When Mo Tan logged in again the next day, a certain piece of news had already spread through Pato City as expected. It wasn't hard to guess why. After all, this small, lawless city had no major news year-round, and the common folk's topics over tea were basically limited to recent business, weather and harvests, and the knight academy they were all so proud of...
But truly explosive gossip was limited, and in recent years there had been very few stories like which couple had secretly gone to an inn owned by someone else, which instructor had given a student special tutoring until the early hours of the morning, or which pair of good brothers had explored the woods late at night. After all, as the public's eyes grew sharper and sharper, the people involved had also gradually improved their counterintelligence abilities...
But yesterday, Pato City had finally welcomed a huge event unlike any in recent years. Dave Sager, a second-year student of Patin Knight Academy, had returned to the city carrying the hideous, terrifying head of a monster!
In less than half a day, nearly 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 completely wiped out some time ago. He was the only survivor beneath the claws of two monsters that had inexplicably appeared outside the city. Many people had even personally witnessed Dave collapsing, covered in blood, before the city gates.
He was a devout believer who had been adopted by the Holy Church Coalition as a child and worshiped the God of Courage and Justice.
He was a diligent disciple in the eyes of others, a kind senior, a friendly classmate, and an honest young man.
After the incident, many people had worried about Dave's condition. Never mind that he had suffered such severe injuries—just imagining him weeping tears of blood and wailing over his failure to save his companions was enough to make everyone else ache for him.
At the same time, they were even more worried that the two terrifying monsters outside the city might charge into Pato City and slaughter everyone one day...
But now, everything had been resolved.
Only after he returned to the city did everyone learn what had happened. It was said that as soon as Dave's injuries had improved slightly, he had rushed to the bishop and begged to be allowed to avenge his companions and investigate why Crimson Ridge Beasts had appeared nearby. He had also refused anyone else's company, insisting on doing it all personally.
"Death or pain is far less cruel than torment of the spirit. I should have died there with them. I hope you can forgive my selfishness. I have already written my will. If I am destined to return to the embrace of the gods, I hope I can fall with honor."
For some reason, his words before departing had spread far and wide, becoming a positive example frequently quoted by countless parents while educating their children. Most of them would add one sentence at the end, though: "Kiddo, if something like this ever happens to you, you'd better run as fast as you can!"
Such was the love in parents' hearts throughout the world...
Returning to the matter at hand, the bishop of Pato City had immediately refused Dave and told him to recuperate properly. After some time, the Holy Church Coalition and the knight academy would send people to investigate the area outside the city with him.
Yet Dave had made a declaration before the statue of the god in the chapel and received the recognition of the God of Courage and Justice.
In the end, just as Mo Tan had predicted, these zealots were far too superstitious. The moment divine light began to suffuse Dave's body, their attitude took a sharp turn. They performed a temporary ordination for him, allowing him to carry out his revenge as a holy knight. On one hand, it was a reward for his fearless actions; on the other, holy knights received divine power bonuses when carrying out actions such as "revenge."
An extra bit of survivability was always a good thing...
And after thinking for a long while, the bishop even ordered several templars to dig a grave behind the chapel. They could practically be said to have made every possible preparation.
Yet when evening came, Dave had actually returned alive. He had even brought back the head of a Crimson Ridge Beast and stated that there had been no other dangers outside the city besides those two monsters, allowing the masses to breathe a huge sigh of relief...
The Holy Church Coalition almost immediately announced Dave's miraculous achievement, credited eighty percent of the accomplishment to the gods, and conveniently filled in the pit that had only recently been dug in the chapel's backyard.
Dave Sager had become a hero.
To the commoners, his righteous deed was a source of endless conversation. To the knight academy, he was the bravest student and greatest role model in its history. To the Holy Church Coalition, he was a devout believer favored by the gods.
And so...
"So, this place's youngest templar is about to be born." Mo Tan chuckled softly. "No matter how many reservations he has, he won't miss such a magnificent opportunity, even if he has to bear some risks for it."
