Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 25: The Knight Templar, Part 4
There were a total of a hundred columns of soldiers that extended from the front of the Order 1 Headquarters to the edge of the road when Arthur returned to Eden— when the sun had begun to pull over. The number of rows is also the same as the column. That is, the total soldiers lined up neatly numbered ten thousand.
The hundred columns were divided into ten larger columns, a battalion. The distance between one battalion and another battalion is one meter. They were all wearing the same gray uniform, a thin platinum armor lining all of those uniforms. Unlike the rest of the Knights Templar, on their backs were the same symbols as the one on the back of Arthur's robe.
Arthur walked between one of the gaps between the battalions. As could be expected from the highly disciplined Order 1, none of them showed any meaningful expression as he passed by. Of course Arthur felt hundreds of pairs of eyes bombarding him as soon as he passed by, but it was inevitable ‒ he was their supreme leader.
“Merlin orders you to the Forbidden Valley Ed?” arthur asked the captains standing in line in front of all the soldiers.
“True, Sir, Dame Merlin ordered us to leave Eden this afternoon. We are waiting for the arrival of the teleportation officer, Sir.”
Arthur nodded in understanding, saying, “Whatever happens, never leave caution. Vermillion Empire is quite cunning, their intelligence cannot be underestimated. Make sure no strangers set foot in the Forbidden Valley area of Ed.”
“Give it to us, Sir! We will bring to life the soul of the Knights Templar in all our activities, Sir!”
Once again Arthur nodded, then went past entering the large two-story building.
...—Verada, Vermillion Empire—...
Comparing the information about the Knights Templar last year and the latest, their total number had almost doubled. If last year they numbered three hundred thousand, now they numbered five hundred thousand. Order 1, Order 2, and Order 3 combined the three orders are half of the total number of Knights Templar. Order 1 alone numbered over a hundred thousand, and they were an offensive force.
“The deviation of this amount is quite high,” Xavier murmured after compiling the sheet of paper into twelve stacks—the top paper of each stack is the profile of Saint who leads each Order. “If anyone theorizes Emiliel Holy Kingdom has prepared that army long before the development of Islan reached this stage, I will not feel surprised.”
More than that, the increase in the number of Knights Templar soldiers was something natural. The country from the beginning did want to rule over the Islan, no different from the empire. The difference is, they are not being blatant in their ambitions. Emiliel the Holy Kingdom appointed themselves as guardians of balance, and at the same time they arranged for their path of dominance to be opened.
“Deus Chaperon's. The Twelve Holy Saints. Twelve Commanders.” Xavier muttered as he turned his face, both hands folded behind his head. “From the twelve Saints, only First Saint to Sixth Saint is troublesome. The rest is not so flashy. Dermyus could defeat all of them if one on one. Darminic can also. Of all the Commander, maybe only Emily can't do it.
“In the meantime, Deus Chaperon is now stronger. Other than the first six Saints, the last six Saints would have no chance of defeating a single one of them. Krakart was the weakest member, but even himself was on the same level as Reinhart. Hireklaf is worth Gilbert. Atland had grown tremendously, he was probably as strong as Zenith. The same goes for Whalef and Diametra. And Tsusaza.he will be the equivalent of Lilithia.
And, that still did not include the powerful vampires who were members of the Moon Temple. And Evillia. And Minner…. New World Order, they are really strong.
Xavier didn't think they were strong enough while still there, but once they were on opposite sides, the difference started to become apparent.
Xavier's forehead instantly frowned as an undeniable conclusion appeared in his head: Vermillion Empire is the weakest party of the three great powers in conflict.
“Nueva has no choice but to participate. And so did Edward Penumbra. Menez's role will also be very important in the imperial victory. Clearly, victory would definitely be in imperial hands if Vermyna and Fie would kill each other.”
The scream on Xavier's forehead disappeared as soon as his last sentence was finished.
The hue of his face changed drastically. Flat. Sardonic. Robust. Unforgiving. If Nueva saw Xavier's expression now, she would comment that they were more similar than she assumed. More than that, Nueva will praise Xavier. The expression that Xavier was now wearing was the expression that should be on the faces of those who wanted to change the world.
“I can make the most of everything as I told Minner,” he said flat, cold and sharp. “I can find Vermyna now, saying that I will join her if she overcomes Fie. Evillia's desire is not against Kanna's, I can manipulate the two of them to cooperate secretly. It was not too late for the empire to join the New World Order. With Fie dead, Kanna could subdue the Holy Kingdom without any difficulty. All that remains is my business and Nueva.”
If he took that route, everything would become easier. Even that is not impossible to do. He's a Twelve Commander, but he's also El. He is close to Kanna, and Vermyna seems to consider herself a special Xavier. Everything he could move easily, like pieces on a game board. It will also reduce the casualties. The most effective way.
“...Heh, strangely I don't want to do all that.” Xavier snorted to himself. “I want to destroy the empire. Knowing Kanna made me want to destroy Nevada. And now..I so want to protect it.”
Xavier blames Artemys for that. That woman.she's quite persuasive. It was hard for Xavier to ignore him. Moreover, in four months the woman will give birth to a new life in this world. Xavier.he didn't want to see a ruined empire. The child who will be born later.Xavier must make sure this rotten world does not contaminate it.
Heh...is this a father's instinct?
Xavier let himself chuckle. His head could imagine how his father would have mocked him.
“I can't believe this,” grumbled Xavier, but a moment later a faint smile developed on his lips. “Luciel will laugh if he is still here..”.