God is Love
Saarbrücken - October 2
Josiah got out of his car and went into the building. It was formerly a school. Although the letters had been taken down, he could still make out the name from the clean spots on the wall the letters once were at: Wolfgang Ludendorff High School. Ferdinand waited inside in the hallway, wearing his Sunday best.
“Hello, Colonel Gaillard,” Josiah said.
“Professor Burkard, you’ve made it just in time,” Ferdinand said, “Thank you for coming today. I’m a big fan of your work, sir. Especially your book
On the Brink of Collapse.”
“Oh, that one,” Josiah said, “I’m more partial to
Problematic Populism, these days.”
“I tried reading that one,” Ferdinand said, “It was too…how should I say this…intellectual, for someone like me.”
“I totally understand,” Josiah said, “Not everybody can understand that book.”
“Still, that book really got me inspired,” Ferdinand said.
“I hear you started a chapter of the Shepherds’ Brotherhood here in Saarbrücken twenty years ago,” Josiah said, “I take it my book inspired you?”
“After reading the book, I was newly motivated to take action,” Ferdinand said, “But I had nobody to share my thoughts with. The party cartel had gotten into the minds of all of my friends and family in those years…they all censored and cancelled me like I was some lunatic. But then I went on Dikastirio, and there was this huge group there. Everyone there had similar experiences, similar feelings on the current situation, and a similar desire to do something about it.”
“It’s nice how the Internet can bring people together,” Josiah said.
“I guess I really wanted to get into the Brotherhood to help the kids in my area,” Ferdinand said, “I grew up in this city. Watched it die after the party cartel enforced the globalist agenda on us and the coal mines dried up. Many of the kids here didn’t have good homes. Their families were sinful, if they had any. Many of them joined gangs. I wanted to help them get away from those sinful families and bloodthirsty gangs and into a better way of life.”
“You must be proud of Jerusalem’s achievements,” Josiah said.
“Definitely,” Ferdinand said, “We are making this country a better place to live in.”
“Glad to hear it,” Josiah said, “But, uh...mind telling me what this is? Nobody told me any details on the way here.”
“Today’s event was inspired by your teachings,” Ferdinand said, “And it’s dedicated to all of those in the local chapter who struggled hard to clean up the city.”
They walked down the hallway and rounded a corner.
“Isn’t the auditorium the other way?” Josiah said.
“Trust me on this one,” Ferdinand said.
They continued walking.
“I’m wondering,” Josiah said, “Your last name…Gaillard. It sounds French.”
Ferdinand’s face tensed up before hardening in a scowl.
“Professor, my last name merely only sounds French, and I have been a redblooded German patriot in all things my entire life, unlike the rest of my family who did the opposite,” Ferdinand said, “I would appreciate it if you don’t associate me with those filth. We’ve done everything we can to bring stability, order, and safety to Gallia, but those FLM terrorists constantly threaten to undo all of our hard work.”
“I thought we eliminated all of them after Christmas,” Josiah said.
“That’s the official story, yes, but on the ground, we would really like some more help,” Ferdinand said, “I’ve heard rumors of raids on our camps in Gallia.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Josiah said.
They reached their destination, a swimming pool. Others had already gathered in the stands, dressed in their Sunday finest. A priest stood at the head of the pool, while Crusaders stood around a raised diving platform.
“What is this?” Josiah said.
“You said it yourself, didn’t you?” Ferdinand said. “‘To reverse the impending collapse, we must purify the state of elements impeding or working against it’.
On the Brink of Collapse. This is what we’re doing. Reinstaat.”
The priest noticed Josiah and walked over.
“Hello, Professor Burkard,” he said, “It’s an honor to welcome you here today.”
“Honor’s all mine,” Josiah said.
“Since you’re finally here, I think we can get started,” the priest said, “We reserved the best seat for you.”
“Of course.” Josiah sat down.
The priest returned to the head of the pool and raised his hands.
“Welcome, faithful of Saarbrücken,” he said, “Today we are here to purify the sins of the tainted city, once again. Crusaders, please bring in the accused.”
Two people—a man and a girl—were dragged into the room by the Crusaders. The man was wearing what looked like a Crusader uniform, which had been torn and wrinkled. He looked to be in his thirties. The girl wore a long black dress. She looked to be in her early teens.
