Volume 6 Chapter 74-2 The Bonds We've Made Weren't in Vain
"At a time like this..."
"Well, that's so like Cory."
Leon smiled, but Catherine felt a bit unsure, replying,
"That's true, but... You didn't turn Cory into a musclehead, did you?"
"Who knows?"
Randy shrugged, but he secretly kept the fact that he gave him the Victor Rune correction cloak.
"But the Knight group isn't here, so we can think of it as protecting Lady Annabelle, right?"
Leon tilted his head, but suddenly Randy reacted to the words that were spun.
"The Knight group isn't here?"
"Not all of them, but... right, Saintly Lady?"
Leon, looking puzzled, turned his gaze to Catherine.
"That's right. It seems the government contacted us directly."
Catherine sighed as she spoke about the message received from the government about 5 days ago.
'We understand the Church's request. However, due to the national crisis, please wait for a response.'
In short, they were too busy to allow the demonstration.
That was the message.
Of course, the Church would not mind stopping the demonstration if their request was accepted, but the reason was vague, and it was uncertain if the request would be granted.
Archbishop Ridley had once pushed back, wanting clarity on this message, but the government insisted they could not share details.
"Oh, really? Why is that?"
"'Due to circumstances, we must reduce the monitoring Knights, so we cannot ensure the safety of the demonstration,' I think?"
Leon nodded at Catherine's gaze, saying, "That sounds right."
They couldn't share details, but they disclosed at least the general reason.
"Can't ensure the safety of the demonstration... huh."
Randy and Liz exchanged glances and chuckled at the rather self-serving reason.
"By the way, Archbishop Ridley rejected it."
"Seriously?"
Randy laughed without thinking, and Liz showed an exasperated face, saying, "You shouldn't laugh."
The kingdom's arrogant attitude was annoying, but it was true that the need for monitoring couldn't be ignored when it came to the safety of the demonstrators and the public.
"If we mobilized the Church Knights and Saints, we could ensure the safety of the demonstrators."
Catherine spoke proudly, but Randy and Liz nodded, saying, "I see, Leon and the others are here," to the Church Knight.
They exchanged glances, still excitedly saying, "Is it the Church Knight?" and "They are few, but they are elite," while Catherine's shoulders trembled with frustration...
"I, I, am!"
With an angry expression, Catherine showed her displeasure, but Randy and Liz made gestures to calm her down, saying, "We understand."
"You're a saintly lady.""
"Right?"
In front of the two exchanging glances, Catherine showed her dissatisfaction, but Leon soothed her again.
From the government's perspective, it was a desperate plea, but the Church rejected it, citing their own Knights...
"Huh? But... I haven't seen the Church's demo today."
Randy tilted his head as if remembering, and Catherine explained, "It was canceled because it ended 3 days ago," allowing the Church's request to go through.
The government's demands wouldn't end there.
The Church's requests had to be fulfilled for it to end.
For the government, which didn't want to accelerate the chaos in the capital any further, it was a condition they had to accept.
Even Randy was impressed that usually mild-mannered Ridley made such a bold negotiation.
"Of course, the Grand Archbishop would be angry. The responsibility lies with the former Pope and former Cardinal. And with the current Church's upper management that couldn't stop it. For the innocent believers, we upper management will take the blame."
Catherine said this nonchalantly, and Randy furrowed his brow, asking, "...What are you planning?"
There was no way Catherine would make such a saintly statement.
"......Nothing?"
Next to Catherine, who looked away, Leon showed a mischievous smile.
"She just hope her popularity among the believers goes up!"
With a grin, Leon made Catherine pout, saying, "Hey," but for Randy and Liz, it was a reassuring 'Catherine-like' response.
"Anyway! Right now, it's about your goals, not the Knight group or the demo, right?"
Catherine forcefully changed the subject, and Randy and Liz both nodded in agreement.
"Seriously, you should be grateful. Right now, the only one you can rely on in the capital is me──"
"No, about the people from <Iron Falcon Steel>..."
"Kyaa! I told you, I don't need that!"
Catherine shouted loudly, causing Lucius to give a strained smile, and that day's strategy meeting continued lively.
* * *
"Father, you managed to send Lord Lance and the others well north from the capital."
"You also whispered to Arthur, didn't you?"
When his father Dill told him, Dario scratched his cheek and said, "Well".
Since the north seems to be the main battlefield, Airen might be in danger too.
Of course, it's just the kids' nonsense, but apparently Dill also incited it.
As planned, they were able to send the Knight squad heading north from the capital.
"Of course, Arthur couldn't accompany them."
"Obviously not."
Dill, sighing heavily, looked serious as he told Dario, "Edgar, I'll leave Arthur to you to watch over."
They no longer even call him "His Highness" or anything like that.
Still, even with so little, they are part of the forces.
From the point of view of the morale of the capital, they can't just be ignored.
"...according to plan, we'll take advantage of the chaos to make them sleep."
Dill quietly averted his gaze from Dario, who bit his lower lip.
He knew that his son was troubled by the betrayal of his friends.
From Dario himself came the condition that, even if they betrayed him, Edgar and Arthur's safety must be guaranteed.
To shield the kids from that reality, Dill turned his gaze outside the window.
"We'll probably reach the battlefield soon."
The Kingdom Knights use a magic that boosts their horse and rider as one, enabling super high-speed travel.
The distance that takes nearly ten days by carriage can be crossed in just 4 days with their magic-enhanced horses.
Since they left the day after the report 5 days ago, even with a break, they'll likely arrive at the battlefield by tomorrow.
"By the time they return, everything will be over, I'm sure."
Dario murmured, and Dill nodded silently.
Even if they turned back to the royal capital with all their strength right away, 4 days... was more than enough time for a quick battle.
The royal capital, without the Knight Order, was almost completely defenseless.
"I was surprised that the Church's demonstration held back the Knight Order... but now it's our turn."
The Prime Minister and his son, tempted by the Empire and the Duke, were reading Lucian and the others' movements, making a move that would benefit the Empire.
Only 2 days left until the eclipse...
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