I was a knight in the Middle Ages

Chapter 353: Vatican Knight, Alpha's Surprise

Alpha raised his lips in disdain, and uttered the words "nothing special", then stood still and looked around at the eight warriors lying on the ground groaning. At this time, Graya, who was not far away, also came over breathlessly, dragging her knocked-down opponent, the Iron Man Marta.

"Don't overestimate yourself. We have a thousand men here. How many can you kill?" The captain's eyes flashed with surprise, but he didn't look panicked at all. In his opinion, this was the main camp of Lista, their absolute territory. There were a thousand warriors in front of them, and there were another three thousand warriors behind them as a solid backing. They were never afraid of provocation or invasion from anyone.

Alpha's eyes flashed, and the aura around him suddenly sank. "I can kill you at any time. Take me to see that guy Manster." As soon as he finished speaking, his figure moved instantly like a ghost, and in the blink of an eye he appeared behind the captain, with a fierce murderous intent pressing straight at the back of the captain's neck.

"We are Lista warriors. We will not succumb to any threats." The captain gritted his teeth. Although he knew in his heart that he was no match for the opponent, as the pride of Lista, he would never surrender under threats and obey the opponent's orders.

Just as the two sides were deadlocked, a deep and majestic voice suddenly sounded: "Bring them up." In an instant, a suffocating pressure came like a tidal wave, covering everyone's heart. Everyone felt as if their bodies were pressed down by an invisible mountain, unable to move, and dared not even think of resisting.

The moment Alpha heard this voice, his face suddenly changed, and the first thought in his mind was to run away. He knew that the owner of this aura was definitely not a master that he could currently contend with. However, just as he was about to make a move, a familiar voice interrupted him coldly: "Just try to run."

Alpha's pupils shrank, and he forced himself to calm down, focusing his eyes to look at the end of the city wall. There, a vague figure that made him feel cold was looming. Helplessly, Alpha could only bite the bullet and continue to move forward.

"Follow me if you want." Alpha knew that the situation was extremely critical at the moment, and he didn't know how to deal with the difficulties that followed, but he also understood that if he left these people behind, he would undoubtedly send them to death.

To his surprise, Graya, Nasha, Naya, Silina, and a thirty-something woman he was not familiar with followed him without hesitation. Alpha felt mixed emotions and secretly made up his mind that no matter what was waiting for them ahead, he would do his best to keep everyone alive.

The night was as dark as ink. Alpha, escorted by the guards of the Lista main camp, stepped into the core area shrouded in heavy shadows. The moment he stepped into the secret room, his nerves instantly tensed up, and his eyes, which had been slightly narrowed, suddenly widened, full of disbelief.

Because, in this secret room, the tall Athena was standing in the flickering candlelight, and next to her, a middle-aged knight with a stern face exuded a murderous aura of a veteran. The appearance of these two people made Alpha's heart surge with surprise like a surging tide, and he couldn't help but blurt out: "Lady Athena, why are you here?"

Athena looked calm, as if she had not heard the surprise in Alpha's words. She turned slightly to face the middle-aged knight and said softly, "This is Paladin Philx, and he is also Knight Arthur's teacher."

"Arthur's teacher?" Alpha was shocked, and the structure of the Church instantly emerged in his mind. He clearly remembered that the Church's highest decision-making body was composed of the Twelve Knights of the Round Table, which was the power center of the entire Church and the real core strength. At that moment, he looked at Philx with a little more respect and scrutiny.

Philx raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a faint smile, and said: "Boy, it seems that you know a lot of things. No wonder Arthur specifically told me to guide you well." It is not difficult to hear from Philx's tone that he values ​​Arthur very much, and now that Arthur attaches so much importance to Alpha, this also makes Philx pay special attention to the young man in front of him.

Athena turned her head slightly, her eyes fell on a few women not far away outside through the narrow gap in the secret room. She frowned slightly, and said with a hint of reproach in her tone: "It seems that no matter where you go, there are always women around you." In her opinion, Alpha might be flirting with other women again.

