Todd shrugged indifferently: "Okay, Mr. Cumberland."
The old man stroked his silver beard, looking at the still somewhat youthful face opposite him: "Father Todd, perhaps you don't know, but I've been following you ever since that inquisition. This should be the fourth time I've seen you..."
Todd interrupted in surprise: "Four times? That many?"
Cumberland counted on his fingers: "The first time was at the inquisition in the cathedral, the second time was at the Queen's dinner party, the third time was when I invited you to the palace, and this time makes it four times in total."
Todd was stunned, then asked, "The Queen's banquet? The one with the betting? Were you there?"
“That’s right. From the moment you jumped off the carriage until you left with that alien girl, I was always there.” The old knight nodded, raised one eyebrow, and a mischievous smile slowly appeared on his face. “I was wondering if you would send that girl to the Inquisition, but after seeing the convent next to the church today, I realized that my guess was right.”
Seeing the "we're both men, I understand you" expression on the old man's face, Todd didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Cumberland stood up, looked out through the blinds, and turned around with a solemn expression: "Father Todd, let's get down to business. I want to take my men to join the church and become part of Muxi Town."
Todd's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm and said, "Want to join the church? Shouldn't you have many better options than a small place like Muxi Town?"
Cumberland shook his head: "The Cathedral of St. Coe in Silver Ring City offers no refuge; those war-crazed bastards in Holy Guard City—I've fought them for so many years, there's no place for me there; and Lone Rock City is too far away. After thinking it over, only Twilight Town is the most suitable..."
Todd spread his hands toward the old knight: "Mr. Cumberland, as you can see, Twilight Town can barely protect itself from the enemies outside the town, so why should it accept you?"
“Dealing with those cavalrymen outside the town is no problem for me.” Cumberland walked to the bookshelf, took out the top 'Bible', and ran his finger across the cover, leaving a thick layer of dust on his skin.
Todd laughed when he heard Cumberland's boastful words. But Cumberland's next words made his smile freeze.
"I have a two-hundred-man infantry regiment on its way here."
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“The cavalry outside town are setting up camp,” Todd said to Cumberland. “What are your plans?”
The latter glanced at the setting sun and slowly said, "I plan to make my move tonight."
Todd doubted his ears: "Tonight? Are you sure? Your men are all wounded! Your army hasn't arrived yet!"
Cumberland extended his index finger and shook it at Todd: "War is often not just a battle between two armies as imagined. As a commander, you need to think outside the box."
Seeing the old knight's confident demeanor, Todd kindly reminded him, "I heard from Huggins that those cavalrymen are from the 'Eastern Legion,' the most elite guard force in the Silver Ring Kingdom. Your army only has two hundred men, and they are all infantry. You are at a disadvantage in terms of military strength."
Cumberland laughed heartily and said in a strong voice, "Winning battles depends on ability, not troop strength."
Seeing that the other party was completely unmoved, Todd's temper flared up: "Mr. Cumberland, underestimating your opponent and being arrogant are not good things."
The old knight patted him on the back: "That's true. You should always remember to leave yourself a way out when dealing with your enemies. However, I think the advantage is on my side in this battle."
Todd's eyes widened as he looked at the other person, puzzled.
Cumberland glanced at the church doors and said slowly, "What the enemy wants is here with me; what I want, the enemy is completely unaware of."
Todd seemed to be listening to gibberish, completely unable to understand, and hesitantly asked, "Are you sure you don't need help?"
“No need, Father. I’ve encountered far more dangerous situations than this. You might as well treat this battle as a test to see if this old man is qualified to join Twilight Town.”
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