Chapter 10

10_Three Traitors (2)

Even if it means massacring the Protestants, we should completely purge them.

This is an absurd suggestion by any standard.

It will weaken the nation's strength through civil war.

After that, there is a risk of being dragged around by Catholic forces.

It's truly a bad move among bad moves.

But...

"...I will consider it."

If the worst-case scenario comes, I can't be sure I won't take that path.

It's the path Mary chose in the original history, and it guarantees a minimum level of safety.

Though I intend to do my best to prevent such a situation from arising.

"A wise decision."

Bishop Stephen bowed deeply with a much brighter face.

It's just a consideration, but this old man is too happy.

Well, whatever. Now is the time to take action.

If only to avoid creating a situation that Bishop Stephen would enjoy.

"Let's go to the Tower of London. Please guide me."

I need to have a conversation with John Knox.

###

"This way, the path is very slippery."

The guard glanced at me and illuminated the way with a torch.

"Watch your step, Your Majesty."

The bishop who accompanied me also warned me.

The corridor of the Tower of London was peculiar.

Though it was adorned with the royal crest and lavish decorations, it was neglected and rusted, and the ornate candlesticks had no lit candles.

The floor bore the marks of fierce battles, and the stone steps had indelible stains of blood from some unknown time.

"It was once a palace, but it has never been repaired since the War of the Roses. It wouldn't be strange if part of it had collapsed."

As I listened to the bishop, I touched the tapestry hanging on the wall.

A tapestry embroidered with the royal crest in luxurious gold thread.

It's a shame that such a magnificent palace is used only as a prison.

"Hey, wait! If you touch that!"

Suddenly, the guard let out an urgent cry.

"It's going to fall!"

I felt a breeze from my hand.

Could it be...

I lifted the tapestry I was touching slightly.

-Whoosh!

...There was a hole.

Such a large hole that a person could pass through.

"As you say, it's not in good condition."

I awkwardly cleared my throat and quickly put the tapestry back.

"Hehe, what did I say?"

The bishop burst into laughter and then urged me to continue.

Perhaps because he had been imprisoned here for several years, the bishop had a good sense of direction.

To be honest, Bishop Stephen seemed much more reliable than the clumsy-looking guard.

I followed the bishop slowly.

For a while, only the sound of our footsteps echoed in the empty corridor.

As we walked silently, a more organized corridor appeared.

"From this corner, it's the high-security prison. Sir John Knox is in the first cell."

The guard said.

"Is that so? Then you two wait here for a moment."

"Huh?"

The guard, with large, cow-like eyes, blinked and looked at me.

He didn't seem to understand what I said.

I added kindly.

"I have something important to discuss, so could you wait here for a moment?"

"But...!"

Interrupting the guard's fidgeting, Stephen answered politely.

"Please do as Her Majesty wishes."

The old man with silver hair bowed deeply.

"I always trust Her Majesty."

I looked at Bishop Stephen, who smiled kindly, with a complicated expression.

I don't particularly want to help the Protestants in revenge.

It seems there's some misunderstanding.

Well, misunderstandings are free, aren't they?

I walked around the corner, leaving behind the guard with a worried face and the confident Bishop Stephen.

As I walked, I soon saw a cell with a barred door.

I knew John Knox was here without seeing him.

Because the sound of prayer was seeping through the door.

John Knox was kneeling and praying behind the bars.

He must have heard me coming, but he continued praying without moving.

I crossed my arms and watched to see how far he would go.

After some time,

Finally, John Knox opened his eyes quietly and looked at me.

"So, what do you want to say to this sinner, Your Majesty?"

Look at that calm attitude.

Anyone would think he's the one interrogating me.

I spoke in a cold and solemn tone.

"I'm considering your punishment. Do you prefer to be burned at the stake? Or do you want to die a slow, painful death on the cross?"

"I have not violated the laws of God or England."

"Then why did you try to leave the country? If you had nothing to hide, you wouldn't have fled. Were you involved in Jane Grey's rebellion?"

A straightforward question: Are you a traitor?

But John Knox remained unmoved.

"I am a body dedicated to God. I have never participated in such worldly political games. I merely felt that my mission in this kingdom has ended."

John Knox slowly opened his eyes and continued.

