Chapter 153: The Church's Strength

Chapter 153: The Church's Strength



Soon, Rain's group was about to arrive at the area where Ragle's team had previously encountered the ancient ogre.

At that moment, Rudolph, riding on his horse, suddenly looked up, gazing ahead with a slight furrow in his brow.

Almost simultaneously, Rain raised his right hand, signaling for the group to halt, and shouted, "Stop!"

Just then, Rain had sensed a distinct and malevolent gaze, emanating from the dense forest about several dozen meters to his left.

This gaze was not that of a typical beast but rather, a sentient being.

Furthermore, the fact that even Rain could sense the malevolence indicated that the source was not to be underestimated.

However, Rudolph, instead of focusing on the gaze, turned to Rain with a puzzled expression.

The young man before him, who had achieved the Extraordinary Knight status at such a young age, seemed to become more and more enigmatic in Rudolph's eyes.

Even he had only just noticed that gaze.

But to his surprise, Rain, standing beside him, had also sensed it. It was unusual for a knight to possess such keen perception. Rudolph knew that his own sensitivity to malevolence stemmed from his long-standing role as a clergyman.

As Rudolph contemplated what conditions to offer to convince the young man to devote himself to the Goddess, as he believed was his destiny, Rain took the initiative and asked, "Dean Rudolph, did you sense something watching us from that direction just now? Should we stop and investigate?"

"That's a good idea, and it'll give everyone a chance to rest," Rudolph decided after a moment's thought.

The journey from Shangjin Town to Night Song Forest had been uneventful for the Temple Knights, but the City Guard from the County City and the Night Watch from Shangjin Town were starting to show signs of fatigue.

So, the entire group came to a halt.

First, they would rest briefly to allow the horses to regain their strength after the long journey, and second, they would send people to scout the surrounding area.

Rain instructed Matteo to deploy the Night Watch members to keep watch and search within a hundred meters, especially in the area where Rain had sensed the gaze, to find any valuable clues.

After making these arrangements, Rain approached Ragle and asked, "Ragle, is this the place?"

As they ventured deeper into Night Song Forest, Rain noticed that Ragle seemed a bit downcast.

The reason?

Rain guessed that it might be because Ragle was reminded of the past events by the surroundings.

"Yes, it's here. Not far ahead, we encountered the ancient ogre on that day," Ragle replied, her expression turning solemn.

"Not long after the battle started, my brother defeated it, and it fled in this direction."

Ragle pointed ahead with a grave look.

Rain looked in the direction she indicated, and through the dense forest, he could vaguely make out signs of broken and fallen trees.

Normally, in a primitive forest like this, where vegetation grew rapidly, traces of a typical battle would quickly be obscured by the lush plant growth.

This indicated that the battle that had taken place over half a month ago was extremely intense.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a Night Watch member on guard duty shot an arrow deep into the forest.

"What's going on?" Matteo approached and asked.

"Captain, something just darted through there. If I'm not mistaken, it was a werebeast," the Night Watch member said gravely.

The Night Watch elite members were well-trained in archery, so they generally had excellent eyesight, which was why Rain had assigned them the task of keeping watch.

Soon, Matteo reached Rain and Dean Rudolph and reported, "Sir Rain, a Night Watch member just informed me that they've spotted werebeasts around our team, and judging from the footprints, there are quite a few of them."

Rain nodded and asked, "Have you found any traces of the ancient ogre?"

Was the gaze from a werebeast?

That was highly likely.

However, the werebeasts that had once intimidated Rain were now a thing of the past.

Even if the ferocious werebeast that had given Rain a hard time in the past were to return, it was highly unlikely that it could withstand Rain's full strength now.

With the current strength of their group, they could easily handle an attack by dozens of werebeasts mixed with several ferocious werebeasts.

But the ancient ogre was a different story.

Aside from the formidable threat posed by the ogre's own strength, according to Ragle's previous information, these werebeasts were likely under the command of the ancient ogre.

The difference in combat effectiveness between a disorganized group of werebeasts and a unified force led by an ancient ogre was like night and day.

Rain was well aware of this fact.

