Chapter 169: Before the ‘Baptism’ Ceremony – Part 2

Unlike the clear-cut flags of the nobles, the procession of the Divine Church behind Dean was predominantly white, including the emblems on both the carriages and the armor.

After all, white symbolized holiness, didn’t it?

After scanning the Divine Church’s procession with his gaze, Dean naturally placed his focus on the white carriage and the two people standing beside it.

The height difference between the two figures made it very easy for Dean to identify them as his upcoming opponents.

However, Dean’s gaze lingered on these two opponents only briefly before shifting to the carriage beside them—

Deholl!

Without needing to ask, Dean clearly knew who was sitting inside.

And precisely because he knew so clearly, Dean became even more vigilant.

In fact, compared to the two opponents valued by everyone else, Dean valued Deholl more highly!

Although Deholl was currently only the Diocesan Bishop of Vauban County, Dean knew very well that after the end of the Second Blood Moon War, Deholl would assume the position of Grand Archbishop of the Council, controlling the entire Northland of Emerald… as a Gold-rank Expert.

What made Dean even more cautious was Deholl’s attitude toward Emerald: hostility, a very thorough hostility!

The rebel army he once led had been hunted down by Deholl more than once.

In fact, there were several opportunities to turn the tide that Deholl had ruined!

“I must kill this guy…”

Thinking about Deholl’s identity and deeds, a strong killing intent surged in Dean’s heart—but the moment this intent appeared, he shifted his gaze back to the two opponents he should be focusing on at this moment.

After all, although Deholl was not currently a Gold-rank Expert, he had already reached the upper stage of Silver, being just one step away from Gold-rank.

Moreover, with the mystery and unpredictability of Divine Arts, once a killing intent was revealed, it was very easy to be locked onto.

Dean understood what a miserable fate he would face if he were targeted by a Silver-upper caster, especially one holding the title of a Diocesan Bishop.

Despite the endless hatred in his heart, Dean would not be reckless.

Or rather… the price paid for past recklessness had been imprinted firmly in Dean’s mind.

He would plan carefully.

However, compared to Dean’s calmness, his opponents were full of fighting spirit—

Whoosh!

Gulodal, who was even more robust than the Barbarians, sensed Dean’s cold, bone-chilling gaze and instinctively believed it was a challenge from an opponent.

Immediately, without hesitation, he swung the Warhammer in his hand, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit, exceptionally hot.

Even Dean, who maintained eye contact with him, felt that heat.

However, Dean did not pay too much attention to him. An opponent that could be ‘seen through’ at a glance was far less worth Dean’s attention than the opponent beside him who had been hiding himself all along.

Dean could be sure that the other party had sensed his killing intent, yet showed no reaction whatsoever in body or words—although Dean’s killing intent was merely a disguise to misdirect the true target, the intent itself was real, and not everyone could remain calm under such pressure.

At least, Gulodal had shown some retaliatory behavior.

This was instinct.

As for the other kind of instinct?

It was naturally trembling!

Since Higgs, whose name was Higgs, did not display this instinct, there were only two possibilities—

First, the other party’s Perception was dull and could not sense it.

Second, the other party had already learned to restrain and control his instincts.

The first point was impossible, considering that the other party was able to come here for the ‘Knight’s Baptism’.

So, it had to be the second point!

A person who could restrain and control his instincts would naturally have no trouble controlling his body. In fact, the way to restrain and control instincts often started with body control.

Plus, the other party’s weapon was dual swords.

Dean felt he should raise the danger level of this opponent by one step.

After all, using dual swords itself required special skills, and that body control, whether for the sake of these skills or as a foundation for learning them,

was worth Dean’s vigilance.

As everyone knows, the more demanding the training conditions for a skill, the more powerful it was.

Among the dual-wielding sword techniques circulated within the Divine Church, the ones that fit such characteristics were—

Creak, creak…

The sound of Baron Janel’s carriage advancing forward rang out again, momentarily pulling Dean out of his memories. He glanced back at the procession behind him once more before urging his horse forward.

At the very front of the carriage train was Baron Jandu, Marquis Vauban’s confidant. To separate the two families, Defendi and Tier, who were not on good terms, Baron Jandu naturally positioned himself between them.

Therefore, when Dean’s carriage train passed through the drawbridge, the entire procession of noble lords participating in this ‘Knight’s Baptism’ had arrived.

