Chapter 61 Flame King
The setting sun gradually sank into the valley, and the smoke-filled town was swallowed up by the night. Only the street where the Adventurer's Guild was located still had scattered lights.
The old farmers who had been busy all day were walking home from the fields, while the tired adventurers dragging them with them also left the maze in twos and threes.
Since the Thunder City branch increased the trust weight of Silverpine Town, the number of adventurers active in the local area suddenly increased like frogs by the pond after the rain.
Old Abel, who was carrying a hoe, was killing time listlessly, thinking about where to serve dinner at his neighbor's house.
It’s not that he wants to make a living, it’s just that he made a fool of himself by losing his shoes the day before yesterday, which makes people laugh when they see him now. He really has no face to look at his neighbors.
At this time, he suddenly saw Captain Hebal standing on the corner of the street waving to him.
Out of curiosity, old Abel walked over.
Humbar didn't wait for him to ask what was going on, Hebal took the initiative with a mysterious look on his face.
"Want to drink?"
The alcohol bug in Old Abel's belly was suddenly aroused, and he nodded without saying anything.
"I do, of course I do...but I don't have any money in my pocket, so don't try to get my idea."
"Hey, look at what you said, am I that kind of person?"
Hebal chuckled, stuffed a string of stone necklaces into his hands, then turned around and taught what the captain taught him to this guy who looked honest but was actually not honest at all.
"I don't have any money, but those outsiders do... I'll teach you how to eat and drink by cheating."
At the same time, on another street across the street, a tavern that had been closed all day had just begun to open.
As soon as the closed oak door was pushed open, the wind chimes hanging at the door tinkled non-stop.
Adventurers who have been busy all day in the maze and the wild need alcohol and passionate girls to numb their tense nerves.
The "Silver Pine Trail" opposite the Adventurer's Guild happens to have both of these things.
The man carrying the big sword loudly boasted about today's battle with the lizard people in the maze. He suddenly said that the hectic encounter was like fighting a giant dragon.
While dealing with the harassment from adventurers, the MILF waitress flexibly shuttled between the crowded tables and chairs, placing foamy oak wine glasses on the table.
Occasionally, there would be one or two young waitresses who were harassed by the tasteless jokes and blushed, causing a group of big and thick adventurers to make obscene laughter and whistles.
At this time, the wind chimes at the door jingled again, and an old farmer who was out of tune with the surrounding atmosphere walked in from the outside.
Not all foreigners are here.
There are also local hunters who occasionally appear as adventurers.
Levink, who lived on the north street, recognized him at a glance, and the adventurer next to him said with a smile.
"This guy is the old Abel who lost his shoes when he ran away... He is the guy who claimed to have bumped into the lich."
"Hahaha, is it him?"
"Sure enough, he looked bad, haha!"
" Several adventurers laughed loudly, which made many people focus on old Abel.
Old Abel, who had planned to walk to the bar in a low profile, blushed, stared at the annoying hunter, and choked.
"You only remember that I ran away and lost my shoes, but you don't remember that I encountered something terrible!"
"Is it a lich?" Levink whistled and joked with a smile, "Then please tell us, old Abel, what the legendary lich looks like... I have been hunting in Silverpine Town for 20 years, and I have never hunted before. I’ve never seen that thing before!”
“That’s because you have little knowledge!”
Old Abel shouted back with a blushing face, and angrily walked to the bar and sat down.
Ignoring everyone's ridicule, he glanced left and right as if he was looking for something, and then breathed a sigh of relief as if he had found it. Then he took out a stone cross pendant from his arms, held it in his hand, rubbed it, and prayed.
Levink raised his eyebrows with a strange expression.
Having known this guy for so many years, this was the first time he saw this guy praying so devoutly.
This made him a little curious.
However, just when he was about to ask, the militiaman sitting next to the bar got in front of him and spoke first with interest.
"What is this pendant? It looks like...a little special?"
Special?
Levink was stunned and scratched the back of his head.
Isn't this just a cross? It's made of stone. It doesn't look special at all.
However, after hearing what the militiaman said, Old Abel raised his chin proudly and said proudly.
“This thing is incredible! Didn’t I bump into the undead a few days ago? I couldn’t sleep that night, so I went to Padre Matt’s place. After Padre Matt listened to my troubles, he put this amulet in my hand... Guess what? I wore it around my neck. Go to bed, and sleep until dawn the next day, and no undead ghosts whisper in my ears all night! No matter how true or false this is, it is indeed somewhat convincing when it comes from old Abel's mouth. After all, everyone knows that he has really seen an incredible undead ghost recently.
