Chapter 100
"Macal, why did you choose to become a Paladin?" The drake-blooded horse galloped swiftly, but along the way, Ogre gradually got used to it.
He even felt like having a conversation.
"Of course, it's to ease Aunt Mima's burdens," Macal replied without a second thought.
No one chooses to become a Paladin just to sacrifice themselves from the start.
'The purpose of setting out doesn't matter; what matters is having a goal—whatever that may be.'
——From "Words of the Dawn God" / Chapter of the Lord of Thorns.
"Is that so?" Ogre thought of Thrandic...
Perhaps the greatest significance of the Church of Dawn's existence is that it offers people a choice, preventing them from being cornered.
Without the church, this world might have deteriorated even further...
"I don't really have any grand ideals; I just want to make the village a bit better. The power games aren't for me—I just want to better protect the people around me and those who are weak," Macal said.
When his uncle was still alive, he often talked to him about his father.
Yes, Macal's father was also a Knight.
He was the son of a noble family Knight—a failed contender for inheritance.
"Have you ever thought about bringing Aunt Mima and the others to the city?" Ogre asked curiously.
Macal could definitely afford the taxes, and clearly, the safer town would be the best choice.
"The city..." Macal paused slightly, then said with a hint of sentiment, "There's nothing particularly good about the city, and besides, the aunts are used to village life."
"Used to it?" Ogre murmured, repeating the words.
"The thing I least regret in my life is choosing to become a Paladin, but honestly, I'm not particularly fond of fighting... If I could, I'd actually prefer to be a gem craftsman."
Macal said half-jokingly as he rode.
"A gem craftsman? Why would you want to pursue that profession?" Ogre was a bit curious.
"Probably because my mother used to be a gem craftsman... although she passed away a long, long time ago."
Macal's answer surprised Ogre.
But on second thought, wasn't he also trapped by similar circumstances?
"Your mother would probably like the way you are now," Ogre offered some comfort.
"No, my uncle told me my mother really disliked Knights... But it doesn't matter anymore, I do quite like my current role, and Aunt Mima likes it too, and that's enough."
"Mm." Ogre responded softly.
He didn't know how to reply—
Perhaps most people can't choose the life they truly love...
"By the way, I still don't know, Geling, what profession do you like?" Macal suddenly asked.
"Maybe a painter or a stone sculptor..." Ogre replied casually.
"I know, Geling, you want to be an artist." Macal felt he caught the underlying meaning in Ogre's words.
Artist is a general term given by the Church of Truth... They are very welcoming to artists.
"An artist, huh? I guess so." Ogre wasn't particularly knowledgeable about it.
He just liked painting.
'It's a pity Miss Geling is the offspring of a Professional from the Church of Dawn.' Macal felt he had guessed the truth.
In the Church of Dawn, the status of painters isn't high, and it's hard to develop.
To become a 'master artist,' one must join the Church of Truth.
But this requirement is difficult for a follower of Dawn to fulfill.
Despite the apparent harmony between the Church of Dawn and the Church of Truth—in matters of faith, they are strictly divided.
It's possible to believe in both Truth and Dawn.
But to truly become a member of a church, one must choose only one.
As for switching churches—
It's not impossible, but the Church of Dawn has stipulated that leaving the church requires repaying everything the church has given.
If one chooses not to repay, then they must be prepared to face the church's retaliation.
During this time, neither the Empire nor the Church of Truth will offer protection.
This is also why Yard wanted Ogre to work and repeatedly emphasized that there was no connection between them.
"I believe in you, Geling, you'll definitely become the greatest painter in the church," Macal encouraged.
"Who can say what the future holds—hmm? It seems we're almost there." Ogre lightly patted Macal, signaling him to slow down.
"Yes, we're almost there."
Macal understood and slowed the drake-blooded horse, also seeing the towering walls of the borderlands city in the distance.
"Use the Silver Badge to enter when we get there," Ogre said.
Using the badge left by Yard could save a lot of trouble; it was unexpected how quickly they returned to this place.
"Mm... Watch out!"
Macal suddenly halted the drake-blooded horse, releasing Battle Qi, and turned to shield Ogre, pulling him off the horse.
Screech—
The drake-blooded horse let out a sharp, thin, and miserable cry.
Several blood-red needles had already struck the spot where they had just been sitting, sending the horse into a frenzy.
"It was bound to happen."
Macal ignored the now-agitated drake-blooded horse and drew his sword.
He knew that the third Wizard... had arrived.
'Seeing us nearing the town, they finally couldn't hold back?' Ogre scanned the direction from which the red needles came.
But he found no trace of the enemy.
"Hidden and elusive."
Macal also carefully sensed the surroundings, but like Ogre, he found no trace of the enemy.
"Be careful." Ogre shifted his gaze to other directions.
They were still some distance from the borderlands city.
Though they could see the town's high walls from afar... they were indeed still on the edge of the forest of demon beasts.
"Very... tricky."
Macal repeatedly sensed but still found nothing; apart from the galloping drake-blooded horse, he sensed no other living beings.
It was as if the enemy hadn't come at all.
Watching the drake-blooded horse run off, Ogre suddenly had a guess: 'The enemy... wants to delay us?'
But why delay them?
Why hadn't they acted earlier?
Ogre looked up at the sky... The sun was still some distance from setting.
"Are they waiting for nightfall?!" Ogre suddenly had a suspicion.
Macal: "Hmm?"
"Quick, let's hurry to the city—before nightfall!" Ogre grabbed Macal's hand.
But as he pulled, he grabbed nothing but air.
Even Macal was bewildered; he found he couldn't touch Ogre either.
"Geling! What's going on?" Macal's mind was immediately in turmoil.
"Calm down..." Ogre extended his hand—he took out the black bead left by Fra.
If anything went wrong, he would immediately use this power.
"What did you discover?" Macal asked, calming his mind.
"Perhaps... we haven't left the village yet." Ogre looked around and made a guess.