They are all characters I control.

To prevent this from happening, Karl had to urge the men of Knight Commander Fernando around him to rush into the cabin.

Although he wanted to lead a few apostate knights in himself, he was afraid that he would be stopped by Fernando's men first.

These men under Knight Commander Fernando were all just like him—stubborn and inflexible.

"Knight Commander Fernando is the hope of our 'Holy Lance Knights' and even the entire Northern Kingdom. Now that Knight Commander Will is unconscious, we can't let anything happen to Knight Commander Fernando as well!"

Karl spoke with great sincerity, and his expression and eyes were very convincing to the men of Knight Commander Fernando beside him.

However, this second-in-command of Knight Commander Fernando was not an ordinary church knight whose emotions were so easily stirred.

The composed lieutenant didn't look at him, but simply lowered his head and said, "The Knight Commander said that no one is allowed to enter without his order."

Karl frowned. "Aren't you worried about his safety? Inside is the apostate Eleanor Redgrave, someone who even dared to lay a hand on Lord Will. Don't you know what she's done in the North?"

The deputy's brow twitched.

These words do have some persuasive power, after all, Knight Commander Will is someone with the same name and status as Knight Commander Fernando.

If the murderer who has already rendered Knight Commander Will unconscious is now with Knight Commander Fernando, that is indeed not a good sign.

Seeing this, Carl continued, "Knight Commander Will is still unconscious. Do you know who did it? It was her!"

He pointed to the cabin. "She ambushed Will in Grayrock Town, killed all the knights who accompanied him, and then pretended to send Will back to clear her name. Now she has her sights set on Knight Commander Fernando."

The deputy gripped the sword hilt tightly, his facial muscles tense.

“Do you remember the families of those heretics who were hanged outside the city?” Karl’s voice grew lower and faster. “Eleanor Redgrave was in contact with those people. She’s long been corrupted by the Church of Life. She’s in the house now, trying to persuade Knight Commander Fernando to betray the Church!”

The deputy's lips tightened into a thin line.

The knights around Karl also heard what he said. They exchanged glances and unconsciously tightened their grip on their weapons.

"She's just a squad leader, what abilities could she possibly have..."

"How long can those chains hold her? Don't you know her capabilities?" Karl's voice carried an undisguised urgency. "How many people has she already killed? Even Knight Commander Will has fallen to her. How long do you think Knight Commander Fernando can hold out?"

Although the other church knights had doubts about whether a female knight could defeat Commander Will, the fact was that Commander Will was indeed in a coma.

The second-in-command was silent for a moment. "If the Knight Commander were really in trouble, she should have acted long ago."

“She’s making her move right now!” Karl took a step forward. “She’s trying to persuade him with her words! The more she talks, the more dangerous it becomes for the Knight Commander! Are you going to wait until she draws her sword before going in?”

No one answered.

Carl gritted his teeth; he couldn't wait any longer.

If Fernando really reaches an agreement with that "Eleanor," then I will face endless troubles when I return to headquarters, and may even be detained and interrogated.

He has to create chaos.

"If you're too scared to go in, then I will!" Karl drew his sword and charged toward the cabin. "For Knight Commander Fernando!"

"Knight Commander Karl—!" The second-in-command reached out to stop him, but it was too late.

Carl kicked the wooden door open.

The door slammed against the wall with a dull thud.

He rushed into the house with his sword in hand, ready to witness Fernando being taken hostage, and then become the hero who "rescued the knight commander."

But there was no fighting, no hostage situation, and no bloodstains inside the house.

Only two people sat at the table. Knight Commander Fernando leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a knowing smile on his face. Eleanor Redgrave sat opposite him, her hands on the table, the chains undone, and her broken sword lying there.

The two men didn't look like enemies; they seemed more like allies who had just finished discussing business and were about to get up.

Dorothy and Megan were watching him from behind.

Karl stopped at the doorway, sword in hand, frozen in place. He knew he was too late.

“Knight Commander Karl,” Fernando’s voice rang out, carrying a hint of unhurried composure, “you’ve come at the perfect time. I was just about to announce something.”

Karl gripped the hilt of his sword. "What is it?"

“I’ve found out.” Fernando stood up, walked to Claire’s side, and patted him on the shoulder. “It’s about Knight Commander Will, about the apostates, about the Church of Life. Miss Eleanor is innocent. She’s not a apostate; she was framed. The real apostate is someone else.”

