Chapter 61: Flame King

The setting sun gradually sank into the valley, and the town with curling smoke was swallowed up by the night, leaving only a few lights on the street where the Adventurer's Guild was located.

The old farmer, who had been busy all day, was walking home from the fields, and those exhausted adventurers were leaving the maze in twos and threes.

Ever since the Thunder City branch raised the commission weight of Silver Pine Town, the number of adventurers active in the local area has suddenly increased like frogs in a pond after rain.

Old Abel, carrying a hoe, was killing time with a listless look on his face, calculating in his mind the time when his neighbors would have dinner.

It's not that he wanted to eat for free, it's just that he made a fool of himself by losing his shoes the day before yesterday, and now people laugh at him whenever they see him. He is too embarrassed to meet the eyes of his neighbors.

At this moment, he suddenly saw Captain Hebal standing on the street corner and waving at him.

Out of curiosity, Old Abel walked over.

Before he could ask what was going on, Hebal took the initiative to speak with a mysterious look on his face.

"Want a drink?"

Old Abel's desire for alcohol was immediately aroused, and he nodded without saying a word.

"Yes, of course I do...but I don't have any money in my pocket, so don't try to take advantage of me."

"Hey, look at what you said, am I that kind of person?"

Hebal chuckled, stuffed a stone necklace into his hand, and then turned around and taught this guy who looked honest but was not honest at all the words the captain had taught him.

"I don't have any money either, but those outsiders do... I'll teach you how to cheat them into eating and drinking."

At the same time, across the street, a bar that had been closed all day had just opened.

As soon as the tightly closed oak door was pushed open, the wind chimes hanging on the door began to ring non-stop.

Adventurers who have been busy in the maze and the wild for a whole day need alcohol and passionate girls to numb their tense nerves.

The "Silver Pine Trail" located opposite the Adventurer's Guild happens to have both of these things.

The man with the big sword on his back boasted loudly about the battle with the lizardmen in the maze today. He exaggerated the chaotic encounter into a fight with a dragon.

The middle-aged waitress dealt with the harassment from the adventurers while moving flexibly between the crowded tables and chairs, placing foamy oak wine glasses on the tables.

Occasionally, there would be one or two young waitresses who would blush at the tasteless jokes, causing a group of burly adventurers to burst into obscene laughter and whistles.

At this time, the wind chimes at the door rang again, and an old farmer who was out of tune with the surrounding atmosphere walked in from outside.

Not all of them are foreigners.

There are also local hunters who occasionally act as adventurers.

Levink, who lived on the north street, recognized him immediately, and the adventurer next to him said with a smile.

"This guy is the old Abel who lost his shoes while running... the guy who claimed to have encountered a lich."

"Hahaha, that's him?"

"You really look miserable, haha!"

Several adventurers laughed loudly, and many people's attention was focused on Old Abel.

Abel, who had been planning to walk to the bar in a low profile, blushed and stared at the annoying hunter and spoke in a repressive voice.

"You only remember that I lost my shoes while running, but you don't remember what terrible thing I ran into!"

"Lich?" Levink whistled and said jokingly, "Then please tell us, Old Abel, what does the legendary lich look like... I have been hunting in Silverpine Town for 20 years, and I have never seen such a thing!"

"That's because you don't have much experience!"

Old Abel retorted with a red face and angrily walked to the bar and sat down.

Ignoring everyone's teasing, he looked around as if he was looking for something, then heaved a sigh of relief as if he had found it, then took out a stone cross pendant from his arms, rubbed it in his hand and prayed.

Levink raised his eyebrows in a strange expression.

He has known this guy for so many years, but this is the first time he has seen him pray so devoutly.

This made him feel a little curious.

However, just as he was about to ask, the militiaman sitting next to the bar got there before him and spoke first with interest.

"What is this pendant? It looks like... a little special?"

special?

Levink froze 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.

"This thing is incredible! Didn't I run into a ghost a few days ago? I couldn't sleep that night, so I went to see Priest Matt. After listening to my troubles, Priest Matt handed this amulet to me... Guess what? I put it around my neck and slept soundly the next day. No more ghosts were nagging in my ears all night!"

Regardless of how true or false these words are, they are indeed convincing coming from old Abel. After all, everyone knows that he really saw a remarkable undead recently.

