May's spring breeze trims the distant mountains of snow, revealing the dark green rock walls.

On the mountainside, the spruces resemble a dark green velvet carpet, extending to the foot of the mountains, yet transforming into a sea of goose-yellow gorse flowers.

In the flower sea, rows of beehives are placed, while the beekeepers press down their sun hats and gaze towards the foot of the mountains.

Military boots made of leather or fabric over soft heels step through the diamond-like streams, creating countless ripples and splashes.

Navy blue or dark gray knee-length jackets, white ribbons of the Close Guard Cultivators, and brown mules loaded with supplies.

On the emerald green field, these color patches form a dragon-like procession, slowly advancing.

Due to the scorching sun, and not marching in enemy territory, most soldiers do not wear iron helmets.

Knowing that once the sun shines on it, that iron helmet can roast a whole head.

According to the prevailing fashion of the Thousand River Valley Holy Alliance, it's actually modified civilian clothing; the War Monks mostly wear wide-brimmed felt hats.

Most of them would be wearing a thin cloth slimming coat and trousers bound at the calves.

This was a leftover habit from the mountain new army, allowing soldiers to walk further distances.

No matter how hot the weather gets, everyone at most just unbuttons their coats, but no one takes off the coat.

In the eyes of the Thousand River Valley People, wearing just a shirt is considered home apparel.

Anyone seen on the street wearing only a shirt, most of them are some sort of hooligan or disreputable person.

So even in the countryside, "decent folk" farmers at least wear a vest no matter how hot it gets.

On the hillside beside the procession, sentinels wave signal flags to command the march.

Not far from the sentinel, His Holiness the Pope is wearing only a shirt, bending over and washing his face by the stream.

After watching for a while, Boned can't bear it and carries a vest over: "Your Holiness, you'd better wear this."

"Oh, thank you." Said Horn, taking off his shirt and, under Boned's bewildered gaze, wearing the vest without anything underneath.

"Ah, so much cooler, you sure understand me well, Boned."

Boned holds the shirt, his expression complex, not knowing what to say for a moment.

How is this any different from streaking?

Compared to all previous Popes in history, this exceptionally young farmer Pope before him is clearly the most uninhibited.

After washing his face, Horn mounts his horse, swiftly descends the hill, and nonchalantly crosses the marching crowd.

Not feeling ashamed, he even sings loudly, drawing much attention from the soldiers.

Seeing the Pope's bold attire, soldiers, though initially astonished, soon began to jest with laughter.

"Where's the Pope's clothes?"

"Was the Pope's clothes stolen?"

"With that outfit standing at our village entrance, no one would dare ask you for directions."

"Don't talk nonsense, okay?" Horn slows his horse by pulling the reins, "Those wearing just a shirt are the hooligans, I—I'm wearing a vest."

Watching Horn's back, Boned turns to look at Lauren beside him: "The Pope can still laugh, huh."

Though acquainted with Horn for long, Boned cannot help but be amazed.

Since his family severed ties and he accepted his fate, he planned to share weal and woe with the Thousand River Valley Holy Alliance.

Upon hearing Bear Chomping Castle is precarious, urgently needing support, Boned was so alarmed he couldn't sleep at night.

Bear Chomping Castle and the rear Wolf Pit Castle are merely forty kilometers apart by mountain path, with Bear Chomping Castle at the entrance and Wolf Pit Castle at the exit.

Should Bear Chomping Castle fall, attacking Wolf Pit Castle next leaves only one defense line.

The Border Knight Order has dispatched twenty thousand to assault Bear Chomping Castle; failing timely support would let border knights break through...

Boned doesn't dare imagine the consequences!

Horn's bond with the Thousand River Valley Holy Alliance is deeper than his.

Yet Horn can still laugh without concern.

"But that's His Holiness." Lauren, leading his horse after drinking, mounts by grasping the saddle.

Boned sighs, likewise mounting, the two pursuing Horn.

