Just as the dignitaries present were preparing to salute, they saw two columns of armored knights emerge from either side. Their arrival brought an oppressive, murderous atmosphere.
The regiment commander of the Second Knight Order and his two deputy knight commanders, the regiment commander of the Third Knight Order and his two deputy knight commanders, the regiment commander of the Fourth Knight Order and his two deputy knight commanders...
From the Second Knight Order to the Twelfth Knight Order, every serving regiment-level commander, one commander and two deputies per order, entered at that moment. Even Regiment Commander Daan, who was nominally supposed to be coordinating the war against the Allied Forces in the desert, was among them.
The scene looked very much like a coup.
Still, no one actually let their imagination stray that far. Even if a coup were taking place, it could not happen without informing them first. Even if only a select few were informed rather than everyone, the others could not have heard absolutely nothing.
The Order God Church was not some small church with a shambolic organizational structure, one that a powerful figure could overthrow simply by leading his subordinates in a strike against its Core Area.
Besides, no matter how powerful a subversive force might be, it could never muster a spectacle as grand as regiment-level commanders from all eleven knight orders, excluding the First Knight Order, appearing together for a coup.
But their arrival immediately gave this sacrificial ceremony, whose status had already been elevated, an even more exceptional significance and impact.
The commanders carried no weapons. After taking their positions, they crossed their arms over their chests.
The other dignitaries followed suit and said in unison:
"Greetings, High Priest."
"Greetings, High Priest."
The High Priest merely smiled and waved his hand. "All