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nThe wrestling match started as soon as the baron cleaned the blood off his head.

nSylvester didn’t pull his punches against the baron, however. He wanted to teach the man a lesson to not mess around because if any hateful adventurer had taken the quest and had come, he could have just killed the baron in a legal duel. There was no point in putting one’s life in unnecessary danger. If he really had so much free time and energy, then use it to help his people, spread the word of the Lord or make babies.

nBam!

nSylvester, only in pants now, wrestled with the baron. Thankfully, Sylvester’s growth had not stunted yet, and he had grown to six feet one by now, just a bit less than the baron. His body had well-defined muscles all over, although not buffed.

n“Ha!” Sylvester caught the big brute’s claw-like hands and stopped him from pushing him back. Then he increased pressure from his side, pushed the baron easily and kept throwing the man off further and further. He was a Wizard-Knight, after all, and his physical talent was as good as his magical talent.

nKnights are inherently stronger in the body than anybody else, so a Baron, who was likely just at the beginning of his knight rank, was of no match, no matter what his size was.

n“You can not win against a Knight or a Wizard, Baron Armstrong!” He warned the man as he lifted him on his shoulder. “You should value your life more, not this senseless hunger for fight. Killing a Great Wolf is easier, for it does not think like a man… it does not scheme to bring down your house, pillage your lands.”

nThud!

nSylvester threw the baron away as if he was lifting a sack of grains. “You should be happy that it was I who took your offered quest. Imagine if it was someone with nefarious motives?”

nThe baron stood back up and looked at Sylvester fiercely. “To me, it’s not about fighting, Lord Bard. I am merely training my body. I understand that I am limited by the lack of talent in my body from birth. But, as long as one master the techniques to fight, a blade does always cut the skin, be it wizard’s or knight’s.”

n“So you only wish to train?” Sylvester asked. “Why not pay to get an instructor instead?”

n“As you said, too much risk. To invite a man stronger than me into the castle to live for a long time is like inviting the devil into your home. As for these little quests, they are only supposed to last a single match. After which, we go our own ways…but believe me, you are the only response I have received in the past two months. Most don’t wish to travel north towards this territory as the risk is too high.” Baron Armstrong explained.

nSylvester greeted the baron’s strike as he clashed like a bull. But Sylvester didn’t even move a flinch and stopped the man. ‘Let’s try a german suplex.’

nHe swiftly let go of the clasped hands of the baron and moved around him. The baron was shocked since he had never seen a move like this. It was all about fighting face to face or ambushing from hiding in the wilderness.

nSylvester grabbed the baron’s waist and lifted him off over his head to the back. To baron, everything seemed to be going in slow motion.

n“Aaa…”

nThud!

nSylvester clapped his hands clean and looked at the man on the ground. “Stay down, baron. You can not defeat me or fight me.”

nThe baron laughed heartily instead. “Haha, what a strange but amazing move. Who taught you this, Lord Bard? How do you know so many different techniques never seen before? You use strange grasping, kicking and punching moves… they are fascinating. I felt like fighting a wild lion who is as smart as a man, who uses every part of his body to attack.”

n‘Even if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.’

nHe shrugged. “Experiences taught me a great many things, Baron Armstrong. You just have to learn to adapt and overcome the situation. Now, if you’re done with this, I would like to take my leave. We have much important work ahead on the road.”

nThe baron waved his hand to his side, and two slaves came dashing with his and Sylvester’s upper wears.

n“Lord Bard, I understand the hurry, and I won’t delay you. However, if there is anything you need help with while stopping this conflict from expanding, you just need to ask. I may not be a strong baron personally, but my soldiers are the best in the Duchy of Colorwood.” ｂ𝚍ｎｏｖ𝚕．ｃｏｍ

nThen the baron saluted Lady Aurora. “Lady tenth, it was a pleasure to have you stay here.”

nAurora nodded and moved out of the castle towards the carriage quickly. Sylvester and the rest also proceeded to follow. But Sylvester didn’t forget to get the well-deserved reward first. Otherwise, their time here was a waste.

n“Thank you for your visit, Lord Bard… and I have decided to consider what you said. Indeed, if some vile man had taken the quest, then by law, he could have killed me in a legal duel. W-What would have happened to my land and wife…” The baron spoke as he handed over a silk pouch full of gold coins.

nSylvester patted the man’s shoulder and replied in a rhyme. “Remember to respect not just yourself but also those around–for you are a man of noble authority, your mind is supposed to be profound. May the holy light enlighten your paths, baron.”

nThe baron crossed his arms and saluted. “You too, Lord Bard.”

nHowever, as Sylvester was leaving, he remembered something. “One more thing! A seventh crusade has been started, but it’s not against the heretics or humans this time. This time it’s against the rise of bloodlings around the world. So, if you face any misbehaviour from crusaders, write to me, the Saint Wazir, or even the Inquisitor High Lord. The Crusaders are by law not allowed to trouble the people this time.”

