Two Worlds: I studied abroad at Hogwarts

Chapter 374 The Crusades' Contingency Plan
A large forest naturally has all kinds of birds.

The same principle applies to human society.

It's like Moon initially thought the person detaining Neil would be connected to Layton.

But unexpectedly, it turned out to be another federal armed force.

Moreover, this force is not under Layton's jurisdiction.

However, Neil's troubles stemmed from Layton, so now all the problems have fallen on the side of the Federation spellcasters.

Dean Benny Valentine was not worried at all, watching Layton pace anxiously back and forth in his office.

"Alright, let's stop here. Even if you stay here until dark, the Crusaders won't let you go just because of a warning."

"Then what should we do? Dean, given the current situation, we can't very well make another powerful enemy by our side."

Layton now has no doubt about Moon's destructive capabilities.

Although the magic that caused people to spray strange insects was not very lethal, if a hundred people were hit, Jinglan City would be overwhelmed by the strange insects within a week.

Moreover, the current situation of the Federation is not very optimistic.

Not long ago, when the Federation's high command learned that the court mages and the Night Owl Guards had been ambushing and killing spellcasters within the Federation's territory.

They had already dispatched personnel to intercept them and to carry out similar sabotage within the empire's territory.

This multinational force includes both spellcasters and crusaders.

However, because they were not under each other's command, they did not achieve much success, and later the Night Owl Guard seized the opportunity.

In the forests east of the Imperial City of Glory, they were ambushed by court mages, suffering heavy casualties.

After the news reached the Federation, the Supreme Council of Five issued an order to recruit a second batch of multinational combatants.

The recruitment scope is, of course, still limited to spellcasters and crusaders.

"Don't worry, I believe the Supreme Consul will not agree to the Crusaders making new enemies everywhere. However, we may be able to take this opportunity to gain command of cross-border operations."

The dean of the Spellcaster Academy, who is also a general in the Federation.

After the failure of the last cross-border operation, he had been thinking about how to break the deadlock and wanted to take command of this mixed team.

However, due to the obstruction of another army general in the Supreme Council and the tacit approval of the Supreme Governor, Dean Benny Valentine could only allow the two forces to be independent of each other.

However, a month later, they received news that the spellcasters were lying in ambush, and only two or three out of ten managed to escape.

"Dean, I heard that last time our people were dragged down because of the Crusaders' mistake. How can you still trust these people who are good for nothing and good for nothing?"

Layton was never optimistic about the Crusaders from the beginning.

Putting aside the original purpose of establishing this army, the sheer evil power they possessed made him feel extremely uncomfortable.

"It's not that I value them, but fighting in a foreign land without supplies and intelligence greatly reduces our strength. Of course, we need to integrate all available forces to have any chance of winning."

“I don’t think the Crusaders can be of any use to us.”

Layton said something else in a low voice.

As a commander who frequently went deep into the front lines, Layton knew very well how much harm such disobedient soldiers could cause.

However, this is not something he needs to worry about.

Because of the defensive strategy at Snow Eagle Mountain and the situation at the Vena Islands, Layton didn't even get the chance to sit in on the mobilization meeting this time.

"Actually, I know that too, but we have already mastered the power to subdue this evil method, and this is a good opportunity to test it out."

Benny Valentine smiled, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip.

"This is real?"

Layton stood up, looking surprised and uncertain.

"Of course, in order to avoid being discovered by the Supreme Governor, it would be best to test it within the territory of the Menila Empire."

Only two people knew about this, and Layton was the third; it was a completely confidential matter within the spellcaster's organization.

“We should definitely stay outside. How about I lead the team into the Menera Empire? That way we can investigate the reasons for our last failure and witness the Crusaders get humiliated. There’s absolutely nothing more satisfying than that.”

Seeing Layton's excited offer, Benny Valentine simply shook his head slightly.

"No, you have to attend the opening ceremony in two days. This is more important to you."

As his designated successor, Benny Valentine didn't want anything to happen to Layton at this time.

Even though he knew Layton was a better commander.

"Well, that's a bit of a shame. By the way, was this kind of magic invented by the vice-dean?"

“That’s right. Pod only developed this control magic last week, and now it can be put to use.”

Vice Dean Bode was the court mage who left the Menila Empire and joined the Federation.

