strokinit Chapter 109 Leo is captured
Chapter 109 Leo is captured
Chapter 109 109. The Captured Leo
Gale and Markov's eyes met, and in that instant, Gale felt as if a thousand years had passed.
His gaze shifted from Markov to the imposing, legendary, and undefeated paladins of the Silver Armor Pillar of the Church of the Dawn beside him.
It was him, them, old acquaintances of many, many people in Songlan City!
They had even met just over two months ago!
"It really is you! Markov! And you guys! Harun..."
Gale looked at Markov with some surprise. Ulie Er, standing beside him, frowned slightly, his tone becoming more stern.
"By order of the Church of the Dawn, one must use titles during work! Old man, this is the Knight Commander of the Temple Knights of the Silver Armor Pillar of the Church of the Dawn."
"You should address him as Commander Markov or Paladin Markov!"
Gale's heart sank. Looking at Markov and Harun again, he felt they had become extraordinarily dazzling and distant.
"Commander Ulie Er, there's no need to be so strict. Gale and many people in Songlan City are old acquaintances of ours."
Markov waved his hand with a chuckle.
"Strictly speaking, not long ago, we were comrades."
Gale had been a clerk in the Forbes family a long time ago. After the Forbes family's accident, Gale, due to his age, did not want to leave Songlan City.
So, he left the Forbes family, unlike Markov and the others who continued to follow Ian.
Unlike Lesia, Markov did not harbor resentment towards those who left the Forbes family.
Everyone has the right to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. They were not slaves who had signed a contract of indenture. It was understandable that they would fly away when disaster struck.
However, from then on, they would be distinct and no longer be old friends who could casually chat and joke.
Ian had said:
"Loyalty that is not absolute is absolutely disloyal!"
The atmosphere on the field was strangely awkward, not only for Gale, but also for many people in the crowd who looked at Markov and his former comrades with complex emotions.
Even many citizens were dazedly lost in thought.
When the Forbes family was around, they treated them very well, and they would naturally not forget the Forbes family.
But under the current circumstances...
It was really too complicated to express.
"Long time no see, Gale."
In the end, it was Markov who took the lead in breaking the silence, not intending to dismount, but sitting on his horse and asking with a chuckle.
"How has your health been recently?"
Although these words sounded like a greeting from old friends, Gale could hear the obvious sense of alienation in his tone.
He opened his mouth, but in the end, he smiled bitterly and nodded:
"Very good... Markov... Commander."
"That's good."
Markov nodded slightly and said softly:
"After leaving Songlan City, Young Master Ian still missed you all very much. Fortunately, no tyrannical noble took over Songlan City. If I remember correctly, no nobles have settled here yet, right?"
"Thank you for Young Master Ian's concern. No nobles have settled here yet."
Gale tried to maintain a calm mood and said slowly:
"We heard from the soldiers who escaped back that the leader of the Church of the Dawn was called Markov. At the time, we didn't think... we just thought it was a common name..."
"Commander Markov, congratulations..."
After saying that, the atmosphere fell into a strange silence once again.
It wasn't until this awkward silence made Gale feel uncomfortable that he reluctantly changed the subject.
"Young Master Ian, and Butler Lyall, are they doing well?"
"Very well."
Markov perked up and said with a proud expression:
"After arriving in Blackwater City, Young Master Ian received the divine revelation of the Dawn and transformed into the representative of the Dawn in the mortal world."
"Under the guidance of the Dawn, he created the Church of the Dawn, following the name of the Dawn, liberating the people, bestowing miracles, uniting forces, and fighting against the demons together."
"Young Master Ian is already the great and benevolent Pope, the father of countless believers of the Church of the Dawn."
"Godfather is now the Cardinal Bishop in charge of the Inquisition of the Church of the Dawn, and Lesia has become the Chief Inquisitor of the Black Book Pillar."
"Everyone is doing very well..."
Gale felt somewhat complicated, unable to say whether he was happy for Ian and the others or regretting his decision back then.
After a long while, he lowered his head and said somewhat awkwardly:
"That's good... Ian... it's best if His Holiness the Pope is well."
Markov glanced at the sky and didn't plan to waste any more time.
Songlan City had been taken, and there were only a few cities left before they reached the royal capital.
Besides...
He didn't seem to have anything to say to Gale and his old friends.
Two months ago, after the gates of Songlan City divided the two sides who had made different choices, he should have understood that even if they met again in the future, he probably wouldn't have the mood to reminisce about the past.
