Chapter 276
It was a large, uninvited military force.
Their very presence could be called outrageous, yet from the Holy Knight Order’s perspective, they were being polite.
They were politely waiting outside the capital city for the castle gates to open, rather than directly in front of the Duke’s Castle.
In fact, if they had spatial teleported directly into the middle of Peronsa without warning, that act would have immediately been considered an act of war.
This was Hispenril Duchy, defended by the Holy Saint and the Duke.
To provoke a direct armed conflict with such a nation would be foolish in anyone’s eyes.
Therefore, the politeness displayed by the Elfenheim Holy Theocracy’s Holy Knight Order could be said to be an extremely calculated courtesy.
Of course, the Theocracy side did not admit it.
“In our Elfenheim, we also have the Holy Sword’s Master, an Aura Master, and an 8th Divine Power Tier Saintess. I certainly don’t believe we are inferior to Hispenril in terms of military strength.”
A blond young man in his mid-thirties uttered aggressive words.
He was Maghram Warrix, the commander of the Holy Spirit Knights who had arrested Tesillid on charges of heresy.
Maghram, belonging to the Holy Sword Inquisitorial Bureau faction, was known as an exceptional fanatic.
The Holy Spirit Knights under his command were the same. Only then could they obey the insane order to assassinate the Holy Saint, who possessed overwhelming power.
The Pontifical Palace, in its own way, had paid attention to personnel selection.
Thus, Maghram, assuming everyone thought like him, excitedly prattled on.
He genuinely resented Hispenril Duchy for locking its gates and not welcoming them, who had come to judge a heretic according to God’s will.
“With two individuals possessing 8th Divine Power Tier abilities blessed by God, there’s no way we can’t overcome a wicked heretic. We could break through the gates immediately, yet Hispenril Duchy should be grateful for our courtesy in waiting…”
“Lord Maghram.”
Of course, not everyone in the Theocracy was abnormal.
A sturdy young man with black-brown, close-cropped hair stopped Maghram from speaking. It was Rex, the Grace Knight Commander.
He chose his words carefully, staying within the bounds of the church’s atmosphere.
“Let’s grant that Hispenril’s Duke and Lord Tesillid, the Holy Sword’s Master, are equal in power. But even so, isn’t there quite a gap between the Holy Saint and Her Grace Muriel? And above all…”
“…”
“Her Grace Muriel is not present here right now.”
Indeed. Muriel Philise had not appeared at the scene to execute Aillet Rodelain.
The official reason was that she had received a divine revelation and needed to offer prayers for ten days.
In reality, it was to go to the Sanctuary located on Mount Eltio to recover her body, which had been damaged by the black demonic swordsman last time.
Rex’s words were a criticism so intuitive even a child could make it. But Maghram flared up.
“A gap, you say! How dare you question the Saintess’s status! And calling her the Holy Saint? Don’t call her that. The opponent is a heretic, a target for assassination.”
“…”
His rebuttal was nothing but quibbling. Maghram was a person who lost dignity the more he spoke.
“Hah, truly. I doubt Lord Rex’s piety. May I report this careless remark to the Cardinal Council?”
“…I’ll be careful.”
“Very well. I will let it slide this time.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Anyway, if only the Saintess were here, we would have been more than capable of fighting. Hispenril should promptly open Peronsa’s gates and respond to the courtesy we have shown.”
Despite his earnest impassioned speech, there was no response from Rex.
Maghram, clicking his tongue, tried to elicit a reaction from someone else.
And the person he pointed to was none other than…
“Isn’t that right, Lord Tesillid Argent?”
The Holy Sword’s Master, chosen by ‘Strict Order and Goodness’.
“Yes, that’s right.”
A voice so dry it seemed it would crumble in the air returned.
The silver-haired handsome man had been standing motionless at the forefront of the group, simply staring at the gates.
His face was beyond expressionless, almost inorganic, like a sculpture before it had been given life.
Because of this, those around him could not read any emotion or thought from him.
“Lord Tesillid…”
Rex’s eyes clouded with worry.
What must be the feelings of a man who has come to execute his lover by order of the Pontifical Palace?
Perhaps he wished that the sturdy iron gates before him would never open, that the time spent waiting for her would be eternal, that he would rot away here with the fallen leaves.
Another withered leaf fell at Tesillid’s feet.
Even as it pathetically rolled with the wind, his dry, sea-colored eyes only gazed straight ahead.
Currently, Tesillid Argent was an Inquisitor at the center of the assassination mission, and the supreme commander leading five Holy Knight Orders.
It was human instinct to want to fawn over a dignified, powerful, and beautiful authority.
“Ahem, ahem.”
