Chapter 522: Act 270 – High Priest Wood
The Blood of the Sun is a passive skill that causes any enemies dealing melee damage to the Temple Knights to receive reflective damage from golden flames. At each level, it deals 5% damage, reaching 75% at level fifteen. Although this damage is counted as both magical and fire damage, which can be offset by various resistances, it is still enough to give the Temple Knights’ opponents a headache, considering that the Temple Knights themselves are tank-type characters. You might inflict a cut on them, only to find that you receive even more damage in the end.
The Thorned Crown, on the other hand, is an active offensive skill. This skill has both a sustained and an actively activated state. While active, it consumes a small amount of mana every second and serves to increase the Temple Knight’s own resistance and defense—resistance being the ability to resist toxins and special damage, and defense being the ability to resist magical attacks. When the Temple Knight activates this skill, they will convert all their defense, resistances, and resistances into attack power for a short period.
This duration is brief, and after the effect ends, the Temple Knight will experience a significant period of weakness with zero defense and resistance. However, during the activation period of this skill, the Temple Knight is undoubtedly at peak combat strength, with players referring to it as the mad dog mode. This skill serves as the core method for the Temple Knight to unleash their power. Brendel has never had much fondness for such self-destructive skills, but being able to acquire two core skills from the vast array of abilities available in each profession is certainly an unexpected surprise.
This also reflects one of the powers wielded by high-ranking clergy during rituals. Brendel could not help but glance at High Priest Wood, who stood at the pinnacle of power in the Great Cathedral of Andearful. The high priest’s face showed little emotion; the entire ceremony lasted but a moment, and then the elder nodded to him, “You may rise.”
The previously restless divine aura in the room seemed to quiet instantly, and the feeling of sacred power that had filled the space was now entirely absent, as if everything that had happened before was merely an illusion.
“The northern Toquinin Lionmen are stirring, and the Temple will not allow Erluin’s turmoil to last too long. My term is coming to an end, and the Temple may send a new high priest to take my place.” Wood waited for Brendel to stand up and continued the previous topic, appearing uninterested in hosting Brendel’s vocational ceremony, as he repeatedly focused the conversation on this matter.
Hearing this, Brendel suddenly became more attentive. He knew that this high priest had always advocated for the Temple to remain independent from the affairs of nations, maintaining a neutral attitude. This was also true in dealing with Erluin’s internal unrest. Wood suddenly mentioning it to him made him wonder if he intended to imply that his successor might not share this stance. With this thought, he couldn’t help but look at this powerful figure with suspicion.
High Priest Wood did not give a definitive answer.
“I heard you support that princess of Erluin?” the elder inquired.
Brendel did not shy away from this, merely nodding.
“The princess is currently at a disadvantage. If she wishes to govern Erluin, this kingdom will likely fall into prolonged chaos. Unless she can persuade Duke Anlek, both Vieiro and Rendener, previously indecisive, will lean towards the royal faction,” the elder’s gaze fell on Brendel, “But do you really believe that this can help the ancient kingdom?”
Brendel shook his head; this was precisely what he sought to prevent. He could clearly see how events would unfold in the future. Once the princess reached an agreement with Anlek, she would inevitably have to compromise with the conservative nobility. Her royal faction was not reliable, akin to the pillars of a crumbling building that had rotted from the inside; no position swapping would remedy the situation. Perhaps it could temporarily salvage the decline, but in the long run, it would be of no help.
Brendel was not a seer, but he had personally witnessed this all unfold, much like a grand drama on stage, only he was in the midst of it.
The high priest of the Great Cathedral of Andearful looked at him once more.
“So you understand?”
Suddenly, Brendel realized what the high priest was insinuating. The Temple would not allow Erluin’s internal strife to drag on for too long, and if the princess could not gain an advantage in a short time, the Temple would likely intervene. Although Wood himself did not advocate for such action, there was no guarantee that his successor would feel the same. With this thought, he could not help but lift his head to look at the elder.
“Turiman is my old friend, and Erluin is also his homeland. He does not wish to see his country fall into decline, so I naturally must assist him. Moreover, this aligns with my principles. Young man, my old friend has placed some chips on you, so I don’t mind staying in Ampere Seale a little longer. However, time is limited; the Grand Cathedral is not something I can influence, and at most, I can only find ways to delay things a bit.” Wood finally spoke frankly, looking at Brendel, “You don’t have much time left. From today onward, you are a clever man, and I believe you can understand my meaning.”
