The Lich of Glory Knight Spirit: Moving towards Krimasha! -
Chapter 131 - 17: The Papal Secret Command (Part 2) (Second Update)
Chapter 131: Chapter 17: The Papal Secret Command (Part 2) (Second Update)
The Black Cat was still lazily yawning inside the tent.
...
A galloping horse raced out of Buck Town, heading toward the direction of the Golden Snake Camp. The rider was a clergyman dressed in a white robe.
Gray observed from afar.
At a distance, Levi stood on the balcony, locking gazes with Gray.
"Contact Lusien V as soon as the letter is received. It’s probably about tomorrow’s trial by competition," Catherine whispered.
Gray calmly shouted, "Carl!"
"Here!" Carl quickly responded.
"Signal with flags. Tell Prince Arthur to meet me, now."
"Understood!"
Carl swiftly pulled out two flags.
...
"Your Majesty! Holy Knight Gray has signaled Prince Arthur to come over!" The soldier responsible for observing almost cheered with excitement.
Lusien V hurriedly dashed out of the tent, with Arthur following right behind.
"He’s summoning Arthur?"
"Yes! Look, he signaled again!"
Lusien V was overjoyed and was about to issue some orders when he suddenly saw a clergyman riding into the camp on horseback, heading straight for him.
The clergyman dismounted and approached him hastily, bowing respectfully. "Your Majesty, Holy Knight Levi requests your presence immediately."
Lusien V was momentarily stunned.
...
At this moment, the White Fox Camp was in complete uproar.
"What is the meaning of this? He’s summoning Arthur? What is he planning?" Gene II roared in fury.
The advisors behind him shrank their necks, none daring to answer. Camilla stood dumbfounded, completely silent.
...
Levi stroked his chin and sighed helplessly.
"Summon Gene II to meet me as well."
The two bishops standing behind Levi were stunned.
Bishop Bert stammered, "But, you’ve already invited King Fides..."
"Does that even matter?" Levi tilted his head, watching Gray from afar as he murmured softly, "In truth, it doesn’t matter who comes. Fides, Bert—either one will do. I never insisted on having both."
Turning back, Levi smiled at the two bishops and said, "I’m not picky, unlike Gray, who’s so greedy—he wants both."
...
Seeing yet another rider carrying a clergyman gallop out of Buck Town heading for the White Fox Camp, Gray said softly, "Carl, summon Camilla as well."
"Are you certain?" Carl turned back, just as Shelley entered Gray’s tent.
"I’m certain," Gray replied.
...
"Your Grace! Holy Knight Gray signaled for Miss Camilla to come!"
Gene II froze momentarily, then turned his head to look at his daughter.
Camilla clutched her handkerchief nervously, her eyes fluttering.
While they spoke, the galloping horse from Buck Town had already carried its clergyman into the camp.
...
And so, almost simultaneously, Camilla and Arthur rode in carriages toward Gray’s camp, while Gene II and Lusien V took carriages to Buck Town.
Gray and Levi continued to stare each other down. To say the scene was peculiar would be an understatement.
Levi opened his mouth slightly, methodically and silently mouthing the same words over and over.
"What are you doing?" Julian asked.
"I’m telling him: ’You’re going to lose.’"
"Can he see it?"
"I don’t know. But I’d guess that Angel named Catherine would definitely notice it. Perhaps she’ll relay the message."
...
"Gray."
"I know, I saw it."
"He’s deliberately provoking you. I have a bad feeling about this."
"The path to justice is never smooth. If a sacrifice is required, let it be me. This is the resolve of one who swears to uphold justice." Bowing his head, Gray instructed, "Carl, ensure the dwarves get some rest early tonight. The same goes for Jones, Dora, and Shelley. Humans don’t have our stamina, and I fear it will be too strenuous for her tomorrow."
"Understood!" Carl thumped his chest plate firmly, turned to the dwarves, and hollered, "All dwarves! Back to your tents and sleep immediately!"
"Why?" a grumbler shouted.
"No why—it’s the Holy Knight’s orders!"
Upon hearing "Holy Knight’s orders," there was a metallic "clang" as the Silver Moon Knights sitting by the campfire all stood at attention.
Reluctantly, despite countless complaints, the dwarves obediently retreated to their tents.
"Miss Shelley, please rest well. Tomorrow may be quite unusual. The Holy Knight hopes you’ll be well-prepared."
"Alright..." Shelley hesitated, gazing at Gray’s back, but eventually nodded.
"Good night." Carl personally dropped the curtain to Shelley’s tent.
Gray tilted his head back, continuing to exchange glances with Levi from afar.
...
"He accepted the challenge," Levi stated coldly, observing Gray. "As I expected, he’s a lunatic—a zealot. He doesn’t even understand the word ’retreat.’ Such zealots are far more detrimental to the Holy Sect’s cause than any demon. They must be eliminated promptly."
"However, your plan isn’t flawless. It’s riddled with uncertainties," Julian said.
"That’s only true for ordinary people. For zealots, it is perfect. The greatest flaw of zealots lies in their inability to tolerate even the slightest impurity, pursuing an idealized form of justice. Their choices are entirely predictable."
