Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 465: You have the power to do so.

In the end, the meeting that day ended in chaos.In a conference room filled with chaos and shouts, the Crown Prince declared that all judgments would be postponed until after the war.

First of all, it was because winning the war came first.

After that, the knights returned to the living quarters in a complete daze.

Even after everyone entered the lobby, no one spoke for a long time.

Laius was busy slowly avoiding the gaze of his subordinates, and the knights were overwhelmed just trying to understand what they had just seen.

“…”

In the midst of everything, they didn’t have the heart to go back to their rooms or begin their duties.

“Really…”

Finally, someone broke the silence. The knights instinctively turned their heads toward the voice.

It was Arendt.

“Are you really crazy? Why are you doing something I didn’t ask you to do?”

Arendt, who had strode towards Laius, began to speak in earnest.

“No wonder something felt off. His Highness is not the type to miss these things. I was wondering why it was the newly formed ragtag group of priests who noticed first! Did you bribe the Union Leader?”

“I asked Prince Henry and your older brother, and they readily cooperated.”

Laius, who had been quietly avoiding eye contact, responded as if making an excuse.

But those words only made Arendt more angry.

“I don’t have a brother like that! Why would that man be my brother?”

Richt, who had been listening blankly, moved his lips slightly.

“It’s fortunate that Lord Arcus isn’t here.”

It was a sentence that would have made the Vice Leader cry and run away if he had heard it.

Arthur, standing next to Richt, muttered.

“I don’t think that’s what’s important right now…”

That was true, so Richt closed his mouth again.

Arendt was still venting all his anger towards Laius.

“How are we supposed to deal with the Captain acting like that? Are you seriously crazy?”

“…It’s true that I did something strange, but at least I don’t want to hear you call me crazy.”

And then Laius also started talking back with a slightly sullen face.

“You were the one who started it first. Even you, a mere apprentice knight, can do whatever you want, so what can’t I, the captain, do?”

“Ah…”

He was so shocked that he couldn’t even think of a word to respond.

“And it’s not because of you. I’ve simply made my judgment about the current situation based on my extremely subjective judgment, so please don’t interfere presumptuously.”

“Oh, so you’re saying that even if we die, we should die together? Since the Empire and everything else is so entangled, you’re saying you’ll even self-destruct if things get tough?”

“That’s right. That’s the way you always acted. Is there a problem? You saved this life, so bear with it.”

The knights were speechless as they watched the two bicker.

It was a great spectacle.

The captain, hailed as a hero, and the apprentice knight who had been accused of treason just yesterday were now engaged in a ridiculously petty argument.

“Ha, haha. Ha…”

Rider let out a sigh mixed with laughter.

“What should I do with this…”

Everyone felt the same way.

It was about five times more overwhelming than when Arendt had caused trouble.

However, the corners of their lips that kept rising represented the knights’ honest feelings.

Glenn chuckled and patted Richt on the arm.

“Hey, Senior Richt. Are you alright? You look like you’ve just suffered a heartbreak.”

“Come to think of it, I don’t think you’ve been going to the temple lately. Is it true that people’s hearts change so easily?”

As Rider joined in, Richt growled fiercely.

“Shut up. If you don’t want to see something ugly, keep your mouth shut.”

“It’s getting worse by the minute. Just dealing with Arendt was already tough enough.”

Arthur burst out laughing at the sight.

“If the entire Knights Templar were to participate in this blasphemy, His Majesty the First Emperor would faint if he saw it.”

“It might actually make him happy.”

The joke Glenn started had already spread throughout the Third Knights.

Not a single person disputed the statement that everyone was involved.

“This guy’s really hopeless. What if a bolt of divine wrath comes crashing down?”

“With this level of blasphemy? Lord Luce probably wouldn’t even be tickled by it. How could it compare to Arendt and the Captain?”

The dormitory was instantly filled with giggles and laughter.

Seeing that sight, Arendt couldn’t help but feel even more dumbfounded.

