The difference between Knights and Paladins. 

''Please, wait a moment, before we leave each other.'' Ludovic began

''I believe there are talents in this room, talents that need to flourish. You probably all know how pained I would be if there were wasted, and I guess it's the same for you.''

He looked at the Knights

''That's why you're all invited to join my order, the order of the 'Righteous Knights', so that your justice and strength may never leave the top. It is indeed disastrous to see how fast the world evolves nowadays, showing so much hatred and disrespect'' He stared at Leandro.

''It's true that some people here think they can do anything, bringing into this ancestral place people of poor taste, even daring to proclaim the creation of a new order of knight, putting themselves on the same level as the father of our nation.'' Leandro retorted.

''Thanks to the emperor, I've got the chance to increase the power of the Empire and Humanity as a whole. But maybe someone here thinks that fighting the Demons is useless, maybe... I don't know... for profits ?''

'I'll need to remove that part from the recording,' Ludovic thought.

Conspiring with demons. This was a terrible accusation that he would normally never dare utter.

The thing is, the person in front of him was quite weak, and the faction he belongs as opposed to that of the Saint's. And since he was her squire, he may as well attack them.

Factions was a big word though. Factions couldn't develop themselves as the imperial authority would never have accepted it. It was better to call them 'networks'. And the imperial power was the first one to use it.

''I won't let you tarnish my honor any further. Let's fight a duel.''

"I don't fight the weak''

"And would you dare to fight me?'' Another voice sounded out. She was a Great Paladin at the elementary level, who Leandro once served.

''I don't want a meaningless duel. Bet your rank and I will accept.''

''And what are you betting on?''

'' Isn't both my honor and the saint's honor enough for you? Don't overestimate yourself, I didn't provoke you yet you asked me, a Knight, to fight a Great Paladin. Jokes have limits too.''

''tss'' She agreed anyway, unable to retract her statement.

Since duels never killed, nor seriously injured - because of the supervision of a more powerful person, here the Sacred Paladin - backing down would be shameful. Fighting would at least keep one's honor.

'I shall limit a bit my power' she thought

In any case, a duel couldn't be considered victorious if death was involved. It would be considered a defeat of both sides and no ranks would ever be taken. Worse, there will be extremely important sanctions. That's why to become a 'ranker' you had to be stronger than the person who held the title.

Having a ranker title was extremely valuable for building a reputation and contacts. Although getting it the first time was the most important thing.

After that, it didn't matter if you lost it. The main point was proving one's strength

---

''You may have a foul mouth, but you do have talent. Yet you are wasting in, refusing to become a Paladin. '' She shook her head ''That's stupid''

''There is no need to any more talk''

She nodded ''Today I will show you the difference between a Paladin and a Knight. As you only understand blows-talking ''

''I can't wait to become the first knight in history to have a rank, even if it's a low one.''

The fight began before the eyes of the participants of the plaid who recorded it. But the outcome or even the notion of the fight was never released to the public.

Such was the power of the Paladins.

---

Castle of Cleppe.

A messenger from Duke Pepin had come to warn them of the measures decided in the plaid.

The situation of Cleppe being quite special, the number of soldiers that the viscount had to give away was small. As for Nirl, Cleppe didn't recruit, preferring recruits from other villages.

---

[Villager 15/2000 - Level 1 Village]

'Time flows by, huh?' Alain thought

It had been 3 weeks since last time.

After the first building, a house, was built, the villagers moved on to other buildings, perhaps more difficult to build, but also more useful.

Thus, in less than a month, both the town hall and an attic were built, two buildings that, like the inn, counted as main infrastructures. And even if Alain would have preferred to complete the quest in one fell swoop, he couldn't as resources were running out, as was time.

The forest wasn't lacking, but the rocks were beginning to run out, pushing the group to look for them further and further away. More than anything, the building now needed new resources. That was the case of both the forge and the barrack.

Meanwhile, Alain had used his new technique to its full potential, gradually recovering his strength.

Perhaps he had the strength of an apprentice knight? Or a Peak Guard level. he wasn't sure as he still didn't dare to use energy.

Fortunately, he was prepared to face the monthly quest.

During this period, the group had built a small wall of two meters, and each villager had a weapon.

In addition, the climate was extremely suitable for cultivation, and the strength of the villagers had all increased, even if only a little.

As for the weekly quest, Alain did all of them, but no reward could compete with the first one. He could occasionally get resources, but nothing more.

But Alain did learn one thing: the meaning of evolving.

To evolve meant to change, to transform yourself into something stronger, and to give it to the next generation.

And the only way to do that was by becoming a Paladin.

---

Knowledge: the sacred contract between a squire and the person he serves ends when he becomes a Paladin.