What is an offensive priest?

Chapter 36 Civil strife!

A verdant woodland, beneath the statue of Severus.

After taking the antidote that Richard and his companion had retrieved from the witch doctor.

The withering potion within the druids gradually dissipated, and the black veins that covered their chests became invisible.

However, having been poisoned for a long time, coupled with the imprisonment and torment inflicted by the Shadow Druids, they will still need some time to fully recover.

"I never expected that you would actually get the antidote from the witch."

Archdruid Loth's complexion has noticeably improved; his skin, which was originally as dry and withered as a dead tree, is visibly plumping up again.

He led all the druids of the woodland in expressing their gratitude to Richard and his companion.

In fact, not only was Lotte incredulous, but even Avel himself hadn't expected the trip to go so smoothly.

Richard had no time to catch up with the druids; he was in a hurry to return to Blackrock Town for defense.

"The evil minions of the Underdark may launch an attack on Blackrock Town at any time. When the war breaks out, we will need your help."

There was no hesitation in Archdruid Loth's eyes.

Slowly raise your right hand and place it on your chest, the gesture a druid makes when taking the vow of nature.

Whether faced with the request of this benefactor or out of the doctrines of the Moon Society, they would not stand idly by, for both reason and emotion.

"In the name of nature!"

"Rest assured, if the Underdark attacks again, I will personally lead the Greenwoods to aid Blackrock Town!"

All the druids behind him placed their right hands on their chests and bowed slightly.

Although they were not a warlike race, they were filled with respect for the human priest who had fought against the demons of hell and obtained the antidote from the Green Witch.

Respecting the strong and revering nature do not inherently create conflict.

However, the Shadow Druids are too extreme in their thinking and actions.

After bidding farewell to the lush woods, Richard and his companion began their journey home.

After a half-day trek.

As the last rays of the setting sun cast their glow upon the towering walls of Blackwater Town.

Richard and his companion finally appeared at the end of the forest path.

The outer defensive fortifications of Blackwater Town have been frantically reinforced in the past few days.

The walls remained heavily guarded, with sharpened wooden railings making the outer perimeter impenetrable.

All the trees within a hundred feet of the town were cut down, and a moat thirty feet wide and ten feet deep was dug along the wall, with sharpened wooden stakes planted at the bottom.

This is no longer an ordinary border town.

It was like a fortress built for war.

The guard stood atop the highest watchtower, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the distant dense forest.

When that familiar priest's robe finally came into view.

The young guard was stunned for three breaths, then suddenly leaned out most of his body and roared with all his might.

"It's Pastor Richard!"

"They're back!"

"Quickly, open the door!"

The shouts were like a thunderclap in the rainy night, exploding in the ears of all the guards.

Rusty gears groaned under the winch's power as the heavy oak gate slowly descended, spanning the moat and forming a makeshift bridge.

When Richard and his companion stepped onto the wooden bridge, the city wall opposite was already surrounded by guards who had come to greet them.

As everyone saw that resolute figure slowly appear in the twilight, their eyes lit up instantly.

Even without druid reinforcements behind him, the mere sight of his figure is enough to stabilize the morale of the Blackrock Town forces.

Richard looked at the bloodshot eyes of the group and the unhealed wounds on their bodies, clearly indicating that they hadn't had a proper rest in a long time in preparation for a goblin attack.

He patted the young guards on the shoulder one by one.

They were only in their early twenties, but in order to protect their homeland, they resolutely chose to take up arms and fight against the enemies who intended to invade.

"You're all great!"

"Lossanda...no..."

"I'm so proud of you!"

Richard's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

A simple affirmation speaks louder than a thousand words.

The young guards had red eyes, but they gritted their teeth and forced back their tears.

Because they all remembered what Reverend Richard had said.

Tears are a message of surrender from the weak, and they are of no help whatsoever on the battlefield!

Beneath the wall, all the guards straightened their backs and clenched their fists tightly against their chests—the highest form of etiquette for the guards of Blackwater Town.

