The Lich of Glory Knight Spirit: Moving towards Krimasha!
Chapter 166 - 02: Azlan Mountain (Part 2)

Chapter 166: Chapter 02: Azlan Mountain (Part 2)

Holy Calendar 10757, July. After a long journey, the Silver Moon Knight Order finally arrived in Saint Lorenza.

It was a sprawling city-state that seemed endless. Standing on the hilltop and looking down, it resembled a rugged carpet spread over the plains, covering all of the flatlands visible. The streets were like plowed fields, neat and orderly, intersected by man-made rivers with small paddle boats transporting goods. The distinctive domed structures were everywhere. The buildings looked like chicken coops with eggs protruding out of them. Larger buildings had larger eggs, while smaller ones had smaller eggs without exception.

A very standard inland city-state. However, this city was larger than any other standard inland city-state. It was the largest inland city on the entire continent. Although it didn’t have much artistic value, it had a grand feeling in its simplicity.

Of course, that was all there was to it. Gray wouldn’t be surprised. He had been in the surface world for four years and had visited many cities. Especially in the past two years, he had traveled almost all major cities in the southern continent. *After seeing so many places, his excitement gradually faded.*

...

The narrow streets were crowded with people brushing past each other. Gray and the soldiers of the Silver Moon Knight Order walked slowly.

A young clergyman came to escort them. He wore a robe, and his hair was shaved at the back of his head, leaving a circle. He looked like a Kappa.

The flags had been put away as required, so no one knew who they were. After all, in a martial country like the Gustav Empire, knights were nothing extraordinary. It was common to see a few people in armor on the streets. However, an entire group of knights in sophisticated armor like the Silver Moon Knight Order was rare.

In no time, Gray was brought to a four-story building facing the streets on all sides. From above, it looked like a rectangle with a garden in the middle.

"Holy Knight, this is where we’ve arranged for you to stay," the clergyman said.

"Why are we staying here?" Gray asked softly. "We came for the Pope’s funeral. Shouldn’t we stay on Azlan Mountain?"

"I’m sorry, but there is no more room on the mountain. Besides, the Pope’s funeral is a very solemn event. You wouldn’t want to bring a fully armed group of soldiers up the mountain at this time, would you? In fact, there isn’t much space down here either. Many nobles and clergy from various places have come for the funeral. Most of the inns are booked. This house was vacated by a merchant who heard you needed a place to stay. Otherwise, the Silver Moon Knight Order might have to camp outside the city."

"Are you joking? You want our prestigious Silver Moon Knight Order to camp?" Little Mustache shouted.

"According to regulations, you should all stay outside the city. The Church doesn’t just have the Silver Moon Knight Order. Besides the Holy Temple Knights stationed on Azlan Mountain, all other orders have to stay off the mountain and out of the city. This is already an exceptional arrangement; I hope you understand."

Little Mustache wanted to argue further, but Gray held up his hand to stop him.

Looking at the Kappa, no, the clergyman, Gray said softly, "Who is the cardinal responsible for this arrangement? Please thank him for me."

"Actually, it wasn’t the Cardinal Court. You know him, Holy Knight."

"Who is it?"

"Lord Levi," the Kappa said with a smile.

Hearing this name, the entire Silver Moon Knight Order froze for a moment. Little Mustache muttered, "I told you we should have ’accidentally’ killed him back then."

...

From the outside, the building didn’t seem large, but inside, it was spacious.

The central garden was actually on the underground level, making the building five stories instead of four. Below that was a basement for storing miscellaneous things. It was an unremarkable house, but it was big enough. The central garden had been converted into a stable for all their horses. With two hundred rooms, there was more than enough space for every knight in the Silver Moon Knight Order to have their own room.

Honestly, the first impression Saint Lorenza gave Gray was its size. The second was its crowding. The city was congested, all the streets were narrow, and every house was next to another. Wherever you went, there were people. Even the canals crisscrossing the city were filled with small boats. Having such a large residence in a place like this was not easy.

