Chapter 22. Calmly move forward one step at a time. (5)
Even if you blindly force the knights to leave, the number of defections will only increase. This is something that has already been verified in the Obest Territory.
So, we had to entice them with realistic and enticing conditions that they could not help but swallow.
Indeed, the bait I threw was effective.
“Monster….”
“must…….”
A young member whose eyes sparkle at the thought of achieving meritorious deeds,
“Salary increase…?”
“How can you guarantee that?”
Even experienced members were deeply conflicted by the suddenly realistic proposal.
The expressions of the members changed in various ways.
“Okay then.”
I clapped my hands to get their attention.
“Now, we will head to the imperial palace for the departure ceremony.”
His eyes flashed and he made eye contact with each member.
“We’ll see.”
A hint that the reward will vary depending on your actions.
The expressions of the members changed when they realized what I meant.
“all right!”
Even though no one asked me to, a powerful answer came out. Looking behind her, she caught sight of Conrad, who was gaping at her.
chin.
I squeezed his shoulder and whispered softly.
“Have you seen the effects of the right carrot?”
“…….”
“It’s not something that can be done just by swinging a whip.”
Conrad silently bowed his head.
“Thank you for your teachings.”
A faint smile appeared on his lips as he raised his head again.
“Master Abel.”
The reason he doesn’t look that bad even though he’s smiling with an evil face is probably because of the admiration clearly visible in his eyes.
He spoke in a tone of sincere admiration and without any complaints.
“It will be a good stimulus for them.”
I chuckled and took my hand off his shoulder.
“Then let’s leave now.”
Just like that, the departure ceremony of the Ovest Knights was approaching.
❖ ❖ ❖
The front of the imperial palace was crowded with people who had gathered to watch the departure ceremony.
Amid the crowd divided on both sides, knights from each territory marched one by one.
Each knight wore flashing armor as if to show off, and held high a flag with the family symbol on it.
“Glory to the pesant!”
“Long live Motail!”
Noisy cheers and boisterous laughter filled the entire area.
Then when we appeared,
“It’s the Ovest Knights!”
The noise of people quieted down.
I enter on a horse as dark brown as chocolate. And Conrad was close behind him as if guarding him.
After that, the Knights Templar walked in in a restrained manner. Even the person who had complained of pain in his legs earlier showed superhuman endurance and was walking as if he was fine.
“Ovest Knights….”
“indeed…….”
The level of armor we wore and the horses we rode were superior to that of any other knightly order.
The former was solved by pouring money into it, and the latter was something that had been with them since the Obest territory.
“Ovest! Ovest!”
“For Ovest!”
The cheers of the people grew louder as they saw the majestic appearance of the Ovest Knights and the reality of what they had only heard about through rumors.
“But the number is a bit… very small?”
“It’s too much of a comparison to other knights.”
There was a rustling sound mixed in there.
Certainly, the number of our knights was among the smallest compared to other territories.
‘Tsk tsk. ‘It’s quality over quantity.’
It is true that the more people there are, the higher the odds of winning, but this is not always the case. This was especially true during the northern subjugation war.
‘Well, you’ll find out naturally over time.’
So I just brushed off those whispers.
In the large open space in the center of the imperial palace, the knights who had already arrived were standing quietly. The knights of the Imperial Palace were placed in the center, and they were lined up in rows to the left, right, and back.
‘I guess our seat will be over there.’
Naturally, I led the knights towards the empty seat. Looking at Mikel, who was occupying the left side of the Imperial Knights, he stopped to the right to contemplate.
“…….”
After checking me out, Joshua, the commander of the Imperial Palace Knights, simply nodded his head at me. After receiving the greeting, I made eye contact with Mikel, who was standing upright beyond me.
As I quietly lowered my head, Mikel smiled faintly as if he understood.
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‘You’re lucky.’
In the original work, the Sud Knights stood here. However, due to their absence, I was able to take this position as if it were natural.
“Why are the Ovest Knights there…?”
“Our knights are more numerous….”
The other knights had a slight look of dissatisfaction on their faces, but as soon as I gave them a look, they soon quieted down.
‘If Cain had been there, we would have had to argue over who would take this position.’
I was happy about that fact, but I was also curious about what Cain was doing right now. He hurried back to the estate, so he must have figured out the problem by now and was struggling to find the cause.
‘I wonder what would have happened.’
I tried to push away the ominous premonition that was creeping into one side of my brain again and quietly looked ahead.
As soon as all the knights finished entering, heavy footsteps were heard. A brilliant red curtain was drawn, and Emperor Theodore entered through it.
“Meet Your Majesty the Emperor.”
All the knights knelt down. Emperor Theodore, who was looking down at the knights from a high platform, raised his hand.
“Everyone lift your heads up.”
The knights raised their heads at the emperor’s command, but, as was customary, they did not look at the emperor but stared straight ahead.
“I am proud of those who did not turn a blind eye to the difficulties of the Node territory and took steps forward willingly.”
Emperor Theodore’s encouragement poured in along with the clear autumn sky and the breaking sunlight.
“All citizens of the empire will not forget your hard work and courage. Additionally, those who have made contributions will be given appropriate rewards.”
After finishing speaking, he came down from the platform and sat down on a chair. The archbishop who had been waiting behind him came out.
“Before the departure ceremony, there will be a blessing from the saint to pray for victory.”
He had a voluptuous figure because he always ate fatty foods, but for some reason, his complexion was not very good today. There was even a dark shadow around his eyes.
