The flag of the Templars was flying proudly on the battlefield, and they shouted wildly to kill the fleeing enemy troops. On the surface, this battle seemed to be an overwhelming victory for the coalition forces of the Kingdom of Antioch and the Templars. , but the Duke of Flanders, the strongest pillar of the Kingdom of Antioch, was killed, and the most elite army under his command was completely annihilated, all of which cast a thick shadow over this victory. A few days later, the remaining troops of the Templars and the Duke returned to the Antioch Castle in triumph. The Templars sat proudly on their horses and waved frequently to salute the people who spread flowers around the city wall. But after the Templar team entered, they were followed by a broken army. The few flags left in the team were drooping listlessly. The soldiers walked with their heads down and dejected, like a group of walking zombies. The caravans behind were pulling dead soldiers, and almost every caravan was filled with corpses that had begun to stink. The crowd around them cried, and countless women and children rushed forward to look for their relatives who had died in the battle.
"Your Majesty, we failed to protect Your Majesty the Duke." Schwab listened expressionlessly to the report of the grenadier officers who retreated from the battlefield. At this time, the coffin carrying the body of Duke Flanders had slowly entered the building. Tik Castle, under the escort of the guards, drove directly into the palace. The royal flag in the palace slowly lowered to half, and the palace herald led the trumpeter to blow a low horn.
"Your Majesty, they have tried their best. Who would have thought that the Templars would not save them and even used Duke Flanders as a bait." Bald Otto cursed angrily.
"I know, you go down and have a rest. This is all God's arrangement." Schwab waved the officer to leave. He stood up and walked around the room. Although Schwab felt sad about the death of Duke Flanders. It is very sad, but the political situation in the Antioch Palace is extremely dangerous at this time, and Schwab must find a way to survive for himself and the Teutonic Knights.
"Your Majesty, Queen Sophia wants to see you." At this time, little William hurriedly rushed in. He looked panicked as if something had happened.
"What's wrong?" Schwab asked, frowning.
"The Templars requested that Duke Bellazon be appointed as regent. They gathered around the palace and the situation was very dangerous." Little William said hurriedly. This was the news that a maid sent by Queen Sophia took the risk to report.
"What are these hateful guys? How dare they be so presumptuous?" Bald Otto was furious. He looked at Schwab. As long as Schwab gave the order, he would lead the Teutonic Knights to kill those damn temples. Knights.
"Calm down, what's going on?" Of course Schwab couldn't be as impulsive as Bald Otto, he asked little William carefully.
"Yes, because Duke Flanders died and the regent position was temporarily vacant, Duke Bellazon immediately asked to inherit the regent position, and some Templar Knights followed him." Little William said.
"Oh, there are only a few. Where is Commander Lei Ruoda?" Schwab lowered his head and thought for a moment, then immediately asked little William.
¡°Look~~~, I didn¡¯t see Captain Lei Ruo, but doesn¡¯t the appearance of the Templar Knights just show Lei Ruo¡¯s supportive attitude?¡±
"Hmph, this cunning guy, he must be hiding in some corner to observe." Schwab immediately understood in his heart that this was a test move by Lei Ruo. If he didn't stop it, Duke Bellazon would force him into the palace. Success, but if he comes forward, he will definitely become the target of public criticism, so what should he do?
Just as Schwab was discussing with his generals, Queen Sophia was at a loss in the huge palace like a trapped animal. Outside the gate was her nominal vassal, but this vassal was leading the Templar Knights. She clamored for a reward, and besides the maid, beside the queen was the cold corpse of Duke Flanders. The queen looked sadly at the scarred old Duke in the coffin, feeling that she was about to become a dead person. The feeling of helplessness and loneliness made the queen almost collapse. She knelt under the cross and prayed to God again and again, but the answer to her was only endless silence and the noisy disputes in the world.
"Boom~~~." Suddenly the roar of horse hooves came from outside the palace, and at the same time there was the sound of intensive footsteps of infantry. In an instant, Duke Bellazon, who was outside the palace, found that he and the knights he had brought were being attacked by an army. The troops surrounded him, and he eagerly watched the flags of the troops. He wanted to see who dared to go against him.
"It's the eagle flag." The minister next to Duke Bellazon said. Sure enough, a knight wearing chain mail and a huge helmet was holding a flag. The flag was a black eagle flag on a white background.
