Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 314 Holdwell
After leaving the Golden Country Bank, Luo Xiu and Index wandered around Songyuan City, buying some consumables and materials, and did not return to the "Wolf Hunter Tavern" until the evening.

When Luo Xiu first came to Songyuan City, he made an agreement with the owner of the tavern, the old "Throne Knight" Isaac. In the evening, Isaac would invite Luo Xiu, Intis and others to have a barbecue and drink.

As soon as they stepped into the tavern's courtyard, they could smell the aroma of barbecue.

The owner of the tavern did not show up, but his old comrade, another "Knight of the Throne" Bruyère, was already waiting in the courtyard.

He was sitting on a creaky bench, and when he saw Ross and Index, he waved to them and greeted them warmly.

"Friends!" Bruyer shouted to Rosseau, "Brother Isaac asked me to wait for you here. Hey! You came at the right time!"

"I can already smell the aroma of barbecue." Luo Xiu nodded and said with a smile.

He and Intis then walked towards Bruyère, and asked casually, "Is Isaac in there?"

"He's grilling, little brother." Bruyer stood up, walked to Luo Xiu, put his arm around his shoulders and said, "Come on! Let's go in together. I can't wait to have a big meal."

……

The Wolf Hunting Tavern is a restaurant with a bold and rough style.

The lights in the pub were dim, and the wooden tables and chairs were worn smooth by time, with smoke leaving obvious marks on them.

Amid the curling smoke, the skewers of meat hanging on the iron rack exude an enticing aroma.

The firelight illuminated Isaac's face, and his eyes were focused and blazing, as if the barbecue in his hands attracted his attention more than the flames in front of him.

His other hand was not idle either. Isaac rolled up his thick sleeves and held thick steaks with the tongs in his hand. As he turned them over, fat dripped onto the charcoal fire, making crackling sounds.

Luo Xiu sat aside, holding a beer glass in his hand. The liquid in the glass was foamy and glowing with golden light.

"Here, try this."

Isaac handed over a piece of freshly grilled meat on a skewer, steaming hot, with oil dripping and crackling on the charcoal.

Luo Xiu took it and took a bite, only to feel the gravy overflowing, mixed with a unique spicy and refreshing taste, rich and mellow.

"It has a very unique taste." Luo Xiu said as he chewed the barbecue, "What spices did you add? I can taste the mixed taste of chili and mint."

"Haha, that's the taste of the meat itself." Isaac turned the skewer in his hand and said:

"Some time ago, I and a few old comrades were called up to the Wulin Mountains to wipe out the rebel leader who escaped from Kumar. On the way, we hunted a spotted sword pig."

"For us, it is a rare ingredient. If we dry the meat a little, it can be preserved for a long time. When we are on a mission, we can eat a few bites and not feel hungry."

"The meat of this wild boar has a spicy taste, just like strong liquor that chokes the throat... I just added the mint leaves, and sprinkled them with rose sea salt to neutralize the spiciness and increase the aroma of the meat."

"You know a lot, old man Isaac." Luo Xiu praised him sincerely, put the skewer of meat in his hand to his mouth, and tore off a piece of meat.

Isaac quickly grilled a few more skewers of meat and served them on a plate. Rossouw, Bruyère, and several other old knights quickly divided them up.

In addition to the skewers of "Striped Sword Pig", the table was already filled with mouth-watering delicacies.

Lamb slices were skewered on thick iron skewers, the meat was firm yet tender; the pork chops next to it had a crispy skin, the pork inside was tender and juicy, with the aroma of rosemary and garlic; the beef had a different flavor, the large steaks were covered with dark brown textures, and were roasted just right, tender and smooth with a mellow chewiness...

When the roast was almost done, Isaac covered the charcoal fire, brought out the last piece of roast meat with bones, and squeezed in between Bruyère and another old knight to take a seat.

"Welcome, Carlos." He placed the barbecue on the plate, then grabbed the wooden barrel cup in front of him and said to Luo Xiu cheerfully:
"Welcome to Songyuan City. Cheers!"

"Thank you, cheers." Luo Xiu also raised his glass and clinked it with Isaac's glass, which was one size larger, and then drank the clear yellow beer in the glass.

The old knights present also raised their glasses. The tavern was filled with a cheerful atmosphere, and the sound of clinking glasses could be heard from the heavy wooden table.

The other knights began to chat about their own topics. Isaac sat opposite Luo Xiu. He looked at Luo Xiu and said with emotion:

"'The Judgment War'...soon after you left, this long war broke out between the Empire and the Thieves Duchy."

