The Lich of Glory Knight Spirit: Moving towards Krimasha!
Chapter 144 - 28: The Grey Holy Knight

Chapter 144: Chapter 28: The Grey Holy Knight

Another afternoon.

Sunlight slanted across Buck Town.

The streets were as they had been before, packed with soldiers, with hardly any pedestrians in sight. The only difference from the night was the presence of sunlight and extinguished fires in the braziers.

The residents hid in their rooms, cautiously stealing glances.

Shelley still sat on the balcony, gazing down the long streets like a motionless puppet.

A maid pushed open the door to her room, walked out to the balcony, and watered two pots of flowers placed on the railing. Until she finished and left, Shelley never exchanged a single word or even a glance with her. She remained quietly seated, occasionally blinking, with no other superfluous movement.

In just one month, her face had become so haggard that it broke people’s hearts.

She had been ordered to sit here so that Gray would see her as soon as he entered the town—for the Guardian Angels stationed in every corner to locate him instantly.

Levi sat on the balcony next to hers.

More than a month had passed, and rumors of Gray’s death were spreading across the continent. But Levi knew Gray wasn’t dead; he was alive. And he would surely come back here someday.

For this reason, Levi had to stay here guarding Shelley every day.

Yet human endurance has its limits. Remaining in a state of constant vigilance for so long brings exhaustion, waning focus, and drowsiness. Even though there were four Guardian Angels present and Gray’s own Guardian Angel, Catherine, had been imprisoned in the dungeon, Levi had long concluded that even if Gray arrived, he couldn’t pose any threat. However, the Cardinal Court wouldn’t allow him to make any mistakes—none whatsoever.

This difficult situation had begun to irritate even Levi, who was usually calm and composed. Yet he had no choice but to push through, forcing his trademark grin onto his face to prevent others from noticing his fatigue—otherwise, his subordinates might slack off even more.

...

In the dungeon, another fly buzzed noisily as it landed on Andrew’s forehead, making a pair with his other injuries. Tears slid slowly from the corner of Andrew’s eyes.

Catherine was trapped within the array, her body slightly curled.

...

"Lord Levi, are you here?" came a knock at the door.

"Come in." Levi, nearly dozing off on the balcony, jolted awake.

The door opened gently, and a clergyman entered.

"Lord Levi, a letter has arrived from the north."

The priest walked to the balcony and handed Levi a letter with both hands.

Taking the letter, Levi used the letter opener on the table beside him to slice open the envelope and read it carefully. Halfway through, he chuckled softly. Waving a hand to dismiss the clergyman, he turned to Shelley on the next balcony and asked, "Can you guess what this letter says?"

Shelley didn’t respond—she didn’t even seem to hear.

The clergyman quietly closed the door as he left.

Holding the letter, Levi murmured, "Last night, the cavalry unit of Lusien V successfully intercepted Gene II’s fleeing entourage and captured Gene II and his daughter. Frankly, I opposed Lusien V’s pursuit of Gene II at this time—it was too inconsequential. But that old man was impatient and still secretly dispatched the cavalry. Gene II was just unlucky; with only one cavalry unit, he still managed to run squarely into them."

Shelley remained motionless, gazing silently at the street, only blinking lightly.

"Lusien V wants to give Gene II’s daughter to me, hoping to curry favor since he defied my orders with this unauthorized action. What do you think I should do with this woman?" Levi casually crumpled the letter and threw it into the trash bin, laughing. "Should I marry her?"

"Marry her?" Shelley suddenly spoke.

Levi chuckled, drawing a deep breath and saying, "Do you want me to marry her?"

Shelley blinked softly and retorted, "Wouldn’t that be good? She’s a stunning beauty."

"The Holy Knight’s marriage is an extremely serious matter, one tied to the strategies of the entire Church. How could I marry the daughter of a defeated duke?" Levi said, his face expressionless. "Only that person of yours would act so recklessly. Honestly, I don’t understand him at all—his ambition is evidently immense, enough to challenge the entire Church and dare attack four Guardian Angels. Yet he chose you, a granddaughter of a mere earl—a mere earl whose father isn’t even titled. Isn’t it laughable?"

Shelley fell silent once more.

Levi continued, his enthusiasm undiminished, "Even 100 years from now, I believe Gray will still be a topic of study for the Cardinal Court. Though I’m certain they’ll find nothing of substance. A fanatical Holy Knight—what’s there to study? Ambitious yet devoid of interest in gain—such behavior inevitably leads to failure. Now, I have two new prisoners. What should I do with them? Shall I place Camilla here with you as additional bait for Gray? That seems redundant. Rumor has it Gray met her a few times, and when the war began, she strongly supported him. Gene II even entertained marrying her to Gray. Perhaps I should hang her—put her on display, dangling at the entrance of this small town."

Pausing to touch his chin in brief silence, Levi mused to himself, "Do you think it’d be better to hang you at the entrance, or hang her there? It’d be easier here, but if I hang you at the entrance, you’ll see Gray first—if he really comes."

