[Vol. 8] Chapter 272: Why Is This Thing Everywhere?
“I have seen some of Austre Empire’s army before. I must admit, those people have interesting ideas and creative designs. The weapons they give to their soldiers are quite unique. But because they focus too much on outside power, they end up neglecting the soldiers’ own personal training. Their strength is fixed, one is just one, two is just two. They can use that strength well, but they have little flexibility or ability to break through limits.”
“But here, these thousands of soldiers, whether it’s one person, two people, ten, or a hundred, no matter the number, they all fight using formations. They work together, forming a combined force far beyond what their individual strength should allow. This is what we call complementing each other. As long as they cooperate well, the more people they have in formation, the greater the total power they can bring out. It’s truly amazing.”
At this point, Bevis frowned slightly, looking a bit puzzled, and muttered to himself.
“But I am curious. Normally, no matter the formation or strategy, there should be a limit. People are different from each other, it’s impossible for every single person to be completely united. If too many people join a formation, it usually causes problems. Not to mention forming a battle formation of ten thousand people. Why do these soldiers seem to have no such issue at all?”
After speaking his doubt out of habit, the Sword Saint paused, then quickly bowed and added.
“Oh… If this involves your country’s military secrets, then forget I asked. I have no wish to pry, I am only curious. I apologize if I have been rude. Please don’t be angry, Your Holiness.”
“……”
Frederica turned her head again. First, she looked at the young man, whose eyes showed nothing fake or dishonest. Then her gaze moved toward a black-haired girl nearby, but seeing that the girl’s expression didn’t change, she finally spoke directly.
“It’s fine. In fact, the Sword Saint is completely right. Just over a year ago, our Holy Knights were far from this level. We had learned the way of battle formations, but at most we could form groups of around one hundred people. Any more, and it became worse, not better.”
“As for how we improved to this point… I believe you all know about that holy book Revelation, personally written by my younger sister, the current Pope?”
“?”
Wait a second, why does everything have to be connected to that thing?
The priestess, who had been happily listening, froze for a moment, showing an expression somewhere between laughing and crying. She didn’t dare interrupt, so she kept listening anyway.
Sure enough, Frederica soon began speaking like an old fortune-teller.
“This holy book contains the pure essence of the divine knight’s journey, how the knight followed the Goddess’s guidance to achieve sainthood. As soon as it was published, it spread like wildfire across the Holy Empire. Now, it is considered the ultimate scripture, with almost every member of the church owning a copy.”
“This book is not just a biography, a story, or a record. Just as the rumors say, its content itself is like a trace left by the Goddess in this world. It is a bridge, a medium, and almost the only way for us mortals to truly touch Her.”
“To ordinary people, it may seem like just another book. But for those who truly believe, its mysteries are beyond description.”
“The Primordial Light changes in countless ways. Different believers gain different insights from the book. As long as they feel something from it, regardless of what power they might gain, it means they have taken the first and most important step.”
“So now, for anyone who wants to join a Holy Knight Order, one of the most important tests is to carefully read Revelation and feel at least the most basic connection with it.”
“Everyone is different, and every person’s thoughts and ideas are not the same. But every single warrior in the Holy Knight Order shares one unshakable thing in common. Through the power of the Holy Book, they are linked together, this is the key that allows them to work in perfect harmony and form a united force anytime, anywhere.”
“The starting point of our Goddess Church, the source of all that we do, is something called, the power of Faith.”
The Saintess smiled calmly and looked forward again.
“And this kind of power is something the Austre Empire. In fact, any country in this world cannot copy or steal. Even if they somehow knew the secret, what could they do about it?”
“This is the true difference between our Holy Empire and Austre. We stay true from beginning to end. We don’t rely on outside tools or fancy equipment. We don’t win by crushing people with large numbers. A mind that has been refined to be unbreakable, that is the strongest weapon.”
In the end, the Sword Saint, who had started this conversation, silently nodded and gave a respectful bow with his sword to the Saintess.
“I have learned a lot today. Truly, I have gained great insight.”
But Frederica stepped slightly to the side, avoiding his bow, and shook her head.
“No, such truths are not something a mere mortal like me can teach. I am only speaking on behalf of a supreme being. If you want to give thanks, then thank the one who truly wished to guide you.”
“?”
Without warning, the priestess who had been quietly watching suddenly felt a chill down her back. She didn’t really understand what the Saintess was rambling about, but she had a feeling… something about this situation was starting to feel a little… off.
“Your Holiness!”
A loud call interrupted their talk just in time. It turned out that during their chat, the commander who had left earlier had finally returned, bringing with him a young Holy Knight in white armor, who carried himself with great dignity. He came to break the awkwardness of the moment.
Judging from the complex design of his armor, this man was clearly the highest-ranking officer in this camp.
“Vice-Captain of the ‘Hand of Judgment’ Holy Knight Order, Arlin Ulysses, reporting to Your Holiness the Saintess. May I ask what brings you here in person?”
The white-armored Holy Knight took off his helmet and held it in his arms, revealing a handsome face that looked even younger than Frederica’s.
It was surprising, in this female-heavy ‘Hand of Judgment’ Order, the Vice-Captain was actually a man who didn’t seem very old at all.
Hm? Wait a second…
Seeing that familiar-looking face, and watching Frederica speak with him, asking about the situation and introducing her group. The priestess, who had planned to stay out of this minor matter, suddenly paused in surprise.
Arlin Ulysses… Had she met this person somewhere before?
She had felt a vague sense of familiarity when she first heard his name earlier, but she had traveled all over the Holy Empire, meeting countless people.
It was normal not to remember most of the random folks she met. So back then, Violet didn’t think much about it.
But now that she saw him with her own eyes, she felt this man really did look familiar. It seemed he wasn’t just some ordinary nobody…
Uh… so who exactly was he again?
‘Ah… man, there have been so many new characters making an appearance lately that I can’t remember all of them.’