"I have a mission to guide more people to true faith, but I still lack the necessary studies to fulfill it. I stayed here because the late king gave me an excessive position, but now I feel it's time to leave and pursue new learning."

In other words, since the king is dead and I'm an orphan, I thought I'd go study in France.

Indeed, in the original history, John Knox went to France and became a disciple of John Calvin.

Still, for someone who's a preacher, he sure talks a lot.

If I keep arguing with this guy, I'll spend the whole day.

...Is there no one around right now?

I listened carefully to the surroundings.

I can hear some faint sounds, but they are very subtle.

Hmm, is it the wind? I looked around, but there was no one.

Good, then there's nothing to worry about.

"Hey, let's be frank. I don't care about your beliefs. There's only one thing I want to know. What will you do if I let you go?"

"What...?"

John Knox looked at me with a bewildered face.

Why? Did you get surprised because the queen spoke so casually?

It felt good to see the composed guy's composure crumble.

"Hey, answer me. What will you do if I let you go? Will you stay in England?"

"No, I don't plan to."

John Knox answered.

"As I said, my position in England was excessive. I planned to go to France to study further..."

"Is that still your intention? Swear it to God."

"Do not take the name of God in vain!"

Hey, where is this traitor getting his anger from?

I scowled, and John Knox reluctantly answered.

"...I can swear on my conscience."

"Hmm..."

It doesn't seem like he's lying.

'If he leaves England, there's no need to kill him.'

No, in this case, it's more advantageous not to kill him.

His death could unnecessarily provoke the Protestants.

"Alright, then I have one more question. What's your relationship with Baron William?"

"Baron William?"

John Knox frowned, as if he had never heard the name.

"Is he a fervent follower of yours or secretly dreams of religious reform?"

"Hardly."

This time, John Knox answered immediately.

"He is a man suited for hell. Greedy, filthy, and shameless."

I didn't expect John Knox and Bishop Stephen to agree on this.

Anyway, it seems Baron William and John Knox were not on good terms.

Then why did the baron provoke me in parliament?

Was it really to save John Knox?

My head was already complicated, and this made it even more so.

"Alright, I understand. Wait for the verdict."

As I returned to a regal tone, John Knox looked at me with a bewildered expression.

So what if a guy who can't do anything is annoyed?

I turned to leave, intending to rejoin the bishop and return to the palace.

But then I heard something strange.

"...What was that?"

I approached the wall and pressed my ear to it, holding my breath.

"...Huh, huh..."

It sounded like someone was sobbing.

Was the noise I heard earlier this sound?

Who is crying like this? A ghost?

Ah, could it be... that child?

...Thinking about it, I've never talked to her before.

I followed the sobbing sound up the tower.

As I slowly climbed the stairs, I soon reached the top of the Tower of London.

I stopped in front of the room where two princes were once murdered.

Through the bars, I saw a girl sobbing quietly.

"...Sister?"

The girl, noticing me, opened her wide eyes and approached me.

She had fine blonde hair and bright blue eyes, a young face that still had baby fat.

She was Jane Grey, the protagonist of the Jane Grey conspiracy.

Jane, seeing me, quickly wiped her tears and came closer.

She tried to act brave, but the redness on her cheeks clearly showed her tears.

"Is the prison noisy because my mother or father has been captured?"

"No, it's just another prisoner."

"Is that so..."

Looking at Jane, I felt uneasy.

Is this due to the memories of my body?

Jane Grey.

Ironically, she is the most innocent person among those involved in the Jane Grey conspiracy.

Jane grew up being abused by her parents.

She was closer to her relatives and relied heavily on her cousin Mary.

Naturally, Jane had no intention of usurping the throne that belonged to Mary.

However, after the late king's death, greedy adults did not leave her alone.

They set her up as a puppet queen to wield power.

Jane resisted, saying, "The queen is not me but Mary," but was eventually forced to sit on the throne after being beaten and locked in a room.

But when the real queen returned, those adults fled, leaving Jane behind.

Jane's parents also fled with them.

"When Her Majesty came, I thought my parents must have been captured and my execution date set."

Jane hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and spoke.

"Um, when will I die?"

"...Do you want to die?"

"No, but I know I have to. I have committed a great sin against Her Majesty."

She seemed to have sorted out her thoughts during her time in prison, and her attitude was quite calm.

Seeing a young girl so resigned to death made her even more pitiful.