“For the sake of time, we will allow one knight order to receive the blessing as a representative.”
The Archbishop unfolded the folded paper. After moistening her dry lips once, she began to speak slowly.
“The knights who will be blessed as representatives….”
People’s tense gazes crossed. Everyone focused their eyes and watched the archbishop’s mouth.
“…….”
Just before the archbishop opened his mouth, our eyes met.
‘I knew it.’
I knew it at that moment. The work I instructed Elice to do was a splendid success.
“……Obest, the knights.”
As the archbishop finished speaking, there were mixed feelings of joy and sorrow.
“Is this the Ovest Knights?”
“Why not our knights?”
Some knights were very disappointed or looked jealously at the Ovest Knights.
“Shouldn’t the Nord Knights take charge of this situation?”
“By what criteria were you selected?”
There were also people glaring at the archbishop with faces full of dissatisfaction.
“We were selected based on fair and legal criteria. I hope there is no misunderstanding.”
As the murmur in the hall grew, the archbishop broke into a cold sweat and made an excuse that was not an excuse. And then he retreated as if in a hurry.
The next moment, the curtain next to it was pushed upward again,
Step by step.
Saint Rachel entered through the gap.
“……She is a saint.”
“This is my first time seeing you in person.”
People stopped complaining and kept their mouths shut. That is how great the status of Saint Rachel within the empire was.
‘It’s a fair and legal standard.’
I chuckled as I pondered the archbishop’s words. I couldn’t help but laugh as I watched the archbishop’s desperate struggle to lose his reputation.
‘Then why are you doing dirty things behind your back?’
The fact that he lusted after the bodies of young boys was confidential information that few people in the empire knew about. Of course, it was no longer confidential to me, who had read the original work.
I hate people who do cruel things to children. So what that archbishop says won’t be very good.
‘That’s why there were some things that were kind to Ekarot.’
I didn’t want to do anything like control or manipulate a young guy.
I’d love it if you worked for me, but that’s just wishful thinking. It was enough just to keep him out of Cain’s hands.
So, instead of the card called intimidation, which I liked to use, I gave him a choice.
‘Are you doing well?’
He must have been undergoing arduous training with Midnell by now. I was really looking forward to seeing how much he had grown when he came back after this subjugation battle.
“Ovest Knights, forward.”
The brief thought was interrupted by the archbishop’s voice. He gave Conrad a nod and began to move forward.
Jerk, jerk.
The Knights of Ovest walked forward, matching my steps.
All kinds of different looks flew in and scratched the side of my face. He ignored it with an arrogant look and stopped in front of the podium in front.
“Please have someone come up as a representative.”
At the Archbishop’s words, Conrad looked at me without hesitating even for a second.
“Please go up.”
The corners of my mouth naturally rose at the natural tone of voice. She stood on the podium with a smiling face.
“…….”
Rachel’s green eyes were reflected through the veil that was like a symbol of a saint.
“Closeer this way.”
Rachel gestured to me with a soft voice. She slowly walked over and knelt down in front of her.
“May God’s care be with you on your long journey ahead.”
It was a multi-layered, overlapping voice that Rachel mainly used as a saint to inspire others.
“I hope this heart never loses its passionate beat,”
Rachel’s hand moved and lightly touched my chest.
“May you overcome the difficulties that stand in your way and hold the hand of the fallen,”
Then he brushed my forearm,
“Please come back with a brilliant victory.”
Finally, he gently cupped my cheek.
“Dio Benedica.”
As soon as I finished praying,
Faaah!
White light erupted from Rachel’s hand. The transparent and clear life force of Serenade began to flow from the skin that touched it.
“…….”
Rachel pursed her lips for a moment, but did not say anything, as if she was conscious of Emperor Theodore. Eventually she extinguished her white light and withdrew her hand.
“Thank you for your blessing, saint.”
Rachel opened her mouth before taking a step back.
“After fall, winter comes. I will overcome the harsh winter and come back.”
“…….”
“So in the end, I want to welcome spring here.”
From what I heard from others, he was saying that he would finish this subjugation war well and return here before spring.
“…….”
The meaning conveyed to Rachel was different. Rachel’s eyes widened for a moment, but soon collapsed with a faint smile.
“I hope you come back safely.”
It was the completion of a very nice and plausible scene that responded to the exciting declaration of the leader of the knights.
“Waaah!”
“Dio Benedica!”
“I hope everyone returns safely!”
Everyone watching cheered loudly.
Rachel turned and walked back. The moment he stood next to Emperor Theodore, who was waiting, he whispered to Rachel.
“It’s not really a blessing, is it?”
It was a sound that only Rachel could hear, but it was audible enough for me who focused on my hearing.
“of course.”
Rachel sighed softly and answered.
“I just shined a strong light. I blessed you last time, so there’s no need to do it again.”
“You’re a lucky guy.”
Emperor Theodore had a sneer on his lips.
“I mean, he follows Violette around and picks up a lot of soybean paste and eats it.”
I felt his red, cold gaze scanning me. He deliberately avoided making eye contact with him and quietly returned to his seat.
‘You fooled me well.’
In my mind, I was peacefully thinking that way.
Emperor Theodore stepped forward to the podium again. He shouted majestically, throwing his arms up in the air.
“This concludes the departure ceremony. All knights depart for the north!”
As he lowered his arms vigorously, the Nord Knights led by Mikel began to move. It was the beginning of the northern subjugation war with him at the forefront.
fantasy,
