The atmosphere in the study room of the White Family was a little tense.
Colin and Scholar Dwayne sat opposite each other in silence.
The only sound that could be heard was the candles burning.
After a long while, Scholar Dwayne broke the awkward silence.
"Sir Viscounts, I have no ill intentions toward the Northern Frontier. Moreover, the Duke Of St. Hilde knew very well that I was sent to the Northern Frontier by the royal family. However, he still trusted me. "
Colin believed that Scholar Dwayne was telling the truth.
After all, Scholar Dwayne had never hidden his identity from the beginning. He was the second son of the White Family, and the White Family was the vassal of the San Lorenzo family.
Therefore, when he went to the Duke Of St. Hilde to pledge his loyalty, the Duke Of St. Hilde must have already found out about Scholar Dwayne's background. Otherwise, he would not have valued him so much.
"Then, why did you go to the Northern Frontier?" Colin asked the question that had been in his mind for a long time.
It was reasonable to say that Scholar Dwayne should have served the San Lorenzo family, instead of going to the Northern Frontier and being suspected.
"You may not know this, but the House of Saint Hilde and the San Lorenzo family have always been allies when it comes to fighting against the church."
"Oh?" Colin's heart skipped a beat as he suddenly thought of the great change in the empire three hundred years ago.
Scholar Dwayne continued to explain, "The Duke Of St. Hilde died too suddenly, and he did not have time to inform his successor. Therefore, even Miss Vera does not know about this matter. However, if you ask Marquis García, he will definitely give you a definite answer."
"What are the main forces in your alliance against the church?"
"The most important ones are actually the two main forces: the Flame Territory and the Northern Frontier."
Colin was shocked and he leaned forward slightly as he asked, "Are the other three territories under the church?"
"No." Scholar Dwayne shook his head and said, "Only the Eastern Region is a staunch church force. As you know, almost every Duke of the Eastern Region will marry a priest as his wife. They are the church's strongest supporters in the secular world.
The Southern Territory had always maintained a neutral stance, neither leaning towards the Church nor keeping a certain distance from the Royal Family. Furthermore, in recent years, the trend towards independence had become more and more obvious. What would happen in the future … was hard to say.
As for the Western Region, because they were facing the most dangerous enemy of the Empire — the Orcs, they had always longed for military assistance. Therefore, their strategy was uncertain, and more often than not, they used this as an excuse to ask for support from the Imperial Family or the Church. They were not reliable allies.
Moreover, because of the current Duke of the Western Region, they are more inclined towards the Church. "
"Why?" Colin suddenly wondered, "If I remember correctly, the current Duke of the Western Region is a Paladin."
"That's right. There are two living Paladins in the Radiant Empire, Prince Lexi and Duke Sangerian. " Scholar Dwayne's eyes flashed, and he suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question, "Lord Viscounts, have you ever wondered why Prince Lexi and His Majesty have always been at odds?"
Colin wanted to say that it was natural. No matter who the Emperor was, he would be afraid of a prince who was above him in both prestige and force.
But then, he thought of the scene in the Cathedral of Holy Light today. When Queen Mydella proposed to dissect the body of Senator Letom, the one who objected most strongly was not Prince Lexi, but Pope Gregory!
"Could it be that Prince Lexi is close to the Church?"
"Yes!" Scholar Dwayne nodded and said, "So you should understand why His Majesty must expel Prince Lexi. With Prince Lexi in Imperial Dragon City, the San Lorenzo faction cannot form a united force, and this alliance against the Church will only exist in name. "
Colin then wondered, "As the guardian of the San Lorenzo family, why would Prince Lexi be close to the Church? And what does this have to do with the Duke of the Western Region being partial to the Church? "
Scholar Dwayne took a deep breath and said, "Lord Viscounts, in fact, all Paladins will be partial to the Church!"
"Why?" Colin felt a chill in his heart, and he realized that this was the key to the problem.
"Because once a Paladin is injured, he must rely on the healing spell of a high-grade priest to recover. And this is the key to the Church's control of the human race's highest combat power! "
Colin suddenly thought of the Bishop of Coldwinter City who suddenly died at the beginning of this year and asked, "Then, when the Duke Of St. Hilde was injured in the battle with the troll paladins …"
"After the Duke was injured, he went to Bishop Zeon and Archbishop Riven, hoping to be treated. But Archbishop Riven took the opportunity to threaten the Duke, wanting to use this to turn the Northern Frontier to the Church's side.
However, the Duke was unwilling to be threatened by the Church, so he forced Archbishop Riven to perform a healing spell on him. When Archbishop Riven refused, the Duke brazenly killed Bishop Zeon, and only then did Archbishop Riven yield. "
Colin was slightly surprised, and he secretly sighed that the Duke Of St. Hilde was really ruthless.
"Then, Archbishop Riven was later removed from his position by the Church, was it because of this matter?"
