In a word, Dean was directly confused. Even the atmosphere has undergone some kind of strange change.

Gray watched Dean silently.

Dean was so embarrassed that he couldn't speak, so he could only laugh and laugh all the time.

However, the other three people present did not laugh and were all watching him quietly. It made his laugh even more awkward.

"I have heard that the Holy See has a very strong opinion of me. Is that so?" asked Gray again.

Laughing so hard that his mouth cramped a little, Dean could only retract his eyes and say, "If I say no...... You're afraid you don't believe it either, do you?"

"So what?" asked Gray.

Obviously, this problem cannot be bypassed today. Helpless, Dean could only sigh and look at the two people next to him, and said stubbornly: "I want to talk to the Paladin alone, is it okay?"

Gray also looked over to Irene.

"Let's go out for a while. Irene got up and left.

Karl saluted and left.

The door closed, leaving only Dean and Gray in the room.

Sunlight streams in obliquely through the open window and shines on the vase in the middle of the coffee table, leaving a vague shadow.

The two people in the room, Gray couldn't see their expressions, and sat motionless. Dean's expression was already as painful as constipation.

......

Outside the window, on the distant rooftop, Zeda and Tavia hid their figures, watching from afar, expressionlessly.

......

As soon as Ireen and Carl left, Dean suddenly felt less stressed, but the pain was still there.

After all, Gray has indeed changed a lot, and he is no longer the knight in the White City who does nothing and does good deeds everywhere. In just a few months, Gray has become a paladin, and not only that, but he is also a paladin who has the courage to collide head-on with the Holy See, and a paladin with a large group of die-hard believers.

It would be naïve if Dean thought Gray was still as foolish as he was at the beginning. In fact, he knew this before he came. But if he still wants the position, he has to come. This is his most important task, and it is also the most fundamental reason for giving him this position. He understands this better than anyone else.

After a long silence, Dean looked at Gray and said hesitantly, "The Holy See's opinion of you comes from many sources, or, to put it simply, they think that what you are doing is not right. ”

"Exactly?"

"Every aspect. ”

"Exactly?"

"You are no different when it comes to the results you are pursuing. But in the way, it's too much worse. You have to admit that the Holy See is also for the promotion of the Holy Faith, just as the Holy See still recognizes you as a paladin. At least you don't have any disagreement on this. But in terms of approach, your differences are really very big. Dean said insincerely: "Actually, I think that the way is a small problem, and the goal is the most important thing, isn't it? As long as the goal is the same, it means that there is nothing that cannot be discussed." ”

"Is the goal aligned?" Gray asked.

"Of course. Dean replied categorically.

"And what do they think about Bob?" asked Gray coldly.

This question immediately stopped Dean again, and he could only say embarrassedly: "Okay, the goal is still a little different." But just a little, right?"

"Just a little?" said Gray earnestly, "for others, maybe it's just a little difference, but for Bob, it's the difference between life and death." For the inhabitants of the Lion King's Capital, it is the difference between whether justice is served or not. For the king, it was the difference between whether he would be punished for committing a serious crime. You can find this in Book 5, Section 14. I don't think anything that is seriously doctrinal is just a little bit different. ”

A paragraph directly made Dean speechless, and he couldn't speak for a long time.

Silence, long silence. The room was silent.

Gray stared at Dean quietly, and Dean's eyes flickered, and he kept looking left and right, and his scalp was already numb. In the end, I could only slowly close my eyes and sigh. The expression looked like it had given up, just instinctively struggling.

After a long silence, Dean whispered, "Gray...... Can I call you that?"

That's what a true friend is called. The black cat muttered quietly.

"Yes. Gray nodded, "I'm honored. ”

Dean hesitated and said in frustration, "Gray, I admire you, really. You are the most upright knight I have ever met. Your ideals are higher than everyone else's. People may still be suspicious of you, but I don't. I watched you come by. I support you from the bottom of my heart. I'm grateful to you, in fact, I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for knowing you. They want me to reach out to you and make a judgment about your behavior. ”

"Predict what they want to do?" asked Gray.

"I don't know. Dean shook his head, "But I know you've thoroughly them off. The matter is very big, and you have touched the foundations of the entire Holy See. There has to be a conclusion to this, either you surrender or they surrender. Now that all countries are watching, someone has to throw in the towel, right? Unless...... You want a decisive battle with the Holy See. But I don't think it's going to be a good idea. If you declare war on the Holy See, then the happiest will definitely be the devils of hell. ”

"However, the Holy See's approach is not right. They violated the sacred faith, and that is what I stand for. I don't compromise on mistakes. There was no room for manoeuvre in Gray's tone.