Arriving at the front hall of the Ancient Castle, which had been recently renovated and repainted, the carriages stopped one by one. Lords and their representatives from various regions, along with their personal Guards and the Knights to be baptized, entered the castle’s grand hall.

Obviously, the castle’s grand hall had also undergone careful repairs during these few days.

At least, the several holes in Dean’s memory had been restored to their original state.

“Sir Dean Ken, please come this way!”

The steward of Marquis Vauban, standing in the center of the hall, called out to Dean like this. Beside this steward, three young men were already standing there.

Dean stepped out and walked naturally to the side of the three young men, nodding slightly in response to their unfriendly scrutiny.

Undoubtedly, these three were the Knights belonging to Marquis Vauban’s side during this ‘Knight’s Baptism’ ceremony.

Without exception, they were vigorous and handsome young men. Their robust bodies, which armor could hardly conceal, and their firm, sharp eyes indicated that all three had received thorough training.

If it were not for the two Knights of the Divine Church, these three would clearly have been the focus of everyone’s attention at the scene.

And they had the qualifications to do so.

At least, in Dean’s impression, even Theron, the standout young man among his subordinates, was quite inferior compared to the three before him.

Perhaps factors like age and growing environment made such a comparison somewhat unfair.

But the gap was still a gap, and Dean would never find other excuses to evade it.

As for the three young men’s unfriendly gazes?

Dean naturally understood it well.

It was nothing more than the competitive and unyielding nature unique to young men. If he were in their shoes, Dean himself would also be unhappy if a long-awaited opportunity to be the center of attention was replaced by someone else.

Therefore, he did not hold much hostility toward these three young men.

In fact, the situation was exactly as described—

Standing beside Dean, the three young men had begun thinking and comparing the gap between themselves and Dean as soon as they saw him.

In fact, they already knew the general details of Dean’s performance during the Vauban Castle attack incident.

It was precisely because they knew this general situation that they were convinced to let Dean deal with the two famous geniuses of the Divine Church in Vauban County.

However, this did not mean they were convinced and obedient.

It was only because of their Teacher’s orders that they had to do so.

And after seeing Dean, they began to harbor doubts.

Although he looked decent in his armor from the outside, he lacked more presence, especially the Prestige of his Teacher. He had none of that.

Could such a person slay a Grand Knight?

The three young men present expressed their deep suspicion.

“His Holiness, the most devout servant of God, the beloved by the people, the Diocesan Bishop of Vauban County, My Lord Bishop Deholl, arrives!”

After a long series of modified prefixes, the procession of the Divine Church appeared in the front hall. Then, Bishop Deholl, modified by multiple rhetorical flourishes, walked in with the two young Knights who were about to be baptized.

Guided by the steward, Bishop Deholl headed toward the viewing seats, while the two Divine Church Knights walked toward the location where Dean and his party were situated.

There was no verbal exchange, but the atmosphere instantly became tense.

If the gaze of those three young Knights facing Dean was unfriendly, then when they saw the two people from the Church, it left only deep hostility.

Facing such hostility, Higgs, who had drawn Dean’s special attention, showed no reaction. He stood there, ignoring it like it didn’t exist, waiting for the ‘Baptism’ to begin.

However, the other one, Gulodal, turned his head and looked at the four Knights, including Dean, who were all about to be baptized, full of provocation.

The three young Knights from Marquis Vauban’s side naturally glared back without backing down.

Only Dean, standing in the middle of both sides, showed no reaction.

As if he didn’t feel the Flame-like burning fighting intent on both sides of his body at all.

Step, step…

Clear footstep sounds rang out as Marquis Vauban, dressed in formal attire, walked out from the back of the hall. His outer robe, woven from gold-threaded black brocade, was dotted with several pieces of small emerald and agate along the edges. As he walked, it emitted a unique glow—

“The County King of the great Emerald Kingdom, His Majesty the King’s most loyal servant, the most diligent… of Vauban County…”

Amidst a series of prefixed rhetorical flourishes, Marquis Vauban sat in the central position of the hall.

“My Lord Marquis, I question their qualification to become Knights. I… challenge them!!”

Just as Marquis Vauban had just sat down, the Divine Church Knight, Gulodal, took a step forward, performed a standard Knight’s Salute, and said aloud like this.

“My Lord Marquis, we also question his qualification to become a Knight!”

Provoked for so long, the three young Knights of Vauban City did not wait for Marquis Vauban to speak before striding out boldly.