They were now people from two different worlds.
Returning to Songlan City, still in a triumphant manner.
It did make Markov and the others somewhat proud, but after that wave of pride passed, all that was left was plainness.
Songlan City...
Seemed no different from other cities.
Now, compared to a knight of the Forbes family, Markov's more important identity was the Commander of the Temple Knights of the Silver Armor Pillar of the Church of the Dawn.
Even if Lesia and the others always complained that Markov was simple-minded, Markov was not really unable to grow.
Now, he looked at things more from the perspective of the Church of the Dawn.
As for the close relationship of comrades in the Forbes family...
It shouldn't be placed on these former comrades who had already left the Forbes family.
Now, the Forbes family only had Ian and his twenty people.
Thinking of this, Markov didn't even have the thought of resting in Songlan City and returning to the former Forbes family residence to take a look.
Now that Songlan City had been taken without bloodshed, next, he would let Father Matthew and the clergy of the White Robe Pillar take over.
Their western expedition, the holy war of the Church of the Dawn, still needed to continue.
"Gale, the clergy of the White Robe Pillar will come to manage Songlan City in the future, so you don't have to worry."
"The work of dividing the land promised by the Church of the Dawn will also be promoted by them."
"If the citizens of Songlan City encounter any unfair treatment, they can also tell them. Under the light of the Dawn, everyone will live a peaceful and tranquil life."
"This is the will and determination of His Holiness the Pope and the Dawn."
"We will leave first. There are still a few cities left to liberate, and His Holiness the Pope is still waiting for the good news of our great victory in the holy war."
Gale was stunned for a moment, then quickly said:
"Markov... Commander, won't you come into the city to rest for a while? Everyone in Songlan City heard that the great Church of the Dawn was coming and prepared a banquet in advance."
"Or... you can go back to the Forbes family residence to take a look. Someone has always been cleaning it..."
Markov, who was originally feeling a little lost, became completely firm after hearing these words.
He believed that if Ian were here, he would make the same choice.
The Forbes family was no longer the Forbes family of the past...
Instead of reminiscing about the past, it was better to create the future.
"No need!"
Markov shook his head decisively.
"We still have the task of the western expedition and holy war on our shoulders, and His Holiness the Pope is still waiting for our victory report."
"Now that Songlan City has been incorporated into the Church of the Dawn, the subsequent work should not be interfered with by our Silver Armor Pillar."
"Rest assured, the Dawn will treat all children who believe in Him equally."
"We will leave first. There are still many nobles and royals in the Principality of Bilka who are oppressing the people."
"The sooner we liberate all the people, the happier the Dawn and His Holiness the Pope will be."
After saying that, Markov turned his head and shouted loudly:
"Attention all troops! Pass through the city! Advance to the royal capital!"
"Yes!"
The Dawn Knight army, which had been stagnant for a moment, set off again, heading towards the royal capital with surging fighting spirit to determine the outcome of the war.
Gale stared blankly as Markov spurred his horse, passing by him intently.
Gradually, he crossed the crowd and headed towards the interior of the city.
And in the crowd, there were many people like Gale, who had left the Forbes family for various reasons, also lowering their heads and looking at their feet uneasily.
At this moment, these people all had a feeling at the same time.
Perhaps...
In the very, very distant future, until the time of their death.
This brief and awkward exchange with Markov and the others outside Songlan City would be the last time in their lives.
Now, they were already people from two completely different worlds.
"Gale, take care."
Suddenly, Markov's voice condensed into a line, drifting lightly into Gale's ear.
This could be considered the last farewell from Markov, or even Markov representing Ian and the others, to the past.
From today onwards, after the Forbes family completely alluded to the Dawn, all that was presented in front of the stage was the sacred and supreme Church of the Dawn.
"Commander Markov, please stop!"
Just as Markov was about to disappear from their sight, Gale suddenly shouted and hurried over.
Then, he gasped for breath and looked up at Markov.
"Please allow me... us, as servants of the former Forbes family, to do one last thing for Young Master Ian, our great Pope."
Markov did not stop Gale, quietly waiting for his next words.
Gale took a deep breath, his eyes full of hatred as he said:
"According to our investigation, Prince Leo of the Principality of Bilka is the mastermind behind the secret plot to harm the Forbes family!"
"So, when that bastard passed through Songlan City, we ambushed him."
"Now, Leo and his lackeys are in the dungeon of Songlan City!"
Markov was stunned for a moment, then said in astonishment:
"What?!"