The Original Vampire

Roar Castle, Knights Hall.

One after another, the lords of the north came in with solemn expressions.

Because the deadline set by Emperor Reinhardt is getting closer and closer, the northern lords have basically arrived at Winter City with their troops, preparing to form a northern coalition to support the western border.

Therefore, after receiving the news that Marquis Garcia declared war on the Pope, whether it was shock or panic, as long as the lords who did not want to turn against the Saint Hilde family immediately came to the Knights Hall and participated in Marquis Garcia Organizing the Conference of Lords of the North.

The atmosphere in the hall was extremely depressed.

Marquis Garcia and Count Angele stood in front of the stage one by one, their faces covered in frost.

Between the two of them, the place dedicated to the Duke of the North was empty.

On the long table in front of this seat, there is the head of Cardinal Turnance.

After a day and a night of wind and sun, the blood on this head has dried up, but the two eyeballs have been pecked by carrion birds such as vultures, and now there are only empty eye sockets, as if projected The eyes from hell stared coldly at everyone in the hall.

The lords were deterred by the oppressive atmosphere in the hall and did not dare to talk nonsense. They just kept exchanging glances, trying to figure out the attitude of others towards the matter.

For Marquis Garcia's decisive declaration of war, most northern lords actually do not support it.

Although the lords, from their own interests, definitely don't like the current church that always wants to meddle in secular power, and also want to limit the church's authority to the realm of belief, the problem is that they absolutely do not want to be the vanguard against the church.

You must know that although the priests of the church did not have much fighting ability after being able to hold on to the nobles for so many years, the prestigious Knights Templar were not vegetarians.

"The greatest glory requires the sharpest sword to guard."

These are the words of the first Pope, Peter Messiah, when he founded the Knights Templar.

This Knights Templar Order, with only 3,000 people, is a powerful force that makes all the lord's armies daunted.

Because this is not three thousand ordinary soldiers, but three thousand knights!

You must know that the number of knights in the entire northern region is only in the early 300s.

Of course, knights are not invincible. Unless a single knight steps into the sanctuary, he will only be exhausted and die under the siege of the army.

But when there are enough knights, well-trained, well-coordinated, and a well-organized army, they will be a formidable force on the battlefield.

No army, not even the blood cavalry, could stand head-on against the charge of the Knights Templar.

If they really broke up with the church, how much destructive power this Knights Templar would cause to the north, all the lords shuddered when they thought about it.

Moreover, the truly terrifying part of the church lies in their control over the people of the empire.

If the soldiers, farmers, and merchants really have to choose between the lord and the church, who knows what choice they will make?

Anyway, no lord can remain confident when faced with this problem.

You know, at this time, their opponent is not the church, but the faith represented by the church.

If you really want to get to that point, will the army in your hands still be obedient? Will a rebellion break out in your family's fief?

Even in this group of nobles, there are many fanatics of the church. Will they allow the glory of the church to be trampled on by the Saint Hilde family?

Therefore, for thousands of years, even the royal family that nominally controlled the entire Radiance Empire, when facing the seemingly weak church, they always cast their arms and do nothing, and were even suppressed and humiliated many times.

Of course the nobles are well aware of the depravity and decay of the church, but with the supreme prestige and glory of the Lord of Radiance, it is enough to keep the entire empire shrouded in the shadow of his spokesperson.

The crown, which symbolizes the highest authority of the empire, has been worn by the Pope for the emperor from the very beginning of the founding of the country.

What's more, now that the Third Orc Empire was proclaimed, they will surely launch a massive invasion of the Radiant Empire, causing civil strife at such a critical moment. Is it really a wise move? Valley

The lords exchanged glances, and they all saw the hesitation and worry in each other's eyes. They nodded tacitly, and had reached a tacit understanding of trying to persuade Marquis Garcia to give up this crazy idea in the next lord meeting.

As the appointed time approached, the major lords of the North had basically arrived.

Of course, if it is said to be basic, there are actually a very small number of lords who do not know how they planned, but did not attend.

dong dong dong-

The ancient bronze bell rang three times, and all the lords in the Knights Hall suddenly looked solemn.

The meeting has begun.

Colin first stepped forward and said to the housekeeper of the Saint Hilde family:

"Butler Basty, are everyone here?"

Butler Basti came out more and more, holding a scroll of sheepskin in his hand, and said respectfully:

"Lord Count, five other lords were not present."

Colin asked blankly, "Which five?"

"Viscount Sora, Baron Billy, Baron Lombard..."

"Lord Earl!" At this moment, a young knight came out of the crowd with cold sweat on his head, and said in a panic, "I am the White Knight of the Lombard family, and Baron Lombard is leading his army to Rin. On the way to Winter City, but due to encountering several waves of thieves, I was unable to arrive on time, so on behalf of Baron Lombard, I beg your forgiveness!"

Colin gave White Knight a cold look and asked, "Then can you represent Baron Lombard?"

Knight White hesitated, but under Colin's scrutiny, his heart froze, and he quickly nodded, "Yes!"

Only then did Colin nodded with satisfaction: "Okay."

Afterwards, he motioned Steward Basty to continue with his eyes.

Butler Basti read out the names of the remaining two lords who were not present.

Colin immediately drew out his long sword, pointed it diagonally upwards, his cold eyes slowly swept across the audience, and said loudly:

"I, Colin Angele, with the authority of the guardian of the north, on behalf of the Duke of St. Hilde, deprive the Sola family, the Billy family, the Fakkens family, and the Ganters family of titles, and take back the corresponding titles. territory!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place was silent.

The already depressing atmosphere suddenly became more stagnant, almost suffocating.

The lords looked at each other with frightened eyes, realizing that this lord meeting was probably not a consultation meeting, but a war mobilization meeting!

The Saint Hilde family didn't come to ask the lords' opinions at all, but to issue orders!

The lords who wanted to dissuade them all died down, not daring to say anything.

Colin took back the long sword, then took a few steps back and handed the rostrum to Marquis Garcia.

Marquis Garcia did not delay, and immediately said in a cold tone:

"Presumably you all know the news that I have joined forces with Count Angele, the guardian of the north, to declare war on Pope Gregory.

So now, let's make a statement.

Who wants to continue to follow in the footsteps of the Saint Hilde family?

Who wants to break the oath they once made? "