Pirate Kingship

In the castle at the foot of the mountain, there was no suspense in the election meeting of the Poor Knights.

Under the auspices of the Grand Master, the only fifth-level legendary paladin left in the Knights, deputy leader Jacques De Molay, was successfully elected as the new Grand Master.

The paladin, who was wearing bright armor and a white Blood Cross cloak, didn't have much joy on his face. Instead, he subconsciously raised his hand and touched a metal box hanging on his waist.

It was engraved with densely packed holy cross seals, sealing the thing inside tightly, preventing any trace of the breath of the cursed object from leaking out.

Obviously, as written in the script of "Human Rape", he really took out the [Ghost Hand Sword] in advance to prevent any accidents.

Jacques Demolay stood solemnly in front of all the members of the Knights, looking at the faces that were either weathered or youthful, and said solemnly:

"Everyone, our Poor Knights have reached the most dangerous moment."

The first words he said after taking office caused an uproar among the members.

In the front row, Redjavik, the fourth-level paladin and the "Knight Master" of the Knights, who is also a high-ranking person, directly asked the doubts for others:

"Grand Commander, it shouldn't be that serious, right?

Although [Holy Fist] Your Excellency is trapped in [Noah's Ark] at the edge of the world, the Life Gem has not been broken yet. Our situation is much better than the Knights of Malta next door.

Moreover, we are the first knightly order in the world, protected by the title of the legion [Sacred Heart Without Regrets].

As long as you follow the order's motto: 'If your heart is strong, it will be fine' and maintain firm faith. It is much easier to train paladins than other paladin groups.

At our peak, we had 20,000 members, one-fifth of whom were extraordinary. Even though the main force suffered heavy losses since the fall of the Holy City, we are still able to compete with the other two.

The most important thing is that we have money! "

The Knight Master is the deputy to the legion commander. He is usually responsible for training new recruits. He can get along with most of the new generation backbones. He can be regarded as the second-in-command in the military department and has a high prestige.

Hearing his words, most members nodded.

Especially I agree with the last sentence "rich".

Theirs, a "multinational enterprise" spread across all church countries, has been developing for hundreds of years.

With the complete fall of the Holy City in 1453 of the Silver Age, the last Crusader state established on the Western Expedition was completely destroyed.

Although the military mission of the Poor Knights has become less important, it is on the verge of completely transforming from a military organization into a business giant.

The Knights have branches all over the mainland, and mainland citizens deal with the business network of the poor Knights almost every day.

Either working on the Knights' farms or vineyards, or working for them in another way because they had loans from the Knights.

Now let me say: "There are three things that mainland residents cannot live without: death, taxes, and the Poor Knights." It may be a bit exaggerated, but if this continues, the day will come sooner or later.

More importantly, the title of the legion [Sacred Heart without Regrets] allows them to distort the "Eight Great Virtues" and avoid the more important ones. For example, it is much easier to believe in wealth from the heart than to practice hard and stay poor.

As long as the faith is firm enough, it can achieve the same effect as a normal invincible Paladin of the same level.

It is similar to "Huang Tian is above, I am sworn in with gambling and drugs" and "Devil, I want to sacrifice my pure love, all I need is a beautiful skin and endless money."

It is precisely because of their firm belief in wealth that they have transformed from a poor knighthood with two founders charging on a horse to the Holy Cross International Bank that is now well-known around the world.

Many people study accounting in addition to being a paladin.

There are even outstanding people who have awakened the professional abilities related to the gold and yuan sequence, and are vaguely showing signs of creating new professions. From "Knights of Poverty" to "Knights of Fortune", there is only one name left.

Who can not be proud of having such strength?

But the next words of the grand leader caused them to fall from the clouds instantly.

“The saints of the church sent me a message the day before yesterday, asking us to move the headquarters of the Knights and the space secret vault of Holy Cross International Bank to St. Peter’s Cathedral.

