Chapter 4: The Fated Outcome

"To answer this question, I need to ask everyone a question first," the bard slowly took a sip of water and asked, "Does everyone know why the relationship between our Solan Empire and the Church is the worst?"

People all nodded. Some couldn't help but call out.

"Who doesn't know that?"

"That's right, it's just because some people are plotting to usurp the throne..." The person speaking was suddenly covered by someone else's hand.

Outside the crowd, the veiled girl and the female swordsman exchanged a surprised glance, their expressions complex.

Roy, sitting among the crowd, felt somewhat smug. After wandering for ten years, he had heard plenty of such gossip. He also had some understanding of why the royal family of the Holy Solan Empire and the Church were at odds.

There were two main reasons for the conflict between the royal family and the Church.

The first was the struggle for power.

For many years, although the royal family of the Holy Solan Empire nominally ruled the country, in reality, they were seen as puppets by many.

The true ruler of the government was the Chancellor, Donald!

Among the six duchies of the empire, three were under Donald's control. Two of the five legions were directly under his command. Furthermore, many legions in the border army followed his orders, making him almost all-powerful.

However, Donald's greatest support did not come from these.

His biggest backing came from the Church!

Roy had once heard people bet privately that if Donald ever usurped the throne, the Church would certainly recognize him immediately. Perhaps, the Pope would even personally crown him!

The second reason was the conflict between the Church and the Magic Hall.

It's important to know that in the present world, the Solan Empire is the only country that openly retains the Magic Hall, a purely magical organization.

For ordinary people, the term "magician" is something far removed from reality.

It represents a group of people who are mysterious, noble, and terrifying, almost existing only in legends.

In this era, people don't even know magicians who can summon storms, hail, and meteorites, let alone the magicians who are closely related to daily life, who are hard to come by.

However, although they have never seen magicians, everyone knows that there are two types of magicians. One is the magician recognized by the Holy Church, and the other is the black wizard who, if caught by the Inquisition, will be sent to the stake.

The distinction is quite simple. According to the Holy Church, any magician who does not display the "Holy Light" when using magic is a black wizard.

This is something the Magic Hall strongly opposes.

Originally, who was a magician recognized by God and who was a devil's envoy had nothing to do with the common people. However, everyone has heard many times that in the Pompeii Empire and the Fili Empire, thousands of innocent people like themselves were falsely accused by the Inquisition as black wizards and sent to the gallows and the stake.

It is said that because some black wizards did not use magic when caught, the Inquisition came up with a method—tying people to stones and throwing them into the water. If they sank and drowned, they were not black wizards; if they did not sink, they were black wizards and had to be sent to the stake!

If this is true, it is simply absurd! How many innocent civilians would be wrongfully killed by such a method?

Although everyone sincerely believes in the Holy Emperor and never stops praying, they still deeply resent the Church's actions.

To put it bluntly, the royal family is on one side, and Donald and the Church are on the other.

These things are known to almost everyone in the Holy Solan Empire. In the taverns, people often discuss these topics, and it's nothing unusual.

In the mind of the big-headed boy, Donald and the Church seem like the villains no matter how you look at it.

At this moment, seeing everyone nod, the bard lowered his voice, his face showing a knowing expression.

"Let me now tell you that Roy's mother, Sarah, is the daughter of Duke Reynaud, the commander of the 'Battle Axe' legion, and she is also a student of Abraham, the president of the Solan Magic Association, and a close friend of the Queen from childhood."

"Ah!"

People had just exclaimed in surprise when the bard, who never stops until he shocks, continued, "And Roy's father, the fallen knight Roger, was the best friend of Emperor Edward in his youth!"

Everyone suddenly understood. With these words, everything became clear.

It's important to know that Duke Reynaud, the commander of the 'Battle Axe' legion, is a close ally of Chancellor Donald. Although it's unknown how Sarah, Duke Reynaud's daughter, became friends with the Queen and a student of the Magic Association president, the royal family's engagement to her child is essentially an engagement to the Reynaud family.

