Chapter 468: Strategic Transfer

The Necropolis, Resurrection Plaza.

Skeletons standing blankly suddenly opened their eyes, facing the gloomy and dark plaza, and began to howl like wolves and ghosts.

"MMP! How is it gone?!"

"Who kicks players offline before a BOSS fight?!"

"At least let Grandpa finish watching the CG! What happened after that angel poked down with a stick? Did it poke the Demon King to death too?!"

"Where's the dog planner? Come out and get beaten!"

The Resurrection Plaza was chattering away.

One second they were the Chaos Rats blocking gods and killing gods, fighting for the Demon King, and in the blink of an eye, they "reincarnated" into skeletons.

Who can stand this?!

Unlike those wide-eyed newbies, 【Ye Zhiqiu】 calmly checked the reward.

The gains were okay.

The contribution points given were just enough for his "Soul Level" to break through to the Gold rank, and raise the level cap from LV. 70 to LV. 90 in one go.

The whole server probably didn't have anyone faster than him!

【Pig-headed Knight】 walked over from the side, holding the back of his head, looking at the newbies making a fuss in the plaza, a look of watching a show hanging on his scale-covered face.

"These newbies look like they are playing this game for the first time."

Where is there an MMORPG where you are max level as soon as you enter?

If there really was such a good thing, what would the roll-king brothers who seriously liver the progress think?

Touching his conscience, the operation team of "Catastrophe OL" was still very conscientious; at least their Demon King modeling was handsome enough, the sense of substitution was strong, and the sense of participation was also strong.

【Minotaur Warrior】 glanced at him sideways.

"What you said is equivalent to saying nothing."

【Pig-headed Knight】 froze for a moment, then scratched his head embarrassedly.

"Seems like it too."

Watching Hu Wan: "..."

"Long live the Laine Kingdom—!"

"Long live Campbell!"

"Long live Lady Ailin!!"

The clouds of Chaos finally dispersed from the sky, and the boiling cheers followed the long-lost sunshine, resounding through the streets and alleys of Dusk City.

Listening to the shouts of long live, those who didn't know would think that Edward Campbell was the King ruling this territory.

Amidst the drum music celebrating the triumph, the army of the Campbell Duchy passed through the messy battlefield and stepped into this scarred provincial capital from the South Gate of Dusk City.

Learning that the heroes who saved them had arrived, the survivors flocked to the streets, sending cheers and whistles to the young men entering the city.

More excited people rushed up to shake hands with them, and even hug them.

Saint Xisi above—

Praise the brave Campbell people!

After defeating the Demon King of Hell, these brave young men had once again defeated the terrible Chaos for their King!

The prestige of the Campbell family in this land was higher than ever before; they wished they could invite that Duke to be their King.

It was a pity that the laws of the ancestors could not be changed.

They could only use cheers and whistles to express the gratitude that was about to overflow.

Looking at the cheering crowd, Ailin, riding on her horse, smiled and waved, conveying greetings to these survivors on behalf of her brother.

However, when she noticed those sallow and emaciated faces, her happy mood couldn't help but be stained with a trace of faint sadness.

There wasn't a single fat person to be seen in the vast Dusk City.

Whether men, women, old, or young, they were all starved to the point of skin and bones, as if they could faint at any moment.

She simply couldn't imagine what kind of suffering these poor people had experienced before her army arrived here.

But fortunately—

It was all over.

At this moment, whether it was Ailin or the citizens of Dusk City, they were temporarily immersed in the joy of victory, completely unaware that a bigger storm was brewing silently on the western border of the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng...

The Governor's Mansion of Dusk City was one of the few buildings in the city that was still structurally sound.

Servants were busy shuttling back and forth, placing ale and roast meat on the long table covered with white cloth, busily preparing to welcome the victors.

In the previous battle, in order to deal with the continuous siege of the Green Forest Army and the endless rat tide, the defenders of Dusk City had almost dismantled everything that could be used and pushed it to the city walls.

Including the beams of civilian houses.

Stones for building fireplaces, etc.

