Karl Franz listened to the report from his aide. By all aspects, the war was going poorly for the Carmine Kingdom, with the Holy Order’s spies estimating no more than a month to total capitulation.

However, Karl had noticed something in Lord Black. While he was rallying the banners, it seemed that he took extra care in dictating the message to Lawrence Carstein. The Holy Order had reported that Black Bay Village has evolved into something a lot more than just a village and the locals called it Tears, after the shape of the walls.

They also boasted an elite force that many locals have taken to call the Owl Guards, with one Holy Order spy claiming that they were superior to the Paladins. However, the Holy Order spy admitted that there was insufficient time for observations as the local Internal Security Department which acted as a counter-espionage agency paid him a visit and politely asked him to leave.

Karl had decided to stay behind in Everett with Lord Black’s permission as a guest. The Holy Order was a neutral party in this conflict. Though it was ironic, war profited the Holy Order though not many holy men openly spoke of this point. When a war breaks out, donations swell the coffers of the Holy Order, as many pray for peace and divine intervention. A usually miserly lord may donate generously in order to meet the priest of the local parish, hoping that he will help him negotiate with the forces sieging his keep.

Karl’s order had no need for these donations because he never completely considered himself a man of the cloth. Before being forced to pick up a sword and shield, he was a merchant and he had often followed where it was convenient.

Did he believe in the positive ideals of the Holy Order? Indeed he did, but he could care less about the other less desirable things, such as enforcing a common religion through the peninsular.

Karl privately carried out his old religion of ancestral worship, which was banned by the church. Bunch of pissants, he called them. Only those extremely close to Karl knew about his true behavior. The Holy Order often portrayed him as the unyielding crusader against heretics, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Within Karl’s small dominion granted to him by the Church, it is the most tolerant of pagan religions and overly zealous members of the Holy Order often find themselves transferred to other regions within a week.

Yet, Karl was excited. Lawrence Carstein had single handedly destroyed an undead threat that would have surely caused much chaos and destruction. And now, an elite counter espionage and an elite army?

Karl had actually brought news of the Forest Altis and the fortress Altland for Lawrence. Lawrence was to be appointed intermediate caretaker until the true heir is found – As per Lawrence’s wishes.

“Interesting man, he is,” Karl mused as he sat at the window side, diligently writing his memoirs, which his wife had instructed him to write. It was for his retirement fund, she said.

Yet, from the view from his window, he saw a group of flags. The flags bearing the symbol of a flag.

Karl grinned, putting down his quill. Lawrence Carstein had answered the call. In fact, from where Karl was sitting, he could see Kaisenberg and a small knight retinue ride out to welcome Lawrence. Just who was this man, Lawrence Carstein, then got everyone riled up?

Karl Franz donned his casual clothes, one that blended well even among peasants. Walking out, he was flanked by two paladins of the Holy Order which held beliefs similar to his. Clutched in the hands of Karl was a deed, signifying the Holy Order’s recognition of the Forest Altis and Altland as being temporarily under the care of Lawrence Carstein.

In a distance, Lawrence sneezed.

Was he falling sick? – Our level 99 guardian wondered.