The First Vampire

Chapter 542: 540 Lords Conference_1
 

Lion Roar Castle, Knight Hall.

One by one, the Lords of the North Territory walked in with solemn expressions on their faces.

Because the deadline set by Emperor Reinhardt was approaching, the north frontier lords had almost all led their armies to winterfell City, preparing to form the northern coalition army to support Westland.

Therefore, after hearing the news of Marquis Garcia’s declaration of war on the pope, whether it’s shock or panic, as long as they are Lords who are not immediately willing to turn against the St. Hilde family, they immediately came to the Knights hall to participate in the northern lord’s conference organized by Marquis Garcia.

The atmosphere in the hall was extremely oppressive.

Marquis Garcia and Count Angler stood in front of the stage, one on the left and one on the right, their faces frosty.

In the middle of them, the position of Northern Duke was empty.

In front of this seat on the long table, the skull of Cardinal Turennes was placed.

After a day and a night of exposure, the bloodstains on this skull had dried up, but the eyeballs were pecked off by scavengers like vultures, leaving only the empty eye sockets, casting a gaze from hell, coldly staring at everyone in the hall.

The Lords were deterred by the oppressive atmosphere in the hall, not daring to speak at random, constantly exchanging glances, trying to understand the attitudes of others toward this matter.

In fact, most of the Lords in the North Territory were not supportive of Marquis Garcia’s resolute declaration of war.

Though certainly they didn’t like the Church, which was always meddling with secular power, and wanted to confine it to matters of faith, they were absolutely unwilling to become the pioneers against the Church.

You should know that although the Church’s priests don’t have a lot of fighting power, the Holy Temple Knights, who are famous and terrifying, are not to be underestimated.

“The greatest glory requires the sharpest sword to guard.”

These were the bold words spoken by the first Pope, Peter Miser, when he founded the Holy Temple Knights.

This force of merely three thousand Holy Temple Knights was enough to make all the lords’ armies fear its power.

This was because they weren’t just three thousand ordinary soldiers, but three thousand knights!

You must know, the total number of knights in the entire north, at best, was just over three hundred.

Of course, a knight is not invincible, unless they step into the Holy Field, they could only perish under the besiege of a large army.

However, when the number of knights is large enough, forming a well-trained, coordinated, dare-devil force, they can become a terrifying invincible force on the battlefield.

No army, not even the Blood Knight Army, could with stand the charge of the Temple Knight Regiment.

Considering the devastation this Holy Knight Regiment could bring to the North, the lords were chilled to the core.

Moreover, the truly terrible thing about the Church was its control over the citizens of the Empire.

If the soldiers, farmers, and merchants were to choose between the lords and the Church, who knew what choice they would make?

At least no lord could remain confident when facing this question.

You should know, at this time, their opponent is not the Church, but the faith represented by the Church.

If it comes to that, would the army still obey? Would their family’s land erupt into rebellion?

Even within the noble class, there are fanatical believers in the Church, would they allow the glory of the Church to be trampled by the St. Hilde Family?

Therefore, for thousands of years, even the royal family, which nominally ruled over the entire Empire of Glory, was always helpless and even repeatedly suppressed and humiliated in the face of the seemingly weak Church.

The nobles certainly knew about the Church’s degeneration and corruption, but the supreme prestige and glory of the Lord of Glory were enough to keep the entire Empire overshadowed by His spokesman.

Since the founding of the country, the crown symbolizing the supreme authority of the Empire had to be put on the emperor by the pope.

Moreover, now that the orc has established the third empire, they will certainly launch a large-scale invasion against the Empire of Glory. Is it really a wise move to incite internal strife at such a critical moment?

The Lords exchanged glances, all seeing hesitation and concern in each other’s eyes. They tacitly nodded in agreement, having reached a silent understanding to try their best to dissuade Marquis Garcia from his mad idea in the upcoming Lords’ conference.

As the appointed time drew near, most of the great Lords of the North Territory had arrived.

Of course, when it was said ‘most’, there were actually a few Lords who, for some unknown reason, had not attended at all.

Dong, dong, dong——

The ancient copper bell rang three times, instantly making the faces of the Lords in the Knight Hall turn grave.

The meeting had begun.

Colin was the first to step forward, addressing the St. Hilde family’s butler:

“Butler Basti, has everyone arrived?”

Butler Basti stood out from the crowd, holding a sheepskin scroll in his hand, and respectfully said:

“Count, there are five Lords who have not yet attended.”

Colin asked emotionlessly, “Who are these five?”

“Viscount Sora, Baron Billy, Baron Lomba… ”

“Count!” Just then, a young knight, his head full of cold sweat, walked out from the crowd, his voice filled with fear, “I am Knight White from the Lomba family. Baron Lomba is on his way to Winterfell City with his army, but has been delayed because of several encounters with bandit groups. Therefore, I am here to represent Baron Lomba and ask for your pardon!”

Colin coldly looked at Knight White and asked, “Can you represent Baron Lomba?”

Knight White hesitated a bit, but upon seeing Colin’s scrutinizing gaze, he braced himself and quickly nodded, “I can!”

Only then did Colin nod satisfactorily, “Good.”

Afterwards, he gestured for Butler Basti to continue.

Butler Basti then read out the names of the remaining two Lords who had failed to make an appearance.

Without delay, Colin drew his long sword, pointed it diagonally upwards, his icy gaze slowly sweeping over the room, he declared loudly:

“I, Colin Angler, on the authority of the Guardian of the North Territory, representing Duke St. Hilde, hereby revoke the nobility of the Sora family, the Billy family, the Ferguson family, and the Gantes family, and take back their corresponding territories!”

As these words rang out, the entire hall fell into silence.

The already oppressive atmosphere became even more tense in an instant, almost suffocating.

With eyes filled with fear, the Lords looked at each other, realizing that this conference was not a negotiation, but a mobilization for war!

The St. Hilde family did not come to ask for the Lords’ opinions, but to issue orders!

Those Lords who had intended to dissuade Marquis Garcia were now silenced, not daring to speak further.

Colin sheathed his sword, and after taking a few steps back, turned over the podium to Marquis Garcia.

Without any delay, Marquis Garcia promptly spoke in a cold tone:

“You probably all know by now that Count Angler, protector of the North, and I have declared war against Pope Gregory.

Now, it’s time for you to state your position.

Who is willing to continue following the path of the St. Hilde family?

And who wants to betray the vows they once made?”