The Ritual Begins

When Mo Tan logged back in the next day, a certain piece of news had predictably spread throughout Pato City. This wasn't hard to guess, after all, this small city, which was under no one's direct control, didn't have any major news all year round. The topics of conversation that the common people had after dinner were basically centered around recent business, the weather, the harvest, and the Knight Academy that everyone was so proud of.

But truly juicy gossip was limited, and in recent years there had rarely been any news about which couple had secretly gone to a hotel owned by someone, which teacher had tutored a student until the early hours of the morning, or which pair of good buddies had explored the grove late at night. After all, as the eyes of the general public became sharper and sharper, the counter-espionage abilities of those involved were also gradually increasing...

But yesterday, Pato City finally ushered in a unique and huge event in recent years. Dave. Sager, a second-year student at Pading Knight Academy, returned to the city with the head of a hideous and terrifying 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 that had been wiped out some time ago, the only survivor under the claws of two monsters that had inexplicably appeared outside the city. Many people had even witnessed Dave collapsing in front of the city gate, covered in blood.

He was a devout believer, raised by the Holy Church Coalition from a young age, and worshiped 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 young man.

After the incident, many people were worried about Dave's condition. Not to mention that he had suffered such serious injuries, just imagining the scene of him crying and wailing in blood and tears that he had failed to save his companions was enough to make others feel sorry 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 Pato City and start a massacre...

But now, everything was resolved.

It wasn't until he returned to the city that everyone knew what had happened. It was said that Dave had immediately run to the bishop after his injuries had slightly improved, begging to be allowed to avenge his companions and find out why Crimson Ridge Beasts had appeared nearby. He also refused any company, determined to do it all himself.

"Death or pain is far less cruel than mental 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 I can fall with glory."

For some reason, this sentence he said before his departure was spread, and it became a positive teaching material cited by many parents when educating their children, but most of them would add one last sentence: "Kid, if something like this really happens to you in the future, we have to run away quickly!"

Such is the heart of parents everywhere...

Getting back to the main topic, the bishop of Pato City immediately refused Dave and told him to recuperate well, and wait for the Holy Church Coalition and the Knight Academy to send people with him to check outside the city after a while.

But Dave made a declaration in front of the statue of God in the chapel and received the approval of the God of Courage and Justice.

In the end, as Mo Tan had predicted, these religious fanatics were too superstitious. When they saw that Dave was actually glowing with divine light, their attitude immediately changed, and they temporarily knighted him, allowing Dave to carry out his revenge as a Holy Knight. On the one hand, it was to reward him for his fearless actions, and on the other hand, the Holy Knights would receive divine power when carrying out actions such as 'revenge'.

Every bit of increased survival chance was good...

And after thinking for a long time, the bishop also instructed several Templars to dig a grave behind the chapel, which could be said to be fully prepared.

As a result, Dave actually came back alive in the evening, and he also brought back the head of a Crimson Ridge Beast, and said that there were no other dangers outside the city besides the two monsters, which greatly relieved the general public...

The Holy Church Coalition almost immediately announced Dave's miraculous achievement, and attributed 80% of the credit to the deity, and by the way, filled the pit that had just been dug in the backyard of the chapel.

Dave. Sager became a hero.

For the common people, his righteous deeds were talked about with relish; for the Knight Academy, he was the most courageous student and role model in history; for the Holy Church Coalition, he was a devout believer favored by God.

Thus...

"So the youngest Templar Knight in this place is about to be born." Mo Tan chuckled softly, "Even if he has many concerns, he won't miss such a great opportunity, even if he has to take some risks for it."

At this time, he was in a room on the second floor of the Rotten Rose Tavern, surrounded by Cole, Ai, and Countess Lesa. Cole had just told Mo Tan the general situation, and its content was completely within his expectations.

"Then let me confirm." Mo Tan saw that none of the three meant to speak, so he shook his index finger and continued, "Do you all remember what I told you yesterday?"

He had logged off at the Rotten Rose yesterday, and had generally told Cole and the others his guesses and plans before switching accounts. The situation was exactly the same as he had guessed before, so there was nothing that needed to be changed temporarily.

Cole nodded sharply, and said in a deep voice: "I'm ready."

The little Cleric Ai also clenched her small fist: "Me too..."

And the Flower Elf Countess Lesa hesitated slightly, but finally shrugged and said: "I hope you're right."

"I have the same expectations as you, Countess." Mo Tan gave a slightly exaggerated bow, then turned and walked towards the door: "Then, see you this afternoon~"

At this time, there were less than seven hours before Dave. Sager's baptism ceremony. If nothing unexpected happened, he would soon become a true Holy Knight, with a religious rank in Pato City only below the bishop.

Pato City, Thieves' Guild

Five hours before the ceremony.

Mo Tan, wearing a white robe, walked out from inside, his eyes filled with a smile.

Half an hour later, two great thieves dressed as travelers quietly left Pato City, rushing north in a sweat.

Pato City, Central District

Three hours before the ceremony.

A petite figure appeared in front of the Holy Church Chapel. She first looked around, and after finding that there were no acquaintances nearby, she took out a badge of Tisu, the Sun God and pinned it on her chest, then walked in with small steps and lowered her head under the friendly gaze of two Templars.

Pato City, Central District

Two hours before the ceremony.

A young man dressed as a commoner came to the square between the City Hall and the Holy Church Chapel. He squinted slightly in the glaring sun, casually found a stone chair and sat down, and soon fell asleep.

Pato City, Black Rye Inn

Two hours before the ceremony

Countess Lesa tightly locked the door of the shop, walked to the innermost room on the second floor, raised her hand to unlock the magic lock on the door, and then pushed the door open and walked in.

