Chapter 323 – Episode 323 ― Best Defense (2)
Episode 323 – Best Defense (2)
It is not easy to expand your power in the middle of an enemy country called Merdera. In the end, we had no choice but to rely on humans for some parts.
In the process, a situation like the one where Count Hilfe was captured in the last episode could have happened at any time. Moreover, it poses a threat in that Roan and others cannot respond immediately.
In order to eliminate such anxiety factors, one of the things Roan discussed with the small meeting as soon as the second round was over was Spros’ quick attack.
Placing more allies in Spros and ultimately subduing Spros.
“Have you heard from Basel?”
Roan, who finished talking with Schickviena, asked as he rolled up the tent door. Zeno’s knight waiting in front of the door answered.
“Yes. Your majesty. The knights’ preparations are complete.”
“I understand.”
Aina, who was listening to the conversation between Roan and the knight, bit her lip slightly.
“Now it’s truly unavoidable.”
“It had to end at some point. “The time has come.”
Words like a promise to yourself.
“Then we have to win.”
If you are prepared to fight in enemy territory, you must win. If we lose here, we will be annihilated.
There is no problem in removing Roan’s body by himself.
However, we cannot leave the women of Roan and the people who have decided to follow Roan alone.
From a larger perspective, it is also an opportunity to deal a big blow to Schlaner.
Regardless of grandiose things like the seal of ‘greed’ or world peace, I want to at least protect the people within my reach.
I don’t want to repeat a tragedy like last time.
The strong will flowed through Roan’s body like hot blood and disappeared. Roan clenched his fists. Determination is enough.
“I’ll come back.”
Roan, who manifested Fiora inside the tent and entrusted her with the sword, activated the waypoint.
**
“Damn.”
The new leader of the Church of Laurecia and the Holy Knights sighed and spat out harsh words.
It was right after I noticed Helen and the Church of Life’s plot behind the iron gate.
“… “They’re making braces.”
One of the capital knights who came to help them confirmed the fact.
“The more they stand out, the more they know they can’t do anything about it.”
Unsolicited people come to help and say only obnoxious things. The Paladin glared at the capital knights in civilian clothes with gloomy eyes that did not match their white armor.
“Didn’t you say that it would be better to attack right away even if it makes a little noise?”
The ensuing criticism. In the end, the knight commander said something.
“You said you would help the goddess, but did you come with the intention of swinging a sword at the saint?”
Everyone in the Laurecia Church knows that they are the capital knights, but on the outside, they are simply sturdy, zealous believers who want to help the order.
This time, the plainclothes knight frowned.
“You’d better be careful what you say.”
“If you come dressed in armor, I will treat you well.”
“…”
The sharp conversation has come to an end.
The Church of Laurecia was in crisis when a small-scale order suddenly declared itself to be a true order that worships the goddess.
It’s not fatal yet, but it can’t be ignored anymore.
Many people in the capital witnessed the miracle of the ‘Agent.’
Arms and legs appear that were not there before, and people who were thought to die are brought back to life.
Naturally, nobles and wealthy merchants tried to enjoy their miracles, but the church rejected them. This is probably because he is supported by Count Hilpe, the richest man in the country.
Although it is a denomination with nothing, it is already operating and using a prosperous denomination building as an orphanage, and even a saint has joined it.
The popularity of the Church of Life among the people spread like wildfire. It had to be that way.
Because it was the only organization that seemed to be on their side in a cruel world where they had nothing to rely on.
Naturally, the existing religious world had no choice but to view this Life Church with uncomfortable eyes.
Even if a small religion arises, it is difficult for it to grow in power so quickly.
The money, fame, and sponsors they have. Not everything is easy to obtain. No matter how great the person who represents it is, the beginning is always arduous and slow.
However, there was no such thing in the Church of Life.
The warship reached its peak when the capital knights sent by the king made a subtle offer.
— Shouldn’t we get her sainthood back? It seems like you’re obsessed with a strange religion.
As they, who were no different from the king’s private soldiers, visited the Order of Laurecia, the pope and cardinals of the order became convinced that this small order had a stronger backing than they thought.
Something the king must keep in check.
Perhaps, as rumored, Princess Grünent may really be hiding there.
Her saint Helen went to rescue her.
It was a more natural option for her to face her death with her than to flee alone from her enemy’s country. The fact that she is alive is itself plausible evidence.
In any case, the king’s intention to destroy this religious order that shook the hearts of the people and served as an excuse for Count Hilpe to gain public support,
After the conflict, the Lauretian Order’s need to regain her lost sainthood and preserve the authority of her order coincided.
“I can’t wait any longer.”
The leader of the Order of Laurecia made a decision.
Since the church’s building had already been surrounded, there was no way to back out, but I tried to take a moderate approach so as not to get caught up in gossip as much as possible.
In any case, if we secure the saint and destroy the facilities within the church, it will be difficult to operate as we are now.
Count Hilpe, who sponsors them, knows that he is being watched by the capital knights.
I will not move, as I will know that if I step forward rashly, I will face exact retribution from the king.