Karl's face changed instantly, almost turning completely pale.

“Sir Karl,” Fernando looked him in the eye, his voice carrying an undeniable force, “I hereby formally declare that Eleanor Redgrave is under my personal guard. No one may take her away or harm her for any reason until I have verified every word she has uttered. This is an order.”

The cabin was quiet for a moment, with only the sound of falling snow and crackling torches outside.

Karl lowered his hand that was holding the sword, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He glanced at Claire, then at Fernando, his lips moved, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Fernando didn't look at him again, and turned to Claire. "Come with me. I'll take you to see someone."

Claire nodded, stood up, picked up the broken sword from the table, and followed Fernando toward the back door of the cabin.

As he passed Karl, he stopped, glanced at him, and said softly, "Knight Commander Karl, isn't there a bit too much sweat on your face?"

Before Carl could answer, Claire, Megan, and Dorothy followed Fernando.

Now their identities have been reversed; they have gone from apostates to being protected by Knight Commander Fernando.

Chapter 139 opposes the mole.

The back door of the cabin swayed gently in the wind and snow, shutting out the firelight and shouts behind it.

When Claire and the unharmed Knight Commander Fernando emerged from the cabin, Fernando's men, who were waiting outside, all breathed a sigh of relief.

Without exception, they all wore expressions of embarrassment, clearly ashamed that they had been swayed by Karl's nonsense.

How could someone as powerful as Knight Commander Fernando be threatened by a mere apostate?

Even if Knight Commander Will might have suffered at the hands of Eleanor, a heretical knight, it doesn't mean Knight Commander Fernando would have done the same.

At least, as Fernando's men, they had complete faith in their commander's abilities.

I was indeed a little worried and anxious just now.

Fortunately, everything ended in the best possible way.

“From now on, he will be a prisoner under my supervision, directly under my jurisdiction. I don’t need to worry about the weapons he has. Also, let out the big guy in the prison van over there, just in case. I’ll put him in chains and give him some treatment.”

“Yes, Commander Knight.” The lieutenant did not raise any questions.

Once he confirmed that this was Knight Commander Fernando's order, all he had to do was carry it out.

Soon the other church knights went to open the cage holding William, even though it was Karl and his men's spoils of war and were of no importance at this point.

Karl and the church knights from headquarters could only watch helplessly as Knight Commander Fernando's men opened the prison wagon and began treating William, who had transformed into a monster.

"Hey, big guys, can you give us something to eat? We haven't had anything to eat along the way. You church knights like to torture people, but you're a little different, aren't you?"

Seeing that even a monstrous prisoner like William was being treated so well, Dorothy spoke up without any hesitation.

The Scarlet Witch showed absolutely no sense of danger at being among the enemy's main force.

In any case, she had already witnessed Claire's transaction with this Knight Commander Fernando. Naturally, she was now well aware that she was a guest, and who cared if she was a heretic?

Since Claire didn't reveal her pagan identity, Dorothy was much more at ease.

If Grace's body were to die, it would only mean one less source of amusement for Dorothy.

After all, it would be quite regrettable if we couldn't witness the unfortunate moments that were about to unfold for Mother Martha and Mel.

"If you'd like to have a meal, then come this way with me." The second-in-command glanced at Knight Commander Fernando, and seeing that Knight Commander Fernando didn't speak, he nodded and led Dorothy into the house next door.

Seeing this, Megan chose to continue following Claire.

She didn't care much about eating; instead, she was very interested in Eleanor's next move. As a Sister of Judgment, she was also shocked by how easily she had gained the trust of Knight Commander Fernando and analyzed the heretics' plans.

Clearly, this 'Eleanor' is definitely not just a personality that suddenly and inexplicably appeared.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for her to have such vision and breadth of mind; this is something that someone Eleanor's age could never understand or even conceive of.

Megan was very curious about this, wondering if Eleanor might actually save the 'Holy Lance Knights' or even the entire Northern Kingdom.

Even without a vast information network like the Inquisition, this 'Eleanor' could understand the heretics' intentions with her own eyes and mind.

Now, with the support of Knight Commander Fernando, who even attempted to return to the Knights' headquarters to stabilize the situation disrupted by the apostates, it was entirely impossible for one person to change the situation. However, the current situation has been changed by 'Eleanor' alone.

