Chapter 655: Unexpected Change! Joanna’s Crisis
After Chen Rui left the room, Eliza spoke, “This is a good subordinate, but isn’t it too early to say that sentence? Do you think you can definitely become a Divinity Temple Knight?”
Seeing the added confidence in Paul’s smile, Eliza shook her head slightly, “Your strength has reached Saint, and your teacher is Paladin Captain. It should be quite promising. But there is an old saying that things are impermanent.”
“What do you actually mean?” Paul frowned.
“The White Cliff is a place full of rules.” Eliza stood up, “Although absolute strength can override everything, your strength is not enough to override certain rules, even your teacher, Parsali also cannot violate some rules. With your wisdom, I don’t need to say more.”
Paul’s face became gloomy, “Are you threatening me?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m just telling you the truth.” Eliza looked directly at Paul without fear, “If you want to choose the path of Sir Parsali, it obviously won’t work. You must think about your own position, otherwise you will be eliminated by the rules sooner or later.”
With that said, Eliza smiled again, “The matter I suggested last time… have you made up your mind? Although you seem to be arrogant on the surface, I know you are a smart person. You didn’t say anything, but you must have gone through serious thinking in your mind- Don’t doubt my judgment, I did not lie to Richard about my sensing talent. I know you are hesitating. Since there is no third person here, I will just make it clear. The Loman Family is only a middle-level family. You become Sir Parsali’s apprentice mainly for the opportunities and learning. Secondly, you want to use the influence power of the Holy Light Mountain to expand your family’s power. That’s also your biggest purpose of pursuing Joanna, right? She is the eldest daughter of the family, and has no younger brother. As long as the means are right, the entire Philip Family will become a puppet under your control in the future. With the help of the Holy Light Mountain, it is possible for the Loman Family to become the top family of the Dragon Bright Empire.”
Paul raised his brows as Eliza’s tone changed, “But have you ever thought about it. Even if your ideal is successfully realized, you will still be just a p.a.w.n in the king’s hands, and your involvement with the Holy Light Mountain will cause suspicion. Maybe one day all of your hard work will be gone once the king has a change of mind! You should put away your half-heartedness and make the most correct choice.”
Paul finally explained, “For me, there is no difference between choosing the Dragon Bright Empire and choosing a church. At least there is only 1 king in the Dragon Bright Empire, and there are too many major characters in the church game. I am just an insignificant chess piece, so I can’t put all my bets on the church’s side.”
“Still don’t understand? In the eyes of the church, you have a mastermind king behind you; in the eyes of Lex the Great, you’re a member of the church. You will only displease both sides at that time. It doesn’t matter if you are just a lowly p.a.w.n, but you are a person with lofty ambitions. This dangerous situation will become more and more obvious as you and the Loman Family become stronger— You should have received the news that Lex the Great will personally host the second duel between you and Samuel this time. I believe this is enough to explain something.”
A bead of sweat appeared on Paul’s forehead. He was always prudent. However, he couldn’t see clearly when he was involved. Eliza’s words were like a wake-up call. He did not carefully consider some things previously indeed.
“It’s not too late to wake up.” Eliza saw through Paul’s thoughts, “Of course, you can give up the church and bet on the Dragon Bright Empire, but I want to remind you that this is very likely to be self-defeating due to Lex the Great’s paranoia. Even if he chooses to trust you, will you still have any value in the eyes of others after losing the most important background of the Holy Light Mountain? I boldly predict that even the Philip Family’s first reaction is to cancel the engagement…”
Paul took a deep breath, “Are you trying to say that as the selection of the Divinity Temple Knight is happening soon, I must make a decision before then?”
“It seems that you have made a decision.” Eliza smiled, “Although the White Cliff has many factions, the 3 main factions dominate. Pope Faction, who represents the archangel, is the leader of 3 factions, followed by 2 bishops, Pusmeer and my teacher Eudora. There are many talents in the Pope Faction. My uncle Cardinal Roger and Chief Judge Seus are the 2 main controllers, and the internal compet.i.tion is very fierce. Cardinal Birmingham is the next faction under Pusmeer. Both Solanton and the dead Mana belong to this faction. In recent years, the power has expanded extremely fast. Lastly, Cardinal Gralin is under the Holy Lady Faction. Compared with other factions, the Holy Lady Faction is more low-key… Finally, I have to mention your teacher Parsali. Sir Parsali is a true paladin who adheres to the creed of loyalty to the light and guards justice. He is known for his justice and strictness. However, it is precisely because he is too obsessed with the creed and not adaptive, he has offended everyone in almost every faction, so his situation is not easy. With your talents, you should know which faction is most suitable.”