The Pope even intends to merge our Poor Knights and the Knights of Malta to become a Skitarii directly under the Holy See.

This is also the main reason why I asked you to bring the properties, account books, deposit certificates, and loan contracts from various branches together and put them into the space secret vault. "

The senior management was shocked and immediately realized the crux:

"This is because the Holy See cannot live with it anymore, and is beginning to suck the blood of our branches.

No, this is no longer sucking blood, but swallowing us with our bones in one breath. "

Although the Knights regard the church as their suzerain, they are essentially independent organizations.

After the end of the Crusades, the significance and historical mission of the three major knights' orders may have become somewhat unclear.

However, they still retain strong military strength and do not obey the control of the local government. They are equivalent to a state within a state in various countries.

This made the relationship between them and the king and nobles highly tense. In particular, the nobles of Iris always suspected that the Poor Knights were committed to establishing their own country.

Just like the Knights of Mary, who embraced the Protestant religion, established a principality in Prussia, and the Knights of Malta, which belonged to the Orthodox Church, became king on the island of Malta.

In the past, the church supported them, but now this backer is also taking action against them.

Jacques Demolay sighed:

"This is a situation of wolves in front and tigers behind. The Church and the Iris Kingdom may have reached a deal in secret, or at least have a tacit understanding. It depends on who can't help but attack us first.

Once they take action, the other countries will probably flock to divide up the industries of the Knights in various countries."

The paladins present were all furious:

"Your Excellency [Holy Fist] just fell into the Ark for the Church's mission, and the Church wants to seize our industries? We will fight him."

"The Knights have shed blood and made contributions to the Church. It's not easy for them to kill us after they have died."

"The Iris Kingdom is the same. This is the accumulation of generations of poor knights, and no one is qualified to take it away."

No one is willing to accept the "good intentions" of the saints and sit and wait for death.

Although both of them only want money and didn't say they want to kill people, it's still the same thing. This is all our money!

What's the difference between being alive but having no money and being dead?

Maybe there is still a little difference, that is, living is worse than death!

Just by talking, you want to take it away? You are just dreaming!

If you want money, first ask their gun swords if they agree, then ask their poisoned crossbows and heavy armored combined battalions if they agree!

Obviously, as a packaged set of foreign trade equipment, Byron not only sold it to a "big dog", but also had the same concept: only recognize money, not people, as long as it is a big dog, I will sell it.

In addition.

The strongest killer intermediary platform in the online financial street, "Sha Sha Me", has also launched a "dead hand insurance".

As long as the customer recharges "Sha Sha Me" enough money, the insurance clause will be automatically triggered after the customer dies, and the premium will be used to reward various killers and bounty hunters to start endless revenge actions.

Until the target is killed or the balance is used up.

So if you want to deal with them, you have to ask again, whether their money agrees!

Of course, both the Iris Kingdom and the Orthodox Church are the top forces in the Old Continent, and it is hard to say how safe these things are.

Moreover, this is the territory of Iris. Once the relationship breaks out, the enemies will only come in an endless stream. The [Iron Law of Royal Power] in the country is not just for show.

The Knights are no longer the strongest army that can confront the Star-Moon Empire head-on. There are only a few hundred extraordinary people left.

The atmosphere became visibly heavy.

"Everyone, since the Iris and the Church that once supported us are no longer reliable, why don't we find another backer?"

I don't know who suddenly shouted, but it caused ripples in the hearts of many people.

It also exposed the compromise and weakness of the petty bourgeoisie. Compared with the beginning, although there is more money, the knife in the hand is obviously blunt.

At this time, the "Knight General" Redjavik once again pointed meaningfully:

"Most of us are Iris people, and also the devout knights of the Creator. There are not many forces that have the courage and ability to withstand the pressure from both sides at the same time."

He didn't need to name them. Many people subconsciously looked up in the direction of the other side of the strait.

