Bro, This Guy Wants You Dead!

If the City Guard hadn't intervened, Gret would likely have been thrown into the dungeon, along with a side of stir-fried pork with bamboo shoots or some other set meal.

As for when he'd see daylight again, that would depend on Captain Karen's effectiveness in persuading the City Guard to bail him out.

If the Temple of the God of War hadn't stepped in, Gret would most likely have been tossed into some side hall, only to be interrogated by a Priest. If he were lucky, a Roman Knight might have been brought in to confront him.

By convention, among those of equal rank, spellcasters outranked warriors. The High Priest of the Spring Goddess Temple could stand on equal footing with the lord of Hartland City, and the City Guard was merely subordinate to the lord's manor. Even though Captain Nolan was a Level Seven Knight, the same level as the High Priest, he was still technically beneath the High Priest.

Yet now, the bald Bishop was smiling, walking beside the High Priest. Regardless of level or combat power, the leaders of two different temples were nominally equals. The bald Bishop expressed his desire to observe, so the High Priest could only lead them into the main hall and grudgingly arrange seats.

The High Priest stood tall on the pulpit, with several low-ranking Priests fanning out behind him in a line. Knight Nolan took his seat on the right side of the main hall. The bald Bishop repeatedly declined, only sitting in the audience seats where the believers listened. As for Gret's own position, he looked left and right—ah, the defendant's dock.

And it was the defendant's dock for a criminal trial.

Was this really happening? Could he request a defense lawyer?

Unfortunately, there were no lawyers. Knight Nolan occupied the position of the defense counsel; his intimidating presence was evident, but his defense skills were unknown.

What made Gret even more depressed was that the Roman Knight's seat was on the left side of the Temple, directly opposite his own Captain Nolan. —That was the prosecutor's seat! He's sitting in the prosecutor's seat, so why should I stand at the defendant's dock?!

I didn't commit a crime!

I really didn't commit a crime!

Gret was dejected. The Roman Knight, summoned from a side hall, had eyes practically spitting fire. Seeing Gret standing there so casually, showing no fear, his whole body trembled, wishing he could pounce and tear him apart to eat his flesh:

"You! It was you! You're the one who harmed me! My hand, my hand!"

Gret was startled.

In just one day, the Roman Knight looked like he'd lost a lot of weight. His complexion was ashen, his cheeks sunken, and a dense stubble had appeared all over his once sharply defined jawline. His once neat short hair was now limp and messy, collapsing on his head. Gret glanced at him and sighed inwardly.

He was all too familiar with this kind of change. In his previous life, in the hospital, those patients who knew they had terminal illnesses, those families who received devastating news, those who couldn't gather the money to get treatment for themselves or their loved ones...

In a single night, or even just a couple of hours, a person's entire spirit could collapse like this.

In comparison, the Roman Knight still had some spirit. But even this spirit quickly vanished: he looked around, saw Knight Nolan of the City Guard sitting opposite, then saw the Bishop of the Temple of the God of War sitting below, and his expression immediately shifted. Pain, unwillingness, disbelief—a multitude of emotions flashed across his face, and his whole body began to tremble slightly.

After a moment of stunned silence, he slowly sat down, his back hunching over inch by inch.

Gret observed him calmly. Upon closer inspection, his right thumb was still in the same state he'd seen yesterday, unable to straighten or bend properly. An experienced doctor could tell at a glance that the shape was unnatural.

It seemed high-level healing potions weren't omnipotent after all...

Gret lowered his gaze slightly. The High Priest sighed at the Roman Knight's appearance, turned to the left, and nodded. Behind him, a Level Five Priest stepped forward and announced loudly:

"Gret Nordmark?"

"I am."

"Knight Roman accuses you of colluding with a Necromancer and severely injuring him. What do you have to say?"

Gret was astonished. He looked intently at the Priest who had spoken, then at the Roman Knight, who had completely collapsed as if his spine had been removed, and slowly opened his mouth:

Man, your popularity is really that bad?

With the big shots from several factions present, and the Priest in charge of the interrogation asking such a question, it wasn't just trying to get me killed, it was trying to get you killed!

After a moment of reflection, Gret remained standing steadily in place. He raised his gaze, looked directly at the High Priest, and declared loudly:

"I did not!"

"Gret Nordmark!"

The Level Five Priest, speaking on behalf of the High Priest, reprimanded him loudly:

"Behave yourself! —Knight Roman is a noble Temple Knight; would he falsely accuse you?"

What was so great about a false accusation? People who were discharged from the hospital yesterday often filed complaints against doctors today. Gret rolled his eyes inwardly and calmly retorted:

"What does Priest Donald say?"

"Priest Donald is currently reflecting in confinement. —Don't bring others into this, speak about yourself!"

Gret looked at the Roman Knight and sighed. To have Priest Donald confined in advance, it seemed the Roman Knight had used considerable connections to get revenge on him—why bother? Why go through all this? He's already crippled; wouldn't it be better to use these connections to arrange his future?

Besides, if you're going to use connections, at least use them effectively! Look, at this critical juncture, someone stabbed you in the back.

His answer became more brisk:

"My team and I were on routine patrol when we were conscripted by the Temple Guard to join a search operation. After going to sleep last night, a Temple guard discovered Skeleton soldiers. My entire team and I assembled and attacked the castle's basement.

After Knight Roman slew the Gargoyle and prepared to open the inner door, the Necromancer appeared and struck down everyone present—including me—with a single blow."

Gret paused, spreading his hands.

When I went down, the Necromancer hadn't arrived yet; when the Necromancer appeared, I had already been knocked down.

Accuse me of collusion? I'd like to see when I had the time to collude!

He looked around. The High Priest stroked his beard and nodded silently. Captain Nolan gave him a slight smile, full of encouragement, as if to say, "Don't be afraid, no one can frame you." As for behind him...

He couldn't see the bald Bishop's expression, but he could hear his voice. His voice was still as loud as ever, and when he spoke, the entire hall buzzed:

"I've heard the whole story from young John. Oh, young John is a newly appointed Priest Apprentice who also participated in this search. What Gret said is exactly the same as his report this afternoon."

Gret let out a long breath.

Thank you, Bishop!

Thank you for backing me up and testifying for me!

Thank you, little John, for reporting the matter immediately!

With the Temple of the God of War involved, the credibility of my statement is much higher, and I'm no longer afraid of them nitpicking!

Hmm, about the battlefield first aid lesson I was halfway through last night, I'll write a complete version for you guys later!

Thank you @Yin Hua Xi for the reward of 200 Qidian coins.

After a whole day, I finally gained two favorites, going from 498 to 500. I'm in tears...

I'm still asking for everyone's help: please give me favorites, investments, recommendations, and reviews... At the very least, please check in daily for updates!