Ⅲ
Dale Bock's contempt for Achisto ran bone-deep.
As far as Dale Bock was concerned, Achisto was simply a lucky man.
He had no ability, pitiful strength, and utterly ordinary talent. If Lord Greisa Hamlet had not taken an interest in him...
He would have remained a country lord for the rest of his life.
No!
Even calling him a country lord gave him too much credit.
At most, he would have been a country knight.
The sort with a ramshackle manor who had to share a mill with the common rabble.
Dale Bock could not tolerate having such a man lording it over him.
He was more capable than Achisto. Without him, how could the Inner River God Cult possibly have gained a foothold in Dordot Harbor?
He was stronger than Achisto, too. He could kill the man with one hand, without even going all out.
As for talent?
His talent did fall a little short of his elder brother Joel Coleman's.
But what did that matter?
His elder brother Joel Coleman was hailed as the Inner Bay's once-in-a-century genius, universally acknowledged as the best of its younger generation.
There was nothing wrong with falling a little short of his elder brother.
Even so, his talent still ranked among the finest.
So he knew that all he lacked was an opportunity.
And this time...
His opportunity had arrived!
He would distinguish himself in this battle against the Church of Pain.
Only then could he claim the position of High Priest of the Inner River God Cult.
Dale Bock was determined to succeed.
After all, in his eyes, the position of High Priest of the Inner River God Cult had belonged to him from the start.
Achisto?
He was exactly as Dale had described him.
*Just a man with a