Imperial Year 221

Imperial Year 221. The Holy City, capital of Exar, lay in southern Exar. Situated beside the inland sea route, it enjoyed convenient maritime transport and had always been a strategic prize.

Compared to outer-sea ports, inland sea ports were more resistant to ocean storms. During typhoon season, they would not suffer severe losses from natural disasters, making their commerce more prosperous than that of other coastal cities.

"Is this the place we have to control, no matter what?"

Mel looked at the Holy City on the map. Exar's former royal family was still playing island raiders on the southern islands.

He had no more time to waste in Exar. The great chaos had given him an opportunity, but once it ended, he would have to face a Church giving its all.

"Saik, do you think we can launch a war immediately and crush the Church?" Mel asked the person beside him. He desperately needed a complete foundation; what he had done so far was not enough.

"We can. If you and the two ladies act, we can completely defeat the Church. But those Templar Knights loyal to the Church will never surrender, no matter what."

"Is that so?" Mel frowned. It was time for him to make a decision.

Though the Church's Templar Knights posed no threat to Mel himself, from the perspective of the entire nation, the Crusader Legion was also made up of soldiers recruited from commoners. They were the vanguard against the Demon King's army.

Naturally, Mel would not leave behind an army that could never surrender and cause trouble. The only option was to eliminate them. He did not want the Church raising its banner of rebellion again on his territory in the future.

A purge would undoubtedly wound civilization's accumulated achievements, but it could also