122: Zealot

Chapter 121: Zealots

Arthur left the task of deciphering the ancient book to the Lovich siblings.

He still had a key person to persuade, but this time, it should be much easier than the last.

Father Dragan chose to stand with him.

No matter what Arthur's true purpose was.

But after sensing the power contained within the Holy Tome and hearing that Arthur had dispersed the mist, the Pastor acknowledged this brother of a different faith.

Sheriff Ge Lei walked into the church with a gloomy expression, accompanied by five other people.

They were all armed and looked vigilant.

The conversation still took place in the office.

After everything he had done was exposed, the Sheriff did not appear very calm, explaining, “These people are either exiled and become monsters wandering in the forest;

“Or they are slain as monsters.

“The former is a threat to Mist Town, the latter—”

He sighed, “I can’t bring myself to kill my own children.

“Since the Pastor says there’s a way to reverse all of this, then I’m willing to take the risk.”

Arthur asked, “What if the Pastor fails?”

The Sheriff did not answer; he couldn't give that answer.

“They carry the beastification disease; once they lose control, any creature bitten by them will be infected.”

The Sheriff nodded, “Yes, I know that.

“So, you want us to kill these people? Or are you trying to remove me from my position with this?

“I have no objection to the latter, but if you want to kill them, please give them a quick death, not execution by fire.”

“You take me for those ruthless lords.

“Indeed, as the Baron of Qingfeng Valley, I do need to possess such qualities.

“But before becoming a Baron, I was a Pastor of Mother Earth.

“The compassionate Goddess teaches us to extend a helping hand to the suffering, not to raise a long sword.”

Father Dragan nodded in agreement, casting an approving look at the young lord.

“They might still be saved,” Arthur said.

The Sheriff looked up at the outsider: “So—”

“So I, the Pastor, and the followers of the Lovich siblings, will all do our best to help.”

The Sheriff gazed blankly at the floor, his originally straight posture suddenly slumping.

“Heir and the others too—” he murmured.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the church.

The Pastor walked to the window in confusion, wanting to see what was happening.

One of the Sheriff's subordinates ran into the room, saying urgently, “It’s bad, sirs!

“Joshua and his men have surrounded the church; they want us to hand over those beastmen!”

“Damn it!” the Sheriff cursed, standing up from his chair, “Someone tipped them off!”

Arthur, however, was calm, saying faintly, “There’s nothing to be surprised about; paper can’t wrap fire forever.

“You can’t expect everyone to be loyal to you at a time like this.”

With that, he called Drax and walked out of the church.

The Pastor quickly followed.

The Sheriff, while instructing his subordinates to find an opportunity to slip out and call for help, quickly caught up with the two.

Outside the church, Joshua, with most of his followers, was shouting for the heretics to be handed over.

Each of them carried lit torches and weapons, clearly having prepared in advance.

The appearance of the young Baron somewhat curbed the arrogance of the crowd.

The influence of identity and status had not disappeared in Qingfeng Valley; on the contrary, it persisted in another form—that of strength.

The people living there would always attach themselves to the victor, and in their eyes, Joshua was such an existence.

As the representative of Little Finger Merchant Guild in this place, Joshua held a large amount of resources.

His business provided food, clothing, and daily necessities, and as long as contact with the outside world could be restored, the Little Finger Merchant Guild would continue to supply him with these. It was precisely by relying on these that he built up his own team.

“Ah, this is great, you’re all here.” Joshua said with a fake smile, “Baron, as an outsider and a Pastor of Mother Earth.

“I think it’s most suitable for you to arbitrate this matter.”

“I’m listening,” Arthur said.

The merchant began to enumerate the various “crimes” of Sheriff Ge Lei and Father Dragan.

The most crucial of these, naturally, was their harboring of beastmen.

In his view, such heretical behavior was undoubtedly a betrayal to Mist Town.

Joshua demanded that these two immediately be relieved of their duties, surrender their weapons, and await trial.

As for the beastmen, they were naturally to be burned alive.

“Since you’ve already made your judgment, is there anything else I need to do?” Arthur, standing to the side, asked.

“Baron, do you think there’s a problem with the judgment just now?”

“I’m not familiar with the local laws.” Arthur took a few more steps forward.

He saw some of them raise their weapons, but under his gaze, their confidence gradually wavered.

Identity and status.

Arthur thought.

Of course, and ample force.

Drax was close behind him.

“But I believe those people’s time is not up; they haven’t completely lost their minds, and we are also looking for a way to cure them.

“As for the actions of the Sheriff and the Pastor, if what you just said is true, they do need to face trial.

“But don’t you think that at such a critical juncture, trying them would dampen the morale of the citizens?”

“Justice must be served!” the merchant shouted loudly, “Heretics will be judged!”

His followers also shouted along.

Amidst the shouts of the crowd, Joshua quickly said, “Listen, Baron.

“Regardless of whether a cure is possible, those people have already been infected by an evil force.

“Darkness has left its mark on them.

“Even if they recover, they deserve to be executed!

“Cooperate with us, and I promise Little Finger Merchant Guild will give you a generous reward.

“But if you persist in your delusion, outsider, I will let you witness the power of Little Finger Merchant Guild.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are you threatening me?”

The merchant showed a cunning smile: “Threatening you? Baron?”

He leaned in closer; he was short, and standing next to Arthur, he looked quite comical.

“I’m not threatening you; why would I do that? I just want you to choose the right side.”

Arthur carefully observed the merchant in front of him.

The man’s bloodshot eyes had heavy bags underneath, and every movement was accompanied by trembling, revealing his extreme excitement at the moment.

It was the followers behind him that gave him the confidence to say these things.

“Perhaps you’ve grown accustomed to others fearing you.” Joshua stared coldly at Arthur, “When I first came here, I might have been afraid of you too.

“But since that day, I’ve seen a lot more.

“I’ve seen dead men rise from the ground and tear out the hearts of the living from their chests;

“I’ve seen newborn infants crawl out of the ground, covered in blood.

“Perhaps those ignorant commoners still care about your identity and status.

“But I don’t; you’re not scary at all.

“How many people can your beastman pet kill? Five? Seven? Or ten?

“When he goes on a rampage, your time here will be over!”

As he spoke, a hint of anger inadvertently crept into his tone, and then he raised his hand to signal his followers to be quiet.

Then he shouted like a victor: “You’ve chosen the wrong place for refuge, Baron!

“Mist Town is not your sanctuary; your dictatorial rule will never succeed here!

“The people here will not listen to your prayers; like me, they believe no god will answer them.

“Here, there is only justice and law, only fairness and democracy!”

If he could just rein in his ambition a little, he might have even convinced him.

Arthur thought.