"For example?"
"For instance, if you swing a blade at a child in front of him, he will, without a doubt, throw himself forward unconditionally to stop you. Or if you force him to choose between the death of one person or a hundred, he will, without hesitation, draw his sword against you, ignoring whether you hold a hundred-and-one lives in your grasp. The mere identity of being a zealot ensures his defeat."
"That makes us sound like the real demons."
"Heh, it’s simply a different interpretation of divinity," Levi said, tapping his forehead lightly with his finger. He smiled at Julian, saying, "For matters of the Human World, human methods are always more fitting."
...
Finally, Lusien V’s and Gene II’s carriages arrived at the doorstep of Levi’s dwelling. Upon seeing one another, both turned visibly pale.
At the same time, Arthur’s carriage pulled up before Gray. Disembarking, Arthur respectfully bowed to Gray.
"This is our second meeting, Holy Knight. May the light of the Holy Spirit shine upon you."
Camilla’s carriage soon arrived as well. She stepped down and curtsied toward Gray.
"Holy Knight, may the light of the Holy Spirit shine upon you."
However, her eyes remained filled with confusion. In terms of presence and composure, she was worlds apart from Arthur. Of course, in terms of beauty, Camilla undeniably outshone Arthur. The moment Arthur laid eyes on Camilla, he froze briefly.
...
Suppressing their anger, the commanders of both armies entered Levi’s quarters together.
Seated in a chair, Levi clapped gently. "Welcome, welcome. King Fides, Duke Bert, thank you for coming. Please, have a seat."
The two bowed respectfully to Levi, then sat down silently. Across a low table, their eyes met.
...
"Thank you both for coming as requested," Gray said, tracing a cross over his chest in salutation.
...
Levi spoke softly, "The reason I summoned you is to ask you to make a choice—to side with the Church or to side with Holy Knight Gray."
...
Gray spoke softly, "The reason I summoned you is to reaffirm the purpose of our trial by competition. I cannot erase the lords’ ambition over their territories, but I hope this rivalry can proceed in a fair and amicable atmosphere. Let’s minimize unnecessary casualties and avoid disturbing the common folk. As the arbiter, I will adhere to principles of fairness and impartiality, free from bias or external influences."
...
"The Church does not agree with Holy Knight Gray’s arbitration," Levi stated, tilting his head upward. "His arbitration lacks legitimacy and has not been authorized by the Pope. Therefore, my goal is to put an end to this competition, to cease Gray’s arbitration, and to promptly end this ridiculous farce. Whether his arbitration is just is not our concern."
...
"If you agree with my perspective and resolutely uphold the agreements you’ve already entered into, we can avoid significant, unnecessary casualties. Regardless of whether you are the victor or the defeated, I will protect your interests as per our agreement."
...
"If any of you choose to side with the Church and refuse to participate in tomorrow’s trial, the Church will grant the side that withdraws governance over the entire Ailuo Peninsula. I repeat—entire. I will also shield that side from any punishment Gray seeks to impose for breaking the agreement. This is a confidential arrangement, but I guarantee it with my status as a Holy Knight. If necessary, I will even personally fight on your behalf. Should both of you choose not to compete, the Church’s stance on the Ailuo Peninsula will remain unchanged. I will shield you both from Gray’s retribution."
...
"If either of you violates the agreement, as the arbiter, I am obligated to issue punishment until you agree to re-engage in the trial or until death. This was my initial promise, and I reaffirm it now."
...
"Of course, if both sides choose to ally with Gray, it would spell disaster for the Ailuo Peninsula. You understand my meaning. Even with participation, one of you will inevitably win, and the other will lose, correct? The losing party will gain nothing and suffer massive losses, potentially having their family wiped out entirely from the Ailuo Peninsula. Now, the choice is yours. I hope you deliberate cautiously and make the decision that best aligns with your interests. Those who side with the Church will immediately receive my protection."
...
"The decision is in your hands. I hope you will uphold your principles and credibility, adhering to the original agreement without being swayed by external factors. Determine the outcome through fair and just means, ending this needless war. I swear upon my honor as a knight to ensure the trial proceeds smoothly. Please... don’t let us reach the latter terms of the agreement. If that happens, I will use the harshest measures to punish any violators."
...
Having said everything, Levi spread his hands, smiling at the commanders of both armies.
Lusien V and Gene II widened their eyes slightly as they stared at the Holy Knight before them, who, though unmasked, seemed even more inscrutable than the masked Gray.
...
Gray leaned on his sword hilt, silently observing Arthur and Camilla standing before him.
Arthur and Camilla gazed back at him.
Behind the mask, no one knew what kind of face lay hidden.
...
The wind blew gently. Camilla lowered her head, unconsciously grabbing the hem of her dress.
Gene II gently stroked his Little Mustache.
Lusien V looked down, fiddling with the ring on his finger, deep in thought, weighing his options.
Arthur stood calmly, his eyes flickering with contemplation.
...
After a long silence, Lusien V reached out, picked up the teacup on the table, and sipped lightly. "I’d like to discuss the details," he said softly.
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