When Mo Tan logged on again the next day, a certain piece of news had, as expected, spread throughout Patto City. This wasn't hard to guess, as this small, unregulated city rarely had any major news all year round. The topics of conversation for the common folk after meals usually revolved around recent business, weather, and harvests, as well as their proud Knight Academy.
However, truly explosive gossip was limited, and in recent years, there had been few stories about couples secretly going to someone's inn, or a teacher giving a student private lessons until dawn, or two good friends exploring the small forest late at night. After all, as the public's eyes became sharper, the anti-espionage capabilities of those involved were also gradually strengthening…
But just yesterday, Patto City finally welcomed a unique and monumental event in recent years: Dave Sager, a second-year student from Patting Knight Academy, returned to the city with a grotesque and terrifying monster head!
In less than half a day, almost everyone in the city knew what this devout young student had done.
He was one of the members of the Warm Sun Squad, which had been wiped out some time ago, and the only survivor from the claws of two monsters that had appeared outside the city for no reason. Many people had even witnessed Dave collapsing, covered in blood, in front of the city gate.
He was a devout believer, adopted by the Holy Church United since childhood, and worshipped the God of Courage and Justice.
In the eyes of others, he was a diligent disciple, a kind senior, a friendly classmate, and an honest young man.
After the incident, many people were concerned about Dave's condition. Not to mention the severe injuries he sustained, just imagining him crying tears of blood, wailing that he couldn't save his companions, made others feel pain for him.
At the same time, they were even more worried about whether those two terrifying monsters outside the city would one day rush into Patto City and go on a rampage…
But now, everything was resolved.
Only when he returned to the city did everyone know what had truly happened. It was said that as soon as Dave's injuries slightly improved, he immediately ran to the Bishop, pleading to be allowed to avenge his companions and investigate why Red Ridge Beasts had appeared nearby. He also refused any accompaniment, firmly wishing to carry out everything himself.
“Death or pain is far less cruel than spiritual torment. I should have died there with them. I hope you can forgive my willfulness. I have already written my will. If I am destined to return to the embrace of God, I hope to fall with glory.”
For some reason, this sentence he spoke before his departure was spread, becoming positive educational material cited by many parents when teaching their children. However, most of them would add at the end: “Kid, if something like this really happens to you in the future, we must run away quickly!”
Pity the hearts of parents who love their children…
Getting back to the point, the Bishop of Patto City immediately refused Dave's request and told him to rest and recover. After some time, the Holy Church United and the Knight Academy would jointly send people with him to investigate outside the city.
However, Dave made a declaration in front of the idol in the chapel and received the approval of the God of Courage and Justice.
Finally, just as Mo Tan had predicted, these Theocrats were too superstitious. As soon as they saw divine light radiating from Dave, their attitude immediately shifted. They performed a temporary consecration for him, allowing Dave to carry out his revenge as a Holy Church Knight. This was partly to commend his fearless actions, and partly because Holy Church Knights receive divine power bonuses when carrying out actions like 'revenge'.
An extra chance of survival is always good…
And after much thought, the Bishop also instructed several Holy Church Warriors to dig a tomb behind the chapel, practically preparing for every eventuality.
As a result, Dave actually returned alive in the evening, and even brought back the head of one of the Red Ridge Beasts, stating that there were no other dangers outside the city besides those two monsters, which greatly relieved the public…
The Holy Church United almost immediately announced Dave's miraculous achievement, attributing eighty percent of the credit to the gods, and incidentally filling in the recently dug pit in the chapel's backyard.
Dave Sager became a hero.
For the common people, his righteous act was a topic of great discussion; for the Knight Academy, he was the bravest student and role model in years; for the Holy Church United, he was a devout believer favored by God.
And so…
“And so, the youngest Holy Church Knight in this place is about to be born.” Mo Tan chuckled softly, “Even with all his concerns, he wouldn’t miss such a great opportunity, even if it means taking some risks.”
At this moment, he was in a room on the second floor of the Woodland Residence tavern, surrounded by Cole, Little Ai, and Madam Lei Duo. Just a moment ago, Cole had generally explained the situation to Mo Tan, and the content was exactly as he had expected.
