The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 1029: Volume 33: Where Do We Go From Here - 17: Badge of Light

Chapter 1029: Volume 33: Where Do We Go From Here - 17: Badge of Light

"Are you sure?" Welch’s expression grew graver, and his hands, usually hidden in his sleeves, unconsciously came together.

"Absolutely certain," replied Clarke Dos in the same solemn tone. "Noyola and Lorenzo have both been spotted near the Sky Garden. Why would they appear there? They normally visit perhaps once in several years—how could they frequently show up within days? Other than meeting with Caesar, I can’t imagine what else they’d be doing."

"Hmm, if this information is reliable, then we’ll need to weigh our options carefully," sighed Welch, his face marked with even deeper concern.

"Sir, are you worried they might join forces against me?" Clarke Dos couldn’t help but ask.

"No, that’s not what concerns me. I know what kind of man Caesar is. As the leader of the Windriding Knights, he would never engage in acts that go against his principles, and the knights of the Windriding Knights are the same. This is why they are able to surpass other knights regiments on the continent, even the Bohemia Court Mage Knights Regiment."

"It’s not that their combat power significantly exceeds these other knightly forces, but their rigorous style, steadfast beliefs, and tenacious spirit make all other knights regiments pale in comparison. The Windriding Knights are truly the emblem of light, to be precise, they are the real representatives of the Church of Light. Unfortunately, their strict adherence to their creed has kept them from getting involved in church affairs, leading the Church to where it stands today."

"The lances of the Windriding Knights will never be pointed towards the Church itself, whether it’s our Salvation Society, Berekylli Church, or the Sanct Western Church, of that I am certain."

"Then what are you still worried about? As long as it’s not against us..."

"Clarke, we must broaden our vision and look further ahead. Noyola and Lorenzo wouldn’t easily come out, especially for something like paying a visit to Caesar. Once they do come forward, it indicates they have a significant matter at hand and are utterly confident."

"Caesar controls the strongest martial force of the Church of Light. Apart from Caesar himself, any two of his Sacred Heart Knights possess the strength to slay Trajan. If you add in the other knights, I fear there isn’t a force on the whole continent capable of contending with them, not even the Bohemia Court Mage Knights."

"Think about it, the Religious Court is actually seeking an alliance with the Windriding Knights. Who could compel Noyola and the others to extend a hand to the Windriding Knights for help? Who possesses such power?" asked Welch mildly.

"Ah? Sir, are you talking about that fellow from Nicosia?"

"Who else could it be?" Welch nodded. "It looks like Noyola is really planning to make a sweeping strike. If the Windriding Knights do join forces with those bastards from the Court, Komer, even backed by numerous Half-Beastmen and Barbarian forces, will be as fragile as paper mache. Even if he controlled the power of Nicosia’s major knightly forces, it would still be futile; in the face of Caesar and his comrades, these ordinary martial forces are as good as nothing."

"So you’re saying that if they desired, the Windriding Knights could decide any matter on the Continent?" Clarke Dos muttered, somewhat dazedly.

"Not exactly. First, the Windriding Knights won’t act recklessly; second, the Windriding Knights do have adversaries. I only said that Komer’s Half-Beastmen and Barbarian forces are useless, but that doesn’t mean Komer lacks other powers. Rebry has been lying low for so long; I suspect he is about to reach the level of a Great Mage. Mihailovich’s Puppet Mage is equally unfathomable, as are a few dark powerhouses from the south. The Religious Court’s power alone is no longer enough to suppress Komer’s."

"And Komer’s own Black Flame Knights are a hidden blade in the darkness. Several of its Dark Knights already possess formidable strength, at least matching Lecler’s level. Although they cannot yet be compared to the Windriding Knights, if Komer truly were to gather the elite from Nicosia’s Three Major Knights Regiments, this battle wouldn’t necessarily be without chance for a countermove."

At this moment, Welch seemed like a shrewd strategic analyst, discussing the situation eloquently in front of Clarke Dos, unravelling the strengths of both sides one by one. Only now did Clarke Dos realize that Sir Welch, who seldom engaged in long conversations, was so incisive in his speech and so clear in his thinking, dissecting the current situation so thoroughly that his previous doubts were dispelled.

"So, what should we do now?" Clarke Dos couldn’t help but swallow some bitter saliva caused by his nervousness. If Sir Welch’s analysis was true, then this fight was practically upon them, and this battle was almost going to determine the fate of both Nicosia and the Church of Light, even the whole continent would face an immeasurable impact. Whatever the outcome, it would affect the rise and fall of all powers across the continent.

