In a room within the Glory Castle, the room of Alrasia's Bishop, Aescher.
The room was not very large and lacked any elaborate decorations or furnishings. Such things were unnecessary here. Bishop Aescher sat at his desk, reviewing accumulated reports, all sent by various dioceses of Alrasia regarding preparations for the War of Orford. Beside him was another bishop, Adra, while the young warrior recounted to them the events narrated by the temple knight.
"My name is Sandru...?" Bishop Adra murmured, furrowing his finely arched, almost womanly eyebrows, before suddenly smiling at the crusader. "What does this mean?"
"It's unlikely to be that esteemed former guildmaster," the young warrior replied politely to the two bishops. "From all indications, this person is most likely the one we've been searching for."
Aescher didn't even raise his head, his expression remaining stoic as he leafed through the reports in his hands. In a distracted tone, he remarked, "Sandru could crush Talice as easily as wringing a chicken's neck. Moreover, he's past the age of playing tricks on young girls. He certainly wouldn't trouble himself to come to Alrasia for some frivolous amusement. Anyone can see that this is the person we've been searching for—the brat. Adra, you mean to ask why this brat used Sandru's name?"
"Why?" The warrior pondered. He looked striking when lost in thought—his already masculine and handsome face was enhanced by his furrowed brows, and the ocean-like blue depths of his eyes grew subtly profound. This expression alone was enough to captivate most women. After a moment, he smiled wryly. "I can't quite figure it out. Could it simply be a random response when Talice questioned him?"
"You're still too young, ha-ha," Adra said, lightly tapping the warrior on the forehead with a finger. His slender, pristine hands, free of blemishes or wrinkles, could rival those of most women. "If you thought more like your father, you'd understand. Even the most casual actions and words have their reasons."
"What kind of reason?" the Warrior humbly asked.
"A person's personality, mindset, and the environment at the time—all these factors shape their 'casual' behavior. In fact, casual words and actions often reveal a person's true self far more than long speeches or others' evaluations," Adra explained with a gentle smile, patiently guiding the young man. "Given your understanding of this person's character, think about it—what does such an answer reveal about his mindset?"
"Sandru must be his teacher... their relationship is likely close... to mention that name at such a time... amusing, perhaps..." The warrior furrowed his brows even tighter, his eyes eventually closing in intense thought. After some deliberation, he suddenly opened his eyes, which now gleamed with sudden clarity. "There's no such thing as 'casual' here. He's not the type to speak carelessly. On top of that, he's a wanted criminal across the continent, always on guard and in disguise among a band of desperate thieves. Every action and word is carefully calculated. That means he said this intentionally."
"Exactly. Impressive insight—no wonder you're Inham's son." Adra smiled, applauding lightly. Even Aescher, who had been engrossed in the reports, glanced up at the warrior, nodding subtly.
The Warrior offered a wry smile. "Then the next question is, what was his purpose in saying this? Was it... to frame someone?"
"Just after praising your cleverness..." Adra wagged a finger dismissively. "Do you think this statement was meant for Talice, that simple-minded girl?"
The warrior paused to think and immediately understood. He chuckled. "It was meant for the elders. His intention in saying this was..."
"To add unnecessary embellishment. There was already plenty of evidence to identify him, but he deliberately added this. His intent couldn't be more obvious," Aescher concluded, having finished the reports in his hand. He sighed, then succinctly and thoroughly elucidated the hidden meaning behind the words. "The sole purpose of that statement was for him to declare his identity to us."
"It seems that even Talice was deliberately released by him to deliver the message," Adra nodded as well. "The person who rescued her might also be working with that kid. Did Talice mention this person? We should capture them and question them thoroughly."
The Warrior replied, "She didn't say much about it. Even when I asked, she brushed it off vaguely with just one sentence. It's likely not someone important—probably just a temporary helper that guy found."
"Those trivial details don't matter. But why did that kid specifically tell us he's going to Turaleone? What's his plan? Setting a trap for us?"
The warrior thought for a moment before saying, "It's a bit more complicated. Apparently, he infiltrated a band of thieves heading to Turaleone to capture elves…"
"Thieves capturing elves? Haha…" Adra burst into laughter. "Are the barriers of Turaleone Forest so easy to break, even for thieves now? Those barriers were constructed over a century ago by some of the last great elven archmages with their combined strength. While they may not compare to the naturally occurring barriers of the Whispering Woods or our Dehya Valley, they are still magical masterpieces. Even we would need to exert some effort to break through them."