"You came at the perfect time, Luo Xiu. If you had come half a month or a month later, I might not have been in Songyuan City anymore."

"You're not in Songyuan City?" Luo Xiu raised his glass and took a sip, then followed Isaac's topic and asked.

"Yes, actually, I just received a new call from the Round Table not long ago."

Isaac said, "The war situation has intensified. Lord Gawain has called on us retired old knights to take up arms and go to the front line of Kumar Territory to help him defeat the main force of the principality."

"Even the Emperor's Divine Seal Knights have rushed to the frontline... Hey, that place is no longer just a battlefield for suppressing rebellion, it has completely become a graveyard, a huge meat grinder... Sigh. The decisive battle in Kuma Territory may directly determine the fate of the empire in the future."

After a pause, Isaac's eyes became deep. He took a sip from the wine glass and continued:

"To be honest, I'm not sure whether we can win... But as soldiers of the Empire, it is our duty as a 'Knight of the Throne' to obey orders and go to the battlefield. This is what we must do whether we are in service or retired."

"They will win." Luo Xiu said, "The Empire will win."

Isaac will be transferred to the front line? This happened earlier than in the previous life... Luo Xiu thought.

He actually knew the final outcome of the decisive battle in Kuma Territory. The Empire would achieve the final victory, and Emperor Augustville would issue an order for a full-scale counterattack.

But that was not the turning point that led to the Empire's decisive victory.

Because, in the timeline of the previous life, the "Holy Tower Kingdom" will suddenly declare war on the Empire on the day when the Empire defeats the main force of the Dark Principality - the Pope of the Kingdom will publicly give a holy war speech, and then send a large number of troops to invade the border of the Empire and launch a "holy war" against the Empire!
In the previous life, the empire was caught in a situation where it was attacked from both sides. Because it hastily mobilized its main forces to the north, it missed the opportunity to launch a counterattack against the Dark Principality, giving them a chance to catch their breath.

The Dark Principality then quickly mobilized its army and once again recruited millions of troops to invade the border of the empire, further exacerbating the situation of the "Judgment War".

But that was the evolution in the previous life... In the current timeline, because the "Red Maple City" could not be conquered for a long time, the dark army on the border could not form a line. At least the battle situation in Songyuan Territory was much better than that in the previous life, which had a profound impact on the overall battle situation.

Because the strategically important frontier fortress of Red Maple City has remained strong until now, the main force of the Dark Principality cannot advance directly into the city, nor can it project its power to the surrounding areas with Red Maple City as the origin. This directly allows the imperial army in Kuma Territory to gain a much greater advantage than in the previous life.

"I hope so." Isaac said, and he stabbed a piece of barbecue with his dagger and put it into his mouth.

He chewed the roast meat and said:
"I heard that several great victories were indeed won in several fortresses on the border of Songyuan Territory. It was because of this that the Dark Army had to abandon its original strategy. The Empire's army had already arrived at Kuma Territory, forcing the group of 'thieves' to fight a decisive battle with the Empire."

"If they become scared and cowardly, we will easily retake Kuma Territory. At that time, the 'revenge' threatened by the Dark Lord will be completely hopeless!"

As he spoke, he seemed to have regained his confidence, and his expression became happy again while eating meat.

"Brother Isaac, I am actually the clergyman from the 'borderland' that you mentioned."

Luo Xiu smiled, took a sip of beer, and said to Isaac:
"You know, I have a mission of 'Holy Judgment' in Songyuan City, which is a very important mission. Therefore, I want to ask you about someone." "Who do you want to ask?" Isaac asked casually.

Keeping a normal expression, Luo Xiu took another sip of beer and asked Isaac:
"You are also a 'Knight of the Throne', brother Isaac. I want to ask if you know a man named 'Holdwell'?"

That was the "secret contact" mentioned in the secret note that Anthony found from the flesh-eating sacrifice in "Onsika Town".

Isaac was stunned when he heard this, but he didn't think too much and replied:
"I know him. He is the 'Bronze Knight' Holdwell. When I was still serving at the Round Table, he was promoted from the Royal Guard Knights led by Lord Gawain and became a 'Knight of the Throne'. He was able to sit at the Round Table and now he should be the 32nd seat of the 'Knights of the Round Table'."

"He's a pretty 'retro' knight, haha. He's considered young among the Knights of the Round Table, but his actions and style seem mature."

