322 (1): Outsourced and Further Outsourced. We’d Win!

Windsor Castle, Royal Borough of Windsor.

Located on the south bank of the River Thames, about forty kilometers from Londan, Windsor Castle was one of the largest and oldest castles in Windsor and the Chosen Land at large. Its geographic location gave it a strategic edge. Now, it served as a royal residence and one of the Crown’s executive residences.

Queen Sophelia loved having a vacation here—correction, she loved to work here, while having a vacation at the same time.

The castle occupied a large plot of land and integrated numerous architectural styles. It had a long history and held great artistic value, standing out with its unique charm. Part of Windsor Castle was open to visitors, while most of the castle ground was strictly restricted for access. There were zones that even the royal family members would only be allowed to enter after securing a signed permit from the Queen—for example, the well-known Saint George's Church.

The white marble structures stood majestic and solemn with spires that reached high into the sky. The symmetrical geometric shapes embodied Neoclassicism, and the magnificence of the architecture inspired an awe that seemed sacred and untouchable.

The pillars and the reliefs were intricate and extravagant. The murals made with real gold, especially, were great artistic accomplishments in their own right.

It was common knowledge that the Windsor royal family and the Church of Heavenly Father had an antagonistic relationship. Over the years, they had continued to push against each other, each wanting nothing more than to stab the other to death.

Yet Saint George's Church stood out like a sore thumb in Windsor Castle, stationed by the Captain of the Order of Holy Light. Moreover, Captain Hermann was a loyal subject to Queen Sophelia and one of the two legendary mages she trusted the most.

Unlike the traitors of the Ministry of Magic, Yvette and Hermann were undeniably loyal. Even though the Lando family was now in charge, they had only ever pledged loyalty to the Queen.

They offered Auston their services by telling themselves that Auston was a qualified Prince Consort who treated Queen Sophelia well. Since he was the Queen’s husband, there was nothing wrong with serving him.

The royal family’s investment in Saint George's Church was not only evident in the Order of Holy Light and its trusty captain, but also in the fact that the church served as the royal family’s mausoleum. It had been the resting place of the monarchs over the past few centuries.

Prince Douglas, who had died of illness many years ago, was buried in the royal mausoleum.

Though the royal family and the Church of Heavenly Father were bitter enemies and insulted each other viciously, their bodies were honest, and they refused to be apart even in death.

It was absurd. However, it would make sense if the royal family had the Blood of Heaven.

We’re descendants of angels and the rightful successors of Heaven. Who do you think you are, Church of Heavenly Father? You’re only a bunch of servants who once served our ancestors. Without our ancestors, you beggars would’ve long starved to death. Yet you’re trying to rule over me now? Only in your dreams!

The sun fell toward the horizon, and the bright moon made its appearance. The church was well illuminated inside and out. A group of white-robed guards patrolled the church grounds. Due to the losses incurred from the earlier demonic attack, Captain Hermann had invested more into night patrols.

In the castle, a flag of a red cross on a white backdrop fluttered in the wind, which was closely connected to Saint George's Church. Legend had it that Saint George, a knight serving the Heavenly Father, had slain a dragon, after which the dragon’s blood pooled in the shape of a cross on the ground. That was where Saint George’s cross derived from.

Windsor’s Union Flag for the Union Kingdom was a combination of Saint George’s cross and Saint Andrew’s cross[1]. As for how much historical importance Saint George himself held...

Well, those who knew would know. Those who didn’t know, just look at Lord Guan the Second. Saint George the Second perfectly illustrated his importance in the most self-evident way[2].

Coincidentally, Wayne was known as George in his acting career. The character he played in the monster movie,

King Kong

, was named George.

It wasn’t intentional. Wallace, the director of the movie, had written the script himself, and he chose George as the character’s name because it was a common name in Windsor, like Zhang Wei in Wayne’s home country in his home world. Wayne just happened to force Auston into rebelling and transferring the royal authority to the loyal Lando family.

It was all fate, looking back.

The wind blasted tonight. Since it had rained last night, and the mist was much thinner in Windsor Castle compared to the rest of the downtown area, visibility was so good that even the rippling fabric of the flag was clearly visible.

Archibald entered Saint George's Church in a black suit. He had cautiously disguised himself, turning his blond hair and blue eyes black so that he could frame the demons if he was discovered. The demons had such a spotty track record that adding a theft wouldn’t make much difference.

His changed appearance didn’t compromise his friendly temperament. With his long black hair tied into a ponytail, warm smile, graceful expression, and gentlemanly demeanor, the patrolling knights unconsciously ignored him.

Ah, a good man. What harm could a good man possibly do? No patting-down needed. Just let him go.

Archibald met no obstruction as he walked with a smile. In the inner hall of the church, he bowed respectfully to the cross and explained the purpose of his visit. When it showed no opposition, he slowly moved further into the heart of the church.

The place was heavily guarded by four knights dressed in long white robes with golden crosses. They stood in silent vigilance while dozens of knight statues held their swords with both hands. Hermann, the captain of the knight order, watched over the place personally.

One legendary mage, four Gold-ranked mages, dozens of magical statues, and magical traps and restrictions covering the area would form such a tight defense that not even a fly could enter.

