Chapter 20: The counterattack begins

As one of Kaien’s closest aides, Gerard knew well that this guardian knight, though ugly in appearance and with a smile

worse than a cry, was actually a kind-hearted man who wasn’t good with words but was incredibly warm and sincere.

Whenever there were no missions, this lord would wear a thick cloak to hide his face and walk the streets.

He would:

• Give money to the poor,

• Help elderly grandmothers cross the road,

• Play pretend games with children,

• Carry water for beautiful widows.

If there was a good deed to do, he would do it.

When asked why, he never answered. But every time after helping someone, Lord Kaien’s face would light up with a joyful

smile.

Clearly, this time, Kaien had seen the soldier’s brave and noble act and couldn’t suppress the compassion in his heart. He

rushed in to save him.

But this went against the plan made by Her Holiness the Saintess.

“My lord, you acted on impulse,” Gerard said.

“It’s fine,” Kaien replied, unconcerned. “The Saintess only said to ambush the demon army from within the city. Drawing

them in like this is the same thing.”

Kaien’s relaxed tone made Gerard’s mouth twitch.

The Saintess’s plan had clearly been to lie in wait inside the city. What Kaien just said was completely twisting her

intentions!

But as a loyal knight, Gerard also understood his lord’s nature well.

It was impossible for the warm-hearted Lord Kaien to stand by and watch a brave, selfless soldier throw away his life.

But… how were they going to explain this to the Saintess later?

“My lord… this reasoning won’t hold up with Her Holiness,” Gerard said carefully.

“No worries. I’ll take full responsibility,” Kaien said.

Gerard nearly cried.

What would he do when Her Holiness punished them?

But despite the helplessness on his face, Gerard felt a deep and sincere respect in his heart.

The title of Guardian Knight was second only to the Judgment Knights in the city of Glorious Radiance. Many guardian

knights cared for their subordinates, but still carried an attitude of superiority.

To them, commoners were supposed to suffer. That was simply their fate.

But this man… this man was different.

This was why Gerard, who had already reached Level 52 and was hiding his true strength, was willing to follow Kaien so

loyally.

Kaien never judged people based on their background or appearance.

Perhaps it was because he had grown up in a ruined noble household?

Whatever the reason, Gerard had often felt grateful from the bottom of his heart that the city had a real knight like Kaien.

Even if he had to hide his level, Gerard was proud to serve under him.

The so-called “Temple Knights” were actually titles granted by the Holy Church, from the lowest rank of “Diligent Knight”

to the highest “Divine Knight.”

There were many rules to these titles, the most important being that only those who believed in the Holy Church could

receive them.

There were many powerful people among the common folk too, but without belief, they couldn’t be granted these titles.

These titles also strengthened the bearer. The stronger the title, the more buffs it gave.

These were blessings from the gods.

On top of that, Temple Knights enjoyed great honor and treatment—on par with nobility.

Gerard looked at Kaien’s back.

Kaien always stood silently in front of everyone, taking on all the hardship, yet when the struggle ended, his face would

show a relieved and joyful smile.

That smile was never for himself, but always for others.

“My lord, if we want to draw the demon army into the western part of the city, we’ll need to fight first,” Gerard said

quietly behind Kaien.

Because of Kaien’s noble character, many knights sincerely followed him.

Among all the knights in the city, only Will Kevin—the strongest knight in Glorious Radiance and even in the entire Moon

Kingdom—had more followers.

Kaien had over a thousand knights under him!

In total, the city had only about four thousand knights.

Kaien’s own unit made up a quarter of that—and they were all at least ranked Hope Knight or higher.

The lowest among them were already at Level 20.

“How’s the evacuation of the city residents going?” Kaien asked, still facing the demonized beastmen, his tone calm even

in front of tens of thousands of enemies. He didn’t even look back.

“My lord,” Gerard replied, “the western district has been fully evacuated. As per Her Holiness’s orders, we’re all hiding in

side streets and alleys. This time’s… this time’s…”

“Urban warfare. That’s what the Saintess called it,” Kaien said.

“Yes, this urban warfare will definitely give the demon army a surprise attack!”

Gerard felt admiration in his heart for the Saintess. In the past, there had never been this kind of warfare.

Whether it was the Holy Church, the elves, the dwarves, or the beastmen, all races used to fight in direct formations—

armies lined up, facing each other for open battle.

But the Saintess had come up with the idea of using their familiarity with the city’s layout to ambush the demon army.

A surprise attack from those who were supposed to be the ambushed.

This was the first time Gerard had heard of such a tactic.

Even if this kind of warfare wasn’t “honorable” by traditional standards—what honor was there in war against demons

anyway?

“Alright. In that case…” Kaien turned and looked at the hundred-plus knights behind him.

“You know my habit,” he said.

Gerard responded immediately.

“My lord, rest assured. All 137 of them have been registered. Their families all have adult siblings or children, and their

parents can be cared for. They all come from large households.”

Kaien said nothing more. He only nodded. A cold glint flickered in his eyes.

“Warriors!”

“Yes!!”

All 137 Temple Knights raised their lances high in response to their loyal commander.

Hearing their battle cry, Kaien’s expression remained calm as he stared at the countless demonized beastmen in front of

him. He raised his massive silver sword high into the air.

“Follow me… charge!!”

“CHARGE!!”

The roar of the Temple Knights shook the sky.

There were no priests, no mages, no support classes among them—but not a single knight showed fear.

137 warhorses lifted their hooves high and stamped the earth in unison.

Knight Legion Skill: Trample and Intimidate

A deafening rumble burst out. Dust shot into the air, and the 137 warhorses let out a fierce cry.

A shockwave rippled outward from the knights, and every demonized beastman it touched showed a look of terror.

Seeing their fear, Kaien let out a furious roar and raised his silver sword high—

This counterattack, led by Her Holiness the Saintess… had begun!