At that moment, he was in a room on the second floor of Rotten Rose Tavern, surrounded by Cole, Little Ai, and Lady Ledo. Cole had just explained the general situation to Mo Tan, and none of it had exceeded his expectations.
"Now, let me confirm something." Seeing that the three had no intention of speaking, Mo Tan shook his index finger and continued, "You all remember what I told you yesterday, right?"
He had logged out beneath Rotten Rose Tavern yesterday. Before changing accounts, he had already explained his conjectures and plan to Cole and the others. The situation was exactly as he had predicted, so there was no need for any last-minute changes.
Cole nodded with a piercing gaze and said solemnly, "No problem."
Beside him, the little priest Ai clenched her tiny fists. "Me too..."
Lady Ledo, the flower elf, hesitated slightly before shrugging. "I hope you're right."
"I share that hope, milady." Mo Tan gave an exaggerated bow, then turned and walked toward the door. "See you this afternoon~"
At that moment, less than seven hours remained before Dave Sager's baptism ceremony. If nothing went wrong, he would soon become a true holy knight, holding a religious rank in Pato City second only to the bishop.
Pato City, Thieves' Guild
Five hours remained before the ceremony began.
Mo Tan emerged from within in a white robe, a smile in his eyes.
Half an hour later, two master thieves dressed as travelers slipped silently out of Pato City and sped north, drenched in sweat.
Pato City, Central District
Three hours remained before the ceremony began.
A petite figure appeared before the Holy Church chapel. She first glanced left and right, and after confirming that there were no familiar faces nearby, she took out a Sun God Tisu emblem and pinned it to her chest. Then, under the friendly gazes of two templars, she walked inside with her head lowered and tiny steps.
Pato City, Central District
Two hours remained before the ceremony began.
A young man dressed as a commoner arrived at the square between the city hall and the Holy Church chapel. He narrowed his eyes slightly beneath the glaring sun, casually found a stone bench, and sat down. Before long, he began to doze.
Pato City, Rotten Rose Tavern
Two hours remained before the ceremony began.
Ledo firmly locked the tavern door and walked to the innermost room on the second floor. She raised her hand to dispel the magic lock on the door, then pushed it open and entered.
Five minutes later, when she left the room, she had changed out of her previous ordinary clothes. In their place was an emerald-green mage robe, at least three sets of attribute enchantments rippling across its surface. Her slender hands, which in recent years had mostly dealt with plates, wine jugs, and cups, now gripped a massive staff carved with seven crystal petals.
Sitting on the flower-and-leaf-decorated greenwood stairs, Ledo suddenly smiled playfully and murmured, "Perhaps I'll soon be fighting alongside you again. Somehow, my heart feels... a little faster than usual..."
Pato City's southern district, Black Rye Inn
Two hours remained before the ceremony began.
The owner, Year, his hair standing up like a bird's nest, lay in a rocking chair and sighed deeply. He then slapped his cheeks, which were perpetually red from years of heavy drinking, and staggered to his feet. His filthy hand swung sharply backward.
Bang!
A gust of force swept past. The wooden door, which was usually left wide open, slammed shut and embedded itself deeply in the doorframe, making it more effective than any lock.
Cole's uncle, as well as the former vice-leader of the Night Owl Mercenary Group, Bayes Wenger, stood silently for a moment before entering the small bedroom beside the counter.
When he came out, he had changed into a blood-copper battle armor that looked somewhat worn but still radiated a sharp presence. Two enormous two-handed hammers hung crossed over his back.
"Who knows why that brat wanted to become a thief." Bayes awkwardly poured himself a cup of cheap ale and downed it in one gulp. After a long silence, he slowly clenched his fist. "Warriors are obviously the romance of men. Heh... Though becoming a warrior might not necessarily make him manly enough, either..."
Pato City, Central District, Holy Church chapel
One hour remained before the ceremony began.
Almost all the clergy who were free had gathered there. Everyone was praying in low voices. Before them stood a snow-white rectangular container filled with clear water.
Accompanied by the prayers of countless devout believers, the water gradually began to emit a hazy radiance of multiple colors.