n“Thank you for the early warning.”

nSylvester left with that and took the seat beside Felix. The horses got whipped, and they moved towards the Pitfall town not too far away.

nAs they left, the baroness came to her husband and scaredly uttered. “I-I told him about you. T-That the people see you as a heathen.”

nThe baron seemed amazed by that. “Yet he didn’t disrespect me or act disgusted. He is a respectable man. Anyway, let’s go in now, my wife–it’s time to teach you some wrestling as well.”

n…

nAs the team moved north, the wind became chilly, and the Pentapeak Mountain Range in the great distance became clear to the sight–covered in the snow and shining under the bright sunlight. It was mesmerizing and also belittling, to say the least.

nSoon, they reached the outskirts of Pitfall town and noticed light snowfall around the area, making everything look muddy. But it appeared that the donation he had made the last time years ago was used for good. The roads inside the town were well paved.

n“This brings back memories.” Sir Dolorem hummed from his seat in the back near the window.

nIt had been twelve years since their last visit to the place, and nothing appeared to have changed. On the contrary, the town looked as poor as before, except for the lack of muddy roads and the empty streams due to the cholera outbreak.

nThis time the streets were full of people as their large carriage moved between the rows of two-storey houses.

nThe people stopped and looked with interest as such a large carriage was an extreme rarity. It was not a common sight in the whole world. It was not even common in the Holy Land.

n“Let’s just go to the monastery and conduct our business. I hope your brother has sent the men with all the items.” Sylvester pointed in the direction he still vividly remembered. After all, how could he forget the first time he met an elf here–albeit the end was not so palatable.

nSoon they reached the monastery. It appeared the same as before, castle-like with pointy roofs. But, it was not damaged like the last time anymore. Instead, it seemed out of place since it was too good to look at compared to the rest of the town.

nLady Aurora stepped out first and moved towards the gates of the monastery. Of course, the Priests had also come running out due to all the voices outside, followed by the Archpriest of the Monastery.

nThe clergymen were confused about who this noble, armour-wearing, pretty woman was. But they dared not speak as she had a natural aura of authority.

nSylvester also stepped beside her and asked the men. “Where is Archpriest Ronald?”

nAn old clergyman walked forwards and introduced himself. “I-I am the new Archpriest, name’s Milan. Archpriest Ronald passed away a year ago due to a lung infection. Who might you be, respected men and woman of faith?”

n‘So he died? Well, good riddance.’

nSir Dolorem informed them of their names and ranks, as it didn’t seem right to boast about oneself. “You stand before the Tenth Guardian of Light, Thunderfall! While that is God’s Favoured, Archpriest Sylvester Maximilian, famously known as the Bard of the Lord; and the other is God’s Favoured, Priest Felix Sandwall, Sword of the Lord. While I am Sir Dolorem, Inquisitor Commander; and behind me is Priest Gabriel.”

nThe Priests and the Archpriest Milan nearly coughed out blood in shock at so many famous or influential clergy arriving there. The Archpriest especially started to shiver as he wondered what wrong he had committed.

n“I… As you can see, I have kept the monastery as pristine as possible. I pray to the Lord ten times a day and preach his name to the people with my priests.”

nSylvester nodded and looked around. The people of the Pitfall were the same, after all. He smiled at the crowd as they gathered around to see the new arrivals.

nThen, like he did when he was a child, he raised his right hand, spread the warmth of light, and then spoke the last two lines of the long hymn he sang to them at that time.

na??This servant hopes that this will heal those scarred.

nWith your open hearts, accept this sermon by the Lord’s Bard.a??

nThe people, some of the old ones especially, slowly felt their eyes widen. And without any delay, they fell to their knees and started chanting just like the last time. “The Bard has come to see us again! Long live Lord Maximilian! Long live Lord Maximilian!”

nSylvester waved his hand. “I am delighted that you remember me, people of Pitfall town. I hope your wells never went foul again. I am here for some small work for the church. I will leave in a few hours, but this place shall forever have my blessings.”

nThe people thanked him and prayed.

nSylvester then moved into the monastery with the rest and looked at the newly renovated interior. It all seemed too clean. “Who maintains this place?”

nThe Archpriest proudly pointed to a man in the distance, who was mopping the floor while humming Sylvester’s hymn from years ago. “We took that boy in some time ago since he seemed highly motivated to work. He cleans everything in the monastery as a trainee deacon.”

nBut Sylvester noticed something else, something he recognised. Black hair, a black beard and the only difference being the patched clothes were now changed with good trainee clergy clothes.

n“Dungface?!”

n_______________________

n400 GT = 1 Bonus chapter.

n1 Super Gift = 1 Bonus chapter.

nAPE TOGETHER STRONG!

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