Chapter 41: News from the capital
Two hours later...
Tayin and the female knight arrived at the base.
The city of Conjol stood like an enormous fortress against the endless wasteland beyond its walls.
Massive black stone walls stretched for miles, reinforced with countless formations and watchtowers. Armed guards patrolled the walls day and night, their presence ranging from Sovereign Realm soldiers to powerful Transcendent Realm experts.
Within the walls, the city was just as vast.
Countless buildings filled the streets, from military barracks and training grounds to weapon shops, alchemy stores, healing halls, and establishments catering to the thousands of soldiers stationed here.
At the very center stood the inner city, separated from the rest by another towering wall. This was where the generals, colonels, and highest-ranking military officials resided.
Yet despite its size, Conjol never truly felt peaceful, as soldiers were constantly moving through its streets. Some returned from the battlefield covered in blood, while others prepared to venture beyond the walls.
Above everything, enormous banners bearing the insignia of the human military fluttered in the wind.
This was Conjol.
A giant human fortress and a battlefield.
But for most, it was also the greatest opportunity to change their fate.
"For now, we only have to worry about the Javos. But that doesn’t mean the Abyssal forces won’t strike back after our attack," Tayin warned as the female knight nodded.
"Yes, General. The other generals gave the same warning. The fact that the Abyssal forces have been quiet shows that they are planning something big," the female knight replied.
Just then, a giant gate fifteen meters tall and more than two hundred meters wide slowly opened.
The two, along with several soldiers returning from the battlefield, were allowed inside.
"General!"
"Greet the General!"
"Welcome, sir!"
As they passed through the gate, soldiers greeted Tayin one after another.
"Friya."
Tayin called out.
"Yes, General?"
Friya replied, wondering why the General had called her.
"Why do you think my father sent a letter?" Tayin asked as they walked through the massive city.
Soldiers continued greeting him as they passed, many of them smiling.
After all, Tayin was one of the strongest generals they knew. Once every three months, he would venture into the Javo territory and clean up their forces, giving the soldiers a much-needed breathing space while also saving many who would have otherwise been killed.
For a General like this, how could they not be grateful?
"General, I can’t say for sure," Friya replied with a small smile.
"Heh... I would have believed you if your sister wasn’t one of the high ranking members of the Fatun Organization"
Tayin narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Come on. What news do you have? After all, your organization is the number one source of information."
Although the two walked normally, each of their steps covered several meters. Soon, they reached the inner city, where the high-ranking military officials resided.
Exclusive buildings had also been constructed there, but that wasn’t Tayin’s goal.
He headed directly toward the living quarters.
"General... it might be related to the arrival of a God’s Pope in the capital," Friya replied.
Tayin frowned.
It seemed the churches were serious about their expansion.
It was still a shock that, after years of arguments, the powerhouses of the Central Continent had finally allowed the churches to be established and the gods to spring into existence one after another.
But ultimately, because of their decision, all the smaller and medium-sized continents were now bearing the consequences as the churches invaded them one after another.
This continent was one of those smaller continents, and now the Pope of the church had arrived in their kingdom.
"Alright. I will see what the letter says. For now, you can return."
Stopping in front of a large, exquisite building, Tayin spoke.
Friya stopped and bowed.
"Yes, General. Have a good rest."
She smiled before turning around.
This was the living quarters dedicated to Generals. It wasn’t a place a Commander could simply enter.
Left alone, Tayin took a deep breath and walked inside, heading straight toward his room.
He couldn’t help but wonder what his father had sent him.
When he reached his door, Tayin noticed a small locked box beside it and reached inside.
He pulled out a letter bearing the insignia of the Duke family before entering his room and closing the door behind him.
Walking over to his table, Tayin sat down and slowly opened the letter as his blood stains hand covered it.
Hello, son.
I hope you are doing well. I have grown to miss you, and there isn’t a single day that passes when I don’t ask about how you are doing...
Tayin read through the greetings, but he could already feel that something was wrong.
After all, his father had sent him a letter only two weeks ago.
So why had he sent another one so soon?
And considering what Friya had said...
Tayin skipped to the middle of the letter.
There, he finally saw what was happening.
Son, the Duke family isn’t in a good position right now. The Duke Mansion is said to be destroyed so that a church temple can be built in its place, and the Royal Family is in support. A week ago, I received a royal messenger carrying a request from the Royal Family for my answer.
Son, things aren’t as simple as they seem. We don’t know what the Royal Family is planning, but they are using the church to pressure us. I want you to be careful. No one can say they won’t extend their hands toward you....
"What?"
Tayin squeezed the letter in his hands, his expression changing instantly.
What was wrong with the Royal Family?
And why would building a temple for that so-called God require the destruction of the Duke’s Mansion?
The Duke family was not weak.
Across the continent, everyone knew of the immense power they possessed.
The Duke family had a large personal army filled with elite combatants. If that army were unleashed, it could turn the entire continent upside down.
So why would the Royal Family risk their good relationship with such a force for the sake of some god’s temple?
What benefit could possibly outweigh the stability they had now?
Or did they really look down on the Duke family that much?
At this moment, Tayin was boiling with rage.
He wanted to reach the capital and walk straight into the Royal Palace to demand an explanation.
"Father..."
Tayin felt that his father had been insulted.
His father was a Supreme Realm expert, after all.
But then again, he calmed himself.
His father would be fine.
The Duke family wasn’t made up of soft targets.
But then he reached the end of the letter.
His father had specifically told him to be careful.
Why?
What exactly was the Royal Family planning?
And how did it involve him?
Just as Tayin was lost in thought...
Knock!
Knock!