I, the wizard, the foolish Buddha.

Richard hit the nail on the head.

They would never believe it if you told them that these two were on the wizards' side.

These two had never been to the Eastern Territory in their lives. Their only contact with wizards was in Vermeek—they were almost crippled by the Black Abyss wizard who was disguised as Archbishop Williams.

Even now, I still have some lingering psychological effects.

Therefore, these two could not possibly be the wizard's people.

But if they are said to be of the Old Church...
The old religion is pervasive; the mere mention of it sends chills down everyone's spine.

If his own father were to say one day that he was actually a follower of the Old Church, Richard would most likely believe it.

Some quick-thinking individuals immediately thought of one person—Cardinal Joshua.

This serene-faced archbishop was known for his uncompromising nature and his tough approach to dealing with cults.

It turned out he was actually a cult leader!
Not only him, but all six archbishops who led the expedition to Malrod underwent rigorous vetting. It turned out that half of them were Catholics!

Judging from Johnson and Harland's life experiences, they couldn't possibly have any connection with wizards. The two even had a mortal feud with the people of Wilmick—if it weren't for Williams and his group, they would have joined the College of Cardinals over a decade ago.

They could never have any connection with the wizards' power, but who can guarantee that there is anyone in the Papacy who is not a member of the Old Church?
While it's still somewhat puzzling that these two are followers of the Old Church, if that's the case, then Prince Alaye's claim that they are his people becomes reasonable.

However, these two have disciples all over the world. Of the 167 cardinals in the entire Order of Light and Shadow, one-third are their disciples!
If even they are traitors, how many people are truly loyal?!
Roland didn't directly answer Richard's question. Instead, he said, "Richard, the Church of Light and Shadow is rotten to the core. How many people in the entire Cardinal Order of Light and Shadow truly have faith?"
In the eyes of the gods, I may not be the best choice, but the matter has been settled. With the gods' continued favor upon the Church of Light and Shadow, the Church of Dawn will rise like the sun.

The Pope and his followers have no way to turn back, but those below them have a chance to make another choice.

Many people felt that this statement was more plausible than the claim that Johnson and Harland were members of the Alleyer faction.

It seems His Highness is confident that he can get these two popes' confidants to turn against him.

Perhaps the old cult holds a fatal weakness in these two men. If they are further coerced and bribed, and given some promises, these two might actually turn against them.

On the other hand, regardless of whether they would defect, it was still necessary for them to visit the Papal faction.

Although these two are very important and difficult to recruit, if they can really help cover for us, things will go much more smoothly in Olivia.

With no further questions raised, Richard bowed and said, "We will arrange a visit."

Roland nodded and asked, "Do you know someone named Brianna?"

Richard asked timidly, "Your Highness, may I ask which Brianna you are?"

Roland said, "She was once sent by the church to Vermeek as a spy. She liked to write letters to the Pope to report on others. In the Marrod incident, she and Harland and others escaped. Do you know this person?"

As Roland spoke, the crowd gradually realized who he was referring to—the current Grand Inquisitor of the Inquisition.

Richard bowed and said, "Your reputation is legendary."

Roland asked, "Does she have parents at the Holy See?"

Richard said, “Your Highness, Her Excellency Brianna’s family has been members of the Church for generations. They have produced twenty-seven Grand Inquisitors, nine Popes, and countless Cardinals.”

Roland raised an eyebrow in surprise: "Which family is she from? Are her parents still alive? How does this family compare to the Orbis traitors?"

Richard said, “Your Highness, Her Majesty Brianna’s uncle is the current Emperor of Orbis. His Majesty has no children. Before she was baptized and converted to Christianity, she was a princess of the empire with a right to the throne.”

Roland: “???”

A high-ranking paladin cautiously inquired, "Your Highness, Lady Brianna?"

Roland looked at the group of uneasy men and said, "She is not one of my people."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Richard asked, "Your Highness, is it necessary to try to make contact with her?"

Roland said, "Sure, if you can help me make this connection, I'll give you the credit."

Richard's eyes flickered slightly.

Unlike others, Richard had a different understanding of this matter.

Brianna is a legitimate member of the royal family; if she were to remove her clergy hat and return to secular life, she would be a princess with a right to the throne. It seems impossible for Alayer to recruit her.

