Chapter 691: Princess’s Guardian Knight

That afternoon, once the speech had ended, Astrid followed the original plan and gathered the members of the Church of Light still inside Coldwind City. She had them leave via the West Gate, exiting the expeditionary army’s controlled zone, and carry the city’s situation to the Church’s Knight Order that was besieging the city not far away, proof that every word in Lyra Beckett’s earlier aerial speech had been true, without the slightest lie mixed in.

As for whether those people would come back after leaving, Astrid didn’t care.

First, there were only so many of them. If they left, they left, on the overall battle situation it was negligible. Second, those believers of Light who, even at Coldwind City’s most critical hour, still held their ground within the city and spoke up for the residents... they truly possessed faith as firm as iron and stone.

They would not abandon that towering Cathedral of Light, much less abandon a whole city’s populace and flee alone from the whirlpool of war.

And indeed, things turned out exactly as Astrid had expected. Those believers who left returned to Coldwind City that very night, continuing to help the expeditionary army soothe the residents’ emotions, standing together with the common people on the front line of the war.

As for the Church’s Knight Order, according to the intelligence Monica shared after nightfall through the Holy relic, many of the lower-ranking knights were also privately discussing the afternoon’s high-altitude speech, beginning to doubt their own actions.

Monica’s exact words were, "A small portion of knights who participated in the Holy War and have long since begun to doubt the Pope of Light’s will have only become more steadfast in their views. And the vast majority of church members later conscripted into the Knight Order have also started to voice some discontent over the Church’s repeated inaction in letting the plague spread."

Before, they had merely lacked someone willing to step forward and make the truth plain. Now Lyra had appeared, and those unreasonable military operations, those explanations that ran completely counter to the old doctrines, every contradiction, large and small, surfaced along with a single speech.

"This is a very good opportunity. I’ll have people I trust actively develop contacts, and expand the New Church’s strength as much as possible, building momentum for the peace that is to come."

Within the illusory light, Monica knelt with her knees together in a posture of prayer, her expression devout. Her full, smooth snow-white thighs in white stockings were bent, and the enticing, pert lift concealed beneath the hem of her saintly robes pressed lightly down, the pure white silk stretched to a faint translucence where the skin at her calves bulged subtly under strain.

She looked at the silver-haired beauty in the projection, legs elegantly crossed, seated by a desk with one hand propping her cheek, and spoke in a soft, low voice.

"Besides that, Commander Kales has also shown a certain degree of doubt and incomprehension toward the Pope of Light’s decision to dispatch troops."

Long ago, Monica had reported to Astrid on the feasibility of bringing Commander Kales into the New Church of Light.

After a series of arrangements and probes, Monica had already reached out to quite a few regional bishops, linking them together in secret while also developing many grassroots believers as the foundation for ending the Pope of Light’s dictatorship in the future.

In this way, the mid-level clergy responsible for stabilizing the church, and the broad base of believers serving as its support, had both been seeded with the New Church’s influence. All that remained was the old Church of Light’s sword in the open, the Church’s Knight Order that represented force and judgment. Monica had yet to achieve any infiltration there.

That was precisely why she valued Kales, one of the four grand commanders, so highly. A reformation could not rely on faith alone; it also required armed strength, swords and magic to fight.

If she could split the Knight Order, or even grasp it entirely in her hands, then no matter what she did next, she would have confidence. Even a direct confrontation with the Pope of Light of Light would not be without a chance of victory.

Astrid listened and nodded thoughtfully, signaling Monica to continue.

The woman’s eyes flicked to the cold, gleaming brooch on the black-dressed girl’s chest, to the lace neckline framing her snow-white collarbones. She swallowed, then spoke softly.

"I remember that Your Highness Astrid once resolved a plague at the Empire’s border... before that cloud of disease could even brew, it was easily contained by you and Miss Lyra..."

"After the speech, I spoke with Commander Kales in detail. He places great importance on this."

If they truly could suppress the massive plague ravaging the Kingdom of Velys, then no one would doubt Lyra’s identity anymore.