Five minutes later, she left the room, having changed out of her casual clothes and into a set of emerald green mage robes. At least three layers of enchanted energy rippled across the surface. Her slender hands, which in recent years had mostly dealt with plates, wine jugs, and cups, now held a giant staff carved with seven crystal petals.

Sitting on the flower-and-leaf-adorned green wooden staircase, Countess Lesa suddenly smiled playfully and whispered, "Perhaps I'll be fighting alongside you again soon. I feel my heart... is beating a little faster..."

Pato City, Southern District, Black Rye Inn

Two hours before the ceremony

The old boss, with his bird's nest of hair, lay in his rocking chair and sighed deeply. He then vigorously slapped his cheeks, which were always a little red from years of heavy drinking, and staggered to his feet, his dirty hand waving back forcefully.

Bang!

A gust of wind swept past, and the wooden door, which was usually wide open, slammed shut and embedded itself deeply into the frame, more effective than any lock.

Cole's uncle, and former vice-captain of the Night Owl Mercenary Group, Bayes Winger, stood silently for a moment, then walked into his small bedroom next to the counter.

When he came out, he had changed into a set of blood-copper battle armor that, although a bit old, still gave off a sharp feeling. Two crossed giant two-handed hammers hung on his back.

"God knows why that kid wants to be a rogue." Bayes poured himself a clumsy glass of cheap ale, drank it all in one gulp, and remained silent for a long time. Finally, he clenched his fist slightly. "Warriors are a man's romance, damn it... Although becoming a warrior doesn't necessarily make you enough of a man, huh..."

Pato City, Central District, Holy Church Chapel

One hour before the ceremony

Almost all the available clergy members had gathered here, all whispering prayers. Before them was a snow-white rectangular container filled with clear water.

Accompanied by the prayers of many devout believers, this clear water gradually emitted a multicolored glow.

The method of making the Waters of the Gods isn't difficult. All it takes is for believers from different sects of the Holy Church Coalition to pray in the manner of making Holy Water. After all, it's just a symbolic existence. It does contain a bit of divine power, but it doesn't have any heaven-defying effects like prolonging life or clearing meridians. At most, it's... a bit more nutritious?

Of course, it's still quite lethal to (Lawful/Good) blasphemers, necromancers, cultists, and followers of opposing pantheons.

After a while, Bishop Moff 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 staying in the prayer room since last night.

Some believers used pre-prepared containers to take a little of the remaining Waters of the Gods before leaving. After all, this stuff is relatively rare, and it's basically used to water flowers later, so leaving so much would be a waste.

However, one little girl actually got a whole basin full, which was a bit shocking.

"Um, hey, little sister." The 'small' Half-Orc Cleric with mammoth bloodline looked down at the somewhat unfamiliar follower of the Sun God and kindly whispered, "Taking too much of this is useless..."

The girl smiled at her: "This is a rare opportunity. I want to share it with my relatives and friends so that everyone can feel the glory of God."

"Tsk tsk." The mammoth girl smacked her lips. "That makes sense. Oh yeah, I remember I should have two buckets for making tea in my room!"

With that, she ran off in a puff of smoke, 'thump thump thump'.

Pato City, Central Square

Thirty minutes before the ceremony

Dave and Bishop Moff were exchanging pleasantries with the people who had arrived early. Dave didn't say much, mostly just smiling shyly. His left arm was wrapped in bandages, and faint dark red bloodstains could be seen, naturally the wounds left by facing two brutal monsters head-on, the medals of a warrior.

At this time, Pato City's City Lord Naji and Chief of Internal Affairs Lange also walked over from the City Hall under the guard of the city guard, their faces full of enthusiastic smiles.

The City Lord was naturally happy. After all, the news of the big monsters outside the city had kept him up for several nights. Now, not only had the monsters been dealt with, but a hero like Dave had emerged during his tenure. How could he not be happy?

Mr. Lange was also very happy. If things continued to develop like this, he was confident that he could get rid of the fatuous City Lord within a year. Working with Dave, who was a Holy Knight, from the inside out, he could turn Pato City's Holy Church Coalition into a Whisper Sect stronghold in a short time!

As long as he replaced that disgusting bottle of Waters of the Gods, it would basically be a done deal...

Otherwise, if Dave were to spontaneously combust in public, it would be a big joke.

"City Lord," Lange whispered in Naji's ear, "I think you should spend more time chatting with our hero now. After all, he's a future Holy Knight..."

Lange was right!

Upon hearing this, Naji immediately rushed towards the welcoming bishop and Dave, opening his arms, which were a bit short, and his mouth was almost splitting from ear to ear.

Lange quietly came to the side of the temporary altar and whispered something to the Templar guarding it...

Ten minutes before the ceremony

A certain young man who was dozing off on the outskirts of the square suddenly found a large water bag at his feet. He immediately stuffed it into his arms and quickly blended into the crowd of people who had come to witness the ceremony or, rather, to watch the fun.

Central District, a dim room

Five minutes before the ceremony

Mo Tan looked at the black paper covered with strange symbols in his hand, laughing heartily, his eyes filled with pure joy and excitement. At his feet, a man dressed as a guard was lying in a pool of blood, his eyes, pressed against the floor, were already unfocused, but there was still a trace of confusion and pain.

A bell suddenly rang in the distance...

Mo Tan bent down, pulled out the dagger from the corpse's heart, and smiled as he licked the corner of his mouth.

"The show is about to begin~"

Pato City, Central Square

2:00 PM, the 'hero' Dave Sager's baptism ceremony, officially begins!

Chapter 38: The End

/47/4ml The fastest updating novel site!