Volume Five: Return from the Other Shore - The Useless One

The seventh Templar Knight, "Light of Virtue" Reinhardt Vizo. He became a full-fledged Templar Knight at the age of eleven, and at fifteen, he was promoted to Templar Knight Candidate for his meritorious service in fighting Heretics. At twenty, he officially became Templar Knight. He was a decorated war hero, extremely responsible to his subordinates, and deeply loved by them. His ability to control the force he received was also used to perfection.

Yang Xiao, the ninth Templar Knight, also known as the "Saintess of the Stars," is another female Templar Knight besides Alan, the Fourth Seat. She is also the only Templar Knight who was born Saintess. She can launch large-scale attacks or defenses using star charts as a medium, and she can even perform astrology. Her graceful figure and elegant appearance have made her extremely popular.

Tenth Templar Knight, "War Maniac" Fain. Although he is the last Templar Knight, in terms of pure combat ability, he can definitely rank in the top five. As a pure Physical Enhancement System, he has overwhelming strength and an extremely tough body. He is so brave and good at fighting that he is crazy. The reason he is ranked at the bottom is simply because he cannot control his fighting desire.

These three individuals, with their vastly different personalities, rarely acted together. However, with the Rebel Army now at their doorstep, they set aside their usual reserve and formed a united army under orders. Together, they led a large force to guard the Cathedral of the True God while the Heavenly Law Goddess pursued the traitor Yang Yujie.

Their soldiers were naturally overjoyed. Three Templar Knight, joining forces like never before, with such a leader, what was there to fear? With them guarding the area, it would be impregnable!

--This was their idea three minutes ago.

However, this beautiful wish was shattered when the white-haired woman knocked Fain down with a single punch.

But it's alright! We still have Lord Yang Xiao and Lord Reinhardt! What's so scary about mere thieves?

--This was their idea two minutes ago.

However, this beautiful wish was shattered when the Qipao Woman smiled and chopped off Yang Xiao's head.

But there's still hope! We still have the strongest and most reliable Lord Reinhardt! We'll definitely pull through!

--That was their thought a minute ago.

However, this beautiful wish was shattered when Reinhardt collapsed, foaming at the mouth, in front of the two women, one black and one white.

Their current thought is--

"Those who know what's good for them and value their lives, get out of here right now!!!!"

"Well, it's okay if you don't want to move aside, I'll try my best to keep everyone in the same place~"

With our core leadership gone, survival is the most important thing! Life is the most precious thing!

"It's much easier than I expected. It wasn't as easy as the battle when we were rescuing Sin Annihilation and Nid. What's going on?"

"Pfft, what a low-IQ delinquent girl! The intelligence has already been given: there's internal strife going on in this cathedral! The second strongest fighter has suddenly turned against him, while the strongest fighter is locked in a fierce battle with him. It's a complete mess. How can they possibly concentrate on dealing with the external enemy in this state?"

"Who are you calling low-IQ, asking for a beating... wait, something doesn't seem right?"

"What's the matter?"

"Uh... let me figure it out."

Xiao Wu scratched her head, trying to recall—

"We just wiped out the 790th Templar Knight, right?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

"Ye said that she accidentally killed someone who was suspected to be the Eighth Seat when she was practicing, right?"

"Xiao Ye told me this, and I relayed it to you."

"Sin Annihilation said that the old knight of the Sixth Seat was killed instantly by the Gastric Acid Bomb she sacrificed, right?"

"How would I know? That weirdo only likes you."

"The Fifth Seat was taken down by Ye a long time ago, the Second and Third Seat are those Guardian Knights of Prayer, who won't be fighting for the time being, and the Chief is currently locked in a fierce battle with that bitch Tianlu, so if we calculate it like this..."

"... You mean, the Fourth Seat?"

"Yeah, it seems only the Fourth Seat's whereabouts are unknown. Isn't that guy bringing his troops out to fight?"

Saladin Carlisle, the Fourth Seat Templar Knight.

The only child left behind by Cardinal Archbishop Latran Carlisle before his formal initiation into the clergy, his rare supernatural abilities, handsome appearance, and formidable talent all destined him for greatness. He achieved top marks at the Knight Academy, setting a record for the fastest promotion from Regular Knight to Templar Knight, never having a bad record, and always adhering to his duties—far superior to that hapless, slovenly Chief.

He was furious at that moment.

A series of events nearly drove him mad.

During the execution of the taboo-breaking sacrificial spirit in that small hall, Chief Yang Yujie suddenly rebelled. He was so shocked that he didn't react until Tian Lu chased after him. Immediately afterward, news arrived that the Rebel Army was pressing in; those wicked Blasphemers had actually reached their doorstep!

