Throne of the North.

Chapter 156: Cardinal of the Vatican
If it weren't for the royal family and the Highland Mages, Ryan would definitely not have invited Archmage McKen, because it was simple, the cost of recruiting a great mage was something Ryan could not afford at the moment.

The wealth in his hands should be used for the development of the territory and food for the army, rather than as a great wizard.

But the story of Master McKen made Ryan realize that maybe there is still a chance.

Master McKen was short of money, but he refused the royal family who could give him a lot of money. In other words, he was short of money and needed money, but Master McKen did not regard money as the first principle and bottom line.

For some reasons Ryan didn't know, Master McKen would rather give up the huge wealth that the royal family could give him.

So, some things are more important to Master McKen than money.

That's what Ryan is betting on.

The deal was reached, and when Ryan returns to the North after the Grace Festival, he will also bring Archmage McKen with him.

As time went by, Ryan took Brand and others to the most famous places in the imperial capital. His purpose was certainly not to wander around. He bought back a batch of books on knight training skills, as well as stories and legends about craftsmen's skills. As for technology, he was unable to buy any.

Then there are seeds. If the seeds of many grains and unique plants can be grown in permafrost, it will not only alleviate food pressure, but can also become cash crops and bring monetary benefits.

Ryan also wants to reach long-term deals with some chambers of commerce in terms of food.

Unfortunately, the North is too far away, and these chambers of commerce seem to have heard some rumors and don’t want to go to the North Wind Province at all.

"What's wrong?"

The chambers of commerce that Ryan approached were all white gloves under the great nobles, and only they had the ability to transport large amounts of food to the Frozen Territory.

Ryan was somewhat puzzled by the reactions of these chambers of commerce.

He wanted to ask Earl Clayton, but when he thought of his current noble status, he gave up.

Moreover, that dragon knight did not live in the Earl of Clayton's mansion in the imperial capital at all. It was unknown what important matters he was discussing with other nobles in the palace during this period.

However, a few days later, Ryan went to the Earl of Clayton's mansion.

Because the Countess also came to the Imperial City a few days before the Festival of Grace.

As a noble lady of the empire, Countess Ellie Fleming would certainly not miss such a major event as the beginning of the lordship system. If Ryan's biological mother had not been pregnant, she would have appeared here too.

"Mother."

The Festival of Grace was just three days away. During this period, the atmosphere in the entire imperial capital and the entire empire was filled with joy. Laughter and joy could be heard everywhere on the streets, and even the slaves were no longer pale and skinny.

"Ryan, how have you been doing recently? I heard that you spent a lot of gold coins in the imperial capital."

Ellie said that she didn't know about these things, but Ryan's brothers and sisters kept a close eye on him and told the Countess about it.

They were the same, mocking Ryan's title of Baron of the North, but looking at Ryan with envy and jealousy as he had become a noble.

"Thank you for your concern, mother."

Ryan refused the purse that the Countess took out, changed the subject and said:
"Mother, do you know what my father is discussing in the palace?" The countess raised her head, glanced into the distance, and then said:

"A cardinal from the Holy See has arrived to announce the arrival of the Lordship system together with the Empire."

"You know, Ryan, the struggle between the Empire and the Church has been going on."

"Before, the proposal of the Lordship system was initiated by the Empire, and together with the Holy See, it was decided that the Lordship system would appear at this year's Divine Grace Festival. In name, this was the will of the Lord of the Dawn, but in reality, it was the Empire that wanted more say."

"The Empire won that struggle, and the Church took a step back, which is why the divine power and the royal power made a joint decision in the southern land."

"But this time the Holy See has entered the Empire again, which means that the Empire has to compromise on certain things."

"Your father and the emperor are trying to find a solution. After all, if the people of the empire see that the cardinals of the Church are spreading the Lordship system on behalf of the gods, then the power of the Church is likely to revive in the empire."

"Your grandfather, as well as many nobles in the empire, have all participated in the war with the Church. They definitely don't want their efforts to be in vain."

Although Ryan had never had direct contact with the Holy See, based on his understanding of history, he could feel the horror of the Holy See from those texts.

In an era when theocracy ruled the world, even nobles had to bow down and scrape. As a noble and a baron of the empire, he certainly would not want theocracy to override him.

No, it should be said that it is absolutely not allowed.

"So, what will the emperor and his men do?"

Ryan couldn't help but ask.

Countess Ellie shook her head and said:
"I don't know either. The Empire compromised with the Holy See's arrival. This is what they agreed to. If they want to go back on their word now, I'm afraid it will be very troublesome."

Even a powerful empire cannot become the enemy of everyone, so everything it does must be justified. A war without reason would give the Vatican a handle against it.

Therefore, it is no wonder that the royal family and the great nobles were troubled by the appearance of the cardinal.

Ryan left the Earl's Mansion and just walked out of the most prestigious street in the imperial capital, he saw a long team traveling through the street and heading towards the palace.

Just by looking at the snow-white armor covering the knights' bodies, the sun emblem on their chests, and the golden cloaks behind them, Ryan felt tremendous pressure.

Even the warhorses ridden by the knights were covered in silver-white armor. The rustling sound of metal parts colliding could be heard, as if the knights' long swords were rubbing against their necks and bones, making a cold sound.

"The Holy Celestial Knights, one of the nine extraordinary legions of the Holy See. It is said that each extraordinary legion of the Holy See has the ability to destroy a kingdom."

The Holy Heavenly Knights may not be the most powerful supernatural legion of the Holy See, but it is definitely the highest-ranking knightly legion in the Holy See. They represent the will of the Lord of the Dawn and all the beautiful symbols of the Holy See. They are upright, powerful, protect the weak, never kill indiscriminately, and bring hope, which has created a close connection between this supernatural legion and the Lord of the Dawn.

It is self-evident what the Holy See, which was expelled from the empire, was thinking by sending such an extraordinary army to the empire.

Ryan could imagine that on the way to the imperial capital, this extraordinary army must have walked very slowly, so slowly that everyone they passed by could be bathed in the glory of the Holy See.

Faith is spreading, this is a new round of war between theocracy and royal power.

(End of this chapter)