Chapter 618: The Holy Knight's Daring Display
As if Bishop Orion had realized something, he hurriedly bowed his head and spoke.
"Please wait a minute, Mr. Zephyr. I'll go and bring something from Sacristy." Before Charles could ask what it was, he dashed out of the Vestry and soon returned with a silver bracelet embedded with golden crystal in his hand.
"After I voiced the problem about your identity to Cardinal Damian, he sent this here from the Holy See of Sun. If you wear this, you'll be identified as a First Order 'Holy Knight' of the Sun Church. With this identity, we can avoid suspicions when entering the Star Tombs. Of course, many will be puzzled by how an illegitimate son of a Baron becomes a Holy Knight of Sun Church; we can say that you concealed your identity to protect your late mother." Baron Orion said with a sincere smile.
On the other hand, Charles took the bracelet from Bishop Orion's hand, inspected it swiftly, and put it on his left hand.
"Sun Armor?"
Muttering, he injected some of his 'wisdom power,' imprinted the artifact with his spirit imprint, and soon activated the artifact's function.
In a mere instant, the silver bracelet emitted a brilliant, radiant glow, illuminating the surroundings with a golden hue. The light expanded outward as Charles watched, encasing his entire body within its ethereal embrace. He could feel a tingling sensation coursing through his veins as the mystical energy of the bracelet intertwined with his spirit power.
As the light subsided, Charles found himself adorned in a remarkable suit of armor. The armor possessed a metallic silver sheen, it's surface gleaming with an otherworldly brilliance. Intricate golden patterns decorated every inch of the armor, weaving an elaborate tapestry of symbols and designs that seemed to dance and flicker with an inner life.
The armor formed a protective shield around Charles, encompassing him from head to toe. It molded itself to the contours of his body, fitting him with impeccable precision.
"Impressive," Charles muttered as he deactivated the armor skill and added before standing up.
"Then, I'll be taking my leave."
On the other hand, Bishop bowed his head and accompanied him up to the Church's exit to send him off.
While Charles was leaving the Sun Church, news of him talking secretly with Bishop Orion entered Baron's ears.
"Are you sure it is Zephyr, Kenneth?" Baron Cedric asked as he leaned on the wooden chair. At that moment, he was in his study room and appeared to be signing tax documents.
On the other hand, a well-armored man nodded his head and responded.
"One of my colleagues saw him entering the Sun Church with his own eyes again, My Lord. Moreover, he said Bishop Orion seems to hold Zephyr in high regard."
He was none other than Guard Captain Kenneth. The guard captain, approximately 35, possessed distinct physical features that set him apart.
His wavy blonde hair cascaded down his head, lending casual elegance to his appearance. However, his crooked nose immediately drew attention, adding a rugged charm to his otherwise handsome countenance. Above his piercing gaze, his eyebrows were naturally angled, hinting at a determined and commanding demeanor.
The guard captain boasted fair skin, indicating limited exposure to the sun's harsh rays. This fairness accentuated the intensity of his blue eyes, which held a mix of authority and vigilance. Though chiseled, his facial features displayed a hint of weariness.
A physique honed through years of training was evident as his muscular body filled out the iron-plated armor he wore.
"Hmm, what is the connection between my illegitimate son and the Sun Church? I need someone to monitor his activities," he murmured, immediately shaking his head and issuing a new command.
"Bring him here right away. I want to talk to him personally," he declared with a cold smirk. Though he had initially considered offering benefits to the unfortunate child and keeping him under his control for future advantages, he had a change of heart.
"That child has not only mastered a mysterious sword technique but has also sought out another alliance. We must stop him in his tracks and ensure his absolute obedience. Otherwise, he will undoubtedly turn against us," a cold determination flickered in his eyes.
At that moment, he finally understood why his father-in-law had repeatedly urged him to eliminate the child.
"It seems young ones are indeed difficult to tame," he sighed, shaking his head as he issued a ruthless order.
"Take the 'Wolf Knights' with you. If he refuses to comply, you have my permission to incapacitate him immediately and bring him back barely alive."
Meanwhile, Kenneth promptly knelt on the floor and bowed his head.
"I will not disappoint you, My Lord," he assured humbly.