Everyone was amazed and started talking.
"So this is a talisman?" The militiaman sitting in front of the bar touched his chin and said with a hint of excitement, "That doesn't seem to be a big deal."
"Amulet? How can it be as simple as you said!" Old Abel curled his lips in disdain and shouted loudly, "This thing was made by the famous King of Flame himself. Not only was it blessed by the Holy Son, but it was also soaked in holy water for three days and three nights... It is said to have the same effect as holy water!"
As soon as these remarks came out, everyone sitting near the bar showed surprised expressions. The entire lobby of the tavern was filled with whispers, and even the waitress serving tea and water showed an interested expression.
Although they may not be able to use it themselves, who doesn’t have an elderly person at home?
Without holy water, or unable to afford a church cemetery, they can only dump the bodies of their deceased relatives in mass graves far away from the town, and cannot even pay homage to the deceased.
If this cross really has this effect, then they can bury the bones of their loved ones in their own backyard.
"What does it mean that it has the same effect as holy water? You must not talk nonsense!"
Looking at these ignorant guys, Old Abel said in a eloquent tone.
"Talking nonsense? This is what Father Matt told me! If you think there is a problem, just confront the old man!"
"As for the Holy Son... I'm surprised you haven't heard of it! Well, I won't tell you, it's that man! The boy who was blessed by Saint Sith and survived the catastrophe..."
Which one?
Levink, who was listening attentively, was confused and even began to suspect that he was a fake local.
Seeing everyone's interested expressions, Old Abel suddenly stopped talking in the middle of his words and coughed before continuing.
"This story is quite long, and I can't finish it in a few words... However, if you are willing to buy me something to drink to soothe your throat, I can not only tell you the story behind this cross, but also where to get it."
After saying this, Old Abel waited quietly for a while, and sure enough, someone took the bait.
“Give him a bottle of gin!” The adventurer sitting next to Levink waved to the waiter, and a bottle was quickly placed in front of Old Abel’s table.
Levink was jealous with envy and couldn't help but say something sour.
“I suspect this guy just got it by cheating on food and drinks... 80% of your money is wasted.”
The adventurer didn't care, and said with a playful smile.
"What does it matter, I just want to hear what fresh stories the old farmer can tell."
Smelling the intoxicating aroma, old Abel was so excited that he wanted to grab the wine bottle and drink it all in one gulp.
It wasn't until he saw the militiamen on the side staring at him with warning eyes that he restrained his gaffe, coughed and continued the scene to the end.
"The story must begin eighteen years ago..."
Eighteen years ago, a baby who survived a catastrophe fell to the ground, and only the spewing lava witnessed his birth.
Eighteen years later, Saint Sisius sent an oracle to him, instructing him to save all sentient beings and save the world.
Of course Abel did not make up this story himself. How could an old farmer like him have such literary talent?
However, Sheriff Adlai, appointed by the Thunder City Public Security Bureau, is a cultural person.
Although his literary talent is not enough to create any shocking classics, there is still no problem in imitating the tone of the bard and making up a similar story. Driven by alcohol, Abel talked more and more, and became more and more excited as he talked. In the end, he simply wrote off the manuscript. He learned 270 spells from the old priest under the guidance of the Flame King, and talked about the 300-round battle between the Flame King and the Lich on the Broken Rock Peak, just to get the enchanted rock smelted by the fire of the Holy Pillar and make the amulet that saves all sentient beings.
This guy still couldn't forget the lich. He kept talking about how the lich cannibalize people and how his power is boundless.
Although the militiaman sitting nearby had black lines all over his head, he saw that the people around him were fascinated by what he was listening to, so he did not stop him from continuing to write.
It’s up to him.
Anyway, the mission assigned by Sheriff Adlai has been completed, and they will be able to close the team and get off work soon.
The tavern owner looked at old Abel in surprise, and for a moment he felt that this neighbor was a bit strange.
Perhaps this country bumpkin with his face turned to the earth and his back to the sky actually has the talent to be a bard?
He even wanted to invite him to work here!
It’s not just the tavern owner who thinks so.
Even Levink, who was sitting in the corner of the tavern, was stunned by this guy's story.
This sounds...
It is just like something he has seen with his own eyes!
Most people in the tavern were attracted by the story.
Of course, some people’s attention was not on the story itself from beginning to end, but was staring straight at the cross pendant hanging on old Abel’s chest.
The cross was soaked in holy water for three days and three nights.
Everyone can’t help but wonder, will this thing have the same curative effect as holy water?
