Chapter 364: Start of the Hunt
At one of the church’s gathering areas, where the Paladin knights had already assembled, Aldrian stood in front of them alongside the Pope, observing the paladins. They were clad in their unique armor, each exuding the aura of a low-grade heavenly artifact, signifying their esteemed status.
Aldrian was alone, without anyone from his group or the Saintess. Sylphia and the others preferred to converse with the Saintess, so he had left them there. It was better this way, as it allowed them to forge deeper friendships.
"I will need only a group consisting of five members. The rest will act as backup and can be mobilized if the situation requires it," Aldrian said to the paladins. He then turned to Arthur, the leader of the knights.
"Of course, I will pick Sir Arthur. As for the rest—you, you, you, and you," Aldrian said, pointing at them.
Disappointment was evident on the faces of the paladins who were not chosen. To them, Aldrian was the one they most desired to serve, the person to whom they wished to prove their devotion.
Aldrian could sense it, and it was no exaggeration to think that these people regarded his position as even higher than the Pope’s, all because of the miracles he had performed. As the purity of holy energy continued to rise reaching its most powerful state today, they had already come to believe that Aldrian was the one destined to lead them in the prophesied time.
"For those who remain behind, don’t be discouraged. Your time has not yet come, but in the future, I may need your help. So keep your spirits high! Do you hear me?!" Aldrian shouted.
"Yes, Your Eminence!" the paladins answered in unison.
"Alright, for the rest of the paladins whom I did not choose—dismiss! The others, stay."