With those words, he hastily rose and took his leave from Baron Cedric. Subsequently, he went to the main hall on the ground floor, where he sought an audience with the Mistress of the Silvercrest Household. He recounted the events that had transpired in the study to her.
Next, he proceeded to the Mansion's backyard and requested the presence of nineteen 'Wolf Knights,' as commanded by Baron Cedric.
Before long, a squad of twenty cavalry knights, donning their elite iron armor, departed from the mansion house and marched towards the East Borough. Unbeknownst to Charles, trouble was brewing as he leisurely strolled along the main street, procuring the necessary items for his impending journey.
Despite his ability to endure prolonged periods without food, he purchased provisions such as rations, vegetables, dried fruits, spices, and more. He also visited a blacksmith shop named 'Myriad Smith' and acquired iron knives, daggers, and spears.
Although the expenses amounted to around 100 silvers, Charles was okay with spending the money. He then proceeded to a dressing shop where he purchased twenty sets of clothes, neatly storing them in his space ring.
As he stepped out of the dressing shop, he was surrounded by twenty cavalry knights clad in iron armor.
Their equipment bore peculiar engravings depicting wolves, and though their strength only ranged between Rank 2 and Rank 3, Charles maintained a composed expression and queried coldly,
"Why are you surrounding me?" His voice lacked emotion, eliciting a chuckle from one of the cavalry knights.
Charles instantly recognized the individual and inwardly snorted.
Meanwhile, that particular cavalry knight dismounted his horse, removing his iron helmet to reveal his handsome face to the onlookers. Drawing his sword, he commanded,
"Lord Baron summoned you, Zephyr. He has even granted permission to incapacitate you should you defy my orders."
With these words, he swung his sword, enveloping it in a radiant aura of sunlight—a display of intermediate sword aura.
Observing this spectacle, Charles couldn't help but smile.
"Baron Cedric is truly living in his fantasies," he remarked calmly, touching the silver bracelet and activating the Sun Shield artifact.
Within seconds, a dazzling golden light engulfed his entire body, forming a protective layer of sunshine. Simultaneously, a silver armor with golden patterns materialized, covering him from head to toe.
Gasps and murmurs of astonishment rippled through the streets. At that moment, the cavalry knights and spectators realized that the figure donning this armor was a Holy Knight.
"Y-You! H-How did you become a Holy Knight?" the Guard Captain, struggling to comprehend the situation, nearly stuttered.
Despite his superiority in strength compared to a Rank 2 Holy Knight, the discrepancy in their social statuses was vast. Even Baron Cedric had to show respect to a Holy Knight, let alone a mere Guard Captain.
'I need to regain control of the situation. If I had known this, I wouldn't have recklessly accepted the Duke's gifts!' the Guard Captain cursed internally, swiftly unsheathing his sword.
However, before he could utter a word, Charles's figure blurred like a shadow, reappearing behind Kenneth.
"Disappear," was the final word Kenneth heard before a ray shot forth and severed his neck. The next moment, his head soared through the air, splattering blood in all directions before landing on the dirt road.
A stunned silence descended upon the street as soldiers and onlookers stood in shock at the young boy's brutal act. With a casual demeanor, Charles wiped the blood from his sword using a discarded cloth and sheathed it. He then shifted his gaze toward the well-armored cavalry and spoke calmly,
"I have already become a Holy Knight of the Eternal Light. Inform my father to restrain himself from acting impulsively, or he may meet the same fate as this fool."
With those words, Charles began walking towards the West Borough.
Charles's bold actions soon reached Baron Cedric's ears, causing him to be furious.
Alas, he soon restrained himself as he learned that Zephyr had already become a Holy Knight of Sun Church and fell into deep thinking. Although he didn't know the motive behind Zephyr's action, he decided not to make an enemy out of him for nothing.
"But that brat will surely come for my head when he becomes a Rank-3 [Paladin]." Baron Cedric mused, a hint of concern tainting his thoughts.
"Hmm, I need to ask for my father-in-law's help again." Though he detested being controlled like a marionette, he had no other viable options.
"Nigel, send a letter to the Duke and arrange a meeting as soon as possible. Things are spiraling out of control," he commanded, addressing the poor butler.
Although Nigel longed to voice his opinions, he recognized the boundaries of his position and could only offer a nod in compliance.
