Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 538 - 538 257 Being with Her_2

538: Chapter 257: Being with Her_2 538: Chapter 257: Being with Her_2 Hedrian nodded slightly upon hearing this and did not continue to make things difficult for the other party.

With the issue of the army’s passage finally resolved, everyone broke camp and set out immediately.

The Illaril Knights divided into three groups, and each group that passed safely sent a rider back at full speed to report their safety.

After taking an additional day to pass through in batches, by the evening of the next day, Leon finally led the gathered forces outside the towering walls of Dragon Claw Fortress, embarking on the return journey with great fanfare.

As the knightly army passed through Mamor County’s lands, it was naturally impossible to remain as covert as the dozen or so individuals when they had first arrived.

Whether crossing through Kantadar’s domain or Orland’s domain, the appearance of this unfamiliar army greatly alarmed the villagers and towns along the way.

Fortunately, no further incidents occurred along the route.

After five days, Leon successfully led the knights to Glade County within the Thorny Flower Family’s territory.

A force of over a thousand soldiers from the Holy Court Kingdom, so conspicuous as they marched the main roads, was naturally impossible to hide from the family’s eyes and ears.

Leon rode ahead to inform Baron Marcello, stationed at the county border, of their arrival.

Though surprised and doubtful about where Leon had managed to recruit such a powerful army, Baron Marcello was not overly suspicious.

He sent word to Count Eriv while providing the Illaril Knights with a temporary campsite at the border of Glade.

Leon, meanwhile, led the Rangers and the upper echelon of Holy Lake Knights towards Avalon Castle without delay.

As they traversed the forest-lined road and entered the valley, the magnificent castle came into view in the distance.

The entourage from the Holy Lake reined in their horses abruptly and stopped.

“The valley encircled by forests, the beautiful castle built against the mountain, bearing the name Avalon… This is it!

This is it!

The dwelling of our Lord!

The dwelling of our Lord!!!”

An elderly Holy Lake Priest, his voice fluctuating with excitement, quickly dismounted with impressive agility.

He knelt down at once, fervently chanting praises towards the sacred land in the distance.

Seeing the breathtaking scene that matched the Holy Decree’s description, several Holy Lake Knights, including Irem, were overcome with joy and exhilaration.

After nearly a year of pilgrimage, they had finally found the Holy Land guided by the Savior.

The Holy Lake Knights dismounted swiftly, walking over to the elderly priest, drawing their swords, and kneeling with their foreheads pressed to the Flame Sun emblem carved on the pommel, softly reciting prayers.

“To the Ruler of the Flame Sun, the last protector… the great Illaril…

…Praise be to our Lord’s mercy and justice…

Praise be to our Lord’s wisdom and teachings…

Praise be to our Lord’s beauty and purity…

Praise be to our Lord’s might and authority….”

Watching the reverent atmosphere generated by the Illaril faithful, Leon scratched his head internally.

Although the original host of this body had memories steeped in the Church’s teachings, since arriving in Seryan, Leon himself had not spent even a single day there.

Azeryan, Lokhak, Elena, Raya, and Sally, meanwhile, were clearly just ordinary followers of the Church, lacking this kind of feverish devotion.

This was his first time witnessing such pious Illaril believers up close.

Feeling awkward remaining mounted amid the scene, Leon dismounted as well.

He, of course, was not about to kneel and pray toward his own teacher’s abode.

However, since they were already at his doorstep, he thought it wouldn’t hurt to wait for these Holy Lake Knights to finish their prayers first.

Meanwhile, a few Ranger Knights from Dinexion looked towards the castle belonging to Orland Lord in the distance, then turned back, eyeing the praying Holy Lake faithful with peculiar expressions.

The Rangers from the Holy Court were naturally also believers in the Holy Sun and the Prophet Illaril.

If the castle ahead truly was a Holy Land related to the Prophet, they too might have immediately adopted the same posture of pilgrimage.

However… regarding the credibility of the Holy Decree mentioned by the Holy Lake Sect heretics, the Holy Court Rangers, while polite enough not to comment aloud, harbored doubts in their hearts.

After all, no such Holy Words had ever been issued by the Prophet seated upon the sacred throne.

Olivia was startled by the Holy Lake Knights’ exaggerated gestures.

Avalon was indeed beautiful, but as her everyday residence, she found such extravagant veneration somewhat overwhelming…

Thinking about the castle’s peculiar origins, the young woman tugged on Leon’s arm, making him bend closer so she could whisper discreetly:

“I remember you once said that Avalon was Miss Lola’s disciple, Lady Aphrodite’s castle.

But these knights’ Holy Decree claims this place belongs to Illaril.

So are they worshiping Lady Aphrodite or Miss Lola?”

Hearing his wife’s whispered question, Leon looked up and silently mouthed, “Lola.”

Even with some mental preparation, Olivia, who had only recently listened to the Holy Lake myths, could not help widening her eyes in astonishment.

She quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth.

Her heart pounded as she blinked, inevitably gazing toward the unseen high tower.

In conversations with Azeryan and others, she had also gained some understanding of the Holy Sun Sect’s belief system, distinct from the Felu Gods.

…Leon’s magic teacher, that Ancient Mage in the tower, was actually a deity worshiped by so many kingdoms!?

No wonder Miss Lola recognized her ancestor from a thousand years ago.

It took Olivia quite some time to calm her racing heart.

Even though she wasn’t a follower of Illaril herself, she could empathize—it would be unimaginable to face a legendary Felu God in person.

Leon observed Olivia’s starry-eyed expression with amusement, affectionately ruffling her hair as he leaned in close to her ear and softly whispered: