After a lot of effort, the provinces of the Empire finally came to a loose agreement. Normally, they would be autonomous, but if there was a large-scale invasion of Chaos, all the Kurfürst would unite to face the enemy.
This result did not surprise the Emperor. Half of the provinces of the Empire had to face the threat of Chaos. He only needed to add some pressure, and with the support of the High Elves, it was not difficult to pass.
The Emperor knew that he could not do anything about the Parliament of Light, so he did not mention it at all.
Instead, Emperor Karl brought up the matter of supporting the Satusha female pirate Irinasa – Saltwater's Hatred to plunder the Norska and the Northern Barbarians. This notorious female pirate planned to plunder the Northern Barbarians continuously to complete her revenge and the will of the Sea God Mannen.
Irinasa's hatred for the Norskanese was monstrous. She swore that her revenge would only stop when all the Norskanese were dead.
This was very appetizing to the people of the Empire, especially the northerners of the Empire. It must be noted that whether it was Nord, Auster, or even Midden, they were all plundered by the Northern Barbarian pirates all year round. After two thousand years, the Empire would never be able to reconcile with the Barbarians. What was left was an eternal blood feud. Although the Nords often traded with the Norskanese, trade was one thing. When it came to fighting, both sides would not hesitate to kill the other.
Although the other territories did not face the threat of the Barbarian pirates directly, as the people of the Empire, they also hated Chaos. Whether it was female or male pirates, they were good pirates if they could fight the Barbarians. If they accidentally destroyed a few Barbarian tribes, the Kurfürst would not mind giving them a knighthood.
After discussing for a while, the Kurfürst decided to let Irinasa resupply at a few ports along the coast where there were military forces. They also granted Irinasa a license to be a pirate.
"It seems that the Emperor does not agree with the Parliament of Light." Suria sat beside Laing. The female knight whispered, "Sir Tegris wanted to bring up this matter, but the Emperor did not bring it up in the Parliament."
"I wouldn't bring it up if it were me." Laing could feel that Tegris was looking at him for help, but he just shook his head. "Only His Majesty, the Emperor of the Empire, can say this. If I say so, I might be treated as a traitor."
"Pfft, it's not that serious, is it?" Suria couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'm not joking." Laing, on the other hand, was very serious. "Humans are humans, elves are elves … We may be able to form an alliance, but we are ultimately two different kinds of people. On the battlefield, dwarves and humans can fight together without any reservations, but elves and humans … It's a little difficult, at least for now. We can't do it. Isn't it because I'm a human that everyone in the Empire can accept?"
"That's true." Suria thought about the cause and effect. The female knight knew that the Empire was a country that prioritized humans. Although it did a good job of diversification, the main reason why Laing could be respected by the people of the Empire and let the Empire spread his name actively was because he was a human.
The parliament of the Empire was still in session. What came next was some boring content. The daily territorial disputes and wrangling among the Kurfürsten. Many Kurfürsten in the north of the Empire owed a lot of money to the Kurfürsten in the south. Kurfürsten Boris proposed to organize an army from Kallon Castle to sweep the Drakoward Forest. Anderson, the Grand Duke of Steyr, was "begging" as usual, asking the Kurfürsten to save the starving civilians of Steyr. Hocke and Ostmark both expressed that they couldn't help. In the end, it was the Ivy Hill that offered to provide some food, but asked the Steyr Hill to add a free army to serve in the Ivy Hill.
Then, Emperor Karl-franz introduced Laing to all the Kurfürsten. The emperor suddenly said that he, as Prince Rick, would form an alliance with Count Laing. In the future, the two sides would become strategic partners to continue and deepen the human alliance between the Empire and Brittany, making important contributions to the great future of mankind.
In front of everyone, and it was exactly what Laing wanted, although he was a bit surprised, Laing smiled freely and signed his name on the covenant of "helping each other".
Seeing this, Kurfürsten Boris immediately proposed to sign a trade agreement and a defensive alliance with Laing. Laing signed it without hesitation.
The parliament of the Empire that had been in session for a whole day came to an end.
At night, Brunswick was brightly lit, and the stars were shining. The Church of Justice was always bustling with people, and the pilgrims came in an endless stream. The Winter Veil Festival was coming soon, and the capital of the Empire was filled with people.
