No one expected that the disciplinary black knights of the Judgement Court would arrive so quickly.
Moslian did not wait until nightfall to launch a surprise attack; perhaps he had learned in advance that the Black Knights were nearby.
To Emily, the disciplinary black knights were undoubtedly here to capture Lette.
After all, the man before her was a Catastrophe level heretic, guilty of blasphemy.
Even though he was powerful, the Black Knights under the Judgement Court were specifically tasked with punishing disgraced clergy. Who knows what measures they might have at their disposal?
However, Lette remained unperturbed, taking the time to cast several Holy Healing Techniques, healing the guards who had just been injured.
With the demise of the Evil Mage Moslian, the black mist surrounding the estate dissipated. A group of Holy Temple Knights, clad in black armor, were charging towards the estate.
"Aren't you leaving? If you don't go now, there won't be time!"
Lette raised an eyebrow: "Why should I leave?"
As he spoke, the Black Knights had already completely surrounded the entire estate. Led by the Black Knight Leader, a small elite team reached the interior of the estate, halting ten meters before Lette.
Everyone nervously watched them. The disciplinary black knights were infamous, and being caught and taken to the Judgement Court meant a fate worse than death.
In the Holy Grant Duchy, where the Holy Light Church was the state religion, the Black Knights even had greater authority than the Imperial Guards, capturing nobles as they pleased.
Even without mentioning anything else, just having a demon by one's side was something the disciplinary knights could not tolerate.
The people at the estate wanted to say a few words in defense of Lette; after all, he had saved them. But under the intimidating presence of the Black Knights, they didn't have the courage to speak up.
One must know that blatantly aiding a wanted criminal of the Church, not only would there be no place for them in the Holy Grant Duchy, but the entire Continent would hunt them down.
Just as everyone felt conflicted and helpless, the Black Knight Leader actually dismounted along with his team, kneeling on one knee before Lette.
"Your Highness, we are late to protect you, please forgive us!"
As for the demon Lilith, they acted as if they hadn't seen her at all.
"Oh dear! You kneeled too early! I haven't even had a chance to smirk yet! I haven't even recited the whole 'thirty years east of the river, thirty years to the west' bit!"
Seeing the Black Knights behaving so respectfully, Emily was dumbfounded.
"Wait! Are you really disciplinary black knights of the Judgement Court? Why are you kneeling to him? Isn't he a Catastrophe level wanted criminal?"
The Black Knight Leader frowned: "He was, once. Three years ago, Lord Wright was exiled by the Church and a wanted notice was issued by the Judgement Court.
But as of last month, the three-year period has expired, and His Highness has regained his status, still an Apprentice Saint Heir.
Due to the Church being occupied with other matters recently, the order to revoke the wanted notice has been slow to convey, causing some areas to still hold onto the outdated notice.
We've already sent someone to expedite this process, and it won't take long to complete the information update.
Today we're here to respectfully invite Lord Wright to return to the Holy City!"
Lette pouted: "I'm not going back. It was hard for me to get out once, and I haven't had enough fun yet.
Besides, I have no interest in the whole Saint Heir position or the Pope's throne. I'm not going to end up fighting and killing for it."
"You... you have to return. The once-in-three-years Holy Descension Ceremony is approaching again. How could it be proper if you're not present?"
"The Holy Descension Ceremony is the Goddess's descent; what does that have to do with my return? Besides, if I'm not there, the Goddess might be so pleased as to bestow more blessings."
Seeing Lette unimpressed, the Black Knight Leader started to panic a little.
"Your Highness, how about we talk privately?"
Lette was initially about to refuse, but seeing the unusual expression on the Black Knight Leader's face, he realized something might be amiss.
He nodded slightly and followed the leader to a secluded corner.
"What's really going on?"
"Your Highness, there is bad news."
The Black Knight Leader finally broke down: "Something has happened in the Holy City! Her Highness Saint Joanna has been assassinated!"
"What? That's impossible! That crazy woman..."
Lette was full of disbelief. Saint Joanna was one of the five candidates for the Holy Daughter, her status equal to his and the other eight.
As a candidate for Saint Heir and Holy Daughter, even if one did not get selected, they would at least be Archbishop level in the future. It could be said these ten people were the central power of the next generation of the Holy Light Church.
Among them, Saint Joanna was a hot favorite for the Holy Daughter. At age twelve, she was revered by believers for being able to summon Holy Light so pure it was almost without impurity, earning the title of Holy.
Joanna's strength was formidable and her thoughts meticulous; she was also his elder sister in apprenticeship, the first disciple of His Holiness the Pope.
Her assassination was second only in severity to the fall of the Pope.
Lette found it unbelievable, but seeing the Black Knight Leader's constipated expression, he frowned.
"I still find it hard to believe, but tell me the details."
"Your Highness, ever since you left the Holy City three years ago, the entire Holy Light Church has undergone dramatic changes internally.
Various new sects began to rise, and the old structure was completely shattered.
The entire Holy City is as chaotic as a pot of boiling soup; as the Holy Descension Ceremony approaches again, conflicts are escalating further.
Just half a month ago, an ancestor level vampire species imprisoned in the Black Iron Prison of the Judgement Court escaped, attacking the Pope's Palace.
The great and Holy one, in an effort to protect the Pope, was unfortunately killed..."
"Nonsense!"
Lette directly interrupted: "Do you take me for a fool? An ancestor level vampire can escape? Since the creation of the Black Iron Prison over a thousand years ago, it has never happened!
This vampire, after escaping, doesn't flee but attacks the Pope's Palace? Do they have a death wish, or do they seek more than just the satisfaction of escape?
Moreover, does the Pope need her protection?"
"After the last Holy Descension Ceremony three years ago, His Holiness the Pope's health has steadily declined. Over the past year, several of you have been taking turns in the Pope's Palace to ease the burden."
Lette didn't know what to say for a moment; he hadn't expected the Holy Light Church to be in such internal and external turmoil.
But he still couldn't believe Joanna would die.
"Is this crazy woman faking her death? Could it be another one of her schemes..."
"Your Highness, please return with us! His Holiness said that you must be present for the Holy Descension Ceremony. Otherwise, given the current circumstances, there's no telling what might happen."
"...Alright, since the old man's health is poor, I'll go back and take a look."
Lette's voice grew cold: "To think they have gone so far for a broken chair, I think this bunch really have an itch."
The Black Knight Leader shivered but was genuinely pleased internally.
"Shall we set off now?"
"Wait, fetch a carriage and bring along that dazed noblewoman over there."
Lette wiped his lips: "She's one of the greatest findings in my three-year journey."
The Black Knight Leader felt inspired: "Oh! I understand! I understand completely!"