The Waters of the Gods were not difficult to create. All one had to do was have believers from different denominations within the Holy Church Coalition pray simultaneously using the method for creating holy water. After all, it was merely symbolic. It did contain a small amount of divine power, but it had none of the heaven-defying effects people might imagine, such as prolonging life or invigorating the meridians. At most, it was... somewhat health-promoting?
Of course, to blasphemers, necromancers, cultists, and followers of opposing pantheons—provided they belonged to the lawful or good side—it was still quite harmful.
After a while, Bishop Mofu announced the end of the prayers. He personally filled a crystal bottle with holy water, then led a large group of believers and Dave, who had remained in the prayer room since the previous night, out of the chapel.
Some believers filled small containers with a little of the remaining Waters of the Gods before leaving. The stuff was fairly rare, after all, and would mostly be used for watering flowers or the like afterward, so letting so much go to waste would be a shame.
However, one little girl had actually filled an entire large basin. It was somewhat alarming.
"Um, little sister." The Half-Orc "priest" with mammoth blood looked down at the unfamiliar-looking Sun God Tisu believer and kindly whispered, "There's no use taking so much..."
The girl smiled sweetly at her. "It's a rare opportunity. I wanted to share it with my relatives and friends so everyone could experience the glory of the gods."
"Tsk, tsk." The mammoth girl smacked her lips. "That makes sense. Oh, right, I think there are two tea buckets in my room!"
With that, she ran off in a clattering blur.
Pato City, Central Square
Thirty minutes remained before the ceremony began.
Dave and Bishop Mofu were chatting with the citizens who had arrived early. Dave did not say much, mostly offering shy smiles. His left arm was wrapped in bandages, through which dark-red stains of blood could faintly be seen. Those were naturally the injuries he had suffered while confronting two savage monsters head-on—the medal of a warrior.
At that moment, City Lord Naji of Pato City and the chief administrator Lange also walked over from the city hall under the escort of the guards, both wearing warm, enthusiastic smiles.
The city lord was naturally delighted. The news of a huge monster outside the city had kept him awake for several nights. Now that the monster had not only been dealt with but a hero like Dave had also emerged during his tenure, how could he not be happy?
Mr. Lange was also quite pleased. If things continued this way, he was confident he could eliminate the fat deadweight beside him within a year. By working with Dave, who would become a templar, from within and without, he could turn the Holy Church Coalition in Pato City into the Whisper Sect's headquarters in a short time!
As long as they replaced that detestable bottle of the Waters of the Gods, the plan could practically be considered a success...
Otherwise, if Dave suddenly set himself on fire in public, things would get very interesting.
"City Lord," Lange whispered into Naji's ear, "I think you should chat with our hero a little more. After all, he is going to be a holy knight."
Lange was absolutely right!
After hearing this, Naji immediately hurried toward the approaching bishop and Dave. He spread his somewhat narrow arms, his mouth nearly splitting to his ears.
Meanwhile, Lange silently made his way to the side of the temporary altar and whispered something to the templar guarding it...
Ten minutes remained before the ceremony began.
A young man who had been pretending to sleep around the edge of the square suddenly noticed a large waterskin beside his feet. He immediately stuffed it into his robes and swiftly merged into the surrounding crowd, who had come specifically to witness the ceremony—or, more accurately, to watch the spectacle.
Central District, a dimly lit room
Five minutes remained before the ceremony began.
Mo Tan looked at a sheet of black paper covered in strange symbols and laughed loudly with uninhibited delight. His eyes were filled with pure joy and excitement. At his feet, a man dressed as a guard lay facedown in a pool of blood, his eyes pressed against the floor already unfocused, though a trace of bewilderment and pain still lingered within them.
The sound of bells suddenly rang out in the distance...
Mo Tan bent down and pulled the dagger from the corpse's back. He smiled and licked the corner of his mouth.
"The show is about to begin~"
Pato City, Central Square
At two in the afternoon, the baptism ceremony of the "hero" Dave Sager officially began!
Before you continue