"Holy Knight." An overweight merchant, introduced by the Kappa clergyman, approached Gray, "This is Mr. Sipe, the owner here. He voluntarily offered this place for the Silver Moon Knight Order’s use."

"Thank you," Gray said with a slight bow.

The merchant removed his hat, laughed, and shook Gray’s hand, kissing it. "No, it’s my honor to host Holy Knight Gray. I have many businesses in the south, and your care over the past two years has been very beneficial. I hope for your continued favor."

"I have taken care of you?"

"Of course, no wars and no bandits are the greatest care for us merchants. After all, I don’t trade in weapons." The merchant laughed. "Would you like me to show you around?"

"Holy Knight, please rest a while," the Kappa priest said respectfully. "I will be back in the afternoon to take you up to Azlan Mountain."

Gray nodded silently.

"Gray, I think you should be cautious. That guy is clearly up to no good. It’s insulting for the Silver Moon Knight Order to camp outside the city, but for you to stay here?"

"What do you think he intends?"

"I’m not sure. Maybe he just wants to limit your contact with other cardinals since he’s our enemy."

"Or maybe the other cardinals don’t want to associate with you," Vivian interjected. "I’ve heard that most cardinals have a poor opinion of Gray. There are only a few who think well of him, and they are far from the center of Church power."

"Where did you get this information?" Black Cat asked.

"From the Abyss," Vivian replied.

"Can we trust your information?"

"You don’t trust me?"

"No, I trust you. I just don’t trust the Abyss."

Gray listened quietly, saying nothing. Merchant Sipe had already led Gray around the entire floor, bringing them to two children who appeared to be about ten years old.

The daughter’s face was covered in freckles; the son, who looked much like their father, was chubby.

"Holy Knight, I have a small request. I hope my daughter can marry one of your knights. I know she isn’t pretty, but I’m willing to offer a substantial dowry. Please trust in my financial capacity. Also, perhaps my son could become a squire for one of your knights. It would be a great honor for our family."

Gray stared at him quietly.

Sipe hesitated, sweat dripping, and quickly added, "Of course, this is merely a request, not a condition. You can take your time to consider, Holy Knight."

After thinking for a moment, Gray said softly, "For marriage, our knights currently have no need for a wife. As for becoming a squire, I will seriously consider it."

"Thank you! Thank you, Holy Knight!" Sipe quickly had his two children bow to Gray.

...

The Kappa priest dismounted and took small steps into a small house.

"Lord Levi, Holy Knight Gray is settled in," he said.

"Oh, did he say anything?" Levi reclined with his legs crossed, reading a book.

"He seemed to have some complaints but didn’t say much," the Kappa priest replied.

"Understood. You may go," Levi said.

"Yes," the priest said.

"Why do you have to do this?" the Little Mustache Knight asked beside him. "Although we have... an unpleasant past with him, we can’t shake his position. He practically controls the entire south. We can’t afford to break with him. Even if we do, his military power far surpasses ours. Where does such strength come from..."

"You’ve reminded me," Levi took a deep breath, put down the book, and said, "The bishops in the south. It’s been two rounds, right? The current ones should have good relations with Gray. They also have voting rights. We should send a copy of ’The Lich Knight’ to each one."

"Is that necessary? The Lich Knight is a secret of the Cardinal Court. The southern bishops don’t know yet, but they only have seventeen votes in total. With Gray, it makes nineteen. There are sixty-eight votes in all. Even if he runs, he’s far from a majority. I don’t understand why you’re so concerned about this."

"Because nothing matters more," Levi said expressionlessly. "As long as he can’t be elected Pope, the new Pope won’t protect him like the old one did. And he’s a Lich. Once his identity is exposed, it’s all over for him. He’ll become the next Alboiseld."

"Is this why you didn’t put him on the mountain? To keep him from campaigning."

"Yes. I wish he wouldn’t see any other voters except when voting. Of course, I know that’s impossible. He will go up the mountain this afternoon. But as long as he doesn’t stay up there, his influence is limited."

"That’s a plan," the Little Mustache Knight raised his glass to Levi from afar. "As long as we get through this period, everything will be in our control."