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A/N: This chapter is dedicated to my loyal reader "@Its_Praveen" Thank you for the super gift of a castle yesterday.
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Another in the entourage of holy knights knelt next to Sir Rutger. He closely scrutinized the crest emblazoned on his pauldron.
"You are not from the temple or part of the clergy…" he exclaimed, shock evident in his tone. "This is the seal of the emperor. You are one of the king's personal guards?"
Rutger forcefully withdrew his arm from the grip of the other knight. "I am solely dedicated to serving the temple of Iahan—fully devoted to its cause. Unlike you, Duke Thayer, there have been whispers and rumors circulating about your intentions and what you are..."
The Duke reached out and clutched onto Rutger's hair, dragging him to kneel before the pope and the loyal knights of the holy order.
