Chapter 509: Chapter 509- Crusade (2)

The knights looked like they had just stepped out of a sacred hot spring, not a trial built to incinerate corruption.

"They... look relaxed."

"Is that what holy fire feels like on the innocent...?"

Soft murmurs broke through the crowd. Reinhardt once again declared the use of the fire and water, then he ordered everyone to head in and prove their innocence. One by one, the great orders marched forward.

The first to take the trials were the protectors themselves. One by one, they entered, and by the time they came out, they were all rejuvenated and relaxed, as if the flames were peeling away every scar on their soul, leaving them lighter, stronger, and more alive.

Even Zargues the [Thunder Lord], who despised flames, couldn’t help but click his tongue and marvel at the mystical effects of the fire.

If he was like that, one could imagine what Brutus was feeling right now. The man was a zealous believer of the old god of fire and metal; so when he saw such a pure fire, he was, of course, extremely curious. So much so that he started pestering Reinhardt to teach him how to manifest fire like this.

"It is not possible now. Perhaps once the World Tree grows back in this world, and people are able to form contracts with fairies."

Regardless, with the final order given, everyone here had finished their trial.

As it turns out, there was no demon or traitor among the orders. At the very least, the members here were all innocent.

Reinhardt glanced at the other commanders, who all nodded their heads.

"We begin the Crusade. Take these bottles with you."

Crates were dragged forward, each filled with sealed glass flasks glowing faintly with shimmering silver water.

"Fairy Lake Water. Every bottle contains the power to purge demons." He then turned towards the guards. "Seal the city and lock down all the gates. No one enters or leaves without undergoing the Trial. Block every alley, every escape route. Anyone running... is already guilty. Swiftly capture them and use the Fairy Water to reveal their identities. If they are demons or collaborators, cull them down without mercy. Is that understood?"

Everyone saluted sharply. The job was very heavy and weighed on their minds. However, not a single person here was ordinary. They were all the elites of their orders or future hopes. They understood their priorities.

"Now, now, don’t go making such a face. The commander did not tell us to attack the innocent. We just need to convince them to come to the plaza and go through the trial to the best of our abilities. Our blades are to protect the citizens, which is why the Commander gave these bottles. As long as we have these, not a single innocent blood will be shed."

Squires like Kevin, Gwen, and the others looked tense; their faces showed their discomfort and conflict. During such moments, their seniors supported them.

"Right."

Kevin and the others nodded their heads. They hoped that the situation wouldn’t come to a point where they would have to draw their blades. However, little did they know that today, all their naïve thoughts would be destroyed and their minds would be forged anew. Stronger and sharper than before.

"Sir Conrad, Sir Herman, and Sir Zargues, you three are in charge of the outer districts closest to the walls. Dame Leona and Sir Brutus, you take the marketplaces and the merchant quarters"...

"Saintess Vanessa will purify the noble terraces. The Temple of Light, and I will handle the inner plazas and the central avenues. Gather the populace. Bring every citizen to the Central Plaza. We need to cleanse the capital of all demons before nightfall."

"Understood."

Everyone nodded their heads and, after a salute, they all left.

.

.

The capital, which had only just settled down after experiencing the inexplicable phenomenon, started buzzing once again. The city gates slammed shut with thunderous booms.

BOOM... BOOM... BOOM...

Mounted crossbars aligned themselves; archers lined the walls; knights galloped through the city.

Seeing this, the citizens started panicking once again.

"What was going on?"

"Is... is the city under attack?"

"They say the Queen has declared an emergency."

People looked at each other with wide eyes; neighbours, friends, merchants, beggars, none understanding why the capital was suddenly locked down.

"By royal decree, all citizens are to gather at the Central Plaza for holy inspection. Everyone, remain calm; this is just a routine procedure. There is no need to panic. It is a royal command!"

At this moment, groups of knights galloping on horses started shouting out commands. Of course, they tried to make it as reasonable as possible. However, in the end, it all depended on the knight’s own linguistic skills, and it varied from person to person.

Some were good; others were crude in their approach. As a result, unease started to settle among the citizens, and they hurriedly tried to run home.

.

"Hey, did you hear? The knights said that defying the orders means treason."

Word of mouth spread, blowing the order out of proportion. People hurriedly started locking the doors of their houses; mothers brought their children back inside; merchants shuttered their stalls in haste. A few people even bolted the moment they saw the knights appear.

For the squires, the atmosphere was quite conflicting.

"Wait! Please don’t run! Just listen..." Kevin, on his horse, pulled up to a man. However, the latter shrugged him off and continued running.

"I have done nothing! Let go of me! Let me go home!" With that, the man disappeared inside a house.

Kevin stood in his place, his outstretched hand frozen in the air.

"This is going nowhere. All the people in this area are ignoring us. I guess we have no option but to break in." Vangeace spat.

They had orders to break into houses if need be.

"Wait, wait, we can’t be so crude. We are knights after all; people look up to us." Silvia stopped anyone from acting rashly.