[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing":3,"chapter-the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-chapter-21":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Holy Church Begins with Bestowal of Blessings",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1688739,2156,"Chapter 21 : Pegiraov Lundex","the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>Chapter 21: Pegiraov Lundex\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Borien came to the church every day thereafter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would arrive early in the morning, following Corleon in morning prayers, earnestly seeking guidance and accepting the Lord's teachings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the prayers, he would help collect wood and stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having once been a knight, Borien showed no anger at doing manual labor; instead, he demonstrated his strength with an efficiency surpassing that of five ordinary men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Borien struck up a conversation with George, but aside from initial surprise, George's attitude toward him remained unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as it was when facing Yara.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a monk with steadfast faith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Engaged in such activities at the church until noon, Borien's devout demeanor made Corleon feel he had become a believer of the Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for the fact that Corleon had not seen new threads on the Light Orb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, that day, Borien arrived at the church only after noon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He brought news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Lundex had arrived in York Territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He brought two knights,\" Borien said, his body trembling slightly as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncertain whether from fear or resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As a lord, Lundex can confer knighthood upon two individuals, and three days ago, he bestowed these titles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I saw them from afar; both wore heavy full-body plate armor, polished to a shine that was glaring under the sun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I glimpsed their faces when they lifted their visors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very young—one is said to be twenty-four, the other twenty-six.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Borien's trembling ceased, his eyes revealing envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just for the fine plate armor they wore, but more so for their age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Becoming knights in their twenties caused quite a stir among the knight's squires in York Territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A viscount could confer knighthood upon twelve individuals, yet York Territory's knights were often understrength, and those outside the Elbert family who were knighted were typically over forty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Borien was knighted at forty-three, making him the youngest non-Elbert family knight in nearly seventy years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Truly young knights,\" Corleon acknowledged, understanding the issues within York Territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The networks woven by the lower nobility, while not threatening the lord's rule, still warranted caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once these networks solidified, the right to form armed forces legally became a precious commodity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This represented the interests of their respective families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, under the balance of various powers, the qualification of knighthood became a weight in the lord's game of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Corleon glanced at Borien—his timing in becoming a knight and his actions thereafter...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The family power behind Borien was not strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed, such an age is unimaginable in York Territory,\" Borien said, his words perhaps hinting at dissatisfaction with Sir Helvin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What brings Lord Lundex to York Territory?\" Corleon shifted the topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More concerned with Lord Lundex's purpose than discussing the age of new knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally, to sign a ceasefire treaty,\" Borien replied. \"Although prisoners were released, that merely signaled a truce.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Borien's expression grew uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A treaty must be signed to mark a true ceasefire. More importantly, discussions on war reparations are needed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wars among nobles are driven by interests; this is their principle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply halting a war clearly violates this noble principle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is Sir Helvin providing compensation?\" Corleon inquired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>York Territory suffered significant losses in this war, while Lundex Territory profited in gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the involvement of necromancers, the origins of these necromancers remain unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Lord Lundex issued a statement claiming no connection to these necromancers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But who would believe it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, no, Helvin is a viscount, while Lundex is merely a lord,\" Borien shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is Lundex who must compensate Viscount Helvin,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps even returning my ransom and adding more,\" he even mentioned his own situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even after suffering attacks from necromancers, the scale of York Territory's military remains unmatched by Lundex Territory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corleon understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It depended on who was stronger; strength dictated righteousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, York Territory remained strong, so even if Lundex Territory was the actual victor, they must bow to York Territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Lundex could confer knighthood upon two individuals in a short time, but Sir Helvin had knighted five in recent days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corleon did not doubt the combat capabilities of these knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the lord balanced noble powers in knighthood conferment, combat ability was the baseline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knighthood equated to honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore, perhaps the commoners' lives will improve somewhat,\" Corleon said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Post-war losses needed swift recovery, and this burden naturally fell upon the commoners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps,\" Borien merely sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Borien, will you be volunteering at the church today?\" Corleon shifted the topic again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I have family matters this afternoon,\" Borien said. \"I was merely passing by the church to visit the priest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Borien's departing figure, Corleon felt uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, after much contemplation, he couldn't pinpoint the issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only clutch the cross tightly, praising the Lord in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, by dusk, Corleon understood the source of his unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small army stopped at the church entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two knights in full plate armor stood at the forefront; behind them was a luxurious carriage, followed by cavalry and warriors, and then escorts from York Territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a delegation from Lundex Territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corleon wondered why such true nobles would come to the church, but he calmly stood at the entrance to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>George wanted to assist but was stopped by Corleon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage door opened, and a figure alighted, looking at the church and Corleon, then spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I remember passing through during my travels; an old priest presided here then.\" His voice was gentle, like a kind elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nice to meet you, Priest Corleon. I am Pegiraov Lundex. Perhaps you're more familiar with the title Lord Lundex, but I prefer friends to call me Pegira.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief hesitation, Corleon said, \"Sir Pegira.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Henry passed away seven years ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I recall correctly, this road doesn't lead to Lundex Territory,\" Corleon observed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His white hair was meticulously groomed, wrinkles on his face indicating his age, and he wore an elegant dark red robe adorned with a beautiful ruby on his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a true noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a thought arose in Corleon's mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I merely heard of a kind priest who provided refuge to refugees under necromancer attacks,\" Pegira said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, after concluding my journey, I ordered the knights to detour here; I wished to visit this kind priest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And to pay respects to the Lord he believes in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wonder if your Lord permits this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corleon looked into his eyes but couldn't discern any other emotions; he seemed merely curious about the church and wanted to look inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Lord does not turn away anyone who seeks goodness,\" Corleon finally said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Sir Pegira doesn't mind this humble church.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1124,"2026-06-06T13:52:13.653Z",1,"novelbin.me","186fcabf28c76c9a5d248f2acc5caeac9f859225bf4539a19a710bc676fcce4e","the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-chapter-369","the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-chapter-368",373,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-cover.jpg"]