When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

Chapter 806: His Holiness the Pope is also a demon?

After Xia Lucheng's battle report was published in newspapers and bulletins and spread around, the public opinion field quietly changed.

Whether in the Gazette or Pravda, commentators with a "neutral" stance were commenting on the war.

The invasion of the Leia people was something everyone expected, and even because of Horn's advance preparations, the temporary setback was acceptable to many people.

But whether it is the disaster brought about by the bond crisis or the subsequent failure of Greentown to hold on, if you really ask who bears the biggest blame, the critics will not say.

But no matter what they say, as soon as the people hit or touch it, they will involuntarily put the blame on Meliati.

After all, Madeleine's penmen, who were well versed in guidance, were quite familiar with how to say nothing and how to say it.

Not only in Plain County, but also in Mountain County, many people began to doubt Meliati's ability.

Those who once touted her as the "Goddess of War" now began to say that she was a "lucky woman", and some even secretly mocked her as being just a "puppet on the altar".

"After three months of fighting, Xia Lucheng was still lost. How can she have the face to come back?"

"The losses are so great. If the Holy Sun was in command, the situation would not have turned out like this."

"It's a joke to let a woman lead the army."

Such remarks are heard more and more frequently in taverns, markets and streets.

Even many soldiers began to discuss privately that if the war continued to be led by Meliati, their future would be worrying.

The changes in the war situation caused the citizens' anxiety to rise rapidly.

However, when Meliati really returned from the front, the crowds waiting at the dock were still dense.

The winter sun shone thinly on the snow-covered streets, and the air was filled with the faint smell of burnt peat.

The winter river water ripples in grey, and the cold wind makes the flags flutter.

Many monks, merchants, nobles, and soldiers stood under the port's promenade, anxiously waiting for Meliati's ships to dock.

The knights from North Moundshire maintained order, but were unable to silence the citizens' whispers.

A large number of citizens were wrapped in heavy woolen cloaks, rubbing their hands and looking towards the river from time to time.

"Would she take a boat directly to the Uffizi Palace via the city canal?"

"If that's the case, wouldn't it seem like you're guilty if you don't even show your face?"

Not far away, a neat row of knights stood on the shore, their black and red flags swaying gently in the wind.

Horn stood at the front of the crowd, looking calmly at the approaching ship.

"This scene is too extravagant." Someone in the crowd couldn't help but whisper.

"We've already lost the war and Xia Lucheng, what's the point of showing off?"

"Have you heard that just preparing the honor guard for the reception cost thousands of pounds?"

"I don't know if she can still keep her face when she comes back this time."

"He's a tough guy, of course he can hold it!"

There were discussions one after another, but due to the deliberate suppression by a group of senior monks and knights, they were not very loud in the end.

Soon, a large barge slowly entered the dock.

People crowded together, stood on tiptoe, and looked at the golden irises embroidered on the broad sails.

A row of soldiers in dark blue cloaks stood on the deck, still carrying the chill of a long journey beneath their armor.

The voice of the ceremonial officer sounded: "Your Highness, the Despot, is here!"

The tyrannical prince's ship finally arrived.

The officers on the dock immediately stood still, and everyone held their breath, watching the gangway being placed on the plank road.

The gangway was lowered and several burly guards were the first to go ashore.

Then, Meliati, wearing a black jacket, walked down slowly.

Her body was wrapped in white bandages and there was a faint smell of blood. Although her steps were steady, one could see that she was weak and frivolous.

Horn nodded slightly.

Catherine beside him took the lead and said with a smile: "Welcome back, Meliati."

Melia nodded and said only, "It's great to see you," and said no more.

The knights on both sides opened the doors of the carriage, and Horn raised his hand, motioning for her to get in first.

Meliati didn't hesitate and got into the car.

Horn followed closely behind. The car door closed, the wheels crushed the light snow, and slowly drove towards the Uffizi Palace.

Inside the carriage, the air was gloomy and dull.

Meliati sat opposite Horn, her face pale, her fingers unconsciously stroking the cloak on her knees.

