Chapter 521: Act 269 – The Temple Knight’s Job Change (Part 2)
“Wait a moment.” High Priest Wood suddenly appeared, the elderly priest was slightly taken aback and immediately stopped his actions, looking at the other person with some confusion. “Priest Zoya, I have something to discuss with this young man. Could you step outside for a moment?” The current Grand Priest of the Andefule Temple did not spare a glance at Brendel but asked his colleague accordingly.
The elderly priest was momentarily stunned but quickly lowered his eyes, placing his hands on his chest and slightly bowing towards Wood. “Of course, as you wish, Grand Priest.” He glanced at Brendel, then looked back at Wood’s expression, somewhat unable to decipher the underlying relationship. However, this was no longer something he could concern himself with, so the elderly priest could only set aside his curiosity and exited the quiet room.
Only then did Wood turn his attention back, and feeling the slightly stern gaze upon him, Brendel inwardly cursed, sensing that this Grand Priest of Andefule did not appear to be in the mood for a casual conversation—after all, it was neither noon nor afternoon.
“I’ve heard your name is Brendel?” Erluin, the Grand Priest who stood above all, spoke up.
Brendel felt as if his brow had been pricked with a needle, raising his head to feign confusion and asking, “Hmm?”
“Alright, your reaction is very astute, and your demeanor is quite convincing. However, it’s a pity that Turiman has informed me—didn’t he mention his relationship with me?” Wood’s serious expression suddenly broke into a slight smile. Seeing this young man, whom an old friend had mentioned not long ago, alerted him to the cautious demeanor that came off as a bit inexperienced in light of the circumstances.
Wood’s words caused Brendel to freeze momentarily, and he silently scolded himself. How could he have forgotten the relationship between the powerful Grand Priest Ampere Seale and Turiman? The two had known each other for years back in Cruz, being very close friends. Even after Turiman had secluded himself outside Bruglas, they had maintained contact since Turiman often sent messages to Ampere Seale.
However, unexpectedly, Brendel found something curious about Turiman’s attitude towards him. While he had met this learned scholar in Bruglas before, their relationship could be summarized as having fought alongside each other against the tides of the Loop of Trade Winds. Even he could tell that William and Turiman had a decent impression of him as a young junior, but it was limited to casual conversation. Brendel never anticipated that after merely asking Turiman for a recommendation letter, he would be confronted by an old friend of Ampere Seale.
The former was incidental; the latter was clearly intentional, highlighting the significant difference between them.
Given Turiman’s prominence in Erluin, it seemed improbable for him to harbor any ambitions regarding Brendel’s small faction, which was cornered in Duke Toniger’s territory. Before Brendel could ponder this relationship further, Wood, noticing his confusion, scrutinized him as if he were trying to see through him, “You need not think too much; my old friend seems to hold you in high regard. Since he left the power core of this kingdom, it’s the first time I’ve seen him so eager.”
“Do you know what he said to me?”
Brendel certainly did not, but he was curious as to why the renowned Lord of the Mithril Fortress would take the long way around to lend him a hand. He straightforwardly looked at the Grand Priest of the Andefule Temple and shook his head decisively, “I don’t know, Grand Priest.” By saying this, he acknowledged his own status.
This time, the curiosity shifted back to Grand Priest Wood, “Young man, since I am already aware of your identity, you should understand that you are a rebel, and I represent the Temple of Fire. Do you really believe I would let you go merely because of an old friend’s connection?” When the elder Grand Priest asked, a sense of authority as a high-ranking cleric of the temple unconsciously manifested within him. If an ordinary person faced such questioning, they would have been trembling in fear by now, but Brendel felt no guilt and instead answered calmly, “I don’t know, but I would prefer to believe that the Grand Priest has a reason for discussing so much with me here.”
“My old friend believes you can help Erluin out of the quagmire.”
Brendel’s fingers moved slightly.
This was an answer he had never even dreamed of.
He took a deep breath and found himself momentarily at a loss for how to respond. If he agreed outright, it would seem conceited, as even he could not perceive the endless paths of history ahead. He never considered what he was doing to be all that great; rather than saving, it felt more like rectifying past regrets. Brendel even thought that his motives were somewhat selfish—he wished to preserve the beautiful things lost in the past, like a child who made mistakes trying to make amends. Although it wasn’t entirely his fault, he always felt a sense of guilt.
