Chapter 38

Chapter 38: The Ritual Begins

When Mo Tan logged back in the next day, a certain piece of news had already spread throughout Pato City as expected. This wasn't difficult to guess, after all, this lawless little town rarely had any major news throughout the year. The topics of conversation among the common folk after meals mostly revolved around recent business, the weather, harvests, and the knight academy they took pride in.

But truly explosive gossip was limited, and in recent years, there had rarely been news about which couple had secretly gone to someone's inn, which instructor had given a student extra lessons until the early morning, or which pair of close friends had explored the woods late at night. After all, as the eyes of the public grew sharper, the counter-espionage abilities of those involved had also gradually strengthened...

However, just yesterday, Pato City finally welcomed a unique and monumental event in recent years. Dave Sager, a second-year student of Parding Knight Academy, had returned to the city carrying a ferocious and terrifying monster's head!

In less than half a day, almost everyone in the city had learned exactly what this devout young student had done.

He was one of the members of the Warm Sun Squad that had been completely wiped out some time ago, the sole survivor from under the claws of two monsters that had inexplicably appeared outside the city. Many people had even witnessed with their own eyes the scene of Dave, covered in blood, collapsing at the city gates.

He was a devout believer, adopted by the Holy Alliance 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 were worried about Dave's condition. Not to mention the severity of his injuries, just imagining the scene of him shedding bloody tears and wailing about his failure to save his companions was enough to make others' hearts ache for him.

At the same time, there was even greater concern about whether those two terrifying monsters outside the city might one day charge into Pato City and go on a killing spree...

But now, everything was resolved.

It wasn't until he returned to the city that everyone learned what had actually happened. It was said that as soon as his injuries had slightly improved, Dave immediately ran to the bishop and begged, asking to be allowed to avenge his comrades and investigate why the Red Ridge Beasts had appeared nearby. He also refused any accompaniment, insisting on carrying 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 last will. If I am destined to return to the embrace of the god, I hope I can fall with honor."

For some reason, these words he had spoken before his departure were leaked and became a positive example quoted by many parents when educating their children. However, most of them would add a line at the end: "Kid, if this kind of thing ever happens to you in the future, you'd better run away quickly!"

Ah, the love of parents everywhere...

Back to the main topic, it was said that the bishop of Pato City immediately refused Dave and told him to rest and recover properly, waiting until the Holy Alliance and the Knight Academy could send people to investigate outside the city together with him after some time.

But Dave had made his declaration before the statue of the god in the church and received the approval of the God of Courage and Justice.

In the end, just as Mo Tan had speculated, these religious fanatics were all too superstitious. The moment they saw divine light radiating from Dave, their attitudes immediately did a one-eighty, and they performed a temporary conferment for him, allowing Dave to carry out his revenge as a Holy Church Knight. On one hand, this was a reward for his fearless actions; on the other hand, Holy Church Knights receive divine power bonuses when undertaking actions like 'revenge.'

A little extra chance of survival was always welcome...

And after thinking it over for a long time, the bishop even instructed several Temple Knights to dig a grave in the back of the church, practically preparing for every eventuality.

As a result, by evening, Dave actually returned alive, and he even brought back the head of one of the Red Ridge Beasts. He also stated that there were no other dangers outside the city besides those two monsters, which greatly relieved the public...

The Holy Alliance almost immediately announced Dave's miraculous achievement, attributing eighty percent of the credit to the deity, and conveniently filled in the freshly dug pit in the church's backyard.

Dave Sager had become a hero.

For the common people, his righteous deed was a tale to savor; for the Knight Academy, he was the bravest student and role model in years; for the Holy Alliance, he was a devout believer favored by the god.

And so...

"And so, the youngest Temple Knight in this place is about to be born." Mo Tan chuckled softly. "No matter how many concerns he has, he won't miss such a golden opportunity, even if it means taking some risks."

