Chapter 147: Chapter 112: The Radiant Angels’ Invitation
The atmosphere, relaxed just a moment ago, suddenly became tense and hostile.
The four Radiant Angels abandoned their encirclement of Raphael. Their Knight’s Broadswords all turned to point at Reinhardt. If he made a single unnecessary move, they would cut him down without mercy.
Provincial Governor Ullrich was sweating profusely.
He wanted to mediate, but as a mere Mortal facing Imperial Knights who wielded Extraordinary Power, he wasn’t qualified to speak.
At any time, a Wizard who possessed a Void Divine Artifact and was watched by the Formless Divine Monarch, one of the Four Gods, was an extremely dangerous existence.
Once heretical thoughts took root and sprouted, whether they mastered increasingly powerful Wizard abilities or underwent Demon Ascension to become a Great Demon under the Formless Divine Monarch, it would be a massive threat to the Empire and the Ash Soil Star Zone!
Albert’s brow was tightly furrowed.
He had resolved this before his killing intent flared. Even with Reinhardt’s support, a heretic was a heretic. He would kill this exceedingly dangerous Wizard first; as for the aftermath, he would personally explain things to Reinhardt and beg for his forgiveness.
Therefore, his Knight’s Broadsword showed no mercy.
Even without using his Knight Power, his fierce assault was not something an ordinary Knight could block.
However, the Knight’s Broadsword, hovering before Raphael, was caught fast in Reinhardt’s grip, unable to move even a fraction of an inch.
Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, an out-of-place clapping sound abruptly broke the tense atmosphere.
Robie wore a sickly smile, his eyes fixed on Reinhardt. His hands, hidden in black leather gloves, clapped sporadically as he taunted, "Reinhardt, I never thought I’d see the day you’d stand up for a heretic."
"Tsk."
"If Instructor An Jie saw this, I can’t imagine how heartbroken she would be."
After speaking, his face darkened. He looked at the two Secret Order Demon Hunters who were on the ground, having just recovered their senses, and said in a displeased tone, "Get back here! You two useless fools, can’t even handle a single Tier One Wizard Apprentice."
The two Demon Hunters shot a hateful glance at Raphael, then dejectedly scurried behind Robie with their heads hung low.
’Of course, there were things they wanted to say.’
’What were they supposed to do about a heretic that even the Radiant Angels couldn’t handle? But they only dared to keep such thoughts to themselves, never voicing them aloud.’
’Heaven knows if that madman Robie would just kill them along with everyone else.’
Albert had no intention of withdrawing his Broadsword. In a low voice, he said, "Are you really not worried he’ll undergo Demon Ascension?"
But he did not receive an answer from Reinhardt.
The white lightning in Raphael’s eyes gradually cooled. He stared at Albert, his tone serious and firm. "My soul and my faith belong only to the Divine Emperor. They have in the past, they do now, and they will in the future, Lord Radiant Angel."
The Cultivators who had come out of Caster Monastery also fell to their knees behind Albert, pleading for Raphael. They begged for forgiveness for their spiritual leader, for this pitiful man who had already given everything for the Divine Emperor.
Raphael’s mentor was so old that his voice trembled as he spoke.
But his voice was still firm.
"O great Radiant Angel, most loyal warrior of the Divine Emperor, Raphael is my student. I have seen him countless times kneeling before the Holy Image, confessing his sins, begging for his soul to return to the Divine Emperor’s light..."
The other Cultivators chimed in with their agreement.
They described Raphael’s loyalty and steadfastness over the years.
As Mortals, they could not discern how evil the power Raphael possessed was, but his words and actions did not lie. During the darkest decade on the Seventeenth, this former Newbie Priest had burned away everything he had for the majesty of the Divine Emperor and for this world.
Robie snorted coldly, completely disdainful of listening to these Mortals defending a heretic.
Albert remained silent. After a long while, he lowered his Knight’s Broadsword, gave Raphael a deep look, and said, "I hope you do not betray your oath, Wizard."
Then, he clapped Reinhardt on the shoulder, laughed heartily, and flashed a row of pearly whites. "It’s been years, and your strength has actually grown to this level. Are you interested in joining the Radiant Angel Legion?"
Although it sounded like a strange joke, all the onlookers were utterly shocked!
’Join the Radiant Angel Legion?!’
’For an Imperial Knight, to receive an invitation from a Radiant Angel is not only a tremendous honor but also the greatest recognition of one’s strength!’
’Most importantly, once Reinhardt becomes a Radiant Angel, which Lord in the entire Ash Soil Star Zone would dare to continue plotting for that Radiant Holy Artifact? That would be a complete death wish.’
’To steal a gift bestowed by the Divine Emperor from a Radiant Angel?’
’If word got out, Archangel Tiberius, one of the Empire’s greatest powers, would very likely invite the culprit for a ’chat’ and casually ask: Do you believe in the Divine Emperor?’
But before the shock in their hearts could subside, Reinhardt’s answer made them wonder if there was something wrong with their ears.
"I’ll think about it."
The expressions on the faces of Lady Aimo and Florant, the Wizard Lord’s envoy, changed again and again. Even for people as worldly as they were, they couldn’t figure out what on earth Reinhardt was thinking.
’Think about it?!’
’This is the Radiant Angel Legion! The Radiant Angels—!’
Ullrich had thought that he and the Seventeenth had found a powerful backer, that this desolate world would become the birthplace of a Radiant Angel today. But when he heard Reinhardt’s reply, he nearly choked, his eyes rolling back as if he were about to faint.
’You bastard—!’
’To receive an invitation from a Radiant Angel! How many Knights in the Empire could only dream of such an honor and affirmation? Hesitating for even a second is a sign of disrespect to the invitation itself!’
’And you want to *think about it*?!’
However, Albert’s response was beyond everyone’s expectations. He shook his head slightly, his tone rather helpless. "Haha, back on Grillers World, I already predicted you wouldn’t agree."
"So, what are your plans now?"
"I need some time to advance to Earth Knight."
"We’ll talk more when we get back to the Iberian World."
Albert seemed to know what Reinhardt was worried about. He smiled and said, "The Imperial Administrative Region will take over this world’s defenses. You don’t need to worry about that."
Then he walked over to Ullrich.
Facing this mortal Provincial Governor, his expression lost all the relaxed cheerfulness it held when speaking with Reinhardt. He was expressionless and cold as he said, "Are you the Governor Union Lord of this world?"
Ullrich scrambled to his feet and answered, "Yes, Lord Angel."
Albert nodded slightly. His gaze swept over the Monastery Priests kneeling on the ground and the blood-soaked Defense Army soldiers in the distance. He declared in a loud voice, "Your loyalty is worthy of recognition."
"Here, in the name of a Radiant Angel, I pay tribute to your great sacrifices."
"For the Divine Emperor."
As the setting for the entire battle, the Defense Army, caught in a vortex of death, and even Reinhardt and Raphael, all had limited perspectives. They could not see the great strategic significance behind this brutal victory.
But subsequent reports and studies would leave a deep and brilliant mark upon the historical records of the Ash Soil Star Zone and the Imperial Administrative Region.
Like an epic.
