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Colin and Scholar Doan sat across from each other in silence.

The only sound was from the faint crackling of the candles burning.

After quite some time, Scholar Doan broke the silence which had become a tad awkward:

“Lord Viscount, I bear no ill-will towards the North Territory. Furthermore, when Duke St. Hilde was alive, he was very aware that I was dispatched to the North by the Royal Family, but he still held me in high esteem.”

Colin believed that Scholar Doan was telling the truth.

After all, Scholar Doan had never concealed his identity. He was the second son of the White family, who, in turn, were vassals to the St. Lorenzo family.

Therefore, when he pledged his loyalty to Duke St. Hilde, with the Duke’s caution and capability, he would definitely have investigated Scholar Doan thoroughly. Otherwise, the Duke would not have valued him so highly.

“Then why did you go to the North Territory?” Colin asked the question that had been perplexing him.

Logically speaking, Scholar Doan should have served the St. Lorenzo family, who were his own family’s lords, rather than going to the North Territory where he might be viewed with suspicion.

“You may not be aware that the St. Hilde family and the St. Lorenzo family had always been allies on the issue of opposing the Church.”

“Oh?” Colin’s heart skipped a beat upon realization, his mind flashing back to the dramatic change in the Empire three hundred years ago.

Scholar Doan continued to explain: “The death of Duke St. Hilde was too sudden. He didn’t have enough time to inform his heir about this. Therefore, even Miss Vera is unaware of this matter. However, if you ask Marquis Garcia, he will surely affirm it.”

“What forces mainly make up this alliance opposing the Church?”

“The most important forces are actually just two – the Crimson Flame Territory and the North Territory.”

Colin was taken aback, he leaned in slightly and asked, “Could it be that the rest of the three territories are all under the Church’s influence?”

“No,” Scholar Doan shook his head. “Only the Eastland is firmly under the Church’s control. You must be aware that almost every Duke of the Eastland has married a priestess. They are the Church’s strongest supporters in the secular world.

The South Border had always maintained neutrality, aligning with neither the Church nor the Royal Family. In recent years, their proclivity towards independence has become increasingly prominent. What happens next is anyone’s guess.

As for the Westland, being faced with the Empire’s gravest enemy – the Beast Tribe – they have long sought military aid, so their strategies fluctuate. Mostly, they use this as an excuse to seek support from the Royal Family or the Church and cannot be considered as a reliable ally.

The current Duke of the Westland seems to lean more towards the Church.”

“Why?” Colin asked in confusion. “If I recall correctly, the current Duke of the Westland is a Holy Knight, isn’t he?”

“Yes. There are two living Holy Knights in the Glorious Empire – Prince Lexie and Duke St. Gregorian.” Scholar Doan’s eyes twinkled as he suddenly asked a seemingly irrelevant question, “Lord Viscount, have you ever wondered why Prince Lexie and the Emperor are always at odds?”

Colin initially wanted to remark: ‘Isn’t it obvious? Any Emperor would harbor wariness for a prince whose prestige and martial prowess surpass his own.’

However, he then remembered the scene at the Holy Light Cathedral today. At that moment, when Queen Midela proposed to dissect Governor Lattom’s body, the one who opposed vehemently wasn’t Prince Lexie, but Pope Gregory!

“Could it be that Price Lexie is close to the Church?”

“Yes!” Scholar Doan nodded. “Therefore, you should understand why the Emperor must expel Prince Lexie from Dragon City. With Prince Lexie in Dragon City, the forces of the St. Lorenzo lineage cannot unite, causing the alliance opposing the Church to exist in name only.”

Still puzzled, Colin asked: “As the protector of the St. Lorenzo family, why would Prince Lexie be close to the Church? And what does this have to do with the Duke of the Westland leaning towards the Church?”

Scholar Doan took a deep breath and said gravely, “Lord Viscount, in fact, all Holy Knights lean towards the Church!”

“Why?” Colin’s heart leaped, feeling that this was likely the crux of the matter.

“Because when a Holy Knight is injured, they must rely on the healing magic of high priests for recovery. This is the key method the Church employs to control the highest ranking warriors among the humans!”

Colin suddenly thought of the Bishop of Winterfell City who had suddenly died at the beginning of this year. He asked, “So, after Duke St. Hilde was injured in his fight with the Troll Holy Warrior…”

“After getting injured, the Duke found Bishop Jean and Archbishop Raven, hoping to be healed. However, Archbishop Raven attempted to seize the opportunity to twist the Duke’s arm, hoping to sway the North Territory towards the Church.

Nevertheless, the Duke was unwilling to be manipulated by the Church and forcefully pressured Archbishop Raven to cast healing spells on him. After the Archbishop refused, the Duke decisively killed Bishop Jean on the spot, forcing Archbishop Raven to finally submit.”

Colin was slightly startled, secretly impressed by Duke St. Hilde’s ruthless actions.