"We haven't found any traces of the ancient ogre yet," Matteo shook his head and replied.

"Dean Rudolph, take a look," Rain turned and asked.

Since the main force of this expedition was from the Wind and Sea Goddess Church, Rain maintained a respectful posture.

The decision to either clear out the werebeasts or head directly to the area where the Barbarian Squad encountered the Wraith Knight was left to Rudolf, the team's Church representative.

Upon hearing Rain's inquiry, Rudolf smiled and said, "Let's proceed directly to the target area. The werebeasts have a wide range of activity, and trying to eradicate them would waste a lot of time."

"If they don't know their place and show up while we're dealing with the Wraith Knight, I'm sure you'll show them who's boss, won't you, Rain?"

"Of course. Rest assured, Rudolf. When it comes to the werebeasts, I and the Night Watch will take responsibility for eliminating them," Rain slightly bowed, readily accepting the task of guarding against and exterminating the werebeasts.

"Matteo, inform the team, the rest is over, and we're continuing our journey."

"Yes, sir!"

Soon, the well-rested team cautiously resumed their journey, remaining vigilant for any possible ambushes.

However, to everyone's surprise, the werebeasts seemed to be merely observing and showed no signs of launching an attack.

Rain thought for a moment, finding this normal.

Beastly senses were typically sharp, and the werebeasts, who were akin to beasts and also roamed the forest, would surely sense the formidable strength of their team.

Being bullies who preyed on the weak, they were unlikely to initiate an attack without the command of a more powerful creature.

After another half-hour of travel, the team finally arrived at the ruins that Ragle had mentioned earlier.

Several dozen meters ahead, there was a noticeable man-made architectural ruin. Inside, there were collapsed stone pillars covered in moss and vines, seemingly the remains of a temple from long ago.

Rain carefully observed the area and found it quite eerie.

Upon closer inspection, he realized that as they had been traveling through the forest, there had been constant bird chirps and insect sounds.

But as they approached this area, the various animal noises gradually subsided, eventually fading into silence as if they had all disappeared.

Additionally, the presence of the werebeasts, which they had felt earlier, slowly dissipated as they got closer to this area.

Could it be that the werebeasts also feared this place? Was that why they didn't dare to follow them anymore?

Moreover, Rain's increasingly powerful mental power was subtly warning him of an unknown danger ahead.

This danger wasn't obvious, so Rain's core skill, 'Danger Perception,' didn't provide any advance warning.

It was similar to seeing a wobbly wall in the distance; if your senses were sharp enough, your body would instinctively tell you that getting close to it might cause the wall to collapse and fall on you.

This was a potential danger, not a guaranteed occurrence.

It was also possible that the wall might remain wobbly without falling even if you approached it.

But one thing was certain: if you decided not to get close, then this potential danger wouldn't pose a threat to you.

However, if you did get close, and the wall happened to collapse at that moment, the core skill 'Danger Perception' would issue a warning just as the wall started tilting.

At this time, all the official Knights and Temple Knights who had reached the Extraordinary rank dismounted and began to be on guard, except for the Night Watch members and the team of law enforcers from the county town.

"This is my brother's axe!" Ragle exclaimed, pointing to a stone pillar corner covered in vines not far ahead.

Rain focused his gaze and saw an axe he once remembered vividly, now lying quietly next to the stone pillar. From the exposed blade, it didn't seem to have suffered any severe damage.

The moon-shaped axe head, almost as wide as a door, still gleamed with metallic luster.

This was Ragle's brother's weapon—the 'Moonblade Battleaxe'!

Ragle quickly jumped off her horse and ran over to pick up the 'Moonblade Battleaxe,' caressing it gently with her palms.

Rain slowly approached and stood by Ragle's side.

He could understand the feeling of being reminded of someone by an object, so he didn't interrupt her.

But unfortunately, this tranquility lasted only a few seconds before it was shattered!

"Neigh~"

Suddenly, the neighing of a warhorse echoed from a distance.

As everyone looked around to locate the source of the sound, a black-armored knight wielding a three to four-meter-long cavalry spear suddenly burst out of the left forest.

