Daphne’s Address to the Knights

Gregory’s words instantly pushed the confrontational atmosphere inside the tent to its peak.

Several knights immediately stood up and accused Gregory of despising the original purpose for which the sacred Knight Order had been founded—they had a sacred duty to protect devout believers, regardless of whether Kohl Town was located in a remote borderland.

But even in the face of such obvious moral condemnation, quite a few people still openly agreed with Gregory.

They had already lost their patience and sympathy in the despairing process of searching for the Pope.

The enormous pressure made them unwilling to involve themselves in even more trouble.

In truth, Gregory was not wrong at all.

The Pope’s disappearance was undoubtedly a catastrophe for them.

Never had any Pope concentrated nearly all power in one person the way Bertram had.

Through extraordinary methods and personal charisma, he had rebuilt the declining authority of the Curia and given new life to the Blazing Sun Templar Order, which had been on the verge of disbandment.

Now was precisely the time when he needed to consolidate and digest the new order he had established.

Yet he had mysteriously vanished near a small town on the Empire’s frontier.

What kind of future would the Church and the Knight Order face?

Everything was bleak.

Confusion and loss hung over the heads of these Templars.

They did not know whether there was still any need to continue fulfilling their so-called sacred duty.

Perhaps the priority of all other matters should be placed behind “searching for the Pope.”

No one dared to imagine returning to Salentz without the Pope coming back with them.

The entire religious world might undergo drastic changes because of it.

“Supply transport, casualty management, armament replenishment—one move affects the whole system.”

Gregory stood at the front and turned back to declare loudly to the many knights seated before him.

“War is no child’s play, gentlemen.”

“Once conflict and battle begin, the entire expeditionary force will inevitably have to revolve around them.”

“By then, no one will be able to stand aloof.”

If the situation escalated and the entire expeditionary force was dragged into it, the plan to search for the Pope would have to be temporarily shelved.

Another trouble piled atop the existing trouble.

That was something they did not wish to see.

“It’s only a small beast pack. You are exaggerating, Sir Gregory.”

Valentine could not stand the man’s pompous tone, so he frowned and interrupted him.

“Even if only ten people here were willing to send troops, the battle might not last even half a day.”

“It could even be called a mere effort of lifting a hand.”

“Our scouts cannot go that deep into the forest.”

“Before they even get close to the beast pack, they would be surrounded by Ungors and slaughtered.”

“No one can glimpse the full picture of the enemy’s force distribution.”

“As for this so-called small beast pack, is it possible that it is a trap meant to lure us in?”

Gregory turned around and once again confronted Valentine head-on.

He narrowed his eyes and stared at Valentine.

“Mr. Valentine, you once participated in a campaign against a Beast Lord with Commander Alvis.”

“May I ask, what was the result of that battle?”

“Have you already forgotten the Beast Lord’s cunning and brutality?”

“Have you already forgotten what the consequences of underestimating these beasts will be?”

“Enough, Gregory!”

“You were there too, so don’t think yourself so noble!”

“It was a mistake that Alvis didn’t kill a coward like you back then!”

Valentine grabbed the collar of this man who had spoken without restraint.

But in the end, he was the one who had lost his composure.

Anger would only give others something to criticize.

“Bringing up old matters is truly unwise, Valentine.”

A middle-aged knight stood up with his helmet tucked under his arm.

“The situation is already bad enough. There is no need for you to add fuel to the fire.”

“Let it go, Valentine.”

Grek walked over and patted Valentine on the shoulder.

After letting out a long breath, Valentine still released Gregory.

Gregory, meanwhile, straightened his collar while looking smugly at Valentine and Gwynevere.

Standing on the podium, Gwynevere could not insert herself into the conversation at all.

The grudges and past affairs between these old members had nothing to do with her.

Nor was she skilled at speeches that stirred people’s emotions.

Faced with the Knight Order split into two factions and arguing endlessly, she was completely at a loss.

“Since we are at a stalemate and no one can convince anyone else, let us follow tradition and decide by vote.”

Gregory glanced at Gwynevere, who had remained silent the entire time.

If Gwynevere agreed at this moment, she would be falling right into Gregory’s trap.

After seeing Valentine’s impulsive behavior, most of the wavering faction had begun to lean toward Gregory’s argument.

They were often more willing to trust someone who appeared more rational and calm.

Gwynevere clearly had not realized Gregory’s little trick of manipulating people’s hearts.

She still believed that the result of a vote would objectively represent the thoughts of most of the Knight Order.

“Hold on, gentlemen.”

Daphne stood up before Gwynevere could agree.

In an instant, every gaze inside the tent fell upon the small corner where she was seated.

“Would everyone be willing to hear a few words from me before voting?”

A High Psalmist, second only to an archbishop, was the highest-ranking clergy member in the tent.

Even if she came from another religious territory, no one dared to deny her face.

“Forgive my impertinence, Miss Ellenore, but I must remind you of something.”

Gregory was highly wary of this outsider who had inserted herself into the matter.

“The Blazing Sun Templar Order is the Templar Order of Salentz, and this is not St. Mary’s.”

“Your authority and influence here are limited.”

“Oh, not at all. You misunderstand, Sir Gregory.”

Daphne pretended to be surprised and covered her mouth.

“I merely wish to express my own view on this matter.”

“As for authority, we are all loyal servants of Lady Vatitaya, so why distinguish between high and low, noble and base?”

“Miss Ellenore narrowly escaped death in the beast attack.”

“If not for the goddess’s mercy, she might not have escaped disaster either.”

Valentine seized the opportunity to counterattack.

Using this, he sought the opinions of the many knights seated in the assembly.

“Having experienced such a calamity, she is the person most qualified to speak on this matter.”

“What do all of you think?”

A wave of discussion followed.

But in truth, there was no dispute.

Daphne’s request was merely for everyone to hear her say a few words, not to force them to accept her view.

Added to Ellenore’s outstanding appearance and plain, gentle temperament, it was difficult for anyone to feel dislike toward her.

“The cold and perilous Nors Territory subjected you to such a terrible experience. I feel regret and sympathy.”

Carl Shelley, the second son of Count Ernest, Prince-Elector of the Nors Territory, stood and bowed to Daphne.

Then he performed a standard knight’s salute.

“Please speak.”

“Any outpouring is reasonable, Miss Ellenore.”

“I am all ears.”

More than half of the younger knights stood and saluted just like Carl.

They rose in unison inside the tent, and even the oppressive, dispirited atmosphere seemed to ease slightly.

Gregory grimaced and clicked his tongue.

He returned to his seat in great dissatisfaction and said nothing more.

Seeing that Daphne was preparing to walk to the front, Valentine and Grek also returned to their respective seats.

Gwynevere had not yet reacted to what was happening.

When she saw Daphne walking toward her, she subconsciously yielded the podium and stepped aside.

Thus, Daphne naturally stood on the podium.

The view was excellent, allowing her to see the facial details of every Templar.

How nostalgic!

It made her recall once more those happy days when she had relied on her silver tongue to swindle and deceive her way into eventually becoming Pope!