The Unannounced Guest Side Story: Rise of the Congress
“My lord.” The farmers who were busy working in the land greeted their liege humbly and obediently. Most of them did not quite see the face of the earl, but they knew that the only person who could have been surrounded by so many knights, who could have ridden the magnificent Dragon Scale horse, who could have worn the fancy clothes, and whose necklace was above the back of his head and covered his ears, was the distinguished Lord Earl. Also, the guys before them were also paying respects.
With the Dragon Scale horse between his legs and a whip in his hands, Earl Paphos heard nothing of the farmers’ greetings. It was a privilege that any noble deserved, and there was no need to feel surprised.
After he left his manor and reached the highroad, Earl Paphos slapped his horse hard to let it run faster, surpassing the wagons and the passersby on his way.
Earl Paphos had always despised the nobles who took wagons. The nobles who had been knighted for eliminating sorcerers and the other heresies should not abandon their pride and their knightly instincts! Vanity was also an original sin!
The Paphos family was one of the earliest knight families who resisted the Magic Empire with the Church and the king. The title of the earl had been earned by the magnificent strength of every generation and the remarkable achievements they made. Earl Paphos himself was among them. He had become a radiant knight before forty, winning the nickname “Dragon of Protection”. His hands were stained with the blood of evil sorcerers and other heresies.
Dozens of Dragon Scale horses galloped fast all the way into the city. The guards of the city cleared the path when they saw the emblem of the Paphos family far away, not daring to stop or examine them at all.
Hooooooo!
Earl Paphos pulled his bridle, and the Dragon Scale horse rose like a human and roared as if it were a dragon.
The knights that followed him did the same. All the horses were stopped simultaneously.
“Good evening, my lord.” At the entrance of the villa, two nobles were already standing.
They were wearing the fashionable two-layered shirt inside, whose many buttons were all made of gems. Outside, they were wearing a high-collared coat that was decorated with many accessories.
Earl Paphos got off the horse and nodded. “Thank you for your trouble.”
They were the two barons on his land. Today, they helped him summon the nobles that were close to him for a private meeting.
“It’s our pleasure,” the barons answered respectfully and directed him into the villa.
Earl Paphos did not smile or say anything, but he was quite satisfied with the two barons’ attitudes, which made him feel the honor and power of a senior noble.
Several long tables were placed in the hall, and steaks, roasted chicken, and the likes were on them. Many nobles were already gathered in small groups with their wine cups.
“Good evening, my lord.” All the nobles greeted Earl Paphos as soon as possible.
Earl Paphos raised his right hand and waved it. “Everyone, good evening.”
He enjoyed such occasions. Power was always most fascinating at these moments.
Handing over his horsewhip to a knight who came with him, Earl Paphos was ready to host the meeting when the guard at the gate led in a cleric who was in a sacred white robe.
“Esteemed earl, the bishop invites you to the church.” The young cleric was very polite, but his facial skin was tightened without the slightest smile, giving an arrogant feeling. However, none of the nobles felt inappropriate. He was the Lord’s shepherd. Even though they were dissatisfied with his attitude, they could not reveal it, or the night watchers of the Inquisition would come.
“Is there anything urgent?” Earl Paphos asked slowly.
The cleric seemed to be looking at the ceiling. “I’m not sure about that. You will know it after you come to the church.”
Earl Paphos was secretly infuriated by the guy’s attitude. Did the clerics of the Church not have the basic manners now?
However, he got his feelings under control and said expressionlessly, “Alright.”
“Right, earl, it’s past six in the evening. None is allowed to ride a horse except for the knights on watch,” the cleric added in a rough tone.
Earl Paphos clenched his fists, feeling that fury was surging into his head. As an earl and the lord of this city, he did not even have the privilege to ride a horse?
After delivering the information, the cleric drew a cross on his chest. “I hope that you will come to the church as soon as possible. Only Truth lives forever!”
“Only Truth lives forever…” Earl Paphos drew a cross; his eyes deep and dark. He decided to hold it back. What else could he do? Defy the Church? How could he resist one demigod, fifty legendary Grand Cardinals and divine knights, and seraphs who can arrive at any moment? That was a force even more terrifying than the three Magic Empires in the past!
Also, as the remaining forces of the Magic Empire were gradually cleared, the Church was less and less dependent on the nobles, with a worse and worse attitude.
The wagon slowly reached the city church. The sky was dark and full of clouds, suggesting an upcoming storm.
Boom!
Thunders rumbled, and the silver snakes of lightning illuminated the sky. Earl Paphos looked at the sky, got off the wagon, and entered the church.
“Good evening, Your Highness. Please allow me to pray to the Lord first,” Earl Paphos said politely. The dissatisfaction and fury in his heart were already gone.