Wan Xing, they still had a Governor's Mansion left, otherwise they would probably have to go to the church to entertain Lady Ailin.

Although the vast majority of people believed that it was the "Saintess" of the Salvation Army who summoned the angel that descended with divine punishment, Governor Baron Alaric was more inclined to believe that it was the determination of the military and civilians in the city to resist to the end that moved the gods in heaven.

Of course, this did not contradict his gratitude toward the Campbell Duchy; after all, no miracle, no matter how incredible, could replace human strength.

If it weren't for the Campbell people's fearless sacrifice to rescue them, even if more angels came, it probably wouldn't have changed the outcome of the city falling and people dying...

Just as the army of the Campbell Duchy arrived at the Governor's Mansion, Baron Alaric also returned to the Governor's Mansion from the city walls.

Before he had time to change out of his blood-stained armor.

When he saw Lady Ailin walking into the hall surrounded by knights, he immediately quickened his pace to meet her, placing his right hand on his chest to salute.

"Lady Ailin Campbell, I am Alaric Valerius, a Baron granted by His Majesty the King, and the Governor of Dusk City! Please allow me to express my most sincere gratitude on behalf of my King and the millions of survivors of Dusk City—your bravery and compassion will be forever engraved in the history of Dusk City!"

His voice was hoarse and high-pitched, and trembled slightly due to excitement.

Although his actions were somewhat exaggerated, anyone could feel that the gratitude was sincere and unadulterated.

Facing Alaric's thanks, Ailin responded with an impeccable noble etiquette, and then answered modestly.

"You are overstating it, Governor. Resisting the invasion of Chaos is the inescapable duty of every human lord; we merely fulfilled our holy oath. As for my bravery, compared to everyone who shed blood in this battle, it is not worth mentioning. Please save your thanks for the knights behind me, and the allies from the High Mountain Kingdom."

Although anyone could hear that this was just a polite modesty, the dwarf brothers in the Wan Ren Mountains liked this.

Quitin Copper-Furnace's mouth couldn't help but curl up, looking just like a proud monkey.

"Your modesty is as impressive as your bravery; it is enviable that the Campbell people can have such a noble knight."

Baron Alaric bowed and saluted, expressing his thanks again, and then his gaze fell on Ailin's silver hair, which was as bright as moonlight.

His gaze paused slightly, and he opened his mouth hesitantly.

"Your hair..."

He had heard that the Campbell princess had beautiful golden hair, but now it had turned into a regrettable silver.

Although he didn't know what had happened, he associated it with the legend of the "Light of Proclamation," and could guess a little.

Facing the surprised or regrettable gazes around her, Ailin did not cover it up, and casually tucked a strand of silver hair behind her ear.

At first, she was indeed very sad; after all, everyone loves beauty.

However, when she found that Lord Kelin didn't care, and even praised her hair as beautiful, the unease and sadness in her heart vanished.

She only cared about that gentleman's opinion.

It was like that before, and even more so now.

"Governor, please allow me to explain on behalf of Lady Ailin," Theresa, who was standing behind Ailin, stepped forward and explained on her behalf. "In order to fight against Kailan, who sold his soul to Chaos, our Lady had to use the Light of Proclamation in her hand to prematurely overdraw the miracle granted to the Campbell family by Saint Xisi... You can understand it as the price paid for calling upon a miracle."

A whisper spread through the surroundings, and the distinguished guests standing in the corner of the hall showed surprised expressions.

There were also a very few who showed shame.

When they abandoned their territories and fled in the wind, someone burned their own life to pick up the responsibility they had thrown away.

How noble this is!

Of course, those who felt ashamed were ultimately the minority, and the vast majority of nobles were still mainly sneering, and even felt disgusted from the bottom of their hearts.

Count Solde Weifute, who could sympathize with Ailin Campbell, had long since died in the siege of the Green Forest Army.

People are ultimately not sheep.

This fire burned not only the withered grass in the pasture but also burned away the heroic spirit on this land.

When all the loyal and brave souls were sent away, what remained would surely be a group of rats that were cunning to the extreme and had no awe at all.

