Episode 337
“Damn it. Why Baoord, of all people?”
The Arc Paladins were holy knights with power rivaling that of the Black Knights. Without them, the Holy Kingdom would have long fallen to the Empire’s conquest.
The Arc Paladins of the Holy Kingdom were especially revered for their unique ability to pass down their power to successors. Unlike the Black Knights, who had to break through barriers with talent and rigorous training, an Arc Paladin could transfer their strength to a high-ranking paladin, ensuring the continuation of their legacy.
This made high-ranking paladins eager to align themselves with the kingdom’s power brokers, vying to be named as potential successors to the Arc Paladins. Typically, the strongest candidate was chosen, but when abilities were evenly matched, political influence often tipped the scales.
Occasionally, however, someone would achieve the status of Arc Paladin through their own strength rather than inheritance. Fifty years ago, Pab Valencia, who later renounced the title, was such a case.
Since Pab Valencia’s disappearance, the Arc Paladins of the Holy Kingdom had been limited to three, all chosen through succession. That was until ten years ago, when Baoord, a commoner-born low-ranking paladin, reached enlightenment and ascended to the rank of Arc Paladin.
This unexpected development allowed the Holy Kingdom to boast four Arc Paladins, effectively quelling the Empire’s relentless provocations. Baoord, therefore, wielded significant influence within the kingdom.
His recent visit to the Pope was not a good omen.
Pierre’s comment stirred unease among the other council members.
“Sir Baoord visiting the Pope? It must be about the Holy Grail, don’t you think?”
“If Sir Baoord, an Arc Paladin, gains more power from the Grail, the other Arc Paladins will follow suit, and we won’t be able to prevent the paladins from defecting!”
Arc Paladins were figures who stood apart from the intricate politics of the Holy Kingdom. Though their succession was entangled with various relationships, their influence transcended all that.
Moreover, Baoord, having become an Arc Paladin on his own, was even more free from political ties.
Listening to the council members, Pierre pressed his temples and spoke up.
“We need to retrieve the Grail from the Pope.”
The council members were taken aback.
“Is that even possible?”
Pierre frowned, irritation evident in his voice.
“Are you suggesting we just sit back and watch the Arc Paladins align with the Pope?”
The council members fell silent. Failing to retrieve the Grail would only exacerbate the situation, especially with external threats looming ever closer. If the Pope gained more power, their own positions would quickly become precarious.
“We need a justification to reclaim the Grail.”
Just as Pierre was about to delve into this dilemma, a priest approached and whispered something unexpected to him. He nearly jumped from his seat but, sensing the curious gazes of the council members, calmed himself and asked the priest quietly.
“Did you say Zeke Draker wants to see me?”
“Yes, he wishes to speak with you, Chairman.”
The news that Zeke Draker had reached out to him sent a spark through Pierre’s mind. A smile crept onto his lips.
“Perhaps this will resolve more easily than I thought. In fact, this might even turn the situation to my advantage.”
An idea formed in Pierre’s mind to use Zeke Draker and the Grail to draw the Arc Paladins to his side. He hastily concluded the meeting and left the assembly to meet Zeke Draker.
Meeting with Pierre, Zeke couldn’t help but be impressed.
“To change his attitude so completely… it’s remarkable.”
Zeke was certain his plan was working, seeing Pierre’s demeanor shift from the initial arrogance to a friendly smile.
“I was the one who strongly advocated for Sir Carly to receive the Silver Armor.”
“Ah, is that so? I think I heard something like that from Sister Carly.”
In truth, it was the opposite. When the previous Pope wanted to bestow the Silver Armor upon Carly for her achievements against the pirates, Pierre, then a council member, had vehemently opposed it. He couldn’t bear the thought of giving away such a precious treasure without compensation. However, the previous Pope, unlike the current Beatrice, had the authority to override such objections and gifted the armor to Carly.
Now, Pierre was conveniently rewriting history to suit his narrative, more a politician than a clergyman. Zeke played along, encouraging Pierre to reveal his true intentions.
After a lengthy discourse on his connections with Carly Draker and the Draker family, Pierre finally broached the real topic.
“By the way, Sir Zeke, I hear you’ve offered the Grail you received from the Fairy King to His Holiness. Is that true?”
Realizing the moment had come, Zeke feigned surprise and shook his head.
“Really? Is that the rumor going around?”
Feigning discomfort, Zeke continued.
“His Holiness was quite insistent when I visited, treating me like some country knight and pestering me for tales of the Fairy King.”
Pierre nodded, as if he understood.
“Ah, so that’s what happened.”
Pierre, only familiar with Beatrice’s innocent facade, believed Zeke’s words without question.
Zeke, with a hint of frustration, elaborated.
“While recounting my meeting with the Fairy King, I briefly mentioned the Grail, and suddenly His Holiness was begging to see it. I had no choice but to show it to him, and now he’s spreading such rumors. It’s quite troubling.”