The city was the capital of the county. It was at an important location and was relatively prosperous. So, the bishop here was Field, a newly promoted red robe. He nodded. “It’s very pious of you.”
After praying before the cross, Earl Paphos smiled. “Why did you summon me, Your Highness?”
Field said in a seemingly gentle way, “According to the report of the night watchers, sorcerers seem to be active in this area recently. I hope that you can devote more attention to hunting them.”
“It’s my responsibility,” Earl Paphos replied casually, waiting for the bishop to discuss more important things with him.
“Very good. Please see that it is done after you are back.” Field smiled.
“There’s nothing else?” Earl Paphos blurted out in shock.
Field raised an eyebrow. “Do we need other things?”
Fury burst out in Earl Paphos’ heart. You’ve asked me to come here for such trivia? You could’ve sent someone to deliver a message! What do you think I am? A dog of the Church that you can command freely?
“Or maybe, you think the issue is not important enough?” Field’s smile was gradually gone.
Earl Paphos tried to hold back his fury. “I was just about to make more contributions to the Lord. Your Highness, since there’s nothing here, I’ll return and investigate the sorcerers immediately.”
He went out of the church and got into the wagon without changing his expression. Sitting like a stone statue with golden scales growing on the back of his hand, he did not turn gloomy until the wagon was some distance away and thunder broke out nonstop.
“Damn it! They do not regard us, the nobles, as their equal at all!” Paphos gnashed his teeth.
A torrential rain poured down. The night was even darker. Under the blowing wind, the trees and branches were flying crazily. Now and then, leaves and dust were thrown into the wagon.
Pa, pa, pa.
The raindrops hit the top of the wagon as if they were playing an instrument. Looking at the dark night out of the window, Earl Paphos couldn’t calm down after a long time. Was it the real position of the nobles?
Dum, dum, dum.
Three rhythmed knocks echoed near the window. Earl Paphos was so shocked that he turned around in shock and roared, “Who is it?”
Having arrived soundlessly without being perceived by a level-six radiant knight, the person was definitely terrifyingly strong.
“An unannounced guest.” A low female chuckle echoed out of the window, but the coachman and the knights behind sensed nothing.
“Who are you exactly?” Earl Paphos squinted. Golden dragon scales surfaced on his skin that was exposed to the air, and his pupils became gold and vertical too.
The magnetic female voice chuckled again. “Are you too worried to invite me to come in, my lord? If I intended to ambush you, I wouldn’t have warned you at all just now. For the experts like you and me, does the blockage of a wagon really matter?”
A proud woman who likes to mock other people… Earl Paphos reached a conclusion. Considering for a moment, he opened the window carefully.
A red shadow blinked in and sat on Earl Paphos’ opposite side.
A senior-rank sorcerer… Earl Paphos raised his wariness again and was ready to attack. However, his eyes suddenly glittered, because it was a young and beautiful girl who was as bright as fire. She was petite with a blood-red magic robe and a delicate face. Her pupils were as red as blood, making her extremely vigorous.
The rumors are true that female sorcerers like to modify their look, but don’t they say that the senior-rank sorcerers often turn hideous because of their bloodline modifications and the experiment pollutions? Earl Paphos thought subconsciously. Why did he not know such a senior-rank sorcerer at all? Was she from a different country?
“Absentmindedness won’t help solve any problem.” The gorgeous beauty on his opposite side seemed rather impatient. She said directly, “My lord, do you not want to change the current situation?”
“The current situation?” Earl Paphos repeated in a low voice and then sneered, “Discussing the current situation with sorcerers who are no better than stray dogs? My lady, we are not on the same level. Right, how should I call you?”
The pretty girl’s expression turned grave. “You may call me ‘Storm’. As for the current situation, I believe that even pet dogs have to worry about their position nowadays.”
Is it the right attitude for communication? Earl Paphos was rather amused by the lady that the sorcerers sent over. She did not seem willing to give in at all.
However, his face became much more solemn. Despite her rudeness, the lady’s words were exactly his concerns.
“We don’t have much time. Your villa is not far away. Let’s talk straightforwardly.” Ms. Storm wasn’t bothered by Earl Paphos’ attitude change and said quickly, “The responsibility of the nobles is to help the Church resist sorcerers, elves, dragons, and other rogues. When you lose your value, you will be no different from the ordinary people, and the Church will treat you however they see fit.”
She slightly squinted. “Besides, the Church is more wary of the nobles than the ordinary people. So, you need to know where your responsibility lies and do not lose it.”
After that, instead of waiting for Earl Paphos to reply, she turned into a shadow and disappeared from the wagon. It was impossible to make a deal after only one negotiation. More communications were still needed.
Looking at the dark night where she disappeared into, Earl Paphos was deep in thought.
The storm was pouring outside with astounding thunders, and it was as dark as the doomsday.
