Camille had always disapproved of Natasha and Lucien testing Sardes' reaction. She thought that it was too hasty and that Natasha should wait until she had the support of a batch of loyal nobles before doing something that might infuriate the Church. However, basically, she would not object to Natasha's decision, and she still tried to cover the traces of their confirmed relationship for them.
At this moment, there was something strange on her solemn and rigid face. "The Radiance Church sent a secret letter, reminding you to limit your appeasement of the nobles who support the Congress of Magic and not go to the Royal Magic Tower of Holm too often, in case you disappoint most of the pious and loyal nobles."
"That's all?" Natasha raised her right eyebrow. The reaction was not wrong, but the problem was that it was too standard. She could not tell what Sardes was thinking at all.
She also felt that Lucien's proposal was a bit risky, but she also understood that the situation around her could not be changed if she did not cross the line. When there was the Congress of Magic and the Church, all the nobles would choose to wait and see instead of blindly following them. The situation right now was like a pool of stagnant water. If they did not stir it up, it would be impossible to get close to them.
Camille still maintained the slightly strange expression. "Also, I encourage you to instigate Lucien Evans. No matter what method you use, temptation or warmth, as long as you can make Lucien Evans betray the Congress of Magic and join the Inquisition and become a leader of the night watchers, it will be the greatest contribution. The Church will give you full support and rewards."
As a quasi-grand arcanist and a genius sorcerer who was regarded as the future of the Congress of Magic, such encouragement seemed to be the response of the Church if he really had feelings for a certain pious believer.
"This reaction is a bit strange." Natasha paced back and forth, not understanding what Sardes meant exactly. Did he really believe in her piety and think that she could seduce Lucien with feelings, or was he just making up an excuse to cover it up?
"The old fox is truly unpredictable …" Natasha subconsciously raised her left hand and touched the communication earring, intending to discuss with Lucien, but then she realized that Lucien must've returned to Allyn. So, she stopped herself, in case the purpose of the test was exposed.
Natasha's slender and strong fingers slid along the earring and accidentally touched her earlobe. She suddenly thought of Lucien's love for "it", and a smile appeared on her face. Her eyes became gentle.
Camille turned her head to look out the window, as if she couldn't bear to see such a blissful expression. After a few seconds, Natasha came back to her senses and continued, "Sardes's reaction is a little strange, but it's still reasonable. However, I don't recommend that you continue to test him like this, be careful of playing with fire. This kind of probing has to be done with extreme caution. Sometimes, it's better to wait for changes. "
"Aunt Camille, I understand. The most important thing right now is to improve my strength and try to grasp the Sword of Truth as soon as possible." Natasha did not make a radical judgment because of her joy but said calmly.
After Camille closed the gate of the palace, Natasha finally stood behind the desk and picked up the quill. Taking a deep breath, she began to write:
"Protection, Mercy, Justice, Mercy, Valor …"
The words that represented the spirit of a Knight flowed out of her pen, gradually turning from smooth to obscure, as if she were interrogating her own heart, her own beliefs, and her own path.
After a long time, the words that Natasha wrote became monotonous, leaving only "Protection" and "Valor". Also, her strokes became clearer and clearer, with implicit firmness.
In such a way, Natasha sorted through her long-time experience, her recent confusion, the dawn that she saw after confirming her mind, and the ideas that Lucien implanted into her without her knowing. She gradually found the source of her spirit of a Knight, which was the protection of her loved ones, her family, her subjects, and her valor against enemies, schemes, and slaughter.
"Perhaps, this is the Lord in my heart."
Natasha put down the quill. Looking at the words of protection and valor, she felt that the dust in her heart had been wiped away. Although the confusion and hesitation in the past hadn't been completely eliminated, she believed that she would walk out of the swamp sooner or later as time went by.
By then, it would be the time when she advanced into level eight and picked up the Sword of Truth.
By then, it wouldn't be like right now. In order to test Sardes, she would have to turn on the protection circle at the central area of the Nekso Palace, or cover herself with Lucien's "Congus Ring".
Warming up her body, Natasha had the desire for battle that she hadn't felt for a long time. So, she picked up 'Pale Justice' and opened the gate of the palace, going to the specially reinforced 'Knight's Corridor'. She couldn't wait to vent the joy in her heart by exercising her strength.
… …
Inside the residence of Duke of Frenburg …
The conservative grand nobles who had waited for a long time finally saw Rex come in. They all rose and asked, "Mr. President, what's the Church's attitude on what happened last night?"
Rex sat straight on the sofa and frowned. "Saint Sardes reminded Her Majesty not to go to the Royal Magic Tower of Holm too often. There has to be a limit to appease the nobles who are close to the Congress of Magic."
"Just a reminder?" The white-haired Count Barady said in disappointment.
Rex flicked his crimson velvet coat. "He also encouraged Her Majesty to tempt Lucien to betray the Congress of Magic."
"Isn't that like feeding a lamb to a tiger?" Duke of York said angrily.
In his opinion, Lucien would become a grand arcanist and a legendary sorcerer sooner or later and enter the Highest Council of the Congress of Magic. Even though Douglas would still be the president for many years because of the longevity of sorcerers, it was still better than betraying and joining the night watchers.
It was not the War of Dawn where sorcerers were in danger. It was not like Lucien could not adapt to the current arcana system. If Queen Natasha tried to encourage him, she would only be tempted by the "fallen angel". Therefore, Lucien might as well ask them to draw the line.
Did he have to wait until the queen was too obsessed with him before he resorted to radical approaches?