Alpha shook his head slightly, his expression full of helplessness and determination, and said: "They are just a group of ordinary people who yearn for light and survival. In such a desperate situation, how can I watch them die and remain indifferent?" Alpha knew in his heart that since these people chose to follow him, he had the responsibility to take care of them. This was his bottom line as a man with conscience.

Athena nodded slightly, her expression turned serious, and she asked, "Let's get back to the point. What exactly are you doing here?"

Alpha took a deep breath and said solemnly: "I am here for the refugees. You should know that the Lista bandits are entrenched on the route that refugees must take. They are like roadblocks, causing great obstacles to the refugees' progress. I came here to solve this thorny problem." Alpha's eyes revealed great determination, without any intention of concealing anything.

Athena's expression became more solemn when she heard this. She stepped forward and advised earnestly: "I advise you not to interfere in this matter. The conflicts of interest and power here are far more complicated than you think. With your current ability and power, you can't properly resolve it." Athena was really worried about Alpha. She knew very well the darkness hidden behind this matter.

Alpha frowned, with a stubborn light flashing in his eyes, and said: "No matter how deep the water is or how complicated the situation is, can I just watch these refugees lose their lives on their way to the light? I can't do it!" In Alpha's heart, saving the refugees from water and fire is his unshirkable responsibility.

Philx listened to the conversation quietly and shook his head slightly, as if he didn't want to get involved in the dispute. He sighed and said, "Athena, you explain to this kid." After that, he turned around and strode out of the secret room, leaving the secret room to Alpha and Athena.

"Alpha Knight, you should know that this is the birthplace of the Church. All the people on this land are God's people. Neither the Church nor the Italian Empire will allow them to leave this place." Athena explained to Alpha with a solemn expression. In her opinion, the people of the birthplace of the Church chose to flee, which was undoubtedly a blatant provocation to the authority of the Church, like a loud slap in the face, which made the Church lose face.

"If they had a choice, why would they leave their homes? Why would they embark on this death tunnel?" Alpha clenched his fists, his joints turning white from the force. In fact, the moment he learned that this matter was related to the Holy See, Alpha knew in his heart that he might not be able to do anything in the face of such a huge force. But at this moment, he was filled with resentment and had nowhere to vent it, so he could only vent it through such seemingly powerless words.

"Why did you push these innocent people into despair and send them to that cruel execution ground?" Alpha tried to calm himself down, his eyes full of questions. The word "you" was filled with his deep disappointment and dissatisfaction with the Church.

"Execution ground?" Athena was startled when she heard this, and a trace of surprise flashed across her face. But soon, she reacted and suddenly realized, "You mean the place of holy war!" Her eyes dimmed instantly, and she fell silent. For a moment, she didn't know where to start.

"Nothing can come into being out of thin air, and the conservation of energy is an iron law of the world. If we want to cultivate powerful knights, there must be corresponding sacrifices to provide the indispensable energy." At this moment, Philx walked in with steady steps. His voice was low and calm, as if he was stating something very ordinary.

Philx spoke obscurely, but how could Alpha not understand? In an instant, he felt a surge of anger rushing to his head - it turned out that those innocent people were used as cannon fodder in the war, and became tools for the entire battlefield to provide knights with upgraded energy. Alpha's heart was churning, he really couldn't accept such a disregard for human life, but looking around, facing the huge power of the Holy See, he felt deeply powerless, clenched his fists, but had nowhere to go.

"They just long for light and want to live in peace. As knights, we are supposed to protect the weak and those who believe in us, not push them into the abyss of death!" Alpha could no longer suppress his anger and roared loudly. However, there was only deathly silence in response. In the empty room, only his voice kept echoing. He knew in his heart that such a deep-rooted rule could not be changed by one person.

"You and Arthur have very similar personalities." Philx sighed slightly, his tone full of desolation. Arthur was his favorite student that he had personally trained, but he failed in the end. This past was always a regret that he could not erase from his heart.

