Global Game: Developing a Knight Clan-Chapter 36: Truth Church, Usurping the Magpie’s Nest

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Truth Church, Usurping the Magpie’s Nest

York’s profuse thanks and tearful gratitude left Lucia stunned for a moment.

But she instantly understood. It was all because of the powerful magical banner before them.

The fact that this Magic Item could float on its own Magic Power was proof that it was no ordinary item.

However, Lucia didn’t know its abilities. If she had known that this Patriarch’s Totem Banner could withstand a full-powered blow from a High-Tier being, she would have reacted just like York.

Of course, Lucia’s attention was no longer on the totem banner.

Because she had heard the deity stop calling York a servant and instead refer to him as a Child of Divine Favor?!

’Child of Divine Favor?’

’Isn’t that equivalent to the status the Churches across the continent claim for their Holy Son and Saintess?’

’A Holy Son?!’

’York has become a Holy Son? And he was personally acknowledged by His Majesty before us?’

Lucia was overjoyed.

Her eldest son had just been given a divine name, she herself had received a divine blessing to reach Tier One, the family had obtained a powerful, god-given Magic Item, and now, even York had become a Holy Son.

What else was there for Lucia to worry or be confused about?

She and her husband had received such immense favor from His Majesty. What reason did she have to doubt His intentions?

With such great favor and importance placed upon them, dedicating their entire lives to Him was only right.

Besides, the traditions of the Nobility themselves strongly embraced the Knightly Spirit. Loyalty to one’s lord and faith in one’s god were matters of course.

At this moment, York had clearly calmed his turbulent emotions.

He said,

"Your Majesty, I was impolite."

York stood up, straightened his appearance slightly, then met the Giant Dragon’s sacred gaze with loyalty once more and continued,

"Your Majesty, before I withdraw, I have given it some thought. I believe there is perhaps one more matter that requires the guidance of your will."

Lince was a little surprised, but he certainly had no objection. He nodded, gesturing for York to continue.

York immediately said,

"Your Majesty, all development in the Swamp Territory is currently proceeding very well."

"So, in fact, the earthly Church of the God of Truth and Knowledge has sent people to inquire with me more than once."

"They are asking if their missionaries can now enter the Swamp Territory to establish a presence and spread their faith."

As soon as York said this, Lince’s heart skipped a beat.

’Right, how could I have forgotten about that?’

It had to be known that the Silver Lion Duchy, and the Eagle Kingdom it was part of, were both faith pastures for the Truth Church—that is, the Church of the God of Truth and Knowledge.

A year had passed since the development of the Swamp Territory began. It was only natural that the Truth Church would want to send missionaries to the territory.

So, this matter was actually quite tricky.

But Lince really didn’t know much about the so-called Truth Church in this game.

He had even learned much of his information by watching gameplay simulation videos; after all, his time in the game was too short—only eight hours a day.

Therefore, Lince pondered for a moment before speaking in a wry tone,

"Establish a presence and spread their faith? Are they looking to build a chapel in the Swamp Territory and preach the faith of the God of Truth and Knowledge?"

York nodded, his expression also turning quite grave.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Currently, our Swamp Territory is widely recognized as a dangerous place. So, I used this as an excuse to put them off, saying that we shouldn’t place the esteemed Truth Preachers in such peril."

"While that reason held them off for a while, the Truth Church has been getting antsy ever since the Demon Beast siege sixty days ago."

Then, York explained the full details of the Truth Church’s contact with him in the Swamp Territory.

The gist of it was that the Swamp Territory’s successful defense against the Demon Beast invasion had convinced the Truth Church that the territory now had the strength to establish a foothold in the Wilderness.

After all, York himself had displayed the strength of a Tier Two, and even possessed a Tier Three Magical Beast as a Battle Pet.

With that kind of power, what was so difficult about protecting a single Missionary?

If York were to refuse again, it would be unjustifiable, and he would certainly end up in the Truth Church’s crosshairs.

After all, news of a Miracle had previously spread from York’s Swamp Territory.

