[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations":3,"chapter-the-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations-the-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations-chapter-63":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Nation of Ten Thousand Nations",{"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},2333031,4562,"Chapter 63: The Little Fishes (Part Two) (Special Thanks to Patron Mo Ye Xiang Jia)","the-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations-chapter-63",63,"\u003Cp>The lord of Tortosa Castle finally turned his eyes upon Cesar; though he regarded the boy’s arrival as an insult, he could not help but admire him inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This castle existed solely for military purposes; even beneath the blazing sun outside, its interior remained dim and stifling, yet he stood there like a luminous pearl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walter had seen many beauties in the king’s court and noble castles, but none so extraordinary—truly astonishing. Either God had poured all His effort into this creation, or the Devil had spared no effort—either way, no human pair could ever give birth to such a flawless being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other knight stewards beside him had also softened their expressions, as if they had been waiting for just such an excuse; Walter even suspected that if Geoffroy had claimed he’d simply picked up a stone outside the castle with an inscription saying this boy was favored by God, they would believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, Walter merely tilted his head slightly toward his squire—a sharp, slender youth—who immediately understood and stepped forward to speak to the impossibly young envoy: “What message did Amalric I send you to deliver?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you are asking for Amalric I’s decree—he demands your surrender: lower your banners, lay down your weapons, strip off your armor, carry the castle keys to the gate, and bow before him in penitence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walter let out a loud, mocking laugh. He glanced at the knight stewards seated on either side, and as expected, saw anger etched on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked again at Geoffroy, as if to say, “See? See what your guarantee has brought us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geoffroy’s face was as impervious as a fortress wall, utterly unmoved by Walter’s gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We serve the Lord of Heaven, not the king of earth. Amalric I, king of Arles, has no authority over us, and we owe him no duty. We obey only God, or His appointed representatives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The squire paused, then glanced at Walter, who nodded. He continued: “For the sake of our brother who vouched for you, you may leave this castle—but only you. Be grateful, child; we will not smear you with pitch and feather you. God’s creation must not be so defiled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused again: “We will give you food and water, an old horse. You will return to your prince. Though you will suffer greatly, you will live.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then something incomprehensible happened. The child envoy suddenly stepped backward. They expected him to kneel in gratitude for their mercy—but instead, he shed his white robe embroidered with the golden cross of Arles, revealing chainmail beneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This chainmail had been hastily forged by Baldwin’s craftsmen to fit his frame (they were still growing; armor should wait until the body stabilized). It was not only finely made and sturdy, but also plated with silver, making his face glow with an almost unbearable radiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They heard him say: “I have fulfilled the king’s mission. I am no longer Amalric I’s envoy. But now I speak as the messenger for others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Others?” one knight steward asked, amused. “Saracens?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps. Saracens, Isaacites, Christians—anyone unarmed, anyone with goodwill, anyone who will pay a terrible price for this war yet receive no reward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Geoffroy, have you brought us a hermit?” another knight steward asked, tone strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, uh,” Geoffroy poked the air with a finger, “they call him the Little Saint.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t this just Amalric I promoting his son?” Walter said without disguise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Partly, yes,” Geoffroy gazed upward. “But some things are true—he really is that stubborn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walter’s squire stood helplessly. Each may have had his own thoughts, yet on the surface, and perhaps even inwardly, some part of them had truly come here for God—to protect pilgrims persecuted and plundered by infidels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, before them stood another who spoke for these forgotten specks of dust, grass, and beasts—and they found themselves as incredulous as they had been of Amalric I. Several knight stewards even glanced instinctively at the dark ceiling, wondering if a crack might suddenly split open, pouring down holy light and angels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No. Only a mortal stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walter, like Amalric I, began to study the boy closely. Meanwhile, Cesar studied him too—he had learned of this man from Geoffroy; indeed, from his past behavior, he was clearly arrogant and self-important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had accepted the Saracen truce, yes—but he did not see it as compromise with infidels or betrayal of God. He merely ruled over the infidels in his lands as lords and bishops did: forced them to serve Christians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when Amalric I and the “Eagle’s Nest” reached the same peace, and annulled the Templars’ agreement with the latter, he raged like a lord robbed of his subjects—especially since these “subjects” were not free Christian peasants, but the slaves he believed them to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He despised Amalric I for speaking of equality with infidels. He did less than even a lowly knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then now, as the messenger for those…” Walter seemed about to smile generously, but abandoned it: “...the faithful Christians, what do you wish to say to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy fell silent for a moment, then asked: “Have you already decided to wage a prolonged siege here against King Amalric I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Walter answered. “Amalric I’s spear will shatter against this unyielding shield.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you must know that in this war, more Christian lives will be wasted pointlessly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is their duty and honor—for God.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you certain their sacrifice is for God?