Chapter 56: The Demon Laughs (Please follow!!)

The two main leaders of the Chivalrous Expedition, Gede Knight and Joshua Knight, do not get along at all; this is very clear to those in the city of Gelongni who follow the Chivalrous Expedition.

However, to everyone, the division of labor between the two is actually quite clear.

Gede Knight, as a Guilt-ridden Knight, actually possesses great charisma and has a group of battle-brothers who can be called elites among the low-ranking knights. Yet, relying on themselves alone, it would be impossible for them to gather the supplies needed to head to the Broken Lands.

As it happens, Joshua Knight brought news regarding the Holy Grail, and being adept at social maneuvering, he frequently moves among various factions to trade for favors and related interests. It is precisely because of Joshua Knight's maneuvering among all parties that this Chivalrous Expedition has reached a scale unprecedented for a civilian Chivalrous Expedition.

But this also means that Joshua Knight rarely appears in formal combat situations; he always emerges in the dead of night, bringing noblewomen and entertainment troupes to create one boisterous banquet after another in Gelongni.

Over the previous seven days, he hosted consecutive banquets for the ancient castle mages, the bay mercenaries, and the lords and knights of several Knightly Orders. The players didn't even think they would be invited at first; after all, their species and origins were very unclear, and being discriminated against could be said to be a matter of course. But Joshua did not hesitate in the slightest to issue his purple invitations.

And when the players accepted the invitations and arrived at the secret chamber with the help of the purple-clad servants during the silence of the twin moons, they finally realized why Joshua Knight and his partners were always tight-lipped about their gatherings.

"Welcome, welcome, mysterious players."

Completely naked, draped in purple veils, Joshua Knight wore a pale gold laurel wreath on his head and looked at the dumbfounded players, revealing a strange smile.

"Although you do not know where you come from, nor are you clear about what you truly crave, and even your very existence is quite bizarre, this does not hinder us from reaching an agreement. Tonight's banquet is my return for your support. Please, do not refuse."

Sitting elegantly on a golden chair, Joshua looked at the players and snapped his fingers.

And in the next instant, an invisible Veil slowly pulled open. The surroundings were filled with chaotic lights, yet they were permeated with a strange aesthetic.

On six light-purple stages, different bands and music, different dances and voices, and different interpretations and performances presented a three-dimensional display far exceeding modern entertainment methods.

Everywhere were extravagant and luxurious decorations, everywhere was that unimaginable charm and soul-stirring performance. Watching all this, Edward, who had been invited as one of the player representatives, could not help but let out a sigh.

"Is this, is this also a miracle of the Lady of the Lake?"

"……The Lady of the Lake???"

Joshua, who was pouring wine, was stunned for a moment.

It wasn't just Joshua; those dancing girls, those singers singing at the top of their lungs, and the musicians playing instruments were all stunned. Under the light-purple Veil, these people looked in astonishment at the somewhat tipsy players.

And Edward, who was the focus of all gazes, did not feel that anything was wrong; instead, he carried his wine bottle and swayed over to Joshua, kneeling halfway to express his loyalty.

"The Lady of the Lake is truly a merciful lady! Such powerful divine power naturally encompasses these things; I should have thought of it sooner! The Chaos gods are just a group of weak deities who only know how to use terror and grotesquerie to gather believers, but the Lady of the Lake represents the seat of civilization!"

"The Chaos gods are the weakest deities, weaker than any other god...?"

"Isn't that so?"

The tipsy Edward looked blankly at his surroundings and said very honestly: "If the Chaos gods were really strong, why would they leave behind such luxury and instead manipulate the Norscans to carry out raids?"

"……Pfft, hehehe, hahahahaha!"

Watching the player whose expression did not seem fake, Joshua's composure gradually collapsed. "Well said! You said it well! That's so right! How could I not have thought of those words, hahahahaha! As expected, words from the heart are the most moving!"

Wiping away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes, Joshua patted the shoulder of the bewildered Edward as if he couldn't take it anymore.

Not only Joshua, but even the surrounding atmosphere-setters burst into laughter.

This happy atmosphere was so infectious that Edward also joined in the laughter.

After a full few minutes, Joshua, who was laughing until he could barely breathe, slapped his thigh and signaled for Edward to come over to talk further.

"You are good, really good, too good. I think the best language I have ever heard in my life is that passage. I have decided not to discriminate against you players, because you are so... interesting."

"I will promote you to the outer area of the Second Fleet, and I will also have the arrays and Magic Runes carved for you. And all you need to do is help us coordinate our positions, and then witness our glory and our joy."

"That's simple, isn't it?"

Patting Edward's cheek and watching the captain's fawning appearance, Joshua once again let out a hearty laugh, which, together with the luxurious and extravagant scenery around them, set off a touch of the light-purple Veil.

The feast was about to begin, and all the characters had taken their seats. The dark gods found a certain individual who suddenly jumped onto the stage very interesting. In fact, they never minded having an extra chess player on the stage, because this could very likely bring different kinds of fun.

For example, these players were the fun.

"Here, to witness our friendship, drink this glass of fine wine, don't let us down."

"Yes, yes."

Looking at the pure purple wine, Edward wore a respectful smile on his face and drank it down without hesitation.

For players, there was nothing to be afraid of. Everyone here was a group of trustworthy allies; although it looked extravagant and luxurious, what of it? In Bretonnia, knights were just like this.

Facing Edward's bold way of drinking the purple liquid in the golden cup, Joshua couldn't help but look up and let out a laugh. Soon, amidst the suppressed laughter of the crowd, a group of pure and beautiful young girls with good figures and waists as flexible as snakes walked to the players' sides with charming smiles.

The music played again, and carnal desire, bodily fluids, and the light-purple mist covered this secret room, causing it to steam with a mysterious and decadent atmosphere.

This was an act strictly forbidden by the Goddess's doctrine.

And even more bizarrely, the temple of the most trustworthy Lady of the Lake had no reaction at all.

That tall statue looked mercifully at everything at its feet, seemingly unable to see the decadent fruit occurring in that small private room.

Only in the distance, inside the cabin of a ship already heading toward the Broken Lands, within a gladiatorial arena filled with blood, Gede Knight opened his eyes with a look of disgust.

"……Those animals must be enjoying themselves at this time. What a bunch of cowards."

(End of chapter)