Although the Nobility didn’t believe it, and even the people from the Truth Church paid it no mind.

But things were different now.

York’s stunning rise to prominence, coupled with a Tier Three Magical Beast rumored to possess a High-Tier Bloodline—a series of developments that sounded like something out of a story—had naturally aroused some suspicion.

It was even highly likely that the Truth Church harbored such suspicions, which was why they were so impatiently sending people to ask York about establishing a church presence.

If York were to refuse or delay the arrival of the missionaries again at this point, the situation could become quite dire!

After all, the Truth Church’s influence and power in the Eagle Kingdom were still immense at this stage.

There were even rumors that the Royal Family and the Truth Church were currently in a perilous phase of their power struggle.

The current Eagle Royal Family was eager to follow the example of neighboring countries and "put the divine authority of the Church in a cage."

But how could the Truth Church possibly be willing to accept that?

After all, similar events had already occurred in the surrounding Kingdoms and even Empires, so the Truth Church had always been extremely wary of the Eagle Royal Family.

Moreover, through his connections with his father, Baron Eric, and even Lucia’s father, Viscount Calum, York had received a fairly reliable piece of news.

Namely, that there was now a huge risk of direct war breaking out between the Royal Family and the Church in the Eagle Kingdom.

He had even heard that the Old Lion—the Old Duke of the Silver Lion Duchy—had been urgently summoned to the Eagle King Capital a month ago.

Clearly, a massive conflict was about to unfold within the Eagle Kingdom’s sphere of influence.

But distant water can’t quench a present thirst.

Until a victor emerged from the struggle between the Royal Family and the Church, the Swamp Territory had to be wary of the Truth Church’s attention.

After all, the Truth Church’s Inquisition Knight Order was not just for show.

Of course, given the current situation, with the fierce conflict between the Truth Church and the Royal Family, the bulk of the Judgment Knight Order’s forces surely couldn’t be in the Silver Lion Duchy.

But they still had to be wary of the threat from any small detachments of the Judgment Knight Order that might remain in the Silver Lion Duchy.

York was currently trying to gather intelligence on any Judgment Knight Order detachments still in the Silver Lion Duchy, but he didn’t expect results so quickly.

Listening to York’s report,

Lince also felt that this was a tricky situation.

But soon, Lince seemed to see an opportunity!

’Given that the Deities currently cannot descend into the mortal world, can my "Miracle Effect" be used to usurp their place in this matter?’

Lince wasn’t one hundred percent certain, but there was definitely potential to manipulate the situation.

’After all, the Truth Church’s situation is not optimistic right now!’

’What if an irrefutable Miracle event suddenly occurred somewhere, involving a so-called "true" God of Truth?’

’For the Truth Church, this would undoubtedly be a monumental piece of good news.’

’It could even allow the Truth Church to win back the hearts of the people and persuade the wavering noble factions to side with them again!’

’Even if the Miracle didn’t come from the God of Truth, as long as the Truth Church acknowledges it once and publicizes it, they’ll have no choice but to hold their noses and accept it in the future!’

’Even if I’m not the God of Truth, I would have to become him!’

Thinking of this, Lince felt this idea had great potential!

Even if he ultimately failed to usurp their position, as long as he handled it properly, the outcome could be a tacit understanding where both sides left each other in peace.

It was a case of seeing through the pretense without exposing it.

But the process required attention to detail, and it also needed York to be clever and quick-witted enough.

Otherwise, one careless misstep and they would be playing with fire.

But if the worst-case scenario really did occur, they would simply have to face the challenges as they came. Lince couldn’t control many of the game’s developments; he could only make general plans and decisions.

With that, Lince made his decision.

And so, under York’s watchful gaze, Lince said with a casual smile,

"If these little ones from the Truth Church want to come, then let them come."

"As for my existence, child, you may conceal it if you can. Of course, if they truly discover and learn of me, it matters not."

"When that time comes, child, you may bring them to see me upon my next arrival."

"It will be nothing more than a bit of a nuisance, hardly a real issue."