Chapter 334: Knights Templar!

Knights Templar!

Everyone's eyes lit up instantly after hearing this.

This name—oh no, this idea is good!

Not only can it open up territory for the Empire, but it also carries the spread of St. Xisi's faith, as well as the merits of this life and the blessings of the next!

What's even more rare is that whether it is the Senate, the Imperial Army, or the Church, they seem to be able to obtain their own interests in it!

Duke Valencia's eyes were subtle, and his slender eyebrows twitched lightly.

His heart was calculating quickly—

The nobles of the Senate have power, influence, and money. If the Knights Templar really operates in the form of "shares," then the nobles of the Empire will definitely be able to occupy the greatest advantage.

And the Valencia family is the head of all elders, and most of the nobles in the Shengcheng are united around them. This Knights Templar can undoubtedly become a tool for them to control the New World!

He turned his head slightly and gave a secret look to the Prince Regent beside him.

Prince Regent Granville understood, smiled and nodded slightly, expressing his tacit understanding of the Duke with a very subtle action.

Watching the two people exchanging eyes, Legion Commander Julian, not far away, raised his mouth slightly, his face carrying a confident and playful smile.

He could guess what these two people were thinking with his hair.

But so what?

The Knights Templar is ultimately under the military system. No matter who funded it at the beginning, it must be the officers who occupy the dominant position in the end.

Just like the Royal Knights at the beginning.

Those nobles who are far away from the New World think they can buy everything with money and honor, but they don't know that there are many things in this world that money cannot buy.

As long as there is enough time, the Empire's officers will definitely be able to turn this Knights Templar into their own territory and resources!

Casit Silphin also bloomed with a gentle smile on his face, but deep in that smile was hidden unspeakable self-satisfaction.

The Senate and the army were suspicious of each other, but they didn't see the power that transcended secular power.

He certainly knew what Marshal Lako and Duke Valencia were thinking at this moment, but their scheming happened to hit the Church's heart.

The Knights Templar is not a pure military organization, which means it is difficult for the Empire's officers to kidnap the young men of the Empire with a slogan of loyalty.

What the Church holds is not just priests, but also all the universities in the Shengcheng and even the entire Empire!

As long as they send enough priests, as well as enough professional talents cultivated by church schools, deep into the grassroots of this newly born organization...

By the time this Knights Templar grows up, these knowledgeable people cultivated by the church will undoubtedly occupy a pivotal position on the distant continent of Gana.

And the Church can completely master this "Knights Templar that is not like a Knights Templar" quietly, just like controlling the branches of the Adventure Guild, and imprint its own brand on that piece of land!

The air in the banquet hall rippled with a strange harmony.

Everyone thought they were the biggest beneficiary of this plan, and the gaze looking at Prince Kelin became more and more enthusiastic.

Luo Yan took all their expressions and the desires deep in their hearts into his eyes, and a faint smile curled on his mouth.

Their ideas are actually not wrong; every force has its own winning side. After all, he designed this set of rules according to this logic from the beginning.

It's just a pity that they ultimately couldn't imagine things they hadn't seen, and didn't realize that the Knights Templar under the wrestling of multiple parties is very likely to give birth to a new class that has never been born in the Shengcheng before, and stand on their opposite side with the resources they invested.

Of course—

Now is the honeymoon period for both sides.

Whether it is nobles, officers, or priests, they can fully enjoy the dividends brought by the Knights Templar, just like the citizens of Thunder City are enjoying the joy brought by the rise of the Kelin Group's stock price.

Prince Regent Granville coughed, and said with a gentle smile.

"Prince's proposal is indeed exciting, but the specific details still need to be reviewed by the Senate, and we can discuss it later. Today is the day to welcome the Prince back, not suitable for discussing such a serious topic."

Marshal Lako Aiberg also nodded in agreement with a smile.

"Exactly, today we only talk about wind and moon, not big things."

As soon as he said this, the noble nobles of the Officer Faction, including Legion Commander Julian, nodded in agreement, and even Mr. Casit of the Church Faction nodded.

They are of course not really uninterested, but need to discuss with others in their faction how to get a bigger piece of the pie from this huge cake.

Looking at the expressions on everyone's faces, Luo Yan understood, knowing that this matter was settled, so he nodded with a smile.

"Granville and Aiberg are right. Tonight we only talk about wind and moon, not public affairs."

Light music soon sounded in the banquet hall, and servants carrying silver trays full of fine wine and delicacies filed in.

Prince Regent Granville took two champagnes, handed one to Prince Kelin, and drank it slowly after clinking glasses with him.