Welch stood up and began to pace slowly in the room. He wasn’t omniscient and omnipotent as Clarke Dos imagined. The current intricate situation was also quite delicate; one wrong move could mean total loss. Yet he wasn’t the one making the moves—he could only be a bystander.

A bystander sees the clearest, but there is also the pain of being unable to intervene—to see a chess game that might affect one’s own destiny and yet be unable to have any influence is equally unsettling.

"What to do?" Welch muttered this question to himself.

Komer’s hostility toward the Salvation Society had gradually become apparent and was growing stronger; it was evident that he felt threatened by the growing power of the Society and its impact on his rule. This could be seen in his compromises with the Bericle and Sanct Western lines. Although on the surface he seemed to be holding the balance even-handedly, the cold aloofness in his bones could not be disguised.

In such a situation, it seemed that Noyola and the others could be happy to see Nicosians taught a lesson by the Salvation Society, but the problem was that this time it was not a lesson, but total annihilation.

Welch did not believe that Noyola and Caesar had not reached some tacit agreement with Frenster and Vazinsky; Noyola needed no mention, and although Caesar was upright and noble, he was not a fool who was out of touch with the times. Such things that are understood without being stated plainly can be kept in the heart; there was no need for any open and explicit indication. Wasn’t their posture towards him the same?

The Salvation Society could coldly observe, at least on the surface the collaboration between the Wind Riders and the Court would not harm the Society. But what would happen once Nicosia failed and collapsed completely? Who would benefit in the end?

The Court needed no mention, naturally becoming the absolute authority within the Church of Light, but this was only regarding the internal church affairs and the right to interpret doctrine. In terms of secular power sharing, Frenster and Vazinsky would benefit the most. Without a unified central government, Nicosia would surely disintegrate and attach itself separately to Bericle and Sanct Western.

What about the Salvation Society?

By then, the Court, with its hands freed, would leverage its victorious stance against the Salvation Society. The Court, holding the great power of doctrinal interpretation, would surely cast all blames towards the Salvation Society, and the Society’s predicament would become much more difficult. The end of Komer’s era would also mean the disruption of the current tacit coexistence between the Dark Lineage and the Salvation Society. They would retreat to the South, putting full pressure on the Salvation Society’s newly established foundations there, and everything would turn terribly bad.

Having realized this, Welch felt incredibly relieved. Since the battle was inevitable, he must make a decision immediately.

In this battle, those who fence-sit are undoubtedly pitiable. The Society not only needed to firmly stand on the side of the Nicosians but also warn them immediately to make the most thorough preparations, including suggesting they ask for help from the South if necessary.

The Wind Riders had not taken the field in many years, and their combat power must not be underestimated. Caesar and the Wind Riders’ deployment had not been sanctioned by His Holiness the Pope. The Pope’s reclusion seemed to have foretold something—if he were truly wrong in his judgment, then it must be divine will.

But should he personally go to the battlefield? Welch hesitated for a moment, then shook his head with a bitter smile. Could he really avoid it? He was long damned to hell in the history of the Church of Light, so why care about this bit? If it must be severed, then let it be severed thoroughly.

"Clark, go immediately and inform Komer, tell them in as much detail as possible about the Court teaming up with the Wind Riders, and at the same time hint to them that their current strength, even if combined, would not be sufficient to resist. Hmm, also tell them about the current stance of Frenster and Vazinsky and let them judge for themselves."

"What?" Clark Dos exclaimed in surprise, unable to utter another word; he had never expected to receive such an answer.

"What did you say, Sir Welch? I haven’t misheard, have I?" Clark Dos’s face turned red with embarrassment as he stammered.

"Clark, you heard me correctly; time waits for no one. Go and inform them first. As for the underlying reasons, I hope you will think it over on your way there, consider the cause and effect of this matter from multiple perspectives, as well as the various changes and impacts it may bring. If you still do not understand, I will tell you when you return. But for now, you must go to Ugru immediately, I will also prepare and follow shortly."

Welch’s face was tinged with a bitter sentiment, too—perhaps this was an outcome that no one wished to see, but then who could change all of this? Perhaps even His Holiness the Pope could not, which is why he chose to avoid it in this manner, to let God decide.

Demon Destiny had entered its final phase, and my new fantasy book "Reincarnation of Wicked Dragon" has been uploaded, http://www.qidian.com/Book/1114080.aspx; I cordially invite new and old readers to collect, recommend, and support it. The new book will join the ranking battle tonight at 24:00. Readers who support Regen’s works, please grant your Recommendation Tickets and strive for a spot on the new book list. As long as Regen is alive, the struggle will never cease. (To be continued, for the continuation of the story, please log on to www.qidian.com. There are more Chapters, support the author, support Authorized Reading!)