The Lich of Glory Knight Spirit: Moving towards Krimasha!
Chapter 187 - 13: Facing 2

Chapter 187: Chapter 13: Facing 2

One of the books even reached Yilin’s hands. Yilin sent it to Gray, along with a blank letter that only had a header and a signature.

Gray merely glanced at it and silently placed the letter in the drawer.

*"What does Yilin mean by this? A blank letter?"* Vivian whispered.

"I think she’s suspicious too," said the Black Cat helplessly.

"But she didn’t question it."

"Because she isn’t in a position to question it. Without Gray, she wouldn’t have all that she has today. Perhaps sending a blank letter to Gray was just her way of seeking an answer," it explained.

All across the Keltos Continent, murmurs about Holy Knight Gray filled the air.

"Why doesn’t Holy Knight Gray respond to these rumors? If he just reveals his mask, no one would doubt him anymore."

"How do you know unveiling his mask won’t confirm the rumors?"

"If that’s the truth, why doesn’t he stop the rumors from spreading? Isn’t his tolerance for them proof of his magnanimity?"

"Or maybe he’s at a loss for words."

Among the people discussing, there were many familiar faces to Gray.

One letter after another was sent to Azlan Mountain.

"Sir Holy Knight, I think you should clarify. These rumors are absolutely absurd," wrote Mike.

"Sir Holy Knight, if possible, I believe you should reveal your face. If you truly don’t want to, at least tell everyone why you refuse to," Huoersi wrote.

"I heard these rumors a month ago, and I severely punished my butler, forbidding anyone to mention it. But now everyone’s talking about it, and I don’t know how to handle it. Maybe you should enact a new decree, banning the novel ’Lich Knight’ and execution of its author. If you won’t do it, allow me to take charge," wrote Camilla.

"You might have your reasons, perhaps to show your tolerance. But realistically, these rumors are starting to affect your reputation. I simply can’t understand why you’d let something so absurd fester to this extent when you could easily squash it," Abi Robbs wrote.

"You are my grandson-in-law, and I respect your thoughts, having gotten used to your refusal to show your face without reason. From a political standpoint, this rumor must be stopped. Clearly, someone is pushing it from behind. Do you intend to let them succeed?" wrote Count Gruglu.

"Respected Sir Holy Knight, we know you couldn’t possibly be a Lich. There’s no Lich as great as you. But not everyone shares our belief. Bob hinted you might be an elf. I’ve considered it too. If that’s the case, it wouldn’t explain the secrecy, as a human Holy Knight being an elf could be problematic. At the very least, you should give a response, even if it’s a lie," wrote Benedict II.

Of course, some didn’t write to Gray but took direct action. For instance, Camilla’s father, Duke Bert Gene II. He directly captured those spreading the "rumor," accusing them of libeling the Holy Knight. Gray had to write a letter to plead on their behalf.

"I’m worried about you, please come back soon. It’s not that I don’t support you, I just believe you should spend more time with me and Richie," Shelley’s letter undoubtedly expressed.

And Richie secretly sent his letter: "Father, it seems things are turning for the worse. You should act quickly and decisively, using force. I know you’re capable."

The whole world murmured.

One must admit, a rumor carried by a story or novel has extraordinary expansion. Especially when fueled by powerful forces. But the key issue was Gray’s silence.

Yes, silence. No evidence to prove himself otherwise, not even a denial. He continued to work steadfastly on his religious reforms at Azlan Mountain, seemingly oblivious to the rumors.

Almost all the stationed bishops wrote to Gray, urging him to explain. Many opposed Gray, but "The Church controlled by a Lich" rumor was even more lethal—at least until Gray stepped down.

Yet not one letter received a reply from Gray.

Time ticked away, and by December of 10757 Holy Calendar, five months had passed since Gray took control of Azlan Mountain.

The trials of the cardinals on Azlan Mountain finally concluded. All four Holy Knights were dismissed. Of the thirty-one cardinals, twenty-one were removed from their positions, including one who initially supported Gray. Seventeen out of twenty-one were excommunicated with fifteen facing further punishment.

Even the ten remaining cardinals and the new Pope, Darren IV, were not completely unscathed. Their wrongdoings were lighter, and until new blood replenished the court, it needed a minimum number for functioning. Their offenses were converted to a varied number of lashes, to be continuously administered until fully atoned per doctrine.

Domini accounted for six hundred lashes. At ten lashes per month to avoid life-threatening damage, he would endure five years.

*"Gray, I suggest you think carefully," Black Cat advised. "Publicizing these results may disadvantage you."*

*"Should their errors go unpunished just because it’s disadvantageous for me?" Gray retorted.*

Such sentencing was exceedingly harsh, though Gray viewed it leniently from his perspective. He believed he had shown great mercy.

The rumor "The Holy Knight is a Lich, His judgments on the Cardinal Court are part of a Lich’s plan to control the Church" grew louder.

At first, people discussed the "Holy Knight is a Lich" as absurd as gossiping about the King’s mistresses. But Gray’s severe punishments for the Cardinal Court brought conspiracy theorists to the forefront.

In February of 10758, a brawl broke out in Saint Lorenza, leaving two dead and many injured. The incident began with someone publicly claiming Holy Knight Gray as the Lich at the market, and another opposed. Initially a verbal dispute between two, it escalated to a bloody skirmish involving over a thousand people.

When Gray met the families of the deceased, an old man tightly gripped Gray’s hand, tears streaming down his face. "Sir Holy Knight! My son was killed, but I don’t regret it! You abolished church tax, punished clerics, you are the greatest Holy Knight ever, we feel your integrity and kindness! How can we tolerate them defaming you? I’m old and don’t have much time left. I plead to you, unveil yourself, let them see! Let them see how absurd the rumors are!"

Gray could only quietly gaze at the old man, seeing hope in his blurry eyes. But he couldn’t answer that hope. He could only watch as hope faded away, unable to withdraw his hand. Not knowing how to console a grieving father.

"Vivian," Gray quietly asked, "Are we sure Cedric V released these rumors?"

"Certainly," Vivian answered, "He’s confined two cardinals. He alone has such capability. He wants to force you to Black Dragon City."

"Understood, we’ll depart for Black Dragon City tomorrow."