"I can’t just stand by and watch them being taken away and executed..."

Man Xiu shook his head forcefully, his voice growing softer.

"Have you heard about what happened in Giant Stone City?"

Luo De slowly opened his mouth and asked, "I’ve fought my way from the Northern Territory to Giant Stone City with strict military discipline, without any massacre or looting incidents."

"But in Giant Stone City, Count Blue Lake surrendered, and the Dawn Church killed five thousand of my people."

"Were those five thousand civilians innocent?"

"I know, that Bishop Salido is a lunatic."

Man Xiu nodded vigorously, then lifted his head and said with sorrow in his eyes, "But the four young women hiding in my carriage are very kind... They have all helped wandering beggars and cared for orphans without parents."

"This is war, Man Xiu, not a play."

Luo De stared at Man Xiu and said slowly, "In war, where enemies confront each other, can you tell me which soldier is kind and which is evil?"

"As long as that soldier continues to obey the commander’s orders, he is the enemy."

"Before capturing these clergy members, I had already posted notices informing everyone that surrendering would exempt them from the death penalty."

Luo De questioned Man Xiu: "Why did they still run away? Why didn’t they surrender voluntarily?"

"Let me tell you."

"Because they wanted to escape back to serve their gods and obey their gods’ commands."

"They are still a group of soldiers following the commander’s orders."

Man Xiu lowered his head, falling into complete silence.

Because Man Xiu knew that some of what Luo De said was right.

Those four young women never abandoned their faith, which is why they fled.

And he, too, was compelled by past friendship, unable to resist providing shelter.

"I’m sorry, Lord Duke." Man Xiu’s voice was low.

"These words are meaningless, Man Xiu, ’sorry’ won’t change anything."

Luo De said with deep regret and pain: "Harboring clergy is a serious crime, not only for you, but your mother will also be imprisoned."

"Lord Duke, this has nothing to do with my family!"

Man Xiu immediately pleaded loudly: "Please don’t implicate my family, I beg you!"

With a thud, Man Xiu knelt heavily on the ground! 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Originally, it had nothing to do with the Silver Dove Clan, but according to Durant’s investigation, most of your family are believers."

Luo De stood up, helped the Silver Dove up, and let out a deep sigh,

"I don’t want to see you like this. I want to help you, Man Xiu, truly."

"But the Church is not just my enemy, sparing you requires a reason."

Luo De stated sincerely: "A reason that can convince everyone."

"What should I do?" Man Xiu asked urgently.

"I do have a way for you to make amends for your mistakes."

Luo De said solemnly: "If you are willing to save your family."

"I am willing!" Man Xiu said without hesitation.

"When Church Hunters were capturing clergy from various churches, quite a few escaped."

"But traces of their leaving haven’t been found anywhere near the border; I suspect they are still within the Empire, possibly plotting something."

The Church not only includes the Dawn Church but also others that Lusen mentioned earlier, like the Blood Concealment Association, Natural Church, Suffering Church, etc.

Luo De couldn’t prove it directly, but there was much indirect evidence showing they were all related to the Holy Council.

For example, the previous assassination attempt on Luo De.

Luo De looked at Man Xiu and said, "If you can find out where those four people hiding with your caravan are headed, perhaps Durant can find more church members."

"Then, your issue becomes insignificant."

"I will also ensure your safety, and that of your family."