The movements were not synchronized, and some people's movements were distorted due to injuries.

But the respect and trust contained within are as heavy as a mountain.

"Where is Chief of Staff Weiss?"

Richard glanced around but didn't see the weathered old soldier. He then asked...

In the past, he would personally come to inspect the watchtower during this time of twilight.

Upon being reminded, a guard suddenly realized what was happening and quickly said...

"Pastor Richard, you should go back and check on things."

His voice was filled with barely concealed anxiety.

"Something's happened in town!"

-

When Richard and Avery arrived at the town square, the scene before them made them stop in their tracks.

The most bustling and vibrant commercial district in the town.

At this moment, the town was surrounded by villagers; almost half the town had gathered here, completely blocking the blacksmith shop of Gelong.

The crowd jostled and pushed, creating a deafening noise, with countless arms waving in the air, pointing at the blacksmith's tightly closed wooden door.

"Hand over that little monster—!"

A middle-aged butcher with a face full of scars stood at the front, brandishing a greasy cleaver and roaring at the top of his lungs.

"The goblins' target is him! Hand him over, and the town will be safe!"

"That's right! Why should we all be sacrificed for the sake of a child?!"

"Hand him over—!"

The echoes came in waves, a mixture of anger and fear that completely overwhelmed everyone's reason.

Inside the blacksmith's shop.

Through the gap in the door, one could vaguely see Groon's wife huddled in a corner, tightly holding young Timmy in her arms.

This usually gentle and virtuous woman was now covered in tears of despair, her body trembling violently with fear, yet she still used her frail frame to shield the child.

Timmy, a six-year-old boy, clearly did not understand what was happening.

He blinked his large, amber-like eyes, inherited from his mother, and clutched his mother's clothes tightly with his little hands.

Hearing the deafening roars outside, she also began to sob softly along with her mother.

"Waaah... Mom..."

"Why do they all...hate Timmy...?"

"What did Timmy do wrong...?"

"No...no, Timmy is a good boy..." Mary buried her face in Timmy's hair, her voice sobbing, but her tone was unusually firm, "Mommy...will protect you..."

And at the very front of the crowd.

Chief of the Guards, Weiss, along with the paladin Crow and the blacksmith Gronn, were using their bodies to desperately block the villagers who were trying to rush into the blacksmith's shop.

The hideous scar on Chief of Staff Weiss's face turned bright red with excitement. He opened his arms and roared like a black bear protecting its cubs.

"Everyone, don't be impulsive—!"

"Timmy is a child of Blackwater! He's a child of all of us! We can't hand him over to those vicious goblins."

Kro's voice possessed the unique, soothing charm of a paladin.

"Everyone, calm down! The goblins' promises are absolutely unreliable!"

"Even if we hand over Timmy, they won't keep their promise, and Blackwater will still be doomed."

But clearly, the paladin's charm had no effect on Blackrock Town, and the townspeople were not appreciative.

"That's better than now!" an old woman shrieked. "At least... at least it buys us time until Pastor Richard returns with reinforcements!"

The crowd surged forward again.

Weiss and Crowe were pushed back repeatedly, the wooden door of the blacksmith shop behind them creaking under the weight.

Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, someone in the crowd suddenly let out a scream.

"It's Pastor Richard!"

"Pastor Richard is back—!"

The previously restless crowd suddenly fell silent, and hundreds of eyes turned in unison towards the direction from which the sound came.

Upon seeing that familiar priest's robe, everyone immediately fell silent, their eyes brimming with excitement.

After a brief silence, thunderous cheers erupted from the crowd.

"It really is Pastor Richard!"

"He's finally back."

"We're saved... Blackwater Town is saved...!"

In the eyes of the villagers of Blackstone Town, Richard represents hope; no matter what dangers they face, he can always lead them through difficulties.

And this time will be no exception!

Chief of Staff Weiss and Clooney exchanged a glance and simultaneously let out a long sigh of relief.