Archibald weaved through the statues and smiled at everyone he encountered, bypassing checks and questions with his personal charm. He reached Hermann without difficulty.

Hermann frowned, asking those around him, “Have you seen anyone, or maybe sensed a strange energy?”

The four knights shook their heads. They saw nothing. They advised the captain to relax and not be overly paranoid just because demons had invaded the church once.

“Perhaps I am under too much stress...” Hermann shook his head with a bitter smile, ignoring Archibald as he walked past him. He said with resignation, “Compared to her Majesty, the stress I’m under is nothing.”

The stress the Queen’s under? Auston?

x4

The four knights let their imagination run wild. Parts of their thoughts had been modified, leaving them with compromised mental faculties. They looked at each other and smiled suggestively.

Archibald wiped his forehead after passing Hermann. “Whew, my charm is too low at the moment. It’s more than enough to deal with Gold-ranked mages, but barely enough for legendary mages. He almost noticed me.”

“Hopefully, the treasure here will elevate my power further...”

Archibald disappeared into the distance.

“Bastard, why are the four of you exchanging glances like that?” Hermann pointed at the four knights and snapped. “How many times do I have to tell you that the Order of Holy Light is only loyal to the Queen? You'd better keep your thoughts under control. If I catch you again, you’ll be skinning potatoes in the kitchen.”

“Captain, you must be seeing things. We didn’t exchange even a glance.”

“Yes, Sir Hermann. You must be tired because of the stress.”

“Perhaps...” Hermann sighed, turning to make for the breakroom. “Keep watch. I’m having some water.”

Ignoring his four subordinates, who were clearly going to slack off and have a smoke, Hermann walked faster and faster toward the breakroom. Reaching the door, he barged in without stopping.

He was now covered in sweat, the exhausted look earlier evaporating. “Who is he? Why have the magical wards not been triggered when a living person walked right into the church’s forbidden ground, and why did no one see him?”

Legendary mages were all master actors. Even Hermann, known for his honesty, was skilled at acting, too. Based on his experience with the last demonic infiltration, he concluded that the mysterious man was also a demon.

Instead of confronting the man immediately, he played dumb to fool the man and came to the breakroom to activate the magical crystal, contacting the headquarters of the Ministry of Magic immediately.

Demon spotted at Saint George's Church. Please ask Prince Consort to deploy his forces.

The Windsor royal family lacked power. Outside of the Queen and the Princess, there were no other competent members. By contrast, the Lando family had a mighty army. Hermann’s first reaction was to turn to Prince Consort and Vice Minister Auston, hoping that he would deploy either the Darkness Knight or the Death Knight.

It would be most ideal if both came to their aid.

***

Minister’s office building, headquarters of the Ministry of Magic.

In the office, Auston was lost in paperwork. On his left was a stack of documents he had gone through, while the documents he still had to process piled up into small mountains on his right. Not everyone could be king.

Queen Sophelia sat across from him, sipping black tea. Her lips curled up as she watched Auston busy himself.

So, isn’t it nice to be in charge?

Sophelia hadn’t stayed the night at Buckingham Palace, worried that she would run into Wayne and Darienne as they enjoyed free meals. The free meals weren’t the problem; the problem was what Wayne might do after he filled his stomach.

Again, she had to be careful since she was the Queen + widow + defeated party + his father’s ex, and Wayne happened to like them old.

In comparison, Auston was a proper gentleman.

Sophelia had made all attempts short of wearing nothing but white gloves, but Auston always ignored her and rejected her. She hadn’t given up. Tonight, she had put on a short skirt and a pair of stockings, trying to awaken Auston’s memories from more than two decades ago.

It was a stormy night of rumbling thunder and howling wind. Inside...

Bam!

The door opened, interrupting Sophelia’s reminiscence. She pressed her skirt down and turned to the door. It was Yvette. The Vice Minister had re-assumed her image of an older woman in her fifties, dressed formally to accentuate her dignified presence.

“Yvette, what is it?”

Embarrassed, Sophelia chided silently at Yvette for not knocking. Although nothing was happening, what if something were happening?

“Your Majesty...”

You-you’re so... so...!

Yvette looked at Sophelia’s clothing with shame. It was all because of her incompetence. If she could complete the mission, the Queen wouldn’t have lowered her pride and taken matters into her own hands.

Dispersing the absurd thought, Yvette hurriedly said, “Emergency report from Hermann. A demon has infiltrated Saint George's Church in Windsor Castle. Vice Minister Auston’s reinforcements are needed.”

“Saint George’s Church?!”

1. The Union Jack that is now the national flag of the U.K. also includes Saint Patrick’s cross. The combination of Saint George’s cross and Saint Andrew’s cross is the Union Flag of England and Scotland. Saint Patrick’s cross was added when the Act of Union with Ireland was passed in 1801. Unsure if the omission of Saint Patrick’s is an intentional choice or an omission. ☜

2. Drawing a comparison between Saint George and Guan Yu. Both became venerated for their military achievements by future generations, Saint George as a military saint, and Guan Yu as a Taoist god. ☜