Chapter 342: Chapter 213: The Pope (Anthony) sent me_3
However, after so many years, Brand had become accustomed to this. The village tried to grow a little, he organized some people to collect taxes on the road, and from time to time he would raise a fuss with the higher-ups. Whatever he could squeeze out of them, he could barely make do and survive.
Negris was shocked by Brand’s description and didn’t know what to say. When he was in the Master Plane, he had some understanding of the corruption in the church from Anthony, Shamara, and Fala. But he didn’t expect the situation in the Land of Fallen to be even more severe.
This is the frontline, aren’t they afraid that the defense line will be breached if they do this?
“Sir, are you sure you aren’t a local garrison, sir?” Brand asked nervously, repeatedly asking this question, fearing that Ange was trying to trick him.
“I’ve told you I’m not. Not only am I not a local garrison, even my identity as God’s Knight is fake. I’m an ascetic monk from the Master Plane, assigned by the Pope to secretly investigate the corruption in the Land of Fallen. In order to get the true situation, I had to put on a disguise.”
As Negris spoke, he had Ange perform the Holy Light. He mentioned Anthony’s name in front of the Pope, implying it was Anthony who sent them. They would seek a letter of appointment from Anthony when they are back, after all, the Pope of the Holy Church is still the Pope, isn’t he?
Pure Holy Light was the best proof of identity. Brand didn’t doubt Ange’s identity, he was just worried that it was a fishing operation.
“Let’s go, take me to your village.” said Negris. Meanwhile, he turned around to look for Feirick, only to find Feirick hiding in the distance behind some rocks, peering out nervously.
Forget it, ignore this undead merchant. Having him along would only be a hindrance.
Brand reluctantly led the way. After a while, Ange suddenly turned and looked into the dense woods.
In the depths of the forest, a Paladin with worn-out armor was anxiously peering in their direction. Seeing Ange had noticed him, he was startled and quickly pulled his head back behind the foliage.
Brand also noticed him, and called out with a bitter smile, “Come on out, everyone. The lord has forgiven us.”
Around twenty Paladins reluctantly emerged from their hiding places. No one was missing, obviously, Brand had quite a reputation among them. None of them abandoned him to escape.
One of the youngest knight attendants, leaning on a crutch, hobbled over and timidly called to Brand, “Dad.”
“Your son? What happened to his leg?” Negris asked.
“He fell off a horse when he was little and shattered his ankle. Holy Art can only heal it, but it couldn’t piece the shattered bones back together.” Brand said painfully, guiltily caressing his son’s head.
Negris asked in confusion, “Don’t you have Holy Essence Liquid? Why don’t you use it? Even if the ankle were shattered, you could just amputate and regrow it.”
Brand and his Paladin men looked at each other, “Sir, are you talking about the legendary Holy Essence Liquid that can regenerate limbs?”
Negris was surprised, “Legendary? You don’t mean to tell me you’ve never seen Holy Essence Liquid before?”
As he said this, Negris reached into his bag and pulled out a vial, “I happen to have some right here, one thousand demon crystals per vial.”
The expression on Brand’s face changed from surprise to disappointment in an instant.
“However, if you cooperate with me in investigating the corruption, I’ll give you this vial of Essence Liquid for free. It can cure your son’s leg, how does that sound?”