"Why are you asking about Holdwell? Is there any mission in the church that needs the assistance of the 'Knight of the Throne'?"

"That's about right." Luo Xiu nodded and said, "The church has obtained some new clues about the secret organization. Some of the links require the knight's assistance in our investigation."

"Can you tell me where that Holdwell lives or where he works?"

As he spoke, Luo Xiu took out the holy emblem that symbolized the church's "priest" priesthood, which was enough for him to obtain most of the information he wanted from anywhere.

"Normally it's not possible, Carlos," Isaac smiled and replied, "but since you've taken this out, then the Holdwell incident is no longer a secret to you."

"If I remember correctly, he should live in Golden Street, Lacey Manor. I have been retired for a long time. If Holdwell has changed his residence, I don't know."

"Lacey Manor on Golden Street?" Luo Xiu picked up a piece of barbecue and said with a smile, "I understand. Thank you, brother Isaac."

……

The old knights finally felt satisfied and happy after eating meat and drinking in Isaac's tavern until almost the early morning.

It seemed that Luo Xiu had drunk at least half a barrel of beer and eaten at least four or five pounds of barbecue. He rubbed his stomach and thanked Isaac again. Then he took Index, who was sitting in the corner and had only eaten a few bites, upstairs.

After they returned to the room on the third floor, they noticed that Isaac, Bruyer and the others had turned off the lights and gone back to their rooms to sleep. So, Ross and Index changed their clothes and quietly climbed out of the window.

——The residence of "Throne Knight" Holdwell, Luo Xiu has obtained accurate information from Isaac and can launch some targeted actions.

It was already nightfall, and Songyuan City was completely immersed in darkness. The pale blue moonlight poured down the eaves, casting mottled shadows on the stone pavement of the street.

Most of the shops along the street were closed, with only a few pubs still brightly lit. Occasionally, pedestrians hurried by, their figures flickering in the flickering firelight, like ghosts wandering in the city.

Twenty minutes later.

Right on Golden Street, in front of the gate of "Lacey Manor", two figures appeared there silently.

"right here……"

Looking at the villa inside the manor, which had a style similar to that of classical Western European aristocrats, with dim light still emitting from the third-floor windows, Luo Xiu pulled up his hood.

"You are here to meet us, Intis."

"If anyone concerned approaches, let me know."

After he finished whispering, Luo Xiu's figure faded and disappeared, and a shadow quickly and silently sneaked towards the villa.

……

Lacey Manor, inside the villa.

On the third floor, the room of the "Fire Bronze Knight" Holdwell.

The classical-style room is lined with tall bookshelves filled with a variety of old books. The wooden bookshelves and leather-bound books exude a faint woody scent.

The owner of the manor, the "Fire Bronze Knight" Holdwell, was sitting on an exquisitely carved wooden chair at this time.

In front of him was a confidential document from the "Round Table", and on the other side was a half-copied secret note.

The feather pen in his hand was moving quickly across the secret paper, making a rustling sound.

"Gawain..."

His eyes were bloodshot and his face had a fanatical, distorted expression.

"Almost half of the adults in the 'Fivefold Fate' have been transferred out...ah..."

"Even the chief 'Thunder General' Albert has gone to the border... hehe..."

"Of the first ten knights at the round table, only three are still in Songyuan City... and the Marquis is even planning to go to Kuma Territory in person. This is really..."

As Holdwell murmured, the fanaticism in his eyes deepened, and his hands that were holding the handrail even began to scratch unconsciously, leaving a shallow claw mark on it.

“Unprecedented opportunity…”

"Lord Valino must be told..."

"All preparations have been made... Let's take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The moment the marquis leaves Songyuan City, we will explode everything and overturn the order! Overturn it!"

"I have seen it... I have seen the second 'Bloody Declaration' belonging to the Songyuan Territory!"

Holdwell was so expectant that the tip of the feather pen in his hand, which was copying the secrets, trembled faster and more frequently.

The bronze lamp in front of him was emitting a dim light, projecting his outline trembling with excitement onto the wall, like a trembling monster.

In the intense enthusiasm and excitement, what Holdwell did not notice was——

Behind him, his shadow was squirming unnaturally.

A pair of eyes hidden in the darkness, flowing with deep purple light, were watching Holdwell writing furiously and talking to himself with great interest.

He was too involved...

Luo Xiu was watching with great interest and couldn't bear to disturb him.

……

(End of this chapter)