Have you heard?

In a corner of the "Tomorrow's Tavern," a group of residents of Twilight Town gathered together, discussing a major event that had recently occurred in the Papal Kingdom.

“Thirty-three students from the Royal Academy were sent to the stake by the Inquisition just a week ago…” A man dressed as a merchant recounted what he had witnessed: “They were charged with promoting heretical doctrines. On the day of the execution, not only were royal families from several neighboring countries invited to watch, but the Church, to enhance the deterrent effect, also changed the burning to scalding. Those students were roasted over a low flame for a full hour before finally dying…”

"Oh my god! This is terrible!"

"It's absolutely horrific..."

Someone else said, "I heard that many of the students who were burned to death were sons of nobles. The secular royal family and the church are at odds over this matter?"

The narrator sighed deeply upon hearing this: "In the end, the church still came out on top. Thirty-three students, so young, were burned to death. In the end, it's all because the church's power is too great..."

Before the words were finished, someone in the crowd hurriedly reminded him, "Watch your words! Watch your words! Muxi Town is church territory, and the knights here are also church troops, not to mention that His Holiness the Holy Son is a saint in church documents."

At the mention of Todd, everyone fell silent. People here could criticize the Church's actions, but no one would question the Son of God. Everyone understood whose credit it was that allowed Muxi Town, a land of the Gospel, to be established in such a chaotic world.

"A bunch of cowards!"

A melodious yet firm voice rang out in the tavern.

The astonished crowd turned to look at the sound and saw a knight dressed in women's casual clothes sitting at a table at the back. Her delicate and beautiful face was filled with sorrow and resentment. Judging from the empty wine bottle on the table and the knight's flushed face, she had been drinking alone for a long time, perhaps drunk.

“It’s Lord Dion of the Arbitration Court…” Someone recognized the knight’s identity and lowered his voice to say, “I heard that among those who were burned to death this time, one was his elder brother, and many others were his good friends from his school days.”

Upon hearing of this tragedy, people felt a mixture of understanding and sympathy for Dion's harsh words. Everyone turned away, trying their best not to focus on the handsome knight, and instead steered the conversation to other things.

However, Dion, who was already seven-tenths drunk, pushed away the bottle in front of him, staggered to his feet, and with his face as red as a blooming peach blossom and his eyes still blurry with drunkenness, once again shouted: "Using tyranny and ruthlessness to cover up their ignorance and fear! The supreme church is nothing but a bunch of thugs hiding in the shadows, who only know how to harm the weak!"

If someone said something like that in Muxi Town, no one would dare to respond.

Dion pointed at everyone in the tavern, his face full of disdain: "Look at you all, afraid to speak out openly for wealth and comfort, only hiding and whispering among yourselves. Aren't you cowards?"

Upon hearing this, more and more people couldn't hold back and loudly refuted this view.

Hearing the crowd's words, Dion laughed: "Because this land beneath your feet belongs to the Church, because the Supreme Son is authorized by the Pope, so you're afraid that resisting will make you lose everything?! Listen, why is the Church so fearless? It's because of cowards like you, it's because of the support of the Son!"

The argument in the tavern grew louder and louder, and the crowd was in a frenzy. If it weren't for the fact that Dion might be a woman and also the arbitrator of Duskwood, it could very well have escalated into a brawl by now.

Finally, Wilder, a former Watchtower Guardian Knight and now the Defense Officer of the Knights of Twilight, stepped forward, pushing through the crowd: "Sir Dion, please watch your words. If you insist on accusing us of refusing to speak out for justice because of the Church's protection, I have no answer. But if you intend to blame the Grand Master, then I will have no choice but to defend the honor of the Knights with my sword!"

"A duel?" Dion straightened up, his petite figure surprisingly exuding a powerful aura. "Just what I want. If something can be resolved with a sword, talking is just a waste of time!"

The tavern owner seemed to be used to this kind of thing. The tables and chairs were moved to the corner, the clutter was cleared away, and a large open space was made up in the center of the tavern.

"Place your bets! Place your bets!" The betting odds for the duel were quickly set up, and the empty boxes for placing bets were soon filled with coins. Although gambling was explicitly prohibited in Muxi Town, they did not interfere with betting on duels.

Some busybodies quickly spread the news of the duel out of the tavern, reaching almost half of Muxi Town. More and more people gathered at the tavern, gradually blocking the entire commercial street.

Once everything was ready, the duel officially began with the clanging of metal plates. Dion chose his preferred rapier, while the knight Wilder used the standard sword and shield combination.

The tavern was lit with twice the usual number of candles, and the crowd roared loud enough to lift the roof off. The spectators waved their fists and pounded on the tables and walls with whatever they could find.

Wilder raised his shield and strode closer to D'Eon, watching as his opponent lowered his hands to the ground, seemingly unconcerned. His anger rising, he took a step forward and slammed his shield down on his opponent.

This attack, evolved from combat, was devoid of any fancy moves; it was a standard combat stance. To everyone's surprise, the attack missed.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!