'She hasn't done anything wrong. I'd like to save her if I could...'

But there was something that bothered me.

Jane, by her very existence, provides a justification for the rebels.

'She's young, beautiful, a Protestant, and has a claim to the throne. How can people not covet her?'

At any time, a rebellion to make Jane the queen in my place could arise.

It would be very troublesome.

"Jane, are you willing to renounce Protestantism and convert to Catholicism? If you do, I'll release you from this prison immediately."

If Jane converts, it would be a fatal disqualification for her to become the next queen.

This way, I could release her without her being a threat.

But...

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to go to hell."

Right, people in this era don't change their religion easily.

I didn't expect it.

"Still, thank you for asking. Really, thank you."

Jane smiled faintly.

"By the way, if the person captured today isn't my parents, who is it? Not just anyone can enter this palace, you know."

Jane asked, as if she had just thought of it.

It was clear she wanted to change the subject, so I went along with it.

"Actually, it's someone who doesn't deserve to be here. John Knox. Do you know him?"

"Sir John Knox?"

Jane's eyes widened.

"But he wasn't among those who rebelled. I'm sure of it."

"He's here for another crime."

Thinking about it, Jane hasn't had access to information for a long time.

Naturally, she would assume she was captured because of a rebellion related to her.

Given that the rebellion was led by Protestants, it's understandable she would think so.

But the rebellion was more of a power struggle.

I never thought the nobleman would be involved.

If anyone was involved in the rebellion, it would be more likely to be...

"Jane, do you know Baron William?"

"Huh? Baron William?"

"Did he participate in the rebellion?"

"Um..."

Jane seemed to be thinking.

"This is something I said during the last interrogation, but I'm not sure."

"What? Not sure?"

"Father once said this."

Jane cleared her throat and imitated her father's voice.

"The baron signed to serve you as queen! ...Father was very pleased. Though he didn't mention the baron's name, who else could have such influence to make Father so happy?"

It's certainly significant. But it's not enough to incriminate the baron.

I can see why the baron can walk around so boldly.

"Have you ever seen him?"

"Yes, I only heard about him from Father. I've never seen the baron's face or the document he signed."

I think I just heard something I shouldn't have.

Thinking about it, she said earlier, "The baron signed."

"What exactly is the document?"

"It's a list of people who pledged to support me. To assert my legitimacy, Father tried to secure the signatures of influential people."

So the baron was one of them.

Isn't that a complete list of rebels?

"Where is it?"

"I've never seen it. Perhaps someone quick-witted burned it when I was captured and brought to the Tower of London."

Hmm, that's a shame.

"Thank you for the story, Jane. I'll try to visit again."

"Thank you for coming. I hope Her Majesty's kingdom prospers even after I die."

After exchanging such a melancholy farewell, I fell into deep thought.

William Baron, Jane Grey, John Knox.

Three troublesome traitors in different ways.

John Knox is a dangerous element. He needs to be killed or exiled.

But if I kill him, the Protestants will rebel, and if I exile him, the Catholics will protest.

No matter how I handle it, I will earn the resentment of someone.

Jane Grey is close to my side and is a valuable person to keep alive.

She is young, has no ambition, and is a precious and trustworthy relative.

Honestly, even if I put aside political considerations, I don't want to kill an innocent and naive child.

But Jane can always threaten me, regardless of her will.

Finally, William Baron.

The baron is a very annoying person.

I don't know if he's a traitor, and his actions are very suspicious.

But to eliminate him now, I would need to use the Jane Grey rebellion as a pretext, which would inevitably involve Jane Grey.

I can't let the baron off with just suspicion and then spare Jane Grey, who was a key figure in the rebellion.

Ah, the three dangerous elements are tangled in my mind.

Is there a way to deal with all three of them cleanly at once?

As I sat on the window ledge in front of Jane's cell, deep in thought,

Something strange caught my eye.

"Huh? What's that...?"

It was a light.

In this dark Tower of London, where there is not a single lit candle.

A light was flickering from a window diagonally below.

'Is it Bishop Stephen and the guard?'

No, no. I turned the corner and climbed the stairs.

So the light from where the bishop and the guard were couldn't be seen.

That position is...

Suddenly, I got goosebumps.

"That's... the room next to where John Knox and I were talking, isn't it?"

At that moment, I realized