Chapter 57: The Palace

On the battlefield, the flags of the Templars were flying proudly, and they shouted toward the running enemy. On the surface, this battle seemed to be the overwhelming victory between the Antioch Kingdom and the Templars. However, the most determined pillar of the Antioch Kingdom, Duke Frandel, was killed, and the most elite army under his command was completely annihilated. All this cast a thick shadow on the victory. A few days later, the remaining troops of the Templars and the Duke returned to the Antioch Castle, and the Templars sat proudly on the war horses.

, frequently waved his hands to pay tribute to the people who were spreading flowers around the city wall. However, after the Templars entered, a broken army followed behind. The few flags left in the team were hanging listlessly. The soldiers walked with their heads down and their heads down. Like a group of walking corpses, the caravan behind were dragging dead soldiers. Almost every caravan had corpses that had begun to smell. Crying sounds were heard in the crowd around them, and countless women and children rushed forward to find their relatives who had died in battle.

"Master Earl, we have not protected the Duke." Schwab listened to the report of the grenadier officer who had retreated from the battlefield expressionlessly. At this time, the coffin carrying Duke Frandel's body had slowly entered the Antioch Castle and drove directly into the palace under the escort of the guards. The royal flag in the palace slowly fell to half. The palace commander led the trumpeter to blow a low trumpet.

"Master Earl, they have tried their best. Who would have thought that the Templars would never save them and even regarded Duke Frandel as bait." Bald Otto cursed indignantly.

"I know, you go down and rest. All this is God's arrangement." Schwab waved his hand and asked the officer to retreat. He stood up and walked in the room. Although Schwab felt very sad about the death of Duke Frandel, the political situation in the Antioch palace was extremely dangerous at this time. Schwab had to find a way out for himself and the Teutonic Knights.

"Sir, Queen Sophia asked to see you." At this time, Little William rushed in, his expression panicked, as if something had happened.

"What's wrong?" Schwab asked with a frown.

"The Templars asked the Duke of Bellason to be regent. They gathered around the palace, and the situation was very dangerous." William said hurriedly. This was the news that a maid sent by Queen Sophia came to report.

"What are these hateful guys, how dare they be so arrogant?" Bald Otto was furious. He looked at Schwab. As long as Schwab gave his order, he would take the Teutonic Knights to kill the damn Templars.

"Calm down, what's going on?" Schwab certainly couldn't be as impulsive as bald Otto, he asked William carefully.

"Yes, because Duke Frandel was killed, the regent was temporarily spared. Duke Bellason immediately demanded to inherit the regent, and some Templars followed him." said William Little.

"Oh, there are only some, where is the big commander Lei Ruo?" Schwab lowered his head and thought for a moment, and immediately asked William Xiao.

"Well~~~, I didn't see Commander Lei Ruo, but the appearance of the Templars shows Lei Ruo's supportive attitude?"

"Hmph, this cunning guy must be hiding in some corner to observe." Schwab immediately understood in his heart. This was a test of Lei Ruo. If he didn't come forward to stop him, the Duke of Bellason would succeed in forcing the palace, but if he came forward, he would definitely become the target of public criticism. What should he do?

Just as Schwab was discussing with his generals, Queen Sophia was at a loss in the palace like a trapped beast in the huge palace. Outside the gate was her nominal vassal, but this vassal led the Templars to clamor for rewards. Beside the queen was the cold body of Duke Frandel. The queen looked sadly at the scarred old duke in the coffin, feeling that she was about to become a dead person. Such helplessness and loneliness made the queen almost collapse. She knelt under the cross and prayed for God, but the answer was only endless silence and the noisy disputes in the world.

"Boom~~~." Suddenly, the roar of horse hooves came from outside the palace, and the dense footsteps of infantry sounded. The Duke of Bellason, outside the palace, found that he and the knights he brought were surrounded by a force. He was eager to see who dared to oppose him.

"It's the eagle flag." The minister beside the Duke of Bellason said, indeed, he held a flag from the hand of the knight wearing a chain armor and a giant helmet. The flag was a black eagle flag on a white background.

