Chapter 146: Chapter 111: Conflict, He Is My Battle Brother
Raphael didn’t recognize the attire of the three newcomers.
But others did.
Lady Aimo and the Tier Two Mage, Florant, exchanged a knowing glance, their brows furrowing slightly.
The sickly young man leading the way wore the emblem of the Imperial Court of Judgment around his neck, yet his combat suit was in the style of a Demon Hunter from the Secret Order.
As far as they knew, the Imperial Administrative Region had always maintained a cooperative relationship with the Secret Order.
But whether this young man was an Imperial Judge or not, did the Secret Order also want to seize the Radiant Holy Artifact? Moreover, he looked like he knew Reinhardt.
As Provincial Governor, Ullrich, of course, also recognized the uniforms of the Secret Order’s Demon Hunters. He was already starting to break out in a cold sweat.
No one would have expected fanatics from the Secret Order to show up with the reinforcements.
He began to wonder if he was dreaming.
’Just look at all these "distinguished guests" arriving one after another.’
First, the uninvited army of Grand Lord Kles.
Then, the envoys from the Oreno Family and the Wizard Lord Anatol.
And finally, the Radiant Angels representing the Imperial Administrative Region.
Now, even people from the Secret Order and the Imperial Court of Judgment had arrived.
And all these powerful figures had descended upon the Desolate Wasteland Ruins for the very same person.
Ullrich grew more and more curious. What had this Imperial Knight, Reinhardt—who had been freeloading at Caster Monastery for over four years—done in his past?
Reinhardt’s brow was tightly furrowed.
He had to stare for a long time before he could finally see a faint resemblance in the young man’s face.
"Robie?"
The other man grinned, his expression and mannerisms enough to make any bystander worry about his mental state.
"I was starting to think the famous Knight Reinhardt had forgotten his old friends. Let me see... the power of the Earth Ring...
It’s been years, and you’re still full of surprises."
Robie let out a deranged laugh, then turned his head to the ever-silent Eliza Hearn standing at the back. He waved enthusiastically. "Miss Eliza... oh no, I should say, Daughter of the Death Star. We meet again.
If my friend were still here, he would be absolutely delighted to see you."
As Robie spoke, three yellowed human skulls hanging from his belt swung back and forth, clacking together with a crisp sound.
Upon hearing the title "Daughter of the Death Star,"
The Tier Two Mage, Florant, frowned visibly. He glanced at Eliza, who respectfully bowed her head and answered, "It is true that one of my ancestors was a Death Star Mage, but that was a hundred thousand years ago.
That madman is just trying to undermine your trust in me, Teacher.
Besides, the last time I saw him was over a decade ago."
Florant was satisfied with Eliza’s respectful demeanor, so he didn’t press her about concealing her background. Instead, he shot Robie a wary glance and said coldly, "You have no right to speak to my student without conclusive evidence, Judge."
Robie’s gaze toward Florant and Eliza was cold and venomous, but his expression quickly shifted into a smile. "Of course. This is just a friendly greeting between old acquaintances.
However, among those present, there is indeed someone in league with a Demon.
So, I’d like to ask him to take a trip to the Judgment Court."
Even for regional warlords and Wizard Lords, colluding with a Demon was a grave offense. The Imperial Court of Judgment didn’t care whether you were under the Empire’s jurisdiction; no Lord within an Imperial Star Zone could escape their judgment and surveillance.
He had learned of a Demon lurking in the Seventeenth Military Port World from a Wandering Mage the day before yesterday.
The moment he left the landing beacon, he had detected Raphael and his Wizard’s Power. The Judgment Court never needed to abide by Imperial law.
Judges had the authority to arrest and detain anyone they suspected, with or without evidence.
As he spoke, Robie’s sickly gaze drifted past Reinhardt and landed on Raphael. He grinned. "Priest, if you’re willing to cooperate, I promise you won’t be tortured too much."
As soon as he finished speaking, Robie’s expression darkened. He raised a hand, signaling the men behind him to make the arrest.
Although Raphael was a National Church Priest who had survived a great war, his worldview wasn’t much broader than a commoner’s. This was his first glimpse of the true face of the Empire.
Realizing the three were here to arrest him, he froze for a second before stepping back to dodge their outstretched hands. "I’m a Priest from the Monastery!" he explained hurriedly. "A Combat Priest of the Caster Battle Group! You can’t arrest me without any proof! Let go of—"
But the Demon Hunters of the Secret Order had no time for his arguments.
"In the name of the Divine Emperor, do we need to remind you of what you’ve done? Move it!"
Seeing they wouldn’t listen to his explanation, Raphael panicked. The Mighty Power of a Mind Mage erupted from his eyes like white lightning!
The Extraordinary Power of Pain Suppression slammed into the minds of the two Demon Hunters!
At the same time.
The monks who had been taking shelter in the Monastery had just stepped out the main gate when they saw people trying to arrest their spiritual leader as a heretic.
But before they could speak in Raphael’s defense, the sudden eruption of Mental Power was like a lit match tossed into a barrel of dynamite.
The two Demon Hunters fell to their knees, letting out heart-wrenching howls of pain.
Lady Aimo’s Knight escorts drew their weapons, forming a protective circle around her.
The Tier Two Mage, Florant, gave a knowing look as he raised his right hand. A dark blue Energy Shield materialized, protecting him and the student behind him.
The smile on Robie’s face could only be described as crazed. He stared at Raphael as if mocking his struggles and explanations. ’Just a little prod and he loses his composure so easily.’
Meanwhile, Albert and the other Radiant Angels were the quickest to act.
He moved like lightning, his Knight’s Broadsword aimed for a vital point!
But Raphael, having survived a great war, was no longer the helpless Priest he once was. His body levitated in the air, his expression a mask of pained ferocity. White lightning from a Mind Storm crackled around him, forming a protective barrier. "Everyone! Please, let me explain! I—"
Before he could finish.
Albert had already shattered his defense. His left hand, like an iron pincer, clamped down on Raphael’s face. At the same time, his Broadsword, humming with Mighty Power, whistled through the air, aimed squarely at Raphael’s head.
In that instant.
Raphael’s pupils contracted. The threat of death was immense!
Just as the Knight’s Broadsword was about to pierce his skull and deliver a fatal blow, a large hand, encased in a dark purple, living substance, shot out and clamped down hard on the blade.
It was accompanied by Reinhardt’s voice, laced with cruel indifference.
"I told you, Albert. He is my Battle Brother."
