After choosing to leave, they regretted it.

Chapter 22: Departure Ceremony

During the previous Royal Capital incident, Villian spent most of her time cracking ancient techniques. While contributing to the resolution of the incident, she also gained a preliminary understanding of these strange and powerful technical systems.

Therefore, when he scanned the holy sword just now, he was able to judge its high technical correlation with just a glance.

But that's about it.

As for the part used in the blood plague in the royal capital, its true function is still partially understood. It is unrealistic to expect to rely on this experience to crack the holy sword.

What exactly is that magic extraction technique in the holy sword?

Why is it so similar to the technology of this world's ancient civilization?

For what purpose was it installed?

What impact will it have on users?

Miss Witch couldn't answer any of these crucial questions.

But she thought of another question - the Holy Sword had a problem, but what was the so-called Divine Protection of the Brave that was bound to the Holy Sword?

With such doubts and concerns about Aize's physical condition, Villian hurried back to the house. Without even having time to change her clothes, she went straight up to him and examined him.

Unlike the previous relatively casual and low-level injury examinations, this time, Miss Witch focused her utmost attention and used all her means, not letting go of any part or even any cell.

She dared to say with confidence that there was no one in this world who could investigate more thoroughly than her.

But even so, nothing was found.

The protection had been completely destroyed, leaving no trace of it.

There is no clue as to why Aize became stronger, or what impact the holy sword might have.

Villian was relieved for the time being.

But to be on the safe side, she decided to keep it secret until things progressed.

In case there is a trap or something similar that Villian doesn't know about.

But despite this, she still felt bad about hiding important information from Aize.

This intense dissatisfaction had reached the level of guilt, even overshadowing the excitement and joy brought about by Aize's previous small counterattack, causing her mood to drop extremely quickly.

"Oh, what is this? Am I exaggerating too much?"

Villian muttered to herself, smiled bitterly and shook her head.

He even raised his hand and slapped himself lightly, which made him feel a little better.

She also let out a long breath.

"Really? I better go take a shower quickly. We have to leave early tomorrow morning~"

As if advising herself, she kept talking to herself, slowly walked down the stairs, and walked towards the bathroom in the house, a little crookedly.

----------

The Holy City, before the rise of the Church of the Supreme God, was just an inconspicuous small town in the kingdom.

But with the establishment of the Holy See here, various buildings, including the cathedral, spread and expanded at an alarming rate. Now, its original appearance can no longer be seen.

Looking down from the sky, the city area almost surrounds the key cathedral, forming a circular structure with circles after circles.

In front of the cathedral is another huge square surrounded by large marble columns.

This is one of the most important places for church activities besides the interior of the cathedral.

In addition to various large-scale religious activities such as prayers and masses, the Knights of the Crusade would also gather here before each expedition, and the Pope himself would see them off.

This imperial expedition is no exception.

But the scene is a little different.

It was just getting dark.

The sun has sunk below the horizon, and the black sky covers the earth.

The patrolling knights held the holy flame directly from the cathedral and lit the lamps and torches around the square one by one in order, making the area as bright as day.

As the last torch was lit, one of the Crusade Knights turned his head and looked at the square with a look of disdain:

"The last time I stood in this square, I was with Lord Azer as we went to Gerloth to fight against the orc army. Times have really changed, huh? You see, anything can be put here now~"

"Shut up!"

His companion beside him seemed a little panicked for a moment, rushed up and hit him directly on the helmet.

"Don't you know what the situation is like now? How dare you talk about the Pure White Saint? What? Are you dying? Are you in a hurry to see the goddess?"

The beaten knight looked unhappy.

But he still looked around carefully, making sure no one could hear him, and then he lowered his voice and continued:

"What did I say wrong? Huh? Look at these guys, how can they look like knights or guards!?"

The Crusade Knights were referring to the army that was currently assembled in the square, awaiting review and the marching ceremony.

The number is quite large, more than a thousand people, and they are extremely well-equipped.

In the dim light of the night, each piece of silver armor and weapon still shone with a sacred and bright color, without the slightest dullness.

Each piece is a fine product produced by the church's foundry, and is a treasure coveted by everyone from the Holy War Knights to nobles and adventurers from all over the world.

These precious things, however, looked unusually out of place on their new owners.

The armor was all askew, and few sets were properly fastened and put on.

In addition, most members of the Pure White Saint Sect come from the lower class, are thin, and their armor does not fit them at all, and even makes clanking sounds when they walk.

It looks like a human-shaped clock tower.

In a serious occasion where they should have been standing in formation, some people were carrying weapons and talking and laughing in groups of three or four, as if they were taking a stroll, not taking the matter seriously at all.

There were even quite a few people who were waving their weapons clumsily, as if they didn't even know how to use them.

In this scene, it’s a good thing that Aize is not here.

Otherwise, if he, who was known for his strict military discipline and had a slight obsessive-compulsive disorder, saw this, his blood pressure would probably burst through the top of his head and push his helmet out of the atmosphere.

As elite knights, they were understandably mad.