This is like stabbing Chancellor Donald in the heart.

If his close ally marries into the royal family, how can he still be considered a close ally? Even if he doesn't openly support the royal family, it's unclear what he might do in secret, and what if it's a critical moment...

Clearly, such a situation is absolutely intolerable for Chancellor Donald and the Church.

Since it is intolerable, they will certainly take action to sabotage it!

With this, the details of the tragedy from over a decade ago are almost clear. Regardless of whether there is evidence, Sarah's death and Roy's disappearance are definitely related to the Church and Donald.

"Roy's whereabouts are unknown, and he is probably already dead. Poor Princess Alesia..."

The bard picked up his lute and gently plucked a few strings, letting the melodious sound slowly fade away, then sighed.

"Because of that engagement, Princess Alesia has been the granddaughter-in-law of Duke Reynaud since birth. According to tradition, since she is a member of the Reynaud family, her marriage can be decided by Duke Reynaud... But Reynaud is a lackey who follows Donald around, and it's obvious who he would agree to for a marriage proposal..."

"Then what about Duke Roland? Logically, Princess Alesia should be a member of the 'Hanshan' family, right?" the aunt asked anxiously.

"Duke Roland never agreed to Roger and Sarah's marriage from the beginning... He..." The bard shook his head and chuckled, not continuing.

"Who did Duke Reynaud agree to? His daughter was..." The aunt grumbled angrily, but her mouth was covered before she could finish.

"Duke Reynaud wanted to agree immediately!" the bard sneered.

"Who is it?" people asked in a chorus.

"Do you want to know?" the bard glanced at everyone coolly.

Everyone nodded, and Roy nodded the fastest.

This kind of secret that is hard to hear normally made him extremely curious.

"The person who wants to marry the princess is the most talented dragon knight in the history of the Temple Knights, the future heir of the 'Golden Dragon' family..."

Everyone's mouths dropped open as the bard said the name they had already guessed.

"Lord Augustus!"

"Is it him?"

"Heaven, it's the genius dragon knight Augustus!"

"He is the idol of all young knights, becoming a Just Knight at fourteen, a Glory Knight at sixteen, and a Great Light Knight at eighteen. He will probably become a Holy Knight in three years!"

"By the Holy Emperor, a Holy Knight at twenty! Who among the young knights can defeat him?"

"No wonder Duke Reynaud agreed. Besides Augustus's genius, just his 'Golden Dragon' family, which produces Holy Knights, is not something Duke Reynaud can provoke. Moreover, Augustus is the designated future leader of the Temple Knights and the Pope's favorite godson, even Donald wouldn't dare to say no."

"Why do they still have a duel then?" a merchant asked the bard curiously.

Before he finished, someone nearby already shouted, "Nonsense, Augustus is the Pope's godson and the future leader of the Temple Knights. Do you think Emperor Edward, who hates the Church, would agree? It would be better for him to die in battle!"

"That's the truth," the bard nodded, "Not to mention the princess and Emperor Edward wouldn't agree, even the nobles have their own plans. So, the princess's marriage was decided by a traditional duel."

At this point, the bard's lips curled in a regretful smile, "But, do you think this is any different from agreeing to Augustus? Emperor Edward will probably have to accept it with a pinched nose."

People looked at each other, all shaking their heads.

If it's the genius dragon knight, it doesn't matter whether there is a duel or not. The outcome is already determined! In three years, Alesia will be Augustus's wife.

Everyone closed their mouths awkwardly.

Looking at the silent crowd, Roy shook his big head, sneering inwardly.

The beauty of the princess is just a legend; he has never seen her. What he was thinking about was the guy who also shares his name, Roy.

Damn it, both of them are orphans, but at least he has grown up and lives a poor but happy life. That guy, on the other hand, is in an unknown state, with his grandfather ignoring him in the border city, and his maternal family groveling to their enemies...

Worse still, that guy could have married the most beautiful and noble princess of the Solan Empire, but now he is someone else's fiancé...

What a number one unlucky guy!

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End of Chapter 4

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