"It's him, ha, he finally jumped out." The Duke of Bellason touched his beard and said to his minister with a smile. The Templars beside him had already put their hands on the hilt of the sword. As long as the Templars fight against the Teutonic Knights, the other Templars will be surrounded. They did not take these Teutonic Knights seriously, but at this moment, an unexpected knight in a blue hood appeared in front of people.

"Yes, it's the Knights of the Hospital, how could they appear here?" People looked at this strange Knights that were said to serve God only and were composed of priests. They could almost no one command except fighting with pagans, and no one would doubt their combat effectiveness.

"The flag is, the pattern of the Holy Cross, Archbishop George." The Duke of Bellason's face turned slightly pale. The Archbishop he spoke of was the supreme ruler of the Antioch diocese. Although he never cared about Antioch's politics and locked himself in his monastery to serve the Lord devoutly, no one could despise him, because his words could mobilize the entire hospital Knights.

"Oh, isn't this the Duke of Bellason?" At this time, an old man wearing a crimson bishop's uniform and white hair and beard slowly walked towards the people on a white horse. There were many nobles around him, and to his left was Schwab.

"Architect, why are you here?" The Duke of Bellason hurried forward, walked to the bishop's side, respectfully holding the bishop's hand and kissing the ring on it. The duke's face was full of charm.

"There is no way, it's the advice of an old friend. Although I can't walk anymore, I have to come." The Archbishop looked at the gray eyes. The knights surrounded outside the palace and the attendants of the Duke of Bellason, under the archbishop's gaze, the Duke of Bellason's accomplices retreated one after another, giving way for the Archbishop.

"What do you mean?" asked the Duke of Bellason anxiously. He trotted beside the archbishop who was dismounting. This was the critical moment for him to gain the rule of the Antioch Kingdom. How could an old guy destroy it?

"I have agreed to be the regent of the Antioch Kingdom." The archbishop said without replying.

"What? It's impossible for anyone to appoint it." Duke Bellason said in surprise. The palace was surrounded and the people were in trouble. Besides, the appointment of the Regent must be personally granted by the Queen in front of the nobles. How could the Archbishop have such an opportunity just now?

"It was the designation of Duke Frandel, this is the will of Duke." At this time, Schwab spread the handwriting and red seal on it for everyone to see. Sure enough, the handwriting and red seal on it were from Duke Frandel. The nobles nodded in agreement. On the one hand, Archbishop George was respected and it was better to have him in charge of the overall situation. On the other hand, Duke Frandel had the most legal effect as the designated successor during the regent.

"I don't admit it, I don't admit it." Duke Bellason said furiously, seeing the wealth in his hand, he was suddenly snatched from his love, which made him almost lose his mind.

"So respected Duke of Bellason, are you going to treason?" Suddenly the Archbishop stopped and turned to look at Duke of Bellason. The Archbishop was a brave warrior who was as famous as Duke Frandel when he was young. Under his eyes, the Duke of Bellason took a step back unconsciously.

"Of course I don't mean that." The Duke of Bellason's face was gloomy and he lowered his head without saying anything.

"That's good. The pagans have not completely retreated. Saladin is still threatening our kingdom. I hope that all the knights and nobles will fight bravely under the glory of the Lord." The bishop stretched out his right hand, put his index finger and middle finger together, and drew a cross in the air to everyone. Everyone quickly knelt down on one knee to receive the blessings of the Archbishop.

When the bells rang over the Antioch Palace, the new Regent had ascended the throne and declared that a new era had arrived. Almost every household in the Antioch Castle hung black veils, which was a sadness for the death of the battle. Archbishop George sat next to Duke Frandel's body. At this time, Duke Frandel's body had been washed and redecorated, wearing new armor, and the heads of three lions were carved on his chest. It seemed that the old duke seemed to be heroic, but the Archbishop knew that his old friend was no longer forever, and the burden that crushed his old friend was now on his shoulders.

"Regent, the time has come." The guard lowered his head and said softly to the Archbishop.

"Oh, okay." The Archbishop raised his head from his contemplation and nodded to the guards. The four guards slowly raised the four corners of the coffin, and then walked towards the royal stone tomb. On both sides of the long tunnel were the immortal whale oil torches that seemed to drive away the darkness. Where can Duke Frandel finally be with his brothers.

...
Chapter completed!