Across the Strait of Dover is the former Kingdom of Hastings, now the North Sea Empire.

Just then, one of the two queens of the pirate emperor [King of the Wild Hunt] Byron Lancaster, [Mithril Dragon] Catherine, had just ascended to godhood and became the fifth-level Mithril Dragon King, and was crowned the king of the Holy Golden Empire [Queen of Finance].

After more than a week of fermentation, the news of the group of indigenous Taino people on Yucatan Island had already spread.

Hundreds and thousands of city-states, the two indigenous empires of Azik and Taya, all became a thing of the past, and from then on there was only the Holy Golden Empire under the rule of [Queen of Finance] Catherine!

They even sent diplomatic notes to various countries in accordance with the etiquette of the Old World, preparing to establish diplomatic relations with various countries.

The upper echelons of the continental countries were all shocked. They all knew that [Wild Hunt] had a good relationship with the indigenous people, but they didn't know that they had conquered the entire Yucatan Island without making a sound.

Swallowed the most essential part of the Bantaan Islands in one gulp.

Byron's title of "Pirate King of the Sapphire Sea" was instantly worthy of its name.

You have to know that the couple of [Wild Hunt King], [War Queen], and [Finance Queen] are all top-level warriors who are legends, pseudo-gods, and kings.

They also have two empires, a population of nearly 30 million, and the world's first industrialization capacity.

Even the five Protestant saints recognized Saint Byron's status as the "Messiah" at the first time and began to actively promote his holy name in the parish.

As long as he can be promoted to a demigod, it is only natural for the Protestant Church to recognize him as the [Holy Spirit].

This is the treatment that the [Son of God] never received before he was nailed to the cross.

The only difference between the two is that the [Son of God] dared to say that he wanted to be the king of all people - "King of Kings" without even a guardian knight, let alone a few divisions.

But although His Majesty Saint Byron never said anything big, he really had two powerful empires in his hands, and he could have as many divisions as he wanted!

I am different from the [Son of God]. If you don't understand the doctrine, this [Holy Spirit] also knows a little bit of boxing.

Who can stand this?

So, it’s not that Byron doesn’t want to keep hiding his strength, but he has already been unable to hide it.

Some saints and the Iris Kingdom are obviously really anxious.

In this situation, no one can say comforting words like “I know you are anxious, but don’t be anxious yet.”

After the "Knight General" Redjavik gave the hint, he kept silent and silently drew a triangular holy emblem in his mind.

"Praise Saint Byron!"

Obviously, this inner ghost is another follower who was inspired by Byron after practicing the forbidden book "Gospel of Heaven".

The fire is in place. When they encounter desperate situations later, these former colleagues will naturally know which life-saving straw to grab.

As soon as his thought fell.

The incredibly sensitive paladins suddenly felt the violent vibration transmitted from far away under their feet.

Then the "border maze" that concealed the attacker's tracks opened, and the dazzling artillery flames and countless meteors illuminated half of the sky.

The new Grand Master's face changed suddenly:

"Enemy attack--! The divine domain is deployed!"

Under his feet is the military fortress of the Knights, which is also the church of the Creator. After being prepared in advance, the reaction is also fast enough.

From the incomplete zero-level holy relic [Shroud] enshrined on the altar in front of the cross, a beam of light shot up into the sky, and then expanded into a semicircular light barrier around the fortress.

Although like the [Holy Foreskin] in the hands of the Knights of Malta, which "makes anyone pregnant if you stare at it", its main function is not to fight, but it can build a divine domain based on the legal network and the faith of the clergy.

The next moment.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The artillery of [Second-level Holy Relic God of War] has already smashed into the light barrier.

The classification of holy relics is based on historical influence, power and mystery, not direct destructive power.

After all, a ship-borne artillery that is not even a rare object may kill a middle-sequence extraordinary person with one shot, let alone the world's most powerful artillery [God of War]?