Since Brianna no longer had any desire for power or wealth, Alaye could not offer her any more benefits.

On the contrary, after Alaye replaces Orbis, she will surely kill all the Orbis—especially the royal family members with the right of succession, who must not be spared.

Therefore, it is impossible for Prince Roland to poach Brianna, and Prince Roland has no reason to poach her.

unless
Richard looked at Roland and said, "Your Highness, do you intend to form a marriage alliance with Orbis?"

Roland: “???”

Richard's thought process left Roland stunned for a full two seconds.

But then his eyes gradually brightened. He suddenly understood why Richard was able to serve as the commander of the Crusades.

He was utterly incompetent militarily—the wizards were strong, but of the original 70,000, only 300 remained!

Richard was also quite mediocre in terms of strength—he was also a demigod-level guy, but when he was placed next to Count Bal, he was like a little monster.

However, this man, who was utterly incompetent in military affairs and in terms of strength, became the commander of the Crusades.

Because he has an exceptionally keen political insight.

"Marriage."

Roland said, "Alaye will marry the princess of Orbis in the presence of the gods. She will stand on the same high platform as Olivia and be blessed by the gods."

The gods will all become her protectors, and the King of Alaye will swear to protect her forever.

Everyone's eyes suddenly lit up.

Richard thought to himself, 'As expected! The prince has already planned to 'give the Orbis a break'.'

A marriage alliance is an excellent decision!
No wonder the prince mentioned Brianna out of the blue. He's had his eye on her for a long time!

Everyone knows that the conflict between Orbis and Alaye is indeed irreconcilable; the two sides are like cracks in the earth during an earthquake.

Earthquakes cannot be stopped, and cracks cannot be healed.

This marriage is merely a seemingly strong ribbon, which can never permanently mend the cracks—even if the ribbon appears to have sewn the cracks in the earth, the earth will crack again with the slightest tremor.

However, it can temporarily mend the earth, allowing the extremely tense situation between Alaye and Orbis to ease slightly.

Admittedly, while a life-or-death struggle was inevitable between Orbis and Alaye, people like Emperor Orbis were also destined to die.

But this marriage was a promise from Alaye to the Orbis—that the Orbis would not be exterminated. At least Princess Brianna would not die, for she would marry Alaye with the blessings and witness of the gods.

The King of Alaye will not kill the Queen blessed by the gods, and the bloodline born from the union of Orbis and Alaye in the future will continue.

If King Alaye and Princess Brianna were deeply in love and had a child together, would King Alaye kill all of his wife's relatives?
Richard wondered if Prince Roland would be so cold-blooded. Similarly, this question would also remain a mystery in the minds of the Orbis.

Richard believed that people like Emperor Orbis must be on that blacklist that could never be erased.

The leaders of Orbis were certainly well aware of this; they all knew that no matter who Roland married, if he won, they would all be doomed.

However, the situation was completely different for those below them, such as the emperor's nephew 'Harend' and other Orbis who were not so important in matters of bloodline, succession, and so on.

Some people will be willing to consider their own future options.

Some people might consider leaving a little room for maneuver when dealing with Alaye. After all, those who go to extremes are bound to die.

But those Orbis who have goodwill towards the Alayes may not necessarily die.

This marriage is like a small breach in a dam; it may not destroy the dam, but water will certainly flow out from the breach.

No one knows what the future holds, but this marriage is a gesture of appeasement from Alaye.

The gods, Orbis, and Alaye would all be pleased to see this marriage.

To the gods, they were once supporters of Orbis.

Heaven has indeed decided to let Alaies replace Orbis, but the gods, especially those who are now supporting Orbis, do not want the Alaies to go too far.

The marriage alliance was a way for Alaya to express his stance to the Kingdom of Heaven.

For the Orbis, marriage means putting their eggs in two baskets. Whether they succeed or fail in the future, the Orbis bloodline will still exist.

For the Alaye, they sent a signal to the world—we are willing to transfer power smoothly and peacefully. We are magnanimous and have a broad mind.

Even assuming that Alaye and Orbis drew their swords against each other the day after the marriage, some of the Orbis had been recruited from the emperor.

At least one—Princess Brianna.