Everyone was amazed and started talking about it.

"So this is a talisman?" The militiaman sitting at the bar touched his chin and said with a hint of provocation, "It doesn't seem to be a big deal."

"Amulet? How can it be as simple as you say!" Old Abel curled his lips in disdain and shouted, "This thing was made by the famous Flame King himself. Not only is it blessed by the Son of God, it has also been 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 words were spoken, everyone sitting near the bar showed surprised expressions, the entire lobby of the pub was filled with whispers, and even the waitresses who were serving tea and water showed interested expressions.

Although they may not need it themselves, who doesn't have an elderly person in their family? Without holy water or the ability to afford a church cemetery, they can only abandon the bodies of their deceased relatives in mass graves far away from the town, and they can't even worship the dead.

If the cross really worked, they could bury the remains of their loved ones in their own backyards.

"Flame King?"

"Holy Son?"

"What is that?"

Especially Levink was shocked by this guy's audacity and scolded him immediately.

"What do you mean it has the same effect as holy water? You can't just say that!"

Looking at this group of ignorant guys, Old Abel spoke in a narrative tone.

"Nonsense? This is what Father Matt told me! If you think there's a problem, go confront that old man!"

"As for the Son of God... I'm surprised you haven't heard of him! Well, I won't keep you in suspense. It's that person! The boy who was blessed by Saint Sith and survived a disaster..."

Which one?

Levink, who was listening attentively, was already confused and even began to suspect that he was a fake local.

Seeing that everyone was interested, Old Abel suddenly stopped talking halfway through his speech, coughed, and then continued.

"It's a long story, and I can't tell you the whole story in a few words... But if you'd like to buy me something to moisten your throat, I can tell you not only the story behind the cross, but also where I got 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 of gin was quickly placed on old Abel's table.

Levink was so envious that he couldn't help but say something sour.

"I suspect this guy just got the money by cheating... Your money is probably wasted."

The adventurer didn't care and said with a grin.

"What does it matter? I'd like to hear what new stories the old farmer can tell."

Smelling the intoxicating aroma, old Abel was so excited that he wanted to grab the bottle and drink it all in one gulp.

It was not until he saw the militiaman next to him staring at him with a warning look that he restrained his inappropriate behavior, coughed, and continued the scene to the end.

"The story has to start from eighteen years ago..."

Eighteen years ago, a baby who survived a great disaster was born, with only the gushing magma as witness of his birth.

Eighteen years later, Saint Six gave him an oracle, teaching him to save all living beings and bring relief to 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, who was appointed by the Thunder City Public Security Department, is a cultured man.

Although his literary talent was not enough to create any earth-shattering classics, he had no problem imitating the tone of the bard and making up a similar story.

Driven by alcohol, Abel became more and more excited as he spoke, and at the end he simply went off script, talking about how the Fire King learned 270 spells from the old priest, and how the Fire King fought with the Lich for 300 rounds on Broken Rock Peak, just to obtain the enchanted rock smelted by the fire of the Holy Pillar and make the amulet to save all living beings.

This guy still couldn't forget the lich. He kept talking about how the lich ate people and how it had boundless magical powers.

The militiaman sitting next to him was very upset, but seeing that the people around him were fascinated by what he was saying, he did not stop him from continuing to speak without a script.

Who cares.

Anyway, the task assigned by Sheriff Adlai has been completed, and they will be able to go off work soon.

The tavern owner looked at Old Abel in surprise, and for a moment he felt that this neighbor was a little strange.

This country bumpkin who works hard all day long... maybe he actually has the talent to be a bard? He even wants to hire him to work here! The tavern owner is not the only one who thinks so.

Even Levink, who was sitting in the corner of the tavern, was stunned by this guy's story.

This sounds...

It was just like something he had seen with his own eyes! Most people in the tavern were attracted by the story.

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Of course, there were also people whose attention was not on the story itself from beginning to end, but was staring at the cross pendant hanging on old Abel's chest.

The cross was soaked in holy water for three days and three nights.

Everyone couldn't help but wonder, would this thing have the same therapeutic effect as holy water?

Listening to the mysterious description, this thing seems to be more reliable than holy water.

If this thing is cheaper than holy water, it would be even more incredible...

