Chương 79: The Paladin's Trial

Ah this...

This poet, covered in blood and leaves and looking filthy, was actually His Highness's friend? And with just three sentences, he got His Highness to personally lead a team down the mountain for him?

Well, I was just pointing a spear at him...

After witnessing Isabella's attitude, the captain of the guard swallowed hard, feeling a chill run down his spine.

"No need to be afraid, I'm a very magnanimous person, probably."

Richard saw through the captain of the guards' thoughts, smiled and offered a word of comfort, then pointed to Bill, who was kneeling on the ground, completely bewildered, and said, "If you really want to make amends, then take this man with you to the palace, how about that?"

The captain of the guard nodded sternly and ordered two men to lift Bill up on either side of him and follow behind Richard.

Ahead, Amelie dismounted and asked Richard, "Is there anything else you need?"

Richard shook his head: "It's nothing. Take me to see Master Ignas as soon as possible."

Amélie then turned and led the way.

Richard and his party finally entered the palace.

On the way, Levin couldn't help but ask:

"Just who is that paladin lady? I heard them call her 'Your Highness'..."

"You ask me? But who can I ask? Well, it's fine this way. Not knowing anything is what makes it a surprise..."

Richard grinned, too lazy to think about it anymore.

There are more important things to do right now.

The palace on the island is not very large.

The group soon arrived at a beautifully decorated, domed building with a touch of Greek style, built on the edge of a cliff.

There were several guards at the gate who initially tried to stop the group, but after Amelie stepped forward and spoke to them for a few minutes, they immediately opened the gate for them.

Richard went inside and found it to be a council chamber with a sea view.

In the center was a large round table, surrounded by seven or eight high-backed chairs.

Twelve marble columns support the dome, which is decorated with images of gods.

There are no walls behind the pillars, and you can see the azure sea directly.

At that moment, four people were sitting in the high-backed chair.

The man at the head of the table was tall with short, black-gray hair. Although he was dressed simply in a light green shirt, a brown cloak, and worn-out boots, he exuded an extraordinary kingly aura.

Richard narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling that this person's charm was probably over 20, and that he must be the Ignas Bethan they were looking for.

Beside this man sat a dignified and elegant old man, wearing the same gold-collared robe as Bill, who was clearly another high priest of the Church of the Goddess of Wealth mentioned by Elijah in this area.

As for the remaining two, Richard had met them at a tournament; they were the patriarch and his wife of the Dessault family of Phoenix—like the Phoenix family, they were among the nobles who ruled Phoenix.

"Lord Betan..."

Just as Richard had predicted, Amelie greeted the tall man first, addressing him as Lord Bethan.

Then, she bowed to the other three people in the hall.

Mrs. Dessault, the last of the group, nodded in return. Looking at Richard and his companions, and noticing their attire—as if they'd rolled out of the woods—she covered her nose and said unhappily, "Who are these people? Why did you bring these country bumpkins to disrupt the meeting?"

"lady……"

Before Richard and the others could reply, Ignas smiled and said, "These friends must have gone through quite a lot of hardship to get here. The mud and leaves are not dirt, but proof that they have been through trials. I think they deserve our respect."

Amélie frowned and said, "They are His Highness's friends, please watch your words."

Mrs. Dessot was choked and her face turned ugly. The next second, her husband awkwardly pushed her down with a laugh.

Then, Ignas looked at Richard and the others.

"So, my friends, where do you come from? And what brings you here?"

Levin stepped forward and replied, "Master, please release the Domain of Honesty first, to prove that every word we say next is true."

Ignas nodded, stood up and cast a spell, bathing half of the council hall in a soft white light.

Thus, Levin began his narration.

"My name is Levin Windwhisper, and like you, I am a member of the Harpists' Alliance... We met this halfling, Amy..."

Amy also stepped forward to join Levin's narration.

As they spoke, Ignas's expression grew increasingly serious, and the high priest beside him looked increasingly grim.

Bill, who was being supported, closed his eyes and pretended to faint on the spot due to his serious injuries.

As for the guards who, by a twist of fate, became spectators, they all stared wide-eyed, unable to believe their ears.

For a moment, they thought they were in a tavern, listening to the bard who loved to boast tell stories.

However, the faint white light of the Realm of Honesty would pull them back, telling them that all of this was reality.

A small team of only five adventurers, driven by pure justice, broke through the layers of blockade imposed by the Church of the Goddess of Wealth and the Phoenix family, and made their way to the island.

What an incredible feat!

These people in front of me are comparable to the heroes in the stories!

For a moment, the guards' eyes were filled with shock and admiration.

Ten minutes later.

The spell of the Realm of Honesty wore off, and the group's story ended just as they finished.

Ignas stood up solemnly and nodded to the crowd:

"My friends, thank you for your valiant fight. I swear to the Lord of Radiance that I will not fail you in your trust and will bring justice to all those who suffer!"

He then asked with concern, "Have all your friends returned safely?"

Sure, this Paladin Master has great attention to detail.

Richard sighed inwardly, but replied aloud, "I've already asked Isabella to go find them."

"That child..."

Ignas smiled slightly, then drew his longsword from his waist and handed it to a guard at the door:

"Just in case, take my sword to Isabella again, and tell the church and the Phoenix family to come here to see me... If anyone still tries to resist now, they will face my wrath!"

The guard, sword in both hands, immediately ran out.

Ignas then turned to the High Priest of the Church of the Goddess of Wealth: "Lord Puzo, the meeting must end abruptly. By the Lord of Radiance, I must conduct a judgment here! As a fellow believer of the goddess, what are your thoughts on this?"

The high priest, known as Puzo, sighed, then said with a look of grief and indignation:

"I am not aware of Elijah and the Phoenix family's affairs, but there is no doubt that their actions have violated the goddess's will, so... I will fully support your judgment."

As he spoke, he performed a religious prayer, which looked very solemn and dignified.

Ignas did not reply, but instead beckoned the guards to bring more chairs so that Richard and the others could sit down and rest.

after awhile.

The sun had completely set below the horizon, and the guards lit braziers and candles for illumination.

At this moment, led by Isabella, Grace, Hammer, and Mendel finally arrived at the council chamber.

To Richard's delight, although they were a bit disheveled, nothing serious had happened, and Grace even had a smile on her face, as if she had enjoyed the fight.

Behind these people stood the high priest Elijah, whose face was grim.

How ugly is it?

It's probably similar to the protagonist in a novel who is reborn and discovers that the date is the day of the college entrance exam.

"Gentlemen."

Ignas declared loudly, "This is not a courtroom, and I am neither a judge nor a lord, but with evil before us, there are some things we must clarify..."

"No need for that."

Just as Ignaz was preparing to preside over the trial, Elijah suddenly spoke.

"Now that things have come to this, I have nothing left to hide. Yes, I did it all!"