Chapter 17: Crusaders
"Perhaps it's because they have accumulated knowledge and deliver it slowly?"
Sauron chuckled and said, "You and I entered the Holy Splendor Academy at the same time, and I've cultivated this Armybreak Swordsmanship for several years."
"Now, after being promoted to Knight, naturally, there are different insights!"
Upon hearing Sauron's words, Goliath nodded slightly.
The same sword technique, when used at different levels, indeed resulted in different insights. Perhaps Sauron's rapid progress was due to his promotion to Knight.
"Now that you've been promoted to Knight, what are your plans next?"
Goliath sheathed his cross sword and said, "According to the laws of the duchy, after becoming a Knight, you are qualified to inherit Night Raven City."
"Haven't you considered returning to the Western Border?"
"The Western Border?"
Sauron chuckled and said faintly, "Now, even if I return to the Western Border, there's no guarantee I can smoothly inherit Night Raven City, right?"
"When my father was still alive, I made quite a few enemies."
"Now, so many people covet the Western Border. I almost got assassinated in the capital. If I return to the Western Border, the situation will only be more dangerous!"
"You have a thorough understanding."
Goliath's eyes flickered with meaning, "The current Western Border is indeed too dangerous for you. If you want to smoothly inherit Night Raven City, you must find a backer!"
"Such as?" Sauron raised an eyebrow.
"Second Princess, Hestoria."
Goliath didn't beat around the bush, "After the incident during the Spring Hunt trial, you should have guessed something about Evelyn's background."
"Moreover, you have already been summoned by Second Princess Hestoria."
"The Golden Blood represents something significant, well known in the Taal Duchy. Only members of the royal family can use it as a reward!"
Sauron wasn't surprised by Goliath's words. He had known about Evelyn's identity for a while, and he speculated that the person who summoned him in the carriage was the most influential woman in the Taal Duchy—Second Princess, Hestoria.
And Goliath's actions in the White Birch Forest and his recent efforts to befriend Sauron likely had the approval of Second Princess Hestoria.
"Is the Second Princess trying to recruit me?"
Sauron pondered and said, "Or is she planning to use me as a pawn to extend her influence to the Western Border?"
"To call it a pawn would be somewhat inappropriate."
Goliath shook his head and said, "But yes, apart from appreciating you, Second Princess does indeed have the intention of taking control of the Western Border!"
"But that's not the point."
"The point is your choice. In the current Taal Duchy, with Your Majesty's health deteriorating, the struggle for the throne is bound to trigger a bloody storm sooner or later."
"You, being a noble, should understand what this represents."
"Whether it's the Western Border or Night Raven City, in the midst of this turmoil, no one can stay out of it. It's better to choose a side as early as possible!"
Goliath spread his hands, speaking candidly.
Facing such frankness, Sauron fell into silence. He had been in this world for a while now and gradually understood the situation in the Taal Duchy.
Since the incident a few years ago, the old king's health had been declining. However, the issue of the heir to the throne remained unresolved. Various royal bloodlines had their own thoughts about that position, leading to the current turbulence in the Taal Duchy.
Everyone knew that once the old king passed away, the Taal Duchy would witness a storm of bloodshed.
Among the various royal bloodlines vying for the throne, Second Princess Hestoria was considered a strong candidate.
Although she was a woman, her strength was not to be underestimated!
"I am honored to have the favor of Second Prince."
After a while, Sauron raised his head, lightly smiling, "But for now, I haven't thought about these things. I just want to cultivate martial arts in the Holy Splendor Academy."
Seeing that Sauron had not made a decision, Goliath was not surprised.
"Anyway, I've conveyed Second Prince's intentions to you. As for how to choose, it's something you need to consider on your own."
Goliath shook his head, saying, "I'm about to head to the South, and if everything goes as planned, I might not be back for half a year."
"The South? Why?" Sauron raised an eyebrow.
"Isn't it because of those Crusaders!"
Goliath's eyes flickered as he said, "There's a rising bandit group lately, and it's said that they've gathered nearly ten thousand people. They are wreaking havoc in the South, burning, killing, and plundering everywhere."
"I heard that not long ago, they even occupied Grey Stone City."
"When this news reached the capital, Your Majesty was furious and ordered Second Prince to send people to the South to eliminate the Crusaders completely."
"And I will also go to the South to eliminate the Crusaders."
Sauron looked thoughtful, slightly nodding. He had heard about the Crusaders, and their rise had led to an increase in the prices of magical potions in the Academy.
The escalating activities of the Crusaders had attracted the attention of the old king, prompting him to order Second Princess Hestoria to send troops to the South to eliminate them.
Although Goliath had joined the Kingsguard, he had not yet been ennobled.
Therefore, the campaign against the Crusaders was undoubtedly an opportunity for him. As long as he could establish meritorious deeds on the battlefield, becoming a noble or even gaining a titled estate would be a matter of course.
"I wish you a smooth journey to the South!" Sauron said.
"Many thanks."
Goliath nodded, patted Sauron's shoulder, and said with a smile, "Consider carefully what I mentioned earlier. With your current situation, finding a backer is the only chance for you to inherit the family estate."
"I won't say more. Second Prince's intentions have been conveyed to you. As for how to choose, it's up to you to decide."
With that, Goliath turned and left.
Sauron stood in place, a thoughtful expression on his face. After his father Oren disappeared, he had lost his backing.
The nobles of the Western Border glared at Night Raven City. With Sauron's current strength, inheriting the family estate in such a precarious situation was almost impossible.
Therefore, Hestoria's recruitment was crucial for Sauron.
However, once he pledged allegiance to Second Princess Hestoria, it meant that Sauron would choose a side and inevitably be drawn into the struggle for the throne in the future.
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