"It is indeed him, ha, he finally jumped out." Duke Bellazon touched his beard and said to his ministers with a smile, and beside himThe Templar Knights have already put their hands on the hilts of their swords. As soon as the Templar Knights fight with the Teutonic Knights, other Templar Knights will surround them. They did not let these Teutonic Knights go. In the eyes, but at this moment, an unexpected group of knights wearing blue blouses appeared in front of people.
"Yes, it's the Knights Hospitaller. How come they are here?" People looked curiously at this strange knight order, which is said to only serve God and is composed of priests. Apart from fighting against pagans, almost no one can At the same time, no one would doubt their combat effectiveness.
"The flag is the Holy Cross pattern, which is Archbishop George." Duke Bellazon's face turned slightly pale. The archbishop he mentioned was the supreme ruler of the Diocese of Antioch, although he had never been involved in the politics of Antioch. , shut himself up in his monastery to serve the Lord devoutly, but no one could despise him, because his word could mobilize the entire Knights Hospitaller.
"Oh, isn't this the Duke of Bellazon?" At this time, an old man wearing a crimson bishop's uniform with snow-white hair and beard was riding on a white horse and slowly walked towards people, surrounding him. There were many nobles, and on his left was Schwab.
"Archbishop, why are you here?" Duke Bellazon stepped forward quickly, walked to the bishop's side, respectfully held the bishop's hand and kissed the ring on it. The Duke's face was full of flattery.
"There's nothing I can do. It's an old friend's request. Although I can't walk anymore, I have to come." The archbishop's gray eyes looked at the knights and Duke Bellazon's attendants outside the palace. Under the archbishop's gaze, Duke Bellazon's associates retreated one after another to make way for the archbishop.
"What do you mean?" Duke Bellazon asked eagerly. He trotted beside the archbishop who was dismounted and walking. This was the critical moment for him to gain the rule of the Kingdom of Antioch. How could he let an old man do it? The guys are here to destroy it.
"I have agreed to serve as the regent of the Kingdom of Antioch." The archbishop said without looking back.
"What? Who appointed it? Impossible." Duke Bellazon said in surprise. The palace was surrounded by water. Besides, the appointment of the regent must be granted by the queen in person in front of all the nobles. How could there be such an opportunity when the archbishop had just arrived.
"It is the designation of Duke Flanders. This is the will of Duke Flanders." At this time, Schwab unfolded the warrant before Duke Flanders left for everyone to see. Sure enough, the handwriting and red seal on it were that of Duke Flanders. Yes, the nobles nodded in agreement. On the one hand, Archbishop George was highly respected and it would be great to have him preside over the overall situation. On the other hand, Duke Flanders, as the designated successor during the regency, could not be more legally binding.
"I don't admit it, I don't admit it." Duke Bellazon said angrily. Seeing that the wealth in his hands was suddenly snatched away from his love, he almost lost his mind.
"Then, my dear Duke of Bellazon, are you going to commit treason?" Suddenly the archbishop stopped and turned back to look at the Duke of Bellazon. In his youth, this archbishop was as brave a warrior as the Duke of Flanders. Under his gaze, Duke Bellazon took a step back unconsciously.
"Of course I didn't mean that." Duke Bellazon's face was uncertain, his head lowered and silent.
"That's good. The pagans have not completely retreated. Saladin is still threatening our kingdom. I hope all knights and nobles will fight bravely under the glory of the Lord." The bishop stretched out his right hand, put his index and middle fingers together, and said As everyone made the sign of the cross in the air, everyone quickly knelt down on one knee to receive the Archbishop's blessing.
When the bells rang over the Royal Palace of Antioch, the new regent had taken the throne, announcing that a new era had arrived, and almost every household in Antioch Castle hung a black veil, which was a sign of sadness for those who died in the war. Archbishop George sat next to the body of Duke Flanders. At this time, Duke Flanders' body had been washed and redressed. He was wearing new armor and the breastplate was engraved with the heads of three lions. It seemed that the old Duke was in full bloom, but the Archbishop knew that his old friend was gone 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 lifted the four corners of the coffin, then walked towards the royal stone tomb, lighting various lights on both sides of the long tunnel. The extinguished whale oil torch seemed to drive away the darkness, where Duke Flanders could finally be with his brother.