The Lich of Glory Knight Spirit: Moving towards Krimasha!
Chapter 189 - 14: Black Dragon City_2

Chapter 189: Chapter 14: Black Dragon City_2

Black Dragon City was not only the political center of the Gustav Empire, but also its most important military center, in fact a frontier city.

To the southeast of Black Dragon City lay the port and the sea, while to the northeast stood the towering Wix Mountain Range, which separated the continent from a small northern country, Vic. The west and southwest were its own territory, and to the northwest was the great enemy, the Lunbak Empire.

In other words, as the capital, Black Dragon City cut off the Lunbak Empire’s access to the ocean, turning it completely into an inland country. The Lunbak Empire’s so-called "opening up the southern trade route" was essentially a ploy to seize the capital of the Gustav Empire...

This had been the root of the dispute between Gustav and the nomadic nations for thousands of years. With the help of the Holy Sect, the Gustav Empire had existed for 3,000 years. During those 3,000 years, the opposing nomadic nations changed several times, but whichever nation it was, capturing Black Dragon City was always their greatest strategic goal.

The current Lunbak Empire was undoubtedly the most powerful nomadic empire in the past 3,000 years, so the front lines had been pushed to the doorstep of the Gustav Empire.

From a high vantage point, Black Dragon City was surrounded by military camps, filled with large numbers of troops. The northeast was packed with castles, walls, strongholds, and outposts, covering a vast area, even larger than the city itself.

Peace was only temporary, and war could break out at any moment. After all, the Lunbak Empire never needed a reason to wage war. The goal of gaining access to the sea and the huge profits from southern trade were reasons enough. They did not need to report their war plans to the Holy Sect because they did not believe in it at all.

Gray stood with the Silver Moon Knight Order on the western hill of Black Dragon City, silently observing.

The Silver Moon Flag fluttered gently behind him.

"Honorable Holy Knight, it is a pleasure to meet you! I am the attendant officer of His Majesty the Emperor! I am here under orders to receive you!" A knight, leading a squad of cavalry, came before Gray and respectfully saluted him.

"Thank you for your efforts," Gray bowed his head and made the sign of the cross on his chest.

Led by the attendant officer, the Silver Moon Knight Order majestically entered the city.

"Huh? The Silver Moon Banner... Could it be the Silver Moon Knight Order?"

"Is that Holy Knight Gray in gray armor? Why are the others in silver armor but he’s wearing gray?"

"Didn’t they say he was a Lich?"

"Why have they come here?"

"Mom! Come out and see the Lich!"

"You idiots! What are you saying! You are slandering him! Slandering the Holy Knight will send you to hell!" The enraged loudmouth roared angrily. But it was of no use. The cavalry leading them acted as if they hadn’t heard. Gray did not argue, and the Silver Moon Knights remained silent, allowing the residents of Black Dragon City to jeer. The loudmouth’s rebuke only drew a burst of laughter, making his face turn purple.

Black Dragon City seemed unprepared for Gray’s arrival. Most residents were unaware. Of course, that didn’t stop them from wanting to watch the commotion. People began to flock in from all directions, crowding the streets to the point of choking.

After all, Gray was a name known throughout the continent.

The soldiers tasked with leading the way did a poor job of maintaining order; the scene was chaotic, with someone even reaching out to pull the loudmouth’s beard.

"Do you think he’s really a Lich? If he is a Lich, why would he spread the doctrine everywhere?"

"Maybe there’s a huge conspiracy. After all, he now controls the Church, doesn’t he? It’s part of an evil plan."

"Then why would he reduce the Church’s taxes?"

"Maybe it’s to lull us into a false sense of security or weaken the Church’s power. It’s definitely some kind of plot."

"Mommy, why does the Holy Knight have a bunch of dwarfs with him? Are those dwarfs messengers sent by demons?"

*Black Cat gnawed at his teeth in anger* "These are the most uncivilized commoners I have ever seen. They dare discuss such topics right in front of you. If you were a Lich, wouldn’t they be frightened and flee?"

Gray did not respond, as if he hadn’t heard, continuing to ride his horse forward slowly.

At the crossroads, a boy shouted, "All evil will be reckoned, all souls will be transcend, sunlight touches every corner, not allowing a shred of shadow! Justice will prevail!" Then he threw a stone at Gray. The stone missed and struck Carl’s forehead with a loud thud.

"What are you doing?" The guiding soldier finally spoke up, but in a blink of an eye, the boy had already blended into the crowd.

"My God! Are they not going to do anything? This is the worst reception I have ever seen! No, this can even be considered an insult!" Black Cat began to sharpen his claws.

*Vivian was so angry she couldn’t say a word*

Amid these discussions, Gray walked down the long street and finally arrived at the gates of the Gustav Palace.

The onlookers were eventually dispersed, and the Silver Moon Knight Order formed up in a half-moon shape behind Gray. Opposite him, on the other side of the palace’s moat, stood Bishop Gustav in his white clerical robes.

The elderly Bishop Gustav lifted his robe’s hem and walked slowly across the bridge, leaning on his staff. When he reached Gray, he bowed his head and devoutly made the sign of the cross on his chest.

"Holy one, it is an honor to meet you. His Majesty the Emperor is awaiting you in the palace. Please follow me."

"Thank you, I appreciate it," Gray also bowed his head slightly, made the sign of the cross on his chest devoutly, then dismounted his horse and followed Bishop Gustav step by step toward the palace.

Carl wanted to follow but was halted by the guards.

"I’m sorry, His Majesty wishes to see only the Holy Knight."

Carl looked at Gray.

Gray turned his head and looked at him, nodding slightly. Only then did Carl take a step back.

Following Bishop Gustav, Gray walked step by step into the palace.

*This was without a doubt the most grand, majestic complex Gray had ever seen. Perhaps it was the most magnificent, grand complex on the whole continent. Standing within it, one could truly feel their own insignificance, like a grain of sand. Whether it was the buildings, the walls, the training grounds, or the courtyards, they all had one shared characteristic, size. Large, rugged, and ancient architectural styles.*

*However, Gray obviously had no interest in appreciating these things anymore, not even a little.*

Finally, guided by Bishop Gustav, he arrived in front of the central main building of the Gustav Palace.

It was a vast edifice, resembling a giant black dragon head rising from the ground and lying on the surface, narrow at first and wide later. The top had wooden spikes that looked like dragon horns. Gray needed to climb a hundred steps up the "dragon’s tongue" to reach the door of the main building.

This lone building equated to the entire Pearce Cathedral complex of Lion King City.

A guard approached Gray and the bishop, extending his hands.

The bishop spoke softly, "Holy one, please surrender your weapon. In Black Dragon Hall, no one may carry weapons inside, except His Majesty himself and his personal guards."

Gray untied his sword and handed it to the nearby soldier, then began climbing the wide staircase alone. From a distance, his figure seemed insignificant against the gigantic Black Dragon Hall.

The wind blew gently, rippling the Black Dragon Flag, emblem of the Gustav Royal Family, that hung high.

Finally, Gray stepped onto the last stair and began walking along the black carpet inside.

On both sides, sporadically stood several heavily armored, weapon-wielding imperial guards.

Black Dragon Hall was rectangular, and from a distance, Gray had already seen Cedric V sitting high on the throne deep within the grand, opulent hall. He looked like a dragon lurking in the darkness.