There was an order from the Pope to capture the so-called ‘agent’ alive if possible, but I don’t know if it would be possible.
After thinking, he took a step forward.
“I can’t bear to see any more wicked people terrorizing her saint! Her mercy ends here!”
The Paladins were agitated, but soon they began to gather their bearings. They realized what decision their leader had made.
The loose tension began to fill the air with the night.
But a sharp answer flew like an arrow. A voice as refreshing and cutting as ice.
“Are you still saying such foolish things!”
The new leader’s face was distorted.
She is Helen, who was also a senior knight to him.
“The power of the Goddess must be used for everyone. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself being used as a political tool in the name of a goddess? Come to your senses and go back and pray. “I am here of my own free will!”
She was usually a strict but kind senior.
A person who spoke bluntly and sharply, but was more faithful than anyone else and cared for young knights.
Her name and popularity as a saint were not without suspicion and jealousy from her younger knights. However, when she encountered her thorough training, daily routine, and her sacred power, no matter whether she was a priest or a paladin, she had no choice but to bow her head.
Most of her young knights looked up to her.
However, she came back and left her religious order in ruins, and she founded and is active in another religion.
The church suffered a fatal blow because of this.
It gained great popularity based on the name of a saint. It was a natural backlash.
‘We can’t just leave it like that.’
There is power in His Holiness’ orders. It is difficult to disobey this order as long as you are part of the religious order.
Even seniors whom I personally respect are now harming the church. No matter how rotten the denomination is, the number of people supported by this denomination is more than thousands.
Priests. Knights. The orphans they take care of, the children they teach. Patients in hospital beds.
If the denomination collapses, it will also collapse.
The role of the church is irreplaceable in this world.
“You were brainwashed! I don’t know if they would have let it go quietly, but there’s nothing they can do. Even if some force is used, I will allow it!”
My cheeks felt hot for no reason. However, the new knight commander of the church shouted steadfastly.
Helen’s roar was heard through the iron gate. But he decided not to care.
“Prepare your bow!”
At first, they prepared a ladder to climb over the wall, but somehow they found out that the orphanage was already preparing for a sit-in.
Priests who were members of the Church of Life and some soldiers guarding the orphanage were piling things under the wall and lighting torches.
I thought the saint had already escaped the orphanage, but she is not the type of person to escape alone.
Sure enough, she appeared alone at the barricaded front gate and scolded the familiar paladins, telling them to go back.
Externally, it is an operation to rescue a saint who has been kidnapped by the Church of Life. Moreover, the Goddess Laurecia, who is worshiped in the church, is the goddess of life.
I tried to refrain from shooting an arrow openly, but now I have no choice.
A murmur was heard from the rear, as if a bow was being taken out.
But the commotion did not subside any time soon. The leader stared at Helen beyond the front door for a moment, then nervously turned around and walked backwards.
“What’s going on?”
“That’s what I’m going to say.”
The capital knights, who were sparsely mixed with the paladins, took an alert stance and placed their hands on their sword scabbards.
The leader, who had already received information, was able to guess who this man wearing a hood was. She had passion in the knight’s eyes.
“… Agent.”
“The people inside are unarmed and worship the same goddess. Does she not even think about mercy or generosity while serving God? “The church is very shy.”
There was anger in the eyes of the knight commander who heard the unexpected words. However, he could not hastily punish the agent.
Behind him, wearing a hood, a group of people were standing behind him wearing the same hood. Even at first glance, the number of them holding torches exceeds a hundred.
Although it does not reach the number of knights laying siege, if they collide properly, it no longer ends in a commotion. The driver decided to talk as much as possible.
“I came to pick up the kidnapped saint.”
“Kidnapping?”
According to the data, the agent does not talk much and rarely speaks publicly.
There were rumors that a very small number of people felt the power of a master from him, but those were just rumors.
At least what the Holy Knights sent to observe the movements of the Church of Life felt from the agent was pure holy power.
However, the knight commander realized that the church’s observation was wrong.
“You are the ones who abandoned her.”
“… Black?!”
Without realizing it, he fell to one knee due to Roan’s power.
It was like a storm.
A suffocating pressure swept over the audience with terrifying force. The knight calmed his body and took a deep breath.
There was no time to look around or check the reactions of other knights. The ‘overwhelm’ that tightened his whole body weighed down his spirit.
The situation was not much different for the elite knights of the capital. With his eyes wide open, he was struggling against the invisible force that was oppressing them.
The knights on the left and right, who noticed that the rear facing the agent was moving unusually, turned their attention one by one to the rear, and discovered an unidentified group of hoods holding on to their backs.
“And you are the ones who broke the peace first.”
Roan spoke in a low voice while using ‘overwhelm’. The demons standing behind him could see that the emperor was furious for the first time in a long time.
“If you came prepared, accept it.”
The knights standing in front of Roan, from where he was to the main gate of the orphanage, began to stumble one by one, as if they were having trouble breathing due to the ‘overwhelm’ that was not going away.
