Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Ritual Begins

When Mo Tan logged in again the next day, a certain piece of news had, as expected, spread throughout Pato City. This was hardly surprising; after all, this small, neglected town rarely saw major headlines throughout the year. The topics of conversation for the common folk over tea and meals usually revolved around the latest business dealings, the weather, the harvest, or the knight academy that everyone took such pride in.

However, truly explosive gossip was limited. In recent years, there had been few scandals—no secret trysts at local inns, no instructors giving students "private lessons" until dawn, and no stories of brothers exploring the woods late at night. As the eyes of the public grew sharper, the counter-espionage skills of the individuals involved had gradually improved.

Yet, yesterday, Pato City finally welcomed a colossal event, unique in recent memory: Dave Sager, a second-year student at the Pato Knight Academy, had returned to the city carrying the gruesome and terrifying head of a monster.

In less than half a day, almost everyone in the city knew exactly 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 sole survivor of the two monsters that had appeared outside the city walls without warning. Many had even witnessed Dave collapsing, drenched in blood, before the city gates.

He was a devout believer, adopted from childhood by the Holy Union, and a follower of the God of Courage and Justice. In the eyes of others, he was a diligent disciple, a kind senior, an amiable classmate, and a loyal youth. After the incident, many were deeply concerned for Dave. Setting aside his severe injuries, the mere thought of him shedding bloody tears while mourning his fallen comrades was enough to make anyone’s heart ache. At the same time, there was growing fear that those two terrifying monsters might one day storm into Pato City and unleash a massacre.

But now, everything was resolved.

It was only after he returned to the city that people learned what had happened. It was said that as soon as his wounds had slightly improved, Dave had rushed to the Bishop, begging for permission to avenge his companions and investigate why the Red-Spined Beasts had appeared nearby. He had adamantly refused any company, determined to handle it all 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 and testament. If I am destined to return to the embrace of the gods, I wish to fall with glory."

These words, spoken before his departure, had somehow leaked out and became a positive example cited by countless parents when educating their children—though most would add a final caveat: "My child, if something like this ever happens to you, you’d better run for your life!"

Such is the heart of parents everywhere.

Returning to the main point, the Bishop of Pato City had initially refused Dave, telling him to rest and wait for a joint expedition by the Holy Union and the Knight Academy. However, Dave had made a declaration before the statue in the chapel, and it had been acknowledged by the God of Courage and Justice.

As Mo Tan had speculated, these religious zealots were far too superstitious. Once they saw the divine light radiating from Dave, their attitude shifted instantly. They granted him a temporary investiture, allowing Dave to carry out his vengeance as a Holy Knight. This served two purposes: rewarding his fearless actions and granting him the divine buffs that Holy Knights receive when performing acts of "vengeance." A higher chance of survival was always a good thing.

The Bishop, after thinking it over for a long time, even instructed a few Temple Knights to dig a grave behind the chapel—one could say he was fully prepared.

Yet, by evening, Dave had actually returned alive, bringing back one of the monster heads and reporting that there were no other dangers outside the city. The public breathed a massive sigh of relief.

The Holy Union immediately announced Dave's miraculous feat, attributing eighty percent of the credit to the divine, and conveniently filled in the hole they had just dug behind the chapel.

Dave Sager had become a hero. To the commoners, his righteous act was the talk of the town; to the Knight Academy, he was the bravest student and role model in years; to the Holy Union, he was a devout believer blessed by the gods.

And so...

"And so, the youngest Templar Knight in this region is about to be born," Mo Tan chuckled softly. "No matter how many misgivings he may have, he won't miss such a golden opportunity, even if he has to take some risks."

He was currently in a room on the second floor of the Forest Dwelling Tavern, surrounded by Cole, Little Ai, and Lady Redo. Just moments ago, Cole had briefed him on the situation, and the details were exactly as he had anticipated.

"Now, let me confirm," Mo Tan said, shaking his index finger as he noticed the three of them remaining silent. "You remember what I told you yesterday, right?"

He had logged off at the tavern yesterday, having already discussed his theories and plans with Cole and the others. The situation had unfolded exactly as he predicted, so there was no need for any last-minute changes.

Cole nodded with a sharp gaze, his voice deep: "I have no problems."

Beside him, the young acolyte Ai clenched her small fists: "Me neither..."

Lady Redo, the flower elf, hesitated slightly before shrugging: "I hope you are right."

"I share the same hope, my lady." Mo Tan bowed with a slightly exaggerated flourish before turning toward the door: "See you this afternoon~"

At this moment, there were less than seven hours until Dave Sager’s baptism ceremony. If nothing went wrong, he would soon become a true Holy Knight, second in religious rank in Pato City only to the Bishop.

...

Pato City, Thieves' Guild.

There were five hours left until the ceremony. A man in long white robes, Mo Tan, walked out with a smile in his eyes. Half an hour later, two master thieves disguised as travelers left Pato City in silence, sweating profusely as they galloped northward.

...

Pato City, Central District.

There were three hours left. A petite figure appeared before the Holy Chapel. After looking left and right to ensure no acquaintances were nearby, she pinned a crest of the Sun God Tisu to her chest and, under the curious gaze of two Temple Knights, walked inside with small, measured steps.

...

Pato City, Central District.

There were two hours left. A young man dressed as a commoner arrived at the square between the City Hall and the Holy Chapel. He squinted under the harsh sun, found a stone bench at random, and was soon dozing off.