"Looking at the state of this bunch of losers, I'm afraid most of them will be left behind during a march. And if we go to war, we'll send all these weapons and equipment to the demons!"

The bad-tempered knight cursed with spit flying everywhere.

"Those guys from the Empire clearly came here to ask for support from the Holy War Knights, but instead they got this bunch of bastards. Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk. I almost feel sorry for them... Oh, so the divine punishment means fighting alongside them? That's definitely the case."

This statement is already considered half heresy. Coming from the mouth of a Crusader Knight, he would be slapped in the face, forced to repent, and punished to copy scriptures for half a month.

But that was the situation, and his companions didn't say much.

I just leaned over, patted his shoulder, and then said in a low and earnest voice:

"Brother, I understand what you mean. But now, the entire church can't do anything to them. Look at the Inquisition. They used to be so powerful, but now they've become a mess after you offended them. Speak less, and be careful of your words!"

"Alas, the Pure White Saint..."

"Alas, Lady Rosalyn..."

A group of powerful, pious and determined human elites looked at each other and sighed continuously.

It looks like I'm going to get depressed.

At this moment, accompanied by an unusually loud "creak", the tightly closed and unusually tall main door of the cathedral slowly opened.

Surrounded by several holy war knights, the Pope and the "Pure White Saint" Rosaline herself slowly walked out and climbed onto the platform that had been set up long ago.

“Meet Lady Rosalyn!!!”

Amidst the thunderous roars, the members of the Pure White Saints, who had just been extremely undisciplined and loose, all knelt on the ground and cheered loudly.

Completely ignoring the Pope standing in front of him.

The old Pope was well-informed. He controlled his expression and did not show any displeasure, nor did he subconsciously look at Rosaline beside him.

As if nothing had happened, he began his speech:

"Everyone, after five years of arduous warfare, thanks to the grace of the Supreme God Realm, the heroic efforts of the chosen warriors, and all of you present, the demon invasion has been successfully defeated. From this day forward, humanity will begin to reclaim those lost lands!"

"Knights of the Holy War, and members of the Pure White Maiden Sect, you will be the prelude to humanity's counterattack. Using your courage and faith to face the terrifying evil is truly remarkable! I firmly believe in you and pray for your victory!"

The Pope's speech was loud and full of emotion.

Although the length was deliberately shortened in order to get rid of these evildoers quickly.

But there is still nothing to blame.

But even so, the members of the Pure White Saint Sect below the platform were completely silent, without any response at all.

Not giving even the slightest bit of face

Even the Pope, who had been through decades of hard work and experienced all kinds of situations, was a little overwhelmed by this and his facial muscles kept trembling.

"Everyone."

While he was still thinking about how to proceed, Rosaline took the lead and came before the Pope.

With his hands folded, his brows lowered, his eyes slightly closed, he looked like he was praying with a kind and loving smile.

"This battle will undoubtedly be extremely dangerous and will inevitably involve many sacrifices. However, this is our duty! This is the price we must pay to save those oppressed believers."

Everyone's expression changed instantly, and they were all excited:

"For the goddess! For Lady Rosalyn! For the goddess! For Lady Rosalyn..."

The gap in treatment is really too big.

In this awkward contrast, the white Holy Maiden slowly turned around and bowed slightly to the Pope, whose expression was becoming increasingly grim.

"Then, Your Holiness, we will set out on this expedition. May the Goddess bless you and me."

Rosalin, smiling, made the announcement directly on behalf of the other party.

Chapter 23 On the way (1)

That night, nothing happened.

Early the next morning, when Aize opened the door after getting ready, Christina, fully armed and dragging a large box of luggage, was already waiting outside.

Without saying anything more, the group boarded a carriage and headed north towards the territory of the empire.

A few days' journey passed quickly, and the few people moved slowly and steadily, approaching the territory of the empire.

In the previous blood plague incident in the royal capital, the situation was extremely urgent. Every day of delay meant a large number of additional deaths, and even the royal palace safety zone was at risk of falling.

So we can't waste a moment and must get there as quickly as possible.

This time it's different.

The reinforcements sent by the church were replaced by the loose and disorganized mob of the Pure White Saint Sect from the original elite Crusade Knights.

It is impossible to say how long it will take to rush a group of people like this from the Holy City to the border of the Empire. It is even possible that they will encounter something and disperse along the way.

So relatively speaking, there is no need to be so anxious.

As long as I make sure I arrive before Rosaline and explain the situation and make arrangements, there will be no problem.

The problem comes after that.

"Um……"

In the carriage, Aize spread a heavily marked map on the ground in front of him, knelt beside it, and gestured on it with an extremely serious expression.

"Sure enough...that's not right."

Upon hearing this, Villian came over immediately:

"No? What's wrong?"

"The news of the expedition was leaked a few days ago. The demons must have known about it by now, but the question is, why haven't they taken any action?"

Aize has many informants inside the demon clan, and Charlotte is just one of them.

These informants were unaware of each other's existence, and relied on the intelligence they independently provided to corroborate each other. Aize had always been well aware of the movements of the demons.