"Waiting left, waiting right, they still haven't come. Could they really be collecting evidence to convict Lord André?"

In a monastery by the docks below High Castle City, slugs crawled on the damp ground.

Yet, the two officers inside the room were unconcerned, still gathered around a round table, pouring wine into white porcelain cups treasured by the monastery.

Upon hearing his friend Bether's remark, an officer with bandages wrapped around his chest laughed in heavy Falan-accented Leia language: "Lord André holds military power, and the Border Knight Order is within arm's reach. Do they dare to make any moves?"

"These days, those country monk folks write letters to that person every day, don't they?" Bether picked up a piece of salty ham and tossed it into his mouth.

The injured officer didn't respond, merely looked up at the river, doing so every quarter of an hour.

Through the quatrefoil-shaped glass window, one could see the serene surface of the Silver Mantis River.

Aside from a few small merchant boats passing by, there were only ferries and small fishing rafts left.

Bether reached out to pat the shoulder of the injured officer: "Socette, don't take it lightly. I snatched a letter and read it; there's nothing pleasant in there."

This old subordinate of André merely took a sip of wine, indifferent: "We believe we're guiltless. If we hadn't expanded the army and integrated Shangruifo County, the Border Knight Order would have advanced long ago.

Lord André has been saying since last year that the Leia people would increase their troops, and you didn't believe it. And here they are, right?

According to what you said, regardless of how the Saint's Grandson behaves, he's definitely a smart man. He's not going to convict Lord André just yet."

"That one seems kind-hearted, but is ruthless inside." Horn's performance on the bloodless night left quite a psychological shadow on the Mountain Knights, who still dared to refer to him only as "that one."

Even the invincible Her Highness Moliat fell and is still under house arrest.

Lowering his eyes, Socette poured a blob of black pear syrup into his wine.

This is a unique drinking method from the Falan Storm Cape, where they produce plentiful but small and astringent pears.

So, the locals make a paste of pears and herbs, then add it to mead, achieving an effect similar to hops.

After drinking the pear wine, Socette began speaking slowly: "At least this one is willing to show a humanitarian front. The two in Huaqiu City and Holy Seat City don't even bother with appearances."

Puliano from Holy Seat City mobilized the Border Knight Order to attack inland; Socette is witnessing it firsthand now.

As for the one in Huaqiu City, Socette, a Falan, surely knows Grandiva's nature well enough?

"What will you do if Lord André is convicted after the war?"

"Go back home to inherit the family estate."

Bether was momentarily speechless, having forgotten that Socette before him came from a silk merchant family in the Storm Strait.

However, his family is just a first-generation silk merchant, yet to transition from merchant to nouveau riche.

This Socette attended Lundba University's Administrative Academy in the local area.

This type of academy is referred to by the Falans as the "cradle of Prime Ministers," especially the Administrative Academy at New Bridge University.

Strangely, though, as a wealthy merchant's son, Socette did not choose to gain promotion by becoming the King's Tax Collector or a courtier—

In Falan, marriage alliances, buying titles, and serving the King are the three main paths for merchants transitioning to new nobility.

But Socette chose to join the military.

Unfortunately, his father's status as a wealthy merchant meant that the baronet title (a lifetime non-hereditary title) purchased was not recognized by the land-nobility-dominated Falan Army system.

After four years at the position of company commander (a unit of 300 men), he chose to retire.

After that, he worked as a mercenary, sailed ships, and served as both a tax collector and a noble courtier.

This time, he was initially in the Thousand River Valley for business, but ended up being retained by André and directly appointed to the position of City Guard.

Who would've thought that the military rank ceiling in Falan would become the starting point in the Thousand River Valley for him.

During the defense of Bear Chomping Castle, he achieved notable merits and is expected to be promoted one more level, becoming a corps commander of the newly organized troop.

André has never been stingy with rank when it comes to these old Falan subordinates.