The horse beneath the knight was exceptionally large, and its entire body was covered in black armor, seamlessly blending with the knight's black armor. As they charged forward, they resembled a moving black castle, rushing towards the group.

For a moment, everyone was taken aback, especially the young Night Watch member on the left front of the team, who stood there in shock upon witnessing this scene.

"Get out of the way!" Matteo shouted as he forcefully pulled the young Night Watch member aside, narrowly avoiding the black-armored knight's charge.

At this moment, a Temple Knight clad in silver knight armor, riding swiftly forward, seemed to want to stop the other party.

However, the other party's black lance, like a flash of lightning, struck out at him. Accompanying this strike was a bizarre black aura coiling around the lance like a giant python.

"Clang!!"

The black lance heavily pierced the silver shield, instantly knocking the Temple Knight who had rushed forward to block the way, flying off his warhorse.

The Temple Knight flew four to five meters in mid-air and then landed on the ground with a loud "Bang!"

Fortunately, the ground deep within the Night Song Forest was extremely soft, covered with bushes and flowers, so it effectively reduced the impact, and the Silver Knight's injuries were not severe.

A battle that was expected to happen suddenly erupted unexpectedly!

Just now, the other party's attack with a black aura overflowing from the lance made the Dean of the Wind and Sea Goddess Church, Rudolf, look solemn.

As the Dean in charge of demon hunting and exorcism affairs within the Church, he immediately judged that this Black-armored Knight was indeed a Malevolent Knight, and the black aura surrounding him and his funeral horse was the best proof.

At this moment, the remaining three Temple Knights in silver armor seized the opportunity created by their companion and rushed towards the Black-armored Knight.

Instantly, they surrounded the Black-armored Knight, engaging in fierce combat. The howling sound created by the Black-armored Knight's lance made it easy for Rain to judge that the other party's strength surpassed that of a senior knight, reaching the power level of a Peak Knight, not far from his own.

The black aura accompanying each of the other party's strikes was extremely bizarre, and under its influence, their power was further enhanced.

No wonder Ragle's brother, a barbarian known for his strength and a master with a 40% violent flesh transformation, would actually die under the other party's lance!

Fortunately, although the Black-armored Knight was clearly superior in individual strength, these Temple Knights worked together seamlessly, and for a while, they fought back and forth, making the battle intense.

However, Rain's purpose for coming to the Night Song Forest this time was not only to help Ragle fulfill her wish but also to gain some experience, so it was the perfect time to join the fight.

Just as Rain drew out the 'Unyielding Force' from his back, intending to join the battle, Rudolf, standing beside him, smiled and said, "Rain, perhaps you can assist the Temple Knights." Rain still wanted to try to persuade him.

After all, if there were no surprises, this battle experience should be enough for Rain to level up his Extraordinary Knight level.

"Haha, please trust these young men of the Church," Rudolf stroked his beard and smiled, refusing Rain's suggestion.

"Alright then. All Night Watch, be on guard!" Rain thought for a moment and gave the order.

Since Rudolf refused, Rain didn't insist, after all, there would be other opportunities to level up before the Ennoblement Examination.

Upon hearing Rain's order, the Night Watch, who had been looking for opportunities to help in the fight, immediately tensed up. They began to keep watch and observe the battle from the sidelines.

Just as the four Temple Knights worked together to suppress the Malevolent Knight with the black lance, the battle suddenly took a turn.

The black aura that had been coiling around the Malevolent Knight burst forth, creating a powerful shockwave that knocked back the four Temple Knights.

Seizing this opportunity, the Black-armored Malevolent Knight spurred his funeral horse and charged towards one of the Temple Knights, striking with his lance.

"Bang!"

Not only did he knock the Temple Knight off his horse, but he also severely injured him! Rain could clearly see that the Temple Knight's left arm, holding the shield, had an unnatural twist at the elbow joint, indicating a fracture.

This scene made Rudolf, who had refused Rain's request earlier, look solemn. He flipped through the book he had been holding, and with the sound of pages turning, he shouted:

"Prayer for the Great Wind and Sea Goddess: Blessing of Shelter!"