Duke Rex shook his head. "Saint Sardes is worried that radical approaches will make Her Majesty rebel and more inclined to the nobles who are close to the Congress of Magic."
Duke of York was a black-haired great Knight in his thirties. He was not as calm as the old men. He stood up and paced back and forth anxiously. "Are we going to let the situation go on like this? Her Majesty's inclination is almost obvious. She is balanced but more inclined to the Congress of Magic. On our side, many nobles are not firm. They are used to following the royal power and their liege. It is foreseeable that many nobles will lean toward James, Russell, and Henson. The comparison of strength will be reversed in the coming year. We have to be prepared. "
Duke Rex stared at Duke of York. "What preparation?"
Duke of York looked around at the five dukes, three marquises, and five Count in the room and said vaguely, "When His Majesty was summoned by the Lord earlier, we prepared exactly what you did, Mr. President."
His family was Kritonia's family. That was why he dared to talk to Rex in such a way.
Rex's face changed. "York, I didn't do anything. I only accepted His Majesty's request to make Holm stronger. Did you hear any rumors?"
Duke Solefen coughed and interrupted Duke of York's reply. "York, do you want the kingdom to be divided? Do you want every noble in your territory to harbor ill intentions towards you? Order is the foundation of the nobles, or we would've been divided and swallowed. Being too radical will only lead us to destruction. "
He raised his hand and stopped the other nobles from speaking. He continued, "I think the situation is tolerable right now. Although Her Majesty may be more inclined to the Congress of Magic because of Her Excellency Hathaway and Lucien Evans, her other actions clearly indicate that she will not abandon us. She needs balance and stability in the kingdom. That's what I want to see, not a ruined Holm."
"Anyone who tries to sabotage the stability and unity of the kingdom will be the enemy of the Solefen family."
He spoke frankly without the skills of the nobles, but it was based on the fact that his father was another legendary Knight in the kingdom. Nobody else could imitate him.
"That's my opinion. I'll take my leave if there's nothing else." Cleaning his black cloak, Duke Solefen rose and left. The other two dukes, two marquises, and three Counts immediately followed him.
Watching Solefen leave, Duke of York sniffed in the end. "Stability and unity. He seems to have heard a lot of 'Arcana Voice' and 'News of the World'."
The phrases with obvious weirdness were all broadcasted from those two channels.
Duke Basatan looked at Duke of York weirdly. How did you know where the phrases came from if you didn't listen to them?
Then, he coughed and said, "As far as I know, the Solefen family has established alchemical workshops with sorcerers in private and shared a huge profit from the magic lamps, magic radios, and telegrams. Also, they have a vast land in the alternate dimension. The promotion of alchemical materials such as Jinkela has allowed their family to accumulate abundant wealth just from the increase of food production."
His implication was that, although most people in the Solefen family were rather firm in their beliefs, they were more than happy to see the situation of "stability and unity".
Duke of York opened his hands. "So, we have to be prepared in advance."
Duke Rex and the rest of them all looked gloomy. Count Baraday pondered for a moment and said, "Maybe we don't need to do anything. Some people have been unwilling to give up …"
… …
At night, a strong wind blew on the street of Renstadt, driving away the heat of the day.
Lucien, who had changed his appearance, and Alferris, who was in the appearance of a little boy, walked on the street, ready to go to the Salvation Church in the civilian district on the east side of the city.
"Let me enter Richard's dream with Dream Casting later," Lucien said to Alferris.
Although he was capable of the sixth-circle spell himself, Alferris was one of the "authorities" in illusions and dreams below legendary. It would be safer to ask it to do it.
According to the files, Lucien discovered that this Richard was a very prestigious red robe in the parish of Holm. He was from the Kingdom of Holm and grew up in the Abbey of Renstadt. He had never left the place for more than a hundred years from a probationary priest to a level-eight red robe. Many pastors and bishops in the parish were taught and promoted by him. However, because he was too gentle and his interpretation of the Cannon was different from the Church's, he was kicked out of the central circle of the parish of Holm after the public sermon. He was someone worth getting in touch with.
Lucien had planned to ask the Affair Committee to send someone to test and persuade him. After confirming his ideas, they would recommend him to Natasha for final observation. However, according to the files, the Affair Committee had sent many sorcerers and liberal nobles to persuade him, but they all failed miserably. The Congress of Magic was not a closed and conservative circle. It was impossible for them to wait for Lucien's proposal to get in touch with the appeasers.
Therefore, Lucien decided to meet Richard in person and get a more complete understanding of his ideas. In the future, such things would be left to the trustworthy sorcerers in the Affair Committee. The most important thing for him was still to improve his strength.
Holding the ice cream that Lucien specially made, Alferris licked it with its tongue. "No problem. You can do whatever you want in the dream."
As a crystal dragon, it hated the heat very much.
When they reached the Salvation Church, Lucien and Alferris found a corner to hide, and Alferris could cast spells remotely. It was the time of night prayer in the church, and the complete defense circle of divine power hadn't been activated yet.
… …
After the prayer, Richard returned to his bedroom. Hardly had he walked out of the hall when he suddenly saw a young man in a black trench coat before him.
Narrowing his eyes, Richard smiled, his white eyebrows shivering. "Dream? Who are you? You want to persuade me? "
Lucien thought for a moment and said, "I would like to discuss the issue of justification by faith with you, your bishop."
Richard was stunned.
He had been persuaded by many sorcerers and nobles, but they had never discussed doctrines with him.
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