A holy relic the Church of Light could not obtain, someone else had obtained it. A disease that left even regional bishops at their wits’ end, yet a holy light knight from a foreign land could cure it at the root.

What those miracles represented, went without saying.

Hearing Monica say this, Astrid blinked a few times and spoke softly.

"On my side, I have information that in the western towns of the regions where the Knight Order is stationed, there are also suspected plague cases?"

Coldwind City being besieged did not mean Astrid’s channels were completely blocked. Each day, Duke Charles on the flanks and his deputy exchanged intelligence with the main force, naturally including the great army before them.

"Correct. With the Church of Light no longer intervening, this plague has become widespread and lethal. The Kingdom of Velys is dry and cold year-round, with little arable land. Its food supply relies heavily on the agricultural region in the southwest, while the northern ore and furs are also crucial resources for building and keeping warm. We can’t lock down specific areas and halt caravans, bringing commerce to a standstill, especially now that the plague has already expanded to nearly half the kingdom."

Coldwind City, previously blockaded by the expeditionary army, was only a microcosm. Without external trade, many towns could not sustain themselves. The common people would starve and freeze, left with nothing but death.

"Faith is collapsing. Order has already fallen. The plague ravages the land..."

"The only one who can save all of this, who can lead the kingdom back to the light, is that destined one: Her Highness the Regent of the Valeria Empire."

In truth, aside from Kales, Monica, the Saintess of Light, also yearned for this plague to end as soon as possible.

Years of turmoil had left the land beneath her feet battered beyond endurance. The people desperately needed a savior to appear, and she, too, would surely descend bearing unsurpassed radiance, like a blazing midday sun.

Astrid lowered her crimson eyes at those words, her tender lips resting against the back of her snow-white hand. After a moment, she spoke.

"So what Monica means is that you hope the expeditionary army will prove before everyone that we have the ability to cure the plague?"

And thus make them fully believe that destiny did not stand behind them, or rather, did not stand with the Pope.

"Yes, Your Highness Astrid." Monica did not deny it, her voice gentle.

"However, considering that doing so might put the medical personnel in danger, I will do my utmost to guarantee their safety."

If they were to attempt a complete cure, then infected patients would certainly have to remain within the Holy Radiant City. They could not be brought into Coldwind City to infect more civilians.

After hearing Monica’s proposal, Astrid crossed her legs with composed elegance. Even the faint hiss of silk rubbing against silk carried through the light-mirror to the other side, like a human voice.

"There is something Miss Monica may not know."

The silver-haired beauty’s crimson eyes narrowed slightly; her pink lips parted.

"At present, it seems that to cure it at the root, Lyra and I are both indispensable."

Only Astrid Calliste could understand and correctly chant the ancient spell meant to target Brennild, and the healing light magic she wanted to use required Lyra’s exceptional light-element affinity as an amplifier. If it were one or two patients, Astrid alone could indeed manage, but the effect would certainly not be as good as Lyra’s.

After all, Astrid’s light-element affinity was merely outstanding; compared to the only exceptional-grade in all of human history, the difference was not just one or two tiers.

"..."

"In other words, if we want to verify identity by treating patients, Lyra and I must go together to the Holy Radiant City."

One was the Empire’s regent, whose authority rivaled an emperor’s. The other was the expeditionary army’s deputy commander, holding the other half of the holy relic. Either one was vital to the Valeria Empire’s next moves. To rashly venture deep into enemy territory truly was improper.

But if so, then her proposal became difficult to implement. Even from Astrid’s standpoint, Monica found it hard to convince herself that, for the sake of accelerating a coup within the Church of Light, Astrid should risk her priceless person.

If anything went wrong, a peaceful resolution would be basically impossible. It was said the little girl emperor far away in the imperial capital treasured her elder sister immensely, who knew whether, if Astrid met with misfortune, Amalia would change the war’s objective on the spot, turning the banner of "only execute the ringleaders" into a purge of the Church of Light and extermination of the royal house.

"Then... we can only try to conduct the patient treatment work at the border between both sides."

Facing Monica’s alternative suggestion, Astrid shook her head, her pink lips parting.

