As soon as he finished speaking, Alfonso pulled the reins lightly, and the unicorn horse turned around gracefully.
The knights in silver armor turned their horses in unison, ready to follow their leader and leave this land where there was nothing worthy of the Holy Light.
Just as Alfonso was about to spur his horse, Ruby took a step forward.
Her eyes burned with pure admiration for the leader, and her voice carried a subtle urgency, yet was exceptionally clear:
"Captain Alfonso! Please wait!"
Alfonso pulled the reins, and his holy silver eyes turned to her, calm and unmoved.
Ruby took a deep breath and pointed at Mark, who was standing on the outskirts of the crowd, rubbing his forehead and trying to block his presence with his hands.
"Mark Stewart, a non-Holy City clergyman. During this incident, he provided crucial intelligence, disrupted the core rituals of the Enlightenment Society, and assisted us in stabilizing the situation."
"As Sister Blazing, I implore His Excellency, the Grand Master, to grant him the badge of 'Trainee Independent Inquisitor'! His abilities and... his stance deserve recognition from the Holy City!"
She spoke the last few words with some force, as if she was trying to convince Alfonso, as well as herself.
After all, she had promised Mark that she would apply for an identity with a Holy City background for him that would allow him to move freely outside.
Now that Lord Alfonso is here, it seems to be the best opportunity.
Alfonso's eyes fell on Mark with interest.
Time seemed to freeze for a moment, and the air became sticky.
Mark felt as if the two special marks deep in his soul were thrown into an icy lake. The chill was so biting that it almost froze his mind.
Finally, Alfonso raised his eyebrows ever so slightly, which was hardly a change in expression, but it made Ruby's heart skip a beat.
Then, he turned his wrist, and a silver light broke through the air, with a slight sound of breaking wind, and shot accurately towards Ruby.
Ruby instinctively reached out to catch it.
It feels cold and heavy to the touch, and is a badge with an ancient shape.
The main body is two crossed swords of judgment burning with flames, and a small Roman numeral "XIII" is engraved under the hilt.
It was the emblem of the Thirteenth Holy Knights, except that the flame was not blazing white, but had a hint of cold silver, indicating its special identity as an "intern independent inquisitor."
Alfonso looked away, no longer looking at anyone, his voice like a cold wind blowing through metal:
"Trainee Independent Inquisitor, Mark Stewart. The badge is both authority and shackles. Be careful."
After saying this, he lightly squeezed the horse's belly, and the unicorn warhorse took graceful and powerful steps.
The silver torrent started silently, and the horseshoes hit the stone slabs, making a low and rhythmic sound. It quickly disappeared at the end of the main road from Osborne Town to Dragon Slaying City, leaving only the solemnity and shock still lingering in the square.
Ruby held the cold badge and walked up to Mark.
Her black eyes stared at Mark, and her expression was extremely complicated.
There was the determination to complete the recommendation, the loyalty to Alfonso's orders, and deeper still, a strong vigilance against the lingering sense of abnormality in Mark.
"Take it." She stuffed the badge into Mark's hand, with a hint of power on her fingertips that could not be refused.
"Trainee Independent Inquisitor. Their authority is to investigate local church malfeasance and heretical activities. They can mobilize some local guard forces when necessary and have a certain degree of discretionary power. However, the final decision must be reported to the Inquisition or the direct superior of the Holy Knights."
Her voice was very low, with the unique burning breath of the Blazing Sister, almost spraying on Mark's face:
"Don't think you can do whatever you want with this badge, Mark Stewart. As the Sister of Flame who applied for this badge, I am your direct superior. I will keep an eye on you, always."
"The great name of the Thirteenth Sacred Knights must not be tarnished by any blemish. If you dare take even the slightest step... the Seraph is watching you, and my flail will show no mercy!"
Mark pinched the badge that seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, and the cold touch spread along his fingertips.
He looked at the undisguised fire of supervision in Ruby's eyes and could only draw out a helpless and somewhat self-deprecating arc.
He had never thought that Ruby could get him the identity badge of the Holy Knights.
After all, Mark didn't know that Ruby was different from Kyle. Although Kyle was the number one person in the Holy City Monastery, he had not yet joined any Holy City organization.
But Ruby was actually already a regular member of the 13th Holy Knights when she graduated.
It's just that Ruby's strength hasn't reached a high level yet, so she's not qualified to join the main group of the Knights.
Originally, Mark and Ruby's condition was to obtain the status of a priest sent out from the Holy City...
The thing in his hand now is not only a talisman but also a tight hoop.
Because when he passed by Alfonso last night, he found that Alfonso didn't seem to be as slow as other NPCs in the Church of Holy Light...
Seeing Mark's strange expression, Kyle stepped forward and patted Mark on the shoulder, encouraging him:
"Mark, congratulations! Senior Alfonso has rarely recruited apprentices since the founding of the troupe. Every outstanding non-staff member has been carefully screened and tested by him!"
"Since Senior Alfonso gave you this badge, it proves that you have his approval! Perhaps your team will become the first non-staff team of the Thirteenth Holy Knights!"
Kyle just thought that Mark was comforting him because he was worried about the future of his teammates who were not believers of the Holy Light.
There are currently thirteen holy knight orders, and the other knight orders all have powerful non-believers of the Holy Light supernumerary teams.
Kyle believed that a team led by a gifted and powerful priest would have a better chance of becoming a non-staff team of the Thirteenth Holy Knights.
But Kyle didn't know that his words made Mark's heart heavier.
"Uh, haha! I'll give you my good wishes!"
Mark gave Kyle a dry laugh and thanked him.
On the other side, Ben Fuller's face quickly turned from pale to a gloomy iron blue after Alfonso left.
He stared at the direction where Alfonso disappeared, his body trembling slightly with suppressed anger and fear.
Alfonso's words, "The remaining members of the Thirteenth Knights are now in Dragon City to clean up the remnants of the Lisbon family," sounded like a death knell in his mind.
Dragon Slaying City! The Lisbon family is finished!
The destruction of a great nobleman may not have any impact on the Holy Light Church in Dragon Slaying City.
After all, their previous interactions with these nobles were only "legitimate" ones.
But if someone from the Inquisition wants to use the Lisbon family to cause trouble... then his teacher, and he... might all be in trouble!
He must go back immediately!
Even if it's just to clean up the mess, even if it's just to distance yourself from the matter!
He turned around abruptly, not even glancing at Kyle and Ruby, not bothering to maintain his facade of compassion.
He almost stumbled towards his carriage and growled at his equally pale followers, "Let's go! Return to Dragon Slaying City immediately!"
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