Within the Holy Light Church, there are many factions, but no matter which faction, they must give face to the Chastisement Black Knights of the Inquisition.
It's unavoidable, as they are granted divine authority to act first and report later.
Even though the two groups at the East Gate were ready to draw swords and fight, as soon as the Knight Captain arrived with the Black Knight Guard, both sides immediately quieted down.
Lette stepped out of the carriage with Emily, observing the two groups in conflict.
One group he knew very well; it was from his old home, the Order of Paladins. To this day, his official status in the Holy Light Church is still within the Paladin ranks.
The other group was unfamiliar. These people wore white monk robes, but the style was different from the White Robe series.
Moreover, these people dared to use gold as decoration on their white robes, which looked quite prestigious.
According to the Knight Captain, this is a newly emerged faction recently—the Holy Light New Sect.
Looking at them, Lette noticed that the Holy Light fluctuations on those people were not weak.
The leader, a blonde girl, had strength comparable to the Chastisement Knight Captain, at least of Fifth Level Intermediate strength.
If the two groups really started fighting, the Paladins would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage.
Lette stood there silently, while both groups hesitated internally.
The Chastisement Black Knight Guard is usually responsible for escorting major criminals, yet this person was traveling in a luxurious carriage accompanied by a graceful beauty.
Moreover, from the Knight Captain to the Chastisement Black Knights, everyone showed him the utmost respect.
This aura was not the kind that curry favoring could match but was born from inner admiration and reverence.
This warped dynamic kept both groups from daring to act rashly.
"Beneath the Holy City! In front of the East Gate! Engaging in group brawls! What a disgrace! Bringing shame to the Holy Light!"
Lette showed anger, his voice booming like thunder, suppressing everyone instantly.
Among the two groups, a few timid ones turned pale instantly, their knees weakened, and they subconsciously wanted to kneel and apologize.
After stabilizing the scene, Lette spoke loudly with authority behind his back.
"Who is in charge here, step forward!"
The blonde girl from the New Sect walked over with her head held high, her expression very proud. The Paladin group nudged each other until finally, a slightly older young man came over sheepishly.
Lette got even angrier at seeing the Paladin's hesitance.
"Attention! Stand straight, what's with this sloppy demeanor!"
He purposely leaned in closer and pointed to his face, "Do you recognize me?"
The Paladin awkwardly shook his head.
"How long have you served in the Order of Paladins?"
"Two... two and a half years."
Lette glanced at the other Paladins, estimating their service time to be about a year or two; no wonder they didn't recognize him.
"What's going on with you two factions? Fighting amongst yourselves in front of all these believers! Do you wish to head to the Red Robed Holy Hall to plead culpability?"
The blonde girl was rather unwilling to comply, "Who are you, sir? What right do you have to question us?"
In fact, the blonde girl's questioning was justified. After all, Lette's appearance and demeanor were more akin to a Paladin.
Under the Holy Light Church's Holy Temple are divided into the Red Robed Holy Hall, White Robed Holy Hall, and Black Robed Holy Hall.
Among them, the red cardinals oversee the Church Council's administrative affairs, and the black cardinals mainly handle the Church Council's judicial matters. Meanwhile, the white robed bishops are the clergy who interact with believers the most.
They are responsible for preaching, baptism, conducting priestly duties, study of scriptures, and other daily religious activities.
The Holy Knights belong to the legion of the Holy Light Goddess; though part of the church, they are not within the Church Court system.
If Lette were just a high-ranking member within the Paladin order, he indeed wouldn't have the standing to call out the Red Robed Holy Hall.
If he belonged to the Chastisement Black Knight sequence, it wouldn't be serious enough to warrant the intervention of the Black Robed Holy Hall for these brawls.
But unfortunately, Lette was one of the Apprentice Holy Sons, to some extent, able to execute the Pope's divine will.
In response to the girl's questioning, Lette hadn't yet spoken when the Knight Captain angrily intervened first.
"Rubbish! Insolence! Who gave you the guts to confront His Highness!?