“No…”

“What?”

Laius, who had been quietly watching Arendt, suddenly asked.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“…”

“It seems there’s no one left in the Third Knights willing to risk their life for a cause or faith anymore.”

Arendt, who was about to say something in response, closed his mouth again.

It seemed as if he had no intention of controlling his expression, and the confusion and bewilderment were clearly visible on his face.

Arendt barely managed to utter a sentence.

“…Everyone is crazy.”

“I won’t deny it, but it’s not bad.”

Laius smiled slightly.

“As you said, even if we die, we’ll die together. Whoever it is, I will never send you off alone.”

Today’s news will spread quickly through word of mouth among the nobles. Everyone would be forced to reflect on the truthfulness of God Luce.

Even though it may be just a simple thing now, it would one day become a major turning point for the Empire.

“…But, Arendt.”

Richt, who had been arguing with the knights, turned around. When Arendt instinctively raised his head, he asked seriously.

“Surely you’re not planning on starting a real rebellion, are you?”

“Huh?”

When Arendt asked in a dazed voice, Richt continued speaking seriously, raising his eyebrow.

“I’m saying this because I think you’d be more than capable of doing it. Lexion would be on your side. Besides, I think you have ample funds.”

“…”

It was so absurd that he was speechless. But the knights seemed to be taking it seriously.

“I don’t have the confidence to fight Lord Lexion.”

“But that guy, he’s on friendly terms with His Highness… No way.”

“Don’t let your guard down. You never know when or where that bastard might strike you from behind.”

Watching those idiots seriously arguing over something so pointless made him want to laugh.

“…”

But for some reason, he felt like he shouldn’t laugh now.

Because now that he couldn’t properly immerse himself in the role, he would end up showing his bare face.

So instead, Arendt chose to retaliate by reaching out and grabbing the cushion on the sofa.

“Ugh!”

“Stop talking nonsense! Where would I have the time to commit treason? I’m so busy I’d probably just die!”

“But you’re saying you can hit your senior with a cushion? You ignorant brat!”

A fight broke out inside the Third Knights’ dormitory.

Even as he sighed deeply and shook his head, the smile never left Laius’s lips.

At that moment, the dormitory door opened carefully and Llewellyn peeked his head out.

“Did it end well?”

For a moment, Arendt’s gaze turned to Llewellyn.

As Laius, sensing something ominous, quickly lowered his head, a cushion flew past his head and struck Llewellyn’s face.

“Cough!”

“What nonsense did you go and spout to the Everan royal family this time?”

Llewellyn, holding his reddened nose and trembling, shouted,

“Damn you! You’re repaying my help with enmity? And don’t blame me, blame Lord Lexion! He’s the one who caused this!”

“Don’t be ridiculous, you bastard! Even if Lord Lexion stepped forward, how could they suddenly change their stance like this?”

“Why doesn’t that make sense?”

Llewellyn proudly placed his hand on his waist, holding the cushion.

“I confessed to my brothers that I was the one who picked up the information you spread! If push comes to shove, it’s fair to say I was involved in treason against the Caerleon Empire… ugh!”

The price was another flying cushion in the face. Llewellyn, who was forced to embrace the second cushion, screamed.

“Say it with words, you bastard!”

“Are you seriously crazy? Do you even realize you’re a prince?”

“You’re kidding, since when did you start treating me like a prince!”

Llewellyn became irritated when Arendt fired back in an absurd manner.

“I’m the one who asked to be friends, so deal with it yourself, okay? Even if I hang out with you a little, you act like it’s a huge deal!”

“Ugh, I’m going to lose it…”

All the strength drained from his body. What on earth had made these guys lose their minds like this?

Arendt, who had been rubbing his face, just collapsed on the sofa.

“These are people who are truly impossible to deal with…”

Llewellyn’s playful chuckle was heard above him.

“It’s all your own karma, so just deal with it.”