Knowing too much yet being able to do too little, the only answer he could give himself was to try his best to accomplish it.
Even during this trip to Ampere Seale, the princess, who had struggled for Erluin in another piece of history, was on the other side of the fog. Whether he could pass through this fog was still unknown. Brendel took each step cautiously, a caution he alone understood. Yet today, there was someone who firmly told him:
“I believe you can help Erluin out of the quagmire.”
And this person was no ordinary talker; he was a wise elder, the Lord of the Mithril Fortress, the great scholar of Erluin, a person of the People of Silver, Bud, amongst many craftsmen and wizards standing atop the clouds of mortals. Brendel believed that the other hadn’t become so bored as to play a joke on him, especially since the coincidence was striking.
For a moment, Brendel felt somewhat parched. However, since Turiman was not a prophet, the elder might have seen some signs through a certain wise gaze, yet Brendel thought it best to remain humble. Mere denial could appear insufficient, so he looked at the Grand Priest of the Andefule Temple and eventually nodded in agreement.
“I believe that any ambitious young person would harbor such thoughts for this decaying kingdom. Not just me; many others are fighting for this purpose. I am too, I just do my best to do what I believe is right, nothing more.”
“So your actions in Duke Toniger are also part of this answer?”
Brendel nodded.
Wood lowered his eyes, moved closer to Brendel, and gestured for him to kneel. “The northern Toquinin Lionmen are stirring, do you know?”
Seeing that the Grand Priest was about to perform the job change ceremony for him as a Temple Knight, Brendel felt somewhat perplexed about the other’s intentions. Wood was known for his iron-fisted principles in the history of the Amber Sword, called “the Iron-clad Priest.” His reputation was largely positive, based on the virtues of the temple, making him a truly admirable cleric. After a brief moment of shock, Brendel responded appropriately, kneeling on one knee like a knight receiving his knighthood.
Though he had little fondness for such formal ceremonies, this was a rare opportunity, and he understood its significance.
He nodded and replied softly, “I know a bit.”
“The temple will not allow Erluin to remain in turmoil for long.” Wood placed his hand on Brendel’s shoulder and recited, “In the name of King of Fire Gilt, his descendants have always glorified this name, not because of the merits of their ancestors, but because they have inherited such character and virtue. Therefore, we swear, no matter how the earth may shake, his descendants will forever uphold this belief in their hearts.”
“I pledge—” Brendel replied in accordance with tradition. In his heart, he felt little anxiety over the stirrings of the Toquinin Lionmen, for such events had occurred in history—like nails hammered into wood. Compared to the ancient vows recited by this historical Iron-faced Grand Priest, Brendel felt a deep resonance. Indeed, these virtues were so precious in the dark ages, yet now Vaunte had discarded them, with only a few remaining steadfast.
“Then, let us ask this young knight not to alter the oaths he has sworn due to any changes in circumstances, for regardless of the situation, he should understand that there are some things in this world that are always right and should not be abandoned or forgotten.”
“I promise.”
As the two exchanged vows, the space within the quiet room seemed to tremble, and Brendel felt a connection being established as if a bridge were falling from the heavens at the moment he made his vow, linking his current world with the unknown. The fundamental laws sustaining the world of the Amber Sword resonated; a mighty force descended from above, merging into his body as if he had gained some form of recognition, and in an instant, he attained the abilities of a Temple Knight.
“System Notification: Player has acquired a new profession ‘Temple Knight’.”
“System Notification: Player has acquired a new professional skill ‘Conflict Aura’.”
“System Notification: Player has acquired a new professional skill ‘Blood of the Flame Sun’.”
“System Notification: Player has acquired a new professional skill ‘Crown of Thorns’.”
The blessing from a Grand Priest was indeed extraordinary; Brendel instantly received fifteen free levels in the Temple Knight profession, gaining one primary skill at levels five and fifteen. The Conflict Aura required no further introduction, while Blood of the Flame Sun and Crown of Thorns were also core skills of the Temple Knight.
(PS You bad people are secretly talking behind my back in the group. Don’t think I didn’t see it! I just had some matters during the day. Two updates are two updates, you scoundrels!)(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to support me with recommendation votes and monthly votes on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)