“Then let me confirm.” Seeing that none of the three spoke, Mo Tan wagged his index finger and continued, “You’ve all remembered what I told you yesterday, right?”
He had logged off at the Woodland Residence yesterday. Before switching accounts, he had already generally told Cole and the others his guesses and plans. The situation was indeed exactly as he had previously guessed, so there was nothing that needed to be changed on the fly.
Cole nodded with sharp eyes and said in a deep voice, “I have no problem.”
Little Priest Ai next to him also clenched his small fists: “Me too…”
Madam Lei Duo, the flower elf, hesitated for a moment, then finally shrugged and said, “I hope you are right.”
“I share your hopes, madam.” Mo Tan bowed slightly exaggeratedly, then turned and walked towards the door: “Then, see you this afternoon~”
At this time, there were less than seven hours until Dave Sager's baptism ceremony. If nothing unexpected happened, he would soon become a true Holy Church Knight, with a religious rank in Patto City second only to the Bishop.
…
Patto City, Thieves' Guild
Five hours until the ceremony begins.
Mo Tan, in a white robe, walked out, a smile in his eyes.
Half an hour later, two great Thieves disguised as travelers quietly left Patto City, sweating profusely as they galloped north.
…
Patto City, Central District
Three hours until the ceremony begins.
A petite figure appeared in front of the Holy Church Chapel. She first looked left and right, and upon finding no acquaintances nearby, took out a sun god Tisu emblem and pinned it to her chest. Then, under the curious gaze of two Holy Church Warriors, she took small, quick steps and walked in with her head down.
…
Patto City, Central District
Two hours until the ceremony begins.
A young man dressed as a commoner arrived at the square between the City Hall and the Holy Church Chapel. He squinted slightly under the dazzling sun, casually found a stone chair, sat down, and soon drifted off to sleep.
…
Patto City, Woodland Residence Tavern
Two hours until the ceremony begins.
Lei Duo tightly locked the shop door, walked to the innermost room on the second floor, raised her hand to unlock the magic lock, and pushed the door open to enter.
Five minutes later, she emerged from the room, having changed out of her previous casual clothes into a emerald green magic robe, on which at least three sets of enchanted fluctuations of attributes surged. Her slender hands, which in recent years had mostly been busy with plates, wine jugs, and cups, now held a large magic staff carved with seven crystal petals.
Sitting on the green wooden stairs adorned with flowers and leaves, Lei Duo suddenly smiled playfully and whispered, “Perhaps I will soon be fighting alongside you again. I feel my heart… beating a little fast…”
…
Patto City, South District, Black Wheat Inn
Two hours until the ceremony begins.
The middle-aged boss, with a messy hair, lay in a rocking chair and sighed deeply. Then he vigorously slapped his cheeks, which were always a bit red from years of heavy drinking, and stood up unsteadily, waving his dirty large hand forcefully backward.
Bang!
A strong gust of wind swept by, and the wooden door, which was usually wide open, slammed shut and embedded deeply into the door frame, more effective than any lock.
Bayes Wenger, Cole's uncle and also the Vice Captain of the former Night Owl mercenary group, stood silently for a long time, then walked into his small bedroom next to the counter.
When he came out, he had changed into a set of blood-bronze armor that, though appearing somewhat old, still exuded a sharp feeling. He also had two crossing giant two-handed hammers hanging on his back.
“God knows why that kid wants to be a Thief.” Bayes clumsily poured himself a cup of cheap ale, drank it in one gulp, and remained silent for a long time. Finally, he clenched his fist slightly: “Warriors are a man's romance, huh… Although becoming a warrior doesn't necessarily make you manly enough, I suppose…”
…
Patto City, Central District, Holy Church Chapel
One hour until the ceremony begins.
At this time, almost all idle clergy were gathered here, all praying in low voices. In front of them was a snow-white rectangular container filled with clear water.
As a large number of devout believers prayed, this clear water gradually emitted various colors of mist.
