With Gene's help, Ernest took a bath, changed into clean clothes, and even trimmed his hair and shaved his beard.
At this moment, they could see Ernest's appearance more clearly. His thin face had a straight nose and thick eyebrows, and his facial features were very three-dimensional. At a glance, one could tell that he was an upright person. This was no different from what Phil Gray had seen with the "Eye of Fate," except that he was more mature and weathered, and there was a scar at the corner of his eye.
“Really, I knew I wasn’t mistaken, he looks so much like the Duke of Surrey,” Patrick remarked as he looked him over.
Phil Gray simply explained their current situation to Ernest: whether they could return to the Papacy depended on the Gray family's situation. As for them, all they could do now was protect themselves and try to increase their strength.
What level are you at now?
“I am at the Observation level, but because of my legs, I can only exert the power of the Blessing level.” Ernest seemed somewhat ashamed and frustrated. In the past ten years, he had made almost no progress, and he had just heard that the knight commander who betrayed His Majesty had reached the Divine Prophecy level.
“It’s alright, you’re already the best among us,” Patrick comforted, then added hesitantly, “and your leg might even grow back.”
"Grow back?" Phil Gray asked curiously.
“Yes, high-ranking followers of the God of Life, that is, followers at the level of divine revelation or above, can regenerate severed limbs. Hmm, perhaps followers at the level of 'observation' could also try,” Patrick explained.
“I know.” Ernest was not as excited as I had imagined. He remained calm and said, “But most of the high-ranking followers of the God of Life are high-ranking members of the Church of Life. Given our current situation, it will be difficult to get them to help.”
“I have money… uh, I mean, we’ll be able to return to the Holy See sooner or later. When that time comes, asking them for help will just be a matter of a word from my cousin, right?” Patrick glanced at the twenty gold coins he had left in his storage space and changed the subject.
Ernest shook his head and said nothing.
But Phil Gray and Patrick both understood that the knight's primary concern was protecting them until they returned to the Papacy, after which his role might be less significant.
“Don’t be so pessimistic. Don’t forget we have a future teammate who is a highly regarded Chosen One. Maybe he has a way,” Phil Gray said with a smile.
“Yeah, the flower show is tomorrow, right? Hehe, I need to book a room for our new teammates in advance.” Patrick laughed as he took out the contract from his spatial stone.
Infected by them, Ernest also began to smile faintly.
The flower show arrived on time. For other cities, holding a flower show in winter would be unbelievable, but for the city of Duer, which is full of vitality in spring, summer, autumn and winter, winter is the perfect time.
They need liveliness, colorful flowers to dispel the biting cold of winter and the snow-covered landscape, and most importantly—to showcase the miracle of life.
The patrons of the tavern walked out together.
“Let’s wait until the sun is higher before we go,” Phil Gray said, looking at Patrick who was shivering.
Patrick shook his head; the coldness on his body was not enough to extinguish the fire in his heart.
"No, no, no, I can't wait to see how my future teammates perform."
Ernest was using a cane, and Gene tried to help him, but he refused, his back ramrod straight like a sharp sword.
"Oh, it's you guys. Are you also going to see the flower show?"
They turned around and saw the man wrapped tightly in his coat; it was the businessman from yesterday.
He had a kind smile on his face.
"Yes."
"What a coincidence! I've been to many cities, but the flower show in Duer City is the most beautiful. Some of the flowers are ones I've never even heard of before."
The merchant remarked with a sigh, then, as if remembering something, asked:
"By the way, how's that homeless man from yesterday? I saw you take him to the hotel upstairs, how is he now?"
Phil Gray and Patrick did not answer, but simply looked at Ernest.
The merchant, puzzled, also looked at him, only to find that the disabled man looked quite familiar.
"I was the homeless man yesterday."
"Huh?" The businessman looked at the person in front of him in disbelief. "I'm sorry, sir, I've offended you."
"fine."
They walked together to the square, where the snow had been cleared away and brightly colored flowers lined the path, forming a symbol of the Church of Life—a newly sprouted bud.
There were so many visitors that it was almost crowded. They looked toward the center of the square, where a newly erected platform stood, and behind the platform was a row of seats where beautiful and elegant noble ladies, the lord of Dur City, and the pastors of the Church of Life sat.
"They are the judges for this flower show. Each contestant can showcase a flower they have collected or cultivated. The more unique and rare the flower, the higher the score. The first-place winner will receive a prize of 1,000 gold coins provided by the Church of Life and the City Lord's Mansion," the merchant explained to them.
"So this is what a flower show is like," Patrick said, looking quite interested.
Phil Gray frowned slightly. This seemed a little different from what he had seen with the Eye of Fate that day. This was an ordinary flower show, while the scene he had seen was the flower show of the chosen ones.
Thinking of this, he asked cryptically:
"Is there another flower show?"
The merchant looked somewhat surprised upon hearing this. He lowered his voice and said, "There is indeed another flower show, which is for those favored by the gods and is held at the Cathedral of Life. How did you know about it?"
This merchant was indeed well-informed. He was an ordinary person, yet he knew about the existence of those favored by the gods. However, since he knew something, there was no need to hide it.
“We are the chosen ones, and a friend of ours is also a chosen one. He is going to participate in that flower show, and we want to go and see it.”
"You are actually chosen ones of the gods!" The merchant almost exclaimed, but managed to control himself. "Is that so? Actually, I'm also very curious. Why don't we go and take a look together?" His eyes lit up, because he had always been very curious about these things.
"sure."
They quickly rented a very spacious carriage in the square and headed straight for the Cathedral of Life in Tours.
On the carriage, Phil Gray learned that the merchant's name was Ron, and that he bought and sold food throughout the Western Continent.
Since learning that they were chosen by the gods, the merchant seemed very excited, but he did not ask any questions. Instead, he kept talking about his understanding of the chosen people and the various miraculous events he had heard about.
We soon arrived at the Cathedral of Life.
"There are far more people here today than usual. It seems they're all here for the God-Chosen Flower Show." The merchant observed the crowd with curiosity and inquiry in his eyes.
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