Laing, who was dressed like a noble, and Tegris, who was wearing a high quality mage robe, appeared inside the Church of Justice. The two pretended to be visiting the Church of Justice while chatting with each other.
"Why didn't you mention the Church of Light?" Tegris's face was calm. He refused the Archbishop of Justice, Vickmar, who arranged for them to visit. The reason was that he had been here once, and this time, he brought Laing to take a look.
"Because there is no need." Laing looked at one of the walls in the huge hall.
Countless family coats of arms were hung on the wall.
These coats of arms represented military achievements, and also represented remembrance. Countless heroes had risked their lives to protect the Empire. Their deeds and greatness would be respected by everyone forever.
What they did was to survive, to let humanity continue to live in this world. Victory was always short-lived, and evil would soon return.
"There is no need. This is the most important mission for me to come to the Old World. Why do you think there is no need?" Tegris looked up at the coat of arms.
He still remembered some of the family coats of arms. They were the heroes who sacrificed themselves in the great Holy War. The golden griffin coat of arms of Savior Ludwig was also there.
"Yes, you must have already told His Majesty Karl about the establishment of the Church of Light, right?" Laing said softly.
"Yes, I have."
"Since the Emperor did not mention this matter in the Empire's parliament, it means that either the resistance is too great, or the Emperor himself is unwilling. Judging from the reaction of all the Kurfürsten in the Empire's parliament, it is obvious that the resistance is too great. You see, even an agreement to fight against Chaos and form an alliance has been opposed by so many Kurfürsten. How difficult is it to establish the Church of Light? Also … Mr. Tegris, the dwarves you envisioned have not come yet." Laing shook his head. "Can you persuade the dwarves?"
"… One hundred and sixty years ago, it was easy for me to persuade the dwarves, humans, and elves to unite." Tegris understood what Laing meant.
During the great Holy War, it was easy for humans, dwarves, and elves to unite because Chaos had already invaded the hinterland of the Old World. Just like what a Kurfürsten said in the parliament today, "the claws of Chaos are already slapping the gate of the palace." At this time, the races of order could temporarily put aside all the old conflicts and long-cherished wishes and unite closely together.
Now, the situation was different.
"Alright, let's not talk about this first. How are we going to sneak into the Holy Bones Hall?" Tegris knew that it was a bit wishful thinking on his part. It was already very impressive that they could do this without a major war.
"I have a plan," Laing said in a low voice. "I need your magic to help me."
"Okay." Tegris brought Laing to the vicinity of the Holy Bones Hall. There were a lot of people here. The Holy Bones Hall was not open to outsiders, so generally, no one would come here. Laing and Tegris' approach had already attracted the suspicious eyes of many Saint Samurai and ascetics. However, as the Emperor's distinguished guests, it was understandable that they were a little curious.
There were especially many ascetics near the Holy Bones Hall.
These ascetics were a very special profession in the Empire, especially in the capital of the Empire. This group of ascetics in ragged clothes, speaking holy words, hanging scriptures all over their bodies, and holding a flail in their hands were indeed a unique scene. They were often homeless and helpless. Their homes were destroyed, their land was desecrated, and they were only left with themselves, and they were shrouded in a terrible future.
However, they did not fall into chaos because the Church of Justice brought them faith. These people firmly believed that the end of the world was coming, and that everything would be destroyed by chaos. The only way to save themselves was through bloody repentance and self-abuse. They took up arms and participated in the war. They believed that this was the only way to bring a glimmer of hope to mankind. When there was no war, they prayed and practiced penance. They only ate water, vegetables, and a little black bread every day.
It was impossible to persuade these people to make way for Tegris and Laing. Laing and Tegris spent more than an hour observing and found that in addition to a large group of combat priests, Saint Samurai, and a small number of demon hunters patrolling near the Holy Bones Hall, at least hundreds of ascetics were constantly walking around the Holy Bones Hall and praying for salvation.
"There are only two entrances to the Holy Bones Hall. The first is the main entrance, and the second is the side entrance. No matter which entrance, we have to face more than 100 guards at the same time, and there are even many Legendary masters." Laing and Tegris discussed what to do. "Damn it, we can't change our appearance, sneak, or be invisible."
