After personally verifying the glassmaking process, Tristan, the Holy Envoy of the Papal States, left Twilight Town.

Before leaving, he reminded Todd of something.

The Knights' jurisdiction now falls directly under the Pope's control, and Todd, as Grand Master, will have no further connection with the Silver Ring Diocese. Although his priesthood will not be revoked, all the deacons and assistants in the church will be recalled to St. Co's Cathedral.

This means that after the Holy See's official document is released in October, Todd will be the only one left in the church.

This was undoubtedly a huge blow to Todd, who had entrusted all the town's government affairs and church matters to his subordinates.

After the Papal State delegation left Twilight Town, Todd immediately gathered all available men under his command and began the first general meeting of the Twilight Knights.

Huggins (whose twelve subordinates were absent because they were responsible for patrolling the town and conducting reconnaissance), Alfonso and his three squires, Edgar and Jerry, Rachel, Carin, and even Pamela.

Todd stood before a table in the side aisle of the church, his eyes glazed over. Below, Karin and Pamela were playfully giggling; Walton, still slightly drunk and burping; Rachel, gracefully munching on a pomegranate; Alfonso, unsteady on his feet and needing support; and little Jerry, looking completely dazed…

With his mind buzzing, Todd buried his face in his hands.

Good heavens! These people are the entire core of the Twilight Knights...

Forcing himself to remain calm, Todd produced the Papal Edict and explained to everyone what had happened in the past few days. Some were excited, some were shocked, and some looked bewildered. He then explained the current situation in Twilight Town and the Knights' predicament to everyone present, and posed three major questions:

1. What do we need most right now?

II. How can we obtain what we need?

III. What should we do now?

Todd had some ideas about how to answer these three questions, but he still wanted to hear everyone's opinions. He couldn't count on Karin, Edgar, or Jerry; he placed his hopes more on Hudgens and Alfonso.

Alfonso spoke first, saying, "I used to read church books, which described the rise of the Church Knights. In the early days, the Knights were mostly funded by donations from secular kingdoms, and their members were recruited through tours, speeches, and visits."

“Raising funds and recruiting personnel through parades is a good idea.” Todd thought of his “performance skills” and considered that this might be a good method. He stroked his chin and asked, “How long would it take to build up combat capability this way?”

Alfonso recalled, "According to written records and historical accounts, if everything goes smoothly, it should only take about ten years."

"ten years?!"

Todd shook his head frantically. Considering his alien identity, if the Twilight Knights could only form a fighting force in ten years, they would have been wiped out long ago.

Huggins spoke second: "The Knights can also persuade nobles to join, and the latter's property and military strength can directly become the Knights' fighting force."

How to persuade nobles to join the Knights?

It sounded good, but Todd had to abandon the idea because of his terrible relationship with the Silver Ring nobles.

"Commander-in-Chief, do you have any contingency plans regarding funding and personnel?"

Todd looked at the woman who had spoken, his brow furrowing. After the envoy left Muxi Town, he reflected on everything that had happened in the past few days. The words and actions of Rachel and Tristan made him feel that something was amiss in the recent events.

Rachel had said she would help him resolve the troubles with the Knights and the Crystal Relic, and coincidentally, Tristan appeared with the decree.

No sooner had the Papal States delegation arrived than Rachel told herself that alien refugees were hiding outside the town.

Before he and the refugees even entered the camp, they ran into Tristan.

So many coincidences.

Todd, bewildered and with a face full of speculation and doubt, stared at Rachel. The latter showed no sign of guilt; instead, she smiled, straightened her back, and puffed out her chest, her wide nun's robe instantly creating a close-fitting silhouette, revealing her shapely figure without any concealment.

Todd blushed, looked away, and coughed lightly to appear calm: "I can figure out a way to handle the funding, but personnel is a big problem. Especially the administrative staff of Muxi Town and the Knights, there's simply no way to find replacements in a short time."

Rachel tilted her head, seemingly unconcerned about the issue: "Sir, have you forgotten something? There are many such talents, and you should know many of them."

Todd was confused: "Who?"

The woman twirled the cross on her chest with her index finger: "Have you forgotten the place where you once studied?"

Todd thought for a moment and then it dawned on him.

After assigning tasks to everyone, the first Order of the West meeting ended hastily. As Todd walked out of the church, he decided to carefully consider how to persuade those monks who spent their days only chanting scriptures and studying to join the Order of the West.

A figure blocked his way.

Looking up, he saw the Superintendent of the Convent standing in front of Todd, a familiar yet troubling smile on her face: "Superintendent, do you have a moment? Let's talk?"

————————————

Led by Rachel, Todd stepped into the convent for the first time.

The convent was a two-story brick building, not very large. The upper floor was where the nuns rested, and the lower floor was where they worshiped and ate.

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