He was currently in a room on the second floor of the Forest Abode Tavern, surrounded by Cole, Little Ai, and Madam Leiduo. Just moments ago, Cole had given Mo Tan a rundown of the general situation, which had not deviated from his expectations at all.

"Now, let me confirm something." Seeing that none of the three seemed inclined to speak, Mo Tan shook his index finger and continued, "You all remember what I told you yesterday, right?"

He had logged off at the Forest Abode yesterday, and before switching characters, he had already outlined his guesses and plans to Cole and the others. The situation had turned out exactly as he had predicted, so there was no need for any last-minute adjustments.

Cole nodded with a sharp gaze and said in a low voice, "I'm ready."

Little Ai, the young priest, also clenched her small fists. "Me too..."

As for Madam Leiduo, the flower elf, she hesitated for a moment before finally shrugging. "I hope you're right."

"I share that hope, madam." Mo Tan gave an exaggerated bow, then turned and walked toward the door. "See you this afternoon~"

At that moment, 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, second only to the bishop in Pato City's religious hierarchy.

...

Pato City, Thieves' Guild

Five hours until the ceremony.

Mo Tan, dressed in a white robe, walked out from inside, a smile in his eyes.

Half an hour later, two travelers disguised as Grand Thieves silently slipped out of Pato City and galloped northward, drenched in sweat.

...

Pato City, Central District

Three hours until the ritual begins.

A petite figure appeared before the Holy Church. She glanced around, found no familiar faces, pinned an emblem of the Sun God Tisu to her chest, and then, under the curious gazes of two Temple Knights, shuffled inside with small steps, head bowed.

...

Pato City, Central District

Two hours until the ritual begins.

A young man in commoner's attire arrived at the square between City Hall and the Holy Church. Squinting slightly under the blazing sun, he casually found a stone bench and sat down, soon dozing off.

...

Pato City, Forest Abode Tavern

Two hours until the ritual begins.

Leiduo firmly locked the tavern door, walked to the innermost room on the second floor, raised her hand to undo the Magic Lock, and pushed the door open.

Five minutes later, she emerged from the room, having changed out of her previous casual clothes into an Emerald Green Mage Robe, its surface rippling with at least three sets of Enchantment Fluctuations. In her slender hands—which had spent recent years mostly handling plates, jugs, and cups—she now held a Giant Staff Carved with Seven Crystal Petals.

Sitting on the green wooden staircase adorned with leaves and flowers, Leiduo suddenly smiled playfully and murmured softly, "Maybe I'll soon be fighting alongside you again... I feel like my heart is beating... a little fast..."

...

Pato City, Southern District, Black Wheat Inn

Two hours until the ritual begins.

The middle-aged innkeeper with a messy nest of hair lay on his rocking chair and let out a deep sigh. He then slapped his cheeks, reddened from years of heavy drinking, staggered to his feet, and swung his grimy hand backward with force.

Bang!

A gust of wind swept through, and the wooden door, usually left wide open, slammed shut, embedding itself deeply into the doorframe—more effective than any lock.

Cole's uncle, also the former Vice-Captain of the Night Owl Mercenary Corps, Bayes Wenger, stood in silence for a moment before walking into his small room beside the counter.

When he emerged, he had changed into a set of Blood-Copper Battle Armor—worn but still exuding a sharp edge—with two crossed Giant Two-Handed Hammers slung across his back.

"Who knows why that brat wants to be a thief," Bayes muttered, clumsily pouring himself a cup of Cheap Ale. He downed it in one gulp, fell silent for a long time, and finally clenched his fist slightly. "Clearly, being a warrior is a man's true romance... though, becoming a warrior doesn't necessarily make you manly enough..."

...

Pato City, Central District, Holy Church

One hour until the ritual begins.

Nearly all available clergy had gathered here, all murmuring prayers in low voices. Before them stood a Snow-White Rectangular Container filled with clear water.

Accompanied by the prayers of numerous devout believers, this basin of clear water gradually emitted a hazy, multi-colored glow.

