145: Death of Arthur

Chapter 144: The Death of Arthur

The woman with the severed arm was enduring unspeakable pain.

That pain was far more intense than any hardship she had experienced in the slums.

A searing hot iron had branded a twisted scar onto her flesh.

Waves of stinging pain washed over her, ceaselessly.

Her muscles seemed to have turned into a paste, bubbling with tiny air pockets, steaming with nitrogen and argon, slowly dripping from her pores.

After a long silence, she finally learned to scream again.

But the act of screaming made her jaw tingle.

Yet, this feeling was truly wonderful.

After enduring so many nights half-dead, she genuinely felt alive again.

Her body was being seared by this brutal yet somewhat pleasurable pain.

The medicine the doctor gave her was taking effect.

It burned her skin while simultaneously repairing the cracks and wounds on her body.

She wanted to sing, to sing loudly like she used to in the taverns.

But at this moment, her jaw hurt too much, and she couldn't sing after all.

Around her stood others who had come from the slums.

They had all changed, becoming more vibrant, filled with a desire to strive, becoming fanatical.

The Pioneer Group had brought them hot water for washing and medicine for healing.

At the Pastor’s signal, all the wearable clothes from the town were also sent here.

A rabbit doctor and his subordinates were examining them one by one.

They received careful treatment, steaming hot food, and clean, tidy clothes.

These were luxuries they had once not even dared to dream of.

The woman heard many people weeping softly, and many others muttering words she couldn't understand at all.

Most people, however, were busy helping others.

Yes, these people who once would have drawn knives and fought to the death over a single meat bone were now diligently helping others.

The woman with the severed arm saw a few people clustered around a man holding paper, walking towards her.

They were all fervent believers.

Ever since the young Pastor had performed a miracle and healed them.

These people had transformed into devout missionaries, spreading the teachings of Mother Earth to everyone.

They approached her, their faces adorned with amiable smiles.

They asked her if she had already received the mark of a devout believer.

The woman pulled down her collar, revealing the holy emblem branded on her chest.

It was the holy emblem of Mother Earth.

Each of them bore such a brand, angry and crimson, a symbol of salvation.

The missionaries nodded in satisfaction and turned to continue searching for the next person.

This brand brought pain, a strange yet blissful pain that burned away all evil dreams into ash.

The woman frowned slightly, feeling the skin on her chest wrinkle and even crack open a small cut.

But she didn't care; she smiled, even though her lips cracked and bled, she genuinely felt alive.

She felt she should do something, so she followed the group of missionaries.

Grayson asked Newt, “Where did Arthur find these people?”

As the temporary quartermaster of the convoy, Newt couldn't answer his subordinate's question.

“They call the Lord a manifestation of a god, saying he can bring miracles,” Grayson continued, “They also took my holy emblem.”

Newt saw those people frenziedly and excitedly receiving the brand.

“I saw it,” he said, “They branded the holy emblem onto themselves.

“Have Sariya and the others evaluate these people.

“The Lord’s intention is to have them participate in the battle tonight.

“Those who really can’t fight should help with logistical work.”

Grayson nodded and immediately turned to do so.

Arthur washed himself, then, with Vanka’s assistance, changed into new clothes.

He had intended to discard the stained robe, but it was taken as a sacred relic by the fanatics who had followed him.

Just as he was about to sit down and eat a proper meal, Sariya entered the room with four fanatics.

She bowed to Arthur and then said, “Lord, these four insist on serving as your personal guards.”

“Personal guards?”

Arthur looked up in confusion, gazing at the four people.

He recognized these four people.

He recognized them; two of them were people on the verge of death whom he had saved with healing prayers.

Another was a fierce-looking, gaunt man; he was the first person to touch him.

The last was a woman with a severed arm, blood still clinging beneath her nose.

Arthur guessed she had probably gotten into a fight with someone.

Perhaps sensing his desire to refuse.

Sariya walked over to Arthur and whispered, “Lord, this would be a great honor and respect for them.

“Refusing such a proposal would only humiliate them and make them lose confidence.

“We have already vetted these four.

“There are no issues, and they will only serve as personal guards tonight.”

Arthur looked at the four again, then nodded, indicating his agreement.

The four immediately showed expressions of ecstasy.

Without anyone needing to instruct them, they consciously walked outside the room to stand guard.

Arthur then said to Sariya, “Tell me about these four.”

The female Tiefling stood straight and respectfully replied, “They all know how to fight.

“Two of them used to be bounty hunters.

“And one used to be a bandit.

“As for the woman, she has done many jobs: hunter, caravan guard, smuggler, and so on.

“Her resume is the most extensive among the four.”

Arthur gave a wry smile and said, “So, my personal guards are four criminals.”

“Yes—yes, Lord.”

Sariya replied, looking somewhat embarrassed.

“Why only for tonight?”

“Because they believe they won’t survive tonight.”

“They say that being by your side is the most dangerous place.”

“Once the enemy knows of your existence, they will try everything to kill you.”

“And dying by your side gives them a better chance to go to the Goddess.”

“Alright, if that makes these people fight for me,” Arthur said.

That afternoon, as dusk approached, the hermit Brussian finally brought back news.

He had found some key information in the ancient book.

It turned out that after the Wolf Pack was defeated in the battle with the Dark Lord, they sealed themselves away.

This was also to prevent their weakened selves from becoming targets for hunting.

To unseal them, someone had to enter their dream.

This act was quite dangerous; the Wolf Pack in the dream would regard all intruders as enemies.

But for Arthur, no matter how dangerous, it was worth a try.

However, Brussian had not yet found a way to enter the dream.

Fortunately, after receiving this information, the golden intelligence finally changed.

【Wow~ Golden Legend (Enhanced/Follow-up)】Please die in the church of Mist Town to enter the dream of the Wolf Pack.

After reading this information, Arthur pondered for a long time.

He gathered the high-ranking officials of Mist Town and the Pioneer Group and told them how to rescue the Wolf Pack.

Many people offered to sacrifice their lives to try.

But Arthur told them that this could only be accomplished by himself.

The high-ranking officials of the Pioneer Group unanimously opposed this decision.

Arthur’s mind was made up; he told his subordinates to focus on their own duties and not to worry about him.

After explaining all matters, he headed to the church.

And his four personal guards followed him.

In their eyes, this young divine messenger would accomplish a great endeavor at the cost of his own life.

They brought this news to the fanatics.

The believers knelt and chanted, praying for the gods to bless their beloved Pastor.

Brussian and Old Joe collaboratively produced a bottle of poison.

According to Old Joe, this poison would not cause pain after consumption.

It would only make one feel drowsy, eventually falling into an eternal sleep.

“Have you thought this through, child?” Brussian asked Arthur one last time.

Arthur lay on the church altar and nodded.

He took out the bottle of poison, drank it all, and soon stopped breathing.

Father Dragan began to recite sacred scriptures.

They were not scriptures for absolving the dead, but blessings for travelers.

“I have a premonition,” the Pastor said to Brussian, “He will return.”