And once the heroic spirit of the entire Kingdom was exhausted, the fate of the Devalu dynasty would come to an end.

This would inevitably be painful for the descendants of Xiodeng, but those who were lucky enough to escape didn't need to be happy too early.

Because the next to appear would be Urgos's Chosen—

In fact, if it weren't for Silas kicking an iron plate, causing higher-level forces to take turns descending, he would have truly succeeded.

In other universes, it hadn't been without its spring breeze and pride.

Hearing about Ailin's matter, Baron Alaric showed a look of regret. He sighed long, his tone heavy.

"So that's how it is... Please forgive my presumption. I didn't expect that for our sake, you paid such a heavy price."

He knew very well what a head of silver hair meant for an unmarried noble girl; she had almost sacrificed her happiness.

"You don't need to feel sad for me, Governor," looking at the Baron who clearly thought too much, Ailin smiled, her voice gentle. "A hundred years later, we will all turn into dust. Being able to use this short life as a firefly to illuminate other souls is my honor... I think those who love me will be proud of me, not sad."

When she said this halfway, Ailin's cheeks felt a bit hot.

Actually, there was nothing wrong with this statement; she truly believed so from the bottom of her heart, and had always been practicing her oath—using her power without stint to protect the subjects of the Campbell Duchy.

However, it was unfortunate that she, who should have been sleeping in the previous battle, was unexpectedly awakened and became an immortal bloodsucker.

Until now, she hadn't figured out what had happened, and could only believe the set of rhetoric given to her by Lord Kelin—

Perhaps in the eyes of Saint Xisi, her mission hadn't ended yet.

Compared to confessing her identity and bringing trouble to herself and those around her, Ailin could only maintain this beautiful misunderstanding.

Not knowing her identity as a bloodsucker, everyone was completely conquered by her shining ideals. Even those local nobles who looked down on her showed complicated expressions.

The Campbell Duchy sending troops could be understood as being for the sake of land, but her sacrifice was clearly not because of secular land or money.

A priest closed his eyes, drew a cross on his chest, and offered a pious prayer for this noble knight lady.

Saint Xisi above—

Please let this Lady stay in this world for a while longer, don't take her away so hurriedly from the side of your pious servants...

The atmosphere in the Governor's Mansion hall was stained with a trace of faint sadness.

Actually, Ailin didn't want this, especially since she knew she wouldn't die, and really didn't want people to dilute the joy of victory because of unnecessary guilt.

Just as she wanted to say something to break this sad atmosphere, a bloated and ridiculous figure was one step faster than her.

That person was not a court jester who made jokes, but a proper noble, wearing luxurious clothes, yet at this moment looking more like a clown than a clown.

"Lady Ailin! Lady Ailin!"

Seron Gade screamed and squeezed through the crowd, stumbled, and fell to his knees at Ailin's feet with a "thump."

Ailin was startled, and seeing a greasy fat hand reaching toward her skirt armor, she hurriedly dodged a step to the side.

Theresa's hand was already on her sword, but seeing that the other party was a noble and his status looked not low, she widened her eyes and pressed down the sword she had already drawn an inch.

Seron Gade didn't care about that anymore.

The fear of the past few days had long since collapsed his spirit; only to see him crying with snot and tears, making an even more miserable howl, like an infant abandoned by the roadside.

"You finally came! Your Highness! You must decide for me!"

"Wait a minute, tell me who you are first—"

"Seron Gade! Count of Quemu Territory! Five hundred years ago, we had a marriage alliance with the Campbell family—"

"Shut up!" Ailin didn't speak, but Theresa roared in anger.

Seron was so frightened that his neck shrank, not daring to mention this again, and hurriedly went straight to the point to cry about the cruelty of the rebel army.

"Salvation Army! That so-called 'Salvation Army'! They claim to be servants of Saint Xisi, but they are actually a group of robbers taking advantage of the fire! They snatched my castle and occupied my territory! For the sake of Saint Xisi, Lady Ailin, you must decide for me!"

Count Seron cried and complained with snot and tears, completely ignoring his dignity as a noble, and everyone present was stunned.