As Bether continued his rambling, Socette, who had once more looked up to observe, suddenly stood up.

"It's here."

"What is?"

"Your Pope from the Thousand River Valley."

...…

With carts and horses and baggage arriving at the edge of the dock square, André, having received the news, rode swiftly over.

He had barely made out the silhouette when his hearty laughter rang out: "Valent Taylor, you brat, you've kept me waiting."

Before the warhorse had steadied, André swung off and strode forward, giving Valent Taylor a big embrace.

The surrounding soldiers, officers, and Wandering Cultivators peered curiously.

Exchanging names of the unfamiliar monk, it was only after a moment someone realized.

"Oh, isn't that the leader of the Saint Sun's Army, also claimed to be the Western Border Guardian Pope..."

Western Border Guardian Pope... Upon hearing this title, the few Falan officers nearby couldn't hold back their V-shaped grins.

André hadn't held back on tales of his past misadventures after drinking, and seeing the real person, they could finally comprehend somewhat.

Compared to André's enthusiasm, Valent Taylor was much cooler.

He lightly patted André's back, signaling him to let go: "Encountered rain en route, delayed by a few days."

André seemed oblivious to the coolness, stepping back and gazing at Valent Taylor with some sentiment: "I invited you several times for assistance, and you refused. I thought you really wanted to become an ascetic."

"Had His Holiness not specifically requested me, I would indeed still be an ascetic now." Valent Taylor said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "It's only because the Shangruifo County Monastery is incompetent that I must intervene!"

Upon hearing Valent Taylor's remark, many Priestly Order monks who had earlier seemed pleased were taken aback.

How did the report backfire?

"No, the Shangruifo County Monastery performed extremely well, our cooperation went wonderfully."

"You don't need to speak on their behalf." Valent Taylor turned to face the monks, taking a few steps toward them, "His Holiness entrusted Shangruifo County to you, is this how you repay him?"

"Lord Valent Taylor..."

"I ask you, with fields clearly being cultivated, why report them as wasteland?

With the border's wool trade back on track, even if it's smuggling, why not report it? Are you waiting for us to come before you remedy it with a report?

The Shattered Stone Plain is in chaos, you transported wool to South Mangde County, but what about the tariffs?

I heard you even bowed to those vagrant leaders and listened to them. Whose monks are you?!"

After a few sentences from Valent Taylor, the Priestly Order felt wronged, yet those officers were already breaking out in cold sweat.

André awkwardly laughed, pulling Valent Taylor towards himself: "Look at what you're saying, they are all good lads, we all raise the flag for the Saint Sun; we all belong to His Holiness the Pope.

In my heart, there is only one sun, His Majesty Pope Horn!"

Valent Taylor shot the monks a glare, then grabbed André's arm in return: "You did well, holding the front of Shangruifo County. His Holiness even praised you as a good man, wondering how to reward you."

"Oh, overpraised, without the Saint Sun, what is André today. Why don't I see His Majesty Saint Sun?"

"The Saint Sun had matters to attend to and disembarked early."

"Oh—" The sharp-eyed officers behind noticed André's neck hairs stood up, "Then just as well, let's gather first."

"First, official business. Is your Priest Chief Keke present?"

"Indeed."

A man wearing a short cape stepped forward, lifting it to reveal a Cheka badge: "Lord André, please assign someone to guide us."

"What does this mean?" André looked at the bright badge, his eyelids twitching.

"Don't you know?" Valent Taylor handed André a warrant, "The former Priest Chief Keke was incompetent, lacking in faith principles, extremely disloyal to the Imperial Court Order, dishonest in explaining to the Monastery inquiry, resisting Cheka investigation, and has been ordered by His Holiness to be suspended for investigation, with me temporarily taking over as Priest Chief of the Iron Fist Battle Group."

Seeing André dumbfounded by the warrant, this time Valent Taylor warmly clasped his hand: "Brother André, you and I are teaming up once again."