Therefore, more than anything else, Meghan felt at this moment that she was witnessing a piece of history.

This is a historical event that could change the entire Northern Kingdom and the history of the 'Holy Lance Knights'.

Meanwhile, Claire and Knight Commander Fernando paid no attention to Megan and Dorothy's actions behind them; they were discussing what to do next.

"Come back to headquarters with me, or try to get close to Will yourself?"

Claire pondered for a moment and said, "I don't know everything about Knight Commander Will's situation. Approaching him rashly would be too risky. If I go back with you directly, it might give Karl an excuse to cause trouble."

"Instead of that, why don't you take me back to headquarters and find a reasonable excuse?"

"For example, you could make me confess in front of Will, and then you could execute me. In short, you could use similar reasons to shut up those church knights."

“If anyone objects, they are definitely apostates. If anyone agrees or acquiesces, they are most likely loyalists. This way, we can also see how many good people and how many bad people are around Knight Commander Will.”

"Your idea is good; it can indeed make things very simple."

Knight Commander Fernando was somewhat impressed by the female knight's intellect; nothing seemed difficult for her. "You want to approach Will as a prisoner? That would be quite dangerous."

After all, as a litmus test, there will definitely be people who try to stop it.

It's important to understand that 'Eleanor' herself is a target of heretics and apostates. Now that she has taken the initiative to contact Knight Commander Will, the real apostates who slander 'Eleanor' will naturally not sit still.

At that time, we will do everything we can to prevent her from getting close to Knight Commander Will.

Naturally, officially, 'Eleanor' is already a prisoner of Knight Commander Fernando, so at least openly, they won't say they want to take her or execute her.

But assassination is possible, because Eleanor is indeed innocent.

None of the apostates knew whether Eleanor would awaken Knight Commander Will or tell others more of the truth, especially those loyal to Knight Commander Will.

"The greater the danger, the greater the reward. This is a necessary price to pay. Everyone has to make sacrifices for something, and this is my own trouble."

To be precise, it's Eleanor's trouble, Claire shrugged.

“Well, in that case, let’s do as you say.” Knight Commander Fernando said nothing more.

As he spoke, he led Claire back to the spot in front of the execution platform, where Claire sat in the seat that was originally intended for Karl.

At this moment, Karl watched this scene from a distance but dared not say a word.

Chapter 140 Be a Knight, Not a Mother Teresa

The executions, which had been suspended, are now continuing.

Although Knight Commander Fernando was once taken hostage, he also had a deep conversation with Claire.

However, at this moment, Knight Commander Fernando had not forgotten what he had not finished before: the execution.

Eleanor: This man is still as annoying as ever.

The comments appeared in the system, their tone filled with undisguised dissatisfaction.

If the conversation in the cabin had changed Eleanor's opinion of the knight commander, since this seemingly rough knight commander was actually rational and able to distinguish who the real apostates were.

Furthermore, they are willing to trust themselves, and even if there is a 'light of faith', they will still suspect whether it was stolen or obtained through other means.

In short, people who don't trust you will doubt you no matter what, and will question you no matter what evidence they have.

But Knight Commander Fernando didn't, for which Eleanor was somewhat grateful, but she never expected that the knight commander would return to the same place at this moment.

The fact that he was still thinking about those people before the execution caused Eleanor's previously somewhat changed opinion of him to resurface her dissatisfaction with Knight Commander Fernando.

[Claire: You mean Fernando?]

This female knight, in the end, is still the same person who was deliberately ruined by Sister Martha.

The snow continued. Claire withdrew his gaze from the distant firelight, leaned against the wall, his broken sword resting across his lap. He didn't log off, nor did he return his body to Eleanor. Now was not the time to relax.

[Eleanor: ...He's dealing with this group of people now.]

[Eleanor: I think there should be other ways to resolve this. I mean, since Knight Commander Fernando wants to withdraw, we could at least be a little more lenient in dealing with those who are just family members or have had contact with the heretics.]

[Eleanor: Wouldn't it be better to just lock them up in prison? There's no need to execute them. I now know that heretics are planning to annex the Northern Kingdom. If we continue to treat these commoners so harshly, wouldn't they become even more resentful of us?]

The comments reappeared, the tone lower than before, as if they had been holding back for a long time but still couldn't hold back.

This time, however, Eleanor clearly put her mind to it.