The method of creating the Water of the Gods was not difficult; it only required believers from different sects within the Holy Alliance to pray simultaneously in the manner used to create Holy Water. After all, it was more of a symbolic existence, containing a trace of divine power, but it had no miraculous effects like prolonging life or invigorating the body. At best, it was... somewhat healthful?

Of course, for (Lawful/Good-aligned) blasphemers, necromancers, heretics, and believers of opposing deities, it was still quite lethal.

After a while, Bishop Mofu declared the prayer over. He then personally filled a crystal bottle with the Holy Water and, accompanied by a large number of believers and Dave, who had been staying in the prayer room since last night, left the church.

Some believers, before leaving, used containers they had prepared in advance to scoop up a small amount of the remaining Water of the Gods. After all, it was still a rare commodity, and since it would mostly be used for watering plants later, leaving so much would be a waste.

However, one young girl actually took a full, large basin of it, which was a bit shocking.

"Hey there, little sister," said the half-orc 'little' priestess with mammoth blood, looking down at the somewhat unfamiliar Sun God believer and kindly whispering, "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 the gods."

"Tsk, tsk," the mammoth girl clicked her tongue. "Makes sense. Oh, right! I think I have two buckets for brewing tea in my room!"

With that, she ran off with a loud 'clang, clang, clang.'

...

Pato City, Central Square

Thirty minutes until the ritual begins

Dave and Bishop Mofu were exchanging pleasantries with the citizens who had arrived early. Dave spoke little, mostly just smiling shyly. His left arm was wrapped in bandages, and faint traces of dark red blood could be seen beneath them. Those were, of course, the wounds he had sustained from directly confronting two ferocious monsters earlier—a warrior's badge of honor.

Just then, City Lord Naji of Pato City and Interior Steward Lang En walked over from City Hall, accompanied by their guards, both wearing warm, beaming smiles.

The Lord City Lord was naturally delighted. After all, the news of the giant monsters outside the city had kept him from sleeping well for several nights. Now that the monsters had been dealt with, and a hero like Dave had emerged during his tenure, how could he not be happy?

Sir Lang En was also pleased. Following this development, he was confident that within a year, he could dispose of that fat fool beside him. By coordinating with Dave, who was about to become a Temple Knight, he could turn the Holy Alliance in Pato City into the Whisper Sect's stronghold in no time!

All he had to do was swap out that disgusting Water of the Gods, and the plan would be as good as done...

Otherwise, if Dave were to spontaneously combust in public, that would be a real disaster.

"Lord City Lord." Lang En whispered softly into Naji's ear, "I think you should spend more time chatting with our hero right now. After all, he is the future Holy Church Knight..."

Lang En is absolutely right!

Upon hearing this, Naji immediately strode quickly toward the bishop and Dave who had come to greet him, spreading his arms that were a bit narrow in reach, his mouth nearly splitting to his ears with a grin.

Meanwhile, Lang En quietly slipped over to the other side of the temporarily erected altar and murmured something to the Temple Knight standing guard before him...

...

Ten minutes until the ritual begins

A young man who had been feigning sleep on the outskirts of the square suddenly noticed a large waterskin that had inexplicably appeared by his feet. He immediately tucked it into his arms and swiftly melted into the crowd of onlookers who had come specifically to witness the ceremony—or rather, to watch the spectacle.

...

Central District, a dimly lit room

Five minutes until the ritual begins

Mo Tan stared at the black paper in his hand, covered in strange symbols, and let out a hearty, unrestrained laugh. His eyes were filled with pure joy and excitement. At his feet, a man dressed as a guard lay in a pool of blood, his eyes staring blankly at the floor, already unfocused, yet still faintly lingering with a trace of confusion and pain.

Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang out not far away...

Mo Tan bent down and pulled the dagger from the corpse's back, licking the corner of his mouth with a smile.

"The show is about to begin~"

...

Pato City, Central Square

Two o'clock in the afternoon, the baptism ceremony of the 'Hero' Dave Sager officially begins!

Chapter 38: The End