Luo Yan also greeted him with a smile, drank the champagne in the cup amidst everyone's applause, and then turned to chat with others.

The atmosphere permeating the air quickly turned from serious to lively, and the quiet banquet hall was filled with laughter and noise again.

However, everyone knew in their hearts that beneath that superficial liveliness and clinking of glasses, their souls had long flown out of the banquet hall with their excited thoughts, sweeping through the upper society of the entire Shengcheng, leaving only their bodies standing in place.

Everyone standing in the banquet hall at this moment seemed to feel a flame ignited in the depths of their hearts.

That is the flame called desire!

Young noble children discussed the Knights Templar excitedly; although they were not interested in riding horses and fighting, they were full of interest in the land they might get.

I heard that the continent of Gana has more than seven million square kilometers; how many Baron and Count titles would that be?

If they could make contributions under Prince Kelin, their fiefdoms might even exceed their fathers'!

The noble ladies covered their faces with fans, whispering to their own daughters or relatives' daughters brought to see the world, instigating them to do something for the benefit of the family.

As for those elderly nobles, their gazes were deep, exchanging meaningful glances with each other, plotting how to get the biggest share of the pie.

A grand drama sufficient to change the future of the Empire, with the "Gana Dream" drawn by Prince Kelin with a paintbrush as the overture, slowly pulled up the curtain in the quiet night.

Everyone had no doubt that the final winner would definitely be themselves...

The sound of clinking glasses moved from the banquet hall to the dance floor with the gradually melodious music, and "Roxay Kelin," who had just finished a dance with the little daughter of Duke Castillion, soon received an invitation from the daughter of Duke Lambert.

The two families are the "Bai Yin" and "Bronze" of the Shengcheng, and are known as the three heroes of Gold, Bai Yin, and Bronze together with the Gold family Valencia.

Among them, the Castillion family controls the tax revenue of the Empire's largest trade port and the offshore defense fleet stationed locally, while the Lambert family is the Empire's oldest and most authoritative law school, and all past Chief Justices are their disciples.

Whether it is Duke Castillion or Duke Lambert, they are very happy to see young people who are well-matched in social status communicate more.

As long as it doesn't go directly to the last step.

Although Luo Yan could clearly feel that the person dancing with him was actually not resistant, and even took the initiative to the point where he was a bit caught off guard.

It seems that the fire he ignited earlier didn't just burn into the hearts of the gentlemen present, but also "accidentally" injured the girls present.

Especially Miss Lambert.

I don't know if this lady had any personal grievances with Duke Castillion's little daughter, but she inexplicably started to compare.

The Valencia family's evening banquet is still continuing.

However, unlike the Demon King who enjoyed the welcome of the human world, the Demon King's servant was restless at this moment, his left eyelid jumped and then changed to his right eyelid.

Imperial Royal Hotel, the luxurious suite on the top floor, the night view outside the window is brilliant, like heaven flickering on the ground.

Unable to appreciate the night view outside the window, Tichy, who was pacing back and forth by the window, was anxious, sweat on his forehead constantly emerging, just like an ant on a hot pot.

Tonight is the most critical moment.

If Prince Kelin can pass the Prince Regent's level, everything is easy to say!

And if he can't pass, they will all be finished!

Just when he was about to be unable to sit still, a knock on the door finally came from the entrance of the room.

That is Lumir's signal.

"Come in! The door is not locked!"

While Tichy dropped a sentence, he walked to the door in big strides, only to see Lumir walking in calmly, tidying his cuffs with a calm face.

"Why did you come now?" Tichy lowered his voice, his face full of anxiety, "Do you know that I was almost driven crazy here!"

Seeing Tichy's restless look, Lumir smiled faintly and said truthfully.

"I just settled Prince Kelin's relatives."

Tichy said impatiently.

"Forget about those two idiots first, you and I both know that they are not important at all! Prince Kelin? What is his situation now? What I care about most now is that adult!"

This sentence is not fake at all; Tichy dares to swear that he is absolutely the person who worries most about the Demon King in this world!

After all, that is not a remote place like Deadwood Port; the banquet is full of the Empire's most powerful

And once the Demon King's cover was blown, he feared he wouldn't even have the chance to run, and would be wiped out on the spot as merit by the servants of Saint Xisi!

Lumier was not surprised by Tichi's panic; in any case, there were no outsiders here, and his face still carried a calm expression as he said patiently.

"You don't need to worry about that Lord; you only need to focus on doing your own work and completing the tasks the Lord has given you." After a pause, he continued.

