Chapter 1843 - 509: The Bishop Trips the Knight's Horse (3)

There's also the Lion Heart Knight Order led by Heigmer, and that "Radiant Knight" is simply ridiculous.

Their eyes have always been fixated on the Campbell Duchy in the south, filled with thoughts of geopolitical gains and the King's territories, yet they are blind to the filth right before them, their loyalty has nearly become folly.

What is wrong with killing a few Ryan people?

Shouldn't those who sell their souls to the demonic agents of Chaos deserve to die?

Looking at the only clear-headed Baron Elaric, a long-lost smile appeared on Himenes's stern and rigid face.

"On this land shrouded in mist, it seems you are the only clear-headed shepherd, Baron."

Himenes's voice was soft, like a feather falling to the ground.

He stood up from the table, walked around the walnut wood table, and approached the breath-holding Elaric, whispering almost in his ear.

"The Judicial Court never refuses to listen to the voices of faithful citizens. Since you've seen the crux of the problem, then... what good idea do you have?"

The fish has taken the bait.

Suppressing the excitement and apprehension in his heart, Elaric swallowed hard like a thief stealing in the name of God.

"In fact... I do have a good idea. To share the burdens of the Judicial Court and to restore normalcy to the Twilight Province as soon as possible, I, along with several nobles who are equally devout, have formed an organization called the Holy Light Council."

"Oh?" Himenes smiled, "Let me hear more, what do you usually discuss?"

"Of course, it's about how to catch that despicable witch!"

Elaric's tone was humble yet filled with anger, as if Carian had hurt his family.

"It's not that I don't trust the King's army, those noble knights only know how to charge into battle, while our enemies won't foolishly line up before us; they will hide among us, in the slums where the Knight Masters can't enter... only people like us know how to deal with those bumpkins."

Himenes nodded.

"You make a good point, is there more?"

"Of course, there's more!"

Looking at the unperturbed Referee Chief, Elaric threw out the next sweet bait eagerly and earnestly.

"The Holy Light Council is willing to be the most loyal hound of the Judicial Court! Our recruits have traversed this land with their feet, they know every winding path, ensuring that those bandits from the depths of the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range can never find a foothold here!"

"Moreover, we promise that all heretical books and forbidden sacrificial items seized during actions will be immediately handed over to you without reservation!"

Himenes's eyelids twitched slightly.

If initially he just thought it made sense, this statement genuinely intrigued him.

Twilight Province is turning into a quagmire, and the waist-deep mud is about to seep into his boots.

If this so-called Holy Light Council can solve his immediate troubles, why wouldn't he go for it?

It's not only for himself but also for the interests of the Church Court.

The Judicial Court will leave one day.

Rather than letting the King hold onto lands he can't even control, causing further chaos after they leave, why not let this local noble try?

"Then, what do you need?" the Referee Chief said softly.

"Efficiency! Sir, what I need is absolute efficiency for the sacred campaign!"

Elaric took out a pre-prepared scroll from his bosom, with clause upon clause converging into a core demand—

"Special Wartime Administrative Rights"!

The Referee Chief certainly wouldn't help him strip the King of his title in the Twilight Province, but he could lend his own privileges to this Holy Light Council.

Wherever the Judicial Court goes, the local lord must obey its commands!

Not just the army.

This also includes governance rights!

It's just that generally, the Judicial Court wouldn't directly interfere in local affairs, after all, they can't and aren't obligated to bring the Empire's civil servants here to work.

Elaric packed all conceivable powers, such as material requisition, personnel appointments, setting up checkpoints, and other special privileges, into it.

Of course, he didn't bare his ambitions openly, but instead hid them behind carefully woven excuses.

"...The sacred Church is devoted to aiding God's people, the King's army should be cared for by the King's servants, such as us nobles."

"The Holy Light Council will be responsible for filling the army's bellies and handling those trivial material deployments."

"Besides, I also need a Command Sword, allowing me to bypass those sluggish royal bureaucrats. Moreover, when necessary, I will borrow your name to directly command the Lion Heart Knight Order stationed in the Twilight Province, to prevent General Heigmer's passive attitude from delaying your grand mission of purifying the heretics."

The prayer room fell into a brief silence, followed by whispers breaking out.

The theologians exchanged glances, sharing their opinions. Some believed the Governor had a point, while others felt it seemed somewhat inappropriate.

Himenes took the scroll, his gaze sweeping over the clauses that could usurp the entire province's administrative power, a subtle smile curled at his lips.

Interesting.

The Council borrowing governance from the Judicial Court, it seems this Governor harbors significant ambition. Isn't he afraid the King will settle accounts afterward?

He certainly saw through Elaric's intent, this greedy Governor wanted to use the Judicial Court's knife to carve the King's flesh.