What's even more infuriating is that it's now confirmed Yang Yujie is the Rebel Army's traitor! This fact was a devastating blow! No wonder the so-called Chief had always acted so irrationally and unruly! It was all his conspiracy to lure the Rebel Army into Gloria! By the highest god, a traitor! All this time, a traitor had been by the side of the High Priest! Isn't this dancing with wolves? Isn't this lambs to the slaughter?

No, wait.

Sacrifice to the spirit, now he is no longer "Master Sacrifice to the spirit".

She committed a forbidden sin and was personally judged by the Pope as a "Fallen One," stripped of her status Goddess and even the right to live.

He still remembers the excruciating pain in his heart when he was summoned to that small hall and saw her kneeling on the ground with a bruised and swollen face.

How did this beautiful, kind, and lovely girl end up in such a state?

Why break the taboo?

Why... must he die like this?

At that moment, for the first time, he felt confused about his own identity.

He didn't want to see the spirit die, he absolutely didn't want to. He longed to jump out and protect her, to loudly proclaim her innocence to the Pope and his father, but he couldn't. He was Templar Knight, one of the pillars of the Papacy, and upholding the rules and punishing sinners was his destiny, which he absolutely could not disobey.

While he was struggling with this dilemma, the person he hated most did something completely unexpected—he killed Selace, publicly rescued the sacrificial spirit, and uttered those words—

"I just want to say that everyone here is rotten to the core!"

Rubbish.

These two words pierced his heart deeply.

He had to admit that he was jealous of Yu Jie. He was jealous that Yu Jie was stronger than him, jealous that Yu Jie could so decisively turn against everyone for a girl, and jealous that Yu Jie did what he wanted to do but didn't dare to do.

Compared to him, I am utterly powerless and laughable.

Like garbage.

Anger, shock, grief, jealousy, and shame—all these negative emotions churned together, driving him to the brink of madness. He needed to prove himself, desperately needed to prove himself, he had to prove he wasn't trash, that he was no weaker than Yu Jie! So he needed achievements, merits, an army, and to repel the invading Rebel Army to prove himself!

As the Fourth Seat of the Templar Knight, it was only natural for him to lead troops into battle. So when he made the perfectly normal request to his father, Cardinal Archbishop Latran, to "let me go into battle," he never expected to be refused.

"No, Saladin, you stay here."

Saladin took a few seconds to react.

"Huh? Have you gone mad, Father!"

"I'm not crazy, and you didn't mishear me. I'll say it again: you can't lead the troops into battle. Just stay here."

"Are you kidding me?!"

Saladin stomped his foot heavily on the ground, sending dirt and stones flying everywhere.

"The Vatican is in complete chaos! The Heavenly Law is dealing with that traitor, that damned traitor who's been pulling strings all along, drawing the Rebel Army here! The Vatican's command structure is in disarray, and the unprepared garrison is struggling to hold out. The other Templar Knight have already gone into battle, and I must go too!"

Despite Saladin's agitation, Latran remained calm.

"This is already a sad thing, don't make it any sadder, my child."

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

"I mean... do you genuinely want to protect the Holy See if you're going to war now? Or is it merely out of jealousy towards the Chief?"

"Varied--!"

Saladin felt something explode in his head.

"How dare you say that! Why would I be jealous of that damned traitor! His existence is a stain on the entire Papacy, the root cause of pushing the Papacy to the brink of war! Enough, Father, you're still a coward! Fine, I don't care about your permission anymore, I have my own army, even without your permission, as long as I—"

"You mean you're going to send troops without the Pope's or the Cardinal Archbishop's permission?"

"I've had enough of your cowardice, Father! The duties others failed to fulfill, I will fulfill. I will prove to everyone that Yang Yujie, that traitor, will only end in failure!!!"

"..."

Saladin snorted coldly, pulled up his cloak, and strode outside. His army was waiting for him in the square, ready to attack immediately at his command, even without permission from above! He would prove his strength to everyone with a perfect victory!

"As for you, Yang Yujie..."

His fists trembled with rage.

"... I will make you pay the price, you traitor!"

"--No, you're wrong, child."

A hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.

It was a hand covered in wrinkles.

Weak and old.

But the moment that hand touched him, a strange tingling sensation suddenly spread through his body, and his legs went weak. He collapsed to his knees with a thud, as if all the strength had been drained from his body, and he couldn't move a single finger.

"Ugh... Guh... What's wrong?"

I tried to move my limbs, but they were as if they were dead and unresponsive. Only my eyes and mouth could move.

"You, and everyone else, were wrong from the very beginning."

He strained his eyes and saw his father, Latran, who had somehow appeared beside him and was looking down at him.

"I'm sorry, the mole wasn't Yang Yujie, it was me."