"Furthermore, our 'Prince Kelin' is having a very pleasant conversation with the Regent and Marshal Aiboer. The three main factions of the Shengcheng have all shown great interest in the suggestions he put forward, and have even agreed to have a more in-depth long talk with him after the banquet ends."

Hearing this, Tichi's eyes suddenly widened, and he stood stunned for a long time before swallowing a mouthful of saliva and saying.

"For real?"

Based on his understanding of the unwritten rules of the Shengcheng's upper-class society, a long talk after the banquet meant discussing specific details!

Before stepping onto the Shengcheng, Luo Yan had told him the general plan, and it included this line about the Templar Order.

To think it actually succeeded on the first try!

This was so smooth it made him feel it was incredible. He had actually favored Luo Yan's second plan more—that is, if the big cake that everyone could eat didn't work out, find the faction that contacted them first and paint a separate, even bigger one.

"Of course it's real," Lumier smiled slightly and continued, "Not only that, Marshal Aiboer also invited Prince Kelin to attend his second son's coming-of-age ceremony... Up to now, the Officer Faction all believes our Prince Kelin is 'one of their own'."

Tichi was left dumbfounded and speechless upon hearing this.

It took him a long time to slowly digest this massive amount of information, and the anxiety and worry in his heart vanished in an instant, turning instead into undisguised joy.

"Thank heavens... Saint Xisi above," he muttered to himself, stroking his chest, "I was really afraid Prince Kelin wouldn't be able to handle such a big scene."

Lumier smiled faintly.

"Then you should accompany him; I heard that many people at the banquet are interested in the story of Baron Kexiya."

Tichi smiled embarrassedly, chuckled twice, and said nothing.

"I... I'd better not. I'm afraid of holding that Lord back... Besides, it's clear that when I'm not by his side, he performs even more brilliantly."

Lumier gave him a meaningful look, noncommittal about his statement, but did not expose the truest thoughts deep in his heart.

Actually, that didn't matter.

Just like whether the Tangtaisi family was truly grateful for the Demon King's kindness from the bottom of their hearts, only leeks would be overly concerned about whether the other party was grateful, while ignoring the things that truly mattered.

The Demon King only needed them to play the roles they were supposed to play and not jump out of the script's framework to do anything redundant.

That was enough.

Once a mighty trend is formed, it will not shift because of individual will... This point had already been fully proven in Lei Ming City.

Tichi hadn't seen it.

But he had witnessed everything with his own eyes.

"What's next? Does that Lord have any instructions? Or rather... how does he want me to cooperate with his plan?" Tichi's face was once again brimming with confidence, and his previously sunken chest was puffed out again, just like a rooster seeing the sun rise.

A Demon King who could even "handle" the Regent was, in his eyes, simply an invincible Demon God!

Following behind this Lord, he felt such a sense of security!

Watching Baron Kexiya's change in expression, Lumier smiled faintly and continued in a leisurely manner.

"Two things. First, you need to teach Sir Tangtaisi how to be a real noble, from telling him where to live to which clothes to wear."

"This... how do I teach that?!" Tichi was stunned, staring at him blankly.

Lumier, however, did not explain and continued.

"The second thing: Demon King His Majesty is very dissatisfied with your progress. The first day, he could count it as you not understanding the environment, so he didn't say anything. But now you've been back for two days, and you've only slapped one nobody in the face, and then nothing else? What about that noble who snatched your land back then? Baron Dewoer, right? Just going to let it go like that?"

Seeing Tichi unable to speak, he continued.

"That Lord actually appreciated you quite a bit, for the sake of your performance at the port, but you just waited idly in the hotel for a day."

Tichi's face flushed, and he coughed dryly, saying.

"I have to state this first! I wasn't just sitting in the hotel doing nothing; I've been handling the things he ordered me to do! As for revenge, I'm looking for an opportunity, aren't I..."

He wanted revenge, but he couldn't just go to their door and question them face-to-face about what happened with that deal ten years ago, could he?

That would be useless!

The case from ten years ago had long been settled; if he wanted to reopen it, it wouldn't just be a matter between his family and Baron Dewoer's, it would involve the entire system.

In order not to harm the "innocent," he had to find a new way, and presumably, the Demon King expected the same!

Tichi did not doubt that the other party hadn't come to contact him until now because they were likely on high alert, which made his revenge plan even more difficult.

Looking at Tichi, who had a troubled expression, Lumier didn't say anything, just took a still-warm newspaper from his bosom.

