Lord of Glory

"Ah! Father, you've arrived, the Captain too. Come and take a look. How could my father commit suicide?!"

When Paladin and Kaleqi arrived at the second floor, a middle-aged woman with an elegant appearance leaped over and started sobbing. Disgust momentarily flashed across Paladin's face as he sidestepped to avoid the woman. He looked at the few individuals who were present. Not far away, an elderly butler with a sad face and a grandson just in his teens were perplexedly looking at Nari’s corpse. There was also an old man wearing full armor and wielding a massive two-handed sword who appeared to be a mercenary.

Ignoring the butler and the child, Paladin carefully observed the mercenary. The reflective white armor covered his body tightly. Occasionally, some parts of the dark chainmail armor could be seen from the gaps of the outer armor. He also wore a helmet that fully covered his face.

If it weren't for the absence of any marks or coats of arms on his armor, Paladin would have assumed the man was a noble’s private soldier or a knight. However, the plainly visible symbol made of four stars engraved on his chest made Paladin recognize that this big man had at least the qualifications of a four-star fighter. Albeit still unable to be compared to a great magician, the man was a relatively rare master among the fighters. But, judging by the fact that he didn't even remove his helmet, he most likely had just come here not long ago.

Thinking so, Paladin calmly approached Nari's body that was lying on the ground with a look of horror on his face. The bedroom was beautifully decorated. The rope was still there, swaying in the breeze that entered the room filled with silver utensils. Paladin knelt down, his brows furrowed. He pretended to look at the corpse before standing up. Staring at the mercenary, he said, "May I ask who your Excellency might be? What kind of connection do you have with Nari, the owner of this home?"

Kaleqi, who successfully broke free from the clingy middle-aged woman, immediately stepped forward and introduced the mercenary.

"This is my friend Harvey. He is currently employed by the Duchy. He is the leader of a group of 100 soldiers."

As soon as Kaleqi said that, Paladin immediately frowned and looked at Kaleqi The doubt in his eyes couldn't be more obvious. At this exact moment, after some people of power in Nurba had been eliminated, Kaleqi actually brought his own friend, who in turn led and brought a hundred soldiers from the battlefield, here. The implication of Kaleqi’s action made Paladin feel very uncomfortable.

After glaring at Kaleqi, Paladin smiled and turned his head away. With a welcoming smile, Paladin suddenly started a conversation with Harvey.

"A mercenary hired by the Duchy? Is the Duchy going to war? The nations that border this area are not close by. Is there something wrong? Why did Captain Harvey bring a hundred people here?"

Nurba was merely a tiny town. Did you feel that the benefits are not enough and want to eat them all up, so you brought 100 soldiers here?! However, Harvey clearly didn't understand what Paladin meant. Directly ignoring the topic of going to war, he put his hand on his chest and said, "The soldiers under my command are not fully equipped. I heard that Nurba is a place where iron ore is transported nearby, so I want to ask my old friend Kaleqi to make 20 sets of armor for us"

Paladin frowned. After looking at Kaleqi who nodded slightly, Paladin smiled brightly. He stepped forward and patted Harvey, who was a head taller than him. Then, he slapped Harvey’s shoulder armor and said, "Sir Harvey, you are really rich! Twenty sets of armor, half body or full body? Chain armor or plate armor?"

Harvey raised his head and gave Kaleqi a doubtful look. He didn't understand how this strange priest had the audacity to intervene in this matter. After all, all iron from the mines in Nurba were sold only to the Duchy. Selling them to others without authorization was either a minor or major felony. One would only face a minimal fine if the offense was minor. Otherwise, one would be hanged if it was a huge one!

However, Harvey's doubts were dispelled by Kaleqi. He saw Kaleqi approaching the two of them with a smile and softly said, "My old buddy Harvey, as the shepherd of our Nurba, the priest has the right to know what we have done for justice. Fear not, he is also one of Nurba’s shareholders. Be bold and speak up."

Harvey was about to speak when he was stopped by Paladin's hand. Harvey saw Paladin smiling gently and then said, "Let's wait until the issue here is resolved. I will properly talk to Mr. Harvey later."

After seeing Harvey nodding in agreement, Paladin walked to the table next to them. He picked up the suicide note and pretended to read it several times. Then, with disgust, he said,: "It turns out that Nari, Chira, and Dorren are real heretics. Captain, you know what to do next."

As soon as Paladin finished speaking, Kaleqi hummed. Drawing out his long sword with a hint of fervor, he pointed at the panic-stricken housekeeper and woman. Then, he shouted, "Guards! These people are heretics! Take them all away and send them to prison!"

The guards downstairs instantly ran upstairs with high spirits, weapons ready in hand. They were very excited because they had heard from the captain that they would receive bonuses as soon as this matter was over. A whopping gold goin each!

Paladin looked coldly at the guards, who were about to drag the crying women and the terrified housekeeper with grim smiles. The woman hugged Paladin's feet miserably and begged, "Father! Captain! I honestly had no idea that my dad was a heretic, I really didn't know! Please, show some kindness. Give me a way out! At least, at least please pray for Dad first! So he may return to God’s embrace!"

Paladin frowned in annoyance. Seeing that there were no other outsiders present, he shook his feet and freed it from the woman's hand. But, the woman persisted and eventually angered Paladin by grabbing his pants once more.

Paladin raised his right foot and stepped hard on the back of the woman's hand. Ignoring the woman's screams caused by the severe pain, he twisted his feet violently. With an angry smile, Paladin said, "Him? Pray for him? This heretic? Hahahaha! Let me tell you, whether he is a heretic or not, I will never pray for him! It is clearly recorded in the doctrine that a person who has committed suicide can not return to God’s embrace. They can only be pulled by the chains of evil and fall into the mouth of the heretical God of Darkness, Belial! He shall be tortured for all of eternity!"

After saying that, Paladin raised his foot and kicked the woman away in the forehead. Ignoring the blood flowing from her forehead, he shouted angrily, "Hurry up and take her downstairs! I can't stand the heretical aura coming from this bitch for a moment longer!"

Only after the woman's screams had gradually faded away did Paladin gently say, "Please, both of you, Let’s find a quiet place and talk slowly."

Harvey watched Paladin sauntering down the stairs with an ugly expression. He couldn't help but lower his voice and asked Kaleqi who was already used to it.

"Kaleqi, is this guy truly a priest? I have traveled all over the world and seen some priests on the journey, yet I have never come across one of this kind.”

"Okay, okay, Harvey. You only need the armor, so don't think about the rest. You know, I get chills all over my body whenever I see him.”

Harvey nodded in agreement. A fearful expression still lingered on his face when he followed Kaleqi downstairs. At the same time, he said secretly in his heart, "You are already so vicious at such a young age. Fortunately, you are not my enemy."