At the same time, in the deserted chapel, Father Matt was sitting quietly on a bench.

At this time, the door of the chapel was gently pushed open, and Sheriff Adlai of Silver Pine Town walked in under the bright moonlight, sat next to Father Matt, and casually hung his hat on the armrest beside him.

"Everything is going as planned...even better than I expected."

The story was originally supposed to be told by Hebal, but the boy couldn't bear to deceive his drinking buddy, so he went to the street and caught a familiar farmer.

As a result, no one expected that the farmer was unexpectedly capable and boosted the tavern's business.

Now this guy is drunk as a puddle of mud.

In order to prevent him from saying something inappropriate after drinking, Adlai had instructed his captain to drag the guy to the militia base to sober up.

"Yes," Father Matt nodded slightly, "The Demon King will be pleased."

Sheriff Adlai put his hand on his chest and said humbly.

"It is my honor to serve that lord. The only thing I don't understand is... why does a cross only cost ten silver coins?"

He believes it.

If that thing can really be confused with holy water, it would cost at least 100 silver coins to be worthy of its noble status.

No.

A hundred silver coins is too cheap. The farmers should at least pay half a year's income, right? Father Matt glanced at him and then looked away.

"The Lord Demon's intentions 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 surpassed all of this and reached the core source of all power in this world."

Adlai raised his eyebrows.

"What is that?"

“It’s faith.”

Ten silver coins, that's exactly where that gentleman was so smart.

What he cares about is not worldly money, but to make everyone feel his grace.

The church does not care where the ants go after they die because that is neither a problem nor a problem.

And now, someone cares.

Father Matt looked at the statue of Saint Sith standing in the shadows ahead and continued in a calm tone.

“Perhaps it won’t be long before we can add another statue here.”

…

The next day.

As soon as the morning bell rang at the church in Yinsong Town, the threshold of the church was trampled down by a large group of believers.

Looking at Father Matt standing at the door, the leading man asked impatiently.

"Father Matt, may I ask... is the story about that Holy Son true? The Holy Son called King Yan!"

The story Abel told in the pub yesterday has spread, and everyone wants to know whether what the guy said is true or not.

Pastor Matt frowned slightly and asked the man in the lead meticulously.

"Who told you this name?"

"It's Abel! The 'shoe-loser'!" Levink raised his hand and sold out his fellow villager without hesitation.

If this guy dares to impersonate God, he deserves to be punished.

Rather, he hoped that 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 hide, and spoke slowly.

"I can't guess what Saint Sis's intentions are... but the amulet does have some use."

That's enough.

As a servant of Saint Six, he had no right to nod for the district bishop, and saying too much would be superfluous.

This is the "way of life" that Sheriff Adlai taught him.

As an executive agency, they sometimes don't need to take clear sides. They just need to arrive two minutes earlier or later at the critical moment...this is better than anything else.

Just as Sheriff Adlai had expected, the believers present all showed excitement on their faces, as if they had witnessed the birth of some miracle.

Although some people expressed doubt on their faces, this doubt was insignificant when everyone believed the same thing.

A villager stepped forward and asked in a trembling voice.

"Respected Father Matt, may I ask...how can we meet the Holy Son?"

Matt shook his head slowly and spoke in a regretful tone.

"You can't see him. He is deep in the Wanren Mountains and only comes here occasionally."

Another villager asked immediately.

"Then what about the amulets he made... do you have more? Our father passed away not long ago, and we are worried about whether to send his body to the north... Sorry, it's not that we don't want to buy the holy water, but we really can't afford it."

Halfway through his words, the man lowered his head in embarrassment.

However, Pastor Matt did not mean to criticize him, but spoke in a gentle tone.

"The amulet is no longer available, but if you need it, I can ask for it for you next time he comes."

Everyone looked at each other, with expressions of surprise on their faces.

"Is this really okay?"

"Thank you so much, Father Matt! By the grace of Saint Sith, you...you are such a good man!"

"When will the Holy Son come back? Can I see him?!"

Matt said in a gentle tone.

"He told me that when the residents of Silverpine need him, he will be here."

"I think this day won't take long, and we'll see him again soon." - (The next chapter is not finished yet, it will probably take another hour or two, I really don't have any drafts saved, sorry...) (End of this chapter)