Golden Mage - Chapter 77
Volume 3, Episode 17
Chapter 6: The Grandmaster Duke of the Holy Kingdom
The Pope, the representative of the divine ruling over the Holy Kingdom, summoned the high officials. Among the 11 officials present, excluding Vollec, the Pope spoke with a serious tone.
“It has been a week since we received news that Vice-Chancellor Vollec entered Troll Valley. However, there has been no communication from him. What does this lack of contact imply?”
The officials’ faces showed deep concern upon the Pope’s words. The radiant Holy Knights and one Vice-Chancellor had disappeared without a trace. That meant something unusual had happened to them inside Troll Valley.
The Pope continued, “According to Vice-Chancellor Vollec, a new tower appeared in Troll Valley, which is believed to be related to the newly emerged Tolinian Kingdom. He mentioned a high probability that the tower’s owner is the Saint.”
“The Saint is with the tower’s owner?” One official asked, surprised.
The Pope nodded in response, “Yes. While we cannot be certain due to Vice-Chancellor Vollec and the Radiant Holy Knights’ disappearance, it is a possibility.”
Then the Pope looked around at the officials and spoke his thoughts, “Regardless of the situation, the fact that our important figures from the Holy Kingdom have gone missing cannot be denied. Therefore, we have decided to send an additional investigative team. What are your thoughts, Vice-Chancellors?”
“Yes, may I speak, Your Holiness?” Ardymos, one of the Vice-Chancellors, asked, and the Pope nodded.
“If you have an opinion, feel free to share, Vice-Chancellor.”
Ardymos stood up and surveyed the room before speaking, “This matter is far from simple. The presence of the Saint, who appears once every few hundred years, must have a significant purpose from the Goddess. Moreover, considering the direct request for help in the divine message, perhaps we underestimated the situation.”
Ardymos’ words contained the accurate interpretation of the divine message. Thus, both the officials and the Pope nodded in agreement.
With everyone understanding his point, Ardymos continued, “In that case, we should devote ourselves to the Goddess’s will. I fully support the Pope’s opinion. No, I believe that the Duke Diard, the strongest figure in the Holy Kingdom, and the top-ranked Holy Knights, the Ten Cross Knights, should be sent.”
The room fell into a stunned silence at Ardymos’ words.
Naturally so. The person he suggested, Duke Diard, and the Ten Cross Knights were formidable powers, accounting for 30% of the Holy Kingdom’s overall strength.
First, Duke Diard was one of only ten Grandmasters on the continent. Though he ranked among the lower tiers of Grandmasters, few individuals in the entire Grandmaster ranks could defeat him, numbering no more than three.
His firm defense, bolstered by formidable sacred power, was akin to an impenetrable fortress that nobody could breach.
Moreover, his offensive capabilities, based on that sacred power, were akin to a force that could shatter mountains. It was no exaggeration to say that Duke Diard’s existence alone was the reason why the Holy Kingdom could exert significant influence on the continent today.
Of course, this was when Duke Diard fought alone. In the Holy Kingdom, numerous divine officials existed. Though they lacked direct combat power, their exceptional blessing magic could drastically enhance the abilities of the Holy Knights.
Thus, if one divine official bestowed a blessing on Duke Diard, his strength would be ranked among the upper tiers of Grandmasters, capable of overwhelming dozens of Sword Masters.
A Grandmaster who could overpower dozens of Sword Masters—the pride of the Holy Kingdom, the most potent weapon, that was the figure Ardymos suggested to send now.
Seeing the astonishment in everyone’s eyes, the Pope strongly nodded in agreement. His resolute intention was clear; they had faced one failure in finding the Saint, so this time, they were determined to handle the matter decisively. Sensing the Pope’s will, the three Vice-Chancellors stood up and responded.
“We understand, Your Holiness.”
“Good.”
Acknowledging their response, the Pope glanced at Ardymos and said, “Ardymos, you shall be in charge of persuading Duke Diard.”
“Leave it to me, Your Holiness.”
Ardymos lowered his head. While the position of a Vice-Chancellor was on par with a Marquis within the Holy Kingdom, it couldn’t be compared to a Duke. Moreover, Duke Diard was one of the top ten Grandmasters on the continent. The difference in status between the two was evident.
Ardymos worried that Duke Diard might refuse, even though he strongly believed in the Pope’s cause. Yet, despite his concerns, he knew that Duke Diard, as a devout follower of the Goddess, would willingly offer his help in finding the Saint.