105: hope

Chapter 104 Hope

"He's been in there for a while now," the Quartermaster said.

The Commander frowned, not replying.

It was Bastet's Priestess who spoke: "Patience, Amn people."

"Haven't you noticed that the Night Mist has stopped?"

The Quartermaster had naturally noticed this.

But the Night Mist had not dissipated either.

This kind of unresolved waiting was the most tormenting.

"If he doesn't come out soon, I'll take my men to the church," the Quartermaster said in a deep voice.

"Lord, patience is an important virtue," Juan said, slowly walking over from the other side. "We should have faith in Mother Earth's Saint."

"Your subordinates are all watching, Lord."

"If the Saint returns from the Night Mist, and you fail to witness it."

"What a great loss that would be."

The Quartermaster scoffed at this, saying, "Just for a vague hope."

"To gamble with my life? I don't think so."

Juan pointed to the many Pioneer Group civilians praying behind the city gate.

"Then how do you explain them?"

The Quartermaster didn't even glance at them, sneering, "Just a bunch of blind fools."

"Haven't you already sent people to resist the Night Mist?"

"And the result? No one survived."

"Now, on what grounds do you expect me to believe this young Baron will succeed?"

"Don't waste time. Have your men prepare the church quickly."

"My men and I will be there shortly."

Arthur clutched the Holy Tome tighter; this action cleared his mind considerably.

"Is that how you tricked those people into following you?"

"I know you won't believe it," the monster replied, "but words are like seeds: once planted, even in the most barren soil,"

They will eventually take root and sprout.

"My words will torment you, human. They will crawl into your ears in the dead of night, and eventually you will obey."

Arthur wanted to respond but found the words stuck in his throat.

A terrible sense of uncertainty suddenly gripped him.

He frowned, trying hard to concentrate, but his limbs wouldn't obey him.

The green light bathing him flickered, like a candle swaying in the cold wind, dimming and brightening amidst the chills.

"This place is fatal to you, mortal," the monster said,

It spoke slowly and confidently, completely disregarding Arthur's close proximity, "Here, the powerful magic of the Great Undead is woven."

"No one can help you here; breaking such magic requires much skill and patience."

"And you clearly cannot do it. You should be proud to have lasted this long."

Arthur felt his limbs grow cold, a chill spreading upwards from the ground.

He struggled to resist, but the cold grew thicker and thicker.

He shivered, trying to move, but found he couldn't even move a finger.

"Resist it," he muttered to himself.

The monster laughed, revealing needle-like teeth and a pale gray rodent tongue.

"Just a little longer," it said, "just a little longer."

"You will become an excellent preacher, spreading the gospel of the Undead!"

Arthur felt the cold rush over him.

His cheeks became tight and brittle, as if frozen.

When the cold reached his eyes, he felt pain.

"Don't resist, child, accept it, you will achieve great things!"

"No!" Arthur squeezed the word out of his mouth.

A wave of green energy rippled out, flowing rapidly over his body.

The frost on him shattered with it.

Arthur suddenly reached out and firmly grasped the lantern flickering with blue light.

The power of the earth veins continuously poured into it through his body.

"What are you doing, let go! What are you doing!"

The monster tried to flee from Arthur's side, letting out a hoarse shriek.

Arthur was surrounded by brilliant green light.

This light overshadowed the lantern's glow, dispelling the mist that enveloped him.

As the earth vein energy poured in, the lantern eventually shattered, turning into over a hundred fragments.

"No, no, no—" The monster also began to disintegrate, just like the lantern.

"Look, the mist has cleared!" a soldier shouted loudly.

More and more soldiers began to shout and cheer.

They saw the young man walking out of the gradually dissipating Night Mist.

He was enveloped in a faint green light, and wherever he passed, everything came to life.

Followers of Mother Earth knelt in prayer.

Juan and Letizia exchanged glances, sharing a knowing smile.

The Quartermaster's brows furrowed.

Turning to the kneeling, praying soldiers, he sharply commanded, "Get up! Hold your positions! All of you, get up!"

"Lord, the power of faith cannot be resisted by command," Juan said.

The city gate slowly opened, and Arthur walked in from outside.

As he approached the Pioneer Group, everyone, without any command or example, spontaneously knelt down.

Godwin was no exception; as Arthur approached, he humbly raised his head, the emerald green light almost blinding him.

"Lord!" he whispered.

"Rise!" Arthur said.

He used a magical art to ensure his voice clearly reached everyone present.

Commander Jafar had now descended from the city wall.

Arthur walked towards him, and he too humbly knelt on one knee.

The young Saint placed his hand on the Commander's head.

According to the pre-arranged plan, Letizia had the priests work together to perform the ceremonial magic.

Juan then signaled the priests to loudly chant hymns of praise.

The magical light and the still-present earth vein power intertwined, creating a solemn and sacred scene.

Arthur spoke: "Baptized one, you shall guard this fortress."

"You shall lead them in battle."

"You shall fulfill the responsibility given by the gods."

All the soldiers present witnessed this scene.

The Quartermaster saw through the scheme and wanted to step forward to stop it, but couldn't find a suitable reason.

This was clearly a theatrical performance, a grand play to consolidate Jafar's rule in this place.

In this way, everything he had painstakingly built up for so long would be ruined.

The ritual ended, and the Commander stood up again.

"I will surely fulfill the mission given by the gods," he solemnly promised.

As Arthur passed him, he whispered, "Don't forget our agreement, Commander."

He continued walking towards the soldiers, the light on him slowly fading.

But the people remained kneeling.

"The gods will protect you; fight for them!" Arthur shouted loudly.

The crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

Godwin said to Paul beside him, "Now you can rest easy."

"Clearly, Lord Arthur has arranged everything."

"Yes," Paul nodded. "In this way, Lord's position here becomes crucial, and ours along with him."

"He is the embodiment of hope; no one would dare to destroy hope."

"Unless he wants to be an enemy to everyone!"