It was then, as Maghram tried to attract Tesillid’s attention, that the situation changed.
The capital guards manning the gates received a message and shouted.
“Her Grace the Holy Saint has permitted the Elfenheim Holy Knight Order’s entry!”
Ruuuumble!
The tightly closed gates began to creak open sideways. The Holy Knights, who had been waiting, were, on the contrary, surprised.
Even they were not entirely unaware that they had come with an outrageous purpose.
But for Hispenril Duchy to open its gates so quickly? It was unimaginable.
Had Aillet Rodelain, the heretic, resigned herself to accepting judgment?
Or perhaps it was a trap?
Would a battle erupt once they entered the gates?
If so, would they have a chance against the Holy Saint?
The danger of their mission dawned on them belatedly.
As the massive gates opened, dry swallows went down the Holy Knights’ throats.
Just then, someone hurriedly sought to hold a strategy meeting.
“Lord Tesillid, I’ve been thinking about this carefully.”
“…”
Tesillid merely shifted his sea-colored eyes to cast a glance at Maghram.
“I’ve heard that the heretic had a special relationship with Lord Tesillid. In that case, wouldn’t she be amicable to you, if not to others?”
“…”
“As you know, they have the heretic and Hispenril’s Duke, while we lack Saintess Muriel, which puts us at a slight disadvantage. I believe we need to overcome this imbalance strategically.”
Tesillid continued to gaze at Maghram without a word.
The fanatic, interpreting the silence as he pleased, began speaking without discretion.
“Let’s have Lord Tesillid approach the heretic, induce her to let down her guard, and then send a combat initiation signal known only to us.”
“…”
“You know, it’s in the scripture, isn’t it? The anecdote about a good believer betraying a great traitor who misled the world. At that time, the betrayer kissed the traitor on the cheek, making him lower his guard, and at the same time, cleverly showed the soldiers who the traitor was.”
For reference, that traitor was a persecuted saint, and the betrayer was an apostate.
Maghram clearly hadn’t read the scripture properly.
As those around him looked on in horror, Maghram sternly said.
“I’m sure Lord Tesillid will do well. Please, give the signal.”
“…”
THUD!
The gates opened fully, and the city of merchants and artisans, where civilization flourished splendidly, greeted them.
As Tesillid stepped forward, the Holy Knight Order followed him at a slight distance.
As a large number of troops moved in formation, the chorus of their footsteps shook the ground.
It was an utterly threatening march for uninvited guests.
Consequently, the duchy’s citizens residing in the outskirts of the city regarded the Holy Knights with hostile gazes, mixed with disgust and fear.
The end of the stone-paved road led to a plaza.
The moment he emerged into the wide-open space, Tesillid, who had been leading, abruptly stopped.
In front of the fountain located in the center of the plaza. A woman with pink hair was conspicuous there.
His Holy Saint.
His Aillet Rodelain.
“…”
Tesillid’s chest stopped rising and falling.
He took in her appearance with such stillness that it seemed even his bodily functions had ceased.
Standing with water droplets diffusely reflecting light behind her, she was dressed in a white uniform he had never seen before.
Of course, her attire mattered little to him.
Her appearance, awakening from what seemed like an eternal sleep and looking directly at him, felt like a dream.
After gazing at her for a long time as if enchanted, Tesillid regained his composure and raised his right hand to shoulder height.
It was a hand signal for the Holy Knight Order to hold their positions.
It was a reasonable command.
Although the Hispenril Duchy Knights and Silver Citadel Knights were arrayed in the plaza, they all maintained a considerable distance from the Holy Saint.
In essence, she was waiting alone.
For Tesillid Argent, and him alone.
Accordingly, Tesillid also decided to separate from the group.
“I will approach alone.”
“Yes, yes, Lord Tesillid. But the signal! Don’t forget to send the signal.”
Without responding to Maghram’s treacherous whisper, he took a step.
With every measured step he took, the distance between him and her narrowed.
Her longed-for image was imprinted more clearly on his retina.
Her face, with flushed cheeks and lips, looking at him with clear, verdant eyes, overwhelmed him.
Then, at some point, he felt the Hispenril Duchy Knights behind him sharpen their vigilance.
Since they were facing each other as adversaries, his approach was perceived as a threat.
Would she, too, feel the same?
Tesillid, feeling a little sad, decided to restrain his desire.
And so, his steps halted.
“…”
“…”
Their gazes met across a distance of five paces. It was a reunion after roughly two weeks.
The tender atmosphere, as if they were the only two people in the world, did not last long.
From behind Tesillid, the gazes of spectators, eagerly waiting for a clown to perform tricks, poured upon him.
Tesillid opened his mouth first.
Privilege for Possessors