"I know, I know what you mean. That's what they told me, I mean...... Nor will they compromise. Dean pursed his lips and looked down for a moment, and said, "Can you tell me what you want? What you want now, what the Holy See does, is what you want to see." ”

"I want them to declare Benedict II guilty and dethrone him. And all with justice. ”

"Well, I see this as your core interest. What I say next may offend you, but I'm thinking about it completely. I hope you don't blame me. ”

Gray listened quietly.

Dean continued, "I have another way to achieve the same effect, you can get Benedict II back, let him continue to sit on the throne, and show everyone that you still respect the Holy See." At the same time, admit your own recklessness. Without any punishment, it is just an admission of your recklessness. I can find a way to convince the Cardinal that, after a while, the Holy See will remove him on other grounds. Of course, the charges certainly won't have anything to do with this incident. ”

Gray was silent, still looking at him quietly.

Dean swallowed dryly, and continued, "The entire Lion King is under your control, and although he is still a king, he will be no different from a prisoner. We just need to make the Cardinal feel that you still respect them, and to erase the suspicion of the royal family against the Holy See. It's just a little window dressing. After that, it's easy to find a crime. This can be a temporary way for you to reconcile with the Cardinals. Of course, it's only temporary, and in the long run, I can't guarantee it. I can't even guarantee that they will accept it, but it's a good way to maximize your goals for each other, and you should give it a try. ”

After saying that, Dean spread his hands and looked at Gray helplessly.

Gray was silent, so silent that Dean felt a little uncomfortable.

Most crucially, Gray is wearing a mask and has no expression, which makes it impossible for Dean to guess Gray's reaction.

After a while, Dean could only stubbornly ask, "...... you Angry?"

"No, I didn't. Gray said seriously, "I'm just thinking about how to say no, tactfully." After all, I can feel your kindness towards me, kindness, and should be treated kindly. ”

Hearing this, Dean suddenly smiled. This was the only time he had laughed from the bottom of his heart since he stepped into the room.

"I found ...... In fact, you are the same as before. At least the heart hasn't changed. I'm glad you admit that I'm doing it with good intentions. Also, if you really think of me as a friend, please say what you want to say without any fear. In fact, I knew I would be rejected before I made the proposal, so ......" Dean said, gesturing his hand, "I can accept it." ”

"So I said it?"

"Say it. Dean put his hands on his chest and smiled, ready to accept Gray's answer.

"It's absolutely impossible. Gray whispered, "This will make everyone feel that the king is not wrong." Because we're just admitting that he's not wrong. Didn't you say that abiding by the faith in your heart and following your heart to pursue your faith is in itself the best interpretation of your faith? This is what you taught me. It is still my credo. Just as all nations are looking at the Holy See, everyone is looking at me. We should not encourage crime in this way. In addition, such a thing as fabricating accusations is a sin in itself. Not His sin, but ours. I hope Mr. Pastor will understand. Your suggestion, I can only refuse. ”

"I see. Dean respectfully drew a cross on his chest and said with a smile, "I will continue to broker this and try to find a way between you and the Holy See that is acceptable to both sides." ”

"Okay......" Gray replied hesitantly.

In a harmonious atmosphere, the negotiations broke down.

......

"Do you think the Holy See and the Paladins collide head-on with those old fellows not making a move, who will win?" asked Tavia.

"It's hard to say. Zeda was silent for a moment before replying, "If those old fellows don't make a move, it means that the paladin with non-human strength has an absolute advantage, if he can use it well." However, the Holy See is not only the power of heaven that can be used. ”

"You're saying they might bring in other forces?"

"Not a possibility, but a certainty. Even, the 'power' has reached the lion king. The Holy See is already in a great crisis, and I have seen the methods of these guys. Do whatever it takes. Zeda said softly, "Perhaps, negotiations are always just a façade. ”

......

At this moment, no one has noticed that a man in a blue cloak is riding a horse and holding a magic wand swaying through the lively streets of the Lion King's capital.

He wore a quaint necklace around his neck, and on the pendant of the necklace was a line that vaguely read: "Krimasha".