Especially the priest of the Dusk City Cathedral, staring at Count Seron as if he had seen a ghost... this guy wasn't like this when he was repenting before the statue earlier!

Baron Alaric's face turned into a liver color, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. In front of the Campbell people, this fat pig had simply lost the face of all the nobles of the Laine Kingdom!

Did he think begging could win the respect of his neighbors?

They would only be more unscrupulous when asking for benefits, because they would feel that the nobles of the Laine Kingdom didn't deserve to possess them at all!

However, Seron's Count title was far above his Baron title.

Besides cursing in his heart, Alaric could only look away in shame, pretending he hadn't seen anything.

No one understood why Seron would do this, thinking he was probably crazy, but they didn't know he was actually very clear-headed, even clearer than everyone here.

The Inquisition was on its way here!

Others might not know what that angel meant, but he was a clear-headed person, and instantly realized that it was the ritual magic of the Shengcheng!

The King couldn't "legally" abolish a noble's title, but the Church's Inquisition could.

He had to convince Ailin to take back the Quemu Territory for him before that group arrived, burying all the mistakes in the dust.

Otherwise, once the Inquisition knew he had handed over the territory granted by Saint Xisi to a group of cultists, it wouldn't just be that the entire Quemu Territory would be left with no chickens or dogs, his family would be completely finished!

The entire hall fell into a dead silence, all eyes focused on Ailin, and the scene was awkward to the extreme.

The Salvation Army was currently stationed outside the city.

Although the Campbell people might not recognize that group, they were comrades who had fought side by side, and the request this guy made was truly a bit brainless.

What if they had some collusion behind their backs?

Even if they didn't, the Campbell Duchy was a vassal of His Majesty the King, and it was impossible for them to wipe the ass for a Count.

Ailin looked at this Count who had no image at all, and for a time felt a bit wry, after all, she did have some collusion with that so-called Saintess.

That was Lord Kelin's suggestion.

In case her identity was accidentally exposed, Kalian could use the identity of the Saintess and the "Oracle" to cover for her, at least not letting the Campbell family be disgraced.

Ailin gave a look to the knights beside her, letting them help the person up.

"In short, you... get up and speak first."

Unlike the clinking of glasses inside the Viceroy's Mansion, the Salvation Army camp outside the city appeared solemn and quiet.

The army of tens of thousands did not enter the city, but set up camp on a plain a few miles away.

Rows of neat tents were like squares on a chessboard, the patrolling soldiers' steps were steady, and one could still hear Brenan's loud voice on the training ground... that guy seemed to be losing his temper.

They didn't enter Dusk City.

As for the reason, it wasn't complicated.

On one hand, the residents in the city still held a certain prejudice against this army with a complex composition, and not everyone believed in "Saintess Kalian" and her oracle.

On the other hand, their identities were truly too sensitive; forcing their way into the city would only make their allies feel embarrassed.

The backbone of this army was mostly rebel soldiers who had once gathered in the mountains.

And their base, Quemu Territory, which they were now proud of, legally still belonged to Count Seron Gade, who was currently throwing a tantrum in the Governor's Mansion.

They were victors, but also a group of "illegal occupiers" without status.

Let alone the citizens in the city who held complicated feelings toward them, even they themselves were hesitant about their own identities.

The war was over.

The famine seemed to have seen the end.

Continuing to fight, it seemed they could only take the King and the Empire behind the King as opponents...

Watching Leiden drinking alone at the camp gate, Gante walked to his side and sat down, took the wine bag he handed over, and filled a cup for himself.

This taste was truly never tiring.

Gante smacked his lips and praised sincerely.

"This wine is truly good."

Leiden grinned.

"Fine wine from Lei Ming City, said to be produced by a winery in the Silver Pine Forest. Honestly, I only drank it after joining the Salvation Army; my lord probably hasn't drunk anything this good."

Gante drank the red wine in the cup in one gulp, filled another cup for himself, and said casually.

"I heard the Governor's Mansion is holding a banquet to celebrate the victory; you are a knight of the Laine Kingdom, why don't you go take a look?"