"Yes. After the Church knew that the Duke had been promoted to a Paladin, they had been thinking of ways to win over the Northern Frontier, but the Duke did not immediately yield. He did not want to become a puppet of the Church.
In fact, the Duke's injury was very serious, and Archbishop Riven's treatment was not enough. It was also because of this that although the Duke had not yet turned to the Church, the Emperor no longer trusted his allies as much as before.
He was worried that the Duke Of St. Hilde would sooner or later turn to the Church, because the Duke would not let his injury worsen day by day without doing anything. "
Colin nodded. Only now did he understand why the Emperor had allowed Mister Feng to stir up trouble in the Northern Frontier, and even tacitly allowed him to use the Trial's Eye to kill his brother-in-law.
If the East, West, and North all turned to the Church, then how would the Imperial Family maintain their dignity?
The Church would really become the de facto ruler of the Empire of Radiance.
Colin's heart was heavy, and he said somewhat dejectedly, "If even the Paladins turn to the Church, then I think that the Imperial Family has no chance of winning …"
Scholar Dwayne shook his head, "Lord Viscounts, you are wrong to think that way."
"Oh? Why? "
"Paladins are proud existences, how could they be willing to be controlled and coerced by the Church?
The Duke Of St. Hilde suffered such a serious injury, and even though he was suspected by the Emperor and threatened by the Archbishop, he did not turn to the Church until his death.
If not for the fact that Prince Lexi was born in a branch of the San Lorenzo family and was not valued since young, and that most of his training resources were funded by the Church, he would not be willing to become the Church's hired thug.
As for the Duke of St. Gerrion of the West, he had to face the threat of the Orcs and was often injured. If not for the Church's healing skills, he would not have been able to hold on for so long.
But I believe that if the Imperial Family and the Church fell out, Prince Lexi and the Duke of St. Gerrion would most likely not help the Church! "
Colin thought about it and felt that Dwayne's words made sense.
No Paladin was willing to be coerced by the Church. Even if they submitted to the Church on the surface, they would not obey sincerely.
Seeing that Colin was deep in thought, Scholar Dwayne asked again, "Lord Viscounts, do you know when the founding Emperor of the Empire of Radiance, His Majesty Ghana, passed away?"
"Hmm … I only remember that he seemed to be quite young when he passed away."
"That's right. His Majesty Ghana passed away at the age of 57! "
Colin immediately realized that there was a problem.
How could a legendary Paladin pass away so early?
"Could it be because of the Church?"
"Yes. His Majesty Ghana fought for his whole life. Even if his strength was outstanding, it was inevitable that he would be injured. When the relationship between the Imperial Family and the Church was harmonious, this was of course not a problem.
But later, when His Majesty Ghana began to deliberately limit the power of the Church, the Pope immediately ordered the priests to immediately stop healing His Majesty and even the Paladins who were unwilling to cooperate.
This also caused His Majesty Ghana's injuries to worsen. But even so, His Majesty Ghana did not submit to the Church until his death.
So, in fact, this is a secret war that has lasted since the founding of the Empire. The Imperial Family hoped that the Church would only be a spiritual symbol, not keeping an army and not meddling in worldly affairs.
But obviously, the Church was not satisfied with this. They wanted to become the uncrowned king of the Empire, and wanted the Emperor and the nobles to be puppets in their hands.
So, this war will continue.
And the Northern Frontier is the key to the war between the two sides!
And, perhaps you did not realize that you, who defeated the Eastern Frontier's Heavenly Horse Army, are also the target of the Imperial Family. "
Colin nodded. He finally understood why the Emperor asked the Prince and Princess to worship him as their teacher in the carriage today.
This was to make him a sharp sword in the hands of the Imperial Family, leading the Northern Frontier army to attack the Eastern Frontier that had completely turned to the Church.
Colin fell into silence.
In fact, he did not want to be involved in the power struggle between the Imperial Family and the Church.
He did not have any ill feelings towards the Church, and he did not have much loyalty to the Imperial Family.
Colin would not be easily fooled by wanting to make him a pawn for the Imperial Family.
Unless, it was profitable …
"I understand." Colin smiled and got up. "Thank you for answering many of my doubts. The situation of the Empire of Light is no longer shrouded in a fog for me."
"It is my pleasure!"
"Well, I have to go back and rest. I understand, I still have to accompany Vera to the Senate. "
"Okay, Sir Viscounts, I will send you off."
Scholar Dwayne sent Colin all the way to the gate. Just as he waved goodbye, he saw Colin suddenly turn around and ask with a smile.
"Dwayne, are you loyal to the Northern Frontier or the Imperial Family?"
Scholar Dwayne was taken aback. He glanced at Colin before replying with a solemn expression, "Yes.
"I am loyal to the Empire of Light!"
Colin looked at Scholar Dwayne with some surprise, and then he seemed to understand something, but he did not comment. He just smiled and turned around to leave.
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