What is an offensive priest?

Chapter 52 Head-to-Head

The next day, the midday sun shone through the stained glass windows, casting dappled light and shadow on the church floor.

The adventure team members arrived late, still hungover from last night's bonfire party.

Kro rubbed his temples, which were still throbbing slightly. Ashes from last night's campfire clung to his silver plate armor, and a faint smell of alcohol wafted from it.

When they pushed open the church doors, Richard had already finished his morning prayers and had been waiting for a long time.

Instead of sitting upright before the idol and reading the Bible like a typical pastor, he sat on a bench, holding a rough rag and wiping his iron gauntlets covered in dried blood.

Their movements were focused, as if they were performing some kind of sacred ritual.

"Please sit wherever you like."

Richard looked up and glanced at them. They were already comrades who had gone through life and death together, so he didn't pretend to be polite and get up to greet them.

Kro sat down steadily in the chair opposite Richard, his posture as straight as a sword, a testament to the upbringing ingrained in the Sterme family.

The thief Maurice simply leaned casually against the shadows of the wall, arms crossed, eyes half-closed, as always.

This is the most comfortable posture for him.

Avel's crimson pupils secretly swept over the empty seat next to Richard. He pursed his lips, pretended to be calm, and stepped forward, preparing to sit in that seat.

But just as she was about to sit down...

A figure with light steps, dressed in a pure white nun's robe, subtly blocked her path.

Sister Sharon.

She carried a ceramic kettle in her hand, her deep blue eyes fixed intently on a newly transplanted white iris on the windowsill, as if she were just passing by.

"This chair is old and worn; the wood has long since rotted away."

"Can't handle two people."

She looked calmly at Avel and pointed to the empty seat next to Chloe.

"Please sit here, sir."

Sharon's voice was soft and natural, as if she were stating a perfectly ordinary fact.

"..."

Avel frowned slightly.

Although she didn't know how she had offended her, as a woman herself, she could clearly sense that Sharon's seemingly calm and indifferent tone concealed a deliberate targeting.

Avel snorted inwardly, but remained outwardly calm.

Pastor Richard and the rest of the adventure team were still present, and she didn't want to confront her at this time.

So he silently turned around, walked to the seat next to Chloe, and sat down quietly.

His movements were graceful, as if he didn't care at all.

Richard and Chloe were completely unaware of the brief, silent power struggle between the two women.

Their attention was focused on more important things.

Post-battle debriefing is a good habit that Kro developed after becoming a professional adventurer.

"After yesterday's battle, the minotaurs from the Underdark were all wiped out, and the gray dwarf army also suffered heavy losses."

"Although we failed to kill that True Soul Master, they shouldn't be attacking again in the short term."

Richard nodded, but there was no sign of relaxation in his pale golden eyes.

"But this can only last for a short time."

"Once they regroup, they will definitely come back stronger!"

Kro understood the implication in Richard's words, raised his head and stared intently at him, the paladin's brows furrowing slightly.

"you mean……"

"They want to take advantage of their recovery time and launch a surprise attack?!"

Richard nodded, and for the first time, his pale golden pupils unabashedly radiated a chilling killing intent.

"But it's not a large-scale war like it was yesterday."

"It's just the few of us..."

He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Infiltrate the lair of the Supreme God."

"Once we deal with that True Soul Master Drow, the goblin tribes and gnolls they control will collapse on their own."

"..."

Kro frowned deeply, the paladin's fingers unconsciously tapping on the armrest of the chair, making a soft knocking sound.

He is assessing the feasibility of the plan.

Deep into enemy territory, facing an enemy force several times larger than your own, and then having to kill their leader on their home turf...

Risk is extremely high.

Was it the unexpected sacrifice of Chief Justice Wies that caused this usually composed pastor to lose his composure?

Just as Kro was deep in thought.

Sister Sharon walked over with practiced ease, carrying a round wooden tray.

Several ceramic cups, filled with steaming hot tea, were placed on top.

"How does this tea taste?"

She gently placed the teacup on the table in front of everyone, a warm smile on her face.

"Don't be fooled by its plain color, or even its somewhat rotten appearance."

"But this is all a disguise."

"You can't really taste its sweetness unless you try it yourself."

Sharon's azure eyes swept over the drow mage's purple skin, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"Don't you think so...?"

"The mage Aiver?"

Kroe didn't catch the hidden meaning in Sharon's words.

He naively assumed she was introducing tea, so he earnestly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and nodded.

"Hmm, this tea does taste quite good."

"It has a unique, pleasant fragrance."

"..."

But how could Avell, who was standing to the side, not understand the meaning behind Sharon's tone?

From the moment I walked in today, this woman has been like a mad dog, relentlessly biting me!

Because Pastor Richard was present, Avel endured it again and again.

But the woman showed no sign of restraint whatsoever!

"Oh!"

Avel suddenly chuckled, a cold mockery flashing in his crimson pupils.

She picked up the teacup, took an elegant sip, and then slowly put it down.

"Sister Sharon certainly had good taste."

"This tea is indeed very good."

"Unlike some who appear gentle and quiet on the outside but are actually cunning and unpredictable on the inside..."

She paused, her crimson pupils staring directly at Sharon with a sharp, confrontational gaze.

"It's practically inedible!"

Sharon's azure eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint smell of gunpowder permeated the church.

"Are there so many rules about drinking tea?"

Kro interrupted, puzzled, the paladin looking bewildered.

"Why does this sound like you're talking about tea?"

Richard finally raised his head.

Golden pupils swept over Sharon and Avel, a knowing glint in their eyes.

Knowing the true identities of the two women, he naturally sensed the tension in their tone.

But he's not in the mood to care about any of that right now.

"Although that True Soul cultivator had the Guardian Chain Ring, he also suffered minor injuries."

Richard steered the conversation back to business, his voice as calm as if he were planning a hunt.

"We must act before she recovers."

"Chief of the Army, after we leave, the defense of Blackrock Town will be in your hands."

He called out that name almost instinctively.

The words fell.

The church fell silent instantly.

All eyes turned to Richard.

Even Sharon and Avery couldn't continue their bickering.

Richard also realized what was happening.

The person sitting next to him was no longer the weathered old soldier, but Tom, who had succeeded him as the new Chief of the Guard.

Upon hearing the name Richard mentioned, the young and inexperienced guard clenched his fists tightly, his eyes reddening.

Richard sighed softly and patted Tom's trembling shoulder.

"Chief Executive Officer Weiss valued you the most during his lifetime."

"Don't let him down."

"yes!"

Tom nodded emphatically, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

"Reverend Richard, rest assured!"

"I will carry on Chief Executive Weiss's legacy!"

"Protect Blackwater Town!"

Richard withdrew his hand, his gaze hardening once more.

Seeing Richard's resolute expression, Clooney knew that trying to dissuade him was futile.

The paladin said nothing more, but looked around and suddenly realized that one person was missing.

"Where is that harpist bard?"

"Kro asked, puzzled."

"Still hungover?"

Upon hearing this, Sharon suddenly turned to Richard and said softly.

"Pastor Richard, I forgot to tell you."

"Mr. Omir came to the church this morning."

"He said the Harpists' Alliance had an urgent matter and needed him to rush back to Deepwater City to handle it."

"So you've left first, and asked me to pass on your message."

Richard frowned slightly.

He gave Sharon a deep look, but said nothing, only nodding slowly.

"understood."