Rhodes woke up from a light slumber and the gray morning light poured into the room through the window.

What time is it? Rhodes didn't know it, it was so dark that he couldn't even see the clock on the wall.

When I opened the window, the chill blew into the house along the windowsill and hit my body, and as usual, after being blown by the cold wind, most of my sleepiness had been swept away.

Standing by the window, you can see that the soldiers in the north have gotten up early and are conducting routine training on the school grounds. The sound of wooden swords striking each other and shields clashing was endless.

In the corner of the school grounds, there were several black rose knights, looking down and whispering something. Their armor was shiny black, and some skeletal ornaments were inlaid on the shoulder armor, and they always looked out of place with other armies.

The groom wakes up early and takes care of the horses in the stables. The knights' horses were tended by special personnel, and sometimes they were worth much more than slaves.

The sight reminded Rhodes of Blackhammer. It's just that this is not the Black Hammer Fortress, this is the Osdrosk Fortress. A necessary supply depot for Kislev's Southern Corps as it moves north. Although it was only a small fortress, it was responsible for most of the material delivery tasks of the southern army. Because from here to the north, for a long time, the army will not be able to get supplies.

The Northern Coalition had captured the area two days earlier, and after the defeat of the Snow Eagle Legion, the defenders of the fortress surrendered almost without a fight. They knew that with only 500 defenders, it was absolutely impossible to compete with the 20,000-strong army in the north. The lord of the fortress opened the door and surrendered, and the northern coalition army entered the city to rest without resistance.

For two days, Rhodes asked people to deal with the handover of the fortress, and it was the affairs that were handed over, not the people. The ownership and proceeds of the fortress are all vested in the Northern Alliance. And the lords and soldiers of the fortress have not changed. It is far better to let people take the initiative to surrender than siege warfare, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the sacrifice is huge, and surrender can solve the problem without blood, which is the best policy among the best strategies. In order to achieve this goal, it was necessary to promise some favorable conditions to the soldiers defending the city, such as not being demoted or leaving their posts.

"Rod, you have a guest. ”

While he was still confused, Edmund's footsteps could be heard outside the door. The Lord of Ice Lan Castle was still wearing a white armor, and even in normal times, he rarely took it off. According to his words, to be born in this age is to always struggle with the darkest things. This darkest thing sometimes refers not only to the embodied enemy, but also to the inner demons. Humanity's greatest enemy is actually itself. Without those emotions and desires, Chaos would not rise again and again.

Yurik's priest asked to see him. ”

Edmund said.

"What should come will always come. ”

Rod said, washed his face briefly, and went downstairs with Edmund.

Pastor Ulrick sat in his chair and immediately got up and came up when he saw Rhodes coming downstairs. He wore a huge wolfskin cape, a linen coat, and a long cowhide belt that ran through his chest and waist, tightening his clothes. Since all weapons had to be surrendered before the audience, the place where the axes and swords were hung was now empty.

"Your Excellency. ”

"You should be called the King of the North. "Let's have a book

Edmund reminded.

The White Wolf Priest looked reluctant, but he called out to the King of the North at his request. Rod just beckoned, signaling that he didn't have to care about form. The real king lies in the hearts of the people, who shout long live His Majesty every day, but curse this king to die in their hearts. That's pointless.

"King of the North, I am the priest of the Temple of Ulric, and my name is Halton St. Franck. I'm here to ask you questions about the future of the Temple. ”

The Eurik Cult, also known as the White Wolf Cult, is a major force in the Empire, and in the entire northern part of the Empire, there are far more people who believe in the White Wolf Cult than those who believe in Sigma. Over the years, the Eurek religion has also infiltrated Kislev. It's just that the Ice Queen has been suppressing it, so the sect has not spread on a large scale. For Rhodes, although the temple and the sect are not threats, they cannot sit idly by. In the old world, there was a lack of everything, that is, there was no shortage of sects. All kinds of gods walked all over the ground, flying in the sky, running on the ground, swimming in the water, and some were just looked at by mortals, who felt that its size was incomparably huge and shocking, so they worshipped it as a god. In fact, many so-called gods have never blessed their followers from beginning to end, and such gods really don't know what the people believe in him?

However, the White Wolf Cult is different, it is indeed a sect that can bless the believers with strength. It's just that the three gods of Kislev and Yurik actually have a competitive relationship, and there are more people who believe in the white wolf, and there are naturally fewer people who believe in the bear god, the god of thunder, and the god of fire. Again, this is not a good thing for Rhodes. After all, along the way, there was no obstacle from sectarian forces, and it was more because he was the champion of the bear god Ersun and the thunder god Thor. There is nothing to doubt.

Now, the White Wolf Sect can be said to be in a big trouble. Supporting it would undermine the power and authority of Kislev's native gods. Suppressing and opposing it, as Caterina did, would inevitably lead to instability in the conquered regions. After all, one of the great characteristics of the medieval world was the intricacy of sects, some of which were like underworlds, committing crimes in the name of the gods. Outside the law and kingship.

After deliberation, Rhodes chose the middle, neither for nor against. After all, during the critical period of the civil war between the North and the South, a large sectarian force should not be allowed to stir things up.

"Within my realm, the Eurek Cult will have all equal power. You can preach in the north, or in the lands I have conquered, and I will keep all the temples and clergy that I have left. ”

In the face of the Ulric priest who did not give in and did not surrender, Rod said with a calm face.

The look of joy on the pastor's face could be seen, even if it was a simple promise. But this promise has made the Ulrick believers extremely grateful.

"The King of the North has always been forgiving, and we will restore all order that has been trampled upon. ”

Edmund added.

"But there is one condition. ”

You say. ”

Halton respectfully returned.

"It is a principle that missionaries of the Eurek sect are not allowed to preach in my barracks. Other than that, you can move freely in Kislev. ”

Rhodes said. A legion must be cohesive enough, preferably for them to worship the same god. Otherwise, it is not impossible to cause internal contradictions because of the different sects. As the Chosen One of the Bear God and the God of Thunder in Kislev, Rhodes would like to see that the vast majority of the people in the legion have a firm belief in the three gods, because in this way, the higher his prestige in the army.