...

Pato City, Forest Dwelling Tavern.

There were two hours left. Redo locked the tavern door tightly, walked to the room at the far end of the second floor, and dispelled the magical lock before pushing the door open. Five minutes later, when she left the room, she had changed out of her casual clothes into a set of emerald robes pulsating with at least three layers of enchantment. Her slender hands, which had spent the last few years dealing with plates, wine jugs, and cups, were now gripping a massive staff carved with seven crystal petals.

Sitting on the flower-adorned wooden stairs, Redo chuckled playfully and whispered, "Perhaps I’ll be fighting alongside you again soon. I have a feeling my heart is... beating a little fast..."

...

Pato City, South District, Rye Inn.

There were two hours left. The middle-aged owner with messy hair lay on his rocking chair and sighed deeply. He then slapped his face, which was permanently flushed from years of alcoholism, stood up unsteadily, and gave a forceful wave of his dirty hand.

*Bang!*

A gust of wind swept through, and the wooden door that was usually left wide open slammed shut, embedding itself into the frame more securely than any lock. Bayes Wenger, Cole's uncle and former vice-captain of the Night Owl Mercenary Group, stood in silence for a long moment before walking into his small bedroom next to the counter. When he emerged, he was wearing a suit of blood-copper armor that, while weathered, still radiated a sharp edge. Two massive, crossed two-handed hammers were strapped to his back.

"Heaven knows why that brat wants to be a thief," Bayes muttered, clumsily pouring himself a glass of cheap ale. After downing it, he fell silent for a long time before clenching his fist slightly: "Warriors are the true romance of a man. Hmph... though being a warrior doesn't necessarily make one a man..."

...

Pato City, Central District, Holy Chapel.

There was one hour left. Nearly all the off-duty clergy had gathered here, praying in low voices. Before them stood a rectangular, snow-white container filled with clear water. Accompanied by the prayers of the devout, the water began to radiate a multi-colored haze.

The method for creating "Water of the Gods" was simple: one only needed believers from different sects within the Holy Union to pray simultaneously in the manner of creating holy water. It was, after all, merely symbolic. It contained a trace of divine power, yes, but it had no miraculous effects like extending life or strengthening meridians; at best, it was... a health tonic?

Of course, for Lawful/Good-aligned blasphemers, necromancers, cultists, and followers of opposing pantheons, it was quite lethal.

After a while, Bishop Mof announced the end of the prayers. He personally filled a crystal vial with the holy water and left the chapel, accompanied by a large crowd of believers and Dave, who had remained in the prayer room since the previous night. Some believers filled their own containers with the remaining water before leaving; it was a rare commodity, and since it would mostly be used for watering flowers later, leaving it behind would be a waste.

However, one little girl had gathered a whole basin full, which was somewhat alarming.

"Um, little sister," the "small" acolyte, a half-orc with mammoth blood, looked down at the unfamiliar Sun God follower and kindly whispered: "There’s no use in taking so much..."

The girl smiled 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 remember I have two buckets in my room that I use for tea!" She then ran off with a loud *clatter-clatter-clatter*.

...

Pato City, Central Square.

There were thirty minutes left. Dave and Bishop Mof were exchanging pleasantries with the citizens who had arrived early. The former didn't say much, mostly offering shy smiles. His left arm was wrapped in bandages, with faint dark red bloodstains visible beneath—a testament to his head-on clash with the two brutal monsters, a warrior’s medal.

Just then, Pato City's Mayor Naji and Chief Steward Langen approached from City Hall with their guards, their faces beaming with enthusiastic smiles. The Mayor was naturally delighted; the news of monsters outside the city had kept him from sleeping for several nights. Now that the monsters were gone, and a hero like Dave had emerged during his tenure, how could he not be happy?

Mr. Langen was also happy. If things continued this way, he was confident he could dispose of the fat fool beside him within a year. By working from the inside with Dave, who would be a Templar Knight, he could turn the Pato City Holy Union into a nest for the Whispering Cult in no time. All he had to do was swap that vial of disgusting Water of the Gods, and the job would be basically complete. Otherwise, if Dave were to spontaneously combust in public, the spectacle would be quite grand.

"Lord Mayor," Langen whispered into Naji's ear: "I believe you should spend more time chatting with our hero. After all, he is the future Holy Knight..."

Langen was right! Upon hearing this, Naji immediately walked quickly toward the approaching Bishop and Dave, spreading his narrow arms wide, his mouth stretched into a grin that reached his ears.

Meanwhile, Langen quietly made his way to the side of the makeshift altar and whispered something to the Temple Knight on guard...

...

There were ten minutes left. The young man who had been dozing on the outskirts of the square suddenly noticed a large waterskin at his feet. He immediately tucked it into his clothes and quickly merged into the crowd of people who had come to witness the ceremony—or rather, to watch the spectacle.

...

Central District, a dim room.

There were five minutes left. Mo Tan looked at a black sheet of paper covered in strange symbols, laughing loudly 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, were glazed over, but they still held a faint trace of confusion and agony.

A bell chimed in the distance...

Mo Tan leaned down, pulled the dagger from the corpse's heart, and smiled as he licked his lips.

"The show is about to begin~"

...

Pato City, Central Square.

At 2:00 PM, the baptism ceremony for the "hero" Dave Sager officially began!