Leiden's face showed an intriguing expression.

"Good idea, maybe I can run into Seron Gade there; I bet his expression will be very wonderful."

Gante drank a mouthful of red wine and grinned.

"I think he would be very happy to repair his relationship with you."

Leiden shrugged his shoulders.

"Just the opposite; he probably wishes I would die immediately, and then take the filth he doesn't care about into the grave."

Gante fell into silence.

After a long while, he asked.

"What next?"

Leiden glanced at him and raised an eyebrow.

"What next?"

Gante nodded and asked seriously.

"I want to know what you plan to do next."

He wanted to help these comrades who had once fought side by side with him, to let them have a good ending, but he first had to know where they planned to go next.

Leiden moved his gaze away from him and looked at the forest outside the camp; his determined eyes were also a bit confused for a time.

"Honestly, I don't know either."

Perhaps, the oracle would tell them.

It wasn't just Leiden who felt confused about the future, but many clear-headed people, especially the high-level members of the Salvation Army.

Not everyone was a one-track-minded Brenan.

They wouldn't naively think that "Saintess Kalian" had really seen Saint Xisi and received any oracle from the latter.

It was just that under the circumstances at the time, true or false didn't matter; even the Sword Saint could turn a blind eye, let alone them?

However, now, the situation was different.

With the angel truly descending on this sky, many things that wouldn't have been put on the scale at all, this time probably all had to be put on the scale to weigh...

Luo Yan walked slowly on the dirt slope at the edge of the camp, hands behind his back, his gaze looking at the outline of Dusk City in the distance.

Kalian, wearing plain clothes, followed behind him, her gentle eyes full of trust and piety, like a nun waiting for an oracle.

Actually, without it, it wouldn't matter.

Even better.

She didn't have any secular ambition to begin with.

If Brenan's eyes still had a desire for power and land, and Leiden still had a yearning for honor and knightly spirit, then she simply wanted to make Mr. Kelin happy.

Rather than responding to the expectations of the believers, it was better to say she was just pleasing the god in her heart...

"Danger is approaching."

The sudden oracle interrupted Kalian's thoughts.

She pondered for a while and asked in a hesitant tone.

"Is it the rat-men?"

"That is my opponent, and has nothing to do with you for the time being."

Luo Yan shook his head gently, his gaze turning from Dusk City to the distant west, as if through the clouds burned red by the dusk.

After a moment, he spoke.

"As for you, this threat is not from Chaos, but from the Shengcheng."

Most people thought that the angel who descended from the sky and killed the Chaos avatar with one strike was a miracle descended by the "God-child," a manifestation of the great power of the god served by the Saintess.

But Luo Yan wouldn't deceive himself.

That pure and vast holy light energy, not carrying any personal will, could only come from one place—

That is the Shengcheng of the Empire!

Gregory IX detected the descent of the Chaos avatar through some special channel and pressed the "nuclear button" in his hand!

Clearly, the Church's gaze had locked onto this chaotic land of the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng.

Based on Luo Yan's understanding of Imperial history, a Chief Inquisitor riding a griffin was probably already on his way.

And once this Inquisitor arrived, all secular armies within the Empire would theoretically obey his orders.

Going head-to-head with that kind of guy was purely a dead end.

As for why?

That was also because of the lessons of history.

On this land under his feet, a certain transmigrator predecessor had already tried it once for him, what it means to be a genius to be one version ahead, and a coffin to be two steps ahead.

Don't look at the Rock Sword Saint Gante now standing firmly on the side of the Salvation Army; that's because the Salvation Army has been flying the flag of Saint Xisi until now.

Once they aim their swords at the Church, this group of "rebels" who are jumping around will soon see what is called true "popular support," and who is the "crowd" that "everyone thinks of."

Kalian read the deep meaning in Kelin's words and pondered for a while before saying.

"You mean... the Church will interfere with us."

Luo Yan smiled faintly.

"To be precise, they are already here."

If it were ordinary people, they would probably have been scared out of their wits.