"I can release stealth magic … but do you see that light curtain?" Tegris pointed to a layer of light curtain outside the Holy Bones Hall. "That light curtain has the blessing of the gods. Except for the big curse, other magic will be ineffective under the light curtain. My magic can block the perception of the gods, but it can't hide from the sight of mortals in the light curtain."
"The guards have no blind spots at all. They have too many people!" Laing complained. This was not a regular infiltration mission at all! The Holy Bones Hall was surrounded by people! And they were all enemies!
Laing and Tegris could not directly kill their way in!
The two discussed for a while. Seeing that it was impossible, Laing thought of another way. "Who can freely enter and leave the Holy Bones Hall?"
They returned to the hall of the Church of Justice. After all, it was easy to arouse suspicion if they always wandered around the Holy Bones Hall.
"The archbishop of the Church of Justice, two chanters under the archbishop, the emperor of the Empire, Karl-franz, the emperor's uncle, Maximian, and Marshal Rick, Helberg." Tegris took out a list of names.
"Maximian lives in Tara Beheim. One of the two chanters is lecturing in the emperor's palace, the other is far away in Nur, and Helberg is in the castle of the Rick Guards." Laing smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Not to mention the others."
The two discussed for a long time, but many ideas failed. The Holy Bones Hall was in front of them, but they had no way to enter.
"Lilith is really …" This time, even Tegris's face, which was always calm, showed a look of complaint. "She should let her son, Aris, come instead of asking us."
"Aris, the Lord of Shadows, is he Lilith's son?" Laing was curious.
"No … Aris, the Lord of Shadows, was blessed by Kunos, the God of the Hunt, and Lilith, the Goddess of the Moon, so he is known as the son of the God of the Hunt and the Goddess of the Moon. This is just an honorary title, not that he is really the son of Lilith and Kunos. Aris has a father and a mother. During the division of the elves, his parents and wife were killed by Malecis, the Witch King," Tegris explained.
"… Aris is already seven thousand years old?" Laing asked. Even for high elves, it was rare to have such a long lifespan. High elves could live for almost a thousand years, and the strong could live for two to three thousand years.
"Six thousand years old, Aris is already a demigod." At this point, Tigris stopped talking. Obviously, some of the content involved Gao Jing's secrets, so he could not say more. "Kunos and Lilith both gave him a clergy, and Lilith complained about it a few times. She already had very few clergies to begin with, and she was forced to give one away. This made her very unhappy with the gods of heaven, especially Kunos and Asuyan."
"Well, I see." Laing nodded.
The two had nothing to say. The Sacred Bone Hall was still crowded with people coming and going. In the face of such tight security, they could not kill, sneak in, or use magic. Laing and Tegris were at their wit's end.
At this moment, a burst of cheers suddenly came from the cathedral of the Church of Justice.
The Archbishop of the Church of Justice, "Perseverance" His Holiness Vickmar, was walking along the corridor to the main hall, surrounded by a large group of battle priests and paladins. Obviously, the archbishop was going to preach the doctrine and listen to the prayers of the believers. Countless pilgrims crowded up, expressing their demands and sins to the archbishop, hoping to be redeemed.
The scene was very chaotic, but Archbishop Vickmar was listening to the voices of the believers very carefully, which made him surrounded by people.
Tegris and Laing looked at each other. Laing's sly eyes met with Tegris's confident expression.
The two looked at each other and smiled. Tegris silently chanted a spell, directly adding two rows of buffs to Laing.
Hide, Speed, Dexterity, Magic Resistance Enhancement, Divine Resistance Enhancement, Magic Penetration, Vision Obscuration, Damage Enhancement, Dispel Idlers, Illusion Camouflage …
Laing disappeared into the crowd.
When Archbishop Vickmar was walking in the crowded corridor, a pilgrim he had never seen before somehow broke through the crowd and was squeezed to his side. His face was ordinary, the kind that would be forgotten in an instant if you turned your head.
Some paladins and pilgrims wanted to stop him, but for some reason, they always had the thought of "There's no need to stop him," "He's not a bad person," and "I'll talk to him next time."
In this way, the pilgrim squeezed to the archbishop's side. He appeared behind the archbishop, then reached out his hand to cover his mouth and whispered in Vickmar's ear.
"You're a heretic."
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