Saying pursue, but they're really just trailing from afar.

They haven't followed for long when Bether, once Jia Li's favored general, steers his horse to them.

Bowing to the two, he asked: "Regarding the Border Knight Order's news, have you informed His Holiness?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Boned and Lauren exchanged looks, then grimace: "His Holiness read your report, said it's well written, and already had Secret Monks studying it."

"Has His Holiness changed his mind?" Bether pressed on relentlessly.

Lauren glared at him: "Didn't you see us heading north? His Holiness's intention isn't something you can change."

Bether clenched his teeth, his cheeks twitched, and he returned to the ranks without bothering to salute.

He can't help but look at Horn leading the horse ahead, his disdainful gaze unmistakable.

That day the Saint's Grandson attacked High Castle City, publicly suppressed André, and quietly replaced the Iron Fist Battle Group's positions.

Despite falling out of favor, Bether still held some respect in his heart.

Now seeing closely, the Saint's Grandson remains so arrogant!

Despite knowing the Border Knight Order's strength, he decides to move north, occupying Ladan Castle!

At a time like this, regardless, support for Bear Chomping Castle should be provided.

The Border Knight Order is not like those Noble Alliance Army but has fought vampires, centaurs, and ogres long-term on the borders.

In fact, there's a sizable Centaur Cavalry Corps within the Border Knight Order.

These Centaur Cavalry are the grassland overlords, frequently raiding the Royal Court.

Bether has firsthand witnessed these centaur cavalry; since the Border Knight Order's arrival, they have clashed several times on the border.

Among these centaur cavalry, there are Large Heavy-Armored Centaur Batu of golden bloodline, and regular Centaur Archie.

Batubear heavy armor, wielding double-edged axes, even withstanding revolver equipped by Iron Fist Cultivators.

Archies are smaller, more agile mounted archers.

Their riding skills are akin to Khan's potion skills as adults.

Their battle address, Archie harassed or lured, Batu hammered with force, round after round, breaking formation of Iron Fist Cultivators.

Comparatively, Border Knight Order's own Knights are mostly noble second sons without titles.

Through years of practice, their breathing techniques and extraordinary martial skills may fall short of Leia's Noble Knights.

But their battle experience, especially major troop combat experience, is far greater than the Noble Alliance Army eternally occupied with policing wars.

Were the Iron Fist Battle Group to solely hold, their quantity and strength certainly couldn't hold Bear Chomping Castle, at most passively defending Wolf Pit Castle.

Without Bear Chomping Castle's outpost, Wolf Pit Castle's defense would result in heavy casualties.

Should the Guard Battle Group assist, saving Bear Chomping Castle, both would suffer losses, albeit minimal.

Weighing pros and cons, supporting Bear Chomping Castle is optimal strategy.

Yet this Pope chose to turn towards Ladan Castle.

Why didn't the Border Knight Order take Thorn Garden's shortcut to attack Bear Chomping Castle, but instead detour for Ladan Castle?

Bether trusts his report articulated clearly.

"This Pope is truly too selfish."

"What did you say?" Bether's attendant beside him was full of bewilderment.

Bether glanced at him: "Didn't you see? This Pope claims to trust the Iron Fist Battle Group but actually has no faith at all.

He insists on heading to Ladan Castle, merely for two purposes: to intimidate our brothers in North Mangde County, and to deplete Iron Fist Battle Group's strength.

I'm compelled to admire, yet this method, hmm, I despise!

If it were Her Majesty Moliat, she would never employ such devious tricks!"

Bether's voice was not loud, but the attendant hastily covered his mouth in fear: "Do you want to die? How can you say this here?"

Knowing Bether's temper, the attendant constantly stayed by his side the following two days, fearing he'd speak without caution.

Until they reached the border vicinity, and a message arrived—Bear Chomping Castle fell.

No matter how restrained, Bether couldn't help but curse: "Incompetent Saint's Grandson!"