As Rudolf recited the prayer, Rain felt as if an unknown space beside him had cracked open, and a surging, righteous, and sacred energy directly poured into Rudolf! Immediately, Rudolf waved his right hand, and the four Temple Knights were enveloped in a brilliant silver light.

The silver armor on their bodies suddenly manifested intricate milky white patterns, as if the silver armor had special engravings hidden within, only to be revealed when divine spells were cast.

At this moment, the four Temple Knights, with their silver armor, looked like little silver men, shimmering with silver light.

This silver glow had the effect of weakening the black aura's killing power, and the sound of 'ding ding dang dang' filled the air as the Black-Armored Knight was once again surrounded. This time, he couldn't break free from the encirclement.

It seemed the battle was all but decided!

Rain stood to the side, observing the scene with a thoughtful expression.

To be honest, if it were just these four Temple Knights, Rain believed he could defeat them even if he went all out.

But at this moment, the combination of the Temple Knights and Rudolf's divine spell created a synergy far greater than the sum of its parts.

Rain could feel that with Rudolf's divine spell, the Black-Armored Knight's attacks, which were comparable to the full-force lance strikes of a Peak Knight, were significantly weakened by the silver glow.

This divine spell was called 'Blessing of Shelter'? Indeed, a fitting name!

Seeing that the battle was under control, Rudolf turned to Rain with a smile and said, "Rain, these young Temple Knights, though not as gifted as you, can unleash formidable power under the radiance of the Goddess."

"You, among all the young people in Myester County, are exceptionally gifted in knighthood. Embracing the Goddess is the best choice for you, Rain. Won't you reconsider?"

"Hmm..." Rain pondered silently.

To be honest, there was no doubt about the strength of the Church. Even when compared to the Empire's official forces, they seemed no less formidable.

But there was one thing Rain disliked—the Church's near-invincible power didn't seem to come from within themselves. Instead, it felt like it was bestowed upon them by some divine being they worshipped.

This sense of borrowing power from another entity made Rain feel uncomfortable.

There was a saying that went, 'What's not yours will eventually have to be returned.'

"Thank you for your kind offer, but I have to regretfully decline. I'll be participating in the Imperial Ennoblement Examination in a few days," Rain politely declined.

Just as the two were talking, a tall Black-Armored Knight suddenly emerged from the dense forest on the right side of the team's path. Like the others, he wore a distinctive tree-crown helmet, but this time, instead of a long lance, he wielded a long battleaxe.

The axe blade was about half a meter long, but the handle was a full one and a half meters, perfectly suited for the large funeral horse he rode.

"Two Malevolent Knights!" Rudolf's pupils constricted, his previous relaxed expression gone.

Due to the increasing number of mysterious incidents in various areas of Myester County, the team's configuration was based on intelligence reports, assuming the presence of a single Malevolent Knight.

Therefore, Rudolf had only brought four Temple Knights with him.

In terms of strength, the combination of Rudolf and the four Temple Knights was more than capable of defeating a single Malevolent Knights, but with two of them, the balance of power was now even.

Rudolf quickly realized that the danger level of this place might be far greater than expected. Perhaps beneath the ruins, a hidden secret awaited discovery.

Rain also became aware of this issue.

Hamilton had once told him about the emergence of Malevolent Knights:

"The appearance of Malevolent Knights signifies the invasion or resurgence of some evil force. They are drawn by some sort of summoning."

With two Malevolent Knights present, there must be some sort of summoning within the ancient, dilapidated temple. Perhaps an evil presence lurked there.

The four Temple Knights also noticed the new Malevolent Knight with the battleaxe who had charged from the side. After a brief exchange of glances, one of them moved to intercept the new threat.

However, even with the divine spell 'Blessing of Shelter', a Temple Knight was no match for a Malevolent Knight in single combat. In just a few moves, they were at an absolute disadvantage.

The Night Watch's arrows, which had been so effective earlier, now bounced harmlessly off the black armor, doing nothing.

Clearly, they were ineffective!

This time, Rain didn't hesitate. The new Malevolent Knight directly threatened the safety of his subordinates.

Rain swiftly covered his face with the visor of his knight's helmet and drew his double-handed warhammer, ready to charge forward.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end