Even if she doesn't immediately switch sides after marrying Roland, she will still choose to hedge her bets.

For those Orbis traitors who have already switched sides to Alaye, their future is now more secure.

Princess Brianna is their guarantee for the future.

If the King of Alaye could tolerate Princess Orbis, he could certainly tolerate these traitors as well.

The existence of this Princess of Orbis can appease the hearts of those Orbis traitors.

As long as Roland treats Brianna well in the future and finds some people like Archbishop Harland among the traitors to give important positions, the Orbis traitors will all work for Roland without worry.

Richard and the others originally thought that poaching members from the Orbis faction within the Holy Court would be an extremely difficult task.

Now everyone has realized that this can actually be done.

Once inside the Holy Court, immediately spread the news that Prince Alaye will marry Brianna, and everyone can legitimately visit many Orbis.

And if even one or two loyal Orbis dogs show goodwill towards Prince Alaye—like Johnson or Harland—then many Orbis will follow suit.

Everyone was astonished to discover that the prince was a man of great foresight and had planned many things in advance.

Originally, everyone was worried about the trip to the Holy Court, but now they have much more confidence.

Richard and others, who were no longer willing to stay by the river, wished the knights would add more coal to the train's stove so that it could speed up and arrive sooner.

Richard said, "Your Highness, with the help of some of the Orbis, and if Princess Olivia keeps a low profile, things will be fine!"

Roland, who had been smiling, immediately fell silent upon hearing these words.

Roland thought to himself, 'Now that the path is clear, the key issue is how to get Olivia, this complete madman, out of there.'

By this time, the wounded soldiers' conditions had stabilized, and they were mostly sleeping peacefully.

Roland was no longer in the mood to chat idly with Richard and his fellows. He gave instructions to his six old brothers in Wilmick and then left with Teresa and her six servants.

The road was very crowded, but when people saw Roland leading a group of people, they still respectfully made way for him as much as possible.

Roland also had to deal with some enthusiastic knights and priests on the way, so he didn't have much opportunity to interact with Theresa and the others.

It wasn't until Roland brought Theresa and the others to carriage number 2 that everyone had time to speak.

Olivia is resting now, and the priests are watching over her. Carriage number 2 is currently empty.

Roland didn't rush to talk to everyone about Olivia. He first quietly asked Theresa for the names of the other six Vermec brothers.

Theresa and the others were utterly speechless at this. 'Brad' and his men were incredibly loyal to their master, like death squad members, yet their master couldn't even remember the names of his old subordinates!
Thus, amidst the maid's sarcastic remarks, Lord Roland learned the name 'Brad'—the maid had naturally recited everyone's name, but Lord Roland only remembered this one.

'Foreigners' names are too complicated.' Roland flipped through the Book of Alayer, reminding himself to look at the names in it more often, so that he wouldn't be unable to recall someone's name in a crucial moment.

After closing the book, Roland briefly discussed Olivia's situation with Teresa and the others.

Roland concluded by saying, "Maria will now help cover up our conversation."

Also, when I came over, I confirmed with the priests that Olivia is currently sleeping. The priests will not be leaving carriage number 1 for the time being.

Before dinner, we have time to do a few things. Oops, wait a minute, my stomach hurts a little.

Roland hasn't gone to the toilet since he woke up in the sacred pool.

He was fine before, he was always in a state of tension and didn't realize it.

Now that I've relaxed, I immediately feel like I need to poop and pee a lot.

The priestesses wouldn't come here before Olivia woke up, so Roland had Theresa study the potions and consult the old scriptures. He himself turned back to find the toilet in carriage number 3.

“Go over there, sir!” Theresa pointed wearily to carriage number 1.

Roland immediately realized—the other carriages were packed with people, making it difficult to even squeeze through, let alone use the toilet. Besides, the toilets in all the carriages were already full; he couldn't very well drag the people using the toilets out of the way.
He hesitated for a moment, then went to carriage number 1.

Fortunately, the toilet is currently empty.

Unfortunately, just as Roland went inside and took off his pants, the door was pulled open.

"Damn it! I definitely locked the door!"

Roland was about to pull up his trousers when he saw the 'priestess' who had entered slowly and deliberately lift her robe in front of him. (End of Chapter)