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walter’s face darkened dangerously: “Are you accusing me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cesar did not answer his question: “I heard there are three villages and one small town around this castle. Where are their people? Are they inside this castle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course not. If Walter housed so many inside, not only would there be no room, but their consumption alone would let Amalric I win without fighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They are the people you swore to protect,” Cesar continued. “Yet you choose to sacrifice them—not for God. If your sword were raised for God, you would not hide in this castle. You would raise your banner, mount your horse, and face the Saracens—or even Amalric I—directly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the black-haired boy’s lips curled into a hateful smile: “But you did not. Perhaps you know that if you did, you, your knights, your army would be utterly destroyed in a single charge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geoffroy heard several sharp intakes of breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walter froze, stunned that anyone would dare mock him so openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he grasped the meaning, fury erupted. He rose from his chair and strode fiercely toward Cesar—Templar knights were tall and sturdy, and Walter was no exception; indeed, he rivaled William Marshal in strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face? You could call it carved from stone or cast from black iron. Had he kept a beard, he might have seemed less fearsome—but without it, his jaw and cheekbones, sharp as a multi-faceted hammer, showed no smoothness, no softness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then came the smell. Of course, in this age, smell was unavoidable—especially for knights. When you’re sealed in armor (only the area from belly to upper thigh breathes), after riding hard or swinging swords for hours, the stench could pickle stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Walter carried another odor too—the smell of dried blood long embedded in steel. It did not make you sick, but sent a chill through your bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walter lowered his gaze to the boy’s face—no adornment, no concealment. He knew some knights even mimicked women by painting their faces…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should thank God for His grace, child,” he growled. “But this is the second time. Best you close your mouth now and stay silent. Whether you speak for Amalric I or the pilgrims—this is my final warning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cesar met his gaze, without a trace of fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you seen your own end? Whether you ride out to fight like a knight—or cower in this castle, trading innocent lives to gamble on Amalric I’s possible retreat—you are doomed to fail. So you are afraid. You are trembling…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walter roared, his massive hand seizing Cesar’s throat. “Fool! I don’t know what kind of good people you’ve met, but I am not one to be restrained by words or pleas!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For me, food, drink, women, wine—they are all trivial. I worship only my God and my sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When do I feel joy? When I stand with my brothers—brave brothers, not cowards—horse to horse, shoulder to shoulder, shouting: ‘Lord, Lord, let not glory be to us, but to Your name for Your mercy and truth!’—then charging into those hateful infidels and heretics!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether they are old, child, woman, or man—we kill them all like farmers cutting wheat, like children smashing sandcastles! Until the blood flowing from corpses drowns me to the knees!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You will not be the first child I’ve killed, nor the last!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, many in the hall cried out—some shouted “Oh!” others yelled “Beg for mercy!” Not only Geoffroy, but even the knight stewards rose to their feet, pleading for Cesar’s life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They dared not touch the raging Walter, but urged Cesar to plead—lest this tender youth perish here. Yet before their words had even faded, Walter felt something wrong. Indeed, as he said, he had killed children and women before, throttled many—he knew the feel, the struggle that followed—but none of it came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Walter reached out, Cesar had already lowered his head, lifted his shoulders, tensed his body. Walter thought he had lifted the boy—yet Cesar used Walter’s own force to leap high, wrapping his arms around Walter’s fist, his feet flashing like lightning toward the Templar’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Cesar been an ordinary child, this kick might have only bruised Walter’s pride. But moments before, he had begun praying—and now his body shimmered with continuous light. When he confirmed his strike, he twisted and flipped—Walter’s hand remained separated from Cesar by an invisible, unyielding scale armor. No matter how hard the Templar squeezed, it was like trying to grip a slippery fish with iron gloves—in an instant, Cesar landed back on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several squires thought he would flee and rushed to the door—but saw him standing motionless, and could not help but admire his courage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone expected Walter to rage further—but instead, he wiped blood from his nose and mouth: “Who is this Saint you’ve seen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Saint Jerome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn Saint Jerome,” Walter said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And you? Who have you seen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t Geoffroy tell you? I’ve seen Saint Paul,” Walter said, head high, proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saint Paul was second only to Saint George among the saints knights most desired to behold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Born a Roman citizen, he was once cruel, persecuting Christians repeatedly—until one day, Jesus Christ and an angel appeared before him, revealing Christ’s divine majesty and the mystery of His body. He repented, converted, and became one of Christ’s greatest apostles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond his past as a warrior, knights revered him also because of the Church: before the eleventh century, any armed man was a knight—low in character, crude in behavior, little better than bandits. Monasteries and churches, rich and vulnerable, became the most frequent targets of plunder…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poor priests could only impose spiritual penalties: knights who robbed churches, attacked clerics, or looted merchants were excommunicated—but this was as ineffective then as it had been centuries later. Knights remained unafraid. Finally, the Church turned to Scripture and found a model: Saint Paul, who had sinned but repented early and achieved glorious deeds for Christ.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When priests read passages about Saint Paul, knights rose to honor him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Few knights had ever beheld Saint Paul—but Walter was one. And his grace was abundant—his arrogance had real foundation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard from Geoffroy about you,” Cesar said, standing five or six steps from Walter, calm. “I know you take pride in the power Saint Paul has given you. Then…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you say Templars obey only God’s will—would you wager with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1966,"2026-06-20T20:58:34.857Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","431c3c53915af39544b2ca106ddf94d1e72ed8c38eea5da044469f617047fec2","the-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations-chapter-64","the-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations-chapter-62",168,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-nation-of-ten-thousand-nations-cover.jpg"]