"The opportunity has arrived."

"This is..."

Tichi subconsciously took the newspaper from Lumier's hand. Before his voice had even faded, his look of astonishment turned into a raging fire, and his hands clenched involuntarily.

There, in the bottom right corner of the newspaper, a line of text was written—

【Land for rent in the Dewoer region. Here there is fertile land (15 square kilometers) suitable for grape growth. Gentlemen who love a pastoral life are welcome to invest in wineries here.】

Tichi knew very well that the Dewoer region did not have 15 square kilometers at all; it was just right if you counted the land of the Baron Kexiya fief!

He gritted his teeth and said bitterly.

"They actually dare to..."

"Actually dare to 'melt' your title." Lumier looked at him and smiled, continuing in a gentle tone, "Speaking of which, I'm quite surprised. In the Campbell Principality, a barony must be at least 20 square kilometers, but the Empire doesn't seem to have this restriction?"

The entire Dewoer region added up to only 15 square kilometers, and according to Tichi, it seemed half of it belonged to the former "Baron Kexiya."

Tichi didn't speak for a long time. He silently put down the newspaper in his hand, sat on a high stool nearby, and said with a restless mood.

"After all, there are so many nobles here, how could there be so many 20-square-kilometer plots to divide, especially in the Empire's direct provinces."

The Empire's direct provinces are similar to the duchies held by the Emperor, similar in size to a duchy, with large ones being tens of thousands of square kilometers and small ones being several thousand, not fixed.

It is not just the Emperor's bloodline that expands with time, but also thousands upon thousands of nobles, and this process is often accompanied by fierce land annexation.

The history of the Baron Kexiya fief can be traced back 500 years. Whether there was any "watering down" in it, Tichi didn't know, and his father hadn't told him, but one thing was certain: their history was definitely much longer than that of Baron Dewoer, who had squeezed him out of the Shengcheng!

Even in the genealogy recorded in documents, the Dewoer family was originally a vassal of the Kexiya family... only the former had long since stopped acknowledging it.

Tichi actually didn't care about this; after all, he had seen with his own eyes a Demon King from the Netherworld package himself as a noble with a long history.

What he truly couldn't tolerate was—this guy wasn't satisfied with the land and had completely wiped out the traces of the Kexiya family's existence from that land!

"This is actually a good thing for you; your territory has gone from 9 square kilometers to 15 square kilometers." Watching Tichi, whose hatred had been reignited, Lumier poured him a glass of water, pressed it onto the newspaper, and said softly.

Tichi looked up at him, his Adam's apple moving.

"You mean... you want me to snatch their title back?"

"Why not?" Lumier shrugged his shoulders and continued, "Do you expect him to split the title he's already dismantled in half and give it back to you? Stop dreaming; this is a life-or-death struggle, and it's also a trial left for you by the Demon King. He has already taught you the method: those people used desire as bait to trick the land out of your hands, so you use an even greater desire to pull them onto your boat."

"But—"

"But Baron Dewoer is full of wariness toward you, and your hatred isn't so easily put aside. Fearing your revenge, he will try every possible way to get on good terms with your superior—that is, Prince Kelin—and the best way is to curry favor with his cheap relatives, the Tangtaisi family."

Watching Lumier, who was speaking eloquently, Tichi's eyes widened, and he said subconsciously.

"They went to find the Tangtaisi family?!"

"Who knows? I just saw some eyes that shouldn't have been there near Loyalty Street... It might not be that little ant Baron Dewoer; maybe it's someone else. After all, not everyone has the opportunity to attend the Valencia family's banquet, and there are plenty of nobles who settle for second best and aim for his relatives." Lumier smiled faintly and continued, "And you, you can conversely use this point; Prince Kelin would be very happy to lend you his relatives as tools for revenge."

They were cheap pick-ups anyway, not really blood thicker than water.

Incidentally, he could also help those greenhorns grow quickly, letting them recognize the side of the Shengcheng that eats people without spitting out the bones beneath its bright and beautiful exterior.

Tichi closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, the corners of his mouth suddenly curling into a ferocious grin.

"I know what to do..."

Watching this colleague with high comprehension, Lumier nodded with satisfaction.

This fellow had been a pirate for ten years, after all, and was not lacking in means.

Especially when they were chasing each other on the sea back then, the fact that this guy dared to chase him into a storm showed that he still had something in him.

This might also be the reason why the Demon King was willing to invest in him.

"That's good."

"Remember, the more spectacular your revenge, the more it will please that Lord."

(End of chapter)