Chapter 31
The warriors stirred slightly.
"A temple?"
The War God's temple was next door. Everyone from the bishop to the priests were seated here; it couldn't suddenly have people coming in. The Nature God had no temple at all. Besides, the followers of the Nature God were a bunch of gentle folks, not this proud.
So, the only possibility for someone coming to apprehend someone was...
The Temple of the Spring Goddess!
Ugh, the most detestable one.
The most aloof, demanding the most donations, reluctant to help when needed for healing, only seeing the faces of those noble lords...
Sigh, as much as they're disliked, can't afford to offend them. Waiting for others to save lives on the battlefield, offending them now might cost a life if luck runs out.
About a hundred soldiers collectively turned their heads, then collectively turned their gazes back. Captain Karen and Knight Flynn looked worriedly at Garrett, yet he stood firm on the platform, showing no signs of nervousness.
Garrett indeed breathed a sigh of relief.They'd rushed fast enough; not too far behind the temple's folks. They'd made it back to the city guards before Sir Roman reported and before the temple decided to capture someone.
Luck was on his side; coincidentally saving Sir Westlow and gaining the attention of the War God's temple. What favored him more was with the Spring Goddess's temple coming for someone, both the city guards and the bigwigs from the War God's temple were present. With these two around, they wouldn't just stand and watch him suffer a loss, right?
Garrett calmly walked off the platform. Before Knight Flynn and Captain Nolan could speak, he faced the temple messenger and calmly said, "Are you looking for Garrett Nordmark? That's me."
His demeanor was too composed, causing the messenger to pause, eyeing him closely. A teenager in his teens, black-haired, dark-eyed. Wearing a dark brown rough linen cloak, dusty, the look of the lowest-ranking soldier in the city guard.
From appearance to attire, it matched Roman's description perfectly.
Though it was odd for him to stand on the platform, well, a soldier is a soldier...
"Very well." He raised the staff in his hand and gestured forcefully. Two tall guards immediately stepped forward from behind, "Come with us!"
Garrett neither complied nor resisted, staying put, looking to Captain Nolan Knight with an inquiring gaze. As expected, Knight Nolan rose with his sword, eyebrows furrowed, questioning the newcomer, "Garrett? What does the temple want with him?"
"Just a few questions." The messenger replied indifferently. After answering, he immediately fixed his gaze on Garrett, urging again, "Let's go!"
"Uh, wait... I'm not done here yet... Can't it wait for a bit?"
"The priest is waiting! Move!"
Garrett dragged his feet, unwilling to step forward. Taking this chance, Captain Flynn sidled over, swiftly whispering to Knight Nolan about what had transpired earlier: how their squad was called up, how Sir Roman made a false report, got seriously injured, and how Garrett got the attention of a Necromancer with his blue eyes...
Knight Nolan listened and pondered. After hearing the whole story, he nodded, "Understood. Garrett, come, I'll go with you."
"Sir Knight—"
The temple messenger was about to intervene, but Knight Nolan didn't give him a chance, waving a hand, "Young Garrett is under my command, and I have always had a good eye on him. Since the temple is calling, it's only right that I accompany him."
"This... "
Originally thought to summon a mere soldier, it stirred the city guard's big shot, a level seven knight stepping in personally. The messenger was quite surprised. Before he could refuse, the bald bishop from the War God's temple smiled and stood up, walking over to Garrett:
"This kid's interesting. If the Temple of the Spring Goddess wants to ask him something, I'd like to see too. Your temple wouldn't mind, right?"
Whether they mind or not, it's not for a messenger like him to decide! Besides, if the War God's temple's bishop visits the Temple of the Spring Goddess, even the high priest has to come out to welcome him. What could he say? What would he dare to say?
With a wry face, the messenger bowed and gestured. The bald bishop chuckled as he walked by Garrett, extending his arm and giving his neck a firm pat—
This bishop was burly, with arms almost as thick as Garrett's waist. Just that pat, that press, nearly made Garrett choke.
The group rumbled out of the military camp.
The Temple of the Spring Goddess lay behind the Lord's Manor, not far or near from the city guard's camp. Walking there was a bit far, and using horses or carriages felt like an excessive show of force.
The bald bishop took large strides, heading straight ahead. The few from the Temple of the Spring Goddess had come on horseback, so they had no choice but to trail behind, holding their reins, panting.
Goodness... why is this guy so informal...
The messenger grumbled inwardly.
Helplessly, the city knows the bald bishop's style: fond of fighting, arm-wrestling people in taverns. Once, in a physical contest, he beat a level five knight using sheer strength.
Now that the old man wanted to walk, what could they do? Everyone had to walk along.
The messenger complained silently. As they walked, a figure suddenly dashed past from behind, one of the temple guards he brought along. With a few steps, he caught up to Knight Nolan, keeping pace, quietly reporting:
"It's Sir Roman who complained at the temple..."
The messenger shivered.
He looked left, four city guard captains flanked Garrett from both sides, shooting angry glares occasionally;
He looked right, behind the bald bishop, seven to eight priests followed closely, seeming like an overwhelming force being deployed. Just by numbers, the one he was supposed to capture didn't look like a city guard but more like a priest from the War God's temple;
Glancing back, a long line of city guard soldiers followed, craning their necks, appearing worried...
The messenger's head suddenly cleared.
I'm just a messenger! I have no grudges against the city guard, this youth I'm supposed to capture! I haven't even reaped any benefits from Sir Roman's accusation!
What good does my cooperation do for me?
He hurried forward, passing Garrett, and whispered to Knight Nolan, crossing him, "Sir Roman accused your city guard's Garrett of colluding with a Necromancer, causing his severe injury. Priest Donald testified for Garrett, saying that before the Necromancer appeared, Garrett was already in the hall below and was knocked down together...
Now, due to the failed search and significant losses incurred, Priest Donald has been asked to reflect. Sir Roman's injuries aren't improving, even after the high priest's treatment, and there's some leniency towards him now.
The high priest says the knight's slow recovery is due to a night's delay in timely treatment last night..."
Behind Knight Nolan, Garrett's eyes flickered slightly, a silent smirk playing at his lips.
Not following medical advice!
That's it!
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