You New Church people are becoming more and more out of line! Do you want to have a chat with me at the Judgement Court?"
When the crowd heard the Knight Captain address Lette as "Your Highness," their expressions instantly became intriguing.
After all, only an Apprentice Holy Son could be called Your Highness by the Chastisement Black Knights.
Among the five Apprentice Holy Sons, two have remained in the Holy City, two have gone out for training and have not yet returned, and one is missing.
The clergy and Paladins present were clueless as to which Apprentice Holy Son stood before them.
"Even if you are an Apprentice Holy Son, shouldn't you be reasonable? We clearly did not fight, so how can you accuse us of brawling?"
Lette snorted coldly, "What, you're disappointed it didn't come to blows?
Let me tell you! If a fight had broken out, it wouldn't be as simple as handing it over to the Red Robed Holy Hall!
As clergy, to brazenly gather and brawl during the preparation of the Holy Presence Ceremony, causing a terribly negative impact!
Each and every one of you would be thrown into the Judgement Court to rot in prison!
As for the two leaders of yours, the crime is even greater!
Even if the Pope and the Holy Temple Council were all present, they couldn't save you! This, I decree!"
The blonde girl seemed to still be defiant, but seeing the Chastisement Black Knights on the side already prepared to attack, she shrank her head and dared not talk back.
Simultaneously, fear gripped her heart.
These Chastisement Black Knights obeyed him respectfully and awe-inspiringly, even when he verbally disrespected the Pope and the Holy Temple.
She had seen other Apprentice Holy Sons and Apprentice Saintesses, none of whose power or aura could compare to the man before her.
Lette looked toward the blonde girl, "You, what is your name?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, my name is Flander Portman."
"You speak quite a lot. So, tell me, why the conflict?"
Flander glanced at the Paladins, sneering, "Humph! We were not having a conflict; we were trying to expel these avaricious Paladins!
They have occupied the miracle bestowed by the great Light God and are selfishly profiting from it, which is simply blasphemy against the Holy Light!
We were preventing them from continuing to accumulate sins! Also, it was to better protect the miracle!"
"Miracle? What miracle?"
Flander pointed to the Holy Sword half-buried in the earth at the gate, "There! That is the miracle! It is the blessing of the Light God!"
Lette showed a strange expression because the girl praised the Holy Light, but the deity's name was not the Holy Light Goddess.
He looked questioningly at the Knight Captain beside him, who leaned forward and whispered an explanation.
"Their New Sect has emerged over the past two or three years. Though they also worship the Holy Light, they have consistently used the name of the Light God."
"What nonsense? Such a heterodox sect is allowed by your Judgement Court? Is the Holy Temple Council dead?"
The Knight Captain showed difficulty, "Of course, it's not allowed, but they astonishingly summoned the Divine Gift publicly, not just once!
The Church Court had no choice but to grudgingly acknowledge their identity."
While the two were quietly conversing, the Paladin team leader jumped up in anger, "Nonsense! That sword is our leader's elder brother's Holy Artifact!
Three years ago, our leader's brother ventured in pursuit of the ultimate path of the Holy Light! That's why the Holy Sword was stored here!
At that time, your new sect was probably still playing in the mud somewhere!"
Flander sneered, "Are you kidding me? Such great power belongs only to the great Light God!
Merely an exiled Holy Knight, a criminal who committed the sin of blasphemy! Dubiously known as Turbid Light, a Holy Sin that people avoid mentioning!
His Holy Artifact, can one sword seal the gate for more than three years?
Or should I ask, can such a person even possess a Holy Artifact? Do you think Holy Artifacts are cabbages!
If you wish to make up stories, at least make them believable, will you?"
At this moment, Knight Captain Kertes's face had turned from a furious red to a terrified white.
His gaze at Flander was akin to staring at a talking corpse.
Even Emily couldn't bear to watch and covered her eyes.
As for Lette, the person involved, he instead looked at the blonde girl with a smile.
"Interesting, Flander, right? Are you interested in making a bet with me?"