Coster's lockdown inspection lasted three full days.
After spending a lot of money but not catching anyone, this result is unacceptable to the church. If they can find people, they can do it even if the city is closed for three months. But unfortunately, three days later, they found traces of excavation in the sewers, and finally concluded that the group of mages had escaped by sea.
Anger, frustration, exhaustion...all kinds of emotions came to their hearts, but they couldn't do anything about it. The Black Nightmare Army was not their only enemy. The Wood family occupied the gate and the town of Crewe, and after the fall of Coster, it became another new gathering point for the anti-church forces. More and more people went there, making Crewe Town suddenly become extremely lively.
The church had no choice but to withdraw its troops and return to the capital to discuss the next plan.
As for Benjamin, after escaping from Coster, they landed in the southeast corner of Hori Kingdom. The mages and the army met in a secluded valley. In this way, the retreat plan went very smoothly without any loss of personnel. Everyone was very happy, but at the moment... at the same time, they were also a little confused.
"What do we do next?"
Losing Coster was like a house losing its foundation, and they felt empty in their hearts. And the kingdom is so big that it is difficult to find another hidden hiding place. If the Black Nightmare Army wants to continue to develop, it will inevitably need a stronghold that can stay for a long time.
From the Warcraft Mountains to the underground passages to Coster, every place is Benjamin's decision. So, everyone turned their attention to Benjamin.
And Benjamin was actually a little hesitant.
He has used up his "inventory", and the remaining places where he can stay are not very secluded. The church will definitely come to his door in a few days. And if they wanted to capture another city, it would be impossible to hold it with their current strength.
There is only one way left...
"Let's go to Crewe Town." Finally, he took a deep breath and said.
Although they don't know the strength of Wood's army, just because they occupy the gate, they have the capital to deal with the church, and it is absolutely safe to stay there. Besides, they are allies, and Elizabeth would have sent troops to support them. If the Black Nightmare Army wanted to be stationed in Crewe Town, she would not refuse.
In short, living under someone else's roof is not a perfect choice, but it is their only choice.
After receiving the order, everyone had different ideas, but still had no objection. Just like that, the entire army began to move. In order to prevent being discovered by the church, they had to keep walking on the rugged mountain road, so they headed towards the Crusad gate somewhat slowly.
As they marched, the situation in the Hori Kingdom gradually changed over time.
The church began to shrink its power. Many expatriate priests and paladins were recalled to the capital. Arms and food from various places were also transferred back. Some remote towns were even abandoned by them, directly falling into a state of anarchy. It was clear that they were no longer able to control the entire kingdom, so they needed to give up something and focus what remaining power they had.
Because of this, the power of the church in the area around the royal capital is unprecedentedly high. Even non-believers are forced to attend services every day, otherwise they may even be regarded as heretics. And it has become even more difficult for ordinary people to leave that area.
The center of the country is under high-pressure rule, but the periphery is extremely loose-this is the strange appearance of the Hori Kingdom at the moment.
"See His Majesty the Pope! Long live Your Majesty!"
In the palace, Grant sat on the high chair used by kings in the past, with the priest on his left and officials and generals on his right. Everyone lined up in order and bowed to everyone they met every day. No matter what the chaos was like outside, it was obvious that there was already a unity of religion and government under the eaves.
"Have you discovered the movements of the Black Nightmare Army?" This question is often the first thing Grant says every time he starts a discussion.
"The location of the Black Nightmare Army is still unclear, but as for the Wood family, they seem to be no longer satisfied with Crewe Town..."
Grant shook his head and interrupted the official's report: "If you don't know anything, just look for them! Until you find them! Don't worry about the Wood family, a group of sneaky clowns who are just following others to pick up some bargains and can't make any trouble. "
"Yes, yes..." The official nodded quickly, not daring to disobey.
In fact, ever since Grant sat on that chair, officials in the royal capital have never had a good day.
In the past, he did not often summon officials, and the discussions were limited to the church. But now, every time there is a meeting, everyone must be present. Moreover, his attitude when facing the priest was passable, but when facing the officials, his moody personality... simply made everyone feel on pins and needles.
Several people have been killed by the Holy Light on the spot after saying the wrong thing!
Thinking of the scene at that time, the officials quickly lowered their heads again, not daring to raise their gazes even halfway. They could only see the cold sweat gathering on the tips of their noses, almost dripping wet the carpet below.
"Your Majesty, we have been looking for the Black Nightmare Army, but at the same time... the Wood Army should not be underestimated." The officials no longer dared to speak. The bishop reluctantly summoned the courage and stepped forward and said, "According to the investigation, Crewe Town has gathered at this moment. There are more than a thousand mages, and if time delays a little longer, there may be even more."
Grant heard this and narrowed his eyes.
"You mean, we are going to send troops to conquer the Wood family?"
The bishop nodded, and even a few officials on the side couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Grant continued: "Then, the Black Nightmare Army can take the opportunity to make a comeback?"
"This... Your Majesty, you are worrying too much. Their vitality has been severely injured. How can they recover all at once?"
"Don't underestimate that man. It only took him so long to make the church like this." Grant stood up from the chair and glanced around, "I know you are worried about Wood Army, but if there is not that man, If we didn't have to worry about the Black Nightmare Army in the dark, annihilating the Wood Army would actually be a piece of cake. That person... that person is our only threat."
"Well… "
When the bishop heard this, he did not dare to say anything more. But he could clearly feel that as time went by, His Majesty the Pope's obsession with that demon had become deeper and deeper. That person has become a hurdle in His Majesty's heart that will never be overcome. Unless he is resolved, he will never be able to look at everything from a more rational perspective.
They are all weak. In fact, Benjamin was also a hurdle in their hearts, but they had given up and knew that they could not get over it, so they focused their attention on other issues.
Just like that, it was another discussion that made no progress. Towards the end, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that it was finally time to leave.
The cross on the bishop's chest suddenly lit up. After a brief daze, he held the cross, closed his eyes for a moment, and said excitedly: "Your Majesty! We have found the traces of the Black Nightmare Army!"