Although the speech had ended, the passion Ignite in the public had not yet subsided.
Even the somewhat emaciated citizens had a flushed face that was a mixture of sickness and passion.
Although the archbishop's promises were indeed grand and enticing, they didn't seem enough to rouse a large group of sickly individuals to this extent...
The ancients were just ancient, not stupid, and many players found the excitement of these people somewhat inexplicable.
Almost another hour passed, and it was already midday, a time when the weather was getting a bit hot.
Some citizens seemed dissatisfied with the archbishop's sluggish work style and chose to return home and stay quiet, breaking free from the fervor.
Other citizens remained in the square, their enthusiasm undiminished.
As several priests walked out of the cathedral to signal that they could begin registering for the militia, the crowd immediately surged forward, knocking two priests to the ground. It wasn't until a small squad of Holy Crusaders came to maintain order that the crowd calmed down somewhat.
The two priests who had narrowly escaped death in the stampede straightened their robes and returned to the church.
After a moment, the two became five people. Four of them were original priests from Black Pine City, and the last one, needless to say, was the [ Ginseng Rooster ] who had just been granted amnesty.
While the Holy Crusaders may not be able to defeat Corpse Tide and the Soul Returner, they can easily bully civilians.
After beating up several fanatics, the group, led by four priests and a militia captain, went to the side door of the church to register for militia service.
A long table was quickly set up, just enough for the four priests in charge of ceremonies to sit down.
They didn't leave a seat for [ the Ginseng Rooster ]. This commoner can't even read a single word; what right does he have to compete with them for seats?
The Ginseng Rooster clearly knew its place and obediently stood to the side, pretending to be a mascot.
The militia registration process began quickly, and under the intimidation of the Holy Crusaders, the crowd reluctantly lined up.
The first volunteer quickly arrived at the long table.
"Name?"
" Karl."
"Age?"
Thirty years old.
Turn around and let me see where the Symbiotic Tree is.
"Yes, sir."
"It's alright, it doesn't affect upper limb movement much. Try jogging a little, then jumping a couple of times, and see if there are any physical defects."
"Yes, sir."
"Okay, you've passed. Come here and sign..."
"Etc!"
A priest was about to hand over a simple contract when he was interrupted by the [ Ginseng Rooster ] who had been standing like a stone statue beside him.
"What's wrong with you, commoner?"
The priest, startled by the interruption, immediately rebuked him loudly.
The expected groveling apology did not occur; instead, [ the Ginseng Rooster ] glared at him angrily.
"Sir, I won't mind if you call me a commoner at other times, but this is working time, please address me as—Militia Captain!"
"You!"
The priest was surprised that this ordinary citizen, who had been unknown just an hour ago, dared to speak to him like that, even though there were at least five hundred people watching, all of whom wanted to join the militia.
If we were to break ties with this guy now, the archbishop would probably hold us responsible.
The anger on his face appeared and then faded, his white fist clenched and unclenched, and the priest finally cursed "lowly commoner" in his heart before reluctantly admitting defeat.
"It was my slip of the tongue, Captain [ Ginseng Rooster ], why did you interrupt my signing of the contract with this militiaman?"
"Militia?"
[ The Ginseng Rooster ] stared wide-eyed at the priest before him with disdain, his right hand already raised and pointing at the commoner's nose:
"Pah! A starving, skinny guy like you, serving as the bishop's militia?"
He turned to look at the man Karl and spat on the ground:
"You dog, you dare to say that?"
Good citizen Karl was basking in the joy of his impending job security one second, only to learn the next that he had been rejected.
Moreover, the one who rejected him was none other than the guy who rose to prominence overnight simply because he shouted the loudest slogans.
Just an hour ago we were all nobody, and now we're all putting on airs?
The priest would give [ the Ginseng Rooster ] face, Karl, a commoner, had no intention of respecting him at all.
Seeing the other person's finger pointing at him, Karl immediately pointed back:
"Your name is [ Ginseng Rooster ], right? I'm going to ask you today, I can run and jump, so why am I considered unqualified in your eyes?"
"Can run and jump? Hmph, my Vine Sheep can run and jump too, are we going to bring them in as military dogs too?"
[ The Ginseng Rooster ] didn't look at Karl, but instead scanned the crowd around him and said:
"Go pick anyone and have them fight right here. If they win, I'll hire them. If they lose, go home and stay there. The Bishop's militia doesn't need useless trash!"
Karl's chest heaved, and the blush on his face deepened, as if he were about to faint at any moment.
"Fine, let's fight!"
He glanced at the crowd, then quickly selected a guy who seemed eager to try:
"You, you, you're talking about yourself! Come out here!"
"Me, me?"
[ The Priest Was Once a Little Boy ] looked around before realizing he had been chosen, and pointed to his face in confusion, while simultaneously activating Directed Alienation.
Karl was about to deliver a powerful flying kick to this seemingly weak young man when he suddenly noticed a sharp, three-edged spike growing from the other's palm.
Although Directed Alienation is an official combat skill of the Tree Worship Church, some members of the Tree Worship Church Cult who have lived with the Symbiotic Tree for many years can also master it to some extent, but it is limited to turning into small gadgets such as forks, spoons, and shoehorns.
Upon seeing the triangular spikes, Karl's heart skipped a beat.
A formidable character! Not to be trifled with!
He used all his strength to pull back his right foot, and forcefully twisted his head to make a shaking motion:
"No, no, no, it wasn't you. You're too young. I don't bully children."
He pointed at a woman—there's actually a woman signing up for the militia? If I can't get in, neither can you!
[Pond Fish and Old Abyss] pointed to himself:
"Me, me?"
After confirming that he hadn't seen Directed Alienation, Karl nodded firmly.
"I'm talking about you. It's not too late to go home now. Don't wait until you're on the battlefield and hold everyone back."
As he spoke, the civilians around him made way, allowing Karl to see the six vine-like appendages behind [ Pond Fish and Old Abyss ].
"... No, no, actually I wasn't talking about you. Your Symbiotic Tree is so... unconventional, it must be quite capable. I unilaterally agree to let you join the militia..."
Upon realizing that the other person wasn't referring to him, [Pond Fish and Old Abyss] regretfully returned to the crowd.
Karl felt a little embarrassed. His gaze swept around and finally landed on a guy who looked a bit short and had a timid expression on his face.
This time it won't be wrong!
He quickly stepped forward and grabbed the man's shoulder:
"You're the one!"
The person was forcibly pulled out of the crowd, shrinking back somewhat embarrassed.
A priest raised his charcoal pencil, pointed in the direction the two were standing, and asked:
"The one who got dragged out, if you beat him, you can join the militia. Tell me your name first, it'll make registration easier later."
The man glanced in that direction and said timidly:
"My name is... [ The Dark Archmage ]."