The reason for recruiting this court mage was actually to learn the methods of the Imperial Night Owl Guard, and then use them to counter the Crusaders.

Unexpectedly, more than a decade later, the research was actually successful.

"That's great! As long as we can control the Crusaders, we will definitely be able to unite the front lines and completely crush the enemy forces that are invading from the enemy country."

As he spoke, Layton excitedly slammed his fist into his palm, his face flushing.

This was the first time he had been so excited since the Crusaders arrested a spellcaster in front of him.

Benny Valentine did not interrupt Layton's reverie.

It wasn't until the federal general calmed down that he suddenly remembered something more important.

"But what about that tribal high priest? Are we just going to let him antagonize the Crusaders?"

"Of course not. If he really has the means to cast spells quickly, as you say, the Crusaders would definitely be no match for him."

"Therefore, in order to ensure that our affairs are not disturbed, we must not let the two sides become enemies, and we should even try to be on good terms with this high priest."

Layton nodded repeatedly as he listened to the dean's instructions.

However, he immediately realized that the Crusaders were completely ignoring spellcasters, and he was in a dilemma again.

"But what if the Crusaders don't hand over the people?"

“Let’s negotiate first. I will also explain to the governor that they are detaining a second lieutenant of the Federation, not an enemy.”

"Why don't you tell me about that control magic, Dean? Maybe we can resolve this quickly."

The spellcasters haven't yet taken control of the Crusaders, and Layton simply doesn't believe they'll let Neil leave.

After all, the Crusades were established as an independent organization from the very beginning, with the mission of eradicating black wizards.

The events unfolding on the Vena Islands have led a large portion of the Federation to believe that tribal wizards are black wizards.

Their high priest is naturally the Dark Lord.

Following the Crusaders' usual pattern, they would inevitably try every means to eliminate this magical force that was rebelling against the Federation.

"This kind of control magic is currently in the secret stage, and it absolutely cannot appear within the Federation territory at this time, so we can only negotiate with the other party first."

"This is too difficult, Dean. How could the evil god of the Crusaders possibly make them abandon their mission?"

As he listened to Layton's analysis, Benny Valentine's expression gradually lost its gentleness.

"If they really disagree, then let the Crusaders face the wrath of the tribal high priest alone!"

That is, when Layton was reporting to Benny Valentine.

In a closed area west of Jinglan City, the same thing was being reported.

This is the Crusader's headquarters. Because the armed group was established relatively recently, it did not occupy a suitable office location in the city center.

After negotiations, they were finally relocated to a residential area in the west of the city, where most of the inhabitants were members of the Holy Church. The Crusader camp was normally completely sealed off, and only the consul and his close associates were allowed to enter.

In the very center of this site stands a magnificent black tower, like a sharp sword piercing the sky.

This is the tallest building in the west of the city, even taller than the teaching building of the spellcaster's academy.

At the entrance to the Black Tower's main gate, a team of ten people patrols and checks every three minutes.

Because the Crusades were founded to combat non-human forces, they far outnumbered the spellcasters.

Overcoming the enemy's numerical superiority has also been one of their commonly used combat tactics in the past.

Inside the Black Tower, the decorations are even simpler, with everything in black.

Aside from the occasional flickering torches that prove this place is habitable, no one would want to stay here forever.

At this moment, the three students who had just been punished by Moon were standing trembling at the bottom of the building.

Directly in front of them, as they ascended the black stone steps, stood a unique object that was not black.

This is a statue as white as jade, with its arms outstretched and legs together in a cross shape.

The statue's facial expression is very strange; no matter which angle you look at it from, you will only see it glaring at you angrily.

At the base of the statue stands a middle-aged blond man with a resolute face.

He was completely shrouded in silver-white armor, with golden crosses rivets securing his breastplate, and his right hand rested on the longsword hanging at his waist.

This man is none other than Robin Xavier, the current leader of the Crusades.

It is also the sharpest sword in the hands of the highest federal governor.

"So, it was Layton Gavin who sent you to retrieve the Night Owl leather jacket?"

The blond middle-aged man spoke, then shifted his gaze from the statue to the three people below the steps.

"Yes, yes, he also said that if we don't return the clothes tomorrow, he will hang us on Marshal Antolov's statue."

