Chapter 67: At Times Like This, the Only One Who Can Replenish My Strength Is Lin Wei!
Chapter 67: At Times Like This, the Only One Who Can Replenish My Strength Is Lin Wei!
Such words left no room for dignity.
Everyone knew that the former Pope’s once-favored disciple—now the Grand Commander of the Judgement Knight—was renowned for her unshakable poise and authority. Yet to speak so brazenly, disregarding all propriety, was a slap to the face of every noble present—a declaration of utter contempt.
“Grand Commander Meilin, don’t you think you’ve gone too far?!”
Prompted by a sharp glance from Duke Ous, one of the nobles finally found his voice, pushing back with righteous indignation.
“We are in the midst of discussing logistics and supplies with Her Holiness the Pope. You barge into this meeting unannounced, making sweeping decisions on your own—don’t you think that’s out of line?”
“And besides, we are nobles! We represent the dignity of the Empire. For you to address us in such a manner—”
BANG!
A bolt of holy light shot past his head, close enough to singe his hair. The indignant noble collapsed to the ground, terror etched across his face. He clutched his stinging forehead, only to look up and meet Meilin’s icy gaze, her Holy Lance steady and unwavering.
Holy energy radiated from her in oppressive waves, so stifling it felt as if the slightest word out of place would see his skull split open then and there. “Do you truly believe even the Pope of the Holy Church, Her Holiness Selena, is someone you are qualified to question?”
Meilin’s gaze swept over the assembled nobles, her voice cold and utterly unyielding.
“Everything that happened here today—if I see a single word about it in tomorrow’s papers, there will be consequences.”
“As a Knight of the Judgement, I hold the authority to investigate, judge, and execute heretics. If you don’t wish to see my Order at your doorstep tomorrow—”
“Then you’d best keep your mouths shut about today’s events—and about the missing supplies. Is that clear?”
She was not simply being unreasonable; she was laying down the law.
The gathered nobles seethed, grinding their teeth in frustration. Yet faced with the overwhelming presence of the Grand Judgement Knight of the Holy Church, none dared voice their objections.
After all, as a Knight of the Judgement, Meilin did indeed wield such authority. If Pope Selena herself was bound by protocol and could not act against the nobility without due cause, Meilin, as Grand Judgement Knight, needed only the barest pretext to target someone—and she would always find a way.
Such was the supreme power vested in the Judgement Knight.
Yet this only raised another question: Hadn’t Grand Grand Commander Meilin and Pope Selena always been at odds? Why was Meilin now stepping forward to support her?
“Hahaha! Since Grand Grand Commander Meilin has spoken, it is only right that the Empire show respect to the Holy Church.”
At this critical moment, Duke Ous finally broke the tense silence, masking the darkness in his eyes with a genial smile.
“Her Holiness Selena did promise to have all supplies prepared and delivered to the front lines within ten days, did she not?”
“Of course.”
Selena, her face hidden beneath a veil of mystical light, drew a long breath. Though Duke Ous’s tone grated on her, she maintained her dignified composure.
“In that case, the Empire is not unreasonable. Allow me to wish you success in advance—and may the provisions reach the front lines on time.”
With that, Duke Ous gestured for the others to follow as he strode toward the exit. The nobles, still shaken by their earlier brush with Meilin’s wrath, hurried after him, none willing to risk being left alone with the Grand Judgement Knight.
Yet just as he reached the doorway, Duke Ous paused, his golden, sanctified gaze sweeping the chamber. Even with the Judgement Knight standing right beside him, he threw one last barbed question over his shoulder.
“But… what if the supplies aren’t ready on time? Or if they’re attacked again en route—what then?”
“I, Selena, will bear full responsibility.”
Veya’s face remained impassive as she watched the exchange come to its conclusion.
“Very well. Until next time, Your Holiness.”
A flicker of cold malice danced in Duke Ous’s eyes. He nodded repeatedly, then swept out of the hall with renewed arrogance, his entourage trailing behind.
The grand, solemn hall of the Holy Church quickly fell silent once more.
Sacred energy lingered in the air, and only members of the Holy Church remained.
“Meilin… Weren’t you supposed to be tracking the Cult of the Evil God in the south?”
A moment later—
One of the senior clergy, who had barely spoken during the confrontation, slowly rose to his feet. He was an elderly man, his hair white as snow, his weathered features still brimming with vitality. A brilliance shone in his golden eyes—a holy majesty that spoke of power, even without a word.
“Just a handful of cultists. They’ve been dealt with.”
If, moments ago, Meilin had been all icy indifference toward Duke Ous, her demeanor now softened noticeably in the old man’s presence. Still, her eyes were clouded with confusion.
“However… I overheard much of the meeting from outside.”
“As the Grand Commander of the Retribution Knight, why didn’t you step in just now?”
The three Orders of the Holy Church’s knights each had their own sacred duty:
The Sacred Light Knights marched to the front lines, striking down all who threatened peace.
The Judgement Knight moved among the people, rooting out and eradicating every last trace of heresy.
And the Retribution Knight… They were the shields of the Holy City, the enforcers of the Holy Church’s authority, loyal guardians who defended the church’s dignity at its very heart.
Even if Selena lacked the commanding presence to truly win everyone’s respect, she would never simply stand by and do nothing—or so it should have been.
“The imperial nobles were only asking about supplies for the front lines,” the old man said casually. “Since our Pope Selena has her own way of handling matters, there’s no need for an old relic like me—a Knight of Retribution on the brink of retirement—to get involved.”
He waved his hand dismissively and began to make his way toward the exit, never once glancing in Selena’s direction.
“But just now—”
“Meilin, your teacher’s birthday is coming up.”
Her words were abruptly cut off. At the mention of “teacher,” even Meilin froze in place, caught off guard.
“He always loved a lively atmosphere. Be sure to bring plenty of his favorite food when you go to pay your respects.”
“Otherwise, even if he’s now with the goddess Alicia, your teacher would still feel a bit lonely.”
For a moment, time itself seemed to pause. Meilin nodded, her expression softening as a trace of serenity settled over her features.
“I understand… Grand Commander Alfron.”
Alfron looked at Meilin, satisfaction in his eyes at her earnest response. He gave her shoulder a gentle pat, then led the remaining clergy out of the hall.
“What a pity… this position should have been yours…”
As his footsteps faded, the grand hall slipped once more into profound silence.
Breathe… Deeply.
Steadying her breath, Veya tried to calm herself.
No matter how she strove to compose her thoughts, everything she’d experienced today left her emotions in turmoil. Only after half a minute did she finally muster the resolve to speak to the Judgement Knight she’d known since childhood.
“Thank you for earlier, Meilin.”
“No need for thanks. As a Knight of the Judgement, it’s my duty to uphold the dignity of the Holy Church.”
Meilin’s golden eyes—oppressive, unwavering—locked with Veya’s in an instant.
There was no trace of emotion in that gaze. Yet as she looked at the Pope, a flicker of anger ghosted across Meilin’s eyes.
“But you, Selena… what exactly were you doing just now?”
Lightning seemed to crackle along the Holy Lance in Meilin’s grip, her mood laid bare for all to see.
“You just let those imperial nobles swagger in here and throw their weight around, without lifting a finger to stop them?”
“Selena, how useless do you intend to become?”