Paul thought for a long time and sighed, “Although the Holy Lady Faction is the most low-key and the weakest among the 3 main factions, it is also 1 of the indispensable main factions. The Loman Family does not have much background. If I choose the other 2 forces, I’m afraid that I will not be valued with limited compet.i.tiveness. I may never be able to take the lead, so I don’t have too many choices.”
“Talking to smart people is easy.” Eliza became serious, “Then I will ask 1 last thing, have you really made up your mind?”
Paul showed a determined expression and nodded slowly.
“Great, I believe that the Holy Lady will be very happy to see such a talent with such potential joining us. Let me remind you a bit, despite the low-key att.i.tude of the Holy Lady Faction, Sir Raphael behind us is a wise angel who is willing to be lonely.”
Paul was not an idiot. He wouldn’t ask Eliza silly questions like, as Roger’s niece, why she wanted to join the Holy Lady Faction. In fact, he knew in his heart that the reason Eliza valued him so much was related to the ident.i.ty of ‘Paladin Captain’s apprentice’. It was very likely that the Holy Lady had the intention to win over Parsali and Glorious Knight by this. At least, it could send a certain signal to the outside world. It might also be related to a long-term plan of the wise angel, under the Light G.o.d, behind the Holy Lady.
Eliza’s previous a.n.a.lysis was on point which made him see further things. In any case, the Holy Lady Faction was indeed the best faction for him and the Loman Family.
Paul finally made up his mind and bowed to Eliza, “Then, Miss, please look after me in the future.”
Eliza was the direct apprentice of the Holy Lady. Since he was determined to serve the Holy Lady, he must have a good relations.h.i.+p with Eliza.
“Why are you so polite? Our relations.h.i.+p will be very close in the future, we can’t be so distant.” Eliza smiled like a flower, “But before that, you have to prove your determination by action.”
“Action?”
“Since you have chosen the right path, shouldn’t you change your original development plan in the Dragon Bright Empire? For example… the marriage with the Philip Family?”
Paul frowned again, “You mean…”
Eliza smiled and came close to Paul’s ear to whisper, “What if I want you to… kill Joanna to really prove your determination?”
Paul was shocked. He didn’t expect Eliza would suggest such a condition to let him kill his fiancée who was also her best friend. Seeing the innocent and cute smile on the girl’s face, Paul couldn’t help but to have gooseb.u.mps.
“If I have to use this to prove myself, then I…” Paul’s breathing was a bit short. His eyes were intertwined with complex expressions. He seemed to be struggling before he finally gritted his teeth, “I… I will finish off Joanna by myself!”
“Haha!” Eliza laughed softly. The laughter was full of other meanings. After a while, the laughter gradually became smaller, “Actually, this is just a joke. However, your performance makes me very satisfied. You have pa.s.sed my test. After returning to the Yang Shao Capital, I will return to the White Cliff as soon as possible and report this to the Holy Lady. With the support of the Holy Lady and your own strength, becoming a Divinity Temple Knight is almost certain. At that time, you can use the ident.i.ty of the Divinity Temple Knight to gradually expand the strength of your family in the Dragon Bright Empire. Even Lex the Great will be deterred to some extent.”
Paul secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The reason why he pursued Joanna was mainly because of benefits, but he had always been obsessed with Joanna’s beauty. The decision just now was actually very difficult, but for the future and ambition, not to mention Joanna who liked another person, he also couldn’t afford to care so much even if it was someone who liked him.
“After you return to the Yang Shao Capital this time, don’t make too much movement on the family side for the time being. After dealing with the necessary affairs, leave for the White Cliff as soon as possible. Remember to bring your loyal subordinate. I am quite interested in his soul language talent… As for the duel, don’t worry, because your opponent won’t show up because if everything goes smoothly.”
Paul was startled, “Why?”
“Because Joanna has already ‘eloped’ with him. This will set back the Kemplot Family and the Philip Family which will also be of great benefit to your future development plans.”
Seeing the suspicious look on Paul’s face, Eliza sat down again and stretched out on the sofa, “I might as well tell you, Joanna’s early departure is actually an idea I gave her, but I let the Light Knight escorted her to ‘return’ not to the Red Dragon City of the Dragon Bright Empire, but the Storm Island. The port here is not very far from Storm Island. According to the itinerary, she should be near the sea area already… “
“What? Storm Island!” Paul was taken aback. Storm Island was located in the dangerous sea area south of Garden City. It was 1 of the most dangerous places in the human world. There were countless dangers in it. Just the t.i.tan alone could make the real Saint powerhouse stay away.
Chen Rui, who was invisible and eavesdropping, was also surprised. He was also there when Joanna left. He didn’t expect such a thing to happen. This seemingly innocent girl’s scheming and viciousness were far beyond expectation, making Chen Rui’s murderous intent rise.
TL: Will Chen Rui go to rescue Joanna? Judging by his relations.h.i.+p with Samuel, he will very likely do so…