Brendel took a deep breath, finally clarifying the relationships at play. However, he never expected Turiman to have the Temple of Ampere Seale stand on his side. Although the time was short, it was still a considerable advantage for his actions. This surprise was like a gift from the heavens, even greater than his joy at obtaining the Reverse Adversity Paradise card set.
He nodded to High Priest Wood, “I understand.”
“That’s good. For external matters, just continue with your original narrative. You should be aware that if the reputation of the Temple is tarnished, the ensuing retaliation is not something your territory can bear, and neither can Erluin.” The high priest said expressionlessly.
Brendel was well aware of this; he had initially hesitated to disturb this great figure, but he had not anticipated that Turiman had arranged everything early on. Brendel recalled that his conversations with William and that scholar in the Loop of Trade Winds had not been extensive, yet the former leader of the Silver Alliance had deduced his intentions from just a few clues. But what intrigued Brendel more was how they viewed him. If they truly believed he could save Erluin, then he only needed to join their camp, and with the influence of this scholar, the princess’s side could at least gain equal footing with the northern nobility.
However, this scholar chose to intervene from the sidelines. What did he really intend to do? Was it because the so-called People of Silver preferred not to meddle in mortal affairs? Brendel thought this might not be entirely accurate; otherwise, the wizards would not have fought over the ancient slate.
…
In the tranquil room of the Great Cathedral of Andearful, Brendel spent about half an hour for his transition to the Temple Knight. This was about the time needed for the transition process, and besides the ceremony itself, the officiating priest would usually inquire further with the knight afterward. However, High Priest Wood naturally skipped this step, discussing much about the situation in Erluin, and Brendel did not seem overly worried about the high priest’s hints regarding the Toquinin Lionmen and his successor.
Because he knew everything that would happen in the future.
Historically, the replacement of the clergy in the Ampere Seale district was not scheduled until next year, and the Toquinin Lionmen would not dare invade easily in the short term unless history were to change. However, in truth, he did not feel that his current influence on history was as significant as he imagined. At least, Brendel did not think that all he had done so far could affect Erluin, let alone some decisions of the Temple.
This seemed rather absurd.
After half an hour passed, Brendel took his leave from the high priest of Ampere Seale. In fact, he did not mind staying here a little longer, but lingering too long would undoubtedly raise suspicions. Moreover, although the idea of transitioning to a Temple Knight had originated back in Ridenburg’s outskirts, it was merely an interlude in his many plans. Next, Brendel intended to head to Ampere Seale’s largest auction house; he still had an artwork depicting the Dark Princess that had not been sold. This piece of art was worth a fortune in the eyes of connoisseurs, yet for someone like Brendel, devoid of artistic talent, it merely equated to funding needed for the future development of his territory.
Were he to express this thought, he would likely be labeled as the most vulgar noble in Erluin the next day, even worse than the newly rich. However, Brendel had never regarded himself as a noble; that title was merely an excuse he used to conceal his deeper actions.
But what troubled Brendel was that participating in the Ampere Seale noble auction, like other noble gatherings, required a certain status to even enter that circle. He knew that the auction’s owner was a member of the Ampere Seale merchant guild, a middle-aged man named Donal, who held a nominal title. However, this gentleman was immensely wealthy; meeting him was not an easy task. Moreover, he had his own channels for collecting auction items, making it difficult for Brendel to join the fray.
He was not very familiar with the matters of the noble circle and was about to ask Antinna, who was waiting outside, as she was likely the only one among them who knew more about Erluin’s nobility. However, before he reached the outer courtyard, he suddenly heard an angry female voice:
“Sir, please show some respect; this is the Temple of Fire!”
Brendel paused, instinctively thinking that it might be the two ladies accompanying him who had encountered trouble. But upon listening carefully, he realized that he did not recognize the woman’s voice. He couldn’t help but frown slightly—who was it outside? Where had Antinna and Xi gone?
…(to be continued. If you enjoy this work, please support it by voting on qidian.com; your support is my greatest motivation.)