"But I've heard that this group of thieves did indeed breach the barrier, capturing a few elves and selling them for quite a bit of gold. So now, they've gathered all their forces to attack Turaleone again. That kid has also joined them this time. I suspect these thieves might have something we're unaware of…"
"Not in their hands—behind their backs." Aescher interrupted the warrior's speculation. "If this is true, it can only mean that someone is supporting this group of thieves from behind…" He frowned, thought for a moment, and then let out a cold laugh. "Since that kid is among them, the one behind them must be Theodorus. His expertise in magic is well known, and he has connections with Turaleone. He's familiar with the elven barriers. Given how tense the situation in Orford is now, yet he still finds time to collaborate with that kid on this mess, it's clear that this scheme is far from simple."
"Using that kid as bait to lure us to Turaleone—either to deal with us or to exploit us," the bishop of Alrasia sneered, his expression one of disdain, as though he had just tasted something unpleasant. "A clumsy trap."
"Theodorus has always been meticulous, yet this time there's such an obvious flaw. It seems like this is mostly the result of that kid's overconfidence," Adra concluded. What initially appeared to be a seamless event, seemingly arising by chance, was unraveled by the two of them layer by layer until its true nature began to surface. The warrior looked visibly impressed.
"We can only deduce this much with the limited information we have," Adra sighed, as if somewhat troubled. "I have to admit, while this trap is clumsy, it's not without its dangers. After all, we do want to capture that kid. Yet as noble members of the guild, our pride wouldn't allow us to retreat just because of such a crude trap…"
The warrior said, "This time, Commander Lancelote has assigned me to accompany Talice along with two other temple knights to Turaleone to eliminate this band of thieves. I'll go and scout the situation first."
"Three temple knights? It seems Lancelote is quite concerned about restoring his disciple's reputation. That lineup would be sufficient for most situations, but to face a trap designed for members of the guild, it might still be inadequate." Adra's expression turned cold as he let out a harsh laugh. "Perhaps that scoundrel from Orford will also be waiting there. No, if anything happens to you, I wouldn't know how to face your father. So, just as that kid wishes, since I'm the most idle one in the guild, I'll tag along for a look."
The warrior was startled. "But… it's clearly a trap…"
"A trap, sure, but let's see if he can actually trap me." Adra smiled at Aescher, a smile as radiant and gentle as a woman's. "Will you join in on the fun?"
Aescher waved the scrolls in his hand and sighed. "I'm too busy. You all can go; just make sure to capture that kid. Are you planning to have the old man assign Lancelotee as your bodyguard?"
"Of course, I need protection from that guy. With Lancelotee as a bodyguard, unless…" Adra thought for a moment, then smiled again—a smile softer and more beautiful than any woman's. "No unless."
In the Papal Hall, Pope Magnus listened to bishop Aescher's report. Bishop Adra stood silently beside the Pope.
His Holiness Magnus had a head of white hair, two long, snow-white eyebrows, and a face framed by neatly groomed white beard, resembling a curtain of silver threads draped over his face. Despite his age, his features did not appear particularly worn; instead, he exuded a serene and vibrant demeanor. His pure white papal robes complemented this impression. From appearance alone, he seemed less imposing than Aescher standing below him. But as perhaps the most powerful man on the continent, Pope Magnus no longer required any external display of authority.
"Although the failure of Knight Talice's mission in Alrasia cannot be entirely blamed on her, the consequences are quite severe," said Adra. "Queen Catherine has always been resistant to the Church and has often used the excuse of rampant banditry within her borders to disregard His Holiness's orders. This incident will undoubtedly give her even more ammunition. Moreover, the Church's authority and the Lord's glory have dimmed in the wake of this failure, which will significantly impact the faith and morale of our followers who are about to fight against Orford. Therefore, I ask His Holiness to send Commander Lancelote to Alrasia to crush these petty bandits completely."
"Sending Lancelote to deal with a group of thieves? Isn't that overkill?" The Pope gave a wry smile, as if hearing someone propose using a legendary weapon to swat a fly.
"Your Holiness, this is not merely about eradicating bandits but about establishing authority. We must eliminate these villains with overwhelming force to instill the fear of the Lord into the nations about to engage in battle against the wicked orcs, boosting their confidence. Therefore, no mistakes can be tolerated this time. Additionally, it is said that this band of thieves includes numerous heretical cultists, possibly supported by a larger enemy. Only by having Commander Lancelote personally lead the temple knights can we ensure absolute success."
"Hmm..." The Pope hesitated.
"Your Holiness, please allow Commander Lancelote to go," Adra interjected suddenly. "I also wish to accompany him to Alrasia."
"And what will you do there?" The Pope frowned and turned to him.
"Other bishops tirelessly spread the Lord's glory across the land. I can't simply enjoy comfort in Celeste. It would be good for me to go out and train as well. This mission to aid the knights in confronting heretics is the perfect opportunity, and with Commander Lancelote accompanying us, nothing will go wrong."
