119: Beastman

Chapter 118: Lycanthropes

Just as Arthur was about to ask, the sounds of fighting from outside reached them.

He immediately rushed out, with Heir close behind him.

A muscular man, dressed in a long robe and wielding a long sword, ran out of the chapel.

“Beast, you damned beast!” he roared as he sprinted, “You have defiled this holy place!

“By the name of the Hand of Justice, I command you to leave!”

Before he finished speaking, Drax leaped out, his axe striking directly at the man.

The man parried with his sword, skillfully deflecting the blow.

Then, he thrust his long sword forward, forcing the beastman back while simultaneously sidestepping.

This person was undoubtedly an experienced warrior.

“Father Draggan, stop it, he’s not an enemy!” Heir shouted.

But the priest ignored her, launching a series of storm-like attacks at the beastman.

Arthur could see that Drax was clearly holding back, afraid of hurting the other party, only using his axe to block all attacks.

Taking advantage of the priest’s momentary pause for breath, he punched him in the face, knocking him directly to the ground.

The priest quickly got up and charged forward again, roaring in anger.

Just then, Arthur’s spell was also complete, and a holy light enveloped the priest.

The previously furious priest immediately calmed down; he lowered his sword and looked at the newcomers with a somewhat bewildered expression.

Upon seeing Heir, a clear look of disgust appeared on his face.

“You are not welcome here, Ms. Heir, I told you that long ago,” he said in a deep voice.

Heir held up the manuscript and questioned, “Yes, you did say that, but you’d better explain to me, what is this?”

The priest’s face suddenly changed, and his sword clanged as it dropped to the ground.

He looked up to the sky and pleaded, “Oh, Hand of Justice, please forgive my sins.”

After praying for forgiveness to his god, the priest explained, “I was looking for a way to save those poor people.”

Arthur sighed and stepped forward: “My brother, there’s one thing you haven’t understood.

“Those people you’re hiding are not possessed by demons, nor are they corrupted by dark forces; they are suffering from lycanthropy.

“This ancient curse can only be lifted by corresponding magic.

“Prayers and your strange methods are useless.”

The priest stared intently at the young man before him and asked, “Are you a follower of the Golden Goddess?”

Arthur nodded in affirmation.

Draggan seemed very excited upon hearing this.

He reached out and grabbed Arthur’s arm, “Excellent, truly excellent.

“Finally, a priest who understands divine magic has arrived.

“Lycanthropy? Are you sure those people have lycanthropy?”

Arthur replied, “Based on the description in your manuscript, it seems so.

“Don’t you know about lycanthropy?”

“I am truly ashamed, brother, most of the teachings I received were about combat, not knowledge.”

Arthur nodded.

Priests of different gods specialize in different areas.

As priests of Torm, one of the Three Holy Ones of Justice, they constantly travel to various places to combat evil.

Naturally, they do not have as much time as priests of other gods to study in temples.

This Father Draggan is more accurately described as a Holy Crusader than a priest.

People like him are excellent at military campaigns, but their theoretical knowledge is relatively weak.

“Take me to see those people,” Arthur said.

Father Draggan looked at Heir and replied, “My brother, I’m afraid that’s not quite appropriate.

“She is a witch—”

Saying that, he turned around and pointed at the beastman, “And he is a beastman.”

“So what?” Arthur retorted, “Is this how your god guides you?

“To judge a person solely by their appearance, rather than through deep understanding?

“As far as I know, your god is strict, righteous, and unyielding, but first and foremost, his heart is filled with that crucial kindness. Yet you, you question a beastman you don’t even understand.

“Have you forgotten what happened in Tanvis back then?”

The priest’s eyes widened, and anger visibly crept onto his face.

Finally, he sighed deeply and said, “Based on what you just said, I should have challenged you to a duel.

“But everything you said is true; I forgot the Debt of Persecution, and I should not jump to conclusions.”

The Debt of Persecution is one of a series of responsibilities Torm set for his followers.

Its purpose was to atone for their mistakes committed in Tanvis during the Time of Troubles—when, due to their extreme pursuit of justice, they persecuted other good religions.

But the priest’s tone changed, and he said seriously, “She is a witch, she will bring harm, I cannot risk letting her near those people.”

Heir narrowed her eyes; although she was furious, she had no intention of making trouble.

“I’ll vouch for her,” Arthur said.

This statement greatly surprised both the priest and the young woman.

“No, no need,” Heir shook her head, “I’ll wait outside.”

Arthur refused, “No, you must come with me; only you know how to guide that power.”

Before the priest could speak, Arthur added, “Brother, the power you sensed, it accepted Miss Heir’s guidance.

“And was used to resist that terrible fog.

“If you suspect she, like the other evil witches in Qingfeng Valley, came to steal this power, she would have already succeeded.”

Father Draggan looked at Heir in disbelief and asked, “Is everything he said true?”

Heir nodded.

“But—but Joshua said you were connected to the Granny in the swamp, and he found many witnesses.”

Heir chuckled softly and replied, “Believe it or not, Father.

“It was that Granny who taught me how to use that power to protect the town.”

“I can testify,” Arthur quickly added, “I’ve seen those Grannies; she’s not a bad person.”

“She even invited us to dinner and let us stay for a night,” Drax also said.

These words undoubtedly had a huge impact on the priest.

After a long while, he finally came to his senses and said with emotion, “By the Hand of Justice above!

“If it weren’t for you, brother, I would truly find it hard to believe all of this is true.”

“Give her a chance,” Arthur said, “She will prove it to you.”

The priest nodded and said, “Follow me.”

They arrived at a room behind the chapel.

The room was old and dilapidated, covered in mold, with several holes in the ceiling and puddles of water on the floor.

In the corner of the room was a heavy trapdoor embedded in the floor, secured by layers of chains and padlocks.

Arthur and the others could hear wailing sounds coming from beneath the trapdoor.

The priest opened the trapdoor with the key hanging around his neck, and the wailing became clearer.

He made the sign of the Hand of Justice on his chest, then picked up a torch and went down.

Below was the church’s basement.

The entire basement had walls built from rough stones, and the floor was damp earth mixed with clay.

The pillars precariously supporting the wooden ceiling were almost rotten.

By the light of the torch and a light spell, Arthur saw seven or eight people chained to the walls.

No, more accurately, they were half-human, half-beast werewolves.