"I will definitely change all this. I swear to change the corrupt rules of the Church!" Alpha's eyes were firm, with an unyielding light in them. At this moment, he had clearly realized the responsibility he shouldered. This world is full of too much injustice and darkness, and someone has to stand up, speak for those weak voices, and fight for justice.

"Then I'll wait and see what you can change." Philx's tone was calm, with neither sarcasm nor encouragement, as if he was just a bystander, or a silent witness to the changes in history.

"Before Arthur left, he asked me to give you a gift. Now, it's time to deliver it." Philx's face was as calm as water. For a long time, he had been indifferent to the complicated things in the outside world, but he always kept Arthur's request in his heart, because Arthur was his former self. He had forgotten the promise he made in his youth, but this promise was passed on again and again.

"What gift?" Alpha's emotions gradually calmed down after hearing this. He knew that the corrupt rules he opposed had no direct connection with Philx in front of him, so he couldn't vent his anger on him. He had to look at all problems rationally and not let his loved ones feel pain.

"The power of discipline. As the master of the Ring of Killing and one of the ten Knights of the Round Table, I have the ability to activate the power of discipline hidden in you." Philx said slowly, his voice low and powerful. The discipline he controls is killing. This special ability is undoubtedly a great limitation for the extraordinary Knights of the Round Table. After all, with their powerful strength, they can kill countless lives with just a slight raise of their hands, but he cannot kill at will. Every killing will reduce and weaken his strength.

"Ten Knights of the Round Table? I heard there were twelve Knights of the Round Table, right?" Alpha frowned slightly and asked casually. In fact, he just said it casually based on his vague memory from the future.

"Originally, the Church did have twelve Knights of the Round Table. But as time went by, there are only eight left. And you have been appointed as the ninth Knight of the Round Table by the Church. However, you should know that without sufficient strength to support you, even as a Knight of the Round Table, you will not have much say." Athena looked at Alpha with doubts in her eyes. She really couldn't understand why the Pope would choose Alpha, who seemed weak. In her eyes, Alpha was not only weak, but also a little lazy. He was always unwilling to make progress in his training to improve his strength...

"Where are the other Knights of the Round Table now?" Alpha asked casually out of curiosity. In fact, Alpha didn't care about it at all. After all, that was beyond Alpha's ability.

"Two Knights of the Round Table went to the Ottoman Empire, but their behavior seriously violated the rules of the Church and they were expelled. But the bad thing is that they took the Holy Ring with them when they fled, which made it impossible for the Church to replenish the Knights of the Round Table. As for the last Knight of the Round Table, it was the Pope himself." Philx explained patiently. These words surprised Alpha greatly, and at the same time, they finally made him understand why the Ottoman Empire was able to defeat the Church with the power of the Holy Ring.

"I will grant you the ability to strengthen your five senses. If you really want to change the current rules of the Church, you must make yourself stronger as soon as possible." Philx's words revealed his dissatisfaction with the current rules of the Church. But he knew in his heart that it was almost impossible to change all this with his own strength. However, helping Alpha might bring a glimmer of hope for change.

Alpha was puzzled and couldn't help asking Philx, "Lord Philx, as far as I know, isn't the interval for granting the power of discipline between three and ten years? What's the point of this?"

Athena took over the conversation and patiently explained, "Alpha, in fact, the power of discipline itself does not have a so-called time limit. This statement is just a special test given to the knights by the Church, the purpose is to let them stick to their original intentions while waiting and constantly temper their willpower. The real limit is the ring of discipline. It cannot provide power to the knights endlessly, so the time limit is set to screen out those knights with weak wills who cannot withstand the test."

After a short pause, Athena continued to add: "However, the reason why the three-year time node is emphasized is that only after three years can the power of the commandments be maximized. If the interval is too short, the energy contained in the previous power of the commandments has not been completely consumed, and the newly granted power of the commandments will be superimposed on it, and the two will share all the energy. In this way, the power of the commandments cannot be fully exerted. But fortunately, we have successfully broken through the limits of our bodies before, and this process just happened to consume the remaining power of the commandments in our bodies. Therefore, now we can completely accept the baptism of the next round of commandments without being restricted by the three-year time limit."