smiled. The Bishop of Crab Claw Point was, after all, "one of his own." As a generous lord, he would not refuse a small favor.
High Septon Zali stood beside Greene, also looking at the praying crowd.
He paused, then slowly said, "The High Septon's unexpected death has filled the Great Sept with sorrowful weeping, but the heart of anger is also gradually overcoming the heart of grief, and they are spreading outward."
He sighed, "He was a good man. Perhaps, this is a test from the Gods above for their servants on earth."
One of Greene's eyebrows twitched slightly. Actually... this was Cersei Lannister's "test."
He spoke, "High Septon Zali, I heard that the election of the High Septon is not going smoothly?"
The Seven Gods Church is governed by a council composed of the highest-ranking monks and nuns, who are called High Septons. The High Septons are led by the High Septon, who resides in the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing. The High Septon is usually chosen from among the High Septons, but this is not a mandatory condition. There have been precedents of individuals without the status of High Septon being appointed High Septon: for example, during the reign of Maegor I Targaryen, the High Septon was once an ordinary man named Pate, who was an excellent stonemason but illiterate, simple-minded, and could not even remember a simple prayer... It is rumored that he died of a fever less than a year after becoming High Septon; for example, also during the reign of Maegor I, under the influence of the "God-blessed" Maegor I, an eight-year-old boy was once chosen as High Septon.
A look of hesitation flickered across High Septon Zali's benevolent face. He said, "The sudden death of the former High Septon has instead become an excuse for some people. This church election, I think... may require a little more time before a new High Septon can be welcomed."
Greene nodded slightly, paused, and then asked, "High Septon Zali, please forgive my directness, but is it confirmed that the High Septon... died by murder?"
Upon hearing this, High Septon Zali replied with a solemn expression, "Count Greene, this is no secret. A healthy person suffocating to death, an High Septon murdered in his own chambers—this is the source of the Seven Gods Church's anger."
Greene's gaze shifted slightly. He said, "It seems... that until the killer of the former High Septon is found, this matter will continue to affect your election."
High Septon Zali was slightly startled. He said, "Count Greene, are you interested...?"
Greene smiled faintly, interrupting him, "I am merely regretting for you, I do not care about anything else, or rather, I am a little curious about the killer's motive."
High Septon Zali first secretly observed Greene's expression, then slowly nodded, and said, "Yes, he was respected and loved. I cannot imagine... why such misfortune would befall him."
He closed his eyes in pain and continued, "I only hope Hand of the King Tywin can find the killer as soon as possible and judge this person's crime."
Greene nodded slightly, saying, "Complaints will spread, they will accumulate deeper and deeper."
As his words fell, High Septon Zali suddenly looked at Greene, paused for a moment, and then said, "Count Greene, did you hear it too?"
Greene's brown eyes shifted slightly as he looked at High Septon Zali and said, "The faithful have always believed that prayer is their only weapon, but I 'heard' the sound of wavering."
The Gold Cloaks, under Hand of the King Tywin's command, were about to turn King's Landing upside down, but they never dreamed that the killer of the former High Septon would be in Maegors Holdfast. One could only say that Cersei's "power" lay in... her actions often being beyond the imagination of normal people, and happening unexpectedly.
The chaos in the Seven Kingdoms combined with the rumors about Joffrey's parentage, although seemingly quelled on the surface, were secretly and constantly eroding the prestige of the Baratheon Iron Throne. Furthermore, the true killer of the former High Septon remained unfound, leading to daily increasing complaints. In this situation, both the unintentional and intentional suggested that they should regain the power to protect themselves, with the intentional further fanning the flames.
The two of them were allies. High Septon Zali lowered his voice and said, "At this morning's election meeting, someone mentioned the 'The Sons of the Warrior' and the 'Poor Fellows,' but most High Septons immediately suppressed that voice."
The Seven Gods Church once possessed two militant orders, known as the The Sons of the Warrior and the Poor Fellows.
The The Sons of the Warrior were composed of knights who renounced their lands and possessions, swore loyalty to the High Septon with their swords, and fought for the Seven Gods. The The Sons of the Warrior wore silver-plated armor, rainbow cloaks, and wielded longswords with star-shaped crystal pommels.
The Poor Fellows were composed of commoners of low status, including both men and women. They were armed with whatever weapons they could find and wore clothes with a red seven-pointed star emblem on a white background. They roamed the Seven Kingdoms in large numbers, escorting devout travelers between septs.
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