Chapter 195 - 186: Middle Level Gatherer

Chapter 195: Chapter 186: Middle Level Gatherer

The next morning.

Vili had just finished breakfast when he was summoned by Count Lumbar.

The summons was not for him alone, but for all the nobles in Golden Flower City.

Apparently, Lord Fidel of the Holy Light Knight Order was going to deliver a speech on the subject of a just war.

When Vili arrived at the designated location in the Count’s Manor, most of the others were already there.

Kirk waved at Vili, gesturing for him to sit next to him.

Vili hesitated. Kirk was too close to the front, and it seemed inconsistent with his own status.

Logically, the seats at the front should have been reserved for other Viscounts or powerful Barons.

Although he had performed meritorious deeds, his foundation was too shallow, and there was still a considerable gap between him and the other Great Nobles.

However, seeing Kirk’s insistence, Vili went over and sat down beside him.

"Lord Kirk."

Vili greeted him in a low voice.

Kirk smiled knowingly but didn’t say much.

"Lord Fidel is here."

Vili and Kirk had exchanged a few quiet words when they heard someone make the announcement.

A middle-aged man in a long white robe walked into the room, accompanied by Count Lumbar.

Vili was sitting in the front row, very close to the two of them.

He studied Fidel carefully but couldn’t sense any fluctuation of power from him.

’Just how strong is this Lord Fidel?’

Vili’s eyes narrowed slightly.

When the difference in strength was too great, Lower-Rankers couldn’t perceive even a shred of an Upper-Ranker’s Ability.

’Could he be a High Grand Knight...?’

Vili speculated.

If that were the case, then this Lord Fidel was an entire major rank above him.

As Vili was staring at Fidel, Fidel seemed to sense something.

He suddenly looked up in Vili’s direction, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

However, he showed no outward sign of surprise and quickly regained his composure.

"Please begin, Mister Fidel."

Count Lumbar’s attitude toward Fidel was quite courteous.

"Thank you for your cooperation."

Fidel also thanked him in a low voice.

Count Lumbar sat in the centermost seat at the front, waiting for the speech to begin.

"Everyone, I am Fidel of the Holy Light Knight Order."

Fidel got straight to the point.

"The war between the Lanton Duchy and the Wata Duchy has been raging for nearly a year. Now, with the Sosen Duchy’s intervention, the brutality of this war will only intensify. The outcome of the war is for you to decide, but the justice and humanity within it will be overseen by us, the Holy Light Knight Order..."

Fidel spoke with impassioned fervor from the stage, while Vili sat below, listening with boredom.

This Mister Fidel of the Holy Light Knight Order thought very much like Benduin.

He stubbornly adhered to justice, using its principles as his code of conduct.

Such a spirit was indeed admirable, but for Vili, a so-called Hanged Man, it was difficult to empathize.

However, out of respect for the speaker, Vili still sat up straight and fixed his gaze on Fidel.

During this time, however, Vili noticed that Lord Fidel’s gaze would often drift toward him, which he found rather strange.

"May humanity remain forever in your hearts."

Nearly an hour passed before Mister Fidel finished his speech.

"Thank you."

Count Lumbar rose and thanked Fidel.

Vili felt this wasn’t Count Lumbar’s true sentiment; the Count was probably fantasizing about giving Fidel a swift kick.

The content of Fidel’s speech was, in fact, a form of restraint on Count Lumbar.

However, this also indirectly revealed how formidable the Holy Light Knight Order truly was. After all, forcing Count Lumbar, the overlord of Dawei Province, to sit through a sermon-like speech was not something an ordinary power could achieve.

"I hope you will all remember Mister Fidel’s teachings and be mindful of the justice of war after returning to your respective domains."

Count Lumbar turned to the other nobles and said, "That is all. You may leave."

At Count Lumbar’s command, the nobles, who had long since been drowsing off, hurriedly rose and left the room in an orderly fashion.

Because he was seated in the very front row and the door to the room was at the very back, Vili was one of the last to leave.

"The gentleman at the back, please stay for a moment."

Fidel suddenly spoke.

’The one at the back...’

Vili looked back and realized Fidel was talking to him.

Vili was puzzled, but he had a vague suspicion that it was related to the way Fidel had been looking at him earlier.

At their side, Count Lumbar glanced down, his expression unchanging.

"Your Lordship, Lord Fidel."

Vili bowed to the two men.

"This is Baron Vili of White Bear Town, a capable young aide of mine."

Count Lumbar was giving Vili a lot of face.

In fact, according to his plan, Vili was certain to attract Fidel’s attention.

And sure enough.

"You’re a Senior Knight, and also a Two-Engraving Hanged Man?"

Fidel ignored Lumbar and addressed Vili directly.

"Yes, Lord Fidel."

Vili wasn’t at all surprised that Fidel had discerned his strength.

Fidel looked at Count Lumbar with a smile and said, "Mister Count, you were clearly aware that a Transcendent who is both a Hanged Man and a Knight is precisely the kind of talent our Holy Light Knight Order craves. Yet you didn’t introduce him to me. That’s not very friendly of you."