Hearing this, Pierre was inwardly delighted.
“So the rumors were false. Zeke Draker has no intention of handing the Grail to the Pope.”
Zeke sighed, looking at Pierre.
“I came all this way to aid the Holy Kingdom, but… I never imagined His Holiness would be so reckless.”
Pierre nodded in agreement.
“I understand. The current Pope was placed in power by the previous one due to the Sign of the Sun, but he lacks any real dignity or refinement. It’s often a challenge for the council.”
With Pierre’s agreement, Zeke feigned relief.
“I should have relied on you from the start, Chairman. I had no idea the Holy Kingdom’s politics were so convoluted.”
Pierre smiled inwardly at Zeke’s lament.
“This is going better than expected.”
Then Zeke spoke, looking at Pierre.
“Though the Grail is a relic from the Fairy King, it doesn’t have any particular abilities, so I wouldn’t mind giving it away. But the sudden demand caught me off guard.”
Pierre’s eyes gleamed at Zeke’s words.
“He doesn’t know the Grail’s power?”
Pierre was aware, through secret channels, that the Grail could enhance one’s potential. But it seemed Zeke, who received it from the Fairy King, was unaware of this.
Pierre’s mind raced.
“Sir Zeke, how about this?”
He met Zeke’s gaze and proposed.
“The Pope seems fixated on the Grail, and once he sets his mind on something, he won’t rest until he has it. Instead of dealing with that, why not donate the Grail to me?”
“Donate it to you, Chairman?”
“Yes. If you donate the Grail to me, I will ensure you receive the honor and a fitting treasure in return.”
For a knight, the Grail, a sacred relic, wasn’t particularly useful. Moreover, the news of his blessing from the Fairy King had already spread across the continent. If he donated the Grail and simultaneously defended the kingdom from the Orc horde, his fame would surely surpass its current level. And with Pierre promising a suitable treasure, it was a beneficial deal for Zeke.
“Donating the Grail…”
As Zeke pondered, an eager Pierre played his final card.
“If you donate the Grail, I will give you gold equal to your weight.”
Zeke shook his head at the offer.
“Apologies, but I have plenty of gold.”
Pierre realized his mistake as he saw Zeke frown.
Then Zeke spoke, looking at Pierre.
“If you could offer something other than gold, I might consider it…”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Could you provide Orichalcum instead of gold?”
Pierre was taken aback by Zeke’s request.
“This guy…”
Orichalcum wasn’t something money could buy. It was one of the most precious materials, even within the Holy Kingdom, due to its limited supply.
Zeke looked at Pierre and spoke.
“If you can forge a sword from the orichalcum, I will hand over the Holy Grail to you,” Zeke declared.
Pierre’s face tightened slightly at Zeke’s words.
“Enough orichalcum to make a sword…”
In truth, Pierre had been secretly siphoning off small amounts of orichalcum from the Holy Kingdom’s treasury for quite some time.
“To meet that demand, I’d have to gather every last bit of orichalcum I have.”
However, if Zeke were to mistakenly hand the Grail over to the Pope, it could spell disaster for Pierre.
“If I donate the Grail in my name, I could use it to sway the Arch Paladins to my side.”
Currently, the Arch Paladins maintained their own independent power, coexisting with Pierre in a delicate balance.
Even if he could bring just one of them, like Baorud, into his camp, he could secure a dominant position in the power structure of the Holy Kingdom.
After some deliberation, Pierre concluded that investing in this opportunity was the right move.
“It’s nearly my entire fortune, but if I can just get my hands on the Grail…”
If he could draw the Arch Paladins to his side, he could replenish his wealth in no time.
After a moment of contemplation, he nodded decisively.
“Very well. This must be the will of the gods. Let’s proceed. But I have one request.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“I’m concerned the Pope might learn of this and try to interfere. Let’s keep this between you, me, and the divine.”
Zeke nodded, understanding the gravity of Pierre’s words.
“Understood. You have nothing to worry about, Chairman.”
Pierre agreed to send the orichalcum to Zeke first, and Zeke promised to publicly donate the Grail to him in two days.
Pierre envisioned a future where, with the Grail in his possession, all the Paladins would kneel before him, pledging their loyalty. Thoughts of the orc hordes threatening the kingdom or the suffering citizens were far from his mind.
Two days later, the grand chapel of the Holy Kingdom’s representative, the Vadoka Cathedral, was filled with the Pope, the Chairman, and all the key figures of the kingdom.
Officially, the event was to express gratitude to Zeke Draker for his support of the Vadoka Kingdom.
But Pierre was brimming with anticipation, expecting Zeke Draker to point him out and present the Grail in front of the kingdom’s dignitaries.
However, the ceremony took an unexpected turn, veering far from Pierre’s expectations.
“I, Beatrice I, hereby declare a holy war in the name of the divine against the orc hordes threatening to invade the Vadoka Kingdom.”