Chapter 296 A Frozen Heart
Inside the temple council chamber, Saint Heather expressed her willingness to make advance contact with the sea creatures to ascertain their intentions and prepare everyone for the formal meeting. However, she was opposed by Elder Charles of the Inquisition.
"Hatherine, everyone knows you need things from the sea people. You should avoid suspicion this time!" Elder Charles's eyes revealed a venomous look.
Heatherine stood up abruptly, her usually calm eyes suddenly blazing with fury, and a murderous aura emanated from her, making the entire council hall feel as if it had been plunged into the dead of winter in the north, freezing cold.
"Heatherine, don't be impulsive. As long as you have an open and honest heart, no accusation can tarnish your innocence."
Asif, seated at the head of the table, casually waved his hand, and the malevolent aura in the hall vanished instantly. The warm winter sun shone in through the windows once more, warming everyone with the words of the Grand Elder.
"Your Excellency Elder Ashif, my reputation has been tarnished. I challenge Charles to a duel and hope to receive your permission."
Heatherine's murderous aura was forced back, but the anger in her eyes intensified. She challenged Charles to a duel without hesitation. However, as important figures in the temple, dueling became less free and required Ashiff's approval.
“I cannot agree to your request, Heatherine. The Millennium Covenant is about to lose its power. The situation in the Temple is very bad. All infighting will be a crime. Do you want to become sinners of the Temple?” The gentle Ashif suddenly became angry, like a sleeping lion awakening. Under his majesty, everyone lowered their heads.
“Sophie, go to Alexandria and receive the sea creature envoys in advance. If they dare to dream of restoring the glory of their ancestors, then let them go back! The Temple has been fighting the orcs for over a thousand years; it won't make a difference if one more sea creature joins the fight,” Ashif said, pointing to a female knight in a knight's robe.
"Your Excellency Elder Ashif, please tell me, what is our bottom line?" The female knight Sophie stood up, placing one hand on her chest as she asked Ashif for instructions.
Ashif reverted to his listless, middle-aged appearance and said calmly, "We have no bottom line."
"Or rather, our bottom line depends on the other side's... strength. A hundred years later, when they return, I really want to see what trump cards they have up their sleeves." A glint flashed in Ashif's eyes before he closed them again.
Seeing that the Grand Elder remained silent, everyone tactfully rose, bowed, and then dispersed.
"Hatherine, stay here for a moment."
Ashiff stopped the still furious Saint Heatherine, gesturing for her to sit down again. Only after everyone had left did he reveal a gentle smile and begin to talk.
“Heatherine, don’t take those people’s words and actions to heart. They are tainted by too much ugliness of time. If you take them to heart, you will eventually become like them.”
"Elder Ashif, I may overlook any other faults you may point out, but I will never tolerate anyone tarnishing my loyalty to the Temple."
Ashif sighed. "Everyone can see your loyalty, otherwise... you wouldn't be like this today. You used to be such a vibrant child, you were born with light in you... but now... don't hide in the shadows of the past."
“Respected Elder, I understand. Thank you for your guidance. I will go north to hunt orcs tomorrow. I think the warriors there need me more.” Heather stepped forward, knelt on one knee, kissed Ashif’s hand with its faint age spots, and turned to walk out of the hall.
“Alas! Poor child…” Ashif shrank back, and the holy servant hidden to the side immediately took out a thick blanket and covered him with it.
Qin Mo looked at the icy-cold Heather across from her and asked with suspicion, "Leaving tomorrow?"
"Leaving tomorrow, or I won't wait for you."
"You're leading the team personally?"
Anger began to surge in Heatherine's eyes. She vowed that if this Easterner dared to be so indecisive again, she would vent her anger on him. "This is your hunting permit and basic information. If you don't want to follow me, go report to the Allied Forces camp yourself!"
Looking at the permit stamped with a large, blood-red seal in her hand, Qin Mo couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Yesterday they wouldn't let me step out the door, and today they're kicking me out. Is it that they can't afford to feed me anymore?"
"Your Excellency Qin Mo, once you leave the temple, the temple will no longer provide meals. You will need to arrange your own food and lodging."
Qin Mo stared blankly at Saintess Heatherine's retreating figure, somewhat dazed. He always felt that Heatherine's last sentence was a joke, but it wasn't funny at all.
The next morning, a carriage drove out of the Gate of Sages, circled around Rome, and headed north.
"Your Excellency Qin Mo, all these things you brought are so exquisite. Did your family make them for you?" Kelly asked curiously, looking at the outdoor survival equipment Qin Mo had brought, such as a small tent, a multi-purpose backpack, a sleeping bag, and a simple stove.
"Some of them I made myself, and some my friends made for me. I've used them before. When you get to the market town ahead, you can buy some suitable canvas and learn to make some if you're bored on the way."
"Okay, okay, I think it's very useful too!" Kelly tried carrying Qin Mo's big backpack and felt it was good, but it looked a bit funny to everyone else. The backpack, which was more than a meter long, was pressing down on a girl, which was indeed quite comical.
"Haha! Kelly, how are you feeling?"
"Kelly, you're the priestess, so you only need to carry the staff. Let us knights carry the rest!"
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