“So that’s why Archbishop Raven was dismissed by the Church later. Is it due to this incident?”

“Yes. After knowing that the Duke had become a Holy Knight, the Church had always been trying to woo the North Territory. Even though the Duke didn’t surrender immediately, he didn’t want to become the Church’s puppet.

Truthfully, the Duke’s injuries were pretty severe, and a single treatment from Archbishop Raven wouldn’t have sufficed. Precisely due to this, although the Duke hadn’t yet surrendered to the Church, the Emperor no longer trusted his ally as he used to.

He feared that Duke St. Hilde would eventually lean towards the Church because the Duke couldn’t possibly allow his injuries to deteriorate without seeking treatment.”

Colin finally understood why the Emperor had tolerated Mr. Ji stirring up trouble in the North Territory and even tacitly allowed him to utilize the “Eyes of Judgement” to kill his elder cousin brother.

If the Eastland, Westland, and the North Territory all fell under the Church’s influence, then how would the Royal Family maintain its dignity?

The Church would then truly become the actual ruler of the Glorious Empire.

Colin’s heart felt heavy, and he spoke dejectedly: “If the Holy Knights all lean towards the Church, then I don’t think the Royal Family have much chance of winning…”

But scholar Doan shook his head: “Your lords, I think you’ve got it all wrong.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“Why should a Holy Knight, proud as they are, willingly allow the Church to manipulate and threaten them this way?

Duke St. Hilde has never turned to the Church, despite his grievous wounds and even though the Emperor has suspicions about him, and the Archbishop has tried to coerce him.”

Prince Lexie of the St. Lorenzo family would not have become a tool of the Church either, except that being from a sideline of the Lorenzo family, he was never given much attention, and the Church provided most of his resources for cultivating his abilities.”

As for Duke St. Gregorian of the Westland, he has been frequently injured due the threat posed by the Beast Tribe. Without the healing magic from the Church, he wouldn’t have held on for so long, so his siding with the Church is out of necessity.

But I believe that if the Royal Family and the Church were to openly break up, both Prince Lexie and Duke St. Gregorian probably wouldn’t step in to help the Church!”

Colin thought about it and realized Doan made a good point.

No Holy Knight would want to bend to the intimidation of the Church. Even if they seem to yield on the surface, they will not truly submit.

Seeing Colin deep in thought, scholar Doan queried once more: “Your Lordship, do you know the age of the founding Emperor Gana of the glorious Empire when he passed away?”

“Hmm… I remember he was quite young when he died.”

“That’s correct. Emperor Gana passed away prematurely at the age of fifty-seven!”

Colin instantly recognized there was something suspicious about that.

How could a legendary Holy Knight pass away at such a young age?

“Could it be… the fault of the Church?”

“Indeed. Emperor Gana fought wars throughout his life, and despite his excellent abilities, he was bound to get wounded. This was no issue when the Royal Family and the Church were on good terms.

However, later on, as Emperor Gana started limiting the power of the Church, the Pope immediately ordered priests to stop using healing magic on the Emperor and any Holy Knights who weren’t cooperating.

This aggravated Emperor Gana’s wounds. But even so, he never yielded to the Church till his death.

So this is actually an ongoing shadow war since the founding of the Empire. The Royal Family wants the Church to merely exist as a symbol of faith, without retaining an army or meddling with state affairs.

However, the Church is obviously not satisfied with this. They want to be the uncrowned kings of the Empire, making Emperors and Nobles their puppets.

So this clash will continue.

And the North Territory is currently the key contested region between the two sides!

Besides, you may not have realized it yet, but after defeating the Pegasus Army of the Eastern region, you have become a prime target that the Royal Family wishes to win over.”

Colin nodded his head; everything now fell into place as to why the Emperor would have the royal children ask him to be their teacher during their carriage ride earlier.

They were preparing him to become a sword in their hand, leading the Northern Army to attack the East, which is now firmly in the Church’s camp.

Colin fell silent.

He really didn’t want to get involved in this power struggle between the Royal Family and the Church.

He bears no hatred towards the Church, and he doesn’t hold much loyalty to the Royal Family.

To make him a pawn in their attack, Colin was not going to be easily fooled.

Unless… there was something to gain…

“I understand now,” Colin said with a broad smile, rising to his feet. “Thank you for helping me clear up many doubts. Now the state of affairs in the glorious Empire is no longer clouded in fog for me.”

“It’s my honor!”

“Alright, I need to rest. Tomorrow, I must accompany Vera to the Senate.”

“Very well, Viscount. Let me see you out.”

Scholar Doan accompanied Colin to the door, waved him off, but then saw Colin suddenly turn around and ask with a smile:

“Doan, are you loyal to the North territories, or the Royal Family?”

Doan was taken aback. He watched Colin for a moment, then gravely replied:

“I am loyal to the Glorious Empire!”

Colin looked at Scholar Doan somewhat surprised. He seemed to have understood something, but chose not to comment further. He just smiled and turned to leave.