Lion's Roar Castle, Knight's Hall.
One after another, the lords of the northern border walked in with solemn expressions.
Because the deadline set by Emperor Reinhardt is getting closer and closer, the northern lords have basically led their troops to Winter City, preparing to form a northern coalition to support the western border.
So after receiving the news that the Marquis of Garcia declared war on the Pope this time, no matter whether it was shock or panic, as long as the lords who were not willing to turn against the St. Hilde family immediately came to the Knights Hall to participate in the Marquis Garcia Organized the meeting of Lords of the North.
The atmosphere in the hall was extremely depressing.
Marquis Garcia and Count Angelet stood in front of the stage, their faces covered with frost.
Between the two of them, the position exclusively reserved for the Duke of the North was empty.
And on the long table in front of this seat, there is the head of Cardinal Tournance.
After a day and a night of wind and sun, the blood on this head has dried up, but the two eyeballs were pecked away by scavengers such as vultures, and now only the empty eye sockets are left, as if projecting The eyes from hell stared coldly at everyone in the hall.
The lords were intimidated by the oppressive atmosphere in the hall, and they didn't dare to talk nonsense, but kept exchanging glances, trying to figure out other people's attitudes towards this matter.
For Marquis Garcia's resolute declaration of war, most of the northern lords actually did not support it.
Although the lords definitely don't like the current church that always wants to interfere with secular power out of their own interests, and want to limit the church's authority to the field of faith, the problem is that they absolutely don't want to be the vanguard against the church.
You must know that although the priests of the church do not have much fighting power to be able to hold a stalemate with the noble class for so many years, the prestigious Knights Templar are not vegetarians.
"The greatest glory needs to be guarded by the sharpest long sword."
This is what the first Pope Peter Michel said when he founded the Knights Templar.
This Knights Templar with only 3,000 members is a powerful force that daunts all the armies of the lords.
Because, these are not three thousand ordinary soldiers, but three thousand knights!
You know, the number of knights in the entire northern border is only in the early 300s.
Of course, knights are not invincible. Unless a single knight steps into the sanctuary, he can only die from exhaustion under the siege of the army.
However, when there are enough knights to form an organized army that is well-trained, tacitly coordinated, and willing to sacrifice their lives, they will be an invincible and terrifying force on the battlefield.
No army, not even the Blood Cavalry, could withstand the charge of the Knights Templar head-on.
If they really broke with the church, the lords shuddered when they thought about how much destructive power this Knights Templar would cause to the North.
Moreover, the truly terrifying aspect of the church lies in their control over the people of the empire.
If those soldiers, farmers, and merchants were to choose between the lord and the church, who knew what choice they would make
Anyway, no lord can maintain confidence in the face of this problem.
You must know that at this time, their opponent is not the church, but the faith represented by the church.
If you really want to get to that point, will the army in your hands still be obedient? Will a rebellion break out in his family's fiefdom
Even among the group of nobles, there are many fanatics of the church. Will they allow the glory of the church to be trampled by the St. Hilde family
Therefore, for thousands of years, even the royal family that nominally controls the entire Glorious Empire has always been wary of the seemingly weak church, helpless, and even repeatedly suppressed and humiliated.
Of course the nobles are well aware of the church's depravity and decay, but with the supreme prestige and glory of the Lord of Radiance, it is enough for the entire empire to continue to be shrouded in the shadow of his spokesperson.
The crown, which symbolizes the supreme authority of the empire, has been worn by the pope to the emperor since the founding of the country.
What's more, now that the third orc empire has been established, they are bound to launch a large-scale invasion of the Glorious Empire. Is it really a wise move to trigger civil strife at such a critical moment
The lords exchanged glances with each other, and they all saw hesitation and worry in each other's eyes. They nodded tacitly, and they had reached a tacit agreement to try their best to dissuade Marquis Garcia from giving up this crazy idea in the following lord meeting.
As the appointed time approached, the major lords in the northern border had basically arrived.
Of course, it is basic, but there are still very few lords who did not attend without knowing what the plan was.
thump thump—
The ancient copper bell rang three times, and the expressions of all the lords in the knight's hall suddenly became solemn.
The meeting has begun.
Colin stepped forward first, and said to the steward of the St. Hilde family:
"Butler Basty, is everyone here?"
Butler Basti came out more and more, holding a roll of sheepskin scroll in his hand, respectfully said:
"My lord, there are five lords who are not present."
Colin asked blankly, "Which five?"
"Viscount Sola, Baron Billy, Baron Lombar..."
"Lord Earl!" At this moment, a young knight came out of the crowd in cold sweat, and said in fear, "I am the White Knight of the Lombard family, Baron Lombard is leading an army to Rinpo On the way to Winter City, but due to encountering several waves of bandits, I couldn’t arrive on time, so I’m here to ask for your forgiveness on behalf of Baron Lomba!”
Colin gave Knight White a cold look and asked, "Then can you represent Baron Lomba?"
White Knight was a little hesitant, but under Colin's scrutiny, he felt a little apprehensive, and quickly gritted his teeth and nodded, "Yes!"
Colin nodded in satisfaction: "Okay."
Afterwards, he signaled Butler Basty to continue with his gaze.
Butler Basti read out the names of the remaining two lords who were not present.
Ke Lin immediately drew out his long sword, pointed upwards obliquely, his cold eyes slowly swept across the audience, and said loudly:
"I, Colin Angelet, with the authority of the Guardian of the North, represent the Duke of St. Hilde, deprive the Sola family, the Billy family, the Falkens family, and the Gantes family of titles, and take back the corresponding territory!"
As soon as this remark came out, the audience fell silent.
The already depressing atmosphere suddenly became more stagnant, almost suffocating.
The lords looked at each other in horror, realizing that this lord meeting might not be a negotiation meeting, but a war mobilization meeting!
The St. Hilde family didn't come here to ask the lords' opinions at all, but to issue orders!
Those lords who wanted to dissuade them all died down, not daring to say much.
Colin retracted the long sword, then took a few steps back, and handed the rostrum to Marquis Garcia.
Marquis Garcia didn't delay, and immediately said in a cold tone:
"Presumably you all know the news that I have joined forces with Count Angelet, the Guardian of the North, to declare war on Pope Gregory.
So now, let's make a statement.
Who wants to continue in the footsteps of the St. Hilde family
Who wants to break their vows? "
(end of this chapter)