The other knights also looked down at him with smiling eyes.

Instead of responding, Arendt simply sighed deeply and wiped his face.

As soon as the meeting ended, Lumiel headed to the Great Temple.

With the entrance blocked off, an unfinished statue stood in the center of the prayer room, covered by a veil.

The Empire’s most renowned sculptor was pouring his heart and soul into creating this masterpiece, so it would surely be even more magnificent than before.

Then, it could also play a part in making Lord Luce’s name known.

“Your Excellency, are you alright…?”

Benno, the priest who had followed Lumiel, asked cautiously. Lumiel, who had been quietly gazing up at the unfinished statue, turned to him with a gentle smile.

“What do you mean?”

“…About what Sir Arendt said.”

The priest hesitated a little longer before asking. From the fact that the words “Laius” and “Holy Sword” didn’t come out of his mouth, Lumiel could sense priest Benno’s affection.

Now that she was confronting Arendt, with whom she had been close with, he was worried about High Priest Lumiel’s state of mind.

“Of course it’s alright, Priest Benno.”

Lumiel answered softly.

“I was worried, but I am relieved to see that he looks healthy.”

“Yes… If that’s true, that’s good.”

Even as he answered, Benno still seemed dubious. Lumiel let out a small laugh and looked up at the statue again.

Although only a silhouette was visible, there was clearly God Luce beneath the veil.

God Luce was such a being.

“You needn’t worry. He has his duty, and I have mine… even that is surely part of Lord Luce’s plan.”

“…I see. Those are indeed wise words.”

Although he didn’t seem to fully understand, Benno finally nodded with a little relief.

At that sight, Lumiel had no choice but to become aware of her place once again.

Whatever His nature, God Luce was the identity of the Empire, and at the same time, He was a being who gave peace of mind to countless people.

‘’He is like a parent to me…’

She was known as the closest being to Luce.

Lumiel sat quietly, folded her hands, and closed her eyes. She was praying.

Fearing that he might be a nuisance, Benno stepped back and waited with bated breath.

How much time had passed?

Benno, who had been lost in thought, noticed that the High Priest’s prayer had ended.

Her profound eyes were gazing at the statue quietly.

“Priest Benno. Listen carefully. I have some very important instructions for you.”

Benno nodded in surprise.

“Yes, yes! Just say the word.”

“The Imperial Family and the Temple are strictly separated. His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince stated the same thing today. I agree with that.”

The Emperor and the Crown Prince ended the meeting without charging Laius and Arendt with any wrongdoing.

But as the head of the temple, Lumiel could not do so.

“Retrieving the Holy Sword immediately will be difficult. Above all, only he can wield it, and he’s essential to dealing with the Chernion Cult.”

Lumiel continued speaking slowly, still keeping her eyes on the statue.

“Captain Laius is hereby excommunicated, and the temple shall no longer honor him as a hero. Furthermore, his entry into the temple is prohibited.”

Benno’s eyes slowly began to widen.

It was an uncharacteristic remark for her, who considered forgiveness and mercy to be of the utmost importance.

“And from now on, I will prohibit any relief or medical treatment for the Third Knights. This also applies on the battlefield.”

A cold chill hung in the usually gentle tone.

“In the battlefields commanded by Captain Laius, support activities are permitted only for civilians and regular soldiers. Any priest who grants holy power to those belonging to the Third Knights will be severely punished. Please convey this to all priests throughout the Empire.”

After finishing speaking, Lumiel added as if lamenting.

“This should be enough to address the blasphemy charges. As His Majesty mentioned, further matters will be deferred until after the war.”

“…Yes, Your Excellency. I understand.”

Benno, who had been frozen for a long time, came to his senses and bowed deeply.

“We will carry it out without a hitch.”

“Thank you always, Priest Benno.”

Lumiel looked back at him and smiled bitterly.

The late afternoon sunlight streaming through the stained glass gently caressed the Great Temple.