The carriage was silent for a moment, and Horn was the first to break the silence: "How is your injury?"

Tilting her head to look out the window, Meliati snorted softly, "It's okay."

Horn frowned slightly, but did not ask further questions. Instead, he changed the subject: "It's just you and me in the car, why are you still wearing an iron mask?"

As if she couldn't stand Horn's roundabout politeness, Meliati took a deep breath and got straight to the point.

"The Red Knights' fighting power is extraordinary." She raised her head, with an indescribable emotion flashing in her eyes. "They are very strong, but their IQ is not high. So far, no one has been captured alive."

Horn's frown deepened: "No survivors?"

"We haven't been able to capture them alive yet." Meliati sneered, "Either die in battle or commit suicide."

The Archduchess narrowed her eyes, as if recalling the previous battle: "They charged without hesitation, completely regardless of the cost, almost like tireless machines.

Previously, when Jeshka first fought against the mixed formation of the Red Knights and the Imperial Order Company, he suffered a great loss. It was clearly an ambush, but it ended in a draw. "

Horn immediately realized that Meliati was talking about the encounter that Jeshka had reported earlier, in which more than 300 people were killed or wounded.

"To what extent are they not intelligent?"

"They often get lost or attack in the wrong direction, and sometimes attack their own people. I even feel like they are zombies."

Horn's brows furrowed even more tightly: "Have you done an autopsy?"

"Yes." Meliati whispered, "They are not zombies, but living people who died in battle, similar to normal high-level breathing knights.

But they are more like demon hunters, with many mutated organs and tissues, more like some kind of modified monsters. "

Horn recalled the incident in which Duke Nedbach sued King Leia for colluding with the Flesh and Blood Court. "Are you saying that what Duke Nedbach said is true?"

He had heard rumors about the Red Knight from the Cheka and the Guardians, but he was not sure of their authenticity.

You know, the throne of King Leia is almost tied to the new Pope.

If the story of the Red Knight is true, then the new Pope of Priano will also face a legitimacy crisis.

Is His Holiness the Pope also connected with the devil?

Meliati did not respond to Horn's words, but just lowered her head.

There was silence in the car for a few seconds.

"What about the summer green fever?" Horn skipped the topic and continued to ask.

"The symptoms are very strange." Meliati spoke slowly, "In the beginning it was just a common high fever, then the skin began to fester, and then the whole body convulsed... But the most peculiar thing is that the Saint's Favored will not be infected."

Horn raised his head sharply: "What did you say?"

"The Saint's Favored Ones can be infected with other diseases, but not with Xialu Fever." Meliati repeated calmly.

There was a moment of silence, and then Horn's eyes narrowed slightly.

"If that's the case..." he whispered, "these plagues may not be normal plagues."

Melia nodded: "It spreads too fast. Normal plagues can't do this."

After pondering for a long time, Horn withdrew his thoughts and said calmly: "If it is really a magical creation, then I am afraid the Red Knight is no exception."

Meliati nodded slightly: "I have the same guess, but I currently lack evidence."

Horn sighed and adjusted his sitting position: "We can't relax on this matter. We have to investigate it as soon as possible."

Meliati glanced at him with a calm expression: "You arrange it, I will cooperate."

He paused for a moment as he turned to get the schedule, but Horn turned around with a normal expression: "Do you want to rest tomorrow or hold the advisory meeting first?"

"Is everyone here?" Meliati's eyes were full of amusement. "I guess you are all waiting to blame me."

"The invasion of the Leia people has made the people very anxious. They acted very quickly. They did not accuse me, but asked questions." Horn took Meliati's hand, "I will also be questioned."

It was not until the carriage slowly drove into the gate of the Uffizi Palace that Meliati lowered her head and said, "I have rested enough. Let's hold the council meeting tomorrow."

The sound of wheels rolling over bricks echoed deep in the Uffizi Palace, and the clouds on the horizon were turned scarlet by the setting sun.

A meeting that will determine the future is about to begin.

(End of this chapter)