Listening to the mysterious expression, this thing seems to be more reliable than holy water.
It would be even worse if this thing was cheaper than holy water...
At the same time, in the deserted chapel, Father Matt was sitting quietly on a bench.
At this time, the door of the chapel opened slightly, Sheriff Adlai of Silverpine Town walked in under the bright moonlight, sat next to Father Matt, and hung his hat on the armrest beside him.
"Everything is going according to plan...even smoother than I expected."
That story was supposed to be told by Hebal, but the boy really couldn't bear to lie to his drinking buddy, so he went to the street to catch a familiar farmer.
No one expected that the farmer was surprisingly capable and heated up the business of the tavern.
Now this guy is as drunk as a puddle of mud.
In order to prevent him from saying something he shouldn't have said while drunk, Adlai had already asked his captain to drag the guy to the militia station to sober up.
"Yes," Father Matt nodded slightly, "The Demon King will be happy."
Sheriff Adlai put his hand on his chest and said humbly.
"It's an honor for me to serve that lord. The only thing I don't understand...why is a cross only sold for ten silver coins?"
He believed it.
If that thing could really be confused with holy water, it would cost at least 100 silver coins to be worthy of its noble status.
No.
One hundred silver coins are sold too cheaply, so the farmers must at least hand over half a year's income, right?
Father Matt glanced at him, and then looked away.
"The intentions of Lord Demon King are not something that ordinary people like us can guess at will. What you see is only worldly money and power, but his sight has already transcended all of this and reached straight to the core source of all power in this world."
Adlai raised his eyebrows.
"What is that?"
"It's faith."
"Ten silver coins, that's where the master's brilliance lies."
What he cares about is not worldly money, but letting everyone feel his grace.
The church does not care where the ants go after they die, because that is neither a trouble nor a problem.
But now, someone cares.
Father Matt looked at the statue of Saint Sis standing in the shadow in front of him, and continued in a calm tone.
"Perhaps it won't be long before we can add another statue here."
...
The next day.
The church in Silverpine Town had just rang the morning bell, and the door of the church was trampled by a large wave of believers.
Looking at Father Matt standing at the door, the leading man asked impatiently.
"Priest Matt, may I ask... is the story about that Holy Son true? It's the Holy Son called the King of Flame!"
The story Abel told in the tavern yesterday has been spread, and everyone wants to know whether what that guy said is true or false.
Pastor Matt frowned slightly, looked at the man in the lead and asked meticulously.
If this guy dares to impersonate the name of God, he will be punished at his own fault.
It would be better to say that he hoped what this guy said was false!
However, Pastor Matt's reaction was beyond the expectations of most people present.
He was silent for a moment, then sighed as if he had something to say, and spoke slowly.
"I can't guess the will of Lord Saint Sith...but that amulet does have some use."
This is enough.
As a servant of Saint Sis, he has no right to nod for the district bishop. Saying too much would be superfluous.
This is the "way of life" Sheriff Adlai taught him.
As executive agencies, they sometimes don’t need to clearly stand in line. They only need to arrive two minutes early or late at critical moments... This is better than anything else.
Sure enough, as Sheriff Adlai expected, the faces of the believers present showed excited expressions, as if they had witnessed the birth of some kind of miracle.
Although there are doubts on some people's faces, this doubt is insignificant when everyone believes the same thing.
A villager stepped forward and asked in a trembling voice.
"Dear Priest Matt, may I ask... how can we see the Holy Son?"
Matt shook his head slowly and spoke with a regretful tone.
"You can't see him. He is deep in the Wanren Mountains. He only comes here occasionally."
Another villager asked immediately.
"Then there are more amulets he made...? Our father has just passed away, and we are worried about whether to send his body to the north... Sorry, it's not that we are unwilling to buy holy water, it's just that we can't afford the price."
Halfway through the words, the man lowered his head in embarrassment.
However, Pastor Matt did not mean to criticize him, he just said in a gentle tone.
"That amulet is gone, but if you need it, I can help you ask when he comes next time."
Everyone looked at each other with surprise on their faces.
"This, is this really good?"
"Thank you so much, Priest Matt! Your Majesty, Saint Sis, you... you are such a good man!"
h "When will the Holy Son come back? Can I see him?!"
Matt said in a gentle tone.
h "He told me that when the residents of Silverpine Town need him, he will appear here."
h "I think this day will not be long, and we will see him again soon.
-
(The next chapter has not been finished yet, it will probably take an hour or two. I really haven’t saved it, sorry...)
(End of this chapter)