Chapter 112 Church of Light
"So, this is Drachenreich," Solomon said calmly, his eyes scanning the streets being cleaned by servants. Behind him stood Rick. Both were dressed simply, blending in with the crowd.
Rick looked around curiously. The thought of meeting Morgana was surreal. After all, they called her the heir of King Arthur.
Although Rick feared Morgana might kill him, Solomon had assured him it wouldn't happen—because Rick possessed Excalibur.
"It kind of gives off a German vibe," Rick remarked, observing the people. Solomon, hearing this unfamiliar term, wondered about its meaning but refrained from asking. He was used to it by now.
"This is one of the rare lands, like the Wargans, that have managed to preserve their culture," Solomon said dispassionately. "Even the great Lorenzo couldn't achieve that. All he managed to do was earn hatred."
Rick looked at Solomon curiously. "Does that mean they hate us too?"
Solomon paused for a moment and then smirked cynically. "They don't just hate us; they're eager to see us wiped out."
Rick grimaced with discomfort. The thought of people hating him enough to wish for his death was daunting. He sighed. "That's... sad."
"Weaklings can only hate, Hero," Solomon said calmly. "If you're strong enough, even their hatred cannot harm you."
"That's tyranny," Rick replied, disliking Solomon's words. "I think what matters is understanding them and solving their problems."
Solomon merely smiled. "You sound like King Arthur. He was said to be like that."
Though Solomon's words seemed like a compliment, Rick caught the mockery in his tone, realizing Solomon looked down on King Arthur.
Rick said nothing more, and Solomon didn't push the conversation further. Soon, they returned to the place where the Church members were gathered.
The Church had sent Solomon, Rick, and a paladin, one of their elite warriors, as emissaries. Rumors of Morgana's resurrection had reached the Church.
All Solomon needed was evidence. If proven, Drachenreich would be razed by the Church.
Calling them emissaries was a stretch. They weren't here for diplomacy but to gather proof.
After regrouping with the paladins, the group made their way to a small garden arranged by Morringan. Morvos Knights were out in doubled numbers and on high alert.
The paladins were under constant observation.
"Welcome," Thomas greeted Solomon, his tone mocking. In contrast, Solomon remained hostile, wondering what Thomas was doing here.
A theory crossed Solomon's mind but remained uncertain. Behind him, Rick observed the two with curiosity, wondering if they'd met before.
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"Have you two met before?" Rick asked.
Thomas turned to Rick, giving him an assessing look before adjusting his glasses. "Just old friends."
Solomon grunted, saying nothing. Rick, noticing Solomon's irritation despite his neutral expression, decided not to push further.
"Her Majesty is waiting for you. Don't keep her waiting," Thomas ordered, motioning for them to follow. Solomon and Rick complied.
They walked through the garden and soon arrived at Morgana's location. Rick was taken aback the moment he saw her. Her long, golden hair flowed past her waist.
A veil obscured her face, and her black attire radiated nobility. Her style was striking, but what caught Rick's attention most was her crown.
Staring at the crown, Rick suppressed the growing feelings of doubt and disdain within him. Solomon merely studied her with an evaluating gaze.
This blonde woman wasn't Morgana; Solomon suspected she was Morringan. But it seemed he was mistaken. She wasn't Morringan.
"I thought Morringan would be here too?" Solomon questioned suspiciously. Thomas quickly replied, "Morringan? Are you blind?"
Solomon turned in surprise toward the new arrival. Morringan entered, her cold gaze fixed on Solomon. "I'm here."
For a moment, Solomon was taken aback, then smiled. "It's been a while. The woman I thought would die that day is now alive and well."
Morringan smirked disdainfully. Eventually, the conversation ceased, and all eyes turned to Rachel. She wore Morringan's attire, posing as Morgana to deceive the Church.
"Let's begin the negotiations," Rachel said coldly, wishing it would end quickly. "Sit and tell me what gives you the nerve to come here."
Rick was startled by her sudden hostility but sat down silently. Solomon followed suit, taking the seat beside him. As Morringan took her seat, the discussion began.
"Will Morringan also be part of this?" Solomon frowned, glancing at Morringan. Rachel scowled, her voice dripping with contempt. "You're the last person to question my decisions, boy."
Solomon studied Rachel thoughtfully, sighed, and continued. "Never mind. What we say probably won't matter anyway."
He pressed on, "You call yourself Morgana? What does that mean?"
Rachel paused, contemplating her response. Then she replied, "What you think doesn't matter. If you insist on an answer, the only one you'll get is that I'll kill you."
Rick disliked where the conversation was heading. Interrupting Solomon, he said, "We're merely curious. Claiming to be Morgana alone could cause massive unrest."
Solomon frowned at being interrupted but remained silent. Rick, however, gazed intently at Rachel.
"The Church is no longer welcome in these lands. What people like you think is irrelevant," Rachel said firmly. Morringan nodded in agreement. Continue reading at empire
Rachel continued, "If there's unrest, it's because of your presence. Remember that your purpose here is futile."