The Pope thought for a moment, his long eyebrows, which drooped slightly at the ends, furrowing into a knot. Finally, he sighed, nodded at Aescher, and said, "Very well, let it be done as you propose."
After Bishop Aescher withdrew, the Pope turned to Adra and said, "You may leave as well. On your way, summon Lancelote for me."
"Yes," Adra said, bowing and retreating.
As he was about to leave the Papal Hall, Pope Magnus suddenly spoke, his tone calm, casual, and even slightly affectionate—like a father gently advising a child. "I've never interfered with your antics with those people from Dehya Valley, but don't go too far."
Adra paused slightly, then turned and bowed deeply. "Understood."
Not long after, Commander Lancelote of the Temple Knights arrived at the Papal Hall alone.
If there were only one living legend widely acknowledged in the world, it would be Lancelote. If there were one true holy knight, that title could only belong to him.
From the moment he picked up his lance and sword at the age of fifteen, his life became a story that bards would sing for generations. He spent his life fighting for the light, punishing evil, and upholding justice and goodness—concepts as intangible as air yet as weighty as mountains. Before the age of twenty-five, he roamed the western continent, eliminating countless bandits and evil forces. After joining the Church at twenty-five, he participated in countless battles against heretics and Nigen's monstrous creatures. Ten years ago, during the Church's largest battle against Nigen, he led ten other temple knights and crusaders into Nigen's underground realm. With only a few dozen men, they slew countless monsters in that vast, dark world. Though only he and two other knights survived the mission, Nigen was left in shambles. The harpy race, in particular, was almost completely annihilated, leaving them unable to mount any major operations in the decade since.
Now forty-five years old, Lancelote was tall and powerfully built. His brown, long hair and face full of scars could not hide the handsomeness of his features. Every movement exuded the rhythm of a seasoned warrior. Countless battles had left his body covered with scars, but they also honed him into a masterpiece of artistry.
"I heard Knight Talice ran into trouble during her mission in Alrasia?" the Pope asked.
"Yes," Lancelote replied. "She has already reported the situation to me in detail. While she did make some mistakes, it turns out there were a few exceptionally skilled heretics hiding among the thieves. I've sent three temple knights, along with that newly recruited crusader, to handle the matter. They should be enough to eliminate these heretics."
The Pope seemed to recall something and asked, "That newly recruited crusader... his name is Jarvis, isn't it?"
"Yes. He was recommended by Bishop Adra."
"What do you think of him?" The Pope asked an odd question.
Lancelote thought for a moment and replied, "He is excellent." His voice, though soft, carried the weight of mountains and the depth of the sea.
"How excellent?"
"When I was his age... at best, I was only like him," Lancelote said, pausing before adding, "No, perhaps not even as good as him. According to Bishop Anderic, who oversees the training of the crusaders in magic, his talent in magic is unparalleled in Celeste."
"Oh?" The Pope's face lit up with surprise, then he nodded and smiled. "You've truly brought me a rare talent."
"Indeed, he is exceptional. Not only does he possess extraordinary talent in martial skills and magic, but his temperament and demeanor are equally remarkable. He lacks the impulsiveness and recklessness of youth, making his judgment and decisions impeccable. To test him, I assigned him several difficult tasks, and each time he surprised me. With time, he will undoubtedly become a cornerstone of the temple knights."
The Pope nodded, his expression calm as he continued, "No flaws at all? Do talents just fall from the heavens?"
"I haven't found any," Lancelote said. He noticed a hint of oddity in the Pope's tone and added, "I've already investigated his background. Although I couldn't locate the hermit who taught him martial skills as a child, the wilderness often harbors hidden masters. In other respects, there are no issues."
"Of course, there wouldn't be," the Pope said with a sigh, uttering a phrase that Lancelote didn't quite understand. Then, he turned to the knight commander and said, "Tell me everything Talice reported to you. Leave out no detail—I want to understand this matter fully."
Lancelote recounted everything the female knight had reported to him, down to the smallest detail. The Pope listened carefully, but when he heard the name the man had given—Sandru—he suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "What? Sandru?"
"Your Holiness knows this person?" Lancelote looked equally surprised.
The Pope didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pondered, his expression shifting from initial shock to understanding, and finally to amusement. He even chuckled aloud.
Lancelote was baffled, unable to comprehend why the mention of an obvious heretic practitioner of dark magic brought such joy to the Pope.
"This time, I want you to personally handle the matter in the Turaleone Forest. Bishop Adra will accompany you," the Pope said, smiling as though recalling something delightful.
"Understood," Lancelote said, bowing. He didn't question the reason for this arrangement, trusting that the Pope had his reasons.
"Your top priority is to bring me the man who calls himself Sandru," the Pope said, speaking slowly and with emphasis. "Remember, bring him to me intact."