The three students kept their heads down the whole time, not daring to make eye contact with the man on the steps.

They never expected that simply helping the son of a Crusader captain to get a leather coat would alarm this big shot in front of them.

"Antolov's statue, I really want to see if this barbarian will do that."

As the blond man spoke, a wicked smile flashed across his lips.

Since learning the secret methods from the Holy Church.

Robin and his crusaders no longer revered the founding father of the Commonwealth: Marshal Antolov.

As for Moon, the tribal high priest who caused the Federation Navy to suffer setbacks on the Vena Islands, he only regarded him as the leader of an uncivilized race.

Seeing the three trembling figures below the stage, Robin slowly walked down from the platform.

thump~
thump~
thump~
The metal soles of the shoes made a crisp sound as they stepped on the black stone slabs.

The sound made the three students unconsciously back away, and some even swallowed hard out of fear.

"Don't be nervous, children. Since you are working for the Crusaders, I will certainly not let you suffer losses."

As they were talking, Robin had already walked up to the three students.

Before they could react, Robin drew his sword and stood in front of the three of them with a whoosh.

"Come here, put your hands on the hilts of your swords, and then chant with me."

The three students timidly extended their right hands, and Robin waited for them with his eyes closed.

He didn't speak until all three of them had gripped the sword hilts.

"With the authority of the Father, the blood of the Son, and the radiance of the Holy Spirit!"

"With the authority of the Father, the blood of the Son, and the radiance of the Holy Spirit!" x3
"Let darkness cower beneath the sacred emblem, and let lies be burned in the fire of truth!"

"Let darkness cower beneath the sacred emblem, and let lies be consumed by the fire of truth!" x3
"We rely not on swords or cunning schemes, but solely on faith as our shield, hope as our armor, and love as our sword."

"I swear before the Holy Throne: This body is the temple, this heart is the altar,"

"No witchcraft can harm us, no curse can overcome us, for God is with us, and our Lord is eternal!"

As the incantation was continuously chanted, a faint trace of magic emanated from the gem on the sword hilt.

It was also because of this magic that the fear in the three students' hearts gradually disappeared, and the expressions on their faces returned to calm.

Until the very end, all three of them displayed an expression of indifference, devoid of joy or sorrow, and without desire or ambition.

bass!
As the three finished chanting "My Lord is eternal!", Robin gently drew his sword upwards.

The sword then sliced ​​through the palms of three students.

However, they did not have any wounds on their hands, and the blood remaining on the sword quickly disappeared completely.

Even during this process, none of the three students felt any pain.

"Thank you, Commander."

Seeing Robin sheath his sword, the three students immediately took a step back, knelt on one knee, placed their right hand on their left chest, and bowed their heads in gratitude.

"No need to thank me. The person you should thank the most is the Holy Lord. It was he who used his vast knowledge to teach us how to break the evil spells of the wizards."

Robin said that there was no need to thank her.

But he stretched out his arms with great enjoyment, just like the statue behind him.

"Yes, thank you, Holy Lord."

Upon hearing Robin's explanation, the three students' emotions gradually began to fluctuate.

After all, they used to dream of becoming servants of the Crusaders.

Now that they have received the Grand Commander's secret healing techniques, it's as if they've been branded as Crusaders.

With this layer of protection, spellcasters will not easily harm them again.

"Alright, you three can go and rest now."

"Yes."

The three students left the Black Tower gates in high spirits.

Another man, also dressed in silver armor, emerged from the shadows of the nearby stone pillar.

"Commander-in-Chief, should we return that garment?"

"Hand it over? How could that be!"

"But how do we reply to Layton?"

"Let him wait. Layton doesn't represent all law enforcement officers."

As Robin spoke, he climbed the steps, his eyes never leaving the sacred statue.

The silver-armored figure that appeared later consciously stood below the steps.

"But Commander, we're going to carry out a mission together within the Menila Empire. Isn't it a bit much to antagonize the spellcasters now?"

"Don't worry, I certainly won't do anything that would harm unity right now, but things will be different if outsiders get involved."

"Outsider? You mean..."

“Bishop Mead Lawrence of the Holy Church has sent a letter. He is about to come to the Federation to cleanse us of all darkness.”

(End of this chapter)