Solomon scowled. "Considering your reputation, your words are misguided. The Church is a force of order. You are chaos, disrupting that order."
Morringan frowned. "Your past actions in these lands aren't forgotten. How can you still pose as a force of good?"
"What we did also brought prosperity. And you? What have you achieved?" Solomon said calmly. "You've only terrorized the continent."
"Don't overstep, boy," Rachel snapped sharply. Morringan sighed, noticing Rachel's growing intolerance for Solomon.
"Think what you will," Rachel said, regaining composure. "But the Church will no longer exist here. Call back your dogs."
Rick sighed. "But it doesn't have to be this way. They have a right to live too. Forcing them into exile is cruel."
Rachel cast a dismissive glance at Rick. Morringan, sensing something off about him, felt uneasy. Her gaze fell on his trembling hand, narrowing her eyes.
His hand shook involuntarily. This sensation was unsettling. Morringan couldn't understand it, but she suspected Seth held the answer.
"Then this means war. Our paladins will restore this land to the righteous path once more," Solomon said mercilessly. Rick wanted to intervene but fell silent under Solomon's sharp gaze.
Rachel smiled. "And how will you do that? The kingdom is in civil war. What can you do when the Wargans attack you?"
To Rachel's surprise, Solomon didn't retreat but smiled wider. His eyes seemed to glow. "The Wargans will lose, as they did in history. Because we have a great weapon."
Solomon turned to Rick, smiling. "Rick will crush the Wargan barbarians like pests. So don't be too confident."
Rick couldn't understand Solomon's intentions. He grimaced. Did Solomon truly want him to become a target?
Rick was baffled.
Meanwhile, Rachel seethed with rage. Such insults to the Wargans were a blow to her pride. She struggled to hide her anger.
But it was futile. Solomon seemed to notice. "The Wargans will fall, and then it'll be your turn. Your time is running out."
Before Rachel could respond, Morringan intervened. "You're forgetting the orcs. Stopping them won't be as easy as you think. Not to mention the elves and even my father, Duke Alfred. You won't stop them."
Solomon smiled enigmatically, offering no reply. "Don't underestimate the Church. Do you think we've stayed the same? We're constantly growing stronger."
"Fine," Rachel said calmly. "Since decisions are made, leave. If you return, you won't be welcomed."
After thirty minutes of trading barbs, the conversation had become meaningless. Both sides were confident in their positions.
"Good," Solomon said, standing. Rick followed. "Enjoy your last days, Lady Morgana. Your end is near."
As they left, Rick gave Solomon a disapproving look. "Why were you so aggressive? Provoking them was pointless."
Solomon smirked slyly, glancing at Rick. "In the end, there's war anyway. Whether it comes sooner or later doesn't matter."
Solomon began speaking with a mocking smirk. "Besides, they have their own problems. To conquer this realm, they first need to defeat the Aurelions and establish dominance in the West."
Rick calmed down and looked at Solomon thoughtfully. "But there was no need to provoke them. What if they had attacked us there?"
"You're here, aren't you?" Solomon said. "Someone who wields Excalibur causes a lot of trouble. Don't underestimate yourself."
Rick sighed. "You remind me of Jack."
"Who's Jack?" Solomon frowned, displeased at being compared to someone. Rick, however, smiled. "He's as confident as you are."
"Hmm," Solomon murmured, intrigued by this man but chose not to ask further. Then, they left the place. They were returning to New Camelot.
******
Seth paced nervously around the room. Why was Rick here, and why was he so close to their enemies? He couldn't understand it.
"How did he get here?" Seth frowned. Was it the Light Goddess? But how could Rick have been chosen? Seth couldn't grasp how the Light Goddess had managed to pick someone close to him out of 8 billion people.
This was bad. What if he had to kill Rick? Seth would be torn. And what if Rick tried to kill Morrigan?
Would he then have to try to kill Rick? No, Seth couldn't allow that. For the first time, he felt such anger. If the Light Goddess was behind this, then Seth would show no mercy.
"According to Solomon, Rick is highly significant," Seth calmed himself and said. He felt the need to think long and hard about what to do with Rick.
"If others from Earth have also come here, they must possess more than just ordinary abilities," Seth said confidently.
The Light Goddess must have granted them powers if even Solomon trusted them so much. Moreover, Rick had the audacity to threaten Rachel face-to-face while playing the role of Morgana.
"Hmm..."
Seth stood in deep thought. It seemed he needed to revise his plans. He couldn't allow Rick to be a pawn of the Light Goddess.
Sighing, Seth then opened a map of the West. He looked at the countries one by one and chose his first target. His first target would be the Aurelions. He had to assimilate them.
The Kingdom of Harmonia, however, was protected by the Church. For now, he couldn't do anything to that kingdom.
"Then another war is coming," Seth said firmly. But the war wouldn't start just yet. Once the Wargans entered the fray, he would command Morrigan to begin the battle.
"When everything is ready, then the war will begin..."
Without wasting any more time, Seth left the room.