"Miss Monica, are you not confident enough in yourself?"

"...What does Your Highness Astrid mean?"

"Can you persuade Kales to let us enter the Holy Radiant City?"

"..."

After a long pause, the Saintess in white replied in a low voice.

"I can."

This was not Monica’s blind confidence. Rather, her conversation with Kales that afternoon had given her the conviction.

Monica could sense the commander’s struggle and hesitation, and she was confident that, using her superior status, she could dispel his concerns appropriately through careful words.

"Only... is it suitable on Your Highness Astrid’s side?" Monica’s tone was heavy.

Could it be that even knowing the risks she would take, Astrid still intended to enter the holy city?

Astrid lifted a hand to lightly sweep her hair back. Silky silver strands fell over her black satin sleeve, bright enough to dazzle.

"There’s nothing unsuitable about it. As long as the intelligence Miss Monica provides is accurate, I don’t believe those Church knights hiding in the holy city would dare lay hands on us."

Since she dared to go alone to such a meeting, she naturally had corresponding cards in hand. Lyra, Elise, and herself, three Arcanist mages or Crusader of comparable rank. Even if something went wrong, breaking out and linking up with the Empire’s main force not far away would not be difficult.

What’s more, they had Monica as an inside agent. Whether as a visible safety belt restraining the Church of Light from using force, or simply as a hostage within Lyra’s sword-range, she was an excellent choice either way.

"When the time comes, I’ll have to trouble Miss Monica not to sit too far from us."

..................

When the contact ended, the floating motes of light in the air streamed back into the holy sword. Astrid watched as the translucent Sword of Light returned to its original state, then lifted her teacup and took a sip.

Beside her, Lyra tapped the hilt with a fingertip, drawing the holy sword back into her body, and spoke slowly.

"It’s rare to see Astrid... take such a risk..."

Even if she wasn’t alone, it was still going deep into enemy territory. Across all of human history, those with such courage and capability were few and far between.

Astrid blinked slightly at the remark. A few seconds later she set down the porcelain-white teacup, her moist cherry lips moving softly.

"A risk?"

"Yes. You’re the Empire’s regent, such an important identity, and you still run into the middle of the enemy."

But in terms of expected results, if the operation succeeded perfectly, the trust gained from the Church knights would far surpass any empty rhetoric. It might even become a celebrated tale in the history of both nations.

In early May of the year 1734 of the Common Human Calendar, the Valeria Empire’s eldest princess Astrid Calliste went to enemy territory for negotiations and successfully cured the epidemic that plagued the kingdom, something like that.

Hearing Lyra’s reply, Astrid continued to rest her two legs in black stockings together, idly smoothing her skirt. Beneath, the glossy, delicate allure of her black-clad flesh showed through the side cutouts of her metal high heels, catching the light with a soft, gentle sheen.

"Isn’t it because I trust that Lyra can protect me?"

"Am I right, Miss Knight of the Empire’s eldest princess?"

As she spoke, those cool crimson eyes gazed quietly at Lyra. Under the orange glow of the desk lamp, the transparent membrane of her pupils seemed to hold gentle, watery light.

Lyra’s ears reddened. She answered in a small voice.

"O-of course..."

Being called the guardian knight who protects Her Highness the princess... It was a bit too embarrassing.

But... she did enjoy it, all the same...

Watching the pink-haired girl show such an adorable expression, Astrid leaned forward and kissed her lips, the faint fragrance of tea lingering between her teeth passing over with the kiss.

"Your little tail is sticking up~"

"Hm? What tail?"

"..."

"...Astrid!"

Facing Lyra, who had just been kissed, and now flushed even more from Astrid’s teasing, Astrid curved her lips, took Lyra’s hand, and placed it on her own soft thigh before speaking again.

"Back to business, Lyra..."

"The reason I want you to go with me to the Holy Radiant City is actually for another purpose."

Feeling the smooth, soft touch in her palm, Lyra’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly steadied her thoughts and focused on Astrid’s words.

"What purpose?" Lyra asked.

"I want you to observe the holy relic Monica controls carefully."

"Maybe it’ll be of help to you."