“The good Lord Almighty said, ‘when thou passest through the waters, I shall be with thee’,” the priest recited, “‘And through the river, they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee’. The accused—Captain Klaus Mittelman and Agnes Gaillard—have been found guilty of adultery in violation of the Book of Exodus, chapter 20, verse 14. The sentence is death, as laid out in the Book of Leviticus, chapter 20, verse 10.”
Gaillard…the same last name as Ferdinand. Josiah turned to Ferdinand in shock. But Ferdinand’s expression hadn’t changed.
“Yes, that’s my daughter,” Ferdinand said, “And that’s also my former second-in-command. What of it?”
“By the law of God and His humble servants on Earth, they are sentenced to the common mercy of the state,” the priest said, “Out of God’s infinite mercy, we give the accused one last chance to confess their sins and repent. For God is just and will forgive his wayward sheep. Repent, and be cleansed of darkness. Renounce your sins and plead for His mercy.”
“No,” Agnes said.
Ferdinand clenched his fists.
“What was that?” the priest said.
“No,” Agnes said, “I refuse to renounce something that is not a sin.”
“You are in clear violation of divine law!” the priest said.
“It is not a sin to love,” Agnes said, “I was forced into a loveless marriage by my own father…at the age of thirteen! Can you imagine how much I suffered these last two years since then? Klaus understands me, though. He encouraged me. He helped me read through the Bible and learn the truth of His word. And you know what the truth is?”
“Silence, heretic wench!” the priest said. “Women are forbidden from reading!”
“The truth is Christ himself would not have stood for this!” Agnes said. “He just wanted everyone to be kind to each other! Love thy neighbor, he said. He died for our sins so we didn’t have to resort to the old vengeful ways! The ways we’re bringing back now! Christ would have wanted us all to find love in our own way. Like I did!”
“Enough!” the priest said. “Carry out the sentence! In His name, by His hand!”
The Crusaders slapped heavy chains onto Klaus and Agnes’ legs. They forced them them onto the diving platform, high above the deep end. Still holding the other end of the chains, they attached the chains to bowling balls.
“Dear friends!” Agnes said. “The apostle John once said, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”
“In the name of the Lord, deliver these lost souls to justice!” the priest said.
“Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God,” Agnes continued, “Whoever does not love does not know God—”
The Crusaders tossed the bowling balls into the pool. The balls quickly sank, pulling down the chains with them and dragging Klaus and Agnes into the pool.
“Because God is love!” Agnes declared, before her head went into the water.
Josiah watched the two of them struggle to raise their heads above water, but it was useless, as the chain lengths had been perfectly set so that the tops of their heads would just barely not reach the water’s surface. After several seconds, both of them went limp. Josiah turned to Ferdinand, who still had the same expression through the whole event.
“Whare are your thoughts on this matter?” Josiah said.
“My daughter was hiding a multitude of sins.” Ferdinand said.
“She was only fifteen!” Josiah said.
“She should have known better than to be sinful, then,” Ferdinand said.
“She was trying to understand God!” Josiah said.
“Well, she did it wrong,” Ferdinand said, “Do you think I did all this lightly? Agnes was my only child. The light of my life. I had such high hopes for her.”
“Who turned her in?” Josiah said.
“I did,” Ferdinand said, “I saw Klaus in my house and immediately knew. I called the Home Guardians instantly and performed the arrest myself.”
“You…arrested your own daughter,” Josiah said.
“It is rare for people to have this much faith,” Ferdinand said, “To arrest their own kin. It is something I pride myself over.”
“…well, it is rare, indeed,” Josiah said, “I must…agree…on that.”
“I hope this has been an enjoyable experience for you,” Ferdinand said.
“It…it was…” Josiah said, “God…bless you…for your devotion. You are a true Crusader.”
“Thank you,” Ferdinand said, “It means a lot coming from you.”
“May God give you strength during this time of mourning,” Josiah said.
“Thank you for the sentiment, Professor, but you forgot one thing,” Ferdinand said, “I don’t mourn the death of heretics. They get exactly what they deserve.”
