Evolution: From Little Devil to Devil Empress

Chapter 155: King of Knights [11] - Nobles

In response to her question, which seemed more rhetorical than truly seeking an answer, Liora didn’t respond.

She only lightly shook her head.

Seeing this, Diana didn’t show any surprise. She had already known the answer and had already guessed her purpose in visiting her.

”What do you want? You should know that you will never get any secrets of the Holy Church out of me.”, Diana stated, her voice solemn and calm despite her turbulent inner emotions.

Liora didn’t waste any time. She jumped straight to the topic.

”What do you know about the nobles of the Iron Armor Empire? Do you think that there should be anything I should know?”, she asked.

Hearing this set of questions, Diana breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as Liora didn’t ask for the Holy Church’s secrets, she wouldn’t hesitate to answer.

A flicker flashed in her eyes as she opened her mouth and spoke:

”Hmm...”

”If you want to know about the nobles, then we should first speak of the two major ones: Duchess Lobelia and Duke Dandelion.”

”I believe that you should already know that most nobles are either powerful Knights appointed by the Royal Family or people whose descendants followed the Founding Emperor.”

Saying this, Diana paused for a brief moment. She then continued:

”However, the latter people are very few at the moment. Apart from a couple of mostly unknown Barons, only the titles of the two Dukes have been continuously passed down.”

As Liora listened to Diana’s next explanation, she figured out what she meant.

Essentially, the ancestors of Duchess Lobelia and Duke Dandelion were once followers of the Founding Emperor, fighting with him against the beasts when he first established the Iron Armor Empire.

Because of their achievements, the Founding Emperor granted them the title of Duke, a title that had been passed down to their descendants over the last couple of centuries.

”But although they both share the title of Duke, these two are completely different.”, Diana sneered, her voice filled with contempt.

”Duchess Lobelia is a hero of the Empire and of all the common people. She has worked hard throughout her life in order to keep the attacking beasts at bay.”

”If it were not for her hard work, the areas of the Empire bordering the Ancient Beast Wilderness would have long gone down.”

”On the other hand, Duke Dandelion is the complete opposite. A coward who only lives based on the glory of his ancestors. Hmph! It’s a miracle that he even managed to reach the Great Knight rank.”

”Who knows just how many resources he consumed to have such an achievement...”, Diana sneered. Her disdain for Duke Dandelion was clear and undisguised.

Yet, when she mentioned Duchess Lobelia’s name, her eyes shone with admiration.

This was true despite the fact that the Iron Armor Empire and the Holy Church could be considered enemies.

”Of course, you should understand the difference between Great Knights. Duchess Lobelia has long reached the peak of the Great Knight rank. As long as she obtains a Bloodline Seed and accommodates it, she should be able to become a King of Knights.”

”But Duke Dandelion? He will remain as the weakest of Great Knights for the rest of his life!”

Surprisingly, the mostly silent and aloof Diana seemed to hold great opinions regarding the Duke and Duchess.

It truly seemed like she could go on for hours.

It was only after she coughed and asked further that Diana finally shut up.

She then began explaining the situation of the other major nobles.

Diana mostly talked about the Marquises and Earls, only mentioning the most powerful of Barons.

After all, she believed that for a Great Knight like Liora, such people should not hold much importance.

Under her explanation, Liora soon obtained an overall picture regarding the situation of the nobles in the Iron Armor Empire.

Although Diana’s words were not to be absolutely trusted and she would have to confirm what she said with Eleanor and other people later, it was good enough for now.

Just when Liora nodded her head in satisfaction and was about to put Diana back to sleep, Diana couldn’t help but raise her head.

She asked the question that had been plaguing her mind:

”Are you planning to come into contact with the Empire’s nobles? That’s right! With your strength, only such people might be of help to you.”, Diana prefaced before arriving at her true purpose.

”If you want to learn more information, you can pay a visit to Duchess Lobelia. Just mention that you are sent by the Holy Church. You know... the Holy Church and the Duchess have a very close relationship—”

Before Diana could finish her words, the Devil Runes surrounding her flashed with a crimson light.

The next moment, the array began operating, activating a strange power and putting her to sleep.

Until the end, she could not say what she wanted to.

Still, her last words remained fresh in Liora’s mind.

However, just like the rest of Diana’s words, she wouldn’t truly trust them.

”With the power that the two factions—the Holy Church and the Necronomicon Sect—command, it is obvious that they are related to the major nobles. After all, even Baron Bloodshield was involved with the Necronomicon Sect.”

”It can be imagined that the two cults’ power is spread throughout the Iron Armor Empire. Common people, nobles, and perhaps even members of the Royal Family.”

But it remained to be known if Duchess Lobelia truly had a relationship with the Holy Church, or if Diana was merely trying to mislead her.

”It doesn’t matter. No matter what her purpose is, I will sooner or later find out.”

”With my current strength, I only fear the unknown Devil and the few Kings of Knights hiding behind the scenes. Otherwise, my strength is enough to protect myself.”, Liora whispered.

Then, with a move of her mind, the space in front of her parted, and she exited the Space Orb.