However, the "Saintess Kalian," who didn't know the height of the sky and the depth of the earth, had no fear at all, just blinked at her Lord God.

"Then what do you think we should do?"

Luo Yan pondered for a while and said.

"With the methods of the Inquisition in Imperial history, I can't optimistically believe they will show you mercy; you have to prepare for the worst."

"So we can only continue to resist, right?" Kalian smiled gently and nodded. "No problem, as long as you wish, I am willing to resist the Church for you."

Luo Yan glanced at Kalian in surprise.

He had originally been thinking about how to gently persuade this simple village girl that the Church couldn't represent the truth, the Pope didn't equal Saint Xisi, and even that those who distorted the "Holy Word" weren't the "New Testament" or others, but the clergy themselves who ignored the believers.

However, looking at it now, this ice-snow-smart girl probably knew long ago that he wasn't any God-child; she had trusted him as a person from the very beginning.

This saved him quite a bit of time.

Reading the surprise on Mr. Kelin's face, Kalian blinked gently, and a trace of playful blush dyed her quiet and gentle face.

"I seem to have surprised you; can I be proud for a moment?"

"Of course... you can," Luo Yan, who had come back to his senses, smiled and glanced at her approvingly. "Your comprehension is very high; it seems I can teach you some advanced skills."

"That will be my honor." Kalian nodded slightly, responded softly, and prepared to listen to the oracle.

Looking at the "Saintess" he had cultivated with his own hands, Luo Yan pondered for a while and said.

"The larger the organization, the more intricate its internal forces; the Duchy is like this, the Kingdom is like this, and the Empire is also like this."

"If you want to survive in the cracks, you must grasp the core pain points of different forces, discover their interest demands, and the checks and balances between each other, then unite all forces that can be united and let them be used by you."

"At the same time, in terms of strategy, you must also learn to transfer the organization from under the sun to the underground where the sun cannot shine."

"Can you... be more specific?" Kalian's face showed a confused expression, clearly unable to fully digest these words.

Luo Yan wasn't surprised by her reaction; this just showed she was thinking, just temporarily unable to think of it due to her vision.

He gave an example, and she understood it quickly.

"For example, Seron Gade, whom I asked you to let go. I don't even need to look to guess that he is now hugging Ailin's thigh, crying and complaining, begging the Campbell Duchy to send troops to take back the territory you occupied... before the Inquisition arrives here."

"But to be honest, that idiot is daydreaming; even if Ailin is a genius in using troops and takes back his territory in one minute, he can't wipe the shit off his ass in the remaining few days."

Sure enough.

As he expected, the ice-snow-smart Kalian grasped the core of the problem in an instant, her bright eyes flashing with cunning light.

"But we can do what Ailin can't—take back his territory in one minute, and then spend the next minute wiping everything clean... am I right?"

"Smart."

Luo Yan glanced at Kalian approvingly, as if looking at a cunning little fox, and then continued.

"The church in the castle is still there, and the clergy and nuns are all alive; compared to other places in this land, you are simply the model of piety."

"Those who once turned a blind eye to you were forced to obey you under pressure, and now they are all your 'accomplices.' As long as you are not caught by the Inquisition, everyone will help you, because that is also for themselves."

"As for Count Seron Gade, he is your mascot. If you want to retreat from the front stage to the back, you have to push the legal lord to the front stage. For every step the Inquisition takes forward, you take one step back. They will always leave here, and you will become ghosts that swords cannot kill."

Hearing this, Kalian had completely understood the meaning of Lord God-child, and a smile of understanding appeared on her face.

Now the only thing she couldn't decide was the last thing.

"What if Seron Gade doesn't cooperate?"

"He is a smart man; he will cooperate."

Luo Yan smiled slightly.

"If he isn't smart, then change to a smarter 'Gade'."

The earliest aid the Necropolis gave to the Salvation Army wasn't "grenade cavalry" and "organ fire cannons," but intelligence personnel trained by Shala.

That stuff wasn't used to deal with the Green Forest Army.

He had long expected that this day would come, just didn't expect it to be so fast. ===== CHAPTER 469 =====