Shelley offered no answer, merely sitting motionless.

...

In a distant cabin, Jones and Dora, now armored again, crouched by a window peering through a telescope they had somehow acquired.

"Levi sure talks a lot of nonsense."

"Did he say anything important?"

"Who knows? I just saw Shelley ignoring him while he kept talking without end. How does he not get jaw cramps spouting so much every day? If he ever falls into my hands, I’ll sew his mouth shut!" Jones grumbled fiercely.

...

Levi let out a long sigh, "I’m so bored I need something to do. Here’s an idea—I’ll hang you up for today. Take your time to reflect, then let me know your choice. Would you rather see your Holy Knight sooner or sit here in comfort?"

Shelley’s expression flickered, stunned. Slowly, she turned to look at Levi.

Levi smiled at her.

...

"What the heck is he doing now?" Jones’s eyes widened through the monocular as he saw Shelley being escorted out of the mansion and brought to the eastern entrance of Buck Town. Levi then ordered his men to erect a towering pole equipped with a pulley, binding Shelley and handing the rope to a squad of soldiers.

"Has he lost his mind? Gray will tear him apart..." Dora murmured quietly.

...

"One, two, three! One, two, three—! One, two, three—!"

With the soldiers’ effort, Shelley was hoisted 10 meters high. She hung slumped, her golden hair cascading down, obscuring her face. She didn’t struggle, remaining motionless as though lifeless.

"Hahaha." The soldiers below burst into laughter.

"Sir Holy Knight," a burly soldier with a large beard and a fly-sized mole on his nose remarked, "Such a pretty girl—what a waste to treat her this way."

"Pretty, is she?" Levi asked.

"Of course, very pretty!"

"Would you marry her?"

"Uh..." The soldiers looked at each other in bafflement, unsure whether Levi was joking or serious.

Tilting his head back, Levi called out, "What do you say? Marry him! If you agree, I’ll let you down! Such beauty—to let it wither in the sun would be such a shame. Better to gift her to this brave soldier, wouldn’t you all say?"

"Yes! Yes! Sir Holy Knight speaks the truth!" The soldier lit up with joy.

"No! Sir Holy Knight! He’s not brave enough—I’m the bravest!"

"No, no, no—I’m the bravest! Sir Holy Knight, give her to me!"

The soldiers began shoving each other in playful rivalry.

"Well, then? So many soldiers are willing to be your husband—it seems you are quite popular, aren’t you? How about marrying them all at the same time?"

A tiny sparkle caught Levi’s eye suddenly.

Reaching out his hand, he found a droplet falling onto his palm. Bringing it to his nose, he sniffed and tilted his head back, saying, "Tears? I thought you’d stopped crying."

Shelley hung her head, her golden hair veiling her face, her emotions hidden. Tears trickled down, one after another, though no sound broke from her lips.

"Gray... where are you..."

"What’s that? I didn’t hear you—say it again!"

"Gray..."

"Say it louder! Let everyone hear as you call for your lover, who has failed to appear! Holy Knight Gray—a coward!"

"Gray..." Shelley whispered, slowly, painstakingly lifting her head to look toward the east. Through blurry vision, she saw, far off on the horizon, a shadow in muted gray, riding toward her.

...

Catherine slowly raised her head, confusion in her eyes.

Andrew’s pain contorted expression gradually gave way to a vacant and astonished look.

...

Dora tugged urgently at Jones. "Look over there!"

"Where?"

"There!"

...

The Guardian Angels scattered throughout the town, along with three other Holy Knights, all widened their eyes one by one.

The town’s hidden residents poked their heads out of windows.

...

A soldier galloped to Levi’s side, dismounted in haste.

"Sir Holy Knight! A knight is approaching!"

With his back to the soldier, Levi asked softly, "Is it Gray?"

"I don’t know—the armor is different!"

After a brief hesitation, Levi whistled, summoning his warhorse, which ran over from a distance.

...

"Gray... is it you?"

Shelley opened her teary eyes wide, gazing at the gray-armored knight as she held her breath.

...

In the sunlight, Gray, clad in dark gray armor, rode over the green grass toward Buck Town. Vivian sat astride behind him.

Halfway there, Gray pulled Tenidas to a halt, turned his horse briefly backward, then extended his hand.

It was as though his hand had magnetic power. The fallen, trampled Silver Moon Banner suddenly snapped up from the ground and flew into his grasp.

Holding the tattered Silver Moon Banner aloft, he advanced slowly until he reached the eastern gate of Buck Town. Facing Levi, the three other Holy Knights, the four Guardian Angels, and the heavily armed soldiers prepared to meet him, Gray firmly planted the battered banner into the ground.

Vivian dismounted, standing to the side.

The wind whispered lightly, bending the grass.

The ragged Silver Moon Banner fluttered in the breeze.

Shelley’s eyes were already blurred with tears.

Gray spoke quietly, "I have no desire for bloodshed, but if you insist—know this: I am more skilled at killing than any of you."