The divine domain suddenly began to flicker violently.

On a branch on the top of the mountain, the raven Fujin slowly opened his eyes, and countless red light marks passing through the sky were reflected in his black pupils.

Byron had been counting the days, ready to intervene when Louis XI took action, and naturally he would not relax for a moment, and followed this cousin closely for a whole week.

His eyes almost went blind again, and it was the kind that could never be restored.

The inexplicable disappearance of Nicholas, who was replaced by a "rapist", did not delay Louis XI from continuing to enjoy himself.

He was sad for less than two hours before he had a new love, and then... What happened next was really hard to describe.

"The hard days are finally over.

Louis XI, after today, your good days will enter the countdown."

At this time, Byron looked at the [Second Level Holy Relic God of War] to show his power.

Although he had long known that the Iris Kingdom had a lot of assets, Louis XI prepared a secret weapon in advance, but he still underestimated the power of this treasure.

Just one cannon is equivalent to a salvo of a small fleet, and the firepower is enough to cover a small city.

The level of the second-level holy relic is a bit low, and there are a series of defects such as it can only be fired once every three hours; it can be fired three times in a row at the expense of the opportunity in the next month; it weighs forty tons and can only be used on land.

He still feels that this treasure is destined for him, and he did not despise it for not being worthy of him.

At the same time, in the Strait of Dover, the legendary battleship [Golden Deer] has been quietly moored on the water surface using the sailing brake.

Everything that happened in Tulip Castle was presented in the captain's room.

The "Knight General" is responsible for the Poor Knights, Raven Fokine is responsible for Louis XI, and Raven Mist has been staring at Mercurius, and the three parties with interests are under control.

In particular, the [God of Commerce] who is determined to find his father has changed his identity and returned to Florence. He turned out to be the head of the Ferdinand family, Grand Duke Cosimo.

In the study, he opened the "History of the Silver Continent" and silently paid attention to the changes in the situation.

Byron was determined to let Wu Ni weld die on the other party and never let him slip away again.

I don’t know if Byron has read too many conspiracy theories.

That night, after hugging the fragrant queens to sleep, he had a nightmare in the blink of an eye.

He saw the [God of the Wild Hunt] again, but under the divine light, he was no longer a human, but a monster whose half of his body was bitten off by something unknown.

The words He said were not: "Come to me quickly", but he shouted: "Don't come! Don't come!"

Then, the black eye socket with one eye missing suddenly stretched out countless tentacles and rolled him in at once.

But he did not fall on the chopping board or the frying pan, but was tied to the altar on behalf of a certain existence, and his body could not move at all, which was no less tragic than the tragic situation of dying of ALS in his previous life.

This dream was really nonsensical.

Even after Byron woke up and found that his sisters were like octopuses wrapped around him, as if reality reflected dreams, he did not completely let down his guard.

Therefore, the stone of "human traitor" is particularly important.

In another scene, the entire fortress has been completely surrounded by Iris soldiers.

In addition to the [Second Level Holy Relic God of War], there are also huge artillery units that have been in place at the beginning of the general attack.

The artillery fire roared, and the heavy-armored combined battalion, which was highly expected by the Knights, was focused on and destroyed before it found where the enemy was.

Then came the rapidly dimming God's Domain. Even with the protection of the [Shroud] and the God's Domain, the fall of the Poor Knights was only a matter of time.

The Iris army came too fast and too hastily, and did not give the new leader time to integrate his forces.

"Iris's artillery and cannon casting technology are among the best in the entire continent. Once we get them, we can just make up for the shortcomings of the army."

Aunt Meganilla and cousin [Chameleon] Jacqueline are both by Byron's side. They know the armaments of their own kingdom best.

A few decades ago, when firearms had just emerged, artillery units were extremely expensive.

Cannon casting technicians and gunners could only travel around the world as mercenaries, looking for opportunities to serve military powers.