The method of creating the Water of the Gods is not difficult; it simply requires believers from different denominations within the Holy Church United to pray simultaneously in the manner of creating holy water. After all, this is merely a symbolic existence. While it contains some divine power, it certainly doesn't possess miraculous effects like extending life or invigorating meridians. At most, it's… somewhat beneficial for health?
Of course, for (lawful/good-aligned) blasphemers, Necromancers, Evil Cultists, and followers of opposing deities, it is quite lethal.
After a while, Bishop Morf announced the end of the prayer, then personally filled a crystal bottle with holy water and left the chapel with a large number of believers and Dave, who had been in the prayer room since last night.
Some other believers also used pre-prepared containers to collect a small amount of the remaining Water of the Gods before leaving, as this item was quite rare, and afterward it would mostly be used for watering flowers, so leaving too much would be a waste.
However, one young girl actually got a whole large basin, which was a bit startling.
“Um, hey, little sister.” The Half-Orc ‘little’ priestess with mammoth bloodline looked down at the somewhat unfamiliar sun god believer and kindly whispered, “Taking too much of this is useless…”
The girl smiled sweetly at her: “It's a rare opportunity, I want to share it with my relatives and friends so everyone can feel the glory of God.”
“Tsk tsk.” The mammoth girl clicked her tongue: “That makes sense, oh, right, I remember I should have two tea-making buckets in my room!! ”
With that, she ran off with a clatter.
…
Patto City, Central Plaza
Thirty minutes until the ceremony begins.
Dave and Bishop Morf were exchanging pleasantries with the early-arriving populace. The former didn't speak much, mostly just smiling shyly. His left arm was wrapped in bandages, and faint dark red bloodstains could even be vaguely seen through them—naturally, these were injuries sustained from directly confronting two brutal monsters earlier, a warrior's badge of honor.
Just then, City Lord Naji and Internal Affairs Director Lang En also arrived from the City Hall, escorted by guards, their faces beaming with enthusiastic smiles.
The City Lord was naturally happy; after all, the news of large monsters outside the city had kept him awake for several nights. Now, not only were the monsters dealt with, but during his tenure, a heroic figure like Dave had emerged. How could he not be happy?
Mr. Lang En was also very happy. According to how things were developing, he was confident that he could dispose of the fat man next to him within a year. Then, with Dave, who was a Holy Church Knight, working from the inside and outside, he could quickly turn the Holy Church United in Patto City into the stronghold of the Whisper Sect!
As long as that disgusting bottle of Water of the Gods was replaced, it could basically be considered a great success…
Otherwise, if Dave were to spontaneously combust in public, that would be a huge spectacle.
“City Lord.” Lang En whispered into Naji’s ear, “I think you should exchange more pleasantries with our hero now, after all, he is the future Holy Church Knight…”
Lang En was right!
Upon hearing this, Naji immediately hurried towards the approaching Bishop and Dave, spreading his somewhat narrow arms, his mouth practically stretching to his ears.
Meanwhile, Lang En quietly moved to the side of the temporarily erected altar and softly mumbled something to the Holy Church Warrior guarding it…
…
Ten minutes until the ceremony begins.
A young man feigning sleep on the outskirts of the square suddenly found a large water bladder at his feet. He immediately tucked it into his embrace and quickly blended into the surrounding crowd of people who had specifically come to witness the ceremony, or rather, to watch the spectacle.
…
Central District, a dimly lit room
Five minutes until the ceremony begins.
Mo Tan looked at a black paper covered with strange symbols in his hand, laughing loudly and heartily, his eyes filled with pure joy and excitement. At his feet, a man dressed as a guard lay in a pool of blood, his eyes, pressed against the floor, already vacant, but a trace of confusion and pain still vaguely remained within them.
A bell suddenly chimed in the distance…
Mo Tan leaned down and pulled out the dagger from the corpse's back, smiling as he licked the corner of his mouth.
“The show is about to begin~”
…
Patto City, Central Plaza
At 2 PM, the baptism ceremony of the ‘hero’ Dave Sager officially began!
Chapter 38: The End