Among the [cannon makers] in the [craftsman] branch of the tower sequence, the most famous one is the fifth-level legendary cannon caster Urban.

He once cast a giant cannon for the Star-Moon Empire, with a caliber of 889 mm and a shell weighing 270 kilograms.

In the year 1453 of the Silver Age, the holy city that had been impregnable for 700 years was shattered by the roar of Urban's cannon, announcing the complete demise of the Crusader State and the arrival of the God of War on the battlefield.

During the same period, Joan of Arc was also good at using stone cannons. Following her goddess of victory, the soldiers conquered one barrier after another, and the siege line of Hastings collapsed completely within 6 days.

Since then, Iris has become the country that attaches the most importance to the construction of artillery power in the entire continent.

After that, with the help of Jacques Cole, a fifth-level legend of the Jinyuan sequence, [Golden Eye], Charles VII reformed the tax system and levied a large number of new taxes such as head tax.

This gave the Valois dynasty unprecedented financial strength and finally established a national standing army including powerful artillery.

It was with these artillery that Charles VII, [Victorious King], took back all the fortresses that the Hastings had previously captured within a year.

Byron dared to say that his navy was the best in the world, and even the Invincible Fleet had to stand aside, but as an offshore country, there was indeed a gap between him and Iris in terms of army and field artillery construction.

"But it doesn't matter.

Why do you want to carve your name on my iris crown? These treasures will be mine sooner or later."

There were artillery bombardments in turns, combined with the [King's Army·Gallic Rooster] activated by Louis XI himself to bless the law-breaking effect.

The divine domain did not last long before it was broken, and screams were heard in the fortress.

A clergyman came forward with an edict to announce the crimes of the Poor Knights:

"heresy, betrayal of the church, evil god worship, blasphemy of religious rituals, corruption, fraud, homosexuality"

Especially the crime of "homosexuality". The emblem of the Knights is two knights riding the same horse, which was originally a symbol of poverty, but Louis XI made a fuss about it and said it was a symbol of homosexuality.

There was a shouting and cursing in the fortress.

Louis XI was calm and turned a deaf ear to it.

In fact, the people who wronged you know how wronged you are better than you do.

This was originally the crime he had planted on the Knights based on his own experience. Whether others believed it or not, it was just for show.

Being a homosexual, enslaving ethnic minorities to pick cotton, and having a purple potato face are all old traditions.

Because they have actually done it, they think you can do it too, and they believe it when they wrongly accuse others.

"Surrender, all the castles, manors, mines, trading companies and all real estate of the Poor Knights in Iris have been seized by the kingdom.

Hand over the key to the treasury obediently, and I won't kill you."

In the fortress, listening to the wailing around him, the new Grand Master Jacques de Molay closed his eyes painfully.

"It's still too late."

Since a week ago, there has been a voice echoing in his heart, asking him to choose a specific one among all the pros and cons.

Obviously, when he sensed the crisis, there were other better options, such as: holding an online meeting in the financial street, or temporarily changing the meeting location, etc., which might avoid the front of Iris.

But he didn't do it under the influence of "lucky mentality", but wanted to die with Louis XI!

Until now, he didn't notice anything wrong, just like many talented kings who died in the hands of "traitors" in history.

With blood boiling, he opened the metal box hanging on his waist without hesitation and grasped the [First-level Cursed Item·Ghost Hand Knife].

The requirement to sacrifice the whole family certainly includes the knife holder himself.

As a paladin, Jacques de Molay is alone without a wife and children, but he is undoubtedly a fifth-level legend.

The quality far exceeds all the sacrifices in the past.

Huh——!

A gust of cold wind blew across the entire battlefield, and everyone had goose bumps as if a ghost was lying on their shoulders and blowing.

The paladin raised the tip of the knife and pointed it